Protesters in Bethlehem: 'We will never, ever compromise our right of return'

BETHLEHEM, Occupied West Bank - MEE correspondent Yumna Patel did a live stream of the events earlier this afternoon, during which Israeli forces fired rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas and sound bombs towards demonstrators. 

Demonstrators set tyres on fire to create a smoke barrier between the crowd and Israeli soldiers stationed outside of the military base directly adjacent to Bethlehem.

"The best word that can describe the Nakba is a catastrophe," Anas, a protester from Aida refugee camp, told MEE. "We are put in camps, our lands transformed into Israeli towns. People coming from all over the world are living on our lands and we are living in camps.

"We have been under occupation for 70 years, but we want to send the message that we will never, ever agree to compromise on our right of return," Ribal, another demonstrator, told MEE.