Clashes between Palestinians and Israeli police erupted in the nearby Sheikh Jara district
More than 175 Palestinians and six Israeli police were injured Friday, most of them in the Temple Square , Jerusalem ‘s Old City, in the worst clashes in recent years in East Jerusalem , a scene that has escalated in recent weeks. of Washington.
Tens of thousands of devout Muslims gathered yesterday in Temple Square – the Temple Mount for the Jews – in the last major Friday prayer of the holy month of Ramadan.
However, clashes erupted between Palestinians, who threw stones and objects, and Israeli police, who used flash grenades and fired plastic bullets at protesters. An AFP photographer said he saw 12 protesters with facial injuries.
“Hundreds of rioters threw stones, bottles and other objects at police who responded,” Israeli police said. A police spokesman spoke of “violent riots”.
The Palestinian Red Crescent Ambulance Service said 88 of the injured Palestinians were taken to hospital after being hit with rubber-coated metal bullets. One of the injured lost his eye, two suffered serious head injuries and two broke their jaws, the Red Crescent said.
Clashes between Palestinians and Israeli police erupted in the nearby Sheikh Jara district, where protests have been taking place in recent nights against the possible eviction of Palestinian families in favor of Israeli settlers. The Palestinian Red Crescent said at least four Palestinians were injured.
A fragile calm appeared to be returning to East Jerusalem after midnight, AFP reporters reported.
According to the Palestinian Red Crescent, at least 178 protesters were injured last night in Jerusalem, most of them in Temenon Square in East Jerusalem, the Palestinian part of the city that has occupied and annexed Israel since 1967.
Israeli police reported six wounded in her ranks.
Last night’s demonstrations were the most violent in Jerusalem, following clashes raging overnight between Palestinians and Israelis on the outskirts of the Old City in late April that left 125 people injured, as well as clashes involving displacement. of the US embassy in the disputed city in 2018.
Strategic allies of Israel, the US yesterday called for “de-escalation” of tensions and “avoidance” of the eviction of Palestinian families.
The UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East, Thor Wensland, expressed deep concern over the situation and called for calm and a show of responsibility.
“We hold Israel responsible for the dangerous developments in the Old City”, said Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas , calling the Palestinians gathered in Temenon Square “heroic.”
The European Union, Jordan and the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council have expressed concern about the possible eviction of Palestinian families.
