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Eleven Palestinians injured during protests - official

RAMALLAH, May 15 (KUNA) -- Eleven Palestinians were injured on Friday after being assaulted by Israeli troops during two protests against the separation wall and settlements.
Six injuries of the first clash resulted from battering and tear gas grenades, coordinator of the public campaign to counter building of the wall and settlements Abdullah Abu Rahmah said.
In the second protest, five Palestinians were injured near Bethlehem.
Meanwhile, Israeli authorities prevented a number of international peace activists and Palestinians from reaching lands in front of the Jewish settlement of Kiyat Arba east Hebron (al-Khalil) earlier today.
A blockade was announced Thursday night by Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak and took effect early Friday; it will continue until Saturday night.
Israeli Radio said the measures are being taken out of fear of attacks as Palestinians mark the attacks against them following the founding of the State of Israel.
The radio explained that the restrictions would not affect Palestinians moving within the West Bank, but that all Jerusalem ID holders and West Bankers with permits to travel into Jerusalem would face "difficulty" passing into the area.
Medical, humanitarian and legal professionals and emergency cases should be able to pass through, it added. (end) nq.zab.hb KUNA 151805 May 09NNNN