low graphics version | feedback | help
Police at the Allenby bridge used tear gas, water cannon and truncheons to disperse the protesters, who included political activists, members of parliament and trades unionists.
One report said as many as 25,000 people took part in the march.
The event was organised to press for the right of return of Palestinian refugees, many of whom live in Jordan.
Defiance
The crowds carried Palestinian and Jordanian flags as they marched from the capital, Amman, chanting anti-Israeli slogans as they went along.
 Jordanian security forces had to mount a stiff challenge to halt the march |
Some of the banners said: "Yes to cutting ties with the Zionist enemy" and "Yes to the right of return."
The violence broke out after the marchers failed to stop at the bridge as agreed earlier with security officials.
Following cries of "To the bridge, to the bridge," the marchers forced their way onto the crossing that would have led them to the West Bank side of the bridge, which is controlled by Israeli security forces.
The demonstrators were beaten into retreat by Jordanian police with baton, water cannon and tear gas, as helicopters hovered overhead.
Several demonstrators were taken to hospital after suffering from smoke inhalation.
| Search BBC News Online | |
|  Advanced search options | |
| |
 | |
 | |
| |
 | BBC RADIO NEWS |
| |
| |
 | BBC ONE TV NEWS |
| |
| |
| WORLD NEWS SUMMARY |
| |
| |
| |
| |
 | PROGRAMMES GUIDE |
 | ||
 | ||
 Key stories | ||
Eyewitness | ||
Background | ||
| ||
| ||
| ||
|
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites
E-mail this story to a friend
