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ERUSALEM (Ma'an) -- Israeli troops arrested six Palestinians and one Israeli solidarity activist during a rally east of Abu Dis protesting Israeli plans to displace Palestinian Bedouins living in the E1 corridor.

The rally was organized by local popular resistance committees and an Al-Quds University student bloc affiliated to the Fatah movement.

The rally kicked off from the main crossroads between Abu Dis and al-Ezariya, marching to the construction sites east of Abu Dis where Israeli excavators have been leveling land for first stage of the plan.

Some activists climbed onto bulldozers in attempt to impede them from breaking ground.

Participants in the rally then tried to set up the E1 protest camp, but Israeli forces stormed the location and confiscated the tents and other equipment after attacking the protestors and showering them with tear gas.

The protest camp, which activists named "Gate to Jerusalem," was first set up on Feb. 5, and has faced repeated destruction by Israeli forces.

As Israeli forces dispersed the protestors, witnesses identified three of the six Palestinians who were detained as 38-year-old Ahmad Udah, 23-year-old Imad Afanah, and 55-year-old Yousif Sharqawi.

"This suppression won't break our will and we will eventually rebuild Gate to Jerusalem," said secretary-general of the Palestinian National Initiative Mustafa Barghouthi, who joined the rally.

He added that on Israel's election day, "we came to tell Israel and the world that we don't count on Zionist parties, nor do we count on Israeli elections, but rather on our popular resistance and our people."

An Israeli army spokeswoman was not aware of the incident at the time that Ma'an inquired for information.

The Israeli government has continually prioritized securing the E1 corridor in order to consolidate and maintain control of the divisive area around Jerusalem.

Wednesday morning marked a first step in implementation of the plans, which include the relocation of around 12,500 Bedouins to free up additional lands for settlement construction, especially in E1.

Rights groups have slammed the plans, arguing that the forcible transfer amounts to a massive land grab and an attempt by authorities to annex the crucial E1 area, effectively cutting the West Bank in two.