Jerusalem (CNN) -- Israel and the United States on Monday blamed Syria for violent protests on the country's border with the occupied Golan Heights. The demonstrations were a provocation designed to draw international attention away from harsh reprisals against protesters in Hama and other Syrian cities, the countries said. Israeli officials said 10 people died Sunday when fire bombs thrown by protesters detonated landmines,  said Lt. Col. Avital Leibovich, an Israeli military spokeswoman. Syrian state media reported 23 protesters were killed when Israeli soldiers opened fire on demonstrators. "There is an attempt here to incite the international community and to draw attention away from the harsh events" in Hama, Syria, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at the Knesset, Israel's parliament.
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NEW: Israel, United States call the fatal protests a provocation
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NEW: Israel PM: Sunday protests were an effort to distract from harsh Syrian crackdown
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Israeli officials say 10 protesters died when fire bombs they threw set off landmines
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The protests came on the anniversary of the 1967 Middle East War
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"And it's clear that such behavior will not distract international attention on @placeholder's, Syrian government's condemnable behavior on its own citizens."
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"And it's clear that such behavior will not distract international attention on Syria's, @placeholder government's condemnable behavior on its own citizens."
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As many as 500 people took part in the demonstration, holding mid-day prayers on the Syrian side of the border, then crouching down behind ramparts that @placeholder constructed in response to similar demonstrations three weeks ago.