International Solidarity Movement Nonviolence. Justice. Freedom.
25 December 2009
Some 500 demonstrators gathered at the top of the street that Jewish settlers are taking over in Sheikh Jarakh in East Jerusalem. The demonstrators, who came part by bus from Tel Aviv, part in cars from the Bil’in and Ma’asara demonstrations and part in an organized march from West Jerusalem, sang songs and beat their drums in solidarity with the Palestinians kicked out of their homes by the settlers.
sraeli border policemen stand guard during a demonstration against Jewish settlements and in solidarity with Palestinian families who were evicted from their homes in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of East Jerusalem December 25, 2009. Photo by: Oren Ziv/ Activestills.org
The good policemen of Jerusalem, who have probably not read the editorial in this morning’s Ha’aretz, decided that a demonstration with no arrests would be unworthy of its name, even though the march and demonstration were coordinated with it ahead of time. Police started arresting people who were already arrested in the past, claiming that they were in violation of their parole. To their great shame a member of the Jerusalem municipality was present with a copy of the appeals’ court ruling, canceling the activists’ ban from the area, and so most detainees were later released.
An Israeli policeman arrests a protester, dressed in army uniform painted in white, during a demonstration against Jewish settlements and in solidarity with Palestinian families who were evicted from their homes in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of East Jerusalem December 25, 2009. Photo by: Oren Ziv/ Activestills.org
The massive demonstration went on with great energy for two hours, and enjoyed the presence of the media. It is believed that these demonstrations will keep growing in the coming future.
