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Several hurt in Israeli-Palestinian clash
January 10, 1998
Two Palestinian men throw rocks
Web posted at: 6:58 p.m. EST (2358 GMT)HEBRON, West Bank (CNN) -- An Israeli border policeman was struck by a rock and seven Palestinian protesters were injured Saturday during a demonstration by Palestinians over the stalled Mideast peace process.
Witnesses said that a Palestinian who was arrested was kicked by soldiers before he was taken away.
The clash in the West Bank town of Hebron appeared to be spontaneous. Palestinians accused U.S. envoy Dennis Ross of siding with Israel and criticized Israel's stance on Jewish settlements and troop deployments.
Ross wrapped up a four-day visit in the Middle East on Friday, shuttling between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Yasser Arafat to pave the way for separate meetings they will have with President Bill Clinton in Washington on January 20 and 22.
Israeli troops fired rubber bullets and hundreds of Palestinians threw stones and bottles from a PLO-controlled area into an Israeli-controlled zone.
The two sides fought off and on for several hours near a Jewish settlement before the crowd of 400 demonstrators dispersed.
The two sides called occasional truces to allow pedestrians to pass.
Palestinian police reinforcements helped Israeli troops hold back the demonstrators, according to witnesses.
Israel is on high alert against possible terrorist attacks by Islamic militants to coincide with the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Israeli media reported that police would step up their presence in and around all major cities on Sunday. A heavy security presence was expected at public areas such as bus stations, train stations and major shopping areas.
Israel handed over 80 percent of Hebron to Palestinian-rule about a year ago. Soldiers are guarding some 400 Jewish settlers who live in the town, also populated by more than 100,000 Arabs.
Widespread anger over peace process
Israeli troops fired rubber bullets Discontent over the peace process could be found among Palestinian officials as well as residents. Palestinians say the Ross mission has failed to advance the talks.
The Palestinian Cabinet on Friday accused the Jewish state of "pushing the already volatile situation of the region to the brink of disaster" by expanding Jewish settlements before talks move ahead and by refusing to implement three promised troop redeployments.
Hanan Ashrawi, the Palestinian higher education minister, accused the United States of not doing enough to force Israel to honor its agreements.
"It is clear that the U.S. administration did not act in the way that is needed to implement" earlier accords, she said, and Ross tried to "justify holding the peace process hostage to domestic concerns in Israel."
The Netanyahu government has been under pressure from right-wingers in his coalition to not hand back more land to the Palestinians, and his moderate foreign minister, David Levy, departed after criticizing the government for dragging its feel in the peace process.
Netanyahu said troop withdrawals depended on the Palestinian Authority meeting Israeli conditions, particularly cracking down on militant groups that threaten its security.
During Ross' four-day visit, the Netanyahu government disclosed tentative plans to double the number of homes in Jewish settlements over the next 20 years.
Ashrawi said that Ross "has been unable to effect any change in the Israeli attitude. We did not see any effective political will from Dennis Ross ... to hold Israel accountable."
Arafat to brief King Hussein
Arafat was to travel to Jordan on Sunday to brief King Hussein on the Ross mission, according to an Arafat adviser.
PLO officials said their relations with Jordan have been strained recently over what they said were Israeli attempts to involve Jordan in the peace process without the knowledge of the Palestinian Authority.
A senior Israeli official said that "Israel has very good relations with Jordan and does not feel that every contact with the Jordanian government has to be cleared with the Palestinian Authority."
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
Message Board:
Newsmaker Profiles:
- Benjamin Netanyahu - Israeli Prime Minister
- Yasser Arafat - Palestinian Leader
Related stories:
- Israel, Palestinians will return to talks Monday - November 2, 1997
- Israel frees more Palestinian prisoners - October 27, 1997
- Israel releases 9 prisoners in deal for Mossad agents - October 13, 1997
- Hamas founder sets Israel truce terms - October 7, 1997
Related sites:
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- Office of The Israeli Prime Minister - information in both Hebrew and English
- Israeli Foreign Ministry - information about the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as recent developments in Israel
- Palestinian National Authority - official site of the PNA
- The Palestine Ministry Of Information - press releases, daily news and other information
- Arabic Media Internet Network - a project of Internews Middle East that provides access to Arabic media and other resources on the Internet
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