Israeli soldiers attacked a weekly march against the occupation and settlements in Nabi Saleh, on Friday. Another weekly march was attacked in Bilin, and yet another in the village of al-Maasara, in Bethlehem.A weekly march beginning at al-Shuhadaa square, in the center of Nabi Saleh, took place in Palestine today, in which dozens of local residents, foreigners and other activists participated with chants against the Israeli occupation, it illegal settlements and the silence of the international community, as they called for national unity among Palestinians.
Clashes erupted after Israeli forces suppressed the march using tear-gas canisters and rubber-coated steel bullets, Ma’an News Agency has reported. A number of youth responded by throwing rocks at the soldiers.
Dozens reportedly choked the gas, while some were injured by rubber-coated bullets, as randomly fired tear-gas canisters set fire to nearby lands.
Soldiers inside declared it a military zone and sealed off the entrance.
Meanwhile, in Bilin (Ramallah), Ma’an further reports that dozens of Palestinians and foreigners were also injured and choked on tear gas when Israeli forces suppressed during a similar march, as demonstartors approached the apartheid wall.
Another weekly march was attacked in al-Maasara village in Bethlehem, where protesters marched in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, including Ayman Itbeish, who has reportedly been on hunger strike for more than 100 days.
For detailed info on Israeli attacks on non-violent protests, see the PCHR Weekly Report: http://www.imemc.org/article/68246
See also related IMEMC topic: Non-violent action
