Photos of the week: Palestinians mourn after week of violence in West Bank, Gaza

This week: Families mourn six Palestinians killed by the Israeli army across the West Bank, clashes with stone-throwing youth; Palestinian and Israeli women protest occupation and siege on International Women’s Day; African asylum seekers bring culture to the Holot open detention center; Israelis refuse to serve in the army; and settlers set their sights on a new building in Hebron.

Photos by: Ahmad al-Bazz, Keren Manor, Ryan Rodrick Beiler, Yotam Ronen/Activestills.org

The mother of of Saji Sayel Darwish who was shoot last night by Israeli soldier on a road to Ramallah on March 11, 2014 in Beitin, West Bank. According to media reports the family rejects Israeli military claims alleging he threw stones at settlers' vehicles, and that such claims are only meant to justify the cold-blooded murder of their son.
The mother of Saji Sayel Darwish mourns her son after he was shot and killed Monday night by Israeli soldiers on a road near Ramallah, March 11, 2014, Beitin, West Bank. According to media reports, the family rejects Israeli military claims alleging he threw stones at settlers’ vehicles. (photo: Activestills.org)

 

Relatives of Emad Zubaidi, a Palestinian fighter who was Killed in 2001 sit beside his remain inside ambulance, Nablus, West Bank, March 11, 2014.Palestinians received remains of five Palestinian fighters, that were Killed in 2001, 2002 and 2003, from Taibeh checkpoint near the West bank city of Tulkarm.  Israel still holds hundreds of Palestinian bodies in an isolated cemetery in Jordan Valley, West Bank.
Relatives of Emad Zubaidi, a Palestinian who was killed in 2001, sit beside his remains inside an ambulance, Nablus, West Bank, March 11, 2014. Palestinians received remains of five Palestinian fighters killed between 2001-2003, in the Taybeh checkpoint near the West Bank city of Tulkarm. Israel still holds hundreds of Palestinian bodies in an isolated cemetery in Jordan Valley, West Bank. (photo: Activestills.org)

 

Palestinians carry the body of  Saji Darwish during his funeral of   in the West Bank village of Beitin, March 11, 2014. Darwish, a 18 year old media student at Birzeit University, was shot by an Israeli sniper in front of his house. Thousands came to mourn, calling on the Palestinian Authority to end peace talks with Israel.In the last 24 hours, six Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces; 3 by airstrikes in Gaza and 3 in the West Bank who were killed individually. The incidents in the West Bank took place in Beitin, Tulqarem and at the Allenby bridge. The number of Palestinians killed by Israeli forces since the start of the recent peace talks now stands at 44.
Palestinians carry the body of Saji Darwish during his funeral in the West Bank village of Beitin, March 11, 2014. Darwish, an 18-year-old media student at Birzeit University, was shot by an Israeli sniper in front of his house. Thousands came to mourn, calling on the Palestinian Authority to end peace talks with Israel. Six Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli army in the last 24 hours; three by airstrikes in Gaza and three in the West Bank. The number of Palestinians killed by the Israeli army since the start of the recent peace talks now stands at 44. (photo: Activestills.org)

 

An Israeli soldier prepares to fire rubber-coated steel bullets at stone-throwing Palestinian youth during clashes in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, March 11, 2014. The clashes erupted after Israeli forces killed six Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza in the previous 24 hours.
An Israeli soldier prepares to fire rubber-coated steel bullets at stone-throwing Palestinian youth during clashes in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, March 11, 2014. The clashes erupted after Israeli forces killed six Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza in the previous 24 hours. (photo: Activestills.org)

 

Clashes following the funeral of Saji Sayel Darwish who was shoot last night by Israeli soldier on a road to Ramallah on March 11, 2014 in Beitin, West Bank. According to media reports the family rejects Israeli military claims alleging he threw stones at settlers' vehicles, and that such claims are only meant to justify the cold-blooded murder of their son.
Clashes following the funeral of Saji Sayel Darwish who was shot Monday night by Israeli soldier on a road to Ramallah on March 11, 2014, West Bank. (photo: Activestills.org)

 

Israeli Women activists form a stick light sign reading Free Gaza in front of Erez crossing , March 8th, 2014. The action is part of a series of direct actions marking IWD.
On International Women’s Day, Israeli activists protest the Israeli siege on Gaza in front of the Erez crossing, March 8th, 2014. (photo: Activestills.org)

 

Women shout slogans during the International Women's Day march in Qalandiya, West Bank on March 8th, 2014. Around 400 women and supporters marched to the Israeli checkpoint holding signs and shouting slogans against the occupation, calling to boycott Israel. The demonstration was dispersed by Israeli forces with tear gas and shock grenades.
Women shout slogans during the International Women’s Day march in Qalandiya, West Bank on March 8th, 2014. Around 400 women and supporters marched to the Israeli checkpoint holding signs and shouting slogans against the occupation, calling to boycott Israel. The demonstration was dispersed by Israeli forces with tear gas and shock grenades. (photo: Activestills.org)

 

Women run away from a shock grenade shot at them by the Israeli army during the International Women's Day march in Qalandiya, West Bank on March 8th, 2014. Around 400 women and supporters marched to the Israeli checkpoint holding signs and shouting slogans against the occupation, calling to boycott Israel. The demonstration was dispersed by Israeli forces with tear gas and shock grenades.
Women run away from a stun grenade shot at them by the Israeli army during the International Women’s Day march in Qalandiya, West Bank, March 8th, 2014. Around 400 women and supporters marched to the Israeli checkpoint holding signs and shouting slogans against the occupation, calling to boycott Israel. (photo: Activestiils.org)

 

Members of refugee community preform a dance as part of cultural day held in front of Holot open detention center on march 8, 2014. since the opening of the center on December 2013 more then 1000 people wore forced to live in it. testimonies  from the center suggest the the asylum seekers staying in it are living under bad conditions, including shortage in food.
Members of African refugee community preform a dance as part of cultural day held in front of Holot open detention center, March 8, 2014. More than 1,000 asylum seekers have been transferred to the center since its opening in December 2013. Testimonies from the center suggest the asylum seekers are living under poor conditions, which includes a shortage in food. (photos: Activestills.org)

 

Palestinian youth climb on the Israeli wall during a protest in the West Bank village of Bilin, February 28, 2014.
Palestinian youth climb on the Israeli separation wall during a protest in the West Bank village of Bil’in, February 28, 2014. (photo: Activestills.org)

 

Dafna Rotstein (left) and Roni Lax, two of the refuseniks who signed the letter to Prime Minister Netanyahu pose for a photo on march 9, 2014. Nearly 50 Israeli teenagers of draft age send letter to Prime Minister Netanyahu, stating clearly that they will refuse to join the IDF due to the occupation of the West Bank, and the violent effect it has on Israeli society.
Dafna Rotstein (left) and Roni Lax, two of the refuseniks who signed the letter to Prime Minister Netanyahu pose for a photo on march 9, 2014. Nearly 50 Israeli teenagers of draft age send letter to Prime Minister Netanyahu, stating clearly that they will refuse to join the IDF due to the occupation of the West Bank, as well as the violent effects it has on Israeli society. (photo: Activestills.org)

 

An Israeli settler stands in a building that was once part of a Palestinian vegetable market on Shuhada Street in the West Bank city of Hebron, March 7, 2014. On February 25, 1994, Israeli settler Baruch Goldstein, killed 29 Palestinian worshipers in the Al Ibrahimi Mosque (Cave of the Patriarchs). Following the massacre, the Israeli military began restricting access to Shuhada Street, once a main commercial center of Hebron. On this section of Shuhada Street, Palestinians may neither walk nor drive, and all shops are closed by military order.
An Israeli settler stands in a building that was once part of a Palestinian vegetable market on Shuhada Street in the West Bank city of Hebron, March 7, 2014. On February 25, 1994, Israeli settler Baruch Goldstein, killed 29 Palestinian worshipers in the Al Ibrahimi Mosque (Cave of the Patriarchs). Following the massacre, the Israeli military began restricting access to Shuhada Street, once a main commercial center of Hebron. On this section of Shuhada Street, Palestinians may neither walk nor drive, and all shops are closed by military order. (photo: Activestills.org)

 

Palestinian women demonstrate against Israeli occupation at Huwwara military checkpoint on the International Women's Day, Nablus, West Bank, March 8th, 2014.
Palestinian women demonstrate against Israeli occupation at the Huwwara military checkpoint on the International Women’s Day, Nablus, West Bank, March 8th, 2014. (photo: Activestills.org)

 

An Israeli flag hangs from the Al Rajabi building, which Israeli settlers want to turn into a new settlement in the Wadi Al Hussein area of Hebron, March 7, 2014. Israeli settlers claim ownership of the building, but the Palestinian owner disputes the sale because it involved a middleman who purchased it under false pretenses. Settlers occupied the Al Rajabi building between March 19, 2007 and December 4, 2008 before being removed due to the court dispute. During this time they violently harassed Palestinian neighbours. When evicted in 2008, the settlers set fire to some Palestinian homesand even shot and injured two men. On September 2, 2013 the Israeli Supreme Court held the final hearing into a dispute regarding ownership of the Al Rajabi building. They have stated that they will issue a final decision in 1-6 months. Until the court's decision is final, the Israeli military will occupy the building.
Israeli flag hangs from the Al Rajabi building in Hebron, which Israeli settlers hope to turn into a new settlement, March 7, 2014. Settlers claim ownership of the building, but the Palestinian owner disputes the sale as it involved a middleman who purchased it under false pretenses. Settlers occupied the Al Rajabi building between March 19, 2007 and December 4, 2008 before being removed by court order. During this time, they harassed Palestinian neighbors. When evicted in 2008, the settlers set fire to some Palestinian homes and even shot and injured two men. On September 2, 2013, the Israeli Supreme Court held the final hearing over the dispute, and stated that they will issue a final decision sometime in the next six months. The Israeli military will occupy the building until a final decision is made. (photo: Activestills.org)

 

Israeli soldiers during clashes following the funeral of Saji Sayel Darwish who was shoot last night by Israeli soldier on a road to Ramallah on March 11, 2014 in Beitin, West Bank. According to media reports the family rejects Israeli military claims alleging he threw stones at settlers' vehicles, and that such claims are only meant to justify the cold-blooded murder of their son.
Israeli soldiers seen during clashes following the funeral of Saji Sayel Darwish, who was shot by Israeli soldier on a road to Ramallah on March 11, 2014  Beitin, West Bank. (photo: Activestills.org)