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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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.
Read More
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