Bil'in protesters gassed, sprayed as they request release of prisoners

Ma'an
Tens choked on teargas fired by Israeli soldiers as protesters from Bil’in made their weekly attempt to cross the separation wall blocking families from their lands.

Israeli and International peace activists demonstrated after the Friday prayers, waving Palestinian flags and banners with slogans calling for the release of the local anti-wall activists Muhammad Al-Khatib and Adib Abu Rahma. The men were detained by Israeli forces during raids into the village following anti-wall protests. Raids often begin as soon as international activists leave the area.

Once the demonstrators arrived at the wall gate, waiting soldiers fired three types of gas bombs at protesters. According to the Bil’in popular committee there were canisters thrown by hand, others by small lautomated hand-held launchers and a third sort from military vehicles. The gas covered nearly a square kilometer with stink. According to one participant, one of the canister launchers was capable of launching 50 at once.

Soldiers sprayed demonstrators with green-water, which locals believe is contaminated with chemicals and animal waste. The water causes people to vomit, often violently. Demonstrators dressed in plastic dresses, hats, gloves, and masks to avoid the effects of the chemical water and its noxious smell, which has been used several times before. Full story