Palestinian children, taken out of school for anti-U.S. riots. (Nasser Ishtayeh/Flash90) Nasser Ishtayeh/Flash90

Only a few dozen rioters turned up for the Palestinian Authority’s “day of rage” on Tuesday, which represents an epic failure for PA leadership.

By TPS

The Palestinian Authority (PA) declared a “day of rage” throughout Judea and Samaria in protest of the recent US announcement that Israel’s presence in Judea and Samaria is not illegal according to international law.

Schools were closed at 11:30 to boost attendance at the events.

Mahmoud al-Aloul, PA head Mahmoud Abbas’ deputy and one of the leaders in line to succeed him, led the demonstrations but apparently failed to generate public interest in the clashes.

A fairly negligible number of rioters arrived at crossings and checkpoints and threw rocks and firebombs at Israeli troops and burned tires. The Israeli forces responded with crowd-control means and a few arrests.

In Shechem (Nablus), rioters burned pictures of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, US President Donald Trump and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

At the entrance to Ramallah, dozens of Arab rioters threw rocks and burned tires. IDF soldiers respond with rubber bullets and tear gas. One rioter was reportedly wounded at the entrance to El Beira, in the Ramallah area.

A journalist was reportedly injured in Tulkarem, and some rioters were treated for tear gas inhalation near Bethlehem.

The PA hoped Tuesday’s incidents would represent a turning point, with some declaring the “day of rage” a prelude to another Intifada. As Tuesday drew to a close, the PA appeared to have failed in its mission, despite the fact that this is the first time in years that the PA declared a day of rage.