Jerusalem clashes after Israeli guard kills Palestinian

Silwan is a frequent flashpoint because of the number of Jewish settlers who have moved into the neighbourhood, our correspondent says.

There are also controversial plans by the city council to develop the area which include proposals to demolish the homes of many local Palestinian families.

The building of Jewish settlements is another thorny issue in the Middle East peace talks, which resumed earlier this month after a lapse of almost two years.

The Palestinians have threatened to walk out of peace talks unless a partial construction freeze, due to expire on 26 September, is extended.

Nearly half a million Jews live in more than 100 settlements built since Israel’s 1967 occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

They are held to be illegal under international law, although Israel disputes this.

On Tuesday, the international Quartet of Middle East peace mediators urged Israel to extend its partial freeze on Jewish settlements in the West Bank.