| I am an American Jew and have participated in the demonstrations at the apartheid fence in Bil`in. At the protest I attended, the protesters, including me, at the fence, were peaceful, but loud, like any peaceful protest of passion. Without any provocation, I, along with the others at the fence, were attacked by the soldiers/security policy as they decided it was time to end the protest. I was beaten over the head with a steel bar, bombarded with tear gas and sound bombs, and I witnessed many others being beaten with clubs on their legs as the soldiers moved through the protesters and into the village. The soldiers continued firing their rubber bullets and tear gas cannisters at the protesters and then at homes. They laughed as they sent tear gas cannisters into the small courtyards of the homes. It was terrible and unprovoked, but happens every week. It is a tragic irony and belies the claims that the Israeli security policy and soldiers are humane in their actions. |
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