Nobel prize winner is shot in leg at protest in Israel

Monday, April 23, 2007

By Ashleigh Wallace

A Nobel Peace Prize winner from Belfast who was shot by a plastic bullet fired by Israeli troops was last night recovering from her ordeal.
Nobel laureate Mairead Corrigan was shot in the leg during a protest in the West Bank on Friday.
Mrs Corrigan also inhaled a large amount of tear gas during confrontations between security forces and protesters opposed to a barrier being erected between Israel and the Gaza Strip.
The Belfast peace activist, who was presented with her Nobel Prize in 1976 during the height of the Troubles, had been staying in the Palestinian village of Bilin after being asked to speak at an international conference.

The village has been at the centre of a series of protests held over the past fortnight against security fences being erected by Israel.

Mrs Corrigan was among a group of 24 protesters injured by Israeli troops during the protest march.

One eyewitness claimed troops fired between 30 and 50 canisters of tear gas before discharging plastic bullets into the crowd.

Speaking after being treated in hospital for a wound to her leg, Mrs Corrigan said: "This wall, contrary to what the Israelis say, will not prevent attacks and violence.

"What will prevent attacks and violence is a peace agreement between the two peoples," she said.

"I am sure the Israeli people, like the Palestinian people, want peace. "