Palestinians' protests thwart Jewish settlers planned rally

Amman: A mass march by Jewish settlers in Palestine was stopped by protests of several Palestinian villages north of Nabulus. Jewish settlers planned the rally to demand back the land here as a compromise for the killing of a settler near Ramallah, Aab News reported.

Palestininan protests went on in areas of Burqa, Sabastia, Silt Al-Thahriah and Bazaria. They were confronted by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) with live bullets and rubber covered metal bullets as well as tear gas. Red Crescent in Palestine reported that 247 were injured while one was in severe condition.

Palestinians in the area acted on a call by Fatah, the territory's nationalist democratic party, to express their opposition against Jewish settlers since they do not want settlers on their land, Arab News reported quoting a Palestine source. Fatah deputy head, Mahmoud Alloul, expressed the stand that Palestine would counter settlers, and their attacks, along with the Shabiba youth movement.

There were media reports of more violence that included IDF soldiers being gunned. Israeli checkpoint near Dotan and Beit Eil settlement were hit by Molotov cocktails while a settler vehicle was stoned in the Palestinian village of Hizma. Journalists were fired at by a settler near Sebastia.

A Palestine Central Council meeting is scheduled in March, which will firmly position the country against all Israeli violations, Arab News quoted a Palestinian presidential source.

However, Israeli media has reported that Israel is moving towards easing more restrictions in Gaza in order to Hamas keep the peace. Israel will increase work permits for Gazans in Israel, soothing the economic pressure faced by Palestine, Israel media said.