Eyewitness report: Teargas in Bethlehem

Seperation Wall - image Pax Christi

Bethlehem- a short way down from the checkpoint on the road into the 'Little Town'. This is a gate in the Israeli Separation Wall that imprisons the Palestinians. This one is on what was the main route into the city from Jerusalem and where Pope Francis stopped and prayed in 2014.

Bethlehem is a Palestinian Controlled area and yet the fully armed Israeli military come in when they like. They stand and act as a fully armed, aggressive, incitement to violence. Nearest to the soldiers is Wi'am Conflict Resolution Centre, which many of us know well. Three soldiers are standing at their gate. Tear gas is fired and near the end we can see empty tear gas canisters being thrown to the ground and the guns being recharged with full canisters brought from the Israeli side of the gate. This tear gas is made in Israel and the US and is often anything from 5-15 years out of date. New formulas of tear gas are tested on the Palestinians, especially in nearby Aida Refugee Camp.

Watch footage from today here: www.facebook.com/alhadathnews/videos/764381553758188/

Read about the Wi'am Conflict Resolution Centre here: www.amostrust.org/amos-palestine/partners/wi-am-conflict-resolution-centre/