Violent riots erupt in Jerusalem's Temple Mount
ByJPOST.COM STAFF
09/22/2010 10:04

1,000 join funeral procession of Palestinian killed by Israeli security guard in Silwan; ten people, 3 police officers injured; buses, police cars, other vehicles destroyed, set ablaze; police dispersing rioters.
Large riots erupted in east Jerusalem on Wednesday as approximately 1,000 people joined a funeral procession for a Palestinian man killed by an Israeli security guard in Silwan on Wednesday morning.

Ten people were injured, including a 35-year-old Israeli in moderate condition who was stabbed in the back near Mount of Olives, and three police officers. Police reported that attendees threw stones at officers, vehicles and buses causing injuries and damage, and that a police vehicle and several other vehicles were set alight near Jerusalem's Old City. Three buses were destroyed.

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Police Insp.-Gen. David Cohen arrived at the scene of rioting in east Jerusalem and received a briefing from police commanders. Police are holding ongoing assessments of the situation and have deployed large forces as part of an effort to contain the disturbances.

There were also riots in Silwan on Wednesday morning after the 32-year-old east Jerusalem resident was killed.

The security guard was driving a security vehicle on his way to a settler home when residents blocked the street with trash cans and began hurling rocks at him.

The guard, fearing for his life, then allegedly opened fire with his personal firearm at a group of rock throwers and killed a resident. Police found two knives and screwdriver on the body of the victim who had a previous criminal history and was known to police.

Ofer Rosenman, manager of the security company which the security guard is employed by, spoke to Channel 2 news about the incident.

"Today, between 4 a.m. and 4:30 a.m., a security jeep was driving on a street at the outskirts of the neighborhood. Usually there are two security guards, but this time there was only one," he explained. "At the Amudim junction, the street was blocked by several suspicious individuals, it was really like an ambush."

Rosenman told Channel 2 news that Palestinians surrounded the vehicle from every direction.

"They threw rocks and Molotov cocktails, so the guard exited his vehicle and shot in the air and then shot at one of the people after he felt that they wanted to kidnap him."

According to Channel 2 news, the security guard is employed by a security company which was hired to protect Jewish residents living in east Jerusalem. The company belongs to the Housing Office and its role is to prevent attacks on residents and structures. Rosenman said that security guards are attacked everyday:

"We are talking about attacks with rocks, metal poles and gunshots several times a day," he explained.

The security guard was arrested at the scene and taken for questioning by the police, and was later released.