Report from Bil’in Popular Committee Against the Wall
Friday, September 19, 2008 – The residents of Bilin joined by international and Israeli peace activists gathered to demonstrate against the Wall and settlement building. Today is the 26th anniversary of Sabra and Shatel massacre. The protesters raised the Palestinian flag and condemned the massacres against the Palestinian people.
The demo left after the Friday prayer and called for an end to the Israeli racist policy and settlement building, closures, kidnappings, and the siege on cities and villages. The protesters marched towards the wall to reach the confiscated land behind it. As a usual procedure, the gate was closed and Israeli soldiers standing behind concrete blocks. When protesters tried to get closer to the gate, the army fired sound grenades and teargas canisters which caused dozens to suffer teargas inhalation. The Israeli army sprayed blue water mixed with teargas resulting in skin absorption of teargas thus increasing the painful effects of the teargas.
Yesterday, the Israeli army presented the first new suggested plan to change the path of the wall in Bilin according to what so called “the Israeli high court” which stated one year ago to remove the wall and change its path. Two months ago, the Israeli army submitted a plan for changing the route of the wall, this plan was to return only 120 dunums to the farmers. It was rejected from village and the Israeli court. Two days ago, The Israeli army submitted again another plan but it’s still doesn’t comply with the decision from the court and wasn’t accepted by the residents of Bil’in. The Popular Committee Against The Wall requested their lawyer refuse the new plan at the court.