3 injured, 7 arrested in clashes between Israeli troops and anti-wall protesters in West Bank

[News_Editor]

3 injured, 7 arrested in clashes between Israeli troops and anti-wall protesters in West Bank

2011-07-23 00:51:42 GMT+7 (ICT)

WEST BANK (BNO NEWS) -- At least three people were injured and seven others arrested on Friday when anti-wall protesters clashed with Israeli troops in various West Bank communities.

Palestine News Network reported that troops used rubber-coated steel bullets and tear gas to disperse protesters in the village of Beit Omer in the south, injuring at least three and arresting two. The protest started after the midday prayers to demand the end of settlement construction and the wall on local farmers lands.

In the nearby al-Ma'sara village, soldiers prevented protesters from reaching the lands where Israel is building the wall. According to Palestinian reports, soldiers fired tear gas at protesters forcing them back into the village.

Clashes were also reported in the village of Nil'in in central West Bank where protesters marched up to the wall after midday prayers. There were reports that many protesters suffered from tear gas inhalation.

Nearby, in the village Bil'in, soldiers fired live rounds, but no injuries were reported. Some trees also caught fire when troops fired tear gas bombs near them.


Also in central West Bank, in al-Nabi Salleh, soldiers arrested three Palestinians and one Israeli and clashed with local youth.

Last month, Israel removed the old wall after six years of weekly protests by the people of Bil'in. The rerouting of the wall gave back the farmers half of the land taken by the military.

Earlier this month, hundreds of Palestinians and foreign activists gathered at the Qalandia checkpoint north of Jerusalem to urge the international community to implement a International Court of Justice ruling to demolish the separation wall.

In 2004, the International Court of Justice ruled that the separation wall, which Israel began constructing in 2002, was illegal. Eighty-five percent of the wall runs through the West Bank annexing significant areas of Palestinian land.

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