Israel: Dozens injured in renewed clashes in Jerusalem

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Palestinian protesters seek protection from tear gas in clashes with Israeli troops

Photo: ALAA BADARNEH / EPA

More than 50 people were injured in new violent clashes between Palestinians and Israeli police officers in Jerusalem on Saturday evening, according to rescue workers.

"We count 53 injured so far," said a spokesman for the Palestinian Red Crescent.

The new clashes took place in the old city of Jerusalem and in the East Jerusalem district of Sheikh Jarrah. There, Palestinians once again took to the streets to protest against the threat of evictions and threw stones at the Israeli security forces. Young people lit fires and destroyed barricades that were supposed to block access to the old town. The Israeli security forces had expected renewed protests and were preparing for them. The police used mounted forces, water cannons and stun grenades.

The previous evening there had been clashes on the Temple Mount and in other parts of East Jerusalem, in which more than 200 people were injured.

It remained quiet on the Temple Mount on Saturday evening, where Muslim believers prayed after breaking the fast in the evening without incident.

The situation in the West Bank and in the eastern part of Jerusalem has been tense since the beginning of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.

Many Palestinians are angry because the Israeli police cordoned off areas of the old city to prevent gatherings.

Then there is the threat of evictions for Palestinian families.

For a few days there have been daily protests, some of them violent.

kim / AFP / Reuters / dpa