Who are the Israelis occupying? Your comparisons are NOT accurate, they don't hold water. Afghanistan was a soviergn country, the french, as well, even America declared itself a country. The Palestinians have NEVER been a Nation, the Gaza and West Bank are still technically UN mandate territory which the UN has failed to administer.
As to it being a peaceful demonstration, the Israelis insist the shots were meant as a warning (that went off target) and that the Israeli soldiers believed there were gunmen in the crowd (which has happened before). The Palis insist there were no gunmen in the crowd...so who knows what the truth is. I'm sorry these people died, I'm glad the Israelis apologized.