PA Calls for Boycott of Jerusalem Marathon Go Mostly Unheeded
×
[contact-form-7 404 "Not Found"]
by Zach Pontz
Damascus Gate at Jerusalem's Old City. Photo: Wikipedia
Defying calls for a boycott, about 20,000 runners took part in Jerusalem’s third annual marathon on Friday, with 1,000 police deployed to provide security along the route, police told the Agence France Presse.
The Palestine Liberation Organization had called for a boycott of the marathon earlier in the week because part of the race cut through east Jerusalem.
Near the Old City’s Damascus Gate in east Jerusalem a group of protesters tried to approach the course but were kept back by police and barricades, police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld told AFP.
“There was an attempt by about 50-60 demonstrators to try and make their way toward the running area,” he said. “(There were) no major incidents apart from that.”
The race had participants from 52 countries running in either the full 42-kilometre (26-mile) marathon, the half marathon or a 10-kilometre dash.
Abraham Kabeto Ketla of Ethiopia won the marathon, finishing in 2 hours, 16 minutes and 29 seconds Friday, beating the record by three minutes.
Share this Story:
Let your voice be heard!
Join the Algemeiner
Trending
-
Nearly One in Five Young People Sympathize With Hamas, 29% Say US Should Reduce or End Alliance With Israel: Poll
-
Israeli Government Approves Increased Payments to Returned Gaza Hostages
-
Police Stop Anti-Zionist Agitators From Accessing Florida University President’s Home as Students Revolt Nationwide
-
Amazon Pulls Book by Hamas Leader Yahya Sinwar Referencing Oct. 7 Attacks After UK Lawyers Intervene
-
Man Arrested in Paris After Iran Consulate Incident