Israeli troops attack unarmed protesters, beat up woman protecting children

PNN - Three civilians, including a child, were injured, four arrested as Israeli troops attacked the weekly anti-wall protests taking place in Bil’in, Nil’in, al-Nabi Salleh, central West Bank, as well as al-Ma’ssara village in the south on Friday. This week protesters marched under the slogging of “National Unity is not for Sale”.

In Bil’in, one teenager was injured another one arrested as many were treated for the effects of tear gas inhalation during the weekly protests there. As is the case in every Friday for the past six years international and Israeli supporters joined the villagers after the midday prayers and marched up to the wall to protest. People carried a coffin written on it “Division” symbolizing the end of the Palestinian division.

Upon arriving at the gate of the wall, troops stationed there fired tear gas and rubber coated steel bullets at protesters, Mohamed Abu Rahma, 18 year old, was hit with a tear gas bomb in his leg. Troops also arrested Eyad Ra’ed al-Khatieb,

In the nearby village of Nil’in, villagers along with their Israeli and international supporters, marched up to the wall where soldiers fired tear gas and sound bombs as well as live rounds at them. Many were treated for effects of tear gas. This week protest ended with clashes between soldiers and local youth.

In al-Nabi Salleh, one local woman and international supporter were injured when troops attacked the weekly protest against the wall and settlements. Today Israeli troops invaded al-Nabi Salleh in the morning and surrounded the village. Soldiers fired tear gas at the protesters as soon as they left the local mosque after the midday prayers. A 24 year old woman was injured in her leg by a tear gas bomb, for 15 minutes troops refused to allow the ambulance to take her to a hospital, witnesses told PNN.

After people ended the weekly protest soldiers detained a group of children and did not allow them to go home, when Nariman Tamimi, a local resident, tried to free the children soldiers beat her up.

Also on Friday In the village Al-Ma’sara village in the southern West Bank, international and Israeli supporters joined the weekly protest against the wall and settlements there and Israeli troops stopped villagers from reaching the construction-site of the wall.

Troops ordered people back into the village, protesters refused and had a sit-in, after some time people left. As protesters were walking back to the village, troops attacked them and arrested Mahmoud Zawahra, one of the organizers of the weekly protests and two Israeli supporters.