RAMALLAH, March 30, 2012 (WAFA) – Palestinians clashed Friday with Israeli forces at Qalandia checkpoint between Jerusalem and Ramallah following a march to mark Land Day.
Young Palestinians threw rocks at Israeli soldiers and border guards manning the checkpoint when the Israeli forces fired tear gas and rubber bullets at the participants in the march that was supposed to commemorate 36 years since Israeli security forces killed six Palestinians protesting Israeli land grab in Arab towns inside Israel.
Hundreds of Palestinians from all over the West Bank arrived at Qalandia checkpoint to participate in the march, but when they reached the checkpoint, the Israeli forces fired tear gas in their direction in an attempt to disperse them.
Palestinians blocked the main road with burnt tires and rocks to prevent Israeli army vehicles from chasing them to the nearby Qalandia refugee camp.
A number of people suffered from tear gas inhalation and were taken away in ambulances to Ramallah hospitals.
In Jerusalem, Israeli horse-mounting police and border guards chased dozens of flag-waving Palestinians at Damascus Gate, one of the main gates leading into the Old City.
Palestinians who were not allowed to enter the Old City to pray at al-Aqsa Mosque following an Israeli police ban on entry for males under 40 years of age held the Friday prayer in the open area outside Damascus Gate and when the prayers ended, the Palestinians started their Land Day march.
However, Israeli security forces were quick to crackdown on the march only meters from where it started, forcing people to run in different directions while police chased them. Several people were arrested.
Palestinians and their supporters marked Land Day along with the Global March to Jerusalem with rallies and marches in the occupied territories and in Arab countries bordering Israel.
Hundreds of people gathered in the Beit Hanoun area of the northern Gaza Strip, close to the Erez checkpoint between Israel and the Gaza Strip, where they held a rally on this occasion.
Hamas officials in Gaza said the participants in the rallies will not get close to the borders to avoid any direct contact with Israeli forces.
Rallies were also held in South Lebanon and in Jordan for participants in the Global March to Jerusalem. However, none are expected to attempt to cross the borders to Israel.
More rallies are planned for the Arab towns inside Israel marking Land Day, where the first victims of Land Day had fallen in 1976.
M.S.
