BILIN, West Bank, May 25, 2007 (AFP) - An AFP photographer was shot and wounded in the head by a rubber bullet fired by Israeli troops on Friday while covering a protest in the occupied West Bank, medics and witnesses said.

Palestinian photographer Abbas Momani was wounded when Israeli soldiers fired rubber bullets towards a group of journalists covering the rally against Israel's controversial separation barrier in the village of Bilin.

Israeli troops had earlier ordered them to leave the area, the sources said.

Hit on the forehead, 33-year-old Momani was rushed to hospital in the nearby West Bank town of Ramallah.

No immediate comment was available from the Israeli military.

Israel justifies its massive barrier, made of electric fencing, barbed wire and concrete walls, by saying it needs to stop potential attackers from infiltrating the country and settlements in the West Bank.

The Palestinians say the project is aimed at grabbing their land and undermining the viability of their promised state.

In 2004, the International Court of Justice issued a non-binding ruling that parts of the 650-kilometre (410-mile) barrier criss-crossing the West Bank are illegal and should be torn down. Israel has vowed to complete the project.

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