Category: Journals - Page 42 - International Solidarity Movement

Two Palestinian fishermen arrested in Gaza waters and their boat confiscated

28th May 2013 | International Solidarity Movement, Gaza Team | Gaza, Occupied Palestine

Mahmoud Mohammed Zayed, 25, and his brother Khaled, 24, are two young fishermen of Gaza. At about 9pm on Sunday, May 19th 2013, they were fishing on their small rowing boat in the waters north of the Gaza Strip, in front of the beach of Beit Lahiya. They were arrested after Israeli naval forces attacked fishermen with gunfire, and were taken to the port of Ashdod in Israel. Israeli soldiers confiscated their boat and nets, and released the two fishermen in the morning of the following day, on Monday, May 20th.

We met Khaled Mahmoud and his brother in the office of UAWC (The Union of Agricultural Work Committees), which deals with projects and initiatives to support farmers and fishermen in Gaza and the Occupied Territories. Mahmoud’s face was familiar to me.

As I tried to remember where we had met, he told me he had seen me in an UNRWA school during the military offensive in November 2012, when the Israeli air force launched thousands of leaflets ordering people to leave their homes. Hundreds of families living in the north of the Gaza Strip had been forced to leave their homes and seek refuge in UNRWA schools in Gaza City. Gathered on the floor on mattresses and blankets, they were united in fear. The house of Mahmoud went on to be damaged by bombing.

Yet I remembered seeing Mahmoud on another occasion. Here, in February, 2012, I met another member of his family, Ahmed Zayed, who was also arrested by the Israeli navy while fishing in Northern Gaza waters.

Mahmoud and Khaled (Photo by Rosa Schiano)

And when I think of the fishermen of Beit Lahiya, I cannot forget the face of Abu FahmyRyash, 23 year old fisherman killed on 28^th September by an Israeli soldier while he was fishing on the beaches. Killed by expanding dumdum bullets his internal organs had been destroyed. I asked Mahmoud if he had known him. Mahmoud told me that they had often fished together.

And so here are the mixed memories, common experiences that unite us in a deep feeling – a brotherly bond.
So I think of the lives of these people, marked by mourning, from wounds, from everyday resistance, the quest for freedom, the struggle for the right to life.

Mahmoud started to tell us what happened on Sunday: “We went fishing around 5:30pm, with our small rowing boat. We were about half a mile away from the beach of Beit Lahiya, along with other boats. At 9pm two speedboats started attacking us and the other fishermen with shots fired. The attack lasted almost an hour. Then the soldiers came close to our boat, started to turn around us to create waves and they shouted to stop the boat. We replied that we would be back at home. There were 5 men on each boat.We fell into the water, then we got back on board. Khaled was feeling ill. Then two soldiers arrested us.”

Mahmoud explained that usually fishermen are asked to undress, to jump into the water and swim to the Israeli ship. This time the two fishermen were arrested directly from their boat. Once taken to the Israeli ship, the two fishermen were blindfolded, handcuffed, stripped and were given a yellow shirt and blue pants.

“The strange thing – he told Mahmoud – is that the soldiers have asked me why my brother Khaled was with me on the boat. Khaled usually fishes on another boat. But when he finished his work he came with me to help me.” The actions of soldiers help us to understand how they maintain control of the people of Gaza and what excuses they use to arrest fishermen. Soldiers then asked them their name, identity card, the number of boat.

The two fishermen were then taken to the port of Ashdod in Israel. Here the two fishermen were brought inside a room where they were asked for their identification and phone number. A doctor checked the state of their health and visited Khaled who was ill, for whom they gave an injection. “I asked them to remove the handcuffs because I was hurt”, he told Mahmoud, “but they refused.” The two then spent the night in jail, handcuffed.

The next morning, the two fishermen, in handcuffs, had their names put on their shirts and were photographed. Subsequently Mahmoud was questioned. Soldiers showed him a map of Gaza, and asked for information indicating some points on the map, especially in the area of Soudania. Then they asked from what point of Gaza the boats sets sail from, then the soldiers pointed out a police station and a hydraulic pump. Mahmoud asked about his boat, but the soldiers said that to get his boat they should contact a lawyer. Soldiers know very well that the fishermen do not have the money to afford a lawyer and even the costs for standing trial. After interrogation, that lasted 30-40 minutes, Mahmoud was blindfolded again. After another 15 minutes, the soldiers shackled the legs of the fishermen, took them to a police car and had them transported to Erez, where the two fishermen were released with only what they stood up in. The fishermen had just 100 shekels between them, money they had earned in the sale of fish the previous day.

We asked two fishermen what they thought of the new limit of 6 nautical miles imposed by Israel. They explained that it is a good step, but in economic terms there is no change, except for the period of sardine fishery. About eight miles out there is a rocky barrier preventing the entrance of the bigger fish, so anglers need go beyond 8 nautical miles to significantly increase their catch.

Israeli soldiers confiscated the boat of two fishermen and even the nets, which were new. “This boat was the main source of income for us,” said Mahmoud. Both have moved out of their homes and both have a son. They live together with their parents and the rest of the family, which has around 13 members. Their whole family depends on the fishing. Now only his father and his brother can fish with another boat.

We asked Mahmoud if he wants to leave a message to our countries. “We would like to again with our boat. We would like the Israeli navy attacks to cease. We ask the people of countries around the world to force the Israeli government to open up the sea, to let us fish.”

It should be noted that the attack occurred within the 3 nautical miles from the coast. Israel has progressively imposed restrictions on Palestinian fishermen’s access to the sea. The 20 nautical miles established under the agreements of Jericho in 1994 between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), have been reduced to 12 miles below the Bertini Agreement in 2002. In 2006, the area consented to the fishing has been reduced to 6 nautical miles from the coast. Following the Israeli military offensive “Cast Lead” (2008-2009) Israel has imposed a limit of 3 nautical miles from the coast, preventing the Palestinians from access to 85% of the water to which they are entitled according to the Jericho agreements of 1994.

Under the agreements reached between Israel and the Palestinian resistance after the Israeli military offensive in November 2012, “Pillar of Defense,” they consented that Gazan fishermen can again fish to 6 nautical miles from the coast. Despite these agreements, the Israeli navy has not stopped attacks on Gaza fishermen, even within this limit. In March 2013, Israel imposed once again a limit of 3 nautical miles from the coast, saying that the decision had been taken following the sending of some Palestinian rockets towards Israel. On Wednesday 22nd May, the Israeli military authorities announced through some media outlets the decision to extend the limit again to 6 nautical miles from the coast.

We join the call of the fishermen and ask our governments to press Israel to stop attacking and arresting Palestinian fishermen and to allow them to fish freely.

Revisiting Ni’lin after four years

2nd May 2013 | International Solidarity Movement, Ni’lin, Occupied Palestine

By Team Nablus

It’s been four years since I had visited and lived in Ni’lin and the decision to visit on Friday filled me simultaneously with excitement and longing but also dread. Four years ago I had supported the non violent resistance in Ni’lin as an ISM activist and had experienced the horror and oppression of the occupiers against such actions. Ni’lin’s demonstrations against the Apartheid Wall represented the Ni’lin population’s resilience. They would not let more land, that was the life blood of the community, be stolen.

I arrived in the village not knowing what to expect. Four years is a long time and although parts looked familiar everything was also completely different. The town seemed busier and I was surprised to see cash machines in the Baladia (town centre). I felt disorientated as I gazed at the walls that were adorned with advertisements instead of martyr posters. Ni’lin has suffered heavily under the occupation, not just from the loss of land but also the persecution of its non violent resistance. Five shaheeds (martyrs) were killed by the Israeli occupation forces for opposing the Wall. I arrived early and wandered around Ni`lin with a fellow activist to hopefully reconnect with old friends. I had imagined that it would be okay just to turn up for the demonstration but needed time to acknowledge and deal with things that happened during my stay. I walked to the shop to prepare by buying ‘Top Drink’ a hydration must when sampling Ni’lin produce. From there we walked up the hill to the hospital, as I knew that two of the martyrs were buried near there. Four years ago Ni’lin did not just demonstrate against the wall but jumped into action to demonstrate against the slaughter that was taking place in Gaza as part of ‘Operation Cast Lead.’ Ni’lin demonstrated with other Palestinians on everyday of the operation from mid day until sunset. On the 28th of Decenber 2008 20 year old Mohammed Khawaje and 22 year old Arafat Khawaje were shot with live ammunition whilst demonstrating in solidarity with Gaza alongside international and Israeli activists.

The atrocity was just two of the many that happened at the time as international media was focussed on Gaza. The killings were unimaginable to myself and were the reason it took me so long to return to Palestine.
Walking back towards the baladia, we were approached by a young boy who recognised me. This made me very happy and we spoke about his older brother and family who I knew and made arrangements to meet them after the demonstration. The boy was now 10 but was still as happy as he always was. I felt concern for him as he joined the demonstrations fearing for his safety as all Palestinians who participate put themselves in danger. The first martyr from Ni’lin was his age, Ahmed Mousa, who was shot dead at a demonstration on 29th July 2008. At Ahmed’s funeral 17 year old Youssef Amirah was shot dead with a rubber coated steal bullet a day later.

My young friend took me to the demonstration in the olive fields where we passed a martyr poster, the most recent, that I hurtfully found out when checking up on Ni’lin after I had gone back to my country. Yousef ‘Akil’ Srour who was 36 years old when shot with 0.22 live ammunition during a demonstration.

We proceeded to the demonstration where people came up and welcomed me, hugging me and shaking my hand as I apologised for taking so long to return. After the prayer, we approached the wall, which is now complete. Before 1948 Ni’lin owned 58’000 dunams of land from which 40’000 was stolen by the creation of Israel. The 1967 occupation lead to the construction of the illegal settlements of Nili, Modin ilit, Hashmon’im Mattiyahu that took 8’000 dunams. In 2008, the construction of the Wall stole another 2’500 dunams and a tunnel exclusively for settlers, highlighting the nature of apartheid, 200 dunams. Nearly 90% of Ni’lins original land has been stolen since 1948.

It infuriated and saddened me that the Wall was built after so much tragedy. The demonstrators tried to force open the metal gate as army fired tear gas. I felt very tense and worried during the demonstration, remembering the arsenal of weapons that had been previously used on Ni’lin demonstrations. On this occasion they just fired tear gas, but in the past they used live ammunition, 0.22 live ammunition, rubber and plastic coated steel bullets and the deadly high velocity tear gas canister that critically injured 37 year old Tristan Anderson, an international volunteer, on March 13th 2009 just a week after I left, who needed 15 months of treatment in hospital and has been left permanently disfigured.

I met up with a friend after the demonstration where I met his new brother and sister who had been born during the time I was away. It felt symbolic that he had a brother who was four and a sister of two who played around him, that showed the new life and that there is hope that the future generation need not live in fear. We spoke a lot about the situation and the past whilst drinking coffee and smoking argila. I asked about how the wall had changed life in Ni’lin, but the responses were always optimistic, ‘life is good, life will be better, the wall will fall.’

I said goodbye and promised it would not take four years to return and looked forward to my next visit.

Residents of Qusra village on the road to recovery after attacks by settlers

22nd April 2013 | International Solidarity Movement, Qusra, Occupied Palestine

By Team Nablus

Helmi on 21st April - recpvering step by step — Helmi on 21st April – recovering step by step

Helmi Abdul Azeez Hassan was shot with live ammunition by a settler on 23rd February at short range and came very close to death. He spent nine days unconscious before he woke up in hospital only to be interrogated and accused of throwing stones. Two months later, he sits down with his family and international activists and is happy as he talks of his life, with his wife expecting a child. His two year old daughter, shy of strangers, runs to his legs to be embraced as tea and coffee is passed around.

Helmi’s recovery is slow but is of great relief to his family. He is housebound by his injury but still makes regular trips to the hospital with the possibility looming of another operation. Sixty six percent of his liver was removed due to the extensive damage caused by the shot. The catheters repairing the arteries to his heart will have to be replaced soon – they only last three months.

A builder by trade, Helmi arrived home from work to find that around 15 heavily armed settlers had invaded the village. A shot from one of the settlers narrowly missed his heart and would have mortally wounded him, had he not been able to receive immediate treatment. Despite this, it will be at least six or seven months before Helmi will be able to go back to work.

His mother brings in a bounty of freshly baked bread, zatar, cheese, olives and biscuits to be enjoyed by everyone in the room. Palestinian hospitality is once again displayed as the visitors are told to eat and drink more, distracted from the interview.

On waking up on a hospital bed less than two months ago to be confronted by his interrogator, who said that Helmi ‘got what he deserved,’ Helmi speaks profoundly of his experience, commenting that he was ‘injured and close to death. No one in the Israeli government condemned this action,’ – pointing out that they did not pursue those responsible, yet ‘they arrest Palestinian children for throwing stones.’

Qusra has had to deal with many violent attacks from settlers and escorting soldiers. The small village is collecting a number of inhabitants who were injured and in many cases seriously. Also present at the gathering is a school teacher who updates us about Osama Rami Hassan’s situation. Osama is a 16 year old boy who was shot in the face with a rubber-coated steel bullet narrowly missing his eye, on the same day two months previously that Helmi was shot. For some time Osama wore an eye patch before it was removed recently – he is also well on the way to recovery – ‘step by step’ says the school-teacher. Whilst his physical recovery is going well and he is unlikely to lose his sight, Osama constantly thinks of the attack and may be suffering psychologically because of it. However, his teacher says that he is strong and is doing well in school, having recently enjoyed a school trip to Qalqilia.

Another in the series of injured villagers is Ammar, a 21 year old who was shot with live ammunition in the leg on January 10th 2013. He is still using crutches but is believed to be able to make a full recovery.

Akram Taysir Daoud was attacked and beaten unconscious after being lured into an ambush when settlers called to him in Arabic on the 15th September 2012. He was beaten with sticks and rocks and left for dead, but fortunately regained consciousness after 15 minutes so he could phone his brother for help. His injuries were so severe that he lost his ability to smell or taste – this has not recovered in the seven months since the attack. Recovery from his other injuries however, has been good and now he has been able to return to work.

Settlers mainly from the Esh Kodesh and Qida illegal settlements have uprooted more than 2,400 olive trees in the last three years in repeated attacks against the land and the inhabitants from Qusra. Attacks have been coordinated acts of terror against the Palestinian population such as the joint attack on Urif and Qusra that injured Ammar. Settlers are known to travel from illegal settlements in the south to attack villages in the north as part of this campaign of violence against the Palestinian community.

Helmi is asked what his hopes are for the future as our meeting comes to an end. Straight away he responds with three points, that ‘Settlers should stop their attacks, return our lands and that we can live in peace and quiet.’

Helmi’s is still the most recent attack by settlers against the residents of Qusra and we say goodbye to him and his family, pleased to hear that ‘step by step’ the people of Qusra are recovering. They show their strength by their love for each other and their commitment just to live in ‘peace and quiet.’

There is hope and relief in the gradual recovery of those who have been injured recently. Residents are still reminded how close they have come to death and that such threat still exists for the present future. Tragedy has previously visited Qusra residents when Issam Kamel Odeh, 33, died from Israeli gunfire after settlers invaded the village in September 2011.

Two Brothers Resistance To The Occupation Of Tel Rumeida

By Team Khalil

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

Two brothers, Hani and Hashem Al Azzeh, who have had enough of the harassment they face on a daily basis from the Israeli occupation forces and settlers, are taking legal action to remove a military tower placed on the roof of one of their houses in Tel Rumeida, Hebron.

In 1998 the lives of the two brothers was turned upside down when the army arrived with a map of houses and said “We need your roof for security reasons.” There used to be a military tower behind the two houses, suddenly the army decided to put it on the roof. Despite filing petitions to the Israeli court at the time, the tower stayed on the roof and the family has endured fifteen years of violence and terror, including weapons being fired from the roof, water tanks poisoned and destroyed, and physical attacks on all members of the family including children. Both Hani and Hashem’s wives have been repeatedly assaulted when they were pregnant, leading to the loss of their unborn babies.

New military orders were issued to the family in June 2011, to place a military tower on the other house, as well as lights and cameras. Again the Al Azzeh family took legal action to protect themselves. The military orders were sent to the Prime Ministers Office in Ramallah. They were sent to the Civil Administration Ministry, Palestinian Legislative Council members and the Palestinian DCO. Also contacted were Louisa Morgantini amongst other members of the European Parliament, a legal delegation from Belgium and the Hebron Rehabilitation Committee (HRC). A complaint was made through a lawyer who argued the military tower must be removed because of the harassment to the Al Azzeh family.

On Sunday 3-2-2013, Hashem and Hani Al Azzeh, received a visit from the Palestinian and Israeli District Coordination Office(DCO), a representative from the Israeli court, and lawyers from the Hebron Rehabilitation Committee who represent the Al Azzeh family in this case. The group made a fact finding tour of the two family houses and the surrounding area. They asked who made the escalations in violence, the army or the settlers? The Al Azzeh family replied “The army and the settlers.” The court representative suggested putting the tower on Hashem’s land, where he has olive trees. Hashem refused saying “when the tower is put on my land next will be more settlers in caravans and then I will lose access to my land. You can remove the tower and put it on the roof of the settlement which is higher and only a couple of meters away giving the soldiers a better view.” Hashem told the group about how the settlers who live directly behind his house were building on the balcony above his garden and planting trees, to expand the settlement. He argued that Palestinian residents had a right to drive a car in Tel Rumeida which at the moment they are denied, and that checkpoint 56 at the end of Shuhada street should be removed or moved to a location that allowed Palestinians access to Tel Rumeida by car. Of the military commanders present Hashem commented that some of them quoted ‘security reasons’ for not doing this and some appeared clueless. During the tour the violent settler Baruch Marzel leaned over the balcony and shouted down “We need the tower to stay there for security reasons because the Arabs are terrorists. These Palestinians make problems.”

There is a long history of abuse and terror which the family has endured. During the second intifada soldiers fired “all kinds of weapons” from the roof into the Bab Al Zawia area of the city according to Hashem. The water tanks on the roof of Hani’s house had the pipes cut, were poisoned, had feaces dumped into them and were eventually destroyed. Hani’s family now has to pump its water from a reserve cistern underneath the house adding an unnecessary cost to a basic human requirement. They also have had to rig up a series of hoses through the window to the taps and boiler with to get access to their water.

A makeshift water system collects water from below the house

Soldiers were sometimes seen naked on the roof and at other times danced or played football with stones in the middle of the night. The soldiers stomping around in their boots at night is very loud, Hani’s family has not had an undisturbed nights sleep in fifteen years. Hashem says that one day Hani’s daughter was playing in the garden and a soldier from the tower urinated on her head. Settlers threw stones at the families and their houses from behind the tower and then hid from the cameras of the family with the soldiers telling them, “You cant film them because this is a closed military zone.” The roof is declared a closed military zone but settlers are allowed onto the roof to harass. They have broken windows forcing Hani and Hashem to replace glass windows with metal shutters.

Cameras and lights installed above the home by the military

The stress and anxiety of this long term abuse is enormous. Hani’s wife lost her pregnancy six times due to harassment and assault. Hashem’s wife has been assaulted by settlers twice while she was pregnant, losing the pregnancy both times. Hashem’s children have regularly been assaulted by settlers. One time a rock was put in his sons mouth and his head smashed against the floor. Hani’s wife recieved long term care from ‘Doctors without borders’, a psychologist from the UN and with the support of her family and has given birth to triplets.

After the tour, the Israeli court representative said that within 90 days the court will decide whether the tower will be removed or not. Hashem fears that the court will ask the army commanders if there is a security reason for the tower to stay and the commanders will of course say yes, despite there being none, and that the Israeli court will simply concur.

Hani is a security guard in the Hebron Municipality building and Hashem used to be an administrator in a UN medical clinic. Hashem lost his job in September 2011, after recieving the military orders in June 2011, because he was absent from work. Hashem had to go to Ramallah many times for meetings with lawyers, council members and the Civil Administration Ministry which coordinates between the Palestinian Authority and the Israelis. Hashem does not regret taking the time to fight for his home, his family and his rights, or losing his job to do so. One day a representative of the settlers came to Hashem’s house and offered him “twenty million dollars to leave”, he refused.

Hani and Hashem will go on resisting the illegal Israeli occupation of Tel Rumeida, until one day they can live with dignity and freedom. They will carry on quietly working on their case until the military tower on the roof of their house is taken away for ever.

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

Palestinians protest Israel’s illegal settlement policy by establishing new village “Al-Manatir” near Burin, Nablus

Update on 4 February:

In what seems to be a collective punishment for last Saturday´s construction of al-Manateer neighbourhood on privately owned Palestinian land (classified as Area B, according to the Oslo Accords) in Burin, Sunday night saw the Israeli army arrest two young boys from the village.

At around 8:30pm, a supposedly Palestinian ambulance showed up in Burin. Villagers were suspicious as the driver didn’t look entirely like a Palestinian. As young boys realised that the men in the front were plain-clothed Israeli soldiers, clashes erupted between Palestinian youth and soldiers.

Later on, as Ghassan and Mohammad were in a friend’s house, the Israeli special unit, all in black and wearing balaclavas, entered demanding IDs and arrested both men. Ghassan was brought handcuffed and blindfolded to an army jeep and, there, was interrogated by the military commander before being released. In the case of Mohammad, he was taken, also handcuffed and blindfolded, to Huwara military base and then released; not before telling him that he couldn’t take a taxi or otherwise they would arrest him again.

by Katie W.

2 January 2013 | International Solidarity Movement, Al-Manatir, Occupied Palestine

I hate checkpoints forcing us to wait and take long detours. I hate teargas, especially when it leaves me unable to breathe. I hate rubber bullets being fired around me. I hate stunt grenades, especially when they are fired directly at me from a distance of three metres, and the impact makes me fall back over. I hate friends getting pepper-sprayed and nearly arrested. I hate to see fellow demonstrators actually getting arrested, especially after being kicked by several soldiers wearing heavy boots whilst laying on the ground. I hate how the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) and border police treated us today. I hate the human rights violations I witnessed. I hate the hateful behaviour of extremist settlers who severely injured a Palestinian with live ammunition and who cut down a hundred olive trees belonging to Burin villagers. I hate the fact that Palestinians can’t even be safe in their own houses because the army is shooting teargas, rubber bullets and live ammunition all around the village. I hate collective punishment which, by the way, is illegal under international law. I hate the imam having to urge people to pray at home rather than the mosque as it would be too dangerous to go there. I hate this illegal occupation with all its injustice, suffering and human rights abuses.

I love the fact that my friends managed to de-arrest a Palestinian, saving him from what may well have been several years of prison. I love the fact that everyone was generously sharing food and water. I love kind strangers inviting us to their house. I love random people taking us into their houses to protect us from the havoc outside. I love the brave first aid workers who helped so many of us affected by the teargas and those seriously injured, at great personal risks. I love onions and people who give them out to help ease the effects of teargas. I love making new friends. I love how much common suffering can bond people together and bring out the best in humanity. I love the spirit of defiance of the Palestinian people. I love the spirit of unity and determination among the people of Burin. I love hearing that they felt the barrier of fear was broken, and they will continue to resist the illegal occupation.

It has certainly been a crazy, action-filled, emotional, horrifying, uplifiting,… day. I don’t think I’ve ever witnessed this much inhumanity and at the same time so much humanity in a singly day.

Today, the residents of Burin, a village near Nablus in Occupied Palestine, joined by activists from across Palestine as well as a handful of internationals, established the village of Al-Manatir on a hill outside Burin. This is the fourth village in a series of protest encampments, following the establishment of Bab Al-Shams, Bab Al-Karama and Al-Asra last month.

The newly established village of Al-Manatir

The people of Burin have lost much of their land to the nearby illegal Israeli settlements Har Brakha and Yitzhar. Many villagers have lost access to their fields and olive trees and thus their means of livelihood. For years, they have been facing harassment, intimidation and violence by both the settlers and the Israeli army.

Earlier this week, the UN Human Rights Council released its harshest report on Israeli settlements to date, condemning them as “leading to a creeping annexation that prevents the establishment of a contiguous and viable Palestinian state and undermines the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination”. The report also harshly criticises the Israeli authorities for deliberately choosing to ignore rather than punishing settlers’ acts of violence, which it describes as “ institutionalized discrimination against the Palestinian people” with the aim of driving them from their land and expanding settlements.

Today, Palestinians joined together to engage in non-violent, direct-action resistance against the illegal occupation and in particular against the settlements. The people of Burin decided to fight back by creating “facts on the ground”, mirroring Israel’s illegal settlement policy.

Along with about 250 people involved in this action, we helped carry material and set up several tent structures on a hill which is village land but has been inaccessible to Palestinians for a number of months due to the illegal settlement of Har Brakha. A handful of soldiers arrived at the scene immediately after the action began, apparently alerted by the settlers. The initial atmosphere among us was full of energy and enthusiasm, as people continued to carry up materials and build tent structures, undeterred by the onlooking soldiers. Among much singing, chanting and flag-waving, the village was officially declared open by Palestinian activist leaders and named Al-Manatir, after the traditional stone huts Palestinians built in their agricultural lands, which were used as shelter for the watchmen of the fields. Gradually, however, IOF reinforcements began to arrive at the scene, as did settlers from Har Brakha. Soon, scuffles broke out between settlers who were clearly mad with rage and determined to tear down newly set-up Al-Manatir and attack us, and the army, who was desperately holding them back to prevent escalation. Following further military reinforcements, most settlers left the scene and instead went to attack a house in Burin itself. Ugly scenes of violent clashes ensued, with the army mostly looking on and doing little to deter the settlers. A 17-year old Palestinian was shot in the leg by live ammunition fired by a settler.

Meanwhile, things were also heating up back in Al-Manatir where soldiers soon began firing teargas, sound grenades and rubber bullets to disperse the crowds. Forced to retreat due to the strong effects of the teargas, we would run back to take cover somewhere and recover from the gas, and then bravely march forward again to face the IOF anew. For a couple to a few minutes we would chant, wave flags and even perform some dabke (traditional Palestinian folk dance), until the army would force us to retreat again by firing stunt grenades and teargas. This pattern continued for about two hours, during which dozens of people were injured, mostly from being hit by teargas canisters and sound grenades, whilst many more severely suffered from the effects of the teargas. Four Palestinians were also arrested; probably the most heart-breaking scene I witnessed today was an activist being brutally dragged away by four soldiers, who repeatedly kicked him with their heavy boots as he lay on the ground near unconscious towards the end.

The IOF forces became increasingly hostile and aggressive, not only using weapons but also brutally pushing back people and threatening us with arrest, causing some people, especially female residents of Burin, to leave the protest. During the stand-off with the army we were gradually pushed further and further back to the edge of the hill, eventually loosing all our tent structures. A desperate final attempt to hold on to Al-Manatir by sitting down on the ground failed after soldiers threw several sound grenades right at us as we were seated, hitting several of us. My memory becomes slightly shaky at this point, as I was under shock from being hit by a stunt grenade. Quickly, the protest dispersed as those of us still remaining at this point were being forced down the hill under continuous firing of teargas and stunt grenades.

Back down in Burin village, some activists returned home, whilst many decided to stay to show solidarity and offer support and protection should the army or settlers re-attack. We had time to rest a little, introduce ourselves to one another and exchange experiences and opinions on what had just happened. People shared food they had brought, and various kind village folks invited us in for drinks. Although we were exhausted by the intensity of the events and shaken by all that had happened, the overall atmosphere seemed to be one of contentment and pride that we had managed to stand our ground and put up a good fight for a considerable amount of time. We had been sitting on a village family’s veranda, sipping coffee, chatting, exchanging photos and videos for about half an hour, when suddenly a teargas canister landed right in our middle, causing us to quickly jump up and take cover somewhere. What ensued was another couple of hours of fierce attack on Burin village by th IOF. Soon the village mosque was completely filled with teargas after some of its windows were broken by the canisters fired. The whole downtown area soon became inaccessible, and people were forced to leave their houses and take cover somewhere further up in the village. I can’t even begin to imagine what it must be like to not even be able to feel safe in your own home, because any time it could be attacked by soldiers or settlers. Whilst we were sitting out the attack further up in Burin, shebabs threw stones, the army kept firing back teargas and even various rounds of live ammunition, and the ambulance drove around feverishly picking up the injured. After about two hours, the army retreated and people were able to come out of hiding and return to their houses.

What do I take away from this day? To be honest, I will probably need a good few days to really digest all this. However, right now, I feel immense respect for the Palestinian people, their fighting spirit, deep courage and willingness to take great risks as they’re standing up for justice. I feel great hope in the power of non-violent resistance and popular grassroots movements. However, my heart is also heavy at the thought of the repercussions that our action will definitely have for the people of Burin. Already today, one hundred olive trees were cut down in revenge by settlers, and further acts of reprisal will certainly follow. Everyone expects the army to come raid the village tonight, beating up and arresting many residents.

I would like to close my account with the encouraging statement of Ghassan Najar form Burin: “Today Burin has broken the fear barrier: we went to our land despite the military’s orders and we will continue to do so.” May the courage and determination of the people of Burin and all Palestinians continue to grow as they fight the illegal Israeli occupation until victory ensues and peace, dignity and justice triumph in this land.

Video of a youth Palestinian brutally attacked and arrested by IOF in Al-Manatir

Katie W. is a volunteer with International Solidarity Movement (name has been changed)