Clashes erupt between Palestinians, Jewish settlers in East Jerusalem

JERUSALEM－Clashes between Palestinian residents and Israeli settlers broke out in East Jerusalem's Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood on Sunday after an Israeli lawmaker reopened his office in the neighborhood.

Israeli police said in a statement that six Palestinians had been arrested overnight amid the clashes. Police said the "riots", which included the throwing of stones and other objects, injured "several" people who needed hospital care.

Police also "dispersed the rioters" after they did not comply with the police's call to stop the riot.

A statement issued by Itamar Ben Gvir, leader of the far-right Otzma Yehudit, or Jewish Power, party, sparked the clashes in which he announced the opening of "a bureau" in the flashpoint neighborhood.

When Ben Gvir arrived at Sheikh Jarrah in the morning to open "the bureau", fresh clashes erupted. At least two Palestinians were arrested.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemned Israeli extremists' assaults on Palestinians in East Jerusalem late on Sunday, reported the official Palestinian news agency WAFA.

Abbas warned against repercussions of attacks on residents and attempts to take over Palestinian properties in Jerusalem, particularly in Sheikh Jarrah.

"This matter will be on the agenda of the upcoming meeting of the Palestine Liberation Organization's executive committee," said Abbas, referring to Ben Gvir's visit to the neighborhood.

Sheikh Jarrah is located in East Jerusalem, a territory captured by Israel in the 1967 war.

Late on Sunday, a 17-year-old Palestinian teenager was killed and 15 others injured during clashes with Israeli soldiers in the northern West Bank, said Palestinian medics and eyewitnesses.

Palestinian eyewitnesses said the clashes broke out when an Israeli army force broke into Silat al-Harithiya, a town west of the West Bank city Jenin, on Sunday night to demolish the house of Mahmoud Jaradat, a Palestinian who was arrested several weeks ago for carrying out attacks against Israel.

Dozens of Palestinians threw stones at the Israeli soldiers who fired back.

Israeli media reported that Israeli army forces stormed the town to demolish four Palestinian houses, adding that fierce clashes broke out between the town's residents and Israeli soldiers.

Also on Sunday night, Israel's Army Radio reported that Palestinian gunmen opened fire at an Israeli army checkpoint west of Jenin and the soldiers fired back. No injuries were reported among the soldiers.

Xinhua - Agencies