Seven foreigners wounded by Israeli fire
Telegraph, 01/04/2002
Seven foreigners wounded by Israeli fire
(Filed: 01/04/2002)
Israeli troops today opened fire during a demonstration in support of
the Palestinians near Bethlehem, wounding seven foreigners - including
two Britons.
The group Solidarity International said a 26-year-old
Australian woman was hit in the stomach with shrapnel during the incident
in the town of Beit Jala and was rushed into surgery. A Frenchman, 54,
was shot in the head.
The other foreigners wounded were two Britons, two
Americans and a Japanese, the group said. The one Palestinian wounded was
a cameraman for Associated Press Television (APTV).
An earlier toll supplied by hospital sources listed
five foreigners and two Palestinians wounded.
Israeli officials had no immediate comment and said
they were investigating the incident.
Jerome Lallemand, an activist for the group International
Civic Campaign for the Protection of the Palestinian People who witnessed
the incident, said about 60 people were demonstrating in support of the
Palestinians.
"An Israeli tank blocked their way and Israeli soldiers
opened fire in their direction," Mr Lallemand said. He said the wounded
were taken to the hospital in Beit Jala.
© Copyright of Telegraph Group Limited 2002