Israeli soldiers fire tear gas at Palestinians demonstrating against settlers in the West Bank village of Nabi Saleh.<br/> Clashes erupted throughout the West Bank on Friday as tensions rise in the run-up to a Palestinian statehood bid at the United Nations next week.<br/> Around 150 stone-hurling Palestinians scuffled with Israeli security forces.<br/> They accuse Israel of confiscating their land to expand a nearby settlement.<br/> In the village of Qusra near Nablus, there were more clashes.<br/> According to an Israeli spokesperson, the fighting began after a Jewish settler was stabbed and a Palestinian was wounded in a land dispute near the village.<br/> In the West Bank village of Walaje, there were demonstrations against the construction of Israel's proposed 720km barrier - ruled illegal by the World Court in 2004.<br/> Palestinian, foreign and Israeli activists joined forces to protest the move.<br/> (Upsound of activists shouting at Jewish settlers).<br/> Palestinian plans to seek to upgrade their UN status, but are facing tough opposition from Israel and the United States.<br/> Palestinians say they have no choice but to take their case to the UN, following a breakdown in peace talks almost a year ago.<br/> The territories were occupied by Israel in the 1967 war.<br/> Sunita Rappai, Reuters
