Israeli soldiers attacked, Friday, the weekly nonviolent protest against the Annexation Wall and settlements in Bil’in village, near the central West Bank city of Ramallah; two residents were hit by gas bombs fired by the army while dozens were treated for the effects of tear gas inhalation. Similar protests were held in several west Bank villages.This week’s protest, organized by the Popular Committee Against the Wall, carried the title “the Friday of the State, Political and Diplomatic Victory”, and came to support President Mahmoud Abbas who delivered a historic speech at the UN on Thursday, before Palestine was voted in as a nonmember state at the General Assembly of the United Nations.
A Belgian delegation, dozens of local, Israeli and international peace activists, participated in the protest that started following Friday noon prayers at the village’s mosque in the center of the village, and marched towards the Annexation Wall carrying Palestinian flags, and chanting slogans calling for the destruction of the illegal Annexation Wall, and for steadfastness on all Palestinian national standards of liberation, the liberation of all political prisoners held by Israel, and slogans expressing support to President Mahmoud Abbas.
Similar to every week, as the protesters arrived at the Abu Lemon Natural Reserve, adjacent to the Annexation Wall, soldiers stationed on the other side of the Wall started firing gas bombs, concussion grenades, and rubber-coated metal bullets; dozens of protesters were treated for the effects of tear gas inhalation, while two were struck by gas bomb fired by the army.
The Committee said that resident Ahmad Abu Rahma, 18, was hit by a gas bomb in his hand, while Issa Abu Rahma, 40, was hit by a gas bomb in his leg.
The soldiers then invaded the area and chased Palestinian youths in an attempt to kidnap them an issue that led to clashes that lasted for several hours; local youths hurled stones and empty bottles at the army, while the army fired more gas bombs, concussion grenades and rubber-coated metal bullets.
The Popular Committee Against the Wall saluted president Abbas and the Palestinian leadership for remaining steadfast and determined to head to the UN, and for the historic achievement made on Thursday.
The Committee called on all Palestinian factions to unite in order to foil all Israeli plans and attempts that are meant to prevent the Palestinian people from achieving their internationally guaranteed rights of liberty and independence on their national homeland, by establishing a sovereign and independent state, with Jerusalem as its capital.
Also on Friday, three civilians were mildly injured, when Israeli soldiers used tear gas and rubber-coated steel bullets to suppress the weekly anti wall protest at the village of al Nabi Saleh. Troops attacked the villagers and their supporters before they even left the village.
Three young men were hit with rubber coated steel bullets while many were treated for the effects of tear gas inhalation. this week the protest ended with clashes between local youth and invading Israeli forces.
In Kufur Qaddoum village, many were treated for the effects of tear gas inhalation, when Israeli soldiers attacked the weekly anti wall protest.
Also on Friday at the village of Al Ma’ssara, near the southern West Bank city of Bethlehem, villagers and their supporters protested the Israeli wall and settlements. Soldiers stationed at the village entrance forced people back using rifle butts and batons.
