Israeli soldiers confronted about 100 demonstrators, including Palestinians and British, French and Italian citizens, who set ablaze an empty army post near Ramallah to protest against Israeli "harassment and intimidation." Organizers of the protest said the outside agitators joined in under the umbrella of an "international solidarity movement," trying to escort Palestinian students to nearby Bir Zeit university. The foreigners had been taking "non-violent action" for the past 10 days and planned to return home in the New Year. Demonstrators also tried to topple concrete slabs serving as a checkpoint close to Ramallah. "If you want real peace, the occupation must end. You are strangers here," a protester called through a loudspeaker in the direction of the tanks.
Uh, guys? You're the "strangers." And setting fire to things isn't non-violent, or at least it didn't used to be. |