IDF soldier, 6 activists wounded in anti-fence protest in West Bank

An Israel Defense Forces soldier and six activist were wounded Friday afternoon during a protest against the West Bank separation barrier in the village of Bil'in, Israel Radio reported.

The clashes began when security forces asked the some 200 protestors to leave the fence work site.

The soldier was moderately wounded by stone-throwers and was evacuated to Hadassah University Hospital, Mt. Scopus, Jerusalem. Six protestors were wounded when security forces opened fire with rubber and sponge coated bullets and hurled stun grenades. It was not reported what was the protesters' condition.

Four Israeli anti-fence activists were arrested during the protest, according to Israel Radio.

Israeli anti-fence activists and local Palestinian residents regularly protest on Fridays against construction of the separation barrier near Bil'in, located west of Ramallah.

In May the Israel Prison Service special Masada unit made arrests at a protest near Bil'in. Palestinians and left-wing activists said that the unit's men went undercover, mingled with demonstrators and threw stones to create a provocation. It was later reported that the unit had no authority to operate in the manner it had at the protest.

The demonstration organizers had decided to hold a non-violent protest.

The commander of the Maccabim Brigade, Colonel Yoni Gadj confirmed that the undercover men had thrown stones, but added that an inquiry he conducted showed, "one hundred percent," that they had joined Palestinians who were already throwing stones.

Two Palestinians were arrested at the demonstration - A'alian Abu Rahma and Riad Barnat - on suspicion of attacking one of the undercover men.

Attorney Tamar Peleg of Hamoked - Center for the Defense of the Individual, petitioned the military tribunal against the arrest. The tribunal ruled that the prosecution had failed to prove that the Massada unit was authorized to act in the area.

"Such operations require special authority, and in its absence, the units' men are not considered public servants or policemen," the court said, releasing the two suspects on bail.

	Palestinian demonstrators are seen reflected in the sunglasses of a Border Policeman during an anti-fence protest on Friday in the West Bank. (AP)