At least 8 Palestinians wounded, one seriously, in clashes with IDF troops in West Bank
Palestinians clash with Israeli security forces in areas of Jerusalem, West Bank following prayers on Friday.
By REUTERS, JPOST.COM STAFFJerusalem clashes after Temple Mt. reopening
At least eight Palestinians were wounded, one seriously, in clashes with IDF troops at the Kalandiya checkpoint in the West Bank, Israel Radio reported on Friday.According to Palestinian sources, IDF troops used live fire and rubber-coated bullets against rioters in hopes of dispersing the mob.Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas spoke by telephone with US Secretary of State John Kerry on Friday, according to the Wafa news agency.Abbas urged Kerry to “put an end to Israel’s actions and escalations,” according to Wafa.After a calm but tense morning Palestinians clashed with Israeli security forces in areas of Jerusalem and the West Bank following prayers on Friday.Protests broke out in the Arab neighborhoods of Wadi al-Joz and A-Tur in east Jerusalem and Hebron and Kalandiya in the West Bank.The troops responded with teargas and stun canisters to disperse the crowds, who threw stones and firecrackers. No Injuries or damage were reported.In the nearby neighborhood of Ras al-Amoud, Muslim worshipers held prayers under a heavy presence of border police. The young men who were not allowed into al-Aqsa after Israel restricted prayers in the holy site to men over the age of 50, left the site peacefully after prayers.Meanwhile, a number of Arab youths attempted to break though a security barricade at the Temple Mount complex while others launched fireworks and stones toward security forces in the capital's Old City, following Friday morning prayers for Muslim worshipers.Muslim worshipers over the age of 50 returned to pray at al-Aqsa mosque on the Temple Mount compound, a day after Israeli authorities shut down all access to the sacred site following the shooting of right-wing Israeli activist.
Fatah had called for a “day of rage” in Jerusalem and the West Bank following the closure of the compound.Border Police increased their presence in the cobblestone alleyways of the Old City and around the Muslim access points or gates into the compound, checking identification papers closely.Tensions have been high on the streets of east Jerusalem and around the Temple Mount compound for weeks, following the Gaza war and Israel's moves to expand settlement building in eastern areas of the city, which the Palestinians want for a capital of an independent state alongside Gaza and the West Bank.