Abbas condemns Israeli raid on W. Bank city

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemned on Tuesday an Israeli raid on the West Bank city of Bethlehem which led to a clash with Palestinian police.

Abbas told reporters in the West Bank city of Ramallah after returning from an official visit to Spain that the Israeli military actions against the Palestinians, especially the raid on Bethlehem earlier on Tuesday, were not justified.

He also called on Israel to put an end to the intrusions, adding that such moves were used to serve the interests of some Israeli parties.

The Palestinian leader also voiced hope that calmness can prevail and that Israelis and Palestinians can get back to the negotiation table.

Earlier, a group of Israeli soldiers, disguised as Palestinian workers, stopped a Palestinian taxi in Bethlehem and tried to arrest some passengers aboard, Palestinian security sources said.

The sources said a clash erupted between the Israeli soldiers and Palestinian police who rushed to the scene after receiving reports of the incident.

At least one Palestinian teenager was injured in the exchange of fire, Palestinian medics at Beit Jalla hospital said.

The Palestinian security forces have sent a letter of protest to the Israeli army command.

Source: Xinhua