RAMALLAH, March 12, 2010 (WAFA)- Dozens of citizens were injured as Israeli Occupation forces (IOF) stormed peaceful demonstrators of tear gas and rubber bullets in the  weekly rallies against the apartheid Wall and the settlements in the West Bank villags of Bil’in, Ni’lin near Ramallah and Al Maasara near Bethlehem.

In Bil’in, throughout the march and cheers the protesters were exposed to the traditional response of the Israeli military that included the use of rubber bullets. 

Two children were shot during the rally and sustained minor injuries.  IOF made an active effort to detain one of the group’s leaders in an effort to prevent media exposure of the event. 

Protests and reciprocating efforts have been seen in many cities and have even resulted in the death of Tristen Andersen, an American protester in support of the Palestinian people, who was shot in the head by Israeli forces who opened fire with rubber bullets at a similar protest in the town of Ni’lin. 

However, attempts to silence the cries for the basic human rights and respect for international laws were, and will continue to be, a moot exercise. 

 As Friday prayer let out from the mosque in the town of Bil’in the wide array of international visitors were joined by the local Palestinian community for the weekly protest to the wall that had been erected by the Israeli occupying forces.  Around 12:30 the crowd began their march and chants to the end of the town towards the IDF forces.  It was quickly discovered that several soldiers were hiding within a small stone structure on the Palestinian side of the fence, intent on arresting some of the “dissidents” who continue to have the audacity to object to the theft of their land by the Israeli military.  Having been found by a group of teenagers the soldiers were quickly chased back behind the fence.

Despite the almost immediate release of tear gas, stun grenades, and rubber bullets the march continued to the end of the wall where protesters continued to stand strong despite the choking gas that was rapidly consuming the area.  All the while chants for Palestinian freedom and the end of the apartheid state of affairs rang through the crowd as the protesters—including Palestinians, Israelis, and other international supporters—got a good look at the current, contentions relationship.  A long standing affair that will continue to see the local community and its international supporters stand together in the pursuit of freedom and equality.