Palestinian Protesters Clash with Security Forces in Yehudah and Shomron

Thousands of Palestinians across Yehudah and Shomron and Gaza took part in violent demonstrations on Tuesday to protest the new U.S. policy repudiating international opinion that Israel is in violation of international law by its presence in the region.

Over 70 Palestinians were injured as IDF soldiers sought to quell the rioting with tear gas and rubber bullets, Palestinian sources said. Injuries were described as being light.

The demonstrations were organized by Fatah and other groups. The Palestinian Authority Education Ministry closed schools for one hour to allow students to boost the numbers in the latest so-called “Day of Rage.”

In some places, protesters burned effigies of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, U.S. President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu.

PA Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh, deputy chairman of Fatah Mahmoud Aloul and several senior Palestinian officials attended a gathering in Ramallah, where demonstrators chanted slogans against the U.S. and Israel.

Shtayyeh accused Israeli authorities of being responsible for the death of Palestinian terrorist prisoner Sami Abu Diyak, who died of cancer on Tuesday. Diyak was serving three life sentences and an additional 30 years.

Shtayyeh called on the International Committee of the Red Cross and human rights organizations to work toward securing the release of all Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, particularly those who are in poor health.

Aloul accused Israel of “crimes” against the Palestinians and claimed that the Palestinians have defeated President Trump’s yet-to-be-announced Mideast peace plan.

As he was speaking, the protesters played a Fatah song that says: “I’m coming towards you, my enemy, with cleavers and knives, I’m coming after you, from every house, neighborhood and street.”

Protests were held concurrently in Chevron, Beit Lechem, Shechem, Tulkarm, Jenin, Jericho and Kalkilya and Gaza City.