Palestinians at Damascus Gate cheer rocket barrages
Hundreds of Palestinians gathered at Damascus Gate on Monday afternoon in the wake of weeks of clashes and tensions. As the day wore on, some clashed with police.
In general, Israel’s security forces kept areas around the Old City closed so that no Palestinians could reach the restive Damascus Gate in large groups and so that Jews who had come for Jerusalem Day would not arrive either.
Around 6 p.m., as Hamas had threatened to target Jerusalem with rockets, there was a noticeable silence that swept the dozens of young men sitting on steps facing the Old City.
Suddenly, as sirens became audible in the far distance, a cheer erupted from the cloud. The young men seemed to clap in unison with the sirens. As they cheered, some jumped up to see if they could see interceptions. A flock of birds erupted from a tree as the “boom” of interceptions was heard in the distance.
Then mounted police charged toward the crowd like a gang of knights, trotting twoby-two toward the young men. A large white “stink tank” that sprays smelly water from a hose also drove along a street parallel to the Old City walls. The tank swiveled it’s cannon and shot a line of spray at shops and youths. The stink drifted into crowds of journalists, who ran for cover.
After the cheering and the cavalry and tank charge, the police went into the crowd and chased the men away. Shopkeepers shouted insults at the police; their lines of cellphones for sale were now covered in stink.
Later, the police returned in a mass, their grenade-launcher slings and rifles dangling. Young men came back too, as well as some onlookers. Journalists returned to their stations.
Around 7 p.m., with the last slashes of sunlight leaving the sky, the police and youths seemed to both begin to go home. It was over, the older men said.
Palestinian Red Crescent medics in ambulances sat peering out, waiting in case injuries were reported. For the time being, none were.