One international supporter detained by Israeli troops, three journalists were injured and cars damaged by military fire at the weekly anti wall protest at Al Ma’ssara village near the southern West Bank city of Bethlehem.
About 200 villagers along with Israeli and international supporters marched from Al Ma’ssra village on Friday after the midday prayers. People were on their way to lands owned by local farmers the arm is planning to take over to build the wall. Troops stopped the crowed at the village entrance using a barbed wire checkpoint.
Local organizers delivered speeches at the checkpoint in both Arabic and English; as the protest was about to end local youth hurled couple of stones at troops. Solders responded by shooting sound and tear gas bombs at the crowed. Troops also attacked journalists covering the event.
Mussa Al Sha’er, photojournalist for AFP, Abed Al Hashlamon, EPA, and Amer Amed, a camera man for Pal-Media were lightly wounded. Two cars sustained damage due to the army fire. One of the cars are owned by Dr. Mazin Qumssia, a local organizer.
Troops also detained two international supporters; half an hour later one of them were released while the other was taken to a police station in a nearby Israeli settlement.
