Posted on 04/05/2002 9:58:07 AM PST by Libloather
Bahrain Protesters Smash Windows at U.S. Embassy
Fri Apr 5,12:02 PM ET
By Abbas Salman
MANAMA (Reuters) - Thousands of demonstrators attacked the U.S. Embassy in Bahrain Friday, some breaking into the compound and smashing windows in the main building to protest against Israeli raids on Palestinians in the West Bank.
Witnesses said hundreds of riot police clashed with the protesters, firing teargas and rubber bullets in a vain effort to keep them out of the smoke-filled compound.
The demonstration was one of the biggest political gatherings for some years in the conservative Gulf Arab state, which is home to the U.S. Fifth Fleet.
Demonstrators hurled stones and petrol bombs at the main embassy building, some putting up a Palestinian flag while others yelled "Death to America" and "Death to Israel." Some protesters set fire to U.S. flags.
Riot police dispersed the protesters after about one hour and fired repeated volleys of teargas to prevent them from regrouping while helicopters flew overhead.
A political activist said about 80 people were taken to hospital for treatment to injuries from rubber bullets or teargas, but a hospital doctor later told Reuters none of the injuries was serious.
Some demonstrators attacked a nearby McDonald's restaurant as a symbol of the U.S. presence in the small island state, smashing its windows.
In neighboring Saudi Arabia, some 2,000 people defied a ban on demonstrations to show their support for the Palestinians outside the U.S. consulate in the eastern city of Dhahran, residents said.
Police surrounded a march by some 2,500 pro-Palestinian demonstrators outside the nearby town of al-Qatif, but there were no reports of violence. The town is in a region that is home to Saudi Arabia's minority Shi'ite Muslims and the scene of sporadic unrest in the past.
Several peaceful rallies have been held in neighboring Gulf Arab states since Israel launched a new offensive in the West Bank following a spate of Palestinian suicide bombings.
Conservative Gulf Arab states have found themselves walking a tightrope as public anger mounts against their key ally, the United States, for what ordinary people see as its pro-Israeli bias.
Bahrain was engulfed in controversy a few days ago, when the U.S. ambassador asked a school gathering to observe a minute of silence for Israelis killed by Palestinians after a student asked the group to pay tribute to Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks.
A leading Bahraini newspaper demanded a public apology from the envoy for "insulting" Bahrainis.
Take a chill pill - eh?
If Phil Stern tells you to do something - DON'T DO IT!
English please.
Few are paying attention. I don't get it. Some town on the West Bank no one heard of or wants to hear of has the zillionth shooting and it is a big deal. Riots right next to one of the most important US bases in the mideast...yawn....
It's time for the 'infidels' to strike back. I don't care why they hate us. They fly planes into AMERICAN buildings killing people that have NOTHING to do with the matter. It's time to give them a REAL reason to hate us. Americans are accused of being a global bully. Time to be one. Because force is ALL that the jihadists understand.
Who are the ones killing Americans. Who are bombing Jews. Who are killing Christians in Nigeria, Malaysia, and the Phillapeans? It's not the Jews. It's the Jihadists.
They are no different than Oliver Cromwell was to my ancestors.
Somebody sent you that pic? Cool!
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