Friday, January 18, Israeli soldiers attacked the weekly nonviolent protest against the Wall and Settlements, and against the continued closure of the main road leading to the Kufur Qaddoum village, that was blockaded by the army ten years ago.Hundreds of residents, Israeli and international peace activists marched from the village, near Qalqilia, after the villagers conducted noon prayers.
As they arrived at the gate closing the main road, the soldiers fired dozens of gas bombs, and rubber-coated metal bullet leading to dozens of injuries among protesters and journalists.
Murad Shteiwy, media coordinator of the Popular Committee in Kufur Qaddoum, stated that this week’s protest came in support of the Palestinian detainees, especially detainees on hunger strike, and added that the detainees require the utmost attention and solidarity amidst ongoing Israeli violations against them.
Shteiwy added that the army wants to silence the Palestinian, resorts to the excessive use of force and deliberately fired gas bombs towards the villager’s homes.
He demanded the Palestinian Authority to act against the ongoing closure of the Kufur Qaddoum road, and said that more than 3500 residents have to use an alternative unpaved bypass road that was flooded by the recent rainfall an issue the poses direct threats to the lives of the residents.
Also on Friday, the army attacked the weekly nonviolent protests against the Wall and settlements in the villages on Bil’in, Nil’in, and Nabi Saleh village, near Ramallah, and in Al-Ma’sara village near Bethlehem; dozens were treated for the effects of tear gas inhalation.
