Israeli forces attack Palestinians during anti-settlement protests in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of occupied East Jerusalem al-Quds, on April 9, 2021. (Photo: Twitter)

Ramallah, April 9 (RHC)-- Israeli forces have attacked Palestinians taking part in another round of anti-settlement protests in East Jerusalem al-Quds.  On Friday, Israeli forces used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse protesters, who were out on the streets in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of occupied East Jerusalem al-Quds to voice their anger at the construction of a new settlement outpost in the area.

Palestinian sources said Israeli forces also attacked similar weekly anti-settlement protests in the village of Beit Dajan, east of Nablus City, as well as in the village of Kafr Qaddum, east of Qalqilya City, in the occupied West Bank.  Dozens of Palestinians suffered breathing difficulties due to inhaling tear gas fired by the Israeli troops.

Every Friday, Palestinians organize anti-settlement protests in a number of villages and towns in the occupied West Bank.  Israeli troops use force to disperse the protesters. Some Palestinians sustain bullet wounds, while others suffer breathing difficulties due to inhaling tear gas.

More than 600,000 Israelis live in over 230 settlements built since the 1967 Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories of the West Bank and East Jerusalem al-Quds.

Emboldened by anti-Palestine policies of former US president Donald Trump, Israel stepped up its settlement expansion activities in defiance of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334, which pronounces settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem al-Quds “a flagrant violation under international law.”

All Israeli settlements are illegal under international law as they are built on occupied land.