RAMALLAH (Ma’an) -- A weekly protest took place in Nabi Saleh on Friday as Muslims celebrated the first day of Ramadan, a local committee said.

Dozens of Palestinian and international peace activists took part in the demonstration, urging the Arab world to protect Jerusalem and its holy sites.

Israeli forces fired tear gas and rubber bullets towards demonstrators, the local committee against the wall said.

An Israeli army spokesman said soldiers dispersed the demonstration using riot dispersal means. Two Israeli citizens were arrested, she added.

Palestinian residents of Nabi Saleh and their local and international supporters demonstrate each week against a nearby settlement's encroachment toward lands owned by the village.

In December 2011, a tear-gas canister killed Mustafa Tamimi, a resident of the village.