East Jerusalem demonstration protests Wall in Beit Hanina

Hundreds of Jerusalem citizens and residents of Beit Hanina protested along the Wall in the northern Jerusalem town. The nonviolent demonstration stressed the right of Palestinians to preserve land confiscated by construction of the Wall.
Beit Hanina served as a significant site to protest on the four year anniversary of the International Court of Justice decision. Building of the Wall caused the destruction of olive trees planted there hundreds of years ago.Beginning early in the morning, protestors assembled in front of a council of Beit Hanina officials, calling on them to combine their efforts to take down the Wall.Demonstrators remembered the ICJ decision against the legality of the Wall four years ago Wednesday. They demanded that the international community push Israel to apply the ruling.Israeli soldiers stood at the scene, hindering movement in the streets. Their strong presence reflected the determination of Palestinians to claim their right to access their land.Israeli forces surrounded demonstrators on the main street of Beit Hanina. Verbal altercations ensued as protestors demanded that soldiers leave the area. Dozens of young protesters tried to go over the Wall but Israeli forces prevented them from doing so. Five were arrested.