Israeli army breaks up West Bank protest; two injured

By Aysar al-Iss

RAMALLAH, Palestine (AA) - At least two Palestinians were injured Friday when Israeli troops violently dispersed a weekly anti-settlement protest near the West Bank town of Kafr Qaddum.

According to witnesses, at least two Palestinians -- including a child -- were struck by rubber-coated bullets, while dozens of others suffered the effects of excessive teargas.

Protesters, who were demanding that the entrance of Kafr Qaddum be reopened after two weeks of closure by the Israeli authorities, responded by throwing stones at Israeli soldiers.

Every Friday, Palestinians in villages and towns across the occupied West Bank stage demonstrations and marches to protest Israel’s ongoing policy of illegal settlement-building.

According to estimates, 650,000 Jewish settlers currently live on 164 settlements built illegally in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, both of which are considered “occupied territory” under international law.