February 18, 2011
The following photos, taken moments ago, show violent rioters in the West Bank town of Bil’in. After rioters caused damage to the security fence and hurled rocks at security forces, the security forces responded with dispersal means intended to disperse the violent gathering. One Border Policeman was injured by rocks hurled at him by rioters, and was evacuated to a hospital for medical treatment.
Rioters hurl rocks at security forces
Israeli security forces untangle a flag that had been tied to the gate by rioters while having rioters continue to hurl rocks at them.
Approximately 300 rioters participated in the riot in Bil’in today.
A video of the riot also shows the violent nature of these weekly riots. The Deputy Commander of the Binyamin Regional Brigade explains that his soldiers respond only when confronted with violence and it can be subsequently seen in the video that IDF soldiers and Border Policemen do not react to harsh but non-violent forms of expression.
Every Friday, violent and illegal riots take place in the West Bank villages of Bil’in and Ni’lin protesting the path of the security fence. The Israeli High Court ruled that the course of the fence should be altered, and currently work is underway for the new fence. When the new security fence is completed, the one adjacent to Bil’in will be removed. Despite this, the demonstrators continue to riot. While some demonstrators are peaceful, many use violence, hurling rocks or firebombs at security forces (IDF soldiers and Border Policemen), resulting in hundreds of injuries (47 injuries in 2010 alone, over 200 in the last five years). Security forces respond with riot dispersal means, including tear gas, to disperse the violent gatherings.
A video and photos from a previous riot in January of this year typifies violence used during these demonstrations.
