Israeli troops clash with Palestinians

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Israeli troops clashed with Palestinians and peace activists on Friday. The protests were held against Israel's so-called "separation barrier" near the West Bank towns of Bilin and Naalin.

Demonstrators threw stones at Israeli troops guarding the barrier. Soldiers fired numerous rounds of tear gas to try to disperse the crowds. A number of protesters were arrested. Palestinians and their supporters have been staging weekly demonstrations to protest the barrier's route, which crosses through the villages and cuts farmers off from their fields. Israel has defended the barrier, saying it is necessary to stop Palestinian militants from crossing into Israel to carry out attacks.

A demonstrator kicks away a tear gas canister fired by Israeli  troops during a protest against the controversial Israeli barrier in the West Bank village of Nilin near Ramallah September 25, 2009. REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis