By Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz, Breaking Israel News—
A crowd of angry Palestinian protesters chased American diplomats out of Bethlehem on Tuesday, signifying a shift of focus in Palestinian anger, which is now directed at the United States and its president. Jerusalem, formerly the battlefield for the Muslim-Jewish conflict and directly north of Bethlehem, appears to be a paragon of peace in comparison.
The attack on US diplomats occurred at the same time when a digital marketing workshop organized by the American Consulate in Jerusalem was held in Bethlehem’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Five Palestinians entered the building and began protesting the delegation’s presence. The protesters also held up signs that read, “America = ISIS = Terror,” and shouted, “you are not welcome.”
As the Americans got into their armored SUV’s, the Palestinian protesters pelted the vehicles with tomatoes. It was also reported that the protesters even hit the vehicles with their hands and feet, successfully damaging the side-mirror on one of the vehicles.
“Though no one was hurt, the objective was clearly intimidation,” said a US State Department representative criticizing the protesters. “The United States absolutely opposes the use of violence and intimidation to express political views.”
Palestinian Authority (PA) Chairman Mahmoud Abbas’s bureau in Ramallah issued a short statement also condemning the attack.
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