Israeli Occupation Forces Attack Anti-Wall Protesters in Ni'lin and Bil'in with Live Bullets, Tear Gas

January 15, 2010

IOF quelling of peaceful anti wall march wounds 8 Palestinians

[ 16/01/2010 - 08:29 AM ]

RAMALLAH, (PIC)--

Israeli occupation forces (IOF) used rubber bullets and gas canisters to quell two peaceful demonstrations organized by villagers of Bilin and Nilin villages, Ramallah district, to protest the building of the separation wall on their lands.

Both marches started after the Friday congregation with the participation of foreign solidarity activists some of whom along with locals suffered breathing problems as a result of the IOF abundant use of tear gas canisters.

Tens of participations hoisted Palestinian flags and chanted slogans against occupation and the racist, separation wall in addition to calling for the release of all detainees, ending the siege on Gaza and halting the confiscation of Palestinian lands.

The popular anti siege committee in Bilin called fort the release of its coordinator Abdullah Abu Rahma, who was arrested by the IOF soldiers on 10/12/2009, and four other leaders of the popular committee in Nilin.

Meanwhile, the Hebrew radio reported that the Israeli occupation police rounded up 13 demonstrators in Sheikh Jarrah suburb in occupied Jerusalem on Friday.

It noted that Jewish activists contributed in the rally organized by the Palestinian inhabitants of the suburb to protest the Israeli occupation authority's policy against Jerusalem.

Demonstrators met with live ammunition in Bil’in Village

Friday January 15, 2010 17:08 by Jamila Hassan - IMEMC News

On Friday in Bil’in village, central West Bank, demonstrators against the illegal Israeli Land-Grab, Apartheid Wall and illegal Israeli settlements were met with live ammunition, tear gas (in both plastic and aluminum canisters), rubber bullets, and sound bombs from the Israeli occupation army.

Rubber bullets and tear gas canisters injured six demonstrators. Many suffered from sever tear gas inhalation including Fatah leader Dr. Nabil Sha'ath.

Others injured include Palestinian cameraman Fadi Aljause and reporter Haron Amira, Bassem Ahmad Yassin (leg injury), Ibrahim Burnat (rubber bullet injury), Nayef Ghazi (tear gas canister head injury), and a man from Jericho who was taken to the hospital in Ramallah (we have not received information about his current condition).

Palestinian, Israeli and International demonstrators marched to the wall with a 10-meter-long Palestinian flag at which time the military immediately began firing tear gas into the crowd. The army entered the village and attempted to arrest two of the Palestinian activists.

Israeli and International activists physically intervened in order to stop the arrests. Soldiers shot live ammunition into the air during the conflict in an attempt to scare and disperse the crowd.

The crowd consisting of many Israeli solidarity activists did not disperse and began chanting “shame on you” in Hebrew. Mean while many soldiers were entering from another entrance point in the apartheid fence. They attempted to surround the demonstrators from three directions, but were unsuccessful.

The last two weeks of the New Year have been marked by an increase in kidnappings and harassment of Palestinian popular resistance organizers and activists in the West Bank.

Israeli occupation forces Barricades Nili’n – Journalists Denied Access

Friday January 15, 2010 16:34 by Ghassan Bannoura & Nathan Stokes - IMEMC News

Today in the village of Nili’n, central West Bank, the Israeli military closed all entrances and exits, and didn’t allow any journalists in the village.

The demonstration started after midday prayers, with Palestinians marching alongside their anti-Zionist Israeli and international supporters. The group marched to the gate of the wall, deemed illegal under international law, that separates the villagers from their land.

The demonstrators managed to raise Palestinian flags on both the gate and nearby wall blocks. This action was met by the firing of tear gas canisters and rubber-coated steel bullets into the crowd, by the Israeli occupation forces behind the wall.

Scores of participants suffered form the effects of tear gas inhalation, local sources reported.

During the march, protesters carried signs emphasizing that resistance will continue, despite the Israeli military’s attempts to crush the non-violent action, with nightly invasions and the arrests of local organizers.

Fat'h members join anti-wall protests, Sha'ath injured

Published yesterday (updated) 16/01/2010 15:01

Bethlehem – Ma’an -

Anti-wall rallies continued Friday in Palestinian villages affected by Israel's separation wall, seeing at least ten injured including members of the Fatah party who were out at two sites showing support for villagers.

In addition to the weekly protests in Bil'in, Na'lin and Al-Ma'asara, an anti-wall protest was staged in the Jerusalem-area village of Nabi Saleh, northwest of the holy city.

Fatah leaders Tawfiq Al-Tirawui and Mahmoud Al-'Alul, both members of the party's Central Committee, participated in the event.

Al-Tirawi told Ma’an the rally was peaceful until it was attacked by the Israeli soldiers, and noted that at least four protesters sustained serious bruises during the attack. He voiced Fatah's continued support for the peaceful demonstrations, and promised increased presence from party members at the events.

Mahmud Al-'Alul seconded the sentiment, saying “Fatah participation in the rally comes in defense of the land and to confront the Israeli acts including the wall and the settlement.”

He told participants that "Palestinians will not keep silent on these [Israeli] violations targeting their land and holy places.”

Fat'h presence also in Bil'in

Rubber bullets and tear gas canisters injured six demonstrators in Bil'in, a statement from popular committee organizers said. Most suffered from severe tear gas inhalation including Fat'h leader Dr. Nabil Sha'ath.

Others injured were identified by organizers as: Palestinian cameraman Fadi Aljause and reporter Haron Amira, Bassem Ahmad Yassin, Ibrahim Burnat, Nayif Ghazi.

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