Tag: Demonstration

Commemoration in Kufr Qaddoum: Demonstration turns 1 year

By Hakim M.

16 July 2012 | International Solidarity Movement, West Bank

On 12 July, the West Bank village of Kufr Qaddoum celebrated the one year anniversary of their weekly, popular demonstration. The regular protests are targeting the closure of their main road in particular, and the Israeli occupation in general.

Kufr Qaddoum residents celebrate the one year anniversary of their weekly protest against the Israeli occupation

One decade ago, the Israeli army closed the road in the name of “security” for the nearby illegal Israeli settlement of Qedumim. 20 months ago, the Israeli court ruled that the closure of the road could not be legitimized, however the IOF still claim the road is not safe for transportation and refuse to open it for the residents of Kufr Qaddoum. The journey to Nablus has now increased from 15 minutes to 40 minutes, which is particularly difficult for the many people who commute on a daily basis for education, work, or health reasons.

Since the demonstrations began one year ago, a great number of people have been detained and arrested by Israeli Occupation Forces. Several have been injured, and over a dozen people today bide their time in Israeli prisons. The village experiences regular night raids by the Israeli army

Several inspirational speeches were held on a stage during the commemoration, which included a cultural act when a Palestinian singer got many people dancing.

Hakim M. is a volunteer with the International Solidarity Movement (name has been changed).

Kufr Qaddoum: Israel fires at peaceful protest, man injured in head

By Amina Simonsson

14 July 2012 | International Solidarity Movement, West Bank

On Friday, July 13, several protesters were injured when the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) fired tear-gas and rubber-coated steel bullets at the weekly peaceful demonstration in the Palestinian village of Kufr Qaddoum. One man was shot in the head by a tear-gas grenade and was taken to hospital. Two other men were badly injured by rubber-coated bullets.

A young man shot in the head with a tear-gas grenade is carried to ambulance

A home adjacent to the demonstration was hit by tear-gas grenades and caught fire. One child, 2 men, and 4 women were injured by the fire and smoke. An ambulance arrived but was delayed for 30 minutes because of the IOF attacks on the village.

A hand displays the bullets fired by the Israeli army. Beneath a thin rubber coat is a steel sphere.

The IOF also employed use of the ‘skunk’ truck which pumps out a foul smelling water and released several sound bombs to terrorize the village. Although illegal, most of the tear-gas was fired at body-level rather than in an arch in the air. Often, 10-12 canisters were fired at a time.

The purpose of the weekly demonstration in Kufr Qaddoum focuses on the closure of the main road that connects the village with Nablus. The road, which passes alongside the nearby illegal settlement of Qedumim, was closed to Palestinian access. As a result, the journey to Nablus has increased from 15 minutes to 40 minutes. This has resulted in hardships because many residents travel daily to Nablus for work, studies, or health care.

On Thursday, June 12, the residents of Kufr Qaddoum celebrated the one year anniversary of their Friday demonstrations. During this year, 60 people have been arrested, 65 people have been shot and badly injured by tear-gas canisters, 200 olive trees have been burned, and the town has suffered systemically from nightly raids and harassment by the IOF.

Amina Simonsson is a volunteer with the International Solidarity Movement (name has been changed).

Palestinian demonstrator arrested at weekly Kufr Qaddum protest

By Marshall Pinkerton

7th July 2012 | International Solidarity Movement, West Bank

 

The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) violently suppressed the weekly demonstration at Kafr Qaddum on Friday the 6th of July, injuring one man, and arresting another. Majid Joomaa, 40 years old, was arrested as the IOF stormed the village. Joomaa, who is a father of ten, was unable to flee from the advancing soldiers due to a prior injury in his leg. Another man suffered from overexposure to tear gas, and was carried to an ambulance after he collapsed.

 

The injured Palestinian man being carried to safety by another peaceful protestor.

Next week marks the one year anniversary of the popular demonstrations against the Israeli Occupation in Kafr Qaddum. In 2003 the IOF closed the main road that connected the small village with Nablus, which lies only 13km away.  Palestinians are forced to drive around the illegal settlement of Kedumim, which was erected in 1975, extending their journey by 22 kilometers instead of the usual 10 to reach Nablus.

Marshall Pinkerton is a volunteer with the International Solidarity Movement (name has been changed).

Susya: Entire village under threat of demolition, several hundred protest

By Nina Larsson

22 June 2012 | International Solidarity Movement, West Bank

On Friday, June 22, several hundred Palestinians and solidarity activists gathered in Susya to demonstrate against the demolition orders imposed on them. Earlier this week, Israel issued orders threatening to demolish the entire the southern West Bank village of Susya.

Israeli soldiers push on a human chain of activists in Susya – click to see more photos

At least 5 full buses as well as private cars, taxis, and media, arrived in Susya join the demonstration on Friday morning. Among them were several different human rights and solidarity organizations. One such group included drum-players and clowns giving spontaneous performances.

Israeli army, border police, and police arrived immediately and began to fire sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the peaceful protest. Israeli military attempted to arrest a Palestinian man but he was successfully de-arrested by fellow demonstrators. When demonstrators formed a human chain, soldiers approached and were directly violent with them. The demonstration lasted some 4 hours.

Earlier this week, demolition orders were issued for over 50 structures which add to numerous demolition orders given earlier. The orders cover most of Susya, including not only dwellings but also animal pens, water cisterns, a kindergarten, a medical clinic, and the solar-powered electricity system.

Nina Larsson is a volunteer with the International Solidarity Movement (name has been changed).

Nabi Saleh: Over 15 protesters injured when Israeli army opened fire

By Mia and Rosa

17 June 2012 | International Solidarity Movement, West Bank

A woman is carried after being shot in the leg with a rubber-coated steel bullet - click to see more photos

Tear-gas, skunk water, and rubber-coated bullets were fired against demonstrators in Nabi Saleh on Friday, June 15, injuring over 15 individuals.

In the West Bank village of Nabi Saleh some 150 persons gathered following the Friday prayer to demonstrate against the nearby illegal Israeli settlement of Halamish, the settlers’ theft of spring Ein al-Qaws that used to provide water to the whole village, and the Israeli occupation at large.

A woman shows her bandaged arm after being shot with a rubber-coated steel bullet - click to see more photos

Among the protesters were people of all ages and genders, Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists. The march began in the village and proceeded down the road towards the illegal settlement. The Israeli Occupation Forces immediately targeted the crowd with rubber-coated bullets, after which they began using skunk water trucks, sound bombs, and tear-gas grenades.

Over 15 men, women, and children were injured by the steel-cored bullets. Several others suffered tear gas inhalation and required treatment.

When the demonstration proceeded towards the occupied water spring, the IOF shot excessive teargas from several directions at the unarmed young demonstrators. The protest lasted at least 8 hours.

Mia and Rosa are volunteers with the International Solidarity Movement (name has been changed).