Four Arrested Following al-Walajah Demonstration

Four Palestinian activists were detained by Israeli forces as they left the village of Walajah, following a demonstration in the village in solidarity with the political prisoners and against the Wall that will encircle the town from all sides.

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Some 50 people marched from the center of al-Walajah, west of Bethlehem, towards the construction site of the Wall on the western side of the village. Despite the fact that no construction was taking place, Israeli soldiers blocked the demonstrators from approaching the land. In clashes that ensued, the army shot tear-gas projectiles and rubber coated bullets at a handful of stone throwing youth.

Soon after the demonstration had ended, the army raided a number of houses in the village. Simultaneously, four Palestinian activists who came in solidarity with the village were pulled out of the car they were in at the checkpoint at the entrance of the village. The four were arrested, taken to the police station, where they were questioned and later released with no charge.

Additional 50 protesters gathered at the village of al-Ma'asara in the south of Bethlehem where weekly protests against the Wall have been taking place for the past five years.