Violent clashes in Jerusalem: more than 200 Palestinians injured

JERUSALEM.- In one of the most violent clashes in Jerusalem in recent years, more than 200 Palestinians were injured, as new marches and possible clashes are announced for this Saturday, which has prompted a call for calm from the United States, the European Union and regional powers.

The revolt began after Muslim prayers on the last Friday of the Muslim holiday of Ramadan, as Israeli riot police in a confused situation started firing rubber bullets, tear gas and stun grenades at thousands of Palestinians gathered on the mosque plaza and the crowd began to throw stones and bottles.

According to the Palestinian Red Crescent, at least 205 Palestinians were injured, most on the Esplanade, one of the most disputed places in the Old City of Jerusalem.

The clashes came after rising tensions in recent weeks during the Israeli restrictions on access to parts of the Old City during Ramadan and the threat of eviction facing four Palestinian families in East Jerusalem to make way for Jewish settlers.

In addition, hours earlier, Israeli police killed two Palestinians and seriously injured a third, after opening fire on a military checkpoint in the northern West Bank.

For this Saturday new concentrations are expected called by the High Committee for the Monitoring of Arabs in Israel, a pressure group which called for demonstrations of solidarity with the Palestinians in Jerusalem.

The Esplanade des Mosques (called the Temple Mount by the Jews) is the third holiest site in Islam and, coincidentally, it is located next to the Western Wall, the most important place of prayer for Jews. Although tension is common in this part of the Old City of Jerusalem, violence is not inside the plaza, which is usually monitored remotely by the Israeli police.

But Friday was the last of the fasting month of Ramadan and a large crowd of Muslims gathered in the area.

In the face of the violence, the United States has expressed “deep concern” and urged both sides to avoid measures that “To exacerbate tensions or further drive out peace”such as “settlement activities, house demolitions and acts of terrorism”.

The European Union on Saturday called on Israeli authorities to act “urgently” to reduce tensions in Jerusalem, saying “violence and incitement are unacceptable and that all those involved must be held accountable.”

Jordan, officially guardian of Muslim holy sites in East Jerusalem, denounced “A savage aggression” Israeli security forces. Egypt, Turkey, Qatar and Bahrain have also criticized Israeli forces.

The UN, for its part, called on Israel to end forced evictions of Palestinians in East Jerusalem and warned that such actions could be considered. “War crimes”.

AFP and ANSA agencies

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