- NEW: Palestinian negotiator says the day celebrates a right to freedom
- NEW: Israeli forces clash with Palestinian demonstrators
- Protests have become an annual expression of what Palestinians consider discriminatory Israeli policies
- Palestinians hold Land Day rallies every year
(CNN) -- Israeli forces clashed with Palestinian demonstrators Friday near a checkpoint separating the West Bank from Jerusalem as protesters throughout the region marked Land Day.
Protesters hurled rocks as Israeli forces fired rubber bullets, stun grenades and tear gas.
Israeli forces remain on high alert as Palestinians and Arabs throughout the region observed Land Day.
Palestinians hold Land Day rallies every year to commemorate the death of six demonstrators in 1976. The rallies have become an annual expression of what Palestinians consider discriminatory Israeli policies.
This year, Land Day organizers have called for protests inside Israel and the Palestinian territories,and in neighboring Egypt, Lebanon and Jordan.
Rallying under the slogan of a global march to Jerusalem, protest organizers have called for "freedom for Jerusalem and its people."
In preparation, Israel announced a 24-hour closure of the West Bank and imposed restrictions on Friday prayers at Jerusalem's Al Aqsa mosque, barring men under age 40 from entering the site.
Thousands of police officers are deployed across the country with emphasis on the north of Israel and Jerusalem, Israeli police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said.
While protest organizers say they will be peaceful, Israeli officials expressed concerns that anti -Israel extremists could hijack the rallies.
Israeli police chief, Yohanan Danino, urged leaders of the Arab community to ensure extremists do not spark provocations.
"We are coordinating the marches that are to take place throughout the day with the heads of the community and hope that things will be quiet without any sporadic incidents" Rosenfeld said.
Israeli military chief of staff, Lt. Gen Benny Gantz, held special security assessments Friday with regional deputies along Israel's borders in preparation for the events.
The Israeli army said it will do whatever it takes to protect its borders and residents.
Demonstrations last year marking the anniversary of the Jewish state's creation turned deadly when clashes between pro-Palestinian activists and Israeli forces left several dead. The clashes occurred on the Israeli Lebanese border and the frontier line separating Golan Heights from Syria.
In Lebanon, groups of protesters comprising mainly Palestinians gathered to mark Land Day.
"The Arabs have finally woken, and now things will change even there," said Muhamed Yusif Abu Shaikh, 67, outside Sidon as he pointed south to the border.
Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said the day celebrates a right to freedom.
"The freedom defenders who will partake in these peaceful demonstrations and rallies around the world are marching for dignity toward Jerusalem. Together with them, Palestinians will continue their certain path toward national independence", he said.
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