Israel, U.S.: Syrian-Golan Heights protests 'provocation'By the CNN Wire Staff

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http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/06/06/israel.palestinian.protests/

Israel, U.S.: Syrian-Golan Heights protests 'provocation'By the CNN Wire Staff

June 6, 2011 3:51 p.m. EDT

Jerusalem (CNN) -- Israel and the United States on Monday blamed Syria for

violent protests on the country's border with the occupied Golan Heights.

The demonstrations were a provocation designed to draw international attention

away from harsh reprisals against protesters in Hama and other Syrian cities,

the countries said.

Israeli officials said 10 people died Sunday when fire bombs thrown by

protesters detonated landmines, said Lt. Col. Avital Leibovich, an Israeli

military spokeswoman.

Syrian state media reported 23 protesters were killed when Israeli soldiers

opened fire on demonstrators.

Deadly border clashes in Golan Heights

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Golan Heights

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Israel

" There is an attempt here to incite the international community and to draw

attention away from the harsh events " in Hama, Syria, Israeli Prime Minister

Netanyahu said at the Knesset, Israel's parliament.

More than 1,000 people have died since the Syrian government began a crackdown

on demonstrators seeking government reforms, according to the United Nations.

Human rights groups say 80 people died when security forces sprayed a crowd of

protesters in Hama on Friday.

In Sunday's demonstrations, Israeli troops used tear gas and live ammunition on

members of the demonstrators only " after using up all other means, " Netanyahu

said. The soldiers followed international law, he said.

" We stand by our rights to defend our borders, our cities and our citizens, " he

said. " We will do it with restraint and great responsibility. "

The United States defended Israel's response, said State Department spokesman

Mark Toner.

" As we did previously, we condemn what appears to be an effort by the Syrian

government to incite events and draw attention away from its own internal

issues, " Toner said. " And it's clear that such behavior will not distract

international attention on Syria's, Syrian government's condemnable behavior on

its own citizens. "

The protests came on the anniversary of the 1967 Middle East War, when Israel

captured the Golan Heights from Syria. The Israel Defense Forces said that

Israeli troops used tear gas and live ammunition on members of an " angered mob. "

As many as 500 people took part in the demonstration, holding mid-day prayers on

the Syrian side of the border, then crouching down behind ramparts that Israel

constructed in response to similar demonstrations three weeks ago. The number

later dropped to about 50, with protesters waving Palestinian and Syrian flags.