Pro-Iraq rally by Palestinians turns violent
February 7, 1998
Marchers pitched stones at Israeli troops
Web posted at: 8:03 p.m. EST (0103 GMT) CNN Interactive
BETHLEHEM, West Bank (CNN) -- Palestinians rallying in support of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein clashed with Israeli security forces Saturday. About 15 people were slightly injured.
The Israeli troops fired rubber bullets and tear gas at protesters
The skirmishes began when the crowd of more than 500 demonstrators moved toward an Israeli checkpoint and started throwing stones at Israeli troops. Security forces responded with tear gas and rubber bullets.
The injured included at least three journalists and three Palestinian policemen. At one point, a senior Palestinian police officer threatened to fire on the Israeli troops if any more of his men, who were trying to control the crowd, were hit.
Bethlehem is one of the cities in the West Bank that have been turned over to the control of the Palestinian Authority, though Israeli security forces maintain a presence in the area.
"These are our people. We will deal with them, not you," one Palestinian officer was heard to shout at an Israeli counterpart during Saturday's melee.
The Israeli troops fired rubber bullets and tear gas at protesters The demonstrators, carrying large placards of Hussein and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, denounced U.S. President Bill Clinton for threatening Iraq with a military strike for failing to comply with United Nations weapons inspections.
They made much of the ongoing political scandal in Washington. "Clinton is a coward. Go look for women," some chanted.
"Saddam is a symbol of the honor and pride of the Arabs, and we are with him," said 15-year-old demonstrator Ali Taqatqa.
Another masked demonstrator said, "We would be happy if Iraq fired missiles at Israel."
Though Arafat backed Hussein during the Persian Gulf War, the Palestinian leadership has been more cautious in the current standoff between the United Nations and Iraq, urging a diplomatic solution.
Still, many Palestinians accuse the United States of adopting a double standard by insisting that Iraq comply with U.N. dictates while, in their view, not pressing Israel hard enough to comply with U.N. resolutions involving the return of Arab lands.
Correspondent Jerrold Kessel and Reuters contributed to this report.
Marchers pitched stones at Israeli troops
Web posted at: 8:03 p.m. EST (0103 GMT) CNN Interactive
BETHLEHEM, West Bank (CNN) -- Palestinians rallying in support of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein clashed with Israeli security forces Saturday. About 15 people were slightly injured.
The Israeli troops fired rubber bullets and tear gas at protesters
The skirmishes began when the crowd of more than 500 demonstrators moved toward an Israeli checkpoint and started throwing stones at Israeli troops. Security forces responded with tear gas and rubber bullets.
The injured included at least three journalists and three Palestinian policemen. At one point, a senior Palestinian police officer threatened to fire on the Israeli troops if any more of his men, who were trying to control the crowd, were hit.
Bethlehem is one of the cities in the West Bank that have been turned over to the control of the Palestinian Authority, though Israeli security forces maintain a presence in the area.
"These are our people. We will deal with them, not you," one Palestinian officer was heard to shout at an Israeli counterpart during Saturday's melee.
The Israeli troops fired rubber bullets and tear gas at protesters The demonstrators, carrying large placards of Hussein and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, denounced U.S. President Bill Clinton for threatening Iraq with a military strike for failing to comply with United Nations weapons inspections.
They made much of the ongoing political scandal in Washington. "Clinton is a coward. Go look for women," some chanted.
"Saddam is a symbol of the honor and pride of the Arabs, and we are with him," said 15-year-old demonstrator Ali Taqatqa.
Another masked demonstrator said, "We would be happy if Iraq fired missiles at Israel."
Though Arafat backed Hussein during the Persian Gulf War, the Palestinian leadership has been more cautious in the current standoff between the United Nations and Iraq, urging a diplomatic solution.
Still, many Palestinians accuse the United States of adopting a double standard by insisting that Iraq comply with U.N. dictates while, in their view, not pressing Israel hard enough to comply with U.N. resolutions involving the return of Arab lands.
Correspondent Jerrold Kessel and Reuters contributed to this report.
posted by HRM Deborah of Israel and the Messenger of Peace at 6:14 PM
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