Israeli Security Forces Crack Down on New Protests in East Jerusalem

Israeli security forces cracked down on fresh protests in East Jerusalem on Saturday, December 9, as Palestinians came out for a third day against the US’s decision to recognize the city as Israel’s capital.

At the start of the week US President Donald Trump said the US embassy would move to Jerusalem despite Israel not holding sovereignty over Jerusalem under international law. The declaration has drawn condemnation from world leaders and ignited protests in many Muslim-majority countries.

In East Jerusalem’s Salah Eddin street, Israeli soldiers on Saturday forced shopkeepers to shutter their businesses and forcefully arrested numerous protesters. This footage by a journalist based in East Jerusalem shows chaotic scenes with security forces arriving on horseback.

Friday saw clashes in Jerusalem, West Bank and Gaza. Overnight, Israel carried out deadly air strikes on Gaza in response to reported rocket attacks, killing two people and wounding dozens more. Earlier in the week, Hamas called for a new intifada – meaning uprising – in response to the US declaration. Credit: Facebook/Muhammed Qarout Idkaidek via Storyful