A group of Palestinians began hurling rocks and burning tires at the Qalandiya checkpoint north of Jerusalem. The main Land Day procession is taking place a kilometer away from the clashes.
The riots began around 12:30 PM after Friday prayers, when dozens of masked Palestinian youth began hurling stones at security forces stationed at the checkpoint. The forces responded with tear gas grenades and activated a machine that transmits high frequency sound waves in an effort to disperse the protesters.
One of the stones hit the head of Hamas parliament member Ahmed Atoun, who was lightly injured and did not require medical care.
Meanwhile, some 200 people attended a parade marking Land Day in Kafr Kanna near Nazareth. The protesters waved Palestinian flags and called out for the struggle against land expropriation and home demolitions. They also demanded that the fight against racism and discrimination continue.
Police stated that orders were given to the forces to maintain restraint and prevent protesters from reaching the border fence.
Chief of Staff Lieutenant general Benny Gantz patrolled along the northern border and held an assessment meeting with division commanders in Judea and Samaria and along the borders with Syria, Lebanon and Jordan. Gantz directed the forces to be alert and act advisedly to ensure the sovereignty of Israel.
Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories Major-General Eitan Dangot arrived at the Rachel’s Tomb crossing in south Jerusalem and met with IDF, police and Civil Administration official at the situation room set up in preparation for Land Day.
Dangot was briefed on the deployment of forces and coordination with Palestinian security apparatus, and informed about a procession that is underway in the West Bank city of Bethlehem.