Republican News · Thursday 31 January 2002

Irish activist shot by Israeli forces

The Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign has slammed the shooting of an Irish human rights activist by Israeli forces. Belfast man Terry McNeill, along with several other activists and local Palestinians, were shot at with rubber coated bullets by Israeli forces while attending a protest against the separation wall currently being built by Israelis that will enclose the West Bank.

IPSC spokesperson Dr Ismael Al Hinti said: "This is a disgraceful and unjustified attack on a group of Human Rights activists and local Palestinians which has left several people injured, including Belfast man Terry McNeill.

"The group were staging a peaceful protest near Jenin against the construction of the separation wall that will enclose areas of the West Bank and was supported by a number of groups including members of the Popular Committees Against the Wall, the Palestinian National Initiative, the International Solidarity Movement (ISM) and the Israeli coexistence group Tayyoush.

"On completion the wall will consist of 1,000km of concrete, eight metres high with a round watchtower every 200 metres.

"The Israeli forces used sound bombs, tear gas and rubber coated bullets in an attempt to break up the protest. It is my understanding that along with Terry those injured included an American, a Scottish man, an Israeli activist and two Palestinians.

"We are calling on the Israeli authorities to immediately cease the construction of this wall and to respect the fundamental right to peaceful assembly and protest. The kind of actions witnessed today clearly shows the blatant disregard that currently exists towards these rights."

Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign

www.ipscbelfast.org