Israeli army attacks Palestinians protesting settlers’ takeover of water spring in Jordan Valley

Israeli soldiers today attacked Palestinians protesting the takeover of water spring in Ain al-Hilweh area in the northern Jordan Valley by Israeli settlers, injuring some and arresting one, according to Walid Assaf, head of the Wall and Settlements Resistance Commission.

He said the soldiers assaulted the participants in the protest called for by his commission and other forces, beating some and spraying others with pepper, while one was arrested.

The Red Crescent said it treated four people after they were sprayed with pepper in the face.

The protest was called for after settlers began today building structures around the water spring forbidding local shepherds from using the water for their sheep to drink from as they have been doing for years.

The settlers first fenced the spring then planted trees around it in order to turn it into a settlers-only park while forbidding the Palestinian shepherds, who live in the area, from reaching it.

Assaf, who was also sprayed with pepper in the face and required treatment, stressed that they will continue to resist the settlers’ takeover of the spring until they force them to leave it.

Source: Palestinian News & Info Agency