Anti-fence rally (archives)
Photo: Rabbi Arik Akerman
Hundreds mark '43 years of occupation' near Route 443
Demonstrators protest against Palestinians' limited access to road connecting Modi'in and Jerusalem through West Bank, express solidarity with Gaza flotilla
Hundreds of people demonstrated Friday near the Palestinian village of Beit Nuba and broke through the fence that surrounds Route 443, which connects Modi'in and Jerusalem through the West Bank.
The demonstrators protested against the fact that Palestinians are allowed only partial access to the road – due to security concerns - and also marked "43 years of Israeli occupation" in the West Bank.
Security forces used tear gas against the crowd, but no injuries were reported.
The protestors also expressed their solidarity with the pro-Palestinian activists who took part in the sail to Gaza earlier in the week. Nine activists were killed when IDF commandos raided the flotilla.
Knesset Member Hanin Zoabi (National Democratic Assembly), who was aboard the ship that was raided, also participated in Friday's rally along with senior Palestinian Authority officials.
The demonstrators called for "freedom of movement for Palestinians" and urged and an end to the blockade on Gaza. They also demanded the dismantling of settlements and the West Bank security barrier.
Another rally took part in the Palestinian village of Bilin, where some 300 people marked one year since the death of Akal Srur during a demonstration against the security wall. During Friday's rally, a 23-foot long model of a boat was dragged by a car to the barrier. Three protestors were detained.
Additional protests were held near the West Bank cities of Tulkarem and Ramallah.
Ali Waked contributed to the report
