JERUSALEM, July 15 (UPI) -- Jewish and Arab protesters marched in Jerusalem Friday to support U.N. recognition of a Palestinian state, which Israel is trying to avert.
Police watched the 1,500 demonstrators who told Ynetnews they wanted no violence.
The Sheik Jarrah Solidarity called the march, which headed from the Old City's Jaffa Gate to Sheik Jarrah, an East Jerusalem neighborhood where Jewish settlers and anti-occupation activists have been at odds for months.
Activist Hillel Ben Sasson said: "Bibi [Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu] is not just a peace refusenik but a peace manipulator. The right step is recognition of a Palestinian state at the U.N. We have come to prove that Jews and Muslims can march together in East Jerusalem for a better future."
Leftist Israeli Knesset member Dov Khenin said: "The struggle for Palestinian independence is for the future of this country. The government of Israel continues to take unilateral steps, building settlements and refusing to freeze construction.
"The Palestinians have come to realize they cannot sit idle while this is taking place. Proceeding to a Palestinian state based on 1967 borders is the right step and is compatible with the interests of Israel."
