Category: Reports

By Maria and Anna
Bilin 26/12/05

On Christmas day, a day representing love and hope for millions of people around the world, the brave people of Bilin brought a new caravan on their land that has been unrightfully cut off by the Israeli authorities for the construction of the annexation barrier and the expansion of the Modi’in Ilit and Matityahu settlements ( the first caravan was evacuated by the Israeli military and police on Thursday 22 December, only a day after it was erected ).

This time the people of Bilin decided to build a “house” ( literary a single room ) near the caravan during the night. Nine people, members of the Bilin Popular Committee against the Wall and the Settlements and Israeli activists spent the cold and rainy night in this little Palestinian
“outpost”, a few metres away from the settlements.

This morning, 26 Dec, the Israeli military and police evacuated and removed the new caravan, in the presence of settlers’ security personnel, just like the previous one. Two ISM volunteers -us- who were inside had to get out before it was lifted by a crane. As for the “house”, it has been given a 10-day notice by the Israeli military and police before they demolish it on 5 January.
During these 10 days (and cold nights!) there will be locals, israelis and international
activists in and around the house, and it looks like the Bilin Popular Committee are determined to keep on building a new house every time the previous one gets demolished. It is really a great irony that the Israeli authorities are going to demolish the tiny Bilinian house built on Bilinian land when, at the same time, they allow massive construction in the settlements nearby against international and even israeli law.

Bilin 27/12/05

Luckily the weather got better and the rain stopped (rain is good for farmers but uncomfortable for activists!) A welcoming fire kept on burning in front of the “house” of Bilin and we had a good time telling jokes and eating nuts and sweets around it. All this time an Israeli army jeep was very close with its headlights on, straight to us, making a very loud noise from time to time in order to scare us or just annoy us.The settlements have so many lights!

by Jesse

Today in the village of Bili’n, the villagers confronted the illegal theft of their land at the construction site of the apartheid barrier that will confiscate 60% of their land. I was among dozens of international and Israeli supporters who accompanied this non violent demonstration.

As we approached the lines of soldiers blocking our path to the fence we rushed quickly to the right to gain access to the construction area but were quickly met by yet another line of soldiers who tried to prevent us from passing. With enormous spirit and willpower many of the villagers and activists were able to pass through the soldier’s line and climb over a mound of rocks to gain access to the construction site. The soldiers reacted in their usual manner – with violent beatings.

Four Israeli activists and one Palestinian were manhandled and arrested. The Palestinian and one of the Israelis were released during the demonstration. The other three activists were released later in the evening.

As usual, our non-violent resistance was met with violence by the soldiers who were pushing people about on the rocky terrain and dragging the arrestees and potential arrestees who managed to get away from the soldier’s grip. A few of the soldiers present seemed very intent on hurting people and were seen being very aggressive and violent time and again.

A 61 year old Spanish activist was pushed off of a rocky ledge by a soldier and broke her shoulder. She is currently hospitalized in Ramallah, and will not be able to leave the area for one week. The Israeli military’s use of violence against peaceful Palestinian demonstrations is unfortunately commonplace in occupied Palestine and continues to plague the Palestinian’s struggle for freedom and self determination in their own lands.