Six injured at the Bil'in weekly protest

Saturday June 30, 2007 11:18 by Ghassan Bannoura - IMEMC News

Residents of the village of Bil’in, located near the central West Bank city of Ramallah, joined by international and Israeli supporters, on friday midday marched against the construction of the illegal wall that separates the village from its farming land as they do each week.

Shortly after Friday prayers, the protestors moved towards the gate of the illegal Wall which farmers have to pass through to reach their land. Scores of soldiers blocked the way with razor wire and military barricades. As soon as demonstrators reached the main roadblock, they were fired upon with tear-gas, sound bombs and rubber-coated steel bullets. The attack injured six protestors, among them two internationals.

In addition to injuries sustained, 3 Israeli demonstrators were detained, one of whom is current serving in the Israeli army. Upon being detained, the man stated his military number, unit and name. Despite this he was beaten up and held for approximately one hour. Upon his release, the man stated that he was ashamed of what the army was doing in the area and vowed not to return to service.

As the soldiers continued to attack non-violent protestors, a number of masked youths from the village managed to bypass the soldiers’ lines and reach the fence surrounding the illegal wall.

Sources in the village also reported that since last week, the Israeli army has been invading the village on a daily basis and attacking local non-violent activists and those who help to organize the demonstration.

In related news, an Israeli military court released Iyad Burnatt, the coordinator of the Popular Committee Against the Construction of the Wall and Settlements, after fining him 4000 NIS and barring him from visiting the site of the wall for 10 days, effective from as of Thursday.

Burnat was assaulted and then kidnapped by Israeli soldiers at last week’s demonstration.

ramallah | non-violent action | news report ghassanb at imemc dot org