Approximately 500 Palestinians marched in protest against
illegal settlements in the West Bank. The march was the largest of its kind in
recent years and was prompted after reports surfaced that Israeli settlers had
attacked Palestinians twice in the past week. Villagers say settlers torched
ten cars, threw stones at Palestinian children, and erected an Israeli flag.
The march was led by Palestinian youths, who were throwing
stones at Israeli soldiers. Israeli soldiers fired tear gas and rubber bullets
in retaliation, pushing the protest back. “We’re gathered today to say we
refuse to be driven off of our own land,” said a villager. “We want their army
to pull the settlers out.”
The United Nations considers the Israeli settlements in the
West Bank to be illegal and an obstacle to the peace process between Israel and
Palestine. John Kerry, the US Secretary of State, said earlier this month that
the chances of a viable Palestinian state are dwindling fast. The recent
resignation of Salam Fayyad is certainly not going help the Palestinian
Authority’s situation, by any means.
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