BETHLEHEM, July 27, 2011 (WAFA) - Israeli forces arrested two Palestinian and two international activists Wednesday during a protest in the West Bank village of Walaja, northwest of Bethlehem, against the ongoing razing of agricultural lands of the village.

Member of the Popular Committee Against the Wall and Settlements in Walaja, Alaa Darras, said a large protest was launched this morning with the participation of international activists. The protest began at the village and moved towards Ein Jwezeh area, where Israeli forces are razing farmland to continue the building of the Apartheid Wall.

Israeli soldiers heavily beat demonstrators, and violent confrontations broke out in which four activists were arrested. Two were identified as Mazen Qumsiyyeh and Shireen Al-Araj, and the other two as international activists.

Israeli bulldozers had yesterday razed agricultural land in Ein Jwezeh area of the village, uprooting tens of olive and pine trees. Soldiers had erected a military checkpoint early this morning on the main entrance of the village in an attempt to stop the protest.

F.J.