May 14, 2018
Israel police have deployed thousands of police officiers in Jerusalem for the U.S. embassy relocation ceremony.
According to health officials, at least 41 Palestinians have been killed along the Gaza Strip during demonstrations against the beginning of the relocation of the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
It was the highest Palestinian death toll in a single day since a series of protests dubbed the “Great March of Return” began at the border with Israel on March 30, and since the 2014 Gaza war.
The health officials said over 1700 Palestinians were wounded, about 450 of them by live bullets.
Tens of thousands streamed to the coastal enclave’s land border Monday, some approaching the Israeli fence. Clouds of black smoke from tyres set alight by demonstrators rose in the air. The latest casualties raised the Palestinian death toll to 55 since the protests began on March 30.
“We are prepared to face the Hamas threats to disrupt the (embassy) festivities,” Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman tweeted.
Israel Police have deployed thousands of policemen through the city for the relocation ceremony. “We will defend our citizens with all measures and will not allow the fence to be crossed,” Lieberman explained.
Reuters reports that the protests have heightened on the day which is the 70th anniversary of Israel’s founding which prompted Palestine’s Nakba – which resulted in some 700,000 people force fleeing their homes in 1948.
“Today is the big day when we will cross the fence and tell Israel and the world we will not accept being occupied forever,” a teacher based in Gaza told the agency. “Many may get martyred today, so many, but the world will hear our message. Occupation must end,” he said.
Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah reiterated that U.S. President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and the relocation of the embassy was “blatant violations of international law.”
“What a moving day for the people of Israel and the State of Israel,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, regarding the embassy’s relocation.
Palestinians have long viewed East Jerusalem as the true capital of a future Palestinian State.
The protests are scheduled to culminate on Tuesday when Palestinians mark Nakba Day.
Source: teleSur