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Killing of Arab Youth by Police Touches off Rioting in Jerusalem

July 12, 1990
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Violence spread in East Jerusalem, after border police fatally shot an Arab youth Tuesday night and later invaded a refugee camp in the city precincts, wounding at least 20 Palestinian residents.

The slain victim, identified as Munzir Zuhdi a-Dabat, 19, was said to be the seventh Arab killed by Israeli security forces in Jerusalem since the Palestinian uprising began 31 months ago and the fifth fatality there this year.

Rioting broke out at the Shuafat refugee camp, which lies within Jerusalem’s boundaries. Eyewitnesses said youths set up roadblocks inside the camp and attacked three police officers with stones, bottles and iron bars.

Police responded by firing tear gas, rubber bullets and then live ammunition. Dabat apparently was killed by a bullet. The police appointed a panel to investigate the circumstances.

Riots spread at news of his death. Police reinforcements surrounded the camp, but when disturbances continued well into the night, a large force invaded the camp to disperse rioters, wounding a score of them.

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