Riots rock Jerusalem as Hamas calls for new 'intifada' March 17, 2010

Hundreds of Palestinians clashed with Israeli security forces across east Jerusalem on Tuesday in the worst rioting in years as a senior Hamas leader called for a new "intifada," or uprising.

As the unrest rocked Jerusalem, US Middle East envoy George Mitchell delayed a visit to the region amid the most severe diplomatic row in decades between Israel and the United States, which has been struggling to revive peace talks.

Police fired rubber bullets, stun grenades and tear gas at protesters who hurled stones and set up barricades with dumpsters and burning tyres in several neighbourhoods.

Israeli soldiers run across a street as they clash with Palestinian youths (background) at the the Qalandia checkpoint between the West Bank city of Ramallah and Jerusalem. Photo: AFP

In at least one neighbourhood undercover Israeli police officers disguised as protesters wrestled demonstrators to the ground and handcuffed them.

Sixteen Palestinians were taken to hospital, with fractured bones, eye and stomach injuries, and dozens more were treated on the spot, according to the emergency services of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society.

Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said four officers were briefly taken to hospital and another 10 were treated on the spot, while 60 Palestinians were arrested.

There were clashes in the Shuafat refugee camp and in several other parts of east Jerusalem, which Israel occupied in the 1967 Six Day War and later annexed in a move not recognised by the international community.

As the rioting was under way Hamas deputy politburo chief Mussa Abu Marzuk called for another popular Palestinian uprising.

"The intifada must enjoy the participation of all of Palestinian society," he told Al-Jazeera television. "Every Palestinian should rise up... against the forces of the (Israeli) occupation."

In the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip thousands of people took to the streets, chanting: "With our blood, with our souls, we sacrifice for you, Jerusalem."

The Palestinians have launched two intifadas against Israeli rule in the occupied territories, the first in 1987 and the second in 2000.

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It would appear as though Zion is beating the war drums once again according to Press TV

"Ashkenazi repeated Tel Aviv's allegations against Hamas, accusing the Islamic movement of hiding weaponry in public buildings and residential areas. He said the Israeli army could be fighting in cities, mosques, hospitals, schools and even kindergartens, blaming the indiscriminate warfare and a likely targeting of civilians on Palestinian resistance fighters."
http://www.presstv.com/detail.aspx?id=110400&sectionid=351020202

"Israeli Military Intelligence Chief Amos Yedlin earlier claimed that Hamas is trying to obtain more weapons and missiles, and that it successfully tested a missile that could reach Tel Aviv, some 60 kilometers (37.28 Miles) away."

It isnt quite weapons of mass destruction, but enough to justify another defensive/ offensive. 

This comes in light of an arms shipment that was ceased by Israeli commandos that was destined for Lebanon, in which they claim originated in Iran. Meanwhile the Iranian green movement which has been co-opted by the CIA commemorates the 30th anniversary of the Iranian revolution by taking to the streets in opposition to the reigning power.

" Proof of large-scale Iranian weapons shipments to its proxy forces on Israel's borders could reinforce the views of Israelis who favor their military making a pre-emptive strike against Iran's nuclear facilities."--- FROM the ASSOCIATED PRESS

Both Iran and Syria deny it was arms shipments and also deny it was destined for lebanon, much less what the AP terms "Hezbollah geurillas" (i.e. to be confused with gorillas!)

"Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki was quoted by the official IRNA news agency as saying 'the report was not true. The ship was heading for Iran from Syria carrying Syrian goods, not weapons."
http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/middleeast/news/article_1511366.php/Iran-denies-link-to-arms-shipment-intercepted-by-Israel

The Isreali Zionut Nutnyahoo responded
"Whoever still needed indisputable proof that Iran continues to send weapons to terror organizations got it today in a clear and unequivocal manner. Iran sends these weapons to terror organizations in order to hit Israeli cities and kill civilians"

As speculated only days ago at Fadsmashers Israeli is greasing the wheels for another christmas suprise, only this time the world wont tolerate it, Israel knows this and its allies are banking on it, so to use it as yet another excuse to crack down on dissent and intensify the police state. It will be a go for broke situation.