Israeli Forces Use Dangerous New Tear Gas

Israeli Forces Continue Dangerous Use Of New Tear Gas Canister Despite The Critical Injury Of American Activist Tristan Anderson

11 April 2009: Israeli forces reintroduced a tear gas projectile, labeled "40 mm bullet, special/long range," against demonstrators in the village of Ni’lin, Ramallah district during the Friday, 10 April 2009 demonstration. For the past three weeks, the Israeli military refrained from using this kind of tear gas, following the critical injury of American solidarity activist Tristan Anderson during a Ni’lin demonstration on 13 March 2009.

Tristan Anderson, a volunteer with the International Solidarity Movement, was shot in the forehead with the new kind of tear gas canister, which was fired directly at his head by Israeli border police. The impact of the projectile forced bone fragments to penetrate his brain. Anderson had to undergo 3 separate brain surgeries as a result of the misuse of the tear-gas projectile. Nearly a month later, Anderson is still listed in critical condition in Tel Hashomer hospital near Tel Aviv.

Several demonstrators have been badly injured as a result of the use of this new kind of tear gas. One Ni'lin demonstrator had his leg bone shattered after being hit by a tear gas projectile in January of 2009. "The way the soldiers shoot the tear gas, they shoot them directly at us regardless of how close they are. They come into the village and shoot these canisters. They are using gas that is meant to disperse crowds as weapons that can kill." - Teah Lundquist

The West Bank village of Ni’lin demonstrates weekly against construction of Israel’s Annexation Wall. When completed, the Wall will surround Ni'lin and annex another 2,500 dunums. Four Palestinian demonstrators, including a ten-year-old boy, have been killed by Israeli forces since July 2009.

Video of the demonstration available upon request, please email palreports@gmail.com

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