Villagers of Wadi el-Neiss protest against land confiscation

Friday July 06, 2007 15:58 by John Smith - IMEMC

Approximately 100 Palestinian villagers from Wad el-Neiss, located to the south of Bethlehem in the southern part of the West Bank, side-by side with Israeli and international supporters, protested today against the illegal confiscation to land to for the construction of the illegal Israeli wall.

Army pushing Nonviolent demonstrators in anti Wall Protest in Bethlehm (Photo: Rami Rishmawi-IMEMC)

Friday’s non-violent action was organized by the Popular Committee of Lland Defence as part of a set of non-violent actions commemorating the third anniversary of the International Court of Justice’s ruling that the Israeli wall is an illegal structure that should be demolished and those affected by it compensated.

On Friday, the villagers of Wad el-Neiss conducted Friday prayers on the land schedules for confiscation. After prayers, protestors moved towards the construction site of the wall, where Israeli soldiers were waiting for them.

After Israeli troops barred the demonstrators from proceeding, protestors non-violently attempted to force their way to the site, but met with no success. A scuffle ensued after demonstrators were beaten with batons. Several protestors were lightly injured with cuts and bruises. After one hour, participants in the demonstration left the area, promising to return the following week.

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