Bethlehem - MA'AN
Israeli forces suppressed a weekly demonstration on Friday in the Bethlehem village of al-Masara, a local committee official said. Hasam Brejieh, coordinator for the popular committee against the wall and settlements, said the protest was in support of hunger-striking prisoner Mahmoud al-Sarsak, who has refused food for 89 days. Israelis and internationals took part in the demonstration, which was broken up by Israeli soldiers. Demonstrators were able to place a Palestinian flag on an Israeli military jeep, Brejieh said. The 800 or so residents of al-Masara village face restrictions on land use due to the nearby Gush Etzion settlement bloc.