שרשרת אנושית מסביב לעיר העתיקה בירושלים

At least sixty people were hurt, many of them Italians, when police used tear gas and batons to disperse part of an estimated 20,000 people who were taking part in today's (Saturday) demonstration to make a human chain around the old city of Jerusalem. The demonstration was organized by “Peace Now” activists who had hoped to circle, the just over 4km distance, round the city wall with a human chain from Israel and abroad. For the most part there was a holiday atmosphere around the city, but near to Herod's Gate there were two violent incidents when police used tear gas and water cannon to disperse crowds. The crowds, according to the police, displayed Palestinian flags and shouted slogans. The permission for the demonstration was given on the understanding that no Palestinian flags would be flow. Many observers including members of Israel's parliament and journalists say that flags were not flown and that the police used force without provocation. One Italian woman lost an eye when she was hit by flying glass shattered by a water cannon. Many Italian activists had been flown to Israel, specially to participate in the demonstrations. There was unusual solidarity among many Likud and Labour Knesset members who were very critical of the demonstration, saying that it served the Intifada and not peace. Jerusalem Mayor, Teddy Kollek was quoted as saying that innocent peace-seekers deluded themselves into collaborating with elements who would redivide Jerusalem and demand that its eastern part be the Palestinian capital - something that will never be. Photo shows: part of human chain around the Old City of Jerusalem. On the extreme right is Israeli writer A.B. Yeshoua, next to him Arab writer Emil Habbibi.