W. Bank Palestinians rally against ‘Trump Declaration’

RAMALLAH, Palestine (AA) - Palestinians staged demonstrations across the Israeli-occupied West Bank for the third consecutive Friday to protest U.S. President Donald Trump's recent decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

In Ramallah, hundreds of Palestinians marched towards the nearby Bet Eil checkpoint, where, according to witnesses, three demonstrators were injured by teargas and rubber bullets fired by Israeli army troops.

In Bethlehem, meanwhile, hundreds of protesters marched towards the city’s northern entrance, where clashes erupted when Israeli soldiers attempted to break up the demonstration by force.

According to the Palestinian Red Crescent (PRC), five Palestinians were injured by rubber bullets, while 10 others were treated for temporary asphyxia after inhaling excessive amounts of teargas.

In the central West Bank city of Salfit, meanwhile, several more Palestinians were reportedly hurt in clashes with Israeli forces deployed in the area.

“Two protesters [in Salfit] were seriously injured after being shot in the back and the neck respectively with live ammunition,” the PRC said in a statement.
Similar demonstrations erupted after Friday prayers in the West Bank cities of Hebron (Al-Khalil), Nablus, Tulkarm and Qalqiliya.

In Jerusalem, Israeli police dispersed a demonstration held inside the Old City, preventing marchers from reaching the Bab al-Amoud (Damascus Gate) area.

According to the PRC, at least two people were treated for injuries after having been beaten by Israeli police.

Tension has mounted in the Palestinian territories since Dec. 6, when U.S. President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, triggering condemnation and protest from across the Arab and Muslim world.

Since then, 12 Palestinians have been martyred -- and thousands injured -- in clashes with Israeli security forces in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza Strip.

Jerusalem remains at the heart of the perennial Middle East conflict, with Palestinians hoping that East Jerusalem -- occupied by Israel since 1967 -- might eventually serve as the capital of an independent Palestinian state.