Hundreds of Palestinians riot in Jerusalem
Wednesday, 17 March 2010
JERUSALEM, Mar 16 (AFP): Hundreds of Palestinians clashed with security forces in mainly Arab east Jerusalem Tuesday amid heightened tensions in the Holy City where Israel has vowed to expand Jewish settlements.
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 petrol bombs in several neighbourhoods.
Six Palestinians were taken to hospital, including two with moderate to serious injuries -- one to the eye and the other to the shoulder -- according to the emergency services of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society.
Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said two officers were wounded and 15 Palestinians arrested.
The rioting broke out at dawn and spiralled in several neighbourhoods.
Meanwhile, Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman blasted the international community Tuesday following a telephone conversation with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.
"I have talked overnight with Ban Ki-moon and I have the impression there is no response within the international community to all the measures Israel has taken over the past year," he told journalists.
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 petrol bombs in several neighbourhoods.
Six Palestinians were taken to hospital, including two with moderate to serious injuries -- one to the eye and the other to the shoulder -- according to the emergency services of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society.
Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said two officers were wounded and 15 Palestinians arrested.
The rioting broke out at dawn and spiralled in several neighbourhoods.
Meanwhile, Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman blasted the international community Tuesday following a telephone conversation with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.
"I have talked overnight with Ban Ki-moon and I have the impression there is no response within the international community to all the measures Israel has taken over the past year," he told journalists.