Protests break out in West Bank following Israeli land grab

Clashes between protesters and the police and military have broken out in the West Bank after the biggest Israeli land grab in 30 years.

The Palestinian village of Wadi Fukin, south of Bethlehem, became host to ugly scenes yesterday following an announcement earlier this week that Israel would be expropriating 400 hectares of land and a subsequent decision yesterday to issue tenders for 283 new homes to be built in a separate area in the north of the West Bank.

Government officials said the land around Wadi Fukin was "not cultivated with enough intensity" for the Palestinians to maintain ownership rights and it would now be taken for 'state use'.

Pictures of protesters planting olive trees in front of the nearby Israeli settlement of Beitar Illit, police using pepper spray and a number of marches across the territory show the levels of animosity in the region, particularly in light of the recent assault on Gaza.

The United States has condemned the decision to expropriate land and said it is counterproductive to peace in the region.

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All photos courtesy of Getty