Dozens of Palestinian, international and Israeli peace activists participated in this week's march in Bil'in.  The demonstration began shortly after Friday prayers proceeding from the center of the village and heading towards the land that has been returned to the village after rerouting the Wall. Upon reaching the land, the participants of the march raised Palestinian flags and a large banner painted with the image of the village's martyrs, brother and sister Basem and Jawaher Abu Rahmah, as well as national slogans and pictures of the prisoners. They chanted slogans calling for the end of the occupation and the destruction of the Wall.

 
Picture Credit: Haitham Khatib

When the participants arrived at the Abu Lemon grove, they managed to remove some of the barbed wire and iron. In response, soldiers who were behind the concrete wall started firing large amounts of tear gas canisters, as well as rubber-coated bullets. This excessive use of force resulted in the injury to Issa Abu Rahmah. Abu Rahmah was hit in his hand by a tear gas projectile shot right at him, and required medical treatment. Following these events clashes broke out between the participants and the Israeli soldiers behind the wall during which participants threw stones at the soldiers.  

Weekly demonstration also took place in the neighboring village of Ni'ilin.