2021 Israel–Palestine crisis: Difference between revisions

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| casualties1 = 21 Israel Police officers injured <ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.sky.com/story/israeli-police-clash-with-palestinian-protesters-in-jerusalem-12302425|title=Israel: Nationalist march re-routed in Jerusalem following clashes that saw more than 300 hurt|website=Sky News}}</ref>
| casualties1 = 21 Israel Police officers injured <ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.sky.com/story/israeli-police-clash-with-palestinian-protesters-in-jerusalem-12302425|title=Israel: Nationalist march re-routed in Jerusalem following clashes that saw more than 300 hurt|website=Sky News}}</ref>
| casualties2 = 1 Hamas commander killed<ref>https://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/410920/World/Region/UPDATE--Death-toll-from-Israeli-strikes-on-Gaza-ri.aspx</ref>
| casualties2 = 1 Hamas commander killed<ref>https://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/410920/World/Region/UPDATE--Death-toll-from-Israeli-strikes-on-Gaza-ri.aspx</ref>
| casualties3 = 20 Palestinian civilians killed (in [[Gaza Strip]])<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/israeli-police-palestinians-clash-at-jerusalem-holy-site/2021/05/10/956fe53c-b153-11eb-bc96-fdf55de43bef_story.html Hamas targets Jerusalem after clashes at revered mosque - The Washington Post<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> 65 Palestinian civilians injured (in [[Gaza Strip]]) 305+ Palestinian protesters injured <ref name=MoreThan300 /><br>23 Palestinian protesters arrested<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/25-wounded-23-arrested-as-palestinians-arab-israelis-protest-across-israel/ |title=25 wounded, 23 arrested in Arab protests in Jerusalem and across Israel |date=10 May 2021 |last=Boxerman |first=Aaron |website=[[The Times of Israel]] |access-date=10 May 2021}}</ref>
| casualties3 = 20 Palestinian civilians killed (including 9 kids) (in [[Gaza Strip]])<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/israeli-police-palestinians-clash-at-jerusalem-holy-site/2021/05/10/956fe53c-b153-11eb-bc96-fdf55de43bef_story.html Hamas targets Jerusalem after clashes at revered mosque - The Washington Post<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> 65 Palestinian civilians injured (in [[Gaza Strip]]) 305+ Palestinian protesters injured <ref name=MoreThan300 /><br>23 Palestinian protesters arrested<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/25-wounded-23-arrested-as-palestinians-arab-israelis-protest-across-israel/ |title=25 wounded, 23 arrested in Arab protests in Jerusalem and across Israel |date=10 May 2021 |last=Boxerman |first=Aaron |website=[[The Times of Israel]] |access-date=10 May 2021}}</ref>
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Revision as of 19:46, 10 May 2021

2021 Jerusalem Clashes
Part of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict
Date6 May 2021 – present
Location
Israel, Palestinian territories
Parties
Casualties and losses
21 Israel Police officers injured [2]
1 Hamas commander killed[3]
20 Palestinian civilians killed (including 9 kids) (in Gaza Strip)[4] 65 Palestinian civilians injured (in Gaza Strip) 305+ Palestinian protesters injured [5]
23 Palestinian protesters arrested[6]

In May 2021, clashes occurred between Palestinian protesters and Israeli police over a planned Israeli Supreme Court decision regarding evictions of Palestinians in Sheikh Jarrah, East Jerusalem. The clashes, which coincided with the holidays of Laylat al-Qadr and Jerusalem Day, have resulted in over 300 people being injured, most of them Palestinian civilians.[5] The attacks drew international condemnation and resulted in a delay of the court ruling by 30 days. On 9 May, Israeli forces stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque, a major holy site to Muslims, ahead of a flag march by far-right Jewish nationalists that was later canceled.[7]

Background

The Supreme Court of Israel was expected to deliver a ruling on whether to uphold the eviction of six Palestinian families from the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of East Jerusalem on 10 May 2021. Claims to Sheikh Jarrah have been a contentious issue for centuries. Two Jewish trusts bought a section of Sheikh Jarrah from Arab landowners in 1876. During the 1948 Arab–Israeli War, Jordan captured the area. Jordan, with the support of the United Nations, built 28 homes for Palestinian refugees who had fled from the newly formed State of Israel. During the Six-Day War in 1967, the area was recaptured by Israel and ownership of the homes was returned to the Jewish trusts. The Jewish trusts sold the homes to a right-wing settler organization, who have since made repeated attempts to evict the Palestinian residents. Under Israeli law, Israelis have the right to reclaim properties in East Jerusalem owned by Jews before the 1948 Arab–Israeli War, but Palestinians do not.[8][9]

Itamar Ben-Gvir, an Israeli politician on the political far-right, visited Sheikh Jarrah shortly before the clashes began, where he said that the houses belonged to Jews and told police to "open fire" on protesters.[10] Agence France-Presse reported that Israeli settlers had been seen in Sheikh Jarrah openly carrying assault rifles and revolvers leading up to the clashes.[10] Previous clashes had begun following the Israeli government's closure of the Damascus Gate, a popular place for Muslims to gather during Ramadan,[10] and when the Israeli government imposed a 10,000-person limit on people praying at the Al-Aqsa Mosque.[11]

Palestinian protesters were also frustrated with President of the State of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas's decision to postpone the 2021 Palestinian legislative election, believing he had done so to avoid political defeat for his party Fatah.[10]

Clashes

Palestinians and Israeli settlers first clashed on 6 May, and were broken up by the intervention of the Israeli police who arrested at least 7 people.[12] Further clashes followed at the Al-Aqsa Mosque. The Palestine Red Crescent Society said that 136 people were wounded across Jerusalem that evening, with the Israeli government stating six police officers were also wounded.[13]

More clashes occurred on 8 May, the date of the Islamic holy night of Laylat al-Qadr.[14] Palestinian crowds threw stones, lit fires, chanted "Strike Tel Aviv" and "Jews, remember Khaybar, the army of Muhammad is returning", paraded Hamas flags and tore down police barricades on the mount.[15] The Israeli Police, wearing riot gear and some on horseback, used stun grenades and water cannons.[14] At least 80 people were injured.[14]

On the morning of 9 May, Israeli forces stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque, Islam's third-holiest site, injuring hundreds.[16][17] Palestinians threw rocks, firecrackers and heavy objects, while Israeli police fired stun grenades and rubber bullets.[17] The storming came ahead of a Jerusalem Day flag march by Jewish nationalists through Old City.[17][18] At least 215 Palestinians were injured, 153 of which were hospitalized.[5] Militants in Gaza fired rockets into Israel during the night.[19]

On 10 May, Hamas fired rockets into Israel from Gaza.[20] The Israel Defense Forces said that 7 rockets were fired toward Jerusalem and Beit Shemesh and that 1 was intercepted.[21]

The Israeli cabinet meeting later in the day ended with an agreement to launch a strike on the Gaza Strip in response to the rocket fire.[22] According to the Gaza health ministry, 20 Palestinian civilians (including 9 kids) and one Hamas commander were killed in the strike.[23][24][dubious – discuss]

Reactions

Israeli and Palestinian

On 9 May 2021, the Israeli Supreme Court delayed the expected decision on evictions for 30 days, after an intervention from the Attorney-General, Avichai Mandelblit.[25] Israel Police also banned Jews from going to the Al-Aqsa plaza for Jerusalem Day festivities.[26]

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the actions of the Israeli police and said that Israel "shall not allow any radical element to undermine the calm". He also said "we firmly reject the pressure not to build in Jerusalem".[27]

Israeli officials asked the Biden administration not to intervene in the situation.[28]

International

Multilateral

 European Union – The European Union called on both sides to de-escalate tensions and reiterated "violence and incitement are unacceptable and the perpetrators on all sides must be held accountable".[29]

 United Nations – The UN called on Israel to cancel any planned evictions and use "maximum restraint in the use of force" against protesters.[30] The United Nations Security Council is meeting for a closed session on 10 May to discuss the issue.[28]

Regional

 Egypt – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on Israel to "stop all measures that violate the sanctity of the Al-Aqsa Mosque" and described potential evictions as a violation of international law.[31]

 Iran – The Iranian government described the actions of Israeli police a “war crime” and called on the United Nations to condemn them.[29]

 Jordan – The Jordanian government described the actions of Israeli police as "barbaric".[27]

 Saudi Arabia – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement that the kingdom "rejects Israel's plans and measures to evict dozens of Palestinians from their homes in Jerusalem and impose Israeli sovereignty over them".[32]

 Turkey – President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan delivered a speech describing Israel as a "cruel terrorist state" and said the United Nations should intervene to "stop the persecution".[29]

 United Arab Emirates – Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Khalifa al-Marar, condemned the clashes and called on the Israeli government to "provide necessary protection to Palestinian civilians' right to practice their religion, and to prevent practices that violate the sanctity of the Holy Al-Aqsa Mosque".[32]

Other

 Bosnia and Herzegovina – Bakir Izetbegović, the head of the country's largest and most influential Muslim political party, the Party of Democratic Action, issued a statement saying, "The bloodshed in the holy month of Ramadan, the removal of Palestinians from their homes is an attack on civilizational values."[33]

 Canada – Canadian Foreign Minister, Marc Garneau, called for an "immediate de-escalation of tensions" and for all sides to "avoid any unilateral actions".[34]

 Holy See – Pope Francis spoke at Saint Peter Square urging an end to the clashes and warning that "violence breeds violence".[35]

 Pakistan – Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan condemned the attack and stated "We reiterate support for Palestinian people. International community must take immediate action to protect Palestinians & their legitimate rights."[36]

 United States – The Department of State expressed concern and urged both sides to "avoid steps that exacerbate tensions or take us farther away from peace".[29] U.S. Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren and U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez condemned Israel over the proposed evictions.[31]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Hamas' military wing launches strikes the enemy in response to its aggression on Al Aqsa Mosque, Sheikh Jarrah". Hamas. 10 May 2021.
  2. ^ "Israel: Nationalist march re-routed in Jerusalem following clashes that saw more than 300 hurt". Sky News.
  3. ^ https://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/410920/World/Region/UPDATE--Death-toll-from-Israeli-strikes-on-Gaza-ri.aspx
  4. ^ Hamas targets Jerusalem after clashes at revered mosque - The Washington Post
  5. ^ a b c Ben Zion, Ilan (10 May 2021). "More than 300 Palestinians hurt in Jerusalem holy site clash". Associated Press. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  6. ^ Boxerman, Aaron (10 May 2021). "25 wounded, 23 arrested in Arab protests in Jerusalem and across Israel". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  7. ^ "Tensions over Jerusalem Day march, Temple Mount clashes culminate in rocket fire from Gaza". Haaretz.com. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  8. ^ Kingsley, Patrick (7 May 2021). "Evictions in Jerusalem Become Focus of Israeli-Palestinian Conflict". The New York Times. Jerusalem. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  9. ^ Rubin, Shira (9 May 2021). "How a Jerusalem neighborhood reignited the Israeli-Palestinian conflict". The Washington Post. Jerusalem. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  10. ^ a b c d "'Silence is not an option' in east Jerusalem for Palestinians". Agence France-Presse. 9 May 2021. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  11. ^ Palmer, Elizabeth (10 May 2021). "Hundreds of Palestinians wounded as religious tension boils over in Jerusalem". CBS News. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  12. ^ "Palestinians, Israeli settlers scuffle in east Jerusalem". Associated Press. Jerusalem. 6 May 2021. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  13. ^ Krauss, Joseph (7 May 2021). "Palestinians, Israel police clash at Al-Aqsa mosque; 53 hurt". Associated Press. Jerusalem. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  14. ^ a b c Farrell, Stephen; Lubell, Maayan (9 May 2021). "Clashes, prayers in Jerusalem on Muslim Laylat al-Qadr". Reuters. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  15. ^ Boxerman, Aaron. "'Strike Tel Aviv': Palestinians at Temple Mount chant in support of Hamas". www.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  16. ^ Alsaafin, Linah (10 May 2021). "Dozens wounded as Israeli forces raid Al-Aqsa compound: Live". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  17. ^ a b c Odenheimer, Alisa (10 May 2021). "Violence Spreads on Day Israel Marks Its Control of Jerusalem". Bloomberg News. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  18. ^ "Jerusalem Day Violence: Dozens of Palestinians Wounded in Clashes on Temple Mount". Haaretz. 10 May 2021. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  19. ^ Kingsley, Patrick; Kershner, Isabel (10 May 2021). "Hundreds Hurt in Clashes at Aqsa Mosque as Tension Rises in Jerusalem". The New York Times. Jerusalem. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  20. ^ Beaumont, Peter (10 May 2021). "Hamas fires rockets into Israel in dispute over Jerusalem mosque". The Guardian. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  21. ^ Schwartz, Felicia; Lieber, Dov (10 May 2021). "Israeli Military Says Rockets Fired From Gaza Toward Jerusalem". The Wall Street Journal. Jerusalem. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  22. ^ "Hamas Fires Rocket Barrage at Jerusalem as IDF Green Lights Gaza Strikes". Algemeiner.com.
  23. ^ "Israel launches airstrikes on Gaza strip after Hamas rocket attacks". the Guardian. 10 May 2021.
  24. ^ "Jerusalem violence leads to Hamas rockets on Israel, nine dead in Gaza". Reuters. 10 May 2021.
  25. ^ Kingsley, Patrick (9 May 2021). "Israeli Court Delays Expulsion of Palestinian Families in East Jerusalem". The New York Times. Jerusalem. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  26. ^ Heller, Jeffrey (10 May 2021). "Palestinians and Israeli police clash at al-Aqsa mosque, over 300 hurt". Reuters. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  27. ^ a b "Jerusalem protests: Netanyahu defends Israeli action after clashes with Palestinians". BBC News. 9 May 2021. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  28. ^ a b Ravid, Barak (10 May 2021). "Israel calls on Biden administration to stay out of Jerusalem crisis". Axios. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  29. ^ a b c d Holmes, Oliver (9 May 2021). "Scores injured in fresh night of Jerusalem clashes". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  30. ^ "Jerusalem: Many injured on second night of clashes". BBC News. 9 May 2021. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  31. ^ a b Magid, Jacob (9 May 2021). "Sanders, Warren, Ocasio-Cortez slam Israel over pending Sheikh Jarrah evictions". Times of Israel. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  32. ^ a b "Saudi and UAE condemn Israel over Palestinian clashes at Al-Aqsa". Reuters. 8 May 2021. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  33. ^ Biogradlija, Lelja (9 May 2021). "Bosnia politician condemns Israel's attacks on Palestinians". Anadolu Agency. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  34. ^ Lazaroff, Tovah (9 May 2021). "Canada, Quartet slam Jerusalem violence, int'l pressure grows on Israel". Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  35. ^ "'Violence Breeds Violence': Pope Francis Calls for End of Clashes in Jerusalem". Haaretz. 9 May 2021. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  36. ^ "PM slams Israeli attack, urges OIC to combat Islamophobia". Dawn. 10 May 2021.
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