Palestinian Today 042309

Clashes erupt between Arab villagers and Israeli police in Israel over house demolitions and the military kidnaps more civilians from the West Bank; these stories and more coming up stay tuned.

The News Cast

During clashes on Wednesday night between the residents of the Arab village of Kufer Qassem in the Galilee, central Israel, five soldiers were injured and 20 local youth were arrested.

Local sources said that the Israeli police accompanied by soldiers and bulldozers stormed the village to demolish a home there on Wednesday; violent clashes took place lasting till Thursday morning.

Witnesses reported that troops demolished the house and arrested 20 men, the villagers say the Israeli Authorities deny them permission to build there homes.

In the west Bank eight Palestinian civilians were kidnapped on Thursday during Israeli military invasions targeting a number of communities.

Palestinian sources said the invasions took place in Hebron, Bethlehem, southern west Bank, in addition to Nablus and Jenin in the north.

Also in Bethlehem the Israeli military issued orders on Thursday to stop the preparation work for the Popes' visit in Aiyda refugee camp located in the city.

The Refugee camp welcoming committee for the Popes' visit said Israeli troops stormed the camp instructing the workers to stop claiming that the camp is under military control and that any work there requires the armys permission.

Aiyda refugee camp located in Bethlehem city, where the Israeli wall separating Bethlehem from Jerusalem. Bethlehem is under the full control of the Palestinian Authority.

The Pope is expected to visit Bethlehem and stop by the Aiyda refugee camp in mid-may as part of his visit to Palestine.

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 by Ghassan Bannoura and George Rishmawi.