Greek police disperse protesters demanding gov't cut ties with Israel
Police use tear gas to disperse crowd protesting Israel's attacks on Gaza, Al-Aqsa Mosque
Police and protesters face off during a protest against Israeli forces' attacks on Al-Aqsa Mosque and Gaza Strip outside the Israeli Embassy in Athens, Greece, on May 12, 2021. Hundreds of protesters gathered on calls from various leftist groups. ( Ayhan Mehmet - Anadolu Agency )
BELGRADE, Serbia
Greek police intervened Wednesday against demonstrators gathered in Athens who were protesting Israeli police violations against Palestinians in occupied East Jerusalem.
Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in front of the Israeli Embassy to protest Israel's attacks on Gaza and the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Police intervened with tear gas against demonstrators who wanted to approach the building with Palestinian flags.
Demonstrators shouted slogans, including "Freedom for Palestine," "Terrorist Israel," "We will win," and demanded that attacks stop.
They also demanded that the Greek government cut ties with Israel.
Palestinians in Jerusalem in recent days have protested in solidarity with residents of the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood amid clashes with Israeli police.
Protests came as the Israeli Central Court in East Jerusalem approved a decision to evict seven Palestinian families from their homes in favor of Israeli settlers.
Israeli police attempted to disperse worshippers inside the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound late Friday, using stun grenades and gas bombs. Women were also targeted by Israeli forces, according to witnesses.
Al-Aqsa Mosque is the world's third-holiest site for Muslims. Jews call the area the "Temple Mount," claiming it was the site of two Jewish temples in ancient times.
Israel occupied East Jerusalem, where Al-Aqsa is located, during the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. It annexed the entire city in 1980, in a move never recognized by the international community.
