Dozens of people were injured Thursday night amid another round of violent clashes in the Old City of Jerusalem. Arab protesters confronted a group of some 300 far-right Jewish activists who marched to the scene in protest of recent attacks by Arabs on Jews.
Police, trying to keep the groups apart, also clashed with the Palestinians, who threw rocks and other objects at the officers.
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Benzi Gopstein, the founder of the Lehava ("Flame") far-right group, marched with supporters from Safra Square to Damascus Gate, chanting "Am Yisrael Chai" (Long Live Israel), "Arabs get out," and "death to Arabs." The show of force came in response to videos circulated on TikTok showing Arabs slapping religious Jews at random.
#شاهد فلسطينيون يحطمون عظام مستوطن حاول الهجوم عليهم بالقدس المحتلة pic.twitter.com/85lcZbf48A
— شبكة فلسطين للحوار (@paldf) April 22, 2021
Protesters threw stones and bottles, and riot police were deployed to the scene. Officers used stun grenades to disperse the crowd.
Police said some 20 officers were wounded in the clashes, including a mounted officer hit in the face by a rock. Three were taken to hospital for medical treatment.
At least 105 Arabs were injured, including 22 who were hospitalized, the Palestinian Red Crescent said.
Police also said over 50 people were arrested for throwing rocks, launching fireworks, assaulting officers and other violent acts during the rioting, which carried into Friday morning.
Additionally, police officers were dispatched to the Old City's Jaffa Gate following an attack on a pedestrian. The assailant fled the scene. Four suspects were arrested.
In an incident near Herod's Gate, a Jewish driver was attacked while driving. When he tried to flee the scene, he was beaten and his car was torched.
A brawl also broke out in the Mahane Yehuda market in the city.
Meanwhile, following reports that protesters had also gathered at Shabbat Square in the ultra-Orthodox Mea Shearim neighborhood, police arrived at the scene to restore order. Locals threw stones at the police, and as a result, two officers were wounded. No arrests were made.
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