The Friends of Freedom and Justice Committee in Bil’in, near the central West Bank city of Ramallah, reported Friday that dozens of nonviolent protesters, including Israeli and international peace activists, were treated for the effects of teargas inhalation after Israeli soldiers attacked their weekly nonviolent protest against the Annexation Wall and settlements.Similar to every Friday, the protest started following the Friday noon prayers in the center of the village, and headed towards Palestinian lands that were returned to the residents after an extended legal battle.
The protesters carried Palestinian flags and chanted against the illegal Annexation Wall and settlements, calling for ending the Israeli occupation, the release of all political prisoners held by Israel and the liberation of occupied Jerusalem.
As they arrived at the Abu Lemon Natural Reserve, some protesters managed to breach a barbed-wire fence located behind the concrete Annexation Wall and the soldiers, stationed on the other side of the Wall fired gas bombs, rubber-coated metal bullets and waste-water mixed with chemicals; dozens of protesters, including Israeli and international peace activists were treated for the effects of tear gas inhalation.
Later on, a number of youth hurled stones at the soldiers who deliberately fired gas bombs into nearby olive orchards causing fire in nearby orchards and lands. The army repeatedly fired gas bombs into orchards in previous protests.
Also on Friday, nonviolent protests against the Wall and Settlements were held in the nearby village of Ni’lin marking 4th anniversary of the weekly nonviolent protests there.
Furthermore, many were treated for the effects of tear gas inhalation when soldiers attacked the villagers of Kufer Qaddoum, and their international and Israeli supporters.
The villagers are demanding the opening of the road that connects the village with its surrounding. The army closed the road several years ago and refusing to reopen it.
The Palestinians, along with Israeli and international supporters, hold weekly nonviolent protests against the illegal Annexation Wall and settlements in different parts of the West Bank; these protests are met with excessive force by the army an issue that led to dozens of casualties, including a number of fatalities.
Short Video of a section of Bil’in’s protests on Friday, the man speaking in the video is Jewish, from the United States
