By Mohammad Ben Hussein

AMMAN - Activists from the professional associations on Saturday called for an investigation into the “excessive use of force" against demonstrators on Friday when the Gendarmerie Forces attempted to disperse crowds marching towards the Israeli embassy.

In a letter sent to Prime Minister Nader Dahabi, activist Maysara Malas accused members of the Gendarmerie Forces of "verbally humiliating demonstrators”.

"It is unacceptable for a group of Gendarmerie Force members to gather around one demonstrator and beat him with a baton in a cruel way," said Malas, head of the Jordan Engineers Association’s freedoms committee.

A number of journalists and eyewitnesses confirmed to The Jordan Times that security personnel used force against several demonstrators.

Malas called on Dahabi to launch "an immediate investigation" into the incident and demanded an apology from security forces.

The clashes took place two hours after Friday prayers, when crowds attempted to march towards the Israeli embassy, calling on authorities to expel the Israeli ambassador from the Kingdom and nullify the 1994 Wadi Araba peace treaty between Jordan and Israel.

After protesters threw rocks at police, security forces responded by firing tear gas as clashes ensued.

At least four people were injured in the incident, including Al Jazeera correspondent Yaser Abu Hilala.

Officials from the Public Security Department (PSD) said they had no knowledge of the reported attacks.

"We have opened an investigation into the complaint of Yaser Abu Hilala, but have not yet received any other complaints," PSD Spokesperson Mohammad Khatib told The Jordan Times on Saturday.

"Those who were beaten should file a complaint against the Gendarmerie Forces so that we can open an investigation," he added.

The Kingdom witnessed a flurry of protests on Friday with thousands taking to the streets in some of the strongest demonstrations since the Israeli military offensive against Gaza began just over two weeks ago.

Around 10,000 people marched in downtown Amman demanding the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador and an end to peace with Israel.

Protesters held banners condemning ongoing Israelis attacks on the Gaza Strip and pictures of former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein, praising him for firing rockets into Israel during the 1991 Gulf War.

At another protest in Tabarbour, police were forced to fire teargas to disperse a group of several thousand young men as gathered in a demonstration organised by the Islamist movement.

In Maan, security forces clashed with demonstrators who destroyed a police kiosk before they dispersed, according to eyewitnesses.