By Ben Kerrigan
UK diplomats are faced with a huge task of establishing an inquiry into the violence that left 58 Palestinians dead after a protest in response to the opening of an American embassy in Jerusalem. U.S president Donald Trump established an American Embassy in Jerusalem after publicly stating that America will officially recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
Monday’s protests were aligned with the anniversary of Israel’s creation in 1948 and the hundreds of thousands of Palestinians who subsequently fled their homes. Israel said an estimated 40,000 Palestinians had taken part in “violent riots” at 13 locations near Israel’s security fence along Gaza’s eastern border.
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However, the brutality of the killings have caused uproar. Many of the victims were reportedly shot as the fled the scene of shootings from Israeli soldiers, with children said to have been among the dead. Reports say the protesters were unarmed, and the killings have led to a lot more tension between Israel and Palestine.
A number of Palestinian protesters are said to have hurled stones and incendiary devices , as they approached the border fence. Israeli snipers responded with tear gas dispersed from drones and live ammunition. UN general secretary António Guterres said he is “profoundly alarmed and concerned by the sharp escalation of violence and the number of Palestinians killed and injured in the Gaza protests.” He also called for restraint on both sides.
A spokesperson for Theresa May said: “Palestinians have the right to protest but these protests must be peaceful. We are concerned that extremist elements may be seeking to hijack peaceful protests to further their own objectives.
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“Israel has the right to defend its borders and we do not question that. However, the use of live fire is deeply troubling and has led to significant loss of life. We urge Israel to show greater restraint.”
Pic Credits. www.ibitimes.co.uk
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