Since July 3rd, Palestinian youth have gathered nearly every night along Jerusalem-Hebron Road to demonstrate against Israeli forces following the murder of Mohammed Abu Khdeir and later the assault on Gaza. A crowd gathers at Bab Ezkak Junction on Jerusalem-Hebron Road near the UN headquarters in Bethlehem and marches toward Rachel’s Tomb in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza on July 18th, 2014. (Photo: Kelly Lynn)
For the last four days, Palestinian Authority security forces have been deployed on the streets of Bethlehem to quell protests that have raged on Jerusalem-Hebron Road since the murder of Mohammed Abu Khdeir on July 2nd.
From July 4th to the 14th, 17 Palestinian demonstrators, most in their teens and early twenties were shot in the leg by Israeli forces with live ammunition during clashes that featured hundreds of shebab flooding the streets, typically an hour or two after the 8pm Iftar meal. Dozens more have been treated for tear gas inhalation and injuries sustained from rubber bullets.
PA security forces subdued the protests on the evenings of the 15th, 16th and 17th of July but Friday night, activists managed to send them home.
PA security forces in riot gear barricade the street in an effort to stop the procession. Protesters easily break through. (Photo: Kelly Lynn)The march gathers additional people along the way and activists begin chanting louder after breaking through the PA barricade. (Photo: Kelly Lynn)
After reaching the sniper tower and Separation Wall at Rachel’s Tomb, Israeli forces briefly clash with Palestinian protesters before retreating back behind the military gate. Shortly after from the adjacent street PA security arrive.
Palestinian protesters immediately begin throwing rocks at PA forces as well as two Molotov cocktails (one pictured here exploded against a light pole). Demonstrators are visibly outraged at their presence. (Photo: Kelly Lynn)Palestinian activists attempt to talk with PA forces urging them to leave. (Photo: Kelly Lynn)Palestinian activists attempt to talk with PA forces urging them to leave. (Photo: Kelly Lynn)A young protester pushes a dumpster toward the PA barricade yelling, “hezbalah,” trash in Arabic. (Photo: Kelly Lynn)Protesters screamed at PA forces, yelling, “Shame on you!” and “We are supposed to be together!” (Photo: Kelly Lynn)
After roughly 12 minutes, older Palestinian activists managed to convince the PA forces to leave, linking arms to shield them as they left. One member of the PA security was reportedly shot with a rubber bullet by Israeli forces and was treated by on site medics.
(Photo: Kelly Lynn)
Palestinian protesters proceeded to throw stones and shoot fireworks toward the Separation Wall at Rachel’s Tomb.
(Photo: Kelly Lynn)(Photo: Kelly Lynn)A protester pushes a flaming tire toward Rachel’s Tomb. Shebab often use this tactic to obscure the vision of soldiers in the distance. (Photo: Kelly Lynn)
Tear gas is fired into Al Azza Refugee Camp, a community that has suffered especially under the latest round of demonstrations.
(Photo: Kelly Lynn)Israeli soldiers aim into Al Azza Refugee camp. (Photo: Kelly Lynn)Israeli soldiers aim into Al Azza Refugee camp. (Photo: Kelly Lynn)
Munther Amira, the head of the Popular Struggle Coordination Committee was present at the demonstration. “It’s not their rule to protect Israel.” It was the first time Amira had seen the PA expelled in this way.
It is shameful how the PA security forces are there to look out for Israel’s security. But then again, President Abbas insists that he doesn’t want any demonstrations, boycotts or any violence of any kind towards the occupier. He wants t0 go on talking to the Israelis for the next 20 years.
Today Mustafa Barghouti came out and openly demanded that all West Bankers get on with the intifada as all the talking for the past 20 years hasn’t served Palestinians.
Other than scrambling all over the Middle East to get help in getting Hamas to quit fighting on Israel’s terms, all Abbas has done was declare a 3 day period of mourning,
Nevada Ned
July 20, 2014 12:44 pm
The so-called Palestinian “Authority” has no authority!
The PA is like a Vichy regime. Their job is to do Israel’s bidding.
It saves Israel military manpower by subcontracting out the oppression to an organization that is staffed by Palestinians, but controlled by Israel.
The best thing the PA can do now is dissolve itself.
can of worms
July 20, 2014 1:00 pm
Meanwhile, the israeli media have simply been gloating that the PA is winning total support. Flabbergasting. They’ve been on air 24/7 advertising that there was a Palestinian consensus blaming Hamas (for ‘self-genociding’) and substantiating the legitimacy of the PA. In reality the Authority in Ramallah, which should have disbanded long ago in order to let Israel defend its occupation, has been robbed of its stringy alibis.
ahhiyawa
July 20, 2014 1:20 pm
A PA Security Force refuses to subdue a Palestinian demonstration?
Abbas is finished.
RobertB
July 20, 2014 2:23 pm
Abbas in NO president for the Palestinian people. He is totally worthless…incompetent…idiot. He is traveling, as if on a vacation tour, with that silly smile on that “sayan face” of his. He is a collaborator & that is why he is in that position. Israel/Mossad most likely has so many things on him…recorded in audio/video formats…getting payments $$$ and much more. Someone needs to reveal his personal wealth…and his money accounts balances.
He is nothing more than a TRAITOR!
Palestinian women & children are getting massacred by Israel’s IDF murderers
and yet there is nothing coming out of him and the rest his incompetent crew. I doubt if they even shed any tears! Too eager and too busy looking for those $$$ bonuses from their handlers!
The Palestinians should dump him in a deep burning pit!
It is shameful how the PA security forces are there to look out for Israel’s security. But then again, President Abbas insists that he doesn’t want any demonstrations, boycotts or any violence of any kind towards the occupier. He wants t0 go on talking to the Israelis for the next 20 years.
Today Mustafa Barghouti came out and openly demanded that all West Bankers get on with the intifada as all the talking for the past 20 years hasn’t served Palestinians.
Other than scrambling all over the Middle East to get help in getting Hamas to quit fighting on Israel’s terms, all Abbas has done was declare a 3 day period of mourning,
The so-called Palestinian “Authority” has no authority!
The PA is like a Vichy regime. Their job is to do Israel’s bidding.
It saves Israel military manpower by subcontracting out the oppression to an organization that is staffed by Palestinians, but controlled by Israel.
The best thing the PA can do now is dissolve itself.
Meanwhile, the israeli media have simply been gloating that the PA is winning total support. Flabbergasting. They’ve been on air 24/7 advertising that there was a Palestinian consensus blaming Hamas (for ‘self-genociding’) and substantiating the legitimacy of the PA. In reality the Authority in Ramallah, which should have disbanded long ago in order to let Israel defend its occupation, has been robbed of its stringy alibis.
A PA Security Force refuses to subdue a Palestinian demonstration?
Abbas is finished.
Abbas in NO president for the Palestinian people. He is totally worthless…incompetent…idiot. He is traveling, as if on a vacation tour, with that silly smile on that “sayan face” of his. He is a collaborator & that is why he is in that position. Israel/Mossad most likely has so many things on him…recorded in audio/video formats…getting payments $$$ and much more. Someone needs to reveal his personal wealth…and his money accounts balances.
He is nothing more than a TRAITOR!
Palestinian women & children are getting massacred by Israel’s IDF murderers
and yet there is nothing coming out of him and the rest his incompetent crew. I doubt if they even shed any tears! Too eager and too busy looking for those $$$ bonuses from their handlers!
The Palestinians should dump him in a deep burning pit!