Clashes spark between Palestinians, Otzma members in Sheikh Jarrah - watch

Itamar Ben-Gvir announced earlier today that he will be setting up office in the high-alert neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah.

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Clashes break out between Otzma Yehudit members and Palestinian residents of Sheikh Jarrah in east Jerusalem, May 6, 2021. (Credit: Yedidya Grossman)
Physical altercations broke out between local Palestinian residents and members of Otzma Yehudit head Itamar Ben-Gvir office, after the Religious Zionist Party MK on Sunday set up office in front of a Jewish residence in the disputed east Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah on Sunday. 
Videos circulating social media show that local Palestinians were set up for Iftar right across from Ben-Gvir's tent setup, leading to clashes between the two. 

Rocks and objects flew back and forth between protesters and activists on both sides, while Border Police and Israel Police officers attempted to break up the fights, arresting fifteen, and creating a human wall between the two groups, which later included Lehava head Ben-Zion Gopstein. 

Police reported that there were multiple incidents in which the rioters assaulted police and civilians.
Among the incidents recorded by police were a vehicle that was pelted with rocks and subsequently set on fire, and one protester which attacked passers-by near the light rail station on Shomrei Emunim Street using a baseball bat, lightly injuring one man.

N12 reporter Moshe Nussbaum was attacked by police after telling them off for what he perceived as aggressive actions, videos circulating social media show. 

The head of Islamic Jihad, Abu Hamza, made a series of announcements as the clashes were occurring, addressing recent Palestinian protest efforts, according to Palestinian media. 
In his speech, he "saluted" Palestinian violence in Jerusalem, and called for jihad in the pursuit of its liberation. 
He then referred to Sheikh Jarrah as the "land of martyrdom," Palestinian media reported. 
He also praised the series of protests that took place throughout Ramadan, promising it would "spread to settlements." 
Additionally, he called for a "renewal" of the "running and stabbing" Israelis at checkpoints, as well as "shooting without hesitation." 
On Sunday, 44-year-old Muntasir Shalabi from the town of Turmus Aiya drove by the Tapuah Junction in the West Bank and shot out the window. 
He wounded three Israeli teenagers, one of whom passed away on Wednesday. Abu-Hamza called it "honorable." 
Earlier in the day, the High Court of Justice pushed off a deal that would settle the legal battle between four families residing in the area and the Nahalat Shimon Company. 
Should they rule in favor of the families, they will be allowed to remain in their homes. 
Otherwise, they will relinquish ownership of their property to Nahalat Shimon. 
At the court meeting on Sunday, Justice Daphne Barak-Erez asked the company and the four Palestinian families to compromise and find a solution, explaining that she believed that the two sides “are not so far apart.”
According to a lawyer representing the families, they had not rejected a potential compromise where the final resolution of the dispute could be postponed by their temporary agreement to pay rent in the meantime.
Idan Zonshine contributed to this article.


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