Two detained, others wounded in anti-wall nonviolent protest in Bethlehem

Nonviolent Protestor pray before the action, troops piling up (Photo: Husam Jubran)

Around 60 Palestinian, Israeli and International protesters gathered in southern Bethlehem on Friday to commemorate the 59th anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba and to protest against the construction of the annexation wall on Palestinian land.

After a series of speeches and Friday prayers, the protesters attempted to march to the village of Um Salamoneh, but were blocked by around 60 Israeli soldiers and border police with full gear. A scuffle ensued, where soldiers beat and kicked protesters in an attempt to force them back.

Several protesters were lightly injured and treated on the scene. Two Israeli activists were detained and were released few hours later.

Failing to go on the road, protestors went through the fields to the construction site of the wall. Protestors removed pipes and parts of the wall at the sections where it was still under construction.

As the army arrived, the protestors marched towards them, forcing them back. Protestors sat on the ground for a time before Mahmoud Zawahra, member of the Popular Committee Against the Wall and Settlements who organized the action, spoke to the soldiers saying, “Instead of being here as occupiers, you should and live with your families,” adding, “You should be ashamed of yourselves to be among the very few military occupation forces on earth in the 21st century.”

Asked if there would be more action, Husam Jubran, one of the few Palestinian trainers in nonviolence, told IMEMC that the popular committee in Bethlehem adopted a campaign called “Stop the Bleeding of Bethlehem” which aims to mobilize more people in the Bethlehem area to resist the wall, settlements, checkpoints and all forms of the Israeli occupation.