Israeli soldiers attacked on Saturday evening dozens of Palestinian, Israeli and International protestors who held a march in Hebron, in the southern part of the West Bank, demanding freedom of movement to the residents of Hebron. The protest was held near the Al Shuhada Street, one of many streets that are off-limits to the Palestinians in the city.
Israeli soldiers attacked reporters and attempted to move them away under the pretext that the area is a closed military zone. Troops also topped several homes and used them as military towers.
The protest was organized by the Youth Coalition Against Settlements; it was held near a military roadblock at the southern entrance of the Al Shuhada Street.
They carried Palestinian flags and signs demanding Israel to open the street, and to stop all forms of racial discrimination against the Palestinians.
The protestors chanted slogans against the ongoing attacks carried out by soldiers and settlers in the city and its surrounding areas.
Hisham Sharabty, a local activist against settlements, stated that this nonviolent protest is an affirmation to the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, such as the right to Freedom of Movement.
Al Sharabty added that the Palestinians reject the resumption of direct talks with Israel while it is ongoing with its settlement activities, and that the Palestinian
Authority went to the negotiations table on the principle of Land for Peace, therefore “it is unreasonable to hold talks while land theft is ongoing”.
He demanded the International Community to practice pressure on Israel, oblige it to stop the construction and expansion of settlements and to dismantle existing settlements in the occupied territories and in occupied East Jerusalem.
The Al Shuhada Street has been off-limits to the Palestinians since 1994 as only Jewish settlers and soldiers are allowed to use it.
It is one of the most vital streets in the city as it is located in the center of Hebron and its closure separated the southern neighborhoods from the north; the army also ordered the closure of more than 500 stores since the year 2000.
The closure also isolated the center of the Old City of Hebron and led to the closure of more than 1000 stores.
There are at least 100 military roadblocks, gates and sealed roads in Hebron.
