Dozens hurt in protests across West Bank

Dozens of protesters were lightly injured including journalists on Friday in clashes across the occupied West Bank. Israeli forces dispersed a demonstration in al-Maasara village south of Bethlehem in protests against launching an attack on Syria, and marking the 12th anniversary of the killing of PFLP leader Abu Ali Mustafa. Demonstrators marched toward the wall and raised Palestinian, Egyptian, and Syrian flags and pictures of prisoners in Israeli jails. Israeli forces used stun grenades and tear gas to disperse the demonstrators. Dozens suffered tear gas inhalation. Hassan Brejia, coordinator of the popular committee against the wall, said that the committee rejected plans to attack Syria, despite not agreeing with its leadership. He added that it will become like Baghdad which will negatively affect Palestinians in refugee camps. Brejia added that Israel uses “racist and Nazi” policies to encourage Israeli settlers to enter the al-Aqsa compound on a daily basis, in order to divide or completely destroy it. Near Ramallah, seven people including a child were injured and dozens suffered tear-gas inhalation in clashes between protesters and Israeli forces in Bilin village\'s weekly march against the wall and settlement activity. In addition a foreign journalist was detained, and the crew of Palestine TV channel was assaulted. Israeli forces fired rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas and stun grenades at protesters who marched toward their lands near the wall. Lawmaker Mustafa Barghouthi, Mohammad Abu Rahma, 19, Kifah Mansour, 35, Mohammad Hamad, 22, and a 19-year-old identified as Mohammad were injured with rubber coated steel bullets in different parts of the body. Khalid Khatib, 8 and Ahmad Abu Rahma, 19, were struck directly with tear gas canisters in the abdomen and hand respectively. Barghouthi said that “the Israeli suppression will not break our will. The popular resistance will not stop. It is the real alternative to the negotiations which are bound to fail.” He added that the popular resistance and the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement were the way to end settlement activity and increase the steadfastness of Palestinians. Protesters raised Palestinian flags and chanted songs for unity with the participation of a marching band from nearby Kafr Nima village. Dozens suffered tear-gas inhalation in clashes with Israeli forces in Nabil Salah\'s weekly protest in support of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. Protesters chanted against the occupation and settlement activity and marched toward their confiscated lands, where they were met by Israeli soldiers who fired rubber-coated steel bullets and tear-gas canisters.