Israel uses force to disperse protests in West Bank

By Qais Abu Samra

RAMALLAH, Palestine (AA) - Dozens of Palestinians were affected by tear gas canisters and others were injured by rubber bullets on Friday as the Israeli army dispersed anti-settlement marches in the West Bank.

According to Anadolu Agency correspondent in the West Bank, the marches started after Friday prayers in the eastern town of Kafr Malik in the central Ramallah city, and the Kafr Qaddoum town, located in the west of the northern Nablus city.

He pointed out that violent clashes broke out in Kafr Malik, after an Israeli force raided the town, before the young Palestinians throwing stones at the Israeli force.

Field medics told Anadolu Agency that they treated eight people who were injured with rubber bullets and dozens affected by tear gas.

In Kafr Qaddoum, the army attacked the anti-settlement weekly march, using tear gas, causing dozens of suffocation cases.

Every Friday, Palestinians hold anti-settlement rallies in a number of West Bank villages and towns.

According to Israeli and Palestinian estimates, there are about 650,000 settlers living in the Israeli occupied West Bank and Jerusalem, scattered at 164 settlements and 116 outposts.