WEST BANK: Israeli soldiers have wounded three Palestinian stone-throwers protesting against decision to postpone the declaration of an independent Palestinian state

Record ID: 565683

  • Title: WEST BANK: Israeli soldiers have wounded three Palestinian stone-throwers protesting against decision to postpone the declaration of an independent Palestinian state
  • Date: 4th May 1999
  • Summary: BEITUNIYA, WEST BANK (MAY 4, 1999) (REUTERS) LV/SV PALESTINIANS FACING AN ARMY ROAD BLOCK, THROWING STONES (9 SHOTS) LV BLOCKED ROAD WITH STONES HEBRON, WEST BANK (MAY 4, 1999) (REUTERS) SLV ARMED PALESTINIAN DEMONSTRATORS RUNNING THROUGH MAIN STREET WITH THEIR FACE COVERED AND SHOOTING IN AIR (4 SHOTS) SV ARMED PALESTINIAN DEMONSTRATORS GATHERING, FIRING GUNS IN AIR/ MAKING 'V' FOR VICTORY SIGN (2 SHOTS)
  • Embargoed: 19th May 1999 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: BEITUNIYA (NEAR RAMALLAH) AND HEBRON, WEST BANK
  • City:
  • Country: Palestinian Territories
  • Reuters ID: LVA6BXXBWNP0480ERPL11A6H266I
  • Story Text: Israeli soldiers have lightly wounded three Palestinian stone-throwers protesting against Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's decision to postpone the declaration of an independent Palestinian state.
    The three Palestinians were wounded on Tuesday (May 4) when a group of about 100 youths threw stones at Israeli troops in Beituniya near Ramallah.The soldiers retaliated with rubber bullets and teargas.
    In Hebron, hundreds of masked Palestinians took to the street to protest against the decision by the Palestinian Central Council (PCC) not to declare a Palestinian state today, the date interim peace deals with Israel expire.
    The Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) decided last month not to declare Palestinian statehood on May 4, the day set out in accords with Israel for the completion of a final peace deal, and to take up the issue again after Israel's May 17 election.
    The decision marked a retreat for Palestinian President Yasser Arafat who had pledged for months to declare a state.
    But the decision has won him considerable international respect, and he can expect greater support when a final declaration is eventually made.
    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who had threatened to annex parts of the West Bank in response to a statehood declaration, attributed the Palestinian decision to his own tough stance.
    Palestinian opposition factions planned rallies in the West Bank and Gaza to condemn the statehood delay.
    The United States has urged Israelis and Palestinians to return to the bargaining table after Israel's election, which pits the right-wing Netanyahu against Labour party leader Ehud Barak, and complete a final peace accord within a year.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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