Clashes across West Bank on war anniversary

Demonstrators in the West Bank on June 7 joined mass protests to mark the Global March to Jerusalem, and dozens were lightly injured as Israeli forces tried to disperse them. In al-Maasara, near Bethlehem, participants in a weekly march suffered tear-gas inhalation. Demonstrators raised Palestinian flags, pictures of prisoners and Palestinians killed by Israel to mark the anniversary of the Six-Day War. Israeli forces fired stun grenades and tear-gas canisters at the demonstrators.  Activists praised the unity of Palestinian people and promised more activities to protest Israeli actions. 

Dozens of others suffered tear-gas inhalation in Bilin, near Ramallah, where residents and supporters held a weekly protest against settlements, the wall and the confiscation of land. Israeli forces fired rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades at protesters near the wall. Palestinian, Israeli, and international activists who participated in the protest raised Palestinian flags, chanted for unity, and called for the release of Palestinian prisoners. 

In Kafr Qaddum, another village, dozens suffered tear-gas inhalation. Spokesman of the popular struggle committee Murad Shteawy said that the demonstration began in response to posters placed by the Israeli army threatening to arrest children in the village. Shteawy said Israel invades the village in the middle of the night to “terrorize” the villagers. Overnight, a seven-month-old suffered tear-gas inhalation after Israeli forces fired tear gas at midnight, he added. 

From Ma'an News Agency, June 7