Four Injured In Bil’in Weekly Nonviolent Protest

Photo By Rani Bornat - FFJ Media Center

by Saed Bannoura

 Israeli troops attacked on Friday the weekly nonviolent protest against the illegal Annexation Wall and illegal settlements, in the West Bank village of Bil’in, near the central West Bank city of Ramallah, wounding at least four residents.

 The Friends of Freedom and Justice in Bil’in reported that resident Samir Burnat, 36, was hit by two rubber-coated bullets in his right leg, resident Kifah Mansour, 30, was shot by three rubber-coated bullets in his right leg, and Ibrahim Burnat, 30, was also hit by two rubber coated bullets in his leg, while Mohammed Hamad, 19, was rushed to the hospital after being hit with a stone in the spine.

Dozens of residents suffered asphyxia after inhaling teargas fired by the army. Both Hamad and Burnat required hospitalization.

This week’s protest, organized by the Popular Committee Against the Wall and Settlements in Bil'in, marks the first anniversary of the death of Jawaher Abu Rahma, who died after inhaling gas fired by the army at a similar nonviolent protest in Bil’in.

Dozens of residents, Israeli and international peace activists participated in the protest, while Ramallah and Al Bireh Governor, Laila Ghannam, and several political and social figures also attended.

As the case every week, the protest started from the center of the village after Friday prayers, and the protesters headed towards lands that were recently liberated.

Several protestors carried Palestinian flags, banners representing different factions, and a yellow banner with the picture of detained Fateh leader, Marwan Barghouthi.

The protesters chanted against the occupation, and called for the removal of the illegal Annexation Wall and settlements built on privately owned Palestinian lands.

The protesters also chanted for the release of all Palestinian detainees held by Israel, and urged the Palestinian factions and people to support the popular struggle movement.

Israeli soldiers attacked the protestors after arriving at the Abu Lemon area and some protestors broke through the barbed-wire, separating them from their lands.

Soldiers and settlers were stationed on the other side of Wall, and the army fired gas bombs, stun grenades, and rubber-coated metal bullets.

Army vehicles then tried to advance towards the protesters in an attempt to kidnap some of them, but could not go through due to the large number of protestors.

The Friends of Freedom and Justice – Bil’in, also reported that the Women’s Committee at the village organized a memorial for Jawaher Abu Rahma; representatives of national factions, local committees, Palestinian and international peace activists attended the ceremony.

 http://www.imemc.org/article/62786