Clashes erupt in West Bank, Gaza as ‘Day of Rage’ continue over Jerusalem

World Today

Palestinians were killed and hundreds more were injured during violent clashes Friday throughout the West Bank and in Gaza.

After Friday prayers, demonstrators rallied for a second day across the West Bank and Gaza to protest U.S. recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. This is part of the ‘Day of Rage’ protests that were planned in the Muslim world. 

CGTN’s Stephanie Freid reports from Jerusalem.

Protests erupted in at least 30 different locations throughout the West Bank and Gaza. Hundreds of casualties, overcome by tear gas, wounded and killed by rubber bullets and live ammunition fire.

The ‘days of rage’ began after U.S. President Donald Trump broke from past policy and formally recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

Most Israelis have long considered Jerusalem their capital, but Palestinians also see East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state.

“This is a Palestinian Israel conflict. It had nothing to do with him and he knew that this was gonna make the Palestinians even angry,” said one Palestinian. “He wanted to start some kind of war between us and Israel.”

As worshippers filed out of Jerusalem’s ancient city following Friday prayers, posters rather than rocks and petrol bombs depicted popular sentiment.

Israeli deputy prime minister and former ambassador to the United States Michael Oren is being quoted as saying Palestinians should view this recognition as an opportunity. Palestinians don’t see it that way

“These dictations by Trump and the White House will not enhance the political process, but it will break it and push us back,” said Ahmad Tibi, leader of the Arab Movement for Change.

As the UN and Arab League hold emergency sessions to discuss the impact of Trump’s announcement, analysts are asking: is there a White House peace plan in the works to somehow cushion this development

Even if there is, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said the U.S. is no longer a viable peace broker.

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence is scheduled to visit Palestinian territories later this month, but Abbas says he will refuse to meet the vice president at his Ramallah, West Bank headquarters.