Clashes erupt in Hebron after peaceful demonstration in support of Palestinian political prisoners

By Team Khalil

15 February 2013 | International Solidarity Movement, Hebron, Occupied Palestine

A peaceful demonstration  in support of Palestinian hunger strikers in Israeli jails took place today in Hebron with roughly 2000 in attendance. The demonstration was supported by all Palestinian political factions.
Soon after the end of the rally clashes erupted in central Hebron/Al Kalhil. They started near checkpoint 56, a symbol of apartheid in the city, and the entrance to Shuada street which was once a very important street for Palestinian residents and businesses. Over 500 business where forced to close down because of the establishment of illegal settlements near the street.Clashes erupt in Hebron
Israeli occupation forces gathered behind the checkpoint while palestinians gathered on the other side.Sound bombs were quickly used to disperse the protesters. Violence escalated quickly when more protesters took part in the action. The ISraeli army responded by using excessive amounts of teargas and rubber coated steel-bullets hit many Palestinians and one member of ISM. Live ammunition was also used. Many shops were forced to close because of the tear gas.
The clashes continued in the very central areas of the city where lots of cars were damaged with tear gas canisters.
Ambulances continued driving back and forward all afternoon. About 20 Palestinians were injured and hospitalized.
Ambulances drive back and forth through the demonstration

Thirsting for Justice Campaign Teach-in for Palestinian water rights World Water Day – 22 March 2013

19 February| Thirsting for Justice

On World Water Day show your support for the Palestinian struggle for water justice, organize a teach-in to learn the facts about the context and take action in support of this basic human right.

REGISTER NOW!

The Thirsting for Justice Campaign calls on supporters worldwide to observe World Water Day 2013 (22 March) by organizing community teach-ins[1] to gain an accurate and factual portrayal of the challenges Palestinians under Israeli occupation face in their daily lives when accessing clean water and to promote discussion on actions in support of Palestinian water rights.

Meanwhile, hundreds of Palestinians and internationals in the West Bank will be taking part in a “walk for water justice” in the Jordan Valley to mark World Water Day, an initiative of the Thirsting for Justice Campaign and the Jenin Freedom Theater.

To join the teach-in action:

1. Register intent by writing to us on info@thirstingforjustice.org. You will receive a resource pack, which contains all the information you need to organize this action.

2. Discuss with us your ideas. We will endeavor to answer your queries and support you in the organization of the teach-in. Watch our video: http://youtu.be/wva8lYEVGCk

3. Send us the details for your teach-in so we can advertise it on our website and social media. You can organize the teach-in at any time during the month of March.

4. Send us your report-back with details of what was agreed among participants during the meeting so others can be inspired by your work. See the action sheet we prepared in the resource pack with suggestions on what you could do to reach decision-makers and get them to act.

Learn more about the campaign for Palestinian water rights on our website www.thirstingforjustice.org and look for us on Facebook and Twitter.

________________________________________
[1] Teach-ins are educational forums where people come together to focus on a single topic and build a common understanding about an issue. Teach-ins are meant to be practical, participatory and oriented towards action. Their main goal is to educate people and work towards change.

12 year-old boy beaten by soldiers in Azzun

By Team Nablus

14 February 2013 | International Solidarity Movement, Azzun, Occupied Palestine

Azzun is a village of 10,000 people in the West Bank, located near Route 55 and located between the Qarne Shomron, Ma’ale Shomeron and Alfe Menashe settlements. Unemployment stands at 49%. Azzun is surrounded by the Israeli military, which raids the village arresting youths almost every night. The village suffers from the Israeli Total Punishment policy, where villagers cannot access work outside Azzun and are specifically targeted for harassment by the Israeli military for detainment at check points. In 2012, there were 80 arrests, 98% of which were under 16 years of age. In the last six weeks, there have been 28 arrests. Sentences for stone throwing can range from between 8 to 14 years.

On February 10, between ten and twelve settlers, with an Israeli military escort, assaulted the eastern section of the village, using stones, tear gas and rubber bullets. On February 12 at 2AM, the Israeli military raided the village, arresting 5 youths. The youngest of which was only 12 years old and, as a result of being beaten by soldiers, is in shock and cannot speak or stand.

Today the Israeli military has closed 3 of the 5 roads that lead into the village, with the promise that if “problems” continue the remaining two will be closed. When asked if Azzun is resisting, “protests and activities are not possible here” one villager replied.

Team Nablus is a group of volunteers of International Solidarity Movement based in Nablus

Demonstrators open Hagai road gate for first time in decade

By Team Khalil

15 February 2013 | International Solidarity Movement, Hebron, Occupied Palestine

A peaceful demonstration was violently broken up by the Israeli occupation forces using tear gas grenades and canisters, and skunk water. Road opened for the first time in 13 years.

At 1pm around 100 Palestinians marched towards the Hagai road gate in the Al Hareaq area of Hebron. The demonstrators surprised the Israeli army who did not appear to be prepared for the demo, having to bring in reinforcements to the scene. The demonstrators gathered beyond the gate on the side facing the illegal Israeli settlement of Hagai. There was a tense atmosphere as the demonstrators chanted and vented their anger at the illegal road closure.

Demonstrators head towards Hagai road gate
Demonstrators head towards Hagai road gate

Demonstrators started to dismantle the road gate taking parts of the gate away with them, they then pulled a chain out from within the gate and forced it open. People cheered and danced as this is the first time the road has been opened since it was closed by the Israeli military in 2000.

Soldiers started to throw sound grenades into the crowd who remained steadfast. Then an officer ordered a soldier to throw a tear gas grenade into the crowd. Demonstrators remonstrated with the soldier forcing him to back down. The officer then got another soldier to throw a tear gas grenade directly at a protestor hitting him in the side. After kicking away the tear gas grenade the demonstrators regrouped and continued to protest. Many more tear gas and sound grenades were thrown but the soldiers were unable to disperse the crowd and deny the Palestinians their right to peaceful protest. Three soldiers attempted to arrest a demonstrator at random but people quickly saw the danger and again thwarted the army by affecting a non violent de-arrest.

Soldier fails to arrest demonstrator
Soldier fails to arrest demonstrator

Refusing to move, the demonstrators continued chanting and making their views known to the soldiers,the media, and the wider world. At 2pm the organisers of the protest and respected elders started to end the demonstration. It has been a feature of the demonstrations here that they have been non violent and disciplined, with the demonstrators ending the protest on their own terms.

As the demonstration was ending, the Israeli army brought up a skunk truck and sprayed the foul smelling, noxious water at the crowd, also firing a large number of tear gas canisters at people as they were walking away. There were no arrests at the demonstration.

Skunk water is sprayed at the demonstrators
Skunk water is sprayed at the demonstrators

The Israeli occupation forces closed the road in 2000 with large concrete blocks. This prevented access to the south of Hebron from Dura, the close by Al Fawwar refugee camp and many villages in the area south west of Hebron. The barrier cuts off Hebron from over a hundred thousand people. For Palestinians in this area a journey of 5 or 6 minutes to Al Fawwar refugee camp now takes an hour.

Two weeks ago under pressure from the regular Friday demo the army removed the concrete blocks and put a road gate there instead. This is an attempt to show the road can be opened, but control of access would still lie in Israeli hands. In 2000 Israeli military bulldozers built sandhills on the road to further restrict movement. Pipes had been damaged on the road and sewage flowed onto the street, causing a hazard to peoples health. Last week the Hebron municipality mended the pipes and did further work to improve the road. With the weekly demonstrations and pressure on the District Coordination Office, the people southern Hebron, Dura, Al Fawwar and numerous villages in the south Hebron hills feel they may be able to remove this instrument of oppression and open the road for good.

Soldier attempting to arrest another demonstrator
Soldier attempting to arrest another demonstrator


Team Khalil is a group of volunteers of International Solidarity Movement based in Hebron (al Khalil)