Non violent activist faces 11th court appearance

By Harrison Healy, Jerusalem

On February 8, Palestinian activist Mohammad Mansour made his 11th court appearance relating to “crimes” committed at a demonstration in 2004. For over a year-and-a-half, Mohammad Mansour has been repeatedly required to appear before Judge Ron Alexander of the Israeli “peace” court in Jerusalem. He has been accused of throwing stones, encouraging others to throw stones and being involved in “illegal demonstrations” inside the West Bank.

Each time the judge has deferred the case. The prosecution has repeatedly asked for more time to gather evidence against Mohammad Mansour, yet despite constant harassment they have find any evidence to support their claims.

At Mohammad Mansour’s previous appearance on February 15, his court hearing was postponed until March 21. On his way home from Jerusalem, Mohammad Mansour’s bus was stopped and he was detained for an hour before receiving two invitations to visit Israeli intelligence. The last time Mohammad Mansour declined such an invitation, intelligence officers went to his father’s house and threatened him with arrest.

Mohammad Mansour attended the interview but no-one spoke to him. They simply kept him waiting for several hours in a small room.

Without reason, the court date was changed from March 21 to March 8. Attending was difficult for Mohaamad Mansour, as his Palestinian ID does not authorise him to be in Jerusalem, forcing him to avoid checkpoints in order to reach the court. The prosecution requested still more time and was granted a deferral until September 10.

Send messages of support to Mansour at mohammad_pal68@yahoo.com

Harrison Healy is a member of the Australian socialist youth organisation Resistance, and is currently working with the ISM in Palestine.

United action against apartheid wall

By Harrison Healy

Since January 2005, there have been regular demonstrations in Bil’in against the apartheid wall being constructed in the West Bank. The wall has divided Palestinian towns, destroyed homes, removed access to fertile land and imprisoned the Palestinian people.

The town of Biddu was one of the villages that succeeded in Its campaign to divert the route of the wall, but five Palestinians lost their lives in that campaign. Four of those killed were shot during the first demonstration, yet the town kept on fighting. Actions in villages like Budrus and Biddu also helped get many locals involved in anti-wall demonstrations in other villages. Nine Palestinians in total have been killed in anti-wall demonstrations.

There are rallies every week after Friday afternoon prayers in Bil’in, Abud and Beit Sira, and since March 4, weekly Saturday demonstrations are organised in Tulkarem, where the wall has cut off nearby villages such as Jubara. The rallies are organised by popular committees in each village and are supported by international solidarity activists and Israelis.

In Beit Sira, people have planted olive trees to replace those the army tore down and in Abud the demonstrations have involved burning army blankets used to flatten the road. In Bil’in, the villagers have organised mock lynchings on the wall, international conferences attracting hundreds of participants and soccer games across the wall. They also use mirrors to reflect messages like “Stop the wall” onto soldiers’ flack jackets.

Bil’in villagers have also constructed two outposts on the other side of the wall, facing multiple illegal Israeli settlements. The army would like to destroy these small rooms. Every night, Palestinians and international activists camp out at the outposts to have fun together and express their solidarity.

The number of villages wanting to take action is growing. The ISM, the International Women’s Peace Service and Operation Dove have all contributed to the success of the demonstrations, along with Israeli activists ho commute to the West Bank each week to support their Palestinian comrades. The impact of the Israeli presence at the demonstrations is significant – an Israeli border police officer admitted in court that police are given different shooting instructions if there are Israelis in protest crowds.

Yet injuries and deaths have still occurred and even Israelis aren’t safe from being harmed. On February 24, 17-year-old Israeli activist Matan Cohen was shot in the eye by a “rubber” bullet (metal coated with a millimetre of plastic) at a demonstration in Beit Sira. He may lose much, if not all, of his sight in that eye. Palestinian demonstrator Hussni Rayan was also shot at close range with a steel rubber coated bullet that entered 8cm into his body during the protest.

Harrison Healy is a member of the Australian socialist youth organisation Resistance. He is currently working with the ISM in Palestine.

Supreme Court Hearing concerning the Matityahu Outpost

This Wednesday, 15 March 2006, at 8:00 am, the High Court of Justice will hold a hearing on the petition of Peace Now and the Head of the Council of Bil’in against the construction of the Matityahu East neighborhood on the lands of the village west of the barrier’s route.

The hearing will take place in Hall D at the Supreme Court in Jerusalem, in front of Judges Barak, Rivlin and Prokachya.

In early January, the petition (number 143/06) was filed, after it had been revealed that the new neighborhood is being built against planning and construction laws, and under a new scheme not yet approved. On January 12, Judge Prokachya issued a temporary injunction, forbidding any further building in the compound, as well as banning any new residents from entering the flats.

The petition has direct implications for the barrier. The State already admitted that the route of the fence on the lands of Bil’in was designed to allow the construction of the Matityahu East
neighborhood.

For further information:
Michael Sfard (Attorney): 054 471 39 30
Dror Etkes (Settlement Watch, Peace Now): 054 489 93 51, 02 566 06 48

The Association of Muslim Scholars in Palestine calls for the release of the remaining hostages


English translation of the statement:
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful,

The Association of Muslim Scholars in Palestine deeply regrets the killing of the peace activist Tom Fox on Iraqi land.

We were shocked and grieved to receive news of Tom’s death on the morning of the 11th of March 2006. We renew our call to our brothers in the Swords of Justice group to release our brothers that are still in captivity: Norman Kember, James Loney and Harmeet Sooden.

Signed,
Association of Muslim Scholars Palestine

Another Fallen Friend and Martyr

The death of Tom Fox and a true test of solidarity
By Joe Carr

I first met Tom Fox in Chicago at a Christian Peacemaker Teams’ training and we became good friends through our work together. He was a father with children about my age, and was like an uncle to me.

He was my team’s coordinator during my month in Iraq. Shaggy, a young Iraqi friend and translator, nicknamed him “Uncle Tom” because of his paternal but playful manner. He provided a calm and steady presence, and an open and compassionate ear. His warmth and humor helped me to hang on through my depressing and fearful time in Iraq.

I remember the comforting sound of Tom’s recorder, which he played in place of his clarinet. I will miss the mornings when he led worship, often in the silent Quaker tradition.

Tom was truly committed to maintaining an international presence in Iraq despite the danger. He understood the privilege we have in being able to choose whether or not we face violence, a choice denied to Iraqis, Palestinians, and poor people of color around the world. His commitment to solidarity led him to Iraq, to share in some of that risk.

Dozens of Iraqi bodies show up in Baghdad each week. Many are killed by US-sponsored death squads, trained to use brutal counter-insurgency tactics against militants and civilians alike. In the chaos of occupied Iraq, thousands of Iraqis have been kidnapped for profit. But we only hear about it when it happens to internationals.

I was standing with 23-year-old American activist Rachel Corrie when an Israeli soldier intentionally drove over and crushed her to death with a US-made Caterpillar bulldozer. A month later, I was with 22-year-old British activist Tom Hurndall, helping to move Palestinian children out of the line of Israeli sniper fire when that sniper purposefully shot Tom in the head.

The three-year anniversary of Rachel’s murder is March 16, next Thursday, and activists around the world will host events to commemorate her life and sacrifice. But we will also commemorate the thousands of Palestinians who’ve given their lives to the struggle, over 3,500 since September, 2000.

Activists are also gearing up for demonstrations next weekend to mark the three-year anniversary of the invasion of Iraq. As we mourn for Tom Fox, let us remember the 100,000-250,000 Iraqis murdered by US occupation forces, and the 15,000-17,000 Iraqi hostages, held without charge in US and Iraqi detention facilities.

The loss of my comrades hurts very much, and it scares me to be so close to our few western martyrs. But my pain and fear only deepens my sense of solidarity and determination to continue their legacy of struggle.

Iraqis, Palestinians, and oppressed people everywhere are fighting and dying for freedom, and it’s long passed time for Americans to join them.

Let us grieve for our loss, together with families everywhere who’s loved ones have fallen. Let us also continue the legacy of Tom Fox, Tom Hurndall, and Rachel Corrie, to build a global solidarity movement for peace, justice, and freedom.

Let us see to it they do not die in vain.