Fireworks in Jerusalem

The finance committee of Israel's parliament, the Knesset, today voted to extend the ban on importing fireworks until 15 February 2015.

Karin Elharhar, who was chairing the committee, said the committee had voted after a sugesstion by Israel's Economy Minister, Naftali Bennett, and Yitzhak Aharonovitch, responsible for internal security, complained that pyrotechnics were being used in Israel to target "both security personnel and civilians."

Hours after the extension was approved, videos show protesters in the East Jerusalem neighbourhood of Wadi al-Joz sending a volley of fireworks into the skies during clashes with Israeli forces.

Dozens of Israeli forces were deployed, firing flares into the air.