Israeli troops beat photographer in WB

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 00:20:15 GMT An Israeli photographer has been severely beaten by troops in an anti-fence demonstration in the West Bank village of Naalin.  Puterman, 71-year old photographer from Tel Aviv, arrived in the village to document the demonstration against the separation wall in which around 300 activists took part.  He told Ynet on Wednesday that soldiers and officers were firing tear gas at the protestors who gathered near the fence, "I wanted to complain, but the commander told me I was under arrest". "The officers came from behind and threw a stun grenade that hit me in the back. My ears are still ringing...Immediately; at least four officers began to hit my entire body. I don't know why, or what for," the photographer said.  According to the demonstrators, seven people were injured in the event, two of them from the teargas and four were reportedly hurt by rubber-coated steel bullets. Among the detainees were five Israeli protestors.  The protestors managed to reach the construction site but stopped by the security guards.  Puterman who was released after the rally, said the officers also got his camera and taken the tape inside. "I had some very strong images on it. They may have taken the tape because of what was on it, because the tape documents the beating they gave me." He also said that "I have been fired at with rubber bullets before, and my camera had been broken before. I have seen them behave in a brutal manner, firing rubber bullets and tear gas in every direction and at people as well."  The Israeli regime is going on with the construction of the wall despite the fact that the International Court of Justice has declared the project illegal.  SB/RE, Source at PressTV.