Land Research Center

In December 2017, Israeli Occupation Authorities implemented some new security measures; elevated stands were erupted as watch posts where very advanced surveillance cameras were disrupted in various areas of the Old City Damascus Dung Gate to harass and suppress Jerusalemites in case of any popular demonstrations or marches.

Israeli Police escalated attacks on Jerusalemites after the decision of the United States president to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. People protested and demonstrated at Damascus Gate to affirm the "Arabism" of the city that will always remain as the capital of Palestine. As a result, he occupation forces arrested several young Jerusalemite men and children while suppressing a demonstration in the area of Damascus Gate and the surrounding streets to condemn the United State’s president’s announcement to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. The forces assaulted several participants and pushed them and attempted for hours to empty the area of Damascus Gate and put an end to the demonstration but Jerusalemites continued to protest for hours. Also, a commercial and educational strike took place in the city in refusal of Trump’s decision.

Reportedly, the demonstration in Damascus gate started around Thursday noon and lasted until Thursday night in which occupation forces and cavalry units attempted to suppress the participants several times. They also closed the area with metal barricades and prevented Jerusalemites from approaching.

On Friday, Israeli Occupation Forces deployed in the Old City, assaulted worshipers after finishing the prayer at AL-Aqsa mosque sprayed pepper at them before detaining and arresting a big number of them.

This case study is part of Kan'aan Project