AP photojournalist detained at Beit Ummar rally
Reageer (0)26-9-2010
HEBRON (Ma'an) -- Israeli forces assaulted and detained Associated Press photojournalist Nasser Shiyouki on Saturday as he covered the weekly anti-wall protest in Beit Ummar near Hebron, witnesses said.
An Israeli military spokeswoman said Shiyouki physically confronted forces and refused to adhere to soldiers' requests to step back. She said the photographer was briefly detained, and that a report was filed with Israeli police, who would investigate the incident.
Clashes erupted between protestors and Israeli soldiers after dozens of Palestinian, Israeli and international activists rallied near Karmi Zur, an illegal Israeli settlement built on land confiscated from Beit Ummar and neighboring town Halhul. Demonstrators raised Palestinian flags and chanted anti-wall and anti-occupation slogans.
Locals said several protesters suffered from tear gas inhalation at the rally, while others were physically attacked by soldiers and sustained bruises.
The army spokeswoman said soldiers used riot dispersal mechanisms after demonstrators threw rocks at forces.
The weekly rally is organized by the national committee against the wall and the Palestine Solidarity Project.
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