Israeli occupation forces today attacked a sit-in protest staged in condemnation of Israeli settlers’ continuous attacks against Palestinians in al-Tiwani area, east of Masafer Yatta to the south of Hebron, in the southern occupied West Bank.
The sit-in protest was called for by Fatah movement in Yatta, the anti-settlement and wall committee, the Protection and Resilience Committees in Musafir Yatta and the mountains of southern Hebron, and the Popular Struggle Front, on the occasion of the 54th anniversary of the founding of Fatah movement and in support of Palestinians in al-Tiwani, who are subjected to ongoing violations by the Israeli occupation and its settlers with the aim of taking over their land for the benefit of settlement expansion.
Israeli forces attacked protesters with tear gas canisters and stun grenades, and beat up a number of them. They also prevented journalists’ access to the area under the pretext that the area is a military zone.
Speakers at the sit-in affirmed the importance of promoting unity and cohesion and confronting all attempts by the occupation and its settlers, aimed at displacing Palestinians and stealing their lands and properties.
They stressed the need to strengthen the steadfastness of al-Tiwani residents and to support them in confronting the Israeli occupation’s measures, including the demolition of homes and water wells, the seizure of land, among others.
“Settler violence has long since become part of Palestinians’ daily life under occupation. Israeli security forces enable these actions, which result in Palestinians casualties – injuries and fatalities – as well as damage to land and property. In some cases, they even serve as an armed escort or even join in the attacks.
Investigations, if even opened, are usually closed with no action taken against perpetrators as part of an undeclared policy of leniency. The long-term effect of this violence is the dispossession of Palestinians from increasing parts of the West Bank, making it easier for Israel to take over land and resources,” said the Israeli information center for human rights in occupied territories, B’Tselem.
Source: Palestinian News & Info Agency