A day after the outburst, tension is still high in East Jerusalem

This morning (Thursday), the East Jerusalem neighborhood of  Silwan returned to a relative quiet after an intense riots yesterday that even went through the night. At one point, somewhere around 3 or 4 in the morning, local Palestinians placed Palestinian flags all over the contested settler compound Beit Yonathan.

Residents of Silwan told me that tonight, the riots and fighting will return and could escalated depending on news of another Palestinian victim of the shooting dying from his wounds. On the other hand, Ynet reports that the PA has ordered to stop the protest.

Earlier today, a settler opened fire in the air during a debate with local Palestinians which turned into a fight. There were no casualties.

The riots in Silwan began yesterday after a private security guard opened fire at a group of Palestinians, killing at least one. Israeli police claimed that the Palestinians attacked the guard, which was interrogated but later released to his house.

For the time being, there is a general strike in the village and hundreds of Israeli border police patrolling the streets. I will be on the scene throughout the night with live twitter updates of any new events.

A day after the outburst, tension is still high in East Jerusalem
Riot Police in Silwan (photo: Joseph Dana/ +972)
A day after the outburst, tension is still high in East Jerusalem
Riot Police in Silwan (photo: Joseph Dana/ +972)
A day after the outburst, tension is still high in East Jerusalem
Empty gas canisters, a day after the riots in Silwan (photo: Joseph Dana / +972)
A day after the outburst, tension is still high in East Jerusalem
Silwan, a day after the riots (photo: Joseph Dana/ +972)
A day after the outburst, tension is still high in East Jerusalem
Silwan, a day after the riots (photo: Joseph Dana / +972)