Photo: The Times of Israel
Israeli soldiers have shot dead dozens of Palestinians protesting as the US opens its embassy in Jerusalem.
Along the Gaza border, 58 Palestinian protesters were killed and more than 1,200 injured. This was caused by Israeli troops firing at demonstrators, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. The long-planned protest by the Palestinians is part of an action that has been happening for months. Yet, this was one of the deadliest days of violence at the border in years.
A Terrible Massacre
The Palestinian Authority accused Israel of committing a “terrible massacre”. The Israel Defense Forces defended themselves by saying that 35,000 Palestinians were taking part in protests. They claimed to be “responding with riot dispersal means and fire.”
In a list of what Al-Qudra claimed were those killed in Monday’s conflict, the victims killed by gunfire ranged from 14 to 39 years of age. One of the dead was an infant who died from tear gas inhalation, it was claimed.
The EU’s high representative for foreign affairs called for all involved to “act with the utmost restraint to avoid further loss of life”. She also referred to dozens of Palestinians, including children, being killed and hundreds more “injured from Israeli fire.”
It was a stark juxtaposition as the massacre took place about 100 kilometers from a US ceremony. This ceremony was filled with remarks by President Donald Trump’s daughter and son-in-law, as well as a video address from Trump himself.
60 miles from the Violence
Not far from the chaos, President Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka Trump and son-in-law Jared Kushner were near by. They were on hand to mark the move of the US Embassy to Jerusalem.
The relocation was a campaign promise from Trump that was praised by Israel and widely condemned by Palestinians and many in the Arab world.
Despite the rising death toll, President Trump tweeted to say that the embassy opening would be a “great day for Israel!” He later tweeted this:
