Residents of the village of Bil’in, on Friday, continued their weekly demonstration towards the Israeli built separation wall, with the support of both internationals and Israelis, despite the inclement conditions.
Residents of the village of Bil’in, on Friday, continued their weekly demonstration towards the Israeli built separation wall, with the support of both internationals and Israelis, despite the inclement conditions.
Protestors attempted to distribute “wanted signs” to the Israeli soldiers calling for the arrest of the Israeli army commander in charge of the Bil’in area, citing sections from the Hague Regulations, 1907, and articles form the fourth Geneva Convention
The protestors claim that the commander’s actions in Bil’in constitute crimes against humanity, as proscribed by the aforementioned documents enshrined under international law.
Local sources report that the protestors were met with a volley of tear gas canisters, fired directly into the crowd, when they approached the wall. The canisters are made with heavy aluminium casing, and can be fatal if fired directly at a person.
Sources also reported that protestors stated an increase in potency of the gas used.
The demonstration in Bil’in has now entered its sixth year and, in conjunction with the exploration of legal means, has had a marked success. Following a court case brought by the village residents, the separation wall will be moved giving back 50% of the land owned by villagers that had been designated for settlement expansion.
