Pictured Above: On Friday in Ramallah, Palestinians rioters protest President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital of Israel. Credit: Flash90.

(JNS) Clashes between Palestinian rioters and Israeli security forces erupted Friday in Jerusalem as well as the West Bank and Gaza amid Palestinian “day of rage” protests over Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. 

According to reports, some 3,000 Palestinians held demonstrations in 30 locations across the West Bank and Gaza following midday Muslim prayers. At least two Palestinians were killed after protesters along the Israel-Gaza border fence hurled rocks and burn tires. The IDF said it fired on two “inciters” at the Gaza fence, The Times of Israel reported.

In the West Bank, Palestinian protesters threw rocks and firebombs and set fire to tires, rolling them at Israeli security forces, who responded with tear gas, stun grenades, rubber bullets and live fire.

In Jerusalem, Palestinians protested near the Temple Mount and Al-Aqsa mosque following midday prayers there. Around 1,000 Israeli Border Police officers had taken up positions throughout Jerusalem’s Old City in anticipation of the protests. 

As Muslim worshippers left the Temple Mount complex, they called out chants such as “the war is coming, al-Quds (Jerusalem) is Arab,” “we will die as martyrs” and “there is no room for the state of Israel,” Yedioth Ahronoth reported. 

By mid-afternoon Friday, many of the Palestinian protesters had dispersed and order was restored in Jerusalem. 

The Palestinian Red Crescent said that a total of 245 Palestinian protesters were injured—mostly light wounds from tear gas inhalation and rubber bullets.

IDF Maj. Gen. Yoav Mordechai, Israel’s coordinator of government activities in the territories, urged Palestinians not to listen to extremist elements encouraging violence, saying the U.S. decision on Jerusalem does not change the status quo in that city.

“Extremists want to incite the streets with lies and distortions because they say this is a religious war,” Mordechai wrote on Facebook. “In the end, a violent reality will only harm the Palestinian public who is being lied to about the religious nature of the conflict and the preservation of holy places.”

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