Nine arrested in pro-Palestinian protest

NEW YORK, Jan. 12 (UPI) -- A least nine protesters were arrested in New York and seven police officers injured during a pro-Palestinian rally, police officials said.

In a statement, the NYPD said the officers were injured as they tried to break up a fight between two protesters, CNN reported.

"While attempting to separate the males, several others joined in and began to assault the officers," the statement said.

The demonstrators rallied on Manhattan's West Side Sunday afternoon to protest the Israeli military operation in Gaza. The rally began peacefully, but witnesses told CNN skirmishes between police and demonstrators eventually erupted.

Steve Sherman, coordinator of security for United for Peace and Justice and a demonstrator at the rally, said police sprayed Mace on some demonstrators, which police officials denied

"The police pushed us out onto the avenue, and as we were walking down the avenue," Sherman told CNN. "They charged with horses on the sidewalks and they charged with their own bodies and pushed in, and a riot started."