BETHLEHEM, February 27, 2007, (WAFA) - International Solidarity Movement (ISM) said that Israeli military bulldozers started razing the farmland of Umm Salamuna village south of Bethlehem city for the establishment of the Apartheid Wall.

In a press release issued Tuesday, ISM said that the bulldozers uprooted hundreds of grape vines and apricot trees belonging to villagers.

ISM added "When the mostly elderly farmers tried to resist by blocking the bulldozers they were beaten and attacked with concussion grenades and tear gas. Two elderly farmers were injured, one of whom was taken to hospital with a broken arm".

After bulldozers withdrew from the area, IOF soldiers detained all the villagers on the land for two hours and searched everyone, claiming they had lost some binoculars. Before leaving IOF soldiers threatened the villagers not to come to their land again or there would be 'serious consequences.

H.M (22:34 P)-(20:34 GMT)