Dozens arrested in J'lem this week in protests against Trump announcement

On Thursday, dozens of protesters clashed with police at Damascus Gate. The rioters threw bottles and rocks at police officers, and also physically assaulted them. Six suspects were arrested.

DECEMBER 14, 2017 20:20

Updated: DECEMBER 15, 2017 12:29

A Palestinian man argues with an Israeli border policewoman during a protest following US President Donald Trump's announcement that he has recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital, near Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's Old City December 7, 2017. (photo credit: REUTERS/AMMAR AWAD) — A Palestinian man argues with an Israeli border policewoman during a protest following US President Donald Trump's announcement that he has recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital, near Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's Old City December 7, 2017.

(photo credit: REUTERS/AMMAR AWAD)

Approximately 80 residents of east Jerusalem have been arrested since President Donald Trump announced that the US recognizes the city as the capital of Israel, over involvement in protests against the move, police said on Thursday.

At least 30 protesters were arrested during the various demonstrations.

Forty of them were arrested in a large-scale operation throughout various neighborhoods on Wednesday and Thursday.

Dozens of Israel Police and Border Police personnel raided the neighborhoods of Isawiya, Wadi Joz, Ras al-Amud, a-Tur and Shuafat, as well as the Shuafat refugee camp and the Old City, and arrested people suspected of disrupting the public order while taking part in demonstrations.

The suspects were brought for questioning to the Police Central Unit in the Russian Compound and to the Kedem District station in Shuafat.

“By carrying out operations in the field, collecting intelligence, recording, using advanced technology and thanks to the determination of the Israel Police interrogators – all the main suspects in the disruptions were located,” police said in a statement.

“Our duty is to maintain public order, and allow the law-abiding citizens to go about their day-to-day lives. We will tirelessly continue to do so,” the statement added.

Since Trump’s December 6 announcement, protests took place throughout the eastern part of the capital. While the main demonstration was outside the Old City’s Damascus Gate last Friday, smaller protests and clashes with police took place in various other locations.

On Thursday, dozens of protesters clashed with police at Damascus Gate. The rioters threw bottles and rocks at police officers, and also physically assaulted them. Six suspects were arrested.

Police and Palestinian protesters clashed this evening at Damascus Gate. Police said that six were arrested. https://t.co/FhYXLp4qp6
— Udi Shaham (@udi_shaham) December 14, 2017

On Monday, Molotov cocktails were thrown and fireworks were shot directly at a police and Border Police officers in a-Tur, on the Mount of Olives. The rioters also burned tires in an effort to prevent police from reaching them. Police managed to disperse the rioters, and one suspect was arrested.

In Thursday’s statement, police said that the rioters throughout the week also threw rocks and glass bottles, blocked roads and burned large garbage bins.

Over the course of the week, several policemen were wounded and needed medical attention.

The statement concluded by saying: “Police will act firmly and relentlessly against any person who will take part in disruption of the public order while trying to fan the flames, incite and harm the police forces and citizens.”

Additional protests are planned for Friday, following the Muslim afternoon prayers on the Temple Mount.