Kuffer Qaddum Marches on Despite Tear-Gas

Protesters in Kuffer Qaddum marched towards the Jewish-only settlement of Qedumim to demand access to their land and the restoration of Freedom of movement.

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Picture Credit: International Solidarity Movement
Picture Credit: International Solidarity Movement

Hours before the weekly march was set to begin in Kuffer Qaddum, soldiers have already taken positions at the outskirts of the village in large forces and set up a razor-wire barricade on the road leading to the settlement.

As the 400 protesters reached the barricade that blocked the road at around noon, one of the protest organizers called on the soldiers to let them through to their lands and open the road that used to serve as the village's main thoroughfare until the beginning of the Second Intifada.

When a few of the protesters began removing the barricade, the soldiers immediately started firing immense barrages of tear-gas at them.  The main group of protesters was forced to retreat and clashes ensued. Tear-gas canisters manufactured by the US company CSI were used as projectiles, shot directly at the demonstrators, hitting at least one. Volleys of tear-gas were shot into the village, dispersing the gas among the houses.

As winds changed favorably, carrying the tear-gas away, protesters managed to advance and remove the razor-wire barricade that the soldiers have laid on the road.