Tag: Demonstration - Page 133 - International Solidarity Movement

Dozens of activists from around the world join Bili’n’s weekly protest on the International Day for Solidarity with the Palestinian People

27 November 2009

Under the slogan, “Towards a Palestine free from settlements, the Wall, Apartheid roads, checkpoints and roadblocks, and for one united Palestine with no islands and cantons”, the residents of Bil’in, joined by international and Israeli activists, gathered in a protest after the Friday prayer. The protesters raised Palestinian flags and banners calling to hold on to Palestinian rights including Jerusalem, right of return, borders, access to water, the release of all detainees and removing the Wall and settlements.

A representative leader of Fatah, Mohammed al-Madaniy, and Leila Ghanam, the Governor of Ramallah and al-Bireh, joined the Bil’in residents in today’s demonstration.

A Greek group participated with the people in Bil’in to give their support. The international activists carried banners showing their solidarity with the Palestinian people and the Palestinian right to resist the occupation and live in peace on their land. A British activist, Jody McIntyre, said: “We came to be in solidarity with the Palestinians, we believe in their right to live in peace. We are here today in Bil’in because we see the Wall as an obstacle to the building of a Palestinian state”. Sasha Solanas, from the United States, said: “I’m here today to show my solidarity with the Palestinians in Bil’in on the International Day for the Solidarity with the Palestinian people. I have heard a lot about this village and the weekly protests against the Wall and settlements. I admire the struggle in Bil’in, and I’m happy to be here with you today.”

The protesters marched towards the Wall built on the land of Bil’in chanting and singing slogans to resist the occupation, hold on to the Palestinian rights, and a national unity among the Palestinians. When the demonstration reached the razor wire placed by Israeli soldiers to block the protesters, the Israeli army announced a closed military zone, but the protest kept moving towards the gate. The Israeli soldiers fired teargas canisters and stun grenades, dozens suffered teargas inhalation.

Residents of Salim demonstrate against the occupation and its consequences on Palestinian villages

22 November 2009

salim1

On Sunday about 90 demonstrators gathered in the village of Salim near Nablus to show support of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 and to protest the occupation and its consequences for Palestinian villages such as Salim. UNSC Resolution 1325 addresses the impact of conflict on girls and women, and calls for extra protection of women in conflict areas.

The demonstration began at the center of the villages and from here the demonstrators walked out to some of the houses near road 557 that have received demolition orders. Here speeches were given by local politicians, representatives from women groups in the area, family members of martyrs and a representative of the present international groups.

The settler-only road 557 near the village of Salim leads to the settlement Elon Moreh and cuts up the village’s land, and in addition to this, the army has built a long earth mound through the nearby fields to prevent vehicles such as tractors to approach the road. During the olive harvest, the army use check points along the road to prevent Salim families from going to their land to harvest their olives.

A demonstration will be held in the West Bank village of Salim, near Nablus

21 November 2009

For immediate release

Demonstration to be held in Salim village in condemnation of Israel’s continued occupation and violation of international law.

The village of Salim will host a demonstration this Sunday, 22 November, marking two causes: one, in support of the UN Security Council’s recently adopted resolution to protect women in conflict situations; the other, in protest of the Israeli occupation and the devastation it continues to wreck on West Bank villages such as Salim.

Demonstrators plan to march from the village to Road 557, in display of opposition to Israel’s continued occupation and violation of international law.

Protesters will meet will meet in the Duwar (main circle) of Nablus at 11am, where buses are provided to travel to Salim at 11:30, to meet with local protesters at the municipality building in Salim at midday.

Background

Salim and its people have suffered greatly from Israel’s network of West Bank apartheid roads – smooth, well-maintained, Israeli-only roads that not only provide settlers and military personnel with efficient means of transport far superior to Palestinian travellers, but strategically cut residents off from vast areas of farmland and cause large detours to be made for those travelling on poorly-maintained Palestinian roads.

Road 557, constructed 10 years ago between the settlements of Elon Moreh and Itamar is drawn directly through Salim’s olive fields and blocks 150 families of the village from accessing their land. Every year farmers attempt to enter the land to harvest their crops, every year facing Israeli soldiers that slow, track and in some cases prevent families from entering their own land for the short time it takes to collect their olives.

Seven houses under construction that are located closest to Road 557 have received orders from the Israeli government to halt construction, under threat of demolition if they continue building. These homes still stand unfinished and uninhabited, the families fearful of army reprisal if they attempt to recommence work on their homes.

Various associations and women’s groups across the West Bank have joined forces with Salim to protest the continued Israeli occupation of its land, and also to support the UN Security Council’s recent unanimous decision to adopt Resolution 1888, to end sexual violence in war. The resolution requests warring parties to be held responsible for using rape as a weapon, and encourages member states to provide support and protection to survivors and to uphold justice in conflict resolution.

Israel’s occupation of Palestine has been declared illegal under the Security Council’s Resolution 242, and its settlements declared illegal under Resolution 446.

Demonstrators call for the end of settlement expansion and arrest campaign on Bil’in residents

20 November 2009

Residents of Bil’in gathered in a demonstration today, commemorating the 21st anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and condemning the ongoing expansion of illegal Israeli settlements.

After the Friday midday prayers, about 150 Palestinian, Israeli and international activists raised dozens of Palestinian flags and posters with the picture of the late Yasser Arafat and chanted slogans calling for the national leadership to keep fighting for the national principles. In a reaction to recent announcements from the Israeli government regarding plans to continue with the construction of 900 new housing units in the settlement of Gilo, they protested against the expansion of illegal settlements in East Jerusalem and the threat this expansion poses for the future Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. The demonstrators marched to the Wall built on Bil’in’s land, where the Israeli army, based on the other side of the fence, responded to their presence by throwing tear gas bombs and shooting tear gas canisters. Dozens suffered from the effects of tear gas inhalation.

In addition, residents of Bil’in were calling today for the end of the ongoing arrest campaign, which escalated the day before, when a group of undercover Israeli soldiers invaded the village and arrested a local youth, Mohammad Yassin (19), who was targeted for his participation in the weekly demonstrations. They entered the village in a civilian Isuzu pick-up, dressed like Palestinians, and went directly to the workshop where Mohammad works. Before he was arrested, he was beaten by the soldiers, as were his brother and mother. In addition to Yassin, another 27 Bil’in residents were arrested for their involvement in the demonstrations since the 23 June 2009. Among them is Adeeb Abu Rahma, who has been held in detention for more than four months under a charge of ‘incitement’ – organizing demonstrations.

Two injured in anti-wall rally

Ali Waked | YNet News

20 November 2009

Some 400 Palestinians, left-wing activists take part in weekly demonstration against separation fence’s route in West Bank village of Naalin, say IDF violated law by dispersing crowd with sniper fire. Army says protestors were hurling stones.

Two Palestinians were moderately injured Friday afternoon by Israel Defense Forces fire during the weekly rally against the separation fence in the West Bank village of Naalin, southwest of Ramallah. The army said the protesters hurled stones and rioted.

Some 400 protesters, including Palestinians and left-wing Israel and foreign activists took part in the demonstrations. According to the protesters, the IDF violated the law by using live ammunition in the form of “tutu bullets” while attempting to disperse the crowd. The claim has not been confirmed by Israeli sources.

Earlier, the IDF conveyed a message to the protestors that the demonstrations would be handled in an aggressive manner.

The weekly protests, which often end with injuries and sometimes even fatal casualties, have become a routine event every Friday. The rallies usually take place in the villages of Naalin and Bilin, although last Saturday six protesters were detained during an anti-fence demonstration in a village near Tulkarem. At the same time, two protesters and one Border Guard officer were injured in Naalin.

In last week’s incident, protesters also claimed that the security forces reinstated the use of Ruger rifles, which have been deemed live fire by the military prosecution. The IDF confirmed the use of the rifles, which can be used to fire live ammunition with relatively low force.

In June a Palestinian was killed during an anti-fence protest in Naalin, assumedly from ammunition fired from a Ruger rifle. Four additional Palestinians were injured in the incident.