In pictures: Settlers celebrate the anniversary of “occupying Jerusalem” and the residents confront them
The streets of Jerusalem turned into a hit-and-run field between hundreds of occupation forces and dozens of young men who confronted the march of “Dance of Israeli flags” on the anniversary of occupying Jerusalem. Jerusalemites were able to be present in the streets of Jerusalem from 3 p.m. until 8 p.m. in the area of Damascus Gate to challenge the Israeli flags’ march and to confirm the Arab and Islamic identity of Jerusalem. The first Jerusalemites’ sit-in where Palestinian flags were held was at 3 p.m. in the area of Damascus Gate and the forces suppressed them with sound grenades, beating and arrests. Jerusalemites then formed other separate sit-ins in “Sultan Suleiman Street”, across from “Suleiman’s Cave” and in the Cave’s Courtyard” due to Israeli restrictions; note that they were all suppressed and harassed by the Israeli forces. Palestinians (young men, children and women) raised Palestinian flags during the sit-ins and chanted “God is Great” along with chants against the Israeli occupation and in support of Al-Aqsa Mosque and Jerusalem. Those were the people harassed and suppressed by the occupation forces (Special Forces, Calvary units, borders police, police and the Musta’ribeen) but still managed to be present in the streets of Jerusalem and near checkpoints and iron barriers. On the other hand, thousands of settlers participated in the settlers’ march which initiated from West Jerusalem heading into East Jerusalem and passing through New Gate, Jaffa Gate, Damascus Gate and some went through Lions Gate and Herod’s Gate. The settlers raised Israeli flags and verbally insulted Muslims and Jerusalemites. They also formed disturbing dance and singing groups and assaulted journalists and the medical staff; note that the Israeli forces provided the settlers with full protection and allocated special roads for them. The injury of 29 Jerusalemites with wounds, fractures and bruises The head of paramedics department in the Palestinian Red Crescent, Dr Amin Abu Ghazaleh, explained that 29 Jerusalemites were injured by tear gas and rubber bullets in which 22 of them were treated in the field while sever were treated at the hospitals. Dr. Abu Ghazaleh also explained that three Jerusalemites were injured by rubber bullets in their eyes and one injury in the eye due to beating with the butts of the Israeli forces’ guns. Abu Ghazaleh added that two young men suffered fractures in the hand and leg and two others suffered severe bruises. Arresting 5 Jerusalemites The head of Prisoner’s Club in Jerusalem, Naser Qos, explained that five Jerusalemites were arrested by the occupation forces. They are: Amir Bashiti, Amin Karaki, Sharif Rajabi, Obada Najib and Mohammad Abu Sneineh. Young men explained that the forces assaulted and detained them and also checked their IDs before releasing them and telling them that they will be contacted in the next few days.
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