Clashes at Jerusalem's Qalandiya checkpoint while other protesters gather at Israel's borders

Clashes have broken out between Palestinian protesters and Israeli security forces at the Qalandiya checkpoint on the outskirts of Jerusalem amid 'Land Day' demonstrations.

At least 23 people have been reported injured in clashes at the checkpoint, according to Al Jazeera's correspondents in Qalandiya.

Al Jazeera's Cal Perry reported that Israeli security forces tried to push hundreds of protesters back toward the nearby West Bank town of Ramallah, using water cannon and tear gas. Rocks were thrown, tires set alight and Red Crescent ambulances could be seen at the scene.

"This is a place where we frequently see clashes, and what we're seeing here is the Israeli army needing to put a barrier up and not let people through," our correspondent said.

"These clashes seem to be a bit more fierce today, and have started earlier in the day than usual."

Perry said hundreds of Israeli police had been deployed in occupied East Jerusalem and high levels of security were in place across the city.

Mustafa Barghouti, a Palestinian organiser, said that activists from 82 countries were expected to participate in Land Day activities, which remember six Palestinian-Israelis killed by Israeli security forces in 1976 during protests over the confiscation of their land.

Mahmoud Aloul, a Palestinian leader in the occupied West Bank involved in preparations there, said demonstrations would also be held in Bethlehem. Other events were planned in towns in northern Israel.

Activists in Gaza planned to hold a demonstration about a kilometre from the Israeli border, but said they did not plan to move closer to minimise the chance of clashes.

Supporters in neighbouring countries also planned marches near the Israeli borders in a solidarity event dubbed a "Global March to Jerusalem". more

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