International Middle Est Media Center http://www.imemc.org
Israeli Army, Shot and Wounded 8 ISM Activists & 2 Palestinians Ghassan Andoni – IMEMC, August 2, 2003 8:40 http://www.imemc.org/headlines/August2003/Week%201/080203/ism-wounded.htm
Israeli troops fired scores of rubber coated metal bullets Friday at protesters who approached the separation wall in the village of Deir Alghson near Tulkarem. The International Solidarity Movement (ISM) reported the injury of 8 international peace activists and two Palestinian protesters.
A statement issued by ISM stated: “International activists began to cut the razor wire that has been placed meters before the gate to block access. The army was waiting for them. As they approached, the army opened fire with "rubber bullets", clearly aiming high, not at the ground as is the regulation.”
“Eight activists were hit during continuous fire, shielding the Palestinians. 2 farmers were also hit with rubber-coated steel bullets. None were seriously wounded, although several were taken to the nearby hospital of Dr.Thabet Thabet in Tulkarem.” The statement added.
The eight internationals injured were identified to be; Thomas, from Britain Polly, from Britain Andrew, from Scotland Robin, from Britain Michael, from the USA Joe, from the USA Eric, a student at Bir Zeit University and Juliana, currently in Palestine to work on a documentary film about medical care and access in the Occupied Territories, from the USA.
Israeli army claimed using “non-lethal means of crowd dispersal” and said that army is investigating the reports of injuries.
On the other hand, Israeli district court judge Barron denied the appeal of Michael Sheikh against denying him entry to the country.
Michael Sheikh from Australia and David Watson from U.K. were detained upon arrival to Aviv airport by Israeli airport security. Israeli security accused both of being members of ISM.
David Watson has been granted provisional entry to Israel as a tourist, on the conditions that he not enter the Occupied Palestinian Territories, engage in political activities, or communicate with the International Solidarity Movement.
Both cases have also had a freeze action placed on them until Monday, which means that the two will continue to be held in detention until then, in order to give both prosecution and defense a chance to appeal Barron's decision to the High Court.
ISM, a Palestinian led, international movement launched a campaign against “the Apartheid Wall” starting July 1st. according to ISM spokesperson, since then 15 international peace activists were injured, 10 arrested, 6 deported.
www.imemc.org
|