Palestine Today 040709

Israeli police kill a Palestinian Youth in Jerusalem and the military kidnaps 12 civilians in the West Bank; these stories, and more, coming up; stay tuned.

The News Cast

On Tuesday at midday Israeli border police shot dead a Palestinian driver in the Surbaher neighborhood of east Jerusalem whilst bulldozers demolished a Palestinian family home in the area.

Palestinian sources said Azmi Ewisat, 20, was driving his car near a police checkpoint in the Palestinian dominated neighborhood when officers opened fire and killed him. Mohamed Amera, 20, who was in the car with him, was critically injured in the incident.

Israeli police sources said the two men where trying to run down police with the car and that this caused the officers to open fire. The Israeli border police are well known for their brutality towards Palestinians.

Police and troops surrounded the Surbaher neighborhood earlier on Tuesday morning as the Israeli Authorities had chosen today to carry out the demolition of the home of Hussam Doyat, who was killed last July when he attacked Israelis with a bulldozer, killing three.

During the demolition Israeli forces attacked members of the Doyat family and forced them from their home. The parents of Hussam sustained light injuries and were moved to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Earlier this month the Israeli Court gave the green light to the Israeli army to demolish the Doyat home. The Israeli government says destroying the homes of attackers will deter future attacks.

Elsewhere, at least 12 Palestinian men where kidnapped on Tuesday during pre-dawn Israeli military invasions which targeted the southern West Bank city of Hebron and nearby villages.

Local sources said that Israeli troops invaded and searched homes in the old city of Hebron, Dura and Yatta villages and the nearby Al Fouar refugee camp. Witnesses said troops took the men to Atzion military base for interrogation. The army said all those kidnapped are on their "Wanted List".


Conclusion

Thank you for joining us from occupied Bethlehem. You have been listening to Palestine Today from the International Middle East Media Center, www.imemc.org. This report has been brought to you Dave Thompson and Ghassan Bannoura.