The Security fence near Jerusalem. Photo: Jacob Rask.

An Israeli security official said security forces are altering their previous “silk gloves” approach to rioters such as a group of Palestinians who entered Jerusalem on Friday without passing through a security checkpoint. The Palestinians used hammers to make a hole in the security barrier between Jerusalem and Abu Dis.

The Palestinian fence breach and protest was held as part of events related to the recently held annual Nakba (“catastrophe”) Day, a day on which Arabs mourn the establishment of the state of Israel.

The security fence was put up by Israel as a way of protecting its citizens from attacks by Palestinians from Palestinian-Authority-controlled cities in Judea and Samaria. But despite the presence of the fence, Yehuda Dana, security chief for the Beit El region, told Israel National News that Palestinians are continually “throwing rocks into the community, causing injuries.”

According to the Palestinian protesters, Israeli Border Police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at them after they entered through the hole in the fence, and there were several injuries. Dana said such Palestinian rioters were often previously handled with “silk gloves,” but that “their brazenness has crossed the line.”