Israeli settlers have clashed with Palestinians in the West Bank city of al-Khalil (Hebron), but there was no report of casualties.

The clashes broke out when a bus carrying Jewish worshipers arrived in al-Khalil to celebrate the Jewish Passover holiday.

Palestinians have been protesting in al-Khalil since Israel declared recently that it would add the Ibrahimi Mosque — also known as the Tomb of Patriarchs — to its list of national heritage sites.

Palestinians viewed the move as an attempt by Israel to cement its presence in the West Bank.

Tel Aviv has also announced plans to add another site, adjacent to the city of Beit Lehm (Bethlehem) known as Rachel’s Tomb — also revered by both Muslims and Christians — to its heritage list.

Israel captured both sites, along with the rest of East Jerusalem (al-Quds) and the West Bank, in the 1967 Six-Day war.

Challenging Obama

Meanwhile, an Israeli Knesset member said even US President Barack Obama will not be able to remove Israelis from the West Bank city of al-Khalil (Hebron).

Ayoob Kara, of the ruling Likud party, said on Thursday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "needs to say ‘no’ to ‘Barack Hussein Obama,’ and ‘yes’ to the people of Israel, who have come here in their multitudes today. He needs to grant permits to start building in settlements and in all of Israel," he added.

He also said that Israelis should not be told where they can or cannot build settlements.

He made the remarks at a ceremony in the West Bank city of al-Khalil, where thousands of Israelis gathered to celebrate the Jewish Passover holiday and the addition of the Ibrahimi Mosque — also known as the Tomb of Patriarchs — to Israel’s heritage list.

(Press TV)