Sarit Michaeli from B’Tselem says her injury came from a Border Guard Police officer who fired a rubber bullet at her during the Nabi Salah protest.

Itamar Fleishman

B’Tselem spokeswoman Sarit Michaeli was injured Friday by a rubber bullet fired at her by Border Guard officers during a demonstration in Nabi Salah, according to her.

Protest in Nabi Salah (Archive) – Photo: AFP

Michaeli, who had been documenting the protest, sustained light wounds to her thigh and was taken to the Sourasky Medical Center in Tel Aviv. She is due to be discharged on Monday.

Michaeli claims that the officers were acting against orders by firing at her during a weekly protest that often leads to clashes between Palestinians protesters and security forces.

According to her, the forces fired at her after most of the protesters had been dispersed and despite the fact she had not taken part in the hurling of stones and was standing near the area of the protest.

After the protesters were dispersed, several youths began to hurl stones at security forces, Michaeli claimed. “A group of about nine Border Guard officers and soldiers stormed down the village’s main road at a group of protesters that was running away from them. I was standing on the side and at one point one of the officers fired a rubber bullet at me,” she said.

According to Michaeli, the officer was running while he fired at her, and did so at a distance of no more than 20 meters. “I am not entirely sure why he fired at me. None of those standing near me was hurling stones.”

The B’Tselem spokeswoman stressed that she is undeterred and will carry on documenting protests. “We believe it is very important that we document these events and this case just proves it,” she said.

The Border Guard said in response, “An initial examination suggests that crowd dispersal means were employed during a violent protest that involved veiled men and other youths who hurled stones at the forces. Nevertheless, the incident will be examined and lessons will be drawn, if need be.”

Elior Levy contributed to this report.

View original Ynet publication at: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4407507,00.html