Protesters unveil secret weapon
Photo: Getty Image Bank
Troops disperse protest in Bil’in (Archive photo)
Photo: AP
Protesters resort to chicken poo
Anti-fence demonstrators say they targeted security forces with manure-filled balloons
BIL’IN – Doomsday weapon? Soldiers and police called to the Palestinian village of Bil’in to disperse a protest against the West Bank security fence were surprised to encounter a new obstacle – manure-filled balloons hurled by protesters.
Demonstrators, who used mostly chicken manure in their “attack,” reported the “poo missiles” hit several soldiers and exploded, and said the new weapon was a response to the massive firing of tear gas by soldiers during previous protests.
“It was amusing to see balloons exploding in the face of soldiers and police officers and drowning them in a sea of stench,” one demonstrator said.
About 50 Palestinian, Israeli, and foreign protesters took place in the demonstration.
‘Bags didn’t hit officers’
The IDF confirmed demonstrators hurled manure-filled bags at Border Guard forces dispatched to the scene, but said the bags did not hit the officers. The army said it views the latest incident with severity and noted it marks the continuation of protester violence.
Notably, an IDF soldier lost vision in one of his eyes after protesters hurled stones at forces during a demonstration several days ago.
The army said protesters violated a military order and entered a closed military zone, while also stoning soldiers. The IDF responded with rubber-coated bullets.
No injuries were reported in the protest, but one Israeli demonstrator was detained and taken in for interrogation.
Meanwhile, other anti-fence protests took place in other villages in the West Bank Friday. A British female activist was detained in one of the demonstrations and was taken in for questioning.
