RAMALLAH, September 16, 2011 (WAFA) – Bilin residents marched in the Ramallah-area village in the weekly anti-fence, anti-settlements protest on Friday carrying and chanting slogans in support of Palestine’s bid to seek membership in the United Nations.

Local residents said the protesters, along with their Israeli and international supporters, marched to the fence Israel is erecting on their land to divide it from nearby settlements.

Israeli soldiers stationed on the other side of the fence fired tear gas canisters at the protesters causing several people to suffer from gas inhalation, said the residents.

Similar protests took part in several other West Bank villages where residents hold weekly demonstrations against the barrier Israel is building on their land.

The protests took place in Nilin and Nabi Saleh, in the Ramallah area, and in Masara, in the Bethlehem area.

A number of protesters were hurt in the various incidents.

M.S.