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Two injured and three arrested during Bil'in weekly demonstration
28/05/2010
by Bil’in FFJ
After the Friday prayer, dozens of Israeli, international, and Palestinian demonstrators marched toward the site of the Separation Wall. Upon reaching the gate, the Israeli army responded almost immediately by firing tear gas canisters directly into the crowd. They also fired sound bombs and rubber bullets at the demonstrators. Two were injured as a result: Mustafa al-Khateeb of Bil’in was skimmed on his side by a bullet, and 28-year-old Israeli photographer Edo was injured on his left leg. They were treated on the spot.
Three Israeli demonstrators were arrested when the army entered the gate and grabbed them from the crowd. Haitham al-Khateeb, videographer from Bil’in, was also detained but quickly released after he informed the soldiers that he was filming for B’Tselem.
The rest of the demonstrators were pushed back toward the town and suffered from tear gas inhalation. It is important to note that the army has begun firing tear gas rockets that can reach a distance of 550 meters and were responsible for the death last year of Bassem Abu Rahme.
Today’s demonstration lasted approximately an hour. It was attended by a group of Belgian activists whom the Popular Committee will take on a tour of nearby villages that are affected by the construction of the Separation Wall.
Video
Ma'an Report: Bil'in field catches fire, weekly protests continue
Source : Ma’an
Four Israeli activists at the weekly anti-wall protest in Bil’in were detained on Friday, when Israeli soldiers penetrated a fence in the separation wall, firing tear-gas canisters toward protesters.
Witnesses said the hot canisters caused a dry field to catch fire, setting Khalil Mohammad Abu Rahma’s farmlands ablaze, and making a direct hit to an 18 year old Palestinian boy who was evacuated by medics following the incident.
The boy was identified as Mustafa Shoukat al-Khatib, and the four Israeli activists as 73 year old Moche Lubweinski, 60 year old Mecha Rakhman, 45 year old Michal Sabir and a 25 year old woman identified only as Naomi.
An Israeli military spokesman confirmed the arrests, saying the four were taken in for questioning.
The rally that was organized by the local popular committee against the wall, and had villagers, international peace activists and a delegation of Germans march toward the site of the separation wall carrying pictures of the popular committee coordinator Abdallh Abu Rahma, who was detained for his role in the protests on 10 December 2009, and remains in Israeli custody.
Photos of detained activist Adeeb Abu Rahma, taken from his home on 5 July 2009, were also carried as villagers demanded their release.
When the march reached the gate of the separation wall, protesters demanded it be opened so villagers could access their lands. Soldiers responded by firing tear gas and sound bomb canisters, as well as spraying protesters with rubber-coated bullets, organizers said.
An Israeli military spokesman said he was unaware of reports that fields had caught fire during the protest.
Ma’asara
The entrance to the Bethlehem-area village of Ma’asara was closed by Israeli soldiers, preventing international and Israeli activists from entering the area and supporting Palestinians demonstrating against the confiscation of lands by settlements and the construction of the separation wall.
A group of French supporters from the city of Grenoble, however, had arrived early in the village and were able to participate in the event, organizers said.
When the group of protesters reached the separation wall barring villagers from their land, organizers said several were beaten by soldiers.
An Israeli military spokesman said there had been no violent confrontations at the rally, and was unaware of reports of beatings.
Ni’lin
Marking the third anniversary of the popular protests in the village, residents and international activists marched toward the separation wall and demanded the gate in the wall be opeed to allow free passage to farmers.
Israeli soldiers at the gate responded by firing flurries of tear-gas canisters, and organizers said elderly, young and internationals were among those targeted by the noxious gas.
