Israeli court 'grants journalist bail after video evidence'

An Israeli military court released a Palestinian journalist on bail after seeing a video showing him rushing to the aid of his wife at a West Bank demonstration, a popular committee said on Sunday. Bilal Tamimi, an independent journalist, was detained by Israeli forces at a popular protest in Ramallah-district village Nabi Saleh on Friday. The popular struggle coordination committee released a video showing Tamimi following his wife after an Israeli officer charged at her during the protest. Ofer military court released Tamimi on bail of 2,500 shekels ($666) after reviewing the footage, the committee said. Granting bail to Palestinians imprisoned under Israel's military system is unusual, and Tamimi intends to sue for false arrest and assault, it added. Palestinian residents of Nabi Saleh and their local and international supporters demonstrate each week against a nearby settlement's encroachment toward lands owned by the village. Israel has cracked down on its residents, carrying out night raids and arresting accused stone-throwers. The footage comes amid the demotion of an Israeli commander after video emerged showing him striking a Danish man in the face with his gun, after blocking a group of demonstrators taking part in a bicycle rally near Jericho a week ago.