Violence breaks out in east Jerusalem between ultranationalist Jewish activists and Palestinians
- The Palestinian Red Crescent medical service said 14 Palestinians were wounded, including four people shot with rubber bullets
- The unrest took place in Sheikh Jarrah, a flashpoint neighbourhood where clashes last year helped spark a war between Israel and Hamas militants in Gaza Strip
Israeli police fanned out in a tense east Jerusalem neighbourhood late on Sunday trying to contain violence between ultranationalist Jewish activists and Palestinian residents.
The unrest took place in Sheikh Jarrah, a flashpoint neighbourhood where clashes last year helped spark an 11-day war between Israel and Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip.
Dozens of Palestinian families in Sheikh Jarrah and other east Jerusalem neighbourhoods are at risk of eviction by Jewish settler organisations, and tensions between the sides often spill over into violence.
The latest unrest erupted after a settler’s home was torched over the weekend. Itamar Ben-Gvir, an ultranationalist politician, responded to the fire by setting up a makeshift office early on Sunday near the home of a family facing possible eviction. Palestinians moved in on Ben-Gvir’s tent, throwing plastic chairs in the afternoon and scuffling with his supporters.
Late on Sunday, riot police sprayed putrid-smelling water to break up Palestinian protests. One video on social media showed an Israeli policeman kicking a young Palestinian man. Police reported at least 12 arrests.
The Palestinian Red Crescent medical service said 14 Palestinians were wounded, including four people shot with rubber bullets. Explosions from stun grenades used by police to disperse crowds could be heard during the evening.