Today, August 11, the Israeli army and Border Police brutally prevented
Bil'in's weekly non-violent demonstration, by firing rubber bullets
and sound grenades on protestors as they marched through the village on
their way to the Apartheid wall. Fourteen people from Bil'in,
Israelis and internationals, have been injured, including an Israeli in
critical condition who was shot just above his right ear with a rubber
bullet at close range. He has had surgery at Tel Hashomer hospital to
remove the rubber bullet that was lodged in his skull. Currently he is
in a medical induced coma in moderate but stable condition, but has
sustained brain damaged of unknown severity.
Another demonstrator from Denmark, Rina, has suffered from a brain
contusion after a soldier beat her with the butt of his gun. She is
currently hospitalized in Hebron, West Bank and is conscious but unable
to walk. She was also beaten on her legs and sustained minor injuries.
The demonstrators marched through the village carrying coffins
representing the children who have been killed by the Israeli army in
order to protest their "New Style of Killing". The border police
and army were stationed along the route of the march that leads to the
Apartheid Wall, where the demonstrations usually take place. The
military began firing when the protestors were less than 50 meters
away, immediately causing many injuries.
The violence began so early that the ambulance (usually present at the
demonstrations in case of injuries) had not yet arrived. At first the
Israeli army would not let the protestors evacuate the Israeli who was
shot in the head, and was suffering from blood loss. Eventually the
soldiers took him in an army ambulance to Tel Hashomer hospital in Tel
Aviv.
The soldiers then chased after the protestors and beat them as they
were retreating, causing more injuries. Soldiers detained Jonathon
Pollack, a prominent Israeli supporter and later released him. The army
claimed that it was an "illegal demonstration" despite the fact
that the Israeli Court ruled that Bil'in has a right to hold
demonstrations.
This is a list of those injured at the Bil'in demonstration today,
Friday 11th Aug.
An Israeli, shot with 3 rubber bullets at close range, with injuries to
head and neck. He is currently undergoing surgery.
Two villagers, El Haj Wa'el Fahene and Nimer Mustafa Abu Rahma were
both shot with rubber bullets to their backs and legs.
Gavin from UK, beaten
Martin from Sweden, beaten
Rina from Denmark, hit with a rifle butt on side of head and beaten
Jonathon from Israel, shot with rubber bullet
Uri a 20 year old from Israel, struck by rubber bullet
Rojo Didier from France (43 years old), shot with rubber bullet in back
and leg
Jonas from USA, struck with rubber bullets on hip and leg
Cheryl aged 45 from USA, struck with rubber bullet to the back
Margaret from UK, struck by exploding sound grenade
Yoshki, a 22 year old journalist from Japan, shot by rubber bullet
Abudullah Abu Rahma, beaten
It is likely that an official complaint will be made to the Israeli
authorities about the violent behavior of the soldiers.
For more information:
Abudullah Abu Rahma: 054 725 8210
Mohammed Khatib 054 557 3285
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