Protestors injured in West Bank clashes
Israeli troops today clashed with dozens of protesters demonstrating against the construction of Israel’s West Bank separation barrier, leaving one soldier and several protesters injured, authorities and witnesses said.
Eight protesters, including a Swedish MP, were arrested.
The clash at Budrus, a West Bank village near the border with Israel southeast of Tel Aviv, came less than a week after soldiers opened fire at a similar demonstration, injuring two protesters with live bullets.
Israel is building a 450-mile barrier in the West Bank, saying the massive structure of walls, razor wire and trenches is needed to keep suicide bombers out of Israel. About one-quarter of the barrier has been built.
A military source said the violence broke out after several dozen protesters confronted a construction team doing preparatory work for the barrier.
Members of the crowd began throwing rocks at troops, lightly injuring a soldier, prompting the troops to fire rubber bullets, the military source said.
Israeli police spokesman Gil Kleiman said four Israelis and four foreigners, including Swedish MP Gustav Fridolin of the Green Party, had been arrested. Fridolin was not injured.
In Jerusalem, it was disclosed that Israel has approved a plan to spend at least €56.7m to double the number of settlers living on the occupied Golan Heights, aiming to strengthen Israel’s hand ahead of possible peace talks with Syria.
The decision came as a Druze member of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s Likud Party, Majli Wehbeh, was reportedly preparing to travel to Damascus to look into President Bashar Assad’s recent call for the renewal of peace negotiations.
