Category: Photo Story

International and Palestinian Journalists Tear Gassed

November 17, 2018 | International Solidarity Movement, Ramallah team | Ramallah, occupied Palestine

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) decided to hold its annual meeting in Palestine this year, where they demonstrated at the infamous Qalandia checkpoint on Saturday. The dozens of journalists, holding only international press cards, were immediately met with canisters of tear gas.

“We went peacefully, wearing IFJ uniforms and carrying IFJ cards. It’s obvious that it was journalists who were demonstrating,” explained Nasser Abu Baker, Chairman of the Palestinian Journalist Syndicate, a representative to the IFJ. Nasser was one of the many journalists fired upon at Qalandia.

“In the last four years there were three 3000 crimes committed against journalists, 26 of which were murders… It’s obvious that the Israeli leadership couldn’t accept our demand for freedom of movement, and the scene of IFJ being there, standing with Palestinian journalists.”

Lack of freedom of movement is a common experience for Palestinians in the West Bank, most of whom are unable to leave. The few who leave the West Bank for work face the physical torment of waiting in line for hours, crammed together in zig-zagged cages, and facing the high probability of Israeli aggression.

Qalandia checkpoint is the subject of much reported abuse, though none of this would be known if it wasn’t for the Palestinian press. But their reporting has come with a price: It has created huge controversy and caused them to suffer incredible abuse. Today’s demonstration was no exception.
In Nasser’s words:
“This was a crime against Palestinian journalists… It was crime against the international press.”

Israeli Forces Storm Khan Al-Ahmar: Erect Road Blocks, Suppress Peaceful Demonstration

Around 11.30 am a bulldozer escorted by a police and military vehicles approached the Bedouin village of Khan al-Ahmar and began to move rocks and earth in order to block access to the village via dirt roads on the outskirts to prevent resident and activists from reaching the area.

Soon after, locals and activists approached the bulldozer and started a passive, peaceful resistance by sitting in front of the machine, in order to prevent the aggressors from completing their “mission”.

After a few minutes, a large number of Border Police and regular Police officers reached the area and began to force people away from the machine; the police gave the activists 5 minutes to leave the area.

A short time after they issued the warning to leave the area, the military and police began to use forceful violence. The Israelis aggressor began pushing and dragging the peaceful demonstrators blocking their illegal operation away from the area. During this use of force, the police also used violence towards the medical teams and press who were present at the site. 

An elderly man, very well known in the community as Abu Tiger, was violently attacked during his peaceful demonstration against the actions being carried out by the Israeli forces. After being pushed to the ground he was dragged by multiple policemen, arrested and detained in a police vehicle, during this attack he was bleeding from the head and knocked unconscious.

Multiple other people were arrested during this assault: including Palestinian activist and a French-American professor and activist (Frank Romano).

During this incursion, many people attempted to remove the earth barrier erected by the bulldozer although this was hampered by the Israeli forces.

After the erection of this earth barrier, those present at Khan Al-Ahmar staged a peaceful demonstration on the edge of the highway. This was protest was against both the decision made by the Israeli Supreme Court and the erection of the earth barrier on the day (15/09/2018). The police and military presence during this demonstration was both unnecessary and disproportionate with the border police and Yasam (riot and crowd control unit) being drafted in, to suppress those protesting against the Israeli Occupation.

 

This was yet another arrogant act of violence by the Israeli forces with the intention to intimidate the residents of Khan al-Ahmar and the activists who were there in solidarity with the Palestinian Bedouin community. This attack is further raising the stress and upset for the people of the village, who are anxiously waiting for the demolition of their village and the school. Despite this, the community of Khan Al-Ahmar is not willing to give up in their peaceful fight against this oppressive attack on the place they call home. 

 

Salama remembers Razan

In response to a call for solidarity from Gazan women, a Jewish activist group dubbed “Return” gathered to hold a memorial for Razan AlNajar, at the location of her village of origin, Salameh.

While thousands of women marched towards the border in the Saja’iya area in Gaza, the activists held a ceremony honoring Razan and the protesters shot dead by Israeli snipers. The activist called for the implementation of the right of return and hung photos of the slain protesters placing flowers and candles on a structure that proceeded the Zionist state.

The steering committee of the Great march of return  published  a call   for people to commemorate the fallen protesters. Return has been organizing commemorations inside historical Palestine in locations including the Gaza border fence and the Israeli parliment. Other such memorials are taking place around the world.

The protestors changed Hertzel streets on the road between Salamah and Jaffa to Al-Awda street and Ben-Zvi street to Razan Al-Najar street.

“Razan did not see Salama, but she and all the refugees who are not present here physically are always present here with us, as a void an absence, something that is missing here until their inevitable return. ” stated one of the activists.

Palestinians hold protest on International Palestinian Prisoners day

17/04/2018 International Solidarity Movement Al Khalil | Hebron

Today’s demonstration was held by the Palestinian prisoners club, political factions and Palestinian civil society also in attendance were Palestinian prisoner family members and internationals. Palestinians marched from the stadium in Al Khalil, Hebron to Ibn Rushd square. The aim of the protest was to support and highlight the Palestinian prisoners on International Palestinian Prisoners day.

Palestinian Protestors march from the stadium to Ibn Rushd Square

Hisham Sharabati from Hebron defense committee present at the demonstration stated:

” We want all Palestinian prisoners free until then we want decent human conditions for detainees. Prisoners under administrative detention are clearly under arbitrary detention”.

” All the prisoners are not terrorists as Israel likes to claim, they are freedom fighters who are working for the liberation of their people and land. International law guarantees the right of the occupied to resist the occupier.”

Palestinians gather at Ibn Rushd Square to hear speeches in support of Palestinian Prisoners

Palestinian Prisoner statistics

There are 500 Administrative detainees who are boycotting the Israeli legal system.
6,500 Palestinian prisoners held inside Israeli jails
350 Palestinian child prisoners
6 Palestinian MP’s
20 Prisoners have spent 20 years in prison
25 have spent more than 25 years in prison
700 Palestinian prisoners are in need or urgent medical attention or treatment as Israel does not provide sufficient medical care for detainees.
64 Female prisoners including minors.

Palestinians hold placards of Palestinian prisoners at Ibn Rushd Square

A Palestinian who spoke at the demonstration said: ” The battle for the freedom of Palestinian detainees is not just a battle with the Israeli occupation only, but it is also a struggle against the imperialist powers including the united states of America who are currently pressurizing the Palestinian authority to cut funds for the Palestinian prisoners and their families”.

Family members of Palestinian Prisoners

Severe restrictions for Palestinians, freedom of movement for settlers.

02/04/2018, International Solidarity Movement, Al Khalil/Hebron

Today Israeli forces sealed off parts of three streets in Palestinian controlled H1 near Bab Azawiyeh ordering more than fifty Palestinian shops to close for ‘security reasons’. Israeli forces also closed the Al Ibrahimi Mosque and the checkpoint adjacent to it for two whole days.

Pictured: Israeli forces seal off road with spike strips and armed presence.

The incursion into Palestinian controlled H1 started at around 11am with Israeli soldiers entering the area, ordering shops to close and preventing vehicle access to the marketplace. Around 30 minutes later Israeli Border Police in armored vehicles with teargas canons on top blocked the three main streets leading to the market. In front of the vehicles, the Israeli soldiers laid spike strips to further restrict vehicle access, and they took up positions in front. Only residents of Tel Rumeida were allowed to pass. In past years, Israeli forces blocked access to less of this commercial zone, but this year they encroached further into the Palestinian city. Snipers were positioned on the surrounding roof tops.

Pictured: Israeli forces order over 50 Palestinian stores and market holders to close.

The Israeli military blocked off this H1 area under Palestinian control so Jewish settlers could visit a tomb shrine during the holiday of Passover.

During the afternoon, the Israeli soldiers took several Palestinian adults and minors from the street for not having their ID’s with them or simply for watching and daring to get too close to the Israeli forces.  Some were taken through Checkpoint 56 presumably under arrest.

Pictured: Israeli border police detain Palestinian youth.

Early evening around five thirty PM, Israeli forces began to withdraw from H1 area back into H2 area under ‘Israeli control’ through checkpoint 56. Small scale clashes between armed Israeli forces and unarmed Palestinian youth. The clashes began as Israeli forces were still present on roof tops. Palestinian youth began throwing stones and Israeli forces threw stun grenades and fired rubber coated steel bullets at the youth, this went on until six thirty PM. Two Palestinian youth were shot with rubber coated steel bullets one in the left leg and another in the lower spine but they did not require immediate medical treatment on the scene.

The day was a complete disruption of Palestinian businesses and freedom of movement. “Normal” life is extremely difficult for Palestinians without additional disruptions. More than twenty permanent checkpoints block movement in the city along with the countless other restrictions that Palestinians face.

Pictured: A map from OCHA showing Al Khalil, Hebron restricted access and closures to Palestinians only.

03/04/2018

Illegal Israeli settlers flood the Palestinian souq (Market)

The Israeli military occupation forces started their heightened ‘security’ measures in the Old City souq at around 9am as Palestinian shopkeepers were opening their stores. Armed Israeli Border Police and soldiers in full battle dress patrolled through the souq.

Internationals heard that the illegal Israeli settlers will enter the souq at around 1pm and the day wouldn’t finish until 5pm for a pro-longed settler tour for the Jewish holiday of Passover. At noon, with a drone circling overhead, Israeli forces massed at Bab Al Baladia, a gate in the courtyard that the illegal settlers and Israeli soldiers use to enter the Old City.

Pictured: Bab Albaladia gate where settlers, Israeli forces enter from illegal settlement into Souq.

Israeli forces lined the rooftops and all the way down the souq. Israeli military vehicles blocked off the entrance from Bab Al Baladia to prevent access to Palestinian vehicles. The sheer amount of armed forces was frightening, especially for Palestinian children who live and play in the souq streets.

Pictured: Palestinian children trying to play in the Souq with armed Israeli soldiers present everywhere.

An Israeli news channel was present interviewing the Israeli commander as the prolonged settler tour commenced. Every twenty minutes large groups of illegal Israeli settlers came out of the gates of Bab Al Baladia and walked through the souq with tour guides and surrounded by Israeli soldiers. They exited at the Mosque checkpoint that was closed to Palestinians and tourists. Some Palestinians closed their shops due to fear of attacks by settlers whilst others were ordered to close.

Pictured: Israeli forces line Palestinian Souq for pro-longed settler tour – some Palestinian shops closed.

Loud music was heard being played in the vicinity of the Ibrahimi mosque that was closed for Palestinian Muslims for two whole days. Internationals spoke with a Palestinian who works at the Mosque, and he told us that when Palestinians are allowed back in to clean up the settlers always leave it in a mess as they leave rubbish everywhere and don’t take their shoes off.

Another day of disruption for Palestinians during the Jewish holiday of Passover.

                            Pictured: Israeli checkpoint closed – Ibrahimi mosque closed