In the summer of 2014, the outbreak of violence between Israel and Hamas drew the eyes of the world. While the international lens was focused on the fighting in Gaza, the West Bank also saw unrest as Palestinians came out in massive numbers to show solidarity with the residents of Gaza.
Palestinians in the West Bank are not subject to the magnitude of violence seen in Gaza, but still harbor deep grievances at the expansion of illegal Israeli settlements and continued territorial occupation. That summer, those grievances were compounded by the Israeli offensive into Gaza and the mounting civilian death toll.
Mounting pressure and frustration in the West Bank erupted as Palestinians took to the streets in protest. These photos document three different demonstrations across the West Bank during the course of the offensive.
Read more and view the photo essay compiled for The Yale Globalist here.
A demonstrator raises the Palestinian flag as the crowd attempts to approach the Qalandia checkpoint outside of Jerusalem. The air is dense with debris and smoke as rocks, fireworks, and molotov cocktails are thrown from the Palestinian side and Israeli soldiers shoot tear gas, rubber bullets, and eventually live ammunition. Ramallah, 2014
A Palestinian protestor recognizes that the Israeli soldiers are about to launch tear gas canisters, and tries to escape. Bilin, 2014
Protesters attempt to roll a flaming tire during a confrontation with Israeli forces. Ramallah, 2014
One of the many ambulances that was ferrying back and forth through the demonstration. Due to dense crowds, tear gas, and gunfire, mobility for the ambulances was extremely difficult. Ramallah, 2014
Demonstrators disperse as cans of tear gas are fired into the crowd. Bilin, 2014
Ramallah, 2014