Tag: Bil’in

Protests in Bil’in, al-Ma’sarah and al-Khader to mark International Workers’ Day

May 2nd, 2008

After midday prayers approximately 100 Palestinian, Israeli and international activists gathered for the Friday demonstration against the wall in Bil’in. This week, the protest was held in solidarity with the Palestinian workers to mark International Workers’ Day on Thursday.

Protesters set off on a seldom used to route to the wall. Their arrival at the wall was met by soldiers threatening to shoot anyone who approached the wall. After several minutes of chanting soldiers started shooting rubber bullets and tear gas at the protesters. The protesters began to move up to the usual site of the wall protests, the gate that seperates the village from it’s land. The soldiers continued their violence, aiming low with their tear gas canisters which increases the risk that someone will be struck by one possibly resulting in serious injuries. The tear gas canisters set the dry grass in the area on fire in many places. Thankfully the protesters were able to put out the fires before they spread too far. The soldiers continued shooting tear gas even after the protest was over despite the risk of fires.

——————
Anti Wall demonstration in a Bethlehem village, two Palestinians injured

For original article, published in IMEMC, click here

An anti-Wall demonstration of at least two hundred of the residents of the al Ma’sarah village near the southern West Bank city of Bethlehem and dozens of International peace activists on Friday.

Demonstrators marched from a high school in the village of Al Ma’sarah towards the construction site of the Separation Wall on the village’s farmlands. Work began a year and a half ago no the village’s lands, aimed at confiscating and isolating ten of thousands of dunums of Al Ma’sarah’s land, located south-west of Bethlehem.

This week’s demonstration was to celebrate May Day (International Workers Day), and was attended by Dr Mustafa al Barghuthi, secretary general of the Palestinian National Initiative, and Khalid al A’za , head of the Popular Committee of Land Defense and Settlement in the Bethlehem district. In addition, there were also a number of representatives of different organizations present.

In a speech delivered during today’s protest , Dr al Barghuthi denounced the Israeli procedures in an attempt to prevent the Palestinians from conducting any peaceful demonstration, affirming that “such procedures will not intimidate us [Palestinians] and that the Palestinians are stronger, and the ones that deserve to live freely and in dignity on the land of their fathers and ancestors .”

Dr. al Barghuthi added that, “the Wall’s destiny is to fall, as well as occupation is to end “. He called for ending the internal disagreements among Palestinian factions and to hold on to unity, which he described as ” an effective weapon to face the conspiracies on our cause.”

Al Barghuthi went on saying that recent political manoeuvers are aiming to separate the West Bank from the Gaza Strip and to destroy the idea of a Palestinian contiguous state, while turning Palestine into ghettoes and enclaves. He added that ” we were not in need of five months of negotiations so that the Palestinians will find out what Israel is planning is an apartheid state and a tiny Palestinian state without East Jerusalem, the Jordan Valley and the settlements.’

He noted that “a real State of Palestine should have a full sovereignty over its land, water, and borders, through ending the occupation and dismantling settlements from all of the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including east Jerusalem, and dismantling the Separation Wall.”

As the protesters were about reach the construction site of the Wall, the Israeli army installed military roadblocks and prevented them from proceeding any further.

Mohammad Brejieh, the media spokesperson of the Popular Committee, said that two Palestinians were injured. He added that the Israeli army took many tight procedures to prevent the International peace activists from reaching the village by installing many roadblocks and closed the roads that lead to the village. The soldiers had confiscated a bus with more than sixty international peace activists for more than three hours to prevent them from participating in the protest.

——————-
Al Khader Villagers Protest the Israeli Wall

For original article, published by IMEMC, click here

The Popular Committee of Al-Khader village, located near the southern West Bank city of Bethlehem, organized a non-violent demonstration in protest of the construction of the illegal Israeli segregation barrier, as well as the discriminatory and oppressive Israeli policies used daily against Palestinians.

On Friday about 300 residents of Al Khader, along with international and Israeli activists, gathered in the village. The village’s residents performed their Friday prayers at Al Nashah Israeli checkpoint located at the entrance of Al Khader.

Afterwards Dr. Mustafa Al Barghuthi, a Palestinian MP, gave a speech calling for the continued resistance against the wall and the Israeli settlements.

Soldiers were deployed, but the protesters stood their ground for nearly an hour before deciding to end the action.
Activists and many international and Israeli organizations allege that as a result of Israel’s construction of the illegal apartheid wall, the free movement of Palestinians, especially workers, has been heavily restricted. The apartheid wall separates workers from their workplaces, leaving them facing serious levels of poverty.

Ha’aretz: Senior official in Dubai government: Leviev has no license for opening a store in the Emirates

Senior official in Dubai government: Leviev has no license for opening a store in the Emirates

The Marker: Ha’aretz Daily’s Hebrew-language business magazine (Israel), click here to view

(Translated by Adalah-NY)

May 1, 2008

By Ora Coren and Michal Ramati

The “Gulf News” reported yesterday that the Leviev jewelry chain has no license to open a store in Dubai. Leviev has recently announced his intention to open two stores in Dubai.

“We are aware of the reports but we have not granted a license to a business by the name of ‘Leviev,'” said Ali Ebrahim, deputy manager for foreign affairs in Dubai to the “Gulf News.” In light of the Arab boycott of Israel, Israeli businesses are not allowed in the Gulf Emirates. Ebrahim has told “Gulf News” that measures were taken to make sure that Israelis will not operate in Dubai even through the use of non-Israeli partners.

However, Leviev already owns a store in Dubai through a local partner under the name “Levant.” The store opened on March 18 at the Al Qasr hotel in the Emirate. The two additional stores are expected to be opened with the help of the Moroccan-Palestinian agent who opened the first store, Arif Bin Khadra. When asked if he knows about Leviev’s involvement in construction in the West Bank, he told “Gulf News” that “such questions are not asked in the diamond world.”

Dubai has become a diamond trading center in recent years and opened its doors to Israeli businessmen as well, including Idan Ofer, but tried to keep the contacts relatively secret. However, it seems that Leviev’s public declaration has caused pro-Palestinian and perhaps business competitors to apply pressure which led to the recent statements.

A spokesperson for the Leviev brand in Israel said that Leviev has opened two flagship stores in Dubai a year ago through a local licensed businessman who got a permit for operating the stores: “We regret that commercial interests are constantly making use of political bodies to advance their interests.”

Demonstrations in Bil’in, Al-Khader and Shabtin villages, Mass arrests at Tel Rumeida protest

Bil’in:

For the original report from IMEMC on the 25th April, click here

On Friday, the villagers of Bil’in located near the central West Bank city of Ramallah conducted their weekly non-violent protest against the illegal Israeli wall built on the village land.

As the case each week, villagers from Bil’in along with Israeli and international peace activists marched towards the location of the Wall which is separating the village from its land. As soon as the protest reached the gate of the Wall soldiers showered the protesters with tear gas and rubber coated steel bullets. Scores of protesters were treated for gas inhalation.

The village of Bil’in has been protesting the construction of the wall on the village’s land since around three years.

Today Abdullah abu Rahmeh, the coordinator of The Popular Committee for Wall and Land Defense welcomed the international supporters who came from different countries in support of the local residents of the village of Bil’in in their anti Wall and settlement weekly protest.

Fabio, an Italian of the European Communist Party delivered a speech in which he expressed his support and solidarity with the residents of Bil’in. Hassan , a member of the Chic communist party praised the struggle of the residents of Bil’in and their right of having an independent State affirming the support of the European socialist parties of the Palestinians until gaining their freedom and independence.

Meanwhile, a delegation of physicians of the United Nations offered treatment and medicines to the residents of Bil’ien due to the bad economic and health situation and in the village.

Ahmad Yaseen, head of the village Council thanked the delegation headed by Dr Ghalib al Basheer for their support.

——————
Tel Rumeida:

On Friday 25th April, over 150 Palestinians, internationals and Israeli’s demonstrated in Tel Rumeida, Hebron, to mark the anniversary of the of occupation of the West Bank. The demonstration was organised to show solidarity with those Palestinians who live next to the illegal settlements.

The demonstration then proceeded to Abraham’s mosque, blocking a nearby settler road. Settlers immediately came out and violently attacked the protesters, while the Israeli army watched. The settlers then slashed the tires of two cars belonging to those showing solidarity with the Palestinians.

Despite these acts of aggression from the settlers, when the Israeli police arrived, they arrested 60 of the Israeli and international protesters, despite no reason being given for their arrest. All were released later that day.

——————–
Al-Khader:

For original report from IMEMC on the 25th April 2008, click here

The Village of Al Khader stage a nonviolent protest against the Israeli Wall

Around 100 villagers from Al Khader village located near Bethlehem city in the southern part of the West Bank supported by a small number of international and Israeli peace activist protest the illegal wall Israeli is building on the village land.

The protest took the form of holding the Friday prayer in the street at the presence of around 30 Israeli soldiers. The protest ended after speeches by the local committee against the wall and settlement construction was delivered.

Samer Jaber, told IMEMC that Friday’s protest comes as part of the ongoing efforts to protest the wall and protect the lands of Al Khader. He added that the Israeli troops manning the checkpoint near the village did not allow the Israeli activists to come inside the village to join the Friday activity, so they had to get to the village from a different route.

——————–
Shabtin village:

On Friday 25th April, dozens of Palestinian protesters from the village of Shabtin marched together against the illegal settlement work that is taking place close to their homes. Four of the demonstrators were injured, two by live ammunition, as the Israeli army attacked the demonstration.

The demonstration was organised in protest to the Israeli construction that is taking place right next to the village. The night before the protest, villagers were kept awake until the early hours of the morning as Israeli machinery was clearing the land. Villagers have also expressed deep concern as to the impact that the heavy machinery is having on the foundations of their houses.

Villagers gathered after noon prayer and marched to the construction site, managing to disable one of the bulldozers before the Israeli army quickly arrived and started shooting live ammunition and rubber coated steel bullets into the crowd, injuring four people.

As the villagers retreated, the Israeli army followed them constantly firing, continuing for over an hour and a half.

Haaretz: Despite Supreme court order, The IDF is not dismantling the fence near Bil’in

By Akiva Eldar, Haaretz Correspondent

Eight months after the High Court of Justice ordered the state to dismantle the segment of the separation fence near the Palestinian village of Bil’in within “a reasonable amount of time,” the Defense Ministry has yet to do so. It has not even begun to plan an alternative route there, in accordance with the court’s instruction.

These steps are not included in the Defense Ministry’s work plan for 2008. A spokesman for the ministry, Shlomo Dror, said Wednesday that the omission stems from budget constraints, and said he hoped that planning the alternative route would be included in the work plan for 2009 – in other words, a year and a quarter after the High Court ruling, at the very least.

In September 2007, the High Court ruled that a 1,700-meter segment of the separation fence near Bil’in must be dismantled and moved to an alternative route. The court said Israel built the segment in question on land appropriated from Palestinians, falsely citing security needs when the main objective was to enable the expansion of a nearby settlement, Modi’in Ilit (Kiryat Sefer). Furthermore, the justices ruled that the current route is topographically inferior, which endangers the security forces that patrol the area.

The justices, presided over by Supreme Court President Dorit Beinisch, ruled that the current route was planned in order to include part of Modi’in Ilit’s planned neighborhood of Matityahu East on the Israeli side. Therefore, the justices said the alternative route must be set without taking into account the settlement’s development plans.

Despite this, contractors recently began to lay the groundwork for building the eastern part of the neighborhood, on land the High Court ruled should be east of the fence.

The fence route currently cuts through 260 dunams of Bil’in lands, and traps another 1,600 dunams between the fence and the Green Line. For the past few years the fence in this area has been the focus of demonstrations by Bil’in residents and left-wing activists from Israel and abroad, who protest the difficulties it creates for Palestinians. There have frequently been clashes between demonstrators and security forces, sometimes resulting in injuries on both sides.

The villagers’ lawyer, Michael Sfard, is threatening legal action against the defense minister and commander of the Israel Defense Forces in the West Bank for failing to act on the matter. In a letter to Deputy Attorney General Mike Blass several days ago, Sfard said he will sue them for contempt of court unless he receives an explanation for the delay in planning the alternative route by the end of this week. He demanded that the Defense Ministry present this very month a new route that meets the High Court’s criteria.

“It is hard to shake the impression … that the respondents [the Israeli authorities A.E.] chose to outsmart the High Court of Justice ruling and to hold up the proceedings until the changes on the ground make its implementation impossible,” Sfard wrote in reference to the delay in planning the new route and the construction work in Matityahu East. He added that Bil’in residents and farmers “continue to go through hell to reach their lands, which are supposed to be, according to the High Court ruling, on ‘their’ side of the fence.”

Israel has not altered the route of the separation fence at three other places in the West Bank where the High Court of Justice has ordered it to do so: in the Alfei Menashe region, in Tzofin (Azoun), and Hashmonaim (Na’alin). The Justice Ministry said that due to the Passover holiday, the officials involved could not be reached for comment.

New Yorkers & Palestinians call on Dubai to boycott Leviev jewelry

New York, NY, April 18 – New York human rights activists, and representatives of the West Bank Palestinian villages of Bil’in and Jayyous called on the government and the people of the United Arab Emirates to boycott the jewelry stores of Israeli billionaire and diamond magnate Lev Leviev over his companies’ construction of Israeli settlements. According to a flurry of recent media reports, Leviev is opening jewelry stores in Dubai during 2008.

“We call on the government and people of the United Arab Emirates to join the growing international campaign to boycott Lev Leviev’s companies due to their construction of Israeli colonial settlements, and their human rights violations in Angola,” declared Daniel
Lang-Levitsky of Jews Against the Occupation-NYC. “A major Israeli violator of Palestinian rights and international law should not be opening jewelry stores in Dubai,” added Adalah-NY spokesperson Issa Ayoub. Adalah-NY has organized eight boycott protests outside Leviev’s new Madison Avenue jewelry store over the last five months.

In the last few days, media have reported that Lev Leviev Diamonds will open two stores in Dubai this year. In the fourth quarter of 2008, construction will begin on a store to be located in the Burj Dubai Mall. The second will open in September in the new Atlantis Hotel on Jumeirah Palm Island. Leviev has already opened one store in Dubai in March, 2008 in the lobby of Al-Qasr Hotel on Madinat Jumeirah.

Leviev’s company Leader is building the settlement of Zufim on the land of the West Bank village of Jayyous. The company Danya Cebus, a subsidiary of Leviev’s Africa-Israel, has also built Israeli settlements on the land of the village of Bil’in, and has built homes in Maale Adumim and Har Homa on Jabal Abu Ghneim, encircling and cutting off East Jerusalem from the West Bank. Israel is building its wall to the east of all these settlements, with the aim of annexing them to Israel. Leviev also donates to the Land Redemption Fund, an Israeli settler organization which has used deceit and strong-arm tactics to secure Israeli-occupied Palestinian land for settlements in villages like Bil’in and Jayyous.

Israeli settlements directly violate international law according to the UN, all major human rights organizations and the International Court of Justice’s 2004 advisory opinion on Israel’s wall. The IJC’s opinion also said that states are responsible for ensuring that Israel complies with international law.

Abdullah Abu-Rahme from Bil’in and Sharif Omar from Jayyous explained, “Leviev’s companies are destroying the olive groves and farms that have sustained our villages for centuries, and are
profiting from human rights abuses.” The growing international movement to boycott Israel has developed in response to the 2005 Palestinian Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) call by 171 Palestinian civil society organizations (www.bds-palestine.net) asking for “people of conscience all over the world to impose broad boycotts and implement divestment initiatives against Israel similar to those applied to” apartheid South Africa in order to end “Israel’s
persistent violations of international law,” and “colonial and discriminatory policies.”

In Angola, Leviev works closely with the repressive Dos Santos regime to mine and sell the country’s diamonds, and he employs the private security firm K&P Mineira, which has been accused of torturing, sexually abusing and even murdering Angolans. According to the
non-profit watchdog group Partnership Africa Canada, around 10% of the diamonds sold from Angola, including some of Leviev’s, fail to comply with the Kimberley Process which was created to end the trade in “blood diamonds.”

For more information: www.adalahny.org,
info@adalahny.org