Palestinian Authority security forces break up violent protest in Ramallah

Palestinian Authority security forces clad in riot gear clashed with supporters of six Palestinians who had been charged with possessing weapons, in front of a courthouse near Ramallah on Sunday. A handful of protesters were lightly injured.

The protesters arrived in front of the courthouse a couple of hours after a PA criminal court decided to close a case against Basel al-Araj, one of the six indicted Palestinians, and postpone cases against the five others, four of whom are currently in Israeli prison.

The closed case against Araj and the five ongoing cases are viewed by many Palestinians as a byproduct of the unpopular security cooperation between Israel and the PA.

Dozens of protesters initially gathered in the center of the main road in front of the courthouse, chanting in support of the indicted Palestinians and against security cooperation. “Security cooperation is treason,” they yelled.

The security forces shortly thereafter attempted to clear the streets and clashes between the two sides broke out.

Some protesters attempted to push their way past the security forces, who used shields and batons to repel them.

At one point, the security forces shot rounds of tear gas at the protesters, pushing them further away from the courthouse, and exploded stun grenades.

A video on social media shows a member of the security forces dismantling the TV equipment of a Palestine Today reporter.

A handful of Palestinians were briefly detained, including Islamic Jihad leader Khader Adnan, and a number of others were injured and transported to local emergency rooms.

After more than a hour of clashes, the streets were cleared and the situation returned to normal.

Muhannad Karaja, a lawyer representing the six Palestinians, told The Jerusalem Post that the security forces violated Palestinian Authority laws.

“There was a peaceful demonstration, which the law permits,” Karaja said. “What the security forces did is a violation of this law and we need to make sure that all of the law breakers are held accountable.”

Farid al-Atrash, a Palestinian human rights leader, blasted the security forces for their conduct.

“Today is a dark day for human rights. What happened today was planned aggression against participants in peaceful protest,” Atrash stated.

PA Police spokesman Louay Zreikat said the security forces were trying to stop the protesters from illegally closing the street.

“The police were surprised this morning by a number of citizens closing the street in front of the courts complex in Ramallah and immediately went with the support of other security forces to the scene to ask the people there to open the streets,” Zreikat said. “After they refused, the security forces dealt with situation in accordance with the law and worked to reopen the street.”

Police arrested Basel Araj and the five others in April 2016, suspecting that they were planning an attack against Israelis.