Palestinians show their anger, calls for ceasefire increase
Audio 01:06
Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian protester in the Old City of Jerusalem on May 18, 2021. REUTERS - AMMAR AWAD
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6 mins
The Palestinians on Tuesday observed a general strike movement to protest against the bombings and more generally against the occupation.
Demonstrations were to be organized this afternoon in Jerusalem, but they were violently dispersed by the Israeli police.
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A first slogan chanted immediately stifled by the explosion of a stun grenade from the Israeli police.
From the Damascus Gate at the entrance to the Old City of Jerusalem, to the neighboring district of Sheikh Jarrah, which in recent weeks has become the emblem of the resistance, the smallest gathering has been dispersed, reports our correspondent in Jerusalem,
Sami Boukhelifa
“
Oh my God! Look at the crackdown on the Israeli occupation forces,
exclaims Muna Al Kurd, a Palestinian resident of Sheikh Jarrah.
It is only young people who demonstrate peacefully. Let this image go around the world. Our neighborhood has been under siege by the Israeli police for 11 days
. "
A putrid smell hangs in the air. The waste water cannon sprinkles the crowd. Deprived, Mohamed hopes the intervention of the international community: "
Let them shake themselves abroad," he
says.
Let the Arab countries do something. Our leaders in the Palestinian Authority are useless, they are corrupt. They abandoned the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
Earlier in the afternoon, a waved Palestinian flag caused the Israeli police to disperse another rally.
Several rallies, which degenerated into clashes with the army, also took place across the West Bank as part of this day of general strike and "demonstrations of anger" against the Israeli occupation and in solidarity with the residents of Gaza. . Two Israeli soldiers were shot and wounded in clashes with Palestinian protesters, the army said. Two Palestinians were killed in separate clashes, Palestinian authorities said. These various clashes have also left 70 wounded, including five in serious condition according to the Palestinian ministry.
In the West Bank, all administrations, businesses and schools remained fully closed on Tuesday, only medical services remaining open.
The call was also followed in the Israeli Arab towns, the towns of Nazareth (north) or Acre (north west) remaining completely at a standstill, all the iron curtains of shops lowered.
Calls for ceasefires multiply
Since the start of armed hostilities, 213 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, including at least 61 children, and more than 1,440 injured, according to a Palestinian record.
In Israel, twelve people were killed, including a child, and 294 injured by rocket fire.
In addition to the security crisis, there is the risk of a humanitarian crisis, with nearly 40,000 Palestinians displaced and 2,500 people having lost their homes in the bombings, and a risk of food and health shortages, according to international humanitarian agencies.
The UN Security Council held its fourth emergency meeting on Tuesday on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in eight days without producing a joint statement, the United States continuing to judge that it would not help de-escalation, according to diplomats.
► See also: Israel continues its strikes on buildings in Gaza, the diplomatic offensive is intensifying
Earlier, the 27 EU foreign ministers met by videoconference at the request of Josep Borrell, the EU's head of diplomacy.
The Europeans have called on Israelis and Palestinians to end all violence immediately, reports our correspondent in Brussels,
Pierre Benazet.
They repeat that violence against civilians is unacceptable, they condemn rocket attacks fired by Hamas or others, they recognize Israel's right to self-defense, but in a manner that is proportionate and in accordance with international law.
We also need humanitarian access to Gaza, end deportations in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood in Jerusalem and return to the
status quo
in holy places.
The European declaration represents a compromise between supporters of Israel or Palestine, but Hungary still refused to join in, much to the chagrin of Josep Borrell, the EU's chief diplomat. “
Our mission within the Foreign Affairs Council is to contribute to the creation of a common foreign and security policy. Fairly and positively. This is not a whim, it is a treaty obligation. And on a subject as difficult as the one which occupied us, I am satisfied that my general feeling about the discussion is shared by 26 States
”, he declared.
Even if it is not completely unanimous, the Europeans now have a position of principle and they will revive contacts with the quartet for the Middle East in order to relaunch the search for a political solution.
The German Chancellor and the King of Jordan also spoke by telephone.
They demand that a "
rapid ceasefire
" intervene in order to allow new "
political negotiations
".
► Also to listen: Jerusalem, insurmountable blocking point between Israelis and Palestinians
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