Israel to remove barricades from Damascus Gate
After 13 day of tension in Jerusalem, Israel to remove barricades from Damascus Gate.
Jerusalem24 – After 13 days of clashes between Jerusalemites and Israeli Police, the worst of which broke out on Thursday night after hundreds of Jewish extremists from the ultra-nationalist Lehava group marched towards the Damascus Gate entrance of Jerusalem’s Old City – where large numbers of Palestinians had gathered – chanting “Death to Arabs”.
The police placed the barricades on the first day of Ramadan, which started on April 13, and clashed with the youths every night since then every time they attempted to sit on the step. That prevented the youths from sitting on the steps of the Damascus Gate plaza, a popular place for the youths to hang around following the night prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque during the holy month of Ramadan.
The clashes in Jerusalem led to wider clashes throughout the occupied city and eventually spread to the outskirts and West Bank areas.
In the end, the Israeli Police in Jerusalem removed the barricades, opening the plaza for the city’s residents after withdrawing from the area, said witnesses.
It’s worth noting that the Palestinian Red Crescent said at least 100 Palestinians were injured, while police said 20 officers were hurt. More than 50 people were arrested.
