Syria condemns Israel's 'criminal acts' against protesters

UNIFIL peacekeepers urge "maximum restraint" after four reported dead on Israel-Lebanon border during Nakba Day protests.

By REUTERS, JPOST.COM STAFF
majdal shams nakba day 311 (photo credit: Channel 10)
majdal shams nakba day 311
(photo credit: Channel 10)
Syria condemned on Sunday Israel’s “criminal activities” in the Golan Heights, Gaza, the West Bank and southern Lebanon where Israeli forces fired to disperse pro-Palestinian protests.
IDF soldiers shot at protesters in three locations to prevent crowds from breaking through the border.
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State news agency SANA quoted the Syrian Foreign Ministry as calling the international community to hold Israel responsible for the incidents, the deadliest such confrontation along the borders in years.
Hezbollah condemned the “Israeli aggression on unarmed civilians in Maroun al-Ras [in Lebanon] and on the Golan, which constitutes a dangerous violation of human rights,” said Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah, who was participating in a protest in Maroun al-Ras.
“The resistance movement in Lebanon [Hezbollah] will continue to be an advocate for Palestinian national rights and calls on everyone to stand united in confronting Israeli occupation.
“What happened today in Maroun al-Ras and on the Golan is an embodiment of the will of the Palestinian people, who are committed to the right of return,” Fadlallah said.
UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon (UNIFIL) urged the parties involved in Sunday’s shooting to show “maximum restraint” to prevent casualties.
Spokesman Andrea Tenenti said UNIFIL was in contact with the Lebanese army and the IDF.
Meanwhile, the pro-Palestinian protests to commemorate Nakba Day on Sunday reached embassies and consulates around the world.
In Ankara, crowds gathered at the Israeli embassy to wave Palestinian flags and shout anti-Israel slogans. Several children carried a large black wreath affixed with a banner that read “Nakba Day: We Will Never Forget.” Protesters in Istanbul burned a large Israeli flag as several photographers and reporters looked on.
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In Athens, riot police were called in to manage crowds that gathered at the Israeli embassy, also waving Palestinian flags and chanting slogans condemning Israel and praising Palestine.
In Sidon, in southern Lebanon, Palestinian children from an UNRWA school gathered on a beach in front of photographers to wave Palestinian flags, salute, and sing the Palestinian national anthem.