Peaceful civilian protest march attacked by Israeli army

URGENT UPDATE

ISRAELI ARMY BRUTALLY ATTACKS PEACEFUL CIVILIAN PROTEST MARCH

March 24, 2001

Today at 1:00 p.m., the Israeli army fired sound bombs, tear gas, and rubber coated steel bullets at hundreds of peaceful protesters at the Al-Ram checkpoint.  35 people have been injured including two prominent leaders of the Palestinian Women?s movement and four UPMRC first aid workers. One man suffered a heart attack from the tear gas.

The march was held by Palestinian civil society organizations to protest the Israeli imposed closures and occupation of Palestinian Territories. The march was attended by thousands of representatives from Palestinian NGOs, doctors, nurses, lawyers, charitable societies, women?s groups and peace activists. An Arab member of Knesset and Palestinian solidarity groups from inside Israel met up with the protesters from the West Bank at Al-Ram checkpoint.

Once the march reached Al-Ram checkpoint, the Israeli army fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters directly at people?s bodies and proceeded to fire ammunition. The Israeli soldiers hit people with the butts of their guns and chased after people, attempting to arrest them.

Amal Khraisheh, the General Director of the Palestinian Working Women?s Society and Samar Hawwash, a prominent leader of the women?s movement in Nablus were both injured.  Fahmi Shaheen, a human rights activist from Hebron suffered a heart attack from tear gas inhalation.  Rami Jamal Jalani, 19 years old was shot with a bullet in the abdomen and is currently undergoing surgery at Ramallah Hospital.  Most of those injured were women, including Karima Sharaka, 37 years old and Reem Migdadi and Sunna Qaud, both UPMRC first aid workers.

Once again the Israeli army responds to peaceful civilian protests with viciousness and brutal force.

For more information, contact Dr. Mustafa Barghouthi at 050-254-218

http://al-awda.org

---

Home    |    Index    |    Related Sites    |    Feed Back