WEST BANK: Residents of Palestinian refugee camps burnt tyres and closed roads in the West Bank in protests stemming from a strike by the U.N. agency that operates the camps

Record ID: 341242

  • Title: WEST BANK: Residents of Palestinian refugee camps burnt tyres and closed roads in the West Bank in protests stemming from a strike by the U.N. agency that operates the camps
  • Date: 12th January 2014
  • Summary: RAMALLAH, WEST BANK (JANUARY 12, 2014) (REUTERS) SMOKE BILLOWING AS PALESTINIAN YOUTH RUN AWAY FROM SECURITY FORCES PALESTINIAN YOUTHS PROTESTING, DEMANDING THE PALESTINIAN GOVERNMENT GET INVOLVED TO END STRIKE AT UNITED NATIONS RELIEF AND WORKS AGENCY (UNRWA) PALESTINIAN SECURITY AT SITE PALESTINIAN SECURITY MAN FIRING WEAPON TO DISPERSE YOUTH VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS RUNNI
  • Embargoed: 27th January 2014 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: West bank
  • City:
  • Country: Palestinian Territories
  • Topics: International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVAABO9D1GV29W2KJAD1V98VD10C
  • Story Text: Clashes between security forces and protesters erupted on Sunday (January 12) after the main roads in West Bank city of Ramallah were closed by demonstrators venting their anger over a lack of services normally provided by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).
    A main road outside the Jalazoun refugee camp, north of the de facto Palestinian capital Ramallah, was blocked as well as roads linking other camps inside the city.
    Demonstrators threw stones at security forces, while Palestinian security forces lobbed tear gas canisters and ammunition in the direction of the demonstrators.

    "After we tried everything, we decided to close the roads in order for the government to take responsibility. We were surprised that the (Palestinian) security arrived even though the ambulances could pass the roads. We only stopped the movement of (non-emergency) vehicles. Our protest was a peaceful protest. We were shocked that the security started to fire live bullets towards the youth," said protester Muhammad Najar.
    A spokesman for the Palestinian Security forces, Adnan Dimiri, said the protesters blocked the roads and caused damage to public property.
    Dimiri said there were 35 injures between policemen and security forces due to stone throwing.
    None of the protesters were injured or detained during the clashes, Dimiri said.
    A Palestinian labour union went on strike last month over salaries.
    UNRWA employs more than 5,000 Palestinians in its 19 camps which house some 730,000 West Bank refugees.
    The U.N. agency has said it is trying to end the strike but does not have funds to meet the wage demands.
    It also says its employees get paid at least 20 percent and in some cases 80 percent more than public-sector employees in equivalent fields.
    Many refugees fear UNRWA is slowly disengaging from its aid activities and believe the international community owes them support since it recognised Israel during the war that led to its founding as Palestinans fled or were driven from their homes to Gaza, the West Bank and surrounding countries.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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