17 hurt in demos against "Israel`s" West Bank barrier

Source: AFP, 13-4-2007
JERUSALEM (AL-QUDS) - A total of 17 people were injured on Friday during two demonstrations against "Israel`s" separation barrier across the
West Bank, "Israeli" public radio and Palestinian medics said.
The radio said "Israeli" police used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the demonstrators, made up of Palestinians and left-wing "Israeli" activists.
Twelve people were lightly hurt near Bilin, close to the town of Ramallah, it said. The AFP photographer at the scene said that four local photographers were briefly detained.
Five other demonstrators were injured in Salmuna near Bethlehem.
The farming village of Bilin is the site of weekly clashes between protestors against the controversial barrier and police, who regularly use tear gas, rubber bullets and batons against demonstrators.
"Israel" says the 700-kilometre (435-mile) long barrier, made up of concrete walls and razor wire fences, is necessary to protect the Jewish state against terrorists.
Palestinians say the barrier is a land grab which eats up chunks of their promised state, separates farmers from their land and splits families.
The International Court of Justice, in a non-binding decision, ruled the barrier illegal in 2004. "Israel" has pressed on with construction, which is 65 percent finished.