Protest against the occupation, An Nabi Salih, West Bank, 2 Dec 2011

Dozens participated in this week's demonstration in Nabi Saleh against the theft of its lands and spring by the Halamish Israeli settlement and the Israeli occupation that sustains it. Nabi Saleh residents, other Palestinians, and international and Israeli supporters marched peacefully from the center of the village.

This time the procession headed directly towards the hilltop overlooking Nabi Saleh's spring. The approaching protesters caused settlers who were there to run back to Halamish, but the procession was stopped by Israeli soldiers. At this point Israeli forces also raided the village and besieged the protesters, taking over rooftops and shooting tear gas canisters directly at people: unarmed or peaceful demonstrators and residents of the village. However, some people managed to evade the army and place rocks on its way out. Clashes between soldiers and stone throwers erupted, and after a while, the army managed to take control of the main junction. By then it rushed outside the village.

Protesters then burned tyres and placed rocks on the main road to prevent the army from raiding the village again. During the raid two Palestinian journalists were arrested and taken by the Israeli army: Majd Mohammed from AP and Mohammed Razi from the Palestinian Television. Clashes then erupted beyond the burning tires line. Soldiers advanced on foot and shoot volleys of tear gas canisters by a cannon installed on a jeep. At this phase Israeli forces also used extensively their "screem" machine, which produces a deafening alarm sound.

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