Dozens Wounded As Israeli Army Attacked Nonviolent Protest In Bil’in

IMEMC - Israeli soldiers attacked on Friday afternoon the weekly nonviolent protest against the Annexation Wall in Bil’in village, west of the central West Bank city of Ramallah inflicting dozens of injuries.

The protest was held by dozens of residents, Israeli and international peace activists; they chanted slogans against the Wall, settlements, ongoing arrests of Palestinians and the constant attacks against the Palestinian residents of East Jerusalem and their homes.

The protestors also demanded the release of all political detainees especially the detained local activists of nonviolent resistance against settlements and the Annexation Wall. They also demanded lifting the illegal Israeli siege on Gaza.

As the protestors marched towards the gate of the Annexation Wall, Israeli soldiers fired rubber-coated bullets, concussion grenades and gas bombs; one resident identified as Mohammad Ahmad Hamad, 19, was hit by a gas bomb in his back and dozens were treated by field medics after inhaling gas fired by the army.

Meanwhile, the Popular Committee Against the Wall and Settlements in Bil’in welcomed a report by Human Rights Watch in which it condemned Israel for arresting and prosecuting Abdullah Abu Rahma, a leading figure in nonviolent resistance against the Wall and settlements.

Human Rights Watch dubbed the prosecution of Abu Rahma as illegal and added that Israel is preventing the Palestinians from practicing their right to express their opinion and hold nonviolent protests.