11 injured in anti-fence protest in Naalin
Palestinians report demonstrators wounded by rubber bullets, Swedish national breaks her leg. Member of West Bank village's anti-fence committee arrested Wednesday night
Eleven demonstrators were injured Thursday afternoon during an anti-fence demonstration in the West Bank village of Naalin, near Modiin.
Dozens of demonstrators – Palestinians and Israeli and foreign left-wing activists – took part in the rally in protest of the separation fence being constructed on the village's lands. One protestor was arrested.
According to the Palestinians, most of the protestors were wounded by rubber bullets, while a Swedish national was beaten and her leg was broken. She was evacuated for medical treatment at a village clinic.
Smelly Solution
Out with rubber bullets, tear gas, shock grenades; in with new, stinky means to scatter violent rioters. After using new tool during Naalin riot, officers report Palestinians ran to shower, changed clothes
A Border Guard official said that the issue was being looked into and that when rubber bullets were fired, no injuries were spotted and no ambulances were seen in the village. The official added that people taking part in violent riots should anticipate the possibility of being injured.
Palestinians claimed that Ibrahim Amira, a member of the village's "anti-fence popular committee" was detained by security forces on Wednesday night and was apparently taken in for questioning by the Shin Bet.
The Palestinian reported that 10 protestors were injured in a similar demonstration in Naalin on Wednesday. A Border Guard officer was lightly wounded by a stone thrown at him.
Members of the anti-fence committee vowed to continue their protest activities "despite the violent oppression" of the rallies.
On Friday, security forces began using a new crowd dispersal means dubbed "Skunk". Use of the “Skunk” is by means of an especially foul-smelling liquid spraying machine.
Until now, forces used rubber bullets, tear gas and shock grenades in order to disperse crowds who burned tires and threw stones at soldiers.
The police searched for a solution in order to deal with riots and simultaneously reduce the number of injuries. Thus, it was decided to “enlist” the “Skunk” for dispersing riots.
Naalin protest (archives)
Photo: AP
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