4 Palestinians killed in latest Jerusalem fallout clashes
JERUSALEM — Four Palestinians were killed Friday during violent clashes with Israeli security forces, marking the bloodiest day of demonstrations since President Donald Trump sparked outrage across much of the Middle East by declaring Jerusalem the capital of Israel.
Two demonstrators were shot dead in clashes along the fence that separates Gaza from Israel, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which identified one as a disabled 29-yearold who had previously lost his legs. The Israeli military said it had fired “selectively towards main instigators.”
Two others were killed during confrontations in the occupied West Bank. One had stabbed an Israeli officer, according to Israeli police.
Trump’s announcement last week that the United States recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and will move the U.S. Embassy to the contested city from Tel Aviv has triggered regular outbursts of violence over the past week. The decision was followed by the most sustained period of rocket fire from Gaza into Israel since the 2014 war between Israel and Hamas.
Also Friday, in another declaration likely to enflame passions among Palestinians and others across the Middle East, senior Trump administration officials outlined their view that the Western Wall in east Jerusalem, considered Judaism’s holiest site, will ultimately be declared a part of Israel.
Nabil Abu Rdeneh, a senior adviser to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, told The Associated Press that such a policy that “decides unilaterally” on issues of final status negotiations is “unacceptable.”
Thousands filled the streets of Gaza for large demonstrations after Friday prayers, where leaders of the main militant factions urged residents to keep alive their intifada, or uprising, against Israel.
After the demonstrations, many headed to the border fence, with some young men loading donkey carts with tires to burn. Israeli forces used tear gas, rubber bullets and live ammunition to keep protesters fence.
In Ramallah, a man stabbed an Israeli police officer twice and was shot, police said.
A video circulated online showed the young man backing away before officers opened fire. Soldiers and paramedics approach him, then scatter, apparently having spotted what appeared to be a suicide belt.
Another Palestinian died of injuries suffered in clashes near Jerusalem, The Associated Press reported.
Pence plans to depart for the Middle East next week after presiding over the Senate’s vote on a sweeping tax overhaul. The vice president will meet Wednesday with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi in Cairo and then travel to Israel.
Pence’s two-plus days in Israel will include meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a speech at the Knesset and a visit to the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial.
Pence plans to visit Western Wall.
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