Israeli Security Halts Skirmishes on ‘March to Jerusalem’

Israeli security forces battled Palestinian protesters

JERUSALEM, Israel – Israeli security forces battled Palestinian protesters in Jerusalem Friday, with reports of one Palestinian killed and dozens wounded.

The clashes came during demonstrations marking Land Day and the Global March on Jerusalem. Palestinians and Israeli Arabs hold the annual event to protest Israel’s land policies.

The skirmishes began after Muslim prayers, Friday. The marches drew smaller than expected crowds on Israel’s borders and in Jerusalem.

Israeli forces in riot gear responded to a number skirmishes in Jerusalem. At the Old City’s Damascus Gate, several hundred Palestinian Arabs gathered for an illegal march, but it was broken up by Israeli riot police.

Israeli intelligence sources say Iran is directly helping organize the marches. Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei openly declared his support of the Global March to Jerusalem.

Critics also point out the irony of nations like Syria and Iran accusing Israel of human rights abuse.

Yet, just across the border, the Syrian regime has killed thousands of its own people. And Iran is threatening to execute Christian Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani because he refuses to deny his faith in the One True God.