Police detain dozens of Arabs in Israel

By Said Amouri

JERUSALEM (AA) - Israeli police detained dozens of Arabs on Friday and injured several others in clashes that erupted in several Arab towns inside Israel.

The Yediot Ahronoth newspaper reported that police arrested at least 30 people in Kafr Kanna, in the Galilee area in northern Israel.

Witnesses told Anadolu Agency that Israeli forces used live bullets, rubber-coated bullets, tear gas canisters and stun grenades against protesters.

Others were also detained in the Arab towns of Umm al-Fahm, Ein Mahil, Baqa al-Gharbiyye and Sheikh Danun in the north as demonstrations were held to protest Israeli settlers assaults on Palestinians and in support of Jerusalem and Gaza.

Police also, detained the deputy head of the Islamic movement in Israel, Sheikh Kamal al-Khatib, on Friday after breaking into his home in Kafr Kanna.

Tensions have been running high in the Sheikh Jarrah area for the past month as Israeli settlers swarmed in after an Israeli court ordered the eviction of Palestinian families from their homes.

Palestinians protesting in solidarity with the residents of Sheikh Jarrah have been targeted by Israeli forces.

*Ahmed Asmar contributed to this report from Ankara