Several Palestinians Sunday suffocated as Israeli army forces violently quelled a peaceful rally to protest the Israeli illegal expropriation of Beit Jala land to resume the construction of the Separation Wall, reported WAFA news agency.

Christian and Muslim religious figures, locals, and activists participated in the rally, which took place at the recently seized land by Israeli forces to resume the construction of the wall. Protesters raised Palestine’s flag atop of olive trees and chanted national slogans.

Israeli soldiers attacked the rally, and fired tear gas canisters and stun grenades toward the protesters, causing many to suffocate. They were all treated at the scene. Protesters removed the metal gate erected by the Israeli soldiers at the entrance of Wadi Ahmad area to prevent locals from reaching their land.

Meanwhile, Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Sebastia Atallah (Theodosios) Hanna, who also participated in the rally, said Muslims and Christians are present as one nation with no sectarian differences to defend Palestinians’ just cause. We will remain steadfast on our land, he confirmed.

He said the Israeli occupation uproots olive trees, because it doesn’t believe in peace. He said Palestinians will not give up on their loyalty to the Palestinian identity.

Regarding the Israeli court’s decision to resume construction of the separation wall, Hanna stressed, we don’t recognize Israeli courts and we shall resume our struggle against Israel’s theft of Palestinian-owned land.

According to the Guardian, “The wall will separate the West Bank city of Beit Jala from the settlement of Har Gilo and the village of Walaja. Critics claim its real purpose is not to increase security, but to allow settlement expansion.”