Purple Heart at Jewish Museum
HUNDREDS WERE injured as Israeli forces stepped up their response to Palestinian protests Saturday — dispersing demonstrators with tear gas, rubber bullets and air strikes that killed two Hamas terrorists.
The conflicts escalated on the third so-called “day of rage” held in response to President Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
In the Holy City, police forces — some on horseback — confronted protesters and arrested 13 people. Four policemen were slightly injured.
“President Trump cannot take what he doesn’t have,” said Zuheir Dana, one of the protesters from East Jerusalem.
In Bethlehem in the West Bank, Palestinians hurled stones at troops, who responded with tear gas, rubber bullets and stun grenades.
Some 600 Palestinians threw firebombs and rolled burning tires toward troops and police, officials said.
Rockets were fired from Gaza overnight, according to a military spokesman who said that air strikes in response targeted four Hamas facilities.
The Israeli military said it struck warehouses and weapons manufacturing sites, after which Hamas said it had recovered the bodies of two of its men.
Meanwhile, Arab leaders meeting in Cairo condemned Trump’s decision, as the head of Egypt’s largest Christian church said he will not meet with Vice President Pence during a visit to the region this month.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas also announced that he will not meet with Pence.
“The decision amounts to the legalization of occupation,” said Arab League chief Ahmed Aboul-Gheit. THE MUSEUM OF Jewish Heritage in lower Manhattan will permanently display a once-lost Purple Heart that was awarded to a German-born American soldier who fought against the Nazis.
Members of Sgt. George Sahlmann’s family will be present for a ceremony Monday evening at the museum .
Sahlmann’s Purple Heart and other medals were acquired from a military collector.
Vermont-based Purple Hearts Reunited says Sahlmann was able to slip out of Germany in 1937 and make his way to the U.S.
He was working as a Brooklyn barber when he enlisted in the Army in 1943.
Sahlmann was a combat infantryman in several units during World War II and served in Africa, Italy and France. He was wounded three times. Sahlmann died in 2006 at age 95.