Palestinian protesters throw shoe at American diplomats

Palestinian protesters confronted a group of U.S. diplomats visiting the West Bank city of Ramallah.

The diplomats, including Jerusalem consulate employees, were in a convoy of vehicles heading to a reception reaffirming cultural and educational ties with the Palestinian Authority, according to reports.

The demonstration, which reportedly was organized through Facebook, included the hurling of a shoe at the diplomats, which is considered a major insult in the Arab world.

The demonstrators protested against U.S. opposition to the Palestinians’ United Nations statehood bid and the U.S. Congress freezing aid to the Palestinian Authority.

Some Palestinians invited to the event stayed away because they were afraid of the protesters, The Associated Press reported.