Palestinians, Israeli soldiers clash north of Jerusalem

Israeli soldiers clashed Friday with dozens of Palestinian demonstrators who broke into Qalandia airport north of Jerusalem, officials and eyewitnesses said.

Abdulla Abu Rahma, coordinator of the popular resistance committee in the West Bank, told Xinhua that his committee organised a march called "We are going to Jerusalem".

Eyewitnesses said that around 100 Palestinian demonstrators gathered in Ramallah in the West Bank and marched towards the fence that separates the West Bank from Jerusalem.

"The demonstrators entered the area of Qalandia airport after they climbed the wall and cut the fence that surrounds the airport area and waved Palestinian flags," Abu Rahma said.

He added that the demonstrators then marched towards the village of Hezma in Jerusalem's suburb and clashed with Israeli soldiers, who fired tear gas and rubber bullets at them. Medical sources said several Palestinians were injured.

Abu Rahma said the aim of the protest is to cross to Jerusalem and show solidarity with the Palestinian residents in the eastern part of the holy city.

Meanwhile, Israeli Radio reported that around 100 Palestinians demonstrated at the village of Hezma and closed the road that leads to the settlement of Anatot.

Tension between Israel and the Palestinians has been growing over the past few weeks amid Palestinian protests against Israeli security measures, expansion of settlements and attempts to break into al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.