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Feb. 23, 2004
Six policemen hurt in clashes with protestors
By MARGOT DUDKEVITCH and MATTHEW GUTMAN
One Border policeman was taken to hospital following clashes between security forces and Palestinian demonstrators along the Abu Dis section of the security fence in east Jerusalem Monday afternoon.
At least 15 Palestinians were reported injured during the clashes with some being hit by rubber bullets or tear gas canisters. Border Police chased protesters back into Arab neighborhoods, Fox News reported.
Several hundred Palestinian demonstrators began throwing stones at Border Police and security forces deployed in the area.
Six Border Policemen were lightly injured during the clashes, which according to Border Police Spokeswoman Liat Pearl, began after Palestinians saw a group of the troops standing in the line of an al-Jazeera camera that was conducting an interview.
According to Pearl, the demonstrators threw rocks and two Molotov cocktails. One of the policemen was hit in the head by a rock.
The Palestinian Authority has declared Monday a day of"rage and protest" against the security fence, calling on Palestinians to stage rallies and demonstrations in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and Jerusalem.
In the Etzion District near Rachel’s Tomb (near Bethlehem) IDF forces dispersed Palestinian demonstrators with tear gas. At the A-ram junction north of Jerusalem Palestinian demonstrators threw stones and set fire to tires. Border Police were forced to use tear gas and stun grenades to disperse the crowd.
In Hebron there were also reports of demonstrators clashing with IDF forces, as well as in the Tulkarm area.
Police arrested two Balad party members as they waved PLO flags during a demonstration against the Security Fence in Nazareth.
City Mayor Ramez Jeraisi meanwhile attended another demonstration against the fence.
Palestinian PM joins anti-fence demonstrations
Earlier in the day, Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei demonstrated at the same spot where the clashes erupted, calling the International Court of Justice to force Israel to stop the construction of the West Bank security fence.
Palestinian school children and university students joined the march in Abu Dis, after classes ended at 10 a.m. to enable them to join the protest.
On the Jerusalem side of the barrier, Israel’s Foreign Ministry placed the bombed out no.14 bus in which eight were killed and over 60 wounded Sunday. Victims of terror were standing next to the bus in silent protest.
The 8-meter-high wall, covered with graphite, running along the East Jerusalem village of Abu Dis, has provided background for dozens of demonstrations in the past few months.
Palestinians and Israelis demonstrating against the fence in the Tulkarem area, near the village of Deir al-Ghusan, clashed with IDF troops Monday.
Reuters reported that tear gas was fired at the protesters, and that some 100 Palestinians were overcome by inhalation of the gas and fell to the ground.
Demonstrations and rallies of Israelis and Palestinians for and against the disputed fence are planned to take place Monday, including a demonstration in front of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s Jerusalem residence.
Palestinian sources said they have been preparing for the ’day of rage’ for two weeks, producing thousands of flags, banners and plackets.
All the PA government offices were closed Monday, its workers joining demonstrations all across the West Bank.
IDF on high alert
IDF forces deployed throughout the West Bank in order to contain possible clashes that may erupt between soldiers and Palestinians and Israelis who plan to demonstrate against the security fence.
Groups who oppose the security fence such as Anarchists Against The Wall, Gush Shalom, Machsom Watch, Taayush and others called on activists to join in demonstrations planned throughout Monday.
Under the slogan "From Hague To Tulkarm,‘ members of the groups who formed a united coalition, called on members to equip themselves with wire cutters and ’break through the fence of hate."
Activists also plan to stage a demonstration outside the Prime Minister’s residence in Jerusalem where the plan to set up a wall which they will subsequently dismantle.
In addition, other groups plan to demonstrate against the security wall in East Jerusalem and will also demonstrate outside the US Consulate building there.
Etgar Lefkovits contributed to the report.
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