Israel: police reopen access to outskirts of East Jerusalem after violence
A Palestinian protester pushes back one of the barriers put up by the Israeli authorities in front of the Damascus Gate in the Old City of Jerusalem on April 25, 2021. AFP - AHMAD GHARABLI
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The Israeli police backpedal and remove the security barriers installed on the outskirts of the Old City in annexed and occupied East Jerusalem.
It was this decision to restrict access to this part of the old city that notably caused tensions between Palestinians and Israelis.
The Israeli authorities are therefore playing appeasement, especially as the violence has spread to the occupied West Bank and Gaza.
In recent nights, several rockets have been fired from this enclave into the territory of the Hebrew state.
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With our correspondent in Jerusalem,
Sami Boukhelifa
It is one of the most emblematic entrances to the Old City of Jerusalem: the Damascus Gate.
Just opposite, a promenade shaped like a Roman theater.
This is where the Palestinians of East Jerusalem traditionally congregate, and even more so during the month of Ramadan.
But this year, and without explanation, Israel is installing security barriers there and forbidding Palestinians to spend their evenings there.
The situation escalates, the fight begins and violence very quickly spread to the rest of the Palestinian territories.
In the occupied West Bank, according to the Israeli police, demonstrators attacked a checkpoint, manned by the Hebrew state army.
Every night rockets are fired from the Gaza Strip towards Israel.
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See also: Israel: rocket fire from Gaza, new clashes in Jerusalem
Tensions fueled on social networks
As often, these tensions are also fueled by social networks.
Videos posted online show footage presented as the beating of a young Israeli by Palestinian protesters.
Another video, this time shows
religious Jews
attacking a Palestinian family with stones.
With this removal of security barriers, the Israeli authorities hope to end the
violence
.
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To read also: With Biden, the United States changes tone in the Middle East
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