Angry Israelis gathered in West Jerusalem on Tuesday to protest the death of three Jewish settlers who were found dead one day earlier in the West Bank.
Chanting "death to Arabs" in the city's Zion Square, the Israeli crowd attacked three Palestinian passersby before police intervened to rescue the trio.
Tension has mounted between Jews and Arabs in Jerusalem since the three settlers – who went missing in mid-June – were found dead on Monday near the West Bank city of Hebron.
Following the announcement of the death of the missing settlers, the Israeli army said it had struck 34 targets in the besieged Gaza Strip "in retaliation" for what it said were over 18 rockets fired from the Gaza Strip into Israel since Sunday.
Demonstrators, some wearing badges reading "revenge," demanded that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu take harsher action against Palestinians in response to the death of the settlers.
Israeli police walked along the city's tramline to prevent possible anti-Palestinian attacks by angry Israelis.
The crowd nevertheless managed to attack a Palestinian tram passenger, who was sworn at and kicked.
Although no Palestinian group has claimed responsibility for the settlers' disappearance or death, Netanyahu has repeatedly accused Gaza-based Hamas of having abducted and killed the trio – without producing any evidence in support of the claims.
By Turgut Alp Boyraz
englishnews@aa.com.tr
