Dozens suffered asphyxiation as a result of inhaling gas fired by Israeli soldiers against nonviolent protesters in the village of Bil’in near the West Bank city of Ramallah Friday.The villagers of Bil’in together with International and Israeli peace activists joined a nonviolent demonstration in support of the Palestinian statehood bid. The demonstration was organized by the popular committee against the wall and settlements.
The march started following the Friday prayer and headed to the lands that have been recently retrieved by an Israeli court ruling, carrying Palestinian flags with the number 194 printed on them, marking the number of the anticipated Palestinian state in if approved by UN.
Protesters also carried an American flag with the word Veto printed on it, and flew kites carrying Palestinian flags. Protesters then burned the American flag and put it on the fence separating them from their lands.
As protesters attempted to go through the fence to reach their confiscated land, Israeli troops operating their showered them with concussion grenades, tear gas and rubber coated steel bullets which caused dozens to choke. The wounded were treated by field medics of the Palestinian Red Crescent. The intensive use of gas bombs and concussion grenades set fire to the nearby olive trees, however the villagers managed to put it out.
