Israeli Occupation Forces Open Fire at Protests Commemorating Land Day in Bethlehem, East Jerusalem

Israeli Occupation Forces Open Fire at Protest Commemorating Land Day In Bethlehem

Monday March 29, 2010 14:38 by Ghassan Bannoura - IMEMC News

Israeli troops used tear gas and rubber-coated-steel bullets to suppress a protest at the southern West Bank city of Bethlehem on Monday.

The protest today was organized in commemoration of Land Day. The event was organized by local political groups and NGO’s. People gathered at a local mosque nearby and marched towards the wall that separates Bethlehem form Jerusalem.

As the crowed reached the gate of the wall soldiers fired tear gas and rubber-coated-steel bullets. Local youth responded by hurling stones and empty glass bottles at troops. No injuries were reported in both sides.

Today people carried banners demanding the release of the 15 people the Israeli army had detained on Sunday at protest at the same location. Among those detained on Sunday were Abbas Zaki, a member of the Fatah Party central committee. Joining the people today were Zaki’s wife and Mustafa Al Barghouthi, a Palestinian MP.

Land Day is an annual day of commemoration for Palestinians of events that date back to March, 30th 1976. In response to the Israeli government's announcement of a plan to expropriate thousands of Palestinian-owned acres of land for "security and settlement purposes", a general strike and marches were organized in Arab towns from the Galilee to the Negev.

In the ensuing confrontations at the time with the Israeli army and police, six Palestinians were killed, about one hundred were wounded, and hundreds of others arrested by the Israeli police. Today Land Day is an important annual day of commemoration in the Palestinian national political calendar, it is marked not only by Palestinian- citizens of Israel, but by Palestinians all over the world.

This week is expected to witness more protest all over Gaza, West Bank, and Arab towns in Israel in commemoration of Land Day.

Clashes Reported In East Jerusalem

Monday March 29, 2010 13:03 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies

Local sources reported Monday that clashes took place between Palestinian youths and Israeli policemen near the Al Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem.

The clashes erupted after a group of fundamentalist settlers broke into the yards of the mosque during Pesach celebrations.

Israeli soldiers and policemen installed dozens of roadblocks since early morning hours Monday, and prevented dozens of busses carrying Muslim worshipers from entering the Al Aqsa Mosque.

The police restricted any Palestinian under the age of 50 from entering the Al Aqsa mosque or its yards while the Jews celebrated the Passover weeklong holiday.

The police said that all non-Muslim Palestinians and all Muslims below the age of 50 will not be allowed to enter the Mosque.

The measure, not new in nature, was accompanied by several restrictions and a strict closure scheduled to last until April 6.

Dozens of Palestinians were wounded in recent clashes in East Jerusalem as fundamentalist settlers continued their attacks in the Old City, and admits further plans to construct and expands Jewish settlements in the occupied city.

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