Israeli liaison to Palestinians urges WHO to prevent tire burning at protests

Maj. Gen. Yoav Mordechai is urging the World Health Organization to help stem the “unprecedented” air pollution caused by Palestinian protesters burning tires at regular anti-Israel demonstrations.

“This is a serious environmental issue that will harm the health of the residents and will cause unprecedented air pollution,” he says in a letter to the world body according to Army Radio.

The letter comes a week after 30,000 Palestinians took part in demonstrations along the Gaza border, during which rioters threw rocks and firebombs at Israeli troops on the other side of the fence, burned tires and scrap wood, sought to breach and damage the security fence, and in one case opened fire at Israeli soldiers.

The Hamas-run Gaza health ministry said 16 Palestinians were killed in subsequent clashes with IDF forces.