Israeli forces continue to disperse protests in Sheikh Jarrah

Israeli forces continued to break up groups of protesters in the occupied East Jerusalem neighbourhood of Sheikh Jarrah on Friday.

Trucks disseminated skunk water in an effort to disperse large gatherings of people, a tactic that has been witnessed over the past week in order to prevent people from carrying out protests. 

Many Palestinians have raised concerns over the use of skunk water, which leaves an unbearable smell that can sometimes last for weeks, on skin and clothes. The tactic has also been outside the highly revered al-Aqsa Mosque. 

Meanwhile, large numbers of armed Israeli police were deployed on the ground, some shown arresting protesters who gathered in the area.  

Some left-wing Israelis stood in solidarity with Palestinian protesters being removed from the area. 

Israeli police also harassed and intimidated members of the press covering the events in the neighbourhood, disrupting reports and footage coming from on the ground. 

In recent days, Israeli protesters have provoked the ongoing Palestinian protesters by setting up demonstrations opposite them, blaring music from loudspeakers. 

A number of Palestinian families are facing eviction in Sheikh Jarrah from an Israeli court, which has sparked protests across many parts of Jerusalem and the West Bank, as well as from Palestinian citizens in Israel.