Beit Jalla Demonstration Against Israeli West Bank Barrier

"Friends of Abraham," - a local activist group based in the West Bank town of Beit Jalla - invited Israeli groups Combatants for Peace and the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions to the opening of their Week of Peace. The demonstration - against Israel's illegal West Bank barrier - gave Palestinian residents and internationals on both sides of the fence a chance to meet each other and to exchange symbolic gifts of flowers, bread and candles.

A number of international and Israeli demonstrators and journalists were held briefly by Israeli military, and had their passports and IDs confiscated, but within 30 minutes they were allowed to continue to the peaceful demonstration.

The Week of Peace is a week of activities aimed at strengthening coexistence between the area's Muslim, Christians and Jews.