Muslim rioters ambush US delegation, vandalize diplomatic vehicle in Bethlehem

Muslim rioters protesting against US policy on Jerusalem ambushed a US-coordinated marketing workshop in Bethlehem, damaging an American diplomatic vehicle as it sped away.

Muslims threw tomatoes at the SUV, which had US consular licence plates, kicked one of its doors and ripped the plastic casing off a side mirror as it drove off under Palestinian Authority police escort from the Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce.

A delegation of US diplomats flees Bethlehem after being ambushed by Muslim terrorists during a training session for local business people. Terrorists threw tomatoes, pelted a SUV w/US diplomatic license plates, kicked and damaged 1 of its doors, as it left under police escort. pic.twitter.com/UZ8XJzv04S

— Behind The News (@Behind__News) January 30, 2018

Samir Hazboun, the chamber’s director, told Reuters that a digital marketing workshop was underway when about five rioters barged in.

“We hosted an American expert on this issue. Some people who have been trying to express their point of view and protest (against) the American decision regarding Jerusalem and the political situation … interrupted the workshop and we stopped the workshop,” Hazboun said.

Commenting on the attack, a State Department spokesperson said: “The United States opposes the use of violence and intimidation to express political views. This non-political program was one part of long-term US engagement to create economic opportunities for Palestinians.

The US-based lecturer was not a consular staff member. He was accompanied by consular security personnel and some of its Arab employees, organizers said.

In the Aida neighborhood of Bethlehem on Saturday, effigies of Trump and Pence were hanged and burned in a protest attended by about 30 Muslim terrorists.

Great-grandchildren of refugees in the Aida 'refugee camp' of Bethlehem protested against US aid cut to UNRWA and US government's decision to move its embassy to Jerusalem, by burning effigies of President Trump and VP Pence in traditional hate ceremony. pic.twitter.com/jqFzjwNq9M

— Behind The News (@Behind__News) January 27, 2018

Rocket from Gaza explodes in open area in southern Israel at midnight

A Code Red alert was sounded at midnight Monday in the Sdot Negev and Sha’ar Hanegev Regional Councils after a rocket was fired into Israeli territory.

Explosions were heard in the area and after a rapid investigation, the IDF confirmed that a rocket had fallen inside open space in Israeli territory.

No injuries or damages were reported in the attack.

This is the first rocket launched toward Israel from Gaza in 27 days.

The last attack from Gaza took place at the beginning of January when three mortar shells were fired at Israeli territory within a few hours at the Eshkol Regional Council, all of which landing in open, uninhabited fields. No one was injured and no damages were inflicted in the attack.