(RAMALLAH) Over 150 Palestinians and locals came under live fire from the Israeli Army this afternoon in an attempt to break the house arrest that has been imposed on the whole city.

At approximately 4:45pm the people singing, chanting and carrying signs saying ‘We will decide when we go home’ and ‘Freedom’ arrived at the city center, Al Manara circle. One hour past the time curfew was re-imposed jeeps and armoured personnel carriers swarmed towards the group from all surrounding access roads, and cutting them off from escape routes. Immediately international activists lay across the roads leading to the circle to protect the Palestinian civilians in the center.

The Israeli soldiers reacted violently to this peaceful demonstration by opening fire with live ammunition, throwing concussion grenades and dragging internationals from the roads. Palestinian women and children were able to get out of the center and we have no injuries reported yet.

Three internationals including one Scot and two Swedes were forced into an armoured personnel carrier and have been taken to an unknown location.

Two Americans were forced onto their knees and handcuffed to each other and a pipe. Looking up at the soldier standing over them with an M16 they could see clearly stamped on the gun ‘Property of US Government.’

For more information contact:

Adam 067 473 308

Huwaida 052 642 709

ISM Office 02 626 4844/4944

For more information on The International Solidarity Movement contact the above numbers or see palsolidarity.org