Opposite Jayyous, which lost most of its lands to the Fence, new settlements are sprouting, presented as extensions to the existing settlement Zufin. This construction is part of the new fence settlements, and marks the final stage of the fencing project. On december 10, bulldozers of the "Ge'ulat Ha'aretz" firm uprooted some 300 olive trees on the property of Toufik Hassan Salim of Jayyous. Last Sunday (19.12), Jayyous villagers courageously blocked the bulldozers that entered their lands.
Once the construction is complete, the people of Jayyous will have lost the remainder of their lands outside the Fence (see attached map).
Come to the aid of the people of Jayyous, and struggle against the annexation and settlement campaign!
This coming Friday - 31.12.2004, we will go to the Jayyous lands west of the Separation Fence. We will demonstrate and plant trees to replace the ones that were uprooted On the last day of the year we will support the civil resistance of the people of the Occupied Territories, and raise a clear voice against the Fence Settlements.
The action was initiated by the Palestinian-Israeli committee set up by the villagers of Jayyous and Israeli and international activists. Gush Shalom participates together with Ta'ayush, ICAHD. and the Anarchists.
Details as given earlier on: http://www.geocities.com/keller_adam/Gush_Shalom_Jayyous_Dec31.htm
Friday, December 31, 2004
Wednesday, December 29, 2004
Israel, Tel Aviv, The struggle continue at schools too by Kerem 29/12/04
Two male and one female students of the municipal Alef high-school tied themselves to the gate of the auditorium in protest of the invitation of an air force general to lecture to the 12th grade students.
The three chained are part of about 10 members group of "students against militarism", protested the entrance of military agencies into the school for "education in military values" - a project of the Education ministry and Tel Aviv municipality enhanced lately. The lecture of the air force general "on the [ethical] conflicts the IDF encounter" is only part of the project of "preparing" the students to the compulsory military service, done by teachers, by military youth trainers who deliver classes on the moral of IDF, by organized visits of the 12th graders at the military recruiting centering.
Regardless the joining the army or evading/refusing it, [which this school of arts is pain in the authority ass as it is around 20%], the students have the right to graduate without being given pre military training.
The action continued for about two hours during which pro military ones throw few stones on the chained and destroyed their placard "non entrance to the army". Already at morning there were presence of five policeman and an officer, who stayed till the end of the action. It was revealed later they knew it in advance and came to warn the principal that students intend to harm the general. They even demanded to do a search in the students bags to search for eggs and spray cans... but the principal refused the search and even refused to give information about the students.
The action got lot of media cover and initiated hot polemics among the school students. The three unchained themselves after two hours and after a disciplinary talk with the principal were suspended till they deliver a paper on "why the agreement with the Palestinian failed, according to the book "touch distance" by the former general and prime minister Ehud Barak....
See also appended below the text of:
http://www.haaretz.co.il/hasite/spages/520249.html and the Hebrew text on-line:
http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3024826,00.html
Media report on the above action:
Students protest plan to appoint IDF officers to high schools
Three twelfth-grade students from Tel Aviv's municipal high school "A" protested on Tuesday the plan to appoint Israel Defense Forces officers to high schools around the country. The three students chained themselves to the entrance to an auditorium in which Brigadier General Yonatan Loker, commander of the air force's Hatzerim base, was due to give a lecture.
The students said they were protesting "the military takeover of the education system and [the plan to] turn high schools into military preparatory academies."
"We are declaring our opposition to the placing of military figures inside schools, a factor which would contribute to the dissolution of civil society and its total militarization," the students said.
Police officers were called to the school following the incident.
The invitation to Loker was made in the framework of widening cooperation between the Education Ministry and the IDF's Education Corps according to which officers will escort high school students through their final years of studies and will encourage their draft into the army.
In the first phase of the plan, officers will be assigned to 74 high schools around the country. The following year, the project will be expanded to include 250 high schools.
Activist organizations, including Courage to Refuse, have expressed their opposition to the involvement of the military in the country's education system.
The three chained are part of about 10 members group of "students against militarism", protested the entrance of military agencies into the school for "education in military values" - a project of the Education ministry and Tel Aviv municipality enhanced lately. The lecture of the air force general "on the [ethical] conflicts the IDF encounter" is only part of the project of "preparing" the students to the compulsory military service, done by teachers, by military youth trainers who deliver classes on the moral of IDF, by organized visits of the 12th graders at the military recruiting centering.
Regardless the joining the army or evading/refusing it, [which this school of arts is pain in the authority ass as it is around 20%], the students have the right to graduate without being given pre military training.
The action continued for about two hours during which pro military ones throw few stones on the chained and destroyed their placard "non entrance to the army". Already at morning there were presence of five policeman and an officer, who stayed till the end of the action. It was revealed later they knew it in advance and came to warn the principal that students intend to harm the general. They even demanded to do a search in the students bags to search for eggs and spray cans... but the principal refused the search and even refused to give information about the students.
The action got lot of media cover and initiated hot polemics among the school students. The three unchained themselves after two hours and after a disciplinary talk with the principal were suspended till they deliver a paper on "why the agreement with the Palestinian failed, according to the book "touch distance" by the former general and prime minister Ehud Barak....
See also appended below the text of:
http://www.haaretz.co.il/hasite/spages/520249.html and the Hebrew text on-line:
http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3024826,00.html
Media report on the above action:
Students protest plan to appoint IDF officers to high schools
Three twelfth-grade students from Tel Aviv's municipal high school "A" protested on Tuesday the plan to appoint Israel Defense Forces officers to high schools around the country. The three students chained themselves to the entrance to an auditorium in which Brigadier General Yonatan Loker, commander of the air force's Hatzerim base, was due to give a lecture.
The students said they were protesting "the military takeover of the education system and [the plan to] turn high schools into military preparatory academies."
"We are declaring our opposition to the placing of military figures inside schools, a factor which would contribute to the dissolution of civil society and its total militarization," the students said.
Police officers were called to the school following the incident.
The invitation to Loker was made in the framework of widening cooperation between the Education Ministry and the IDF's Education Corps according to which officers will escort high school students through their final years of studies and will encourage their draft into the army.
In the first phase of the plan, officers will be assigned to 74 high schools around the country. The following year, the project will be expanded to include 250 high schools.
Activist organizations, including Courage to Refuse, have expressed their opposition to the involvement of the military in the country's education system.
Saturday, December 25, 2004
Palestine, Israel, mas'ha, A lunch-meeting to mark a year to the action and shooting of Gil, that rocked the wall. 25/12/04
we were invited to lunch in Mas'ha this saturday, to keep in touch with the people in the village and mark one year to the incident of cutting open the gate and the Gil Naamati's shooting. Some 40 people - about half of the village and half of the Anarchists Against The Wall initiative participated. Like the local Palestinian villagers the Israelis had to park their cars at the road block and after passing it by foot - continue with local transport which is restricted to the villages area. It was quite cold and raining, but very peaceful and quiet as well. We sat together and talked for a while, mostly about the importance of mas'ha in the struggle against the fence and our wishes to stay in touch and continue the struggle together. Some of the talks were in Hebrew and translated to Arabic and vise versa.
After the meal, Gil Na'amati, who was with us, was asked to say a few words and got the warm solidarity expressions of all. Then, on the suggestion of the hosts, we went together to the gate in the fence where the historical action took place and looked together on the not far away location of the famous international camp of mas'ha (now on the other side of the fence) that started early Spring 2003 and promoted the joint struggle against the Apartheid fence/wall.
By coincidence, when we visited the gate, on the other side of gate compound we saw people from Betselem human rights organization that monitor the harassment, torture and killing of Palestinians in the occupied territories, who were there on tour of the fence. Though they were far away, few words were exchanged before the gate keeping soldiers came to our side with threats and pressed us to go away.
We spend there some 20 minutes in free talks among the participants - new and old, Israeli and Palestinians and then started the way to the road block were we mounted our cars on the way home.
=========================================
About 1000 unique links on the struggle the Anarchists Against The Wall initiative during the last year and a half, can be found in google.com search.
After the meal, Gil Na'amati, who was with us, was asked to say a few words and got the warm solidarity expressions of all. Then, on the suggestion of the hosts, we went together to the gate in the fence where the historical action took place and looked together on the not far away location of the famous international camp of mas'ha (now on the other side of the fence) that started early Spring 2003 and promoted the joint struggle against the Apartheid fence/wall.
By coincidence, when we visited the gate, on the other side of gate compound we saw people from Betselem human rights organization that monitor the harassment, torture and killing of Palestinians in the occupied territories, who were there on tour of the fence. Though they were far away, few words were exchanged before the gate keeping soldiers came to our side with threats and pressed us to go away.
We spend there some 20 minutes in free talks among the participants - new and old, Israeli and Palestinians and then started the way to the road block were we mounted our cars on the way home.
=========================================
About 1000 unique links on the struggle the Anarchists Against The Wall initiative during the last year and a half, can be found in google.com search.
Wednesday, December 22, 2004
Israel, Tel Aviv, Adbusting, Anarchist Brigade for Street Liberation conquers Tel-Aviv 22/12/04
For too long, the opinions expressed and the brains which were washed expressed only the interests of one group:https://israel.indymedia.org/usermedia/image/13/1440_1_tlv-21-12-04-1.jpg more pictures: israel.indymedia.org/pbook/posters/chapter/1 For too long, the opinions that were expressed and the brains which were washed expressed only the interests of one group: Those with money. This situation will exist no longer. This week is marked by the formation of a new action group with the aim of conquering public space and returning it to those whose voices are not heard.
Dudi Balsar, Shalom Hanoch, Moran Eisenstein, and many of Israel's best loved celebreties "lent" their public images to the cause. Not to be outdone, Castro, Cellcom, Hot and other leading corporate citizens donated the base funding for the project which resulted in over 1000 outdoor signs (billboards, bus stations, shop windows) being adorned with messages such as: "The bulldozers arrived today, the army demolished my house, now I live in a bus station". "I cut the fence too". "I did not get to work today, the army stopped me at a checkpoint". "I did not get to school today, the army stopped me at a checkpoint". "I am most free when I cut the fucking fence", see attached photos.
Following the successful pilot project in Tel-Aviv the operation will be carried out in other cities as well.
The members of the Anarchist Brigade will continue to fight the occupation of advertising and the advertising of the occupation in the form of associating love and freedom with images of soldiers. We will continue to act against the occupation and fight with all our strength against the brainwashing of advertising.
Dudi Balsar, Shalom Hanoch, Moran Eisenstein, and many of Israel's best loved celebreties "lent" their public images to the cause. Not to be outdone, Castro, Cellcom, Hot and other leading corporate citizens donated the base funding for the project which resulted in over 1000 outdoor signs (billboards, bus stations, shop windows) being adorned with messages such as: "The bulldozers arrived today, the army demolished my house, now I live in a bus station". "I cut the fence too". "I did not get to work today, the army stopped me at a checkpoint". "I did not get to school today, the army stopped me at a checkpoint". "I am most free when I cut the fucking fence", see attached photos.
Following the successful pilot project in Tel-Aviv the operation will be carried out in other cities as well.
The members of the Anarchist Brigade will continue to fight the occupation of advertising and the advertising of the occupation in the form of associating love and freedom with images of soldiers. We will continue to act against the occupation and fight with all our strength against the brainwashing of advertising.
Wednesday, December 15, 2004
Palestine-Israel, Bil'in 14.12.04: it's like cancer by kobi snitz IWPS*, and MEDIA. 15/12/04
It is their own court and they just don't care, they keep coming, it's like cancer https://israel.indymedia.org/usermedia/image/6/1343_bilin-12-14-04-reuters.jpg https://israel.indymedia.org/usermedia/image/4/1343_bilin-12-14-04-reuters2.jpg The land in question lay across the wadi and was obscured by black smoke from burning tires. During a break in the tear gas and rubber bullet volleys we were given a history of how it is being taken away. It seems that in 1991 the civil administration confiscated 1200 dunams from the lands of Bil'in to expand the settlement of Modi'in Ilit. After a court battle, two parcels of land close to the village were spared the confiscation. At the time, a delegation of Israeli peace organizations came to support the village, the person relating the story told us that he told Uri Avnery, "you'll see, one way or another they'll take away the two remaining parcels". A few days ago his prediction came true, what the civil administration could not get in court the ministry of defense has gotten with a military order. "This is their own court and they just don't care, they keep coming, it's like cancer !" we were told.
The conversation took place on the lands of Bil'in at a demonstration against the wall which, if built, will separate the village from parts of its lands and from the rest of the world. The small village, which has turned out representatives to support demonstrations in Budrus in the past, has turned out a determined demonstration which also included women in the front of the crowd. The army made sure it extracted its usual toll from the Palestinian demonstrators. Two were injured by rubber coated metal bullets, one in the stomach and one in the back. Two head injuries from batton blows and a head injury from a shock grenade. A number of internationals were arrested and badly beaten when they tried to protect some of the Palestinians. Israelis were also beaten and four of them were arrested. As of this writing, the Israelis were released and the ministry of interior is trying to deport the internationals.
The work today consisted of only surveying for the route of the wall, a large demonstration is planned for next Sunday when the bulldozers are scheduled to begin work. Judging from the amount of resistance to the surveying it seems that the resistance to the construction might be as strong as in neighboring Budrus. Like in Budrus, Israeli and international support can be quite useful here as well.
stay tuned for updates on the deportation situation.
Re: Bil'in 14.12.04: it's like cancer > iwps take on the same action For immediate action
At approximately 8:00AM this morning, villagers of Bi'lin and international peace activists, including Israeli activists, gathered in the center of the village of Bil'in, located between Ramallah and Budrus. They organized a peaceful protest against the construction of the illegal Israeli Wall that began two days ago. The Israeli army is preparing to destroy the village residents' trees and land in order to make way for the Wall.
The protestors marched to the construction site and were met by at least 30 Israeli soldiers, border police and other security personnel. The army began throwing sound bombs and shooting rubber- coated steel bullets at the peaceful protestors in an attempt to remove them from the area.
As Israeli occupation forces began arresting Palestinians, international peace activists were beaten and also arrested as they tried to intervene nonviolently. One international was beaten repeatedly in the legs and was unable to walk. An IWPS member, Kate, was among the internationals arrested, and taken to the nearest police station. All she had been doing was filming the actions of the occupation forces as they shot, teargassed and beat the peaceful demonstrators. She has been taken to the Israeli Ministry of Interior in Jerusalem. She now faces deportation.
Four Israeli activists and two other internationals have also been arrested.
Kate is now in her hearing - 5pm local time.
Please call the ministery of interior and pressure them to free Kate, an American Citizen, who was a peaceful documentor.
Israeli Ministry of Interior: +972 2 670 1401
or send a fax: +972 2 566376
For more information contact IWPS on 0546 853 225 - a member who witnessed the demonstration and arrest.
Karin - IWPS
E-Mail: iwpseurope (at) gmx.net www.iwps.info
> Media, Four injured, seven arrested in protest against W. Bank fence
Four Palestinians were injured Tuesday in clashes with the IDF while protesting against the West Bank separation fence near the village Bil'in, east of Modi'in. Seven protestors, five of them Israeli, were also arrested. Dozens of Palestinian residents of the village and activists of the Israeli "Anarchists Against the Fence" organization had gathered in the area to protest against construction of the fence near the village.
During the clashes, the IDF declared the area a closed military area and used rubber bullets and teargas to disperse the protestors. The four protesters all sustained light injuries.
====================================
* Ed. Note, IWSP = International Women Supporting Palestinian, somewhat like the ISM = International Support Movement, and national Palestinians cooperate with the Israeli Anarchists Against The Wall/Fence... but they seldom reveal the identity of the anarchists and nearly always just mention "Israeli activists".
The conversation took place on the lands of Bil'in at a demonstration against the wall which, if built, will separate the village from parts of its lands and from the rest of the world. The small village, which has turned out representatives to support demonstrations in Budrus in the past, has turned out a determined demonstration which also included women in the front of the crowd. The army made sure it extracted its usual toll from the Palestinian demonstrators. Two were injured by rubber coated metal bullets, one in the stomach and one in the back. Two head injuries from batton blows and a head injury from a shock grenade. A number of internationals were arrested and badly beaten when they tried to protect some of the Palestinians. Israelis were also beaten and four of them were arrested. As of this writing, the Israelis were released and the ministry of interior is trying to deport the internationals.
The work today consisted of only surveying for the route of the wall, a large demonstration is planned for next Sunday when the bulldozers are scheduled to begin work. Judging from the amount of resistance to the surveying it seems that the resistance to the construction might be as strong as in neighboring Budrus. Like in Budrus, Israeli and international support can be quite useful here as well.
stay tuned for updates on the deportation situation.
Re: Bil'in 14.12.04: it's like cancer > iwps take on the same action For immediate action
At approximately 8:00AM this morning, villagers of Bi'lin and international peace activists, including Israeli activists, gathered in the center of the village of Bil'in, located between Ramallah and Budrus. They organized a peaceful protest against the construction of the illegal Israeli Wall that began two days ago. The Israeli army is preparing to destroy the village residents' trees and land in order to make way for the Wall.
The protestors marched to the construction site and were met by at least 30 Israeli soldiers, border police and other security personnel. The army began throwing sound bombs and shooting rubber- coated steel bullets at the peaceful protestors in an attempt to remove them from the area.
As Israeli occupation forces began arresting Palestinians, international peace activists were beaten and also arrested as they tried to intervene nonviolently. One international was beaten repeatedly in the legs and was unable to walk. An IWPS member, Kate, was among the internationals arrested, and taken to the nearest police station. All she had been doing was filming the actions of the occupation forces as they shot, teargassed and beat the peaceful demonstrators. She has been taken to the Israeli Ministry of Interior in Jerusalem. She now faces deportation.
Four Israeli activists and two other internationals have also been arrested.
Kate is now in her hearing - 5pm local time.
Please call the ministery of interior and pressure them to free Kate, an American Citizen, who was a peaceful documentor.
Israeli Ministry of Interior: +972 2 670 1401
or send a fax: +972 2 566376
For more information contact IWPS on 0546 853 225 - a member who witnessed the demonstration and arrest.
Karin - IWPS
E-Mail: iwpseurope (at) gmx.net www.iwps.info
> Media, Four injured, seven arrested in protest against W. Bank fence
Four Palestinians were injured Tuesday in clashes with the IDF while protesting against the West Bank separation fence near the village Bil'in, east of Modi'in. Seven protestors, five of them Israeli, were also arrested. Dozens of Palestinian residents of the village and activists of the Israeli "Anarchists Against the Fence" organization had gathered in the area to protest against construction of the fence near the village.
During the clashes, the IDF declared the area a closed military area and used rubber bullets and teargas to disperse the protestors. The four protesters all sustained light injuries.
====================================
* Ed. Note, IWSP = International Women Supporting Palestinian, somewhat like the ISM = International Support Movement, and national Palestinians cooperate with the Israeli Anarchists Against The Wall/Fence... but they seldom reveal the identity of the anarchists and nearly always just mention "Israeli activists".
Tuesday, December 14, 2004
Palestine-Israel, Budrus, Lessons in popular resistance or We are all Ahmed Awwad by kobi snitz* 14/12/04
In his book "stupid white men" Michael Moore, includes an open letter to Arafat, instructing him in the principles of non violence. Moore assures Arafat that when such an approach can not fail and, when taken, it will have a million potential Israeli supporters amongst those who attend 'peace now' rallies. Moore seems sincere in his support for Palestinian rights but he must have known that such a letter reinforces the idea that Palestinian political under-development is responsible for their misery. Quite apart from the obscenity of criticizing our victims, Moore also distorts history by giving the impression that Palestinian resistance has been restricted to terror attacks.
To begin with, strikes, demonstrations and non cooperation with the occupation have gone on for decades. These efforts have not been joined by Peace Now nor covered by CNN. In fact, as Peace Now opposes refusal to reserve service, the only contact many peace now members have with the Palestinian population is when they man checkpoints or generally participate in the repression. In fact, I have met such a Peace Now soldier guarding the wall around the Palestinian village of Mas'ha. He repeated a common line telling me that he, being the humane soldier that he is, is reducing the brutality of the occupation and thus doing more for peace than those like myself who only criticize the army.
For its part, the IDF has tried hard to teach Palestinians a different lesson in Popular resistance. At the height of Palestinian popular resistance in 1987-88, AL-HAQ the Palestinian human rights monitoring organization has documented the deportation, administrative detention (i.e. imprisonment without trial) and beatings of union leaders, heads of charitable organizations and popular committees as well as protest organizers (see 'punishing a nation; Israeli Human Rights Violations During the Palestinian Uprising December 1987- December 1988', Al-Haq, south end press, 1988). In fact AL-Haq itself has had 4 out of 5 of its original field workers in administrative detention for most of the period of the report.
The Israeli position on Palestinian political organization was made explicit on March 19th 1988 when the 'Shabiba' was outlawed by a military order. According to Joel Greenberg writing in the Jerusalem Post on March 20 1988 (quoted in the AL-Haq report):
"The Shabiba, whose members include college students, pupils, and Palestinian youngsters not in school, has branches throughout the Territories and in East Jerusalem... among its open activities were community projects such as home renovation, aid to the elderly and youth programs. Security officials considered it to be in fact a recruiting mechanism for Fatah, through which young Palestinians are mobilized for anti-Israel attacks and nationalist political activity."
The military was not required to substantiate its (unlikely) claims about the Shabiba being a front for Fatah let alone accusations made against any particular member of the Shabiba who has been put in administrative detention. Furthermore, under Israeli law a person can actually be convicted for simply being a member of such an outlawed organization. Evidence of such membership can include delivering food to elderly people or the more serious charge of 'nationalist political activity'.
After years of deportation, imprisonment and beatings Israeli policy was pretty successful in suppressing 'nationalist political activity'. This success contributes to growth of violent armed resistance and terrorism in the occupied territories. When political activity becomes impossible and political leaders are jailed and deported the lesson conveyed is that the only possible resistance is armed and violent.
In spite of the repression, a Palestinian non violent popular movement has risen to oppose the separation wall. In Salem, Anin, Masha, Azawia, Biddu, Beit Awwa, Beit Ula, Iskakka, Budrus, Dir Balut, Beit Surik, Beit Likia, Al Ram, Abu Dis, Kibbia and other villages. A broad based movement, including men women and children has persistently resisted the land confiscation and the caging of their communities. The movement has persisted in non violent action even after 6 protesters were killed and thousands injured by live fire, rubber coated metal bullets tear gas and beatings. For the first time, this movement has also been joined by Internationals and Israelis on the ground. Those Internationals and Israelis who have joined the Palestinian movement do not presume to instruct Palestinians in the conduct of their struggle. Rather, they realize that it is thier own societies which need to learn that Palestinians are human beings and deserve to be treated as such.
The Israeli authorities have responded to the popular movement and its international supporters in the usual manner. Demonstrations are violently suppressed with live fire, Rubber coated metal bullets, tear gas and beatings. Not surprisingly, most of the violence is directed at Palestinians. In fact, commanders can be heard ordering soldiers to not shoot the Israelis. However, in spite of their relative privileged position, internationals and Israelis were also victims of IDF and police violence. One Israeli was nearly killed when he was shot in both legs with live ammunition from close range and another was shot in the eye with a rubber coated metal bullet. Other Israelis and Internationals have also been beaten and shot with rubber coated metal bullets.
Other than violent repression of demonstrations the Israeli authorities employ a wide range of political suppression tools. The ministry of interior systematically prevents members of the International Solidarity Movement from entering Israel and tries to deport those who are arrested at demonstrations. IDF commanders issue orders declaring demonstration areas "closed military zones" and arrest Israelis who are caught inside. Most sever of course is the treatment of Palestinian activists. Those who are suspected of being organizers can be imprisoned for months without charges. In the village of Budrus, one of the models for Palestinian popular non violent resistance the brothers Na'im and Ayed Morar, two members of the Budrus popular committee against the apartheid wall were placed in administrative detention last spring. In a rare move, a military judge reversed the detention order and said that their political activity is no reason for administrative detention. However, that was not the end of political repression in Budrus. Since the resumption of construction of the wall and the resumption of the demonstrations another member of the Budrus popular committee was put in administrative detention.
A 43 year old school teacher named Ahmed Awwad has been in administrative detention since Sept 27. In addition, dozens of Israelis and internationals were arrested for supporting the Palestinian demonstrations in defiance of the closed military zone orders. In October, charges of violating the order were brought against two Israeli anarchists. If convicted, they face a maximum of 2 years in jail. The aggravating circumstance that invites all the extra attention from the military and the police is the fact that the Budrus resistance has been quite successful. After months of demonstrating, the people of Budrus have won back all but a small part of their agricultural lands that was slated for confiscation for the construction of the wall. They have also obtained a temporary order by the Israeli supreme court barring construction on the remaining parts.
In response to the administrative detention of Ahmed Awwad and the upcoming trial of the two Israeli activists it was decided to respond with direct action. On the morning of Tuesday Dec 7, close to 100 Israelis from 'Anarchists Against the wall', 'Taayush' and others, as well as about 40 internationals arrived in Budrus. Many of the Israelis got rid of all identification, including the government issued blue cards identifying them as Jews and instead wore signs saying 'I am Ahmed Awwad' in many languages. During the demonstration, the Israelis did not retreat when the closed military zone was declared and the soldiers approached them. As hoped for, 41 Israelis were arrested and when asked to identify themselves they responded with 'we are all Ahmed Awwad'. The police were unable to process such a number of arrests which were complicated by the refusal to identify. After a few hours all but 4 of the Ahmed Awwad were released without even having to identify themselves. The last 4 were not given up without a fight but were literally grabbed from their comrades' arms and taken to Givat Ze'ev police station to be released a few hours later.
Two days later in the Jerusalem magistrate court, the prosecution dropped the charges of violating a closed military zone against the two Israeli anarchists. Charges of rioting are still pending and the prosecution threatens to bring more charges. It is impossible to know for sure what part the mass arrest played in the dropping of the charges but the lesson of the Budrus struggle for Israelis and others should be clear. They can be quite effective when they support the Palestinian struggle on the ground, and the best way to respond to repression and political persecution is with more protest and more resistance.
===============================
* One of the two Israeli anarchists the charges of violating a closed military against them was droped.
To begin with, strikes, demonstrations and non cooperation with the occupation have gone on for decades. These efforts have not been joined by Peace Now nor covered by CNN. In fact, as Peace Now opposes refusal to reserve service, the only contact many peace now members have with the Palestinian population is when they man checkpoints or generally participate in the repression. In fact, I have met such a Peace Now soldier guarding the wall around the Palestinian village of Mas'ha. He repeated a common line telling me that he, being the humane soldier that he is, is reducing the brutality of the occupation and thus doing more for peace than those like myself who only criticize the army.
For its part, the IDF has tried hard to teach Palestinians a different lesson in Popular resistance. At the height of Palestinian popular resistance in 1987-88, AL-HAQ the Palestinian human rights monitoring organization has documented the deportation, administrative detention (i.e. imprisonment without trial) and beatings of union leaders, heads of charitable organizations and popular committees as well as protest organizers (see 'punishing a nation; Israeli Human Rights Violations During the Palestinian Uprising December 1987- December 1988', Al-Haq, south end press, 1988). In fact AL-Haq itself has had 4 out of 5 of its original field workers in administrative detention for most of the period of the report.
The Israeli position on Palestinian political organization was made explicit on March 19th 1988 when the 'Shabiba' was outlawed by a military order. According to Joel Greenberg writing in the Jerusalem Post on March 20 1988 (quoted in the AL-Haq report):
"The Shabiba, whose members include college students, pupils, and Palestinian youngsters not in school, has branches throughout the Territories and in East Jerusalem... among its open activities were community projects such as home renovation, aid to the elderly and youth programs. Security officials considered it to be in fact a recruiting mechanism for Fatah, through which young Palestinians are mobilized for anti-Israel attacks and nationalist political activity."
The military was not required to substantiate its (unlikely) claims about the Shabiba being a front for Fatah let alone accusations made against any particular member of the Shabiba who has been put in administrative detention. Furthermore, under Israeli law a person can actually be convicted for simply being a member of such an outlawed organization. Evidence of such membership can include delivering food to elderly people or the more serious charge of 'nationalist political activity'.
After years of deportation, imprisonment and beatings Israeli policy was pretty successful in suppressing 'nationalist political activity'. This success contributes to growth of violent armed resistance and terrorism in the occupied territories. When political activity becomes impossible and political leaders are jailed and deported the lesson conveyed is that the only possible resistance is armed and violent.
In spite of the repression, a Palestinian non violent popular movement has risen to oppose the separation wall. In Salem, Anin, Masha, Azawia, Biddu, Beit Awwa, Beit Ula, Iskakka, Budrus, Dir Balut, Beit Surik, Beit Likia, Al Ram, Abu Dis, Kibbia and other villages. A broad based movement, including men women and children has persistently resisted the land confiscation and the caging of their communities. The movement has persisted in non violent action even after 6 protesters were killed and thousands injured by live fire, rubber coated metal bullets tear gas and beatings. For the first time, this movement has also been joined by Internationals and Israelis on the ground. Those Internationals and Israelis who have joined the Palestinian movement do not presume to instruct Palestinians in the conduct of their struggle. Rather, they realize that it is thier own societies which need to learn that Palestinians are human beings and deserve to be treated as such.
The Israeli authorities have responded to the popular movement and its international supporters in the usual manner. Demonstrations are violently suppressed with live fire, Rubber coated metal bullets, tear gas and beatings. Not surprisingly, most of the violence is directed at Palestinians. In fact, commanders can be heard ordering soldiers to not shoot the Israelis. However, in spite of their relative privileged position, internationals and Israelis were also victims of IDF and police violence. One Israeli was nearly killed when he was shot in both legs with live ammunition from close range and another was shot in the eye with a rubber coated metal bullet. Other Israelis and Internationals have also been beaten and shot with rubber coated metal bullets.
Other than violent repression of demonstrations the Israeli authorities employ a wide range of political suppression tools. The ministry of interior systematically prevents members of the International Solidarity Movement from entering Israel and tries to deport those who are arrested at demonstrations. IDF commanders issue orders declaring demonstration areas "closed military zones" and arrest Israelis who are caught inside. Most sever of course is the treatment of Palestinian activists. Those who are suspected of being organizers can be imprisoned for months without charges. In the village of Budrus, one of the models for Palestinian popular non violent resistance the brothers Na'im and Ayed Morar, two members of the Budrus popular committee against the apartheid wall were placed in administrative detention last spring. In a rare move, a military judge reversed the detention order and said that their political activity is no reason for administrative detention. However, that was not the end of political repression in Budrus. Since the resumption of construction of the wall and the resumption of the demonstrations another member of the Budrus popular committee was put in administrative detention.
A 43 year old school teacher named Ahmed Awwad has been in administrative detention since Sept 27. In addition, dozens of Israelis and internationals were arrested for supporting the Palestinian demonstrations in defiance of the closed military zone orders. In October, charges of violating the order were brought against two Israeli anarchists. If convicted, they face a maximum of 2 years in jail. The aggravating circumstance that invites all the extra attention from the military and the police is the fact that the Budrus resistance has been quite successful. After months of demonstrating, the people of Budrus have won back all but a small part of their agricultural lands that was slated for confiscation for the construction of the wall. They have also obtained a temporary order by the Israeli supreme court barring construction on the remaining parts.
In response to the administrative detention of Ahmed Awwad and the upcoming trial of the two Israeli activists it was decided to respond with direct action. On the morning of Tuesday Dec 7, close to 100 Israelis from 'Anarchists Against the wall', 'Taayush' and others, as well as about 40 internationals arrived in Budrus. Many of the Israelis got rid of all identification, including the government issued blue cards identifying them as Jews and instead wore signs saying 'I am Ahmed Awwad' in many languages. During the demonstration, the Israelis did not retreat when the closed military zone was declared and the soldiers approached them. As hoped for, 41 Israelis were arrested and when asked to identify themselves they responded with 'we are all Ahmed Awwad'. The police were unable to process such a number of arrests which were complicated by the refusal to identify. After a few hours all but 4 of the Ahmed Awwad were released without even having to identify themselves. The last 4 were not given up without a fight but were literally grabbed from their comrades' arms and taken to Givat Ze'ev police station to be released a few hours later.
Two days later in the Jerusalem magistrate court, the prosecution dropped the charges of violating a closed military zone against the two Israeli anarchists. Charges of rioting are still pending and the prosecution threatens to bring more charges. It is impossible to know for sure what part the mass arrest played in the dropping of the charges but the lesson of the Budrus struggle for Israelis and others should be clear. They can be quite effective when they support the Palestinian struggle on the ground, and the best way to respond to repression and political persecution is with more protest and more resistance.
===============================
* One of the two Israeli anarchists the charges of violating a closed military against them was droped.
Saturday, December 11, 2004
Palestine-Israel, Budrus, Alt. Media*, The Third Intifada - 'Yes to Peace, No to the Wall' 11/12/04
To appreciate the breathtaking magnanimity expressed by this short slogan, one needs to remember its context. Imagine: a foreign army occupies your village for decades, reduces you to subjects without any rights, arrests you arbitrarily, savagely tortures the arrested, and, on top of it all, sends mighty bulldozers to erect a gigantic wall on your land, locking you up as in a cage. And your reaction? Peaceful demonstrations, shouting "No to the Wall" – but "Yes to Peace," to peace with your very oppressor and dispossessor.
Budrus, where this slogan was coined, is a small village of some 1,200 Palestinians in the northern part of West Bank, just across the Green Line. Few Israelis have ever heard of it; but some may remember neighboring Kibia, just a mile to the east, where, on Oct. 14, 1953, an Israeli army unit – led by a young officer called Ariel Sharon – ravaged the village (then still under Jordanian rule), destroying 40 houses and killing more than 50 people, an atrocity that caused international outrage and was strongly condemned by the UN Security Council.
Half a century after that massacre, PM Ariel Sharon sent his bulldozers to the same rural area. Many imagine the Wall as a kind of border separating Israel from the Palestinian territories. The facts are different: the Wall twists like a snake entirely inside the Palestinian territory, and – in combination with other physical barriers, most notoriously roads for-Israelis-only – it creates numerous small enclaves, in which Palestinian villages and towns – sometimes just a few hundred people, less than in any average prison – are locked up, unable to leave their unsafe haven except by mercy of an Israeli soldier at the gate, when equipped with proper permits issued (or rather not issued) by the Israeli army. The contiguous territory in-between the enclaves is designated for the Israeli settlements.
Living in a Cage
A'ed Murar from Budrus counts three levels on which the Wall is destructive to Palestinian life. First the immediate level: the Wall takes the agricultural lands and water wells of the village, either because it is constructed on them, or because they are left outside the Wall, inaccessible to the farmers. The section of the population that depends on agriculture thus loses most of its means of survival.
The second level is imprisonment: there are no clinics or hospitals, no higher schools or universities, nor any other social and economic infrastructure inside the enclave; moreover, about 80% of Budrus' population works outside the village: they, too, lose their means of survival as their access to the outside world is dependent on Israeli army caprices.
The third level is that of nation and vision: by locking up the Palestinians and taking the land in-between the enclaves, Israel robs them of their future, of a contiguous territory for the Palestinian State promised in President's Bush roadmap. The Palestinians are thus left with no way to earn their living, with no infrastructure to run their present life, and with no hope for the future.
A Short History of the Wall
Historian and Ta'ayush activist Gadi Algazi distinguishes several periods in the construction of the Wall. From April 2002-May 2003, the Wall was built with incredible speed – 300-500 bulldozers working simultaneously – hardly attracting any public attention at all, neither in Israel nor abroad, thus enabling the Israeli government to quietly and irreversibly change the geography of the land for decades. The Israeli public had the illusion that the Wall was being built along the Green Line – a good reason for naïve peaceniks to support it – and that at worst it was perhaps conflicting with property rights of some Palestinian landowners along its route. Even the Palestinians could hardly grasp the full impact of the project, both because of its indeed incredible dimensions, and because Israel refused to publish any maps at the time, so that information was scarce in a West Bank hardly recovering from the massive Israeli aggression of "Operation Defensive Shield." Some resistance to the Wall was led by small groups of Israelis, international activists, and Palestinians, like in the Mas'ha camp.
May 2003 signaled a change: since then, the Wall has become the focus of media attention, and turned into a political issue in Israel and abroad. Demonstrations, many of them by Israelis and international activists, and their violent dispersion by the army increased public awareness and reduced the pace of construction. The clear decision of the International Court of Justice against the Wall as well as the critical position taken by the Israeli Supreme Court regarding its route mark a peak in the public struggle against the Wall; consequently, in the summer of 2004, the construction was virtually stopped, and the Israeli establishment started looking for new tactics.
It is in this period, in places like Budrus, that people like Mr. Murar – who had participated in the first Intifada and had been jailed and brutally tortured by Israel – reached the conclusions that resistance to the Wall should be led and organized first of all by Palestinians themselves; that waiting quietly for courts and verdicts was not enough; and, above all, that nonviolent demonstrations were the best weapon of the weaker side. He believes this for moral reasons, but also because nothing could harm the Palestinian interest more than violence, immediately exploited by Israel to distract public attention from the Palestinian plight and to accelerate the construction project behind the thick screen of "fighting off terrorism." A'ed Murar calls it the Third Intifada: the Intifada against the Wall.
Since the Palestinian Authority offered no real strategy or help in the villagers' struggle, they had only themselves to rely on – aided by Israeli and international supporters, like Ta'ayush, International Solidarity Movement, or Anarchists against the Wall. The Third Intifada is a popular uprising: in villages like Budrus, party affiliation and other differences are put aside, and the whole village marches together time after time to demonstrate against the Israeli bulldozers. Footage taken in several such demonstration shows the utter embarrassment of the Israeli soldiers, armed to the teeth against unarmed men, women, and children, who can stand for hours just a few meters away from them singing and shouting without any violence at all. If at last a single stone is thrown, the soldiers seem to be truly relieved: they immediately employ their heavy truncheons, shoot tear-gas and rubber-covered bullets at the crowd, and make violent arrests. But the resistance is not in vain: when a whole village stands together day after day, even the cruelest army must have second thoughts. So far, the demonstrations in Budrus managed to save the biggest plantation of the village from Israel's bulldozers.
Crucial Stage
The construction of the Wall, says Algazi, seems to have reached a crucial period. Following the verdicts from The Hague and Jerusalem, the Israeli establishment made a pause and took some time to reorganize and elaborate a new route and new strategies; these are now ready, and the construction of the Wall is about to resume in full speed. Signals and threats conveyed to inhabitants in Budrus make it clear that Israel is not going to give up easily on their land and water. The number of soldiers sent to demonstrations in villages like Budrus has been reduced, to increase the soldiers' insecurity and ease their finger on the trigger, and villagers are warned that if they do not capitulate this time, live ammunition may be used.
This nonviolent popular struggle is hardly reported in mainstream press. One needs to refer to alternative media to read about it. The idea of nonviolent Palestinian resistance sharply contradicts the stereotype of Palestinians as a "nation of suicide-bombers"; reporting peaceful Palestinian demonstrations is highly undesirable in official Israel's eyes. For all those reasons, this is a struggle very worthy of both public interest and support: The future of Israel/Palestine will be decided here, on the ground, rather than in press conferences in Washington or coalition intrigues in Jerusalem.
============================
* Ed. Note: It is not ignorance - it is just selectivity of presenting the facts...
Every one, including main Media acknowledge the contribution of the Anarchists Against The Wall to the third intifada.
Many are aware that the March-April 2003 Masha camp of Israeli (anachists mainly) international volunteers, and nocal villagers was the catalist that ignitted it.
Few are aware that the origin of the idea of the camp came from a workshop in the PGE European conference in Leiden (Holand) summer 2002. In the workshop participated a significant contingent of the Israeli anarchist scene, Israeli Palestinians, and other PGA people interested in the Israeli-Palestinian struggle against the occupation.
The confrontational mode of the Anarchists Against The Wall who were not satisfied with the less beligerant mode of the other Israeli activists draw the attention of the mainstream media. It also supplied to the Palestinian villagers a kind of shield agains the full use of murderous live ammunition by the Israeli army in the suppression of the mass demonstrations.
Budrus, where this slogan was coined, is a small village of some 1,200 Palestinians in the northern part of West Bank, just across the Green Line. Few Israelis have ever heard of it; but some may remember neighboring Kibia, just a mile to the east, where, on Oct. 14, 1953, an Israeli army unit – led by a young officer called Ariel Sharon – ravaged the village (then still under Jordanian rule), destroying 40 houses and killing more than 50 people, an atrocity that caused international outrage and was strongly condemned by the UN Security Council.
Half a century after that massacre, PM Ariel Sharon sent his bulldozers to the same rural area. Many imagine the Wall as a kind of border separating Israel from the Palestinian territories. The facts are different: the Wall twists like a snake entirely inside the Palestinian territory, and – in combination with other physical barriers, most notoriously roads for-Israelis-only – it creates numerous small enclaves, in which Palestinian villages and towns – sometimes just a few hundred people, less than in any average prison – are locked up, unable to leave their unsafe haven except by mercy of an Israeli soldier at the gate, when equipped with proper permits issued (or rather not issued) by the Israeli army. The contiguous territory in-between the enclaves is designated for the Israeli settlements.
Living in a Cage
A'ed Murar from Budrus counts three levels on which the Wall is destructive to Palestinian life. First the immediate level: the Wall takes the agricultural lands and water wells of the village, either because it is constructed on them, or because they are left outside the Wall, inaccessible to the farmers. The section of the population that depends on agriculture thus loses most of its means of survival.
The second level is imprisonment: there are no clinics or hospitals, no higher schools or universities, nor any other social and economic infrastructure inside the enclave; moreover, about 80% of Budrus' population works outside the village: they, too, lose their means of survival as their access to the outside world is dependent on Israeli army caprices.
The third level is that of nation and vision: by locking up the Palestinians and taking the land in-between the enclaves, Israel robs them of their future, of a contiguous territory for the Palestinian State promised in President's Bush roadmap. The Palestinians are thus left with no way to earn their living, with no infrastructure to run their present life, and with no hope for the future.
A Short History of the Wall
Historian and Ta'ayush activist Gadi Algazi distinguishes several periods in the construction of the Wall. From April 2002-May 2003, the Wall was built with incredible speed – 300-500 bulldozers working simultaneously – hardly attracting any public attention at all, neither in Israel nor abroad, thus enabling the Israeli government to quietly and irreversibly change the geography of the land for decades. The Israeli public had the illusion that the Wall was being built along the Green Line – a good reason for naïve peaceniks to support it – and that at worst it was perhaps conflicting with property rights of some Palestinian landowners along its route. Even the Palestinians could hardly grasp the full impact of the project, both because of its indeed incredible dimensions, and because Israel refused to publish any maps at the time, so that information was scarce in a West Bank hardly recovering from the massive Israeli aggression of "Operation Defensive Shield." Some resistance to the Wall was led by small groups of Israelis, international activists, and Palestinians, like in the Mas'ha camp.
May 2003 signaled a change: since then, the Wall has become the focus of media attention, and turned into a political issue in Israel and abroad. Demonstrations, many of them by Israelis and international activists, and their violent dispersion by the army increased public awareness and reduced the pace of construction. The clear decision of the International Court of Justice against the Wall as well as the critical position taken by the Israeli Supreme Court regarding its route mark a peak in the public struggle against the Wall; consequently, in the summer of 2004, the construction was virtually stopped, and the Israeli establishment started looking for new tactics.
It is in this period, in places like Budrus, that people like Mr. Murar – who had participated in the first Intifada and had been jailed and brutally tortured by Israel – reached the conclusions that resistance to the Wall should be led and organized first of all by Palestinians themselves; that waiting quietly for courts and verdicts was not enough; and, above all, that nonviolent demonstrations were the best weapon of the weaker side. He believes this for moral reasons, but also because nothing could harm the Palestinian interest more than violence, immediately exploited by Israel to distract public attention from the Palestinian plight and to accelerate the construction project behind the thick screen of "fighting off terrorism." A'ed Murar calls it the Third Intifada: the Intifada against the Wall.
Since the Palestinian Authority offered no real strategy or help in the villagers' struggle, they had only themselves to rely on – aided by Israeli and international supporters, like Ta'ayush, International Solidarity Movement, or Anarchists against the Wall. The Third Intifada is a popular uprising: in villages like Budrus, party affiliation and other differences are put aside, and the whole village marches together time after time to demonstrate against the Israeli bulldozers. Footage taken in several such demonstration shows the utter embarrassment of the Israeli soldiers, armed to the teeth against unarmed men, women, and children, who can stand for hours just a few meters away from them singing and shouting without any violence at all. If at last a single stone is thrown, the soldiers seem to be truly relieved: they immediately employ their heavy truncheons, shoot tear-gas and rubber-covered bullets at the crowd, and make violent arrests. But the resistance is not in vain: when a whole village stands together day after day, even the cruelest army must have second thoughts. So far, the demonstrations in Budrus managed to save the biggest plantation of the village from Israel's bulldozers.
Crucial Stage
The construction of the Wall, says Algazi, seems to have reached a crucial period. Following the verdicts from The Hague and Jerusalem, the Israeli establishment made a pause and took some time to reorganize and elaborate a new route and new strategies; these are now ready, and the construction of the Wall is about to resume in full speed. Signals and threats conveyed to inhabitants in Budrus make it clear that Israel is not going to give up easily on their land and water. The number of soldiers sent to demonstrations in villages like Budrus has been reduced, to increase the soldiers' insecurity and ease their finger on the trigger, and villagers are warned that if they do not capitulate this time, live ammunition may be used.
This nonviolent popular struggle is hardly reported in mainstream press. One needs to refer to alternative media to read about it. The idea of nonviolent Palestinian resistance sharply contradicts the stereotype of Palestinians as a "nation of suicide-bombers"; reporting peaceful Palestinian demonstrations is highly undesirable in official Israel's eyes. For all those reasons, this is a struggle very worthy of both public interest and support: The future of Israel/Palestine will be decided here, on the ground, rather than in press conferences in Washington or coalition intrigues in Jerusalem.
============================
* Ed. Note: It is not ignorance - it is just selectivity of presenting the facts...
Every one, including main Media acknowledge the contribution of the Anarchists Against The Wall to the third intifada.
Many are aware that the March-April 2003 Masha camp of Israeli (anachists mainly) international volunteers, and nocal villagers was the catalist that ignitted it.
Few are aware that the origin of the idea of the camp came from a workshop in the PGE European conference in Leiden (Holand) summer 2002. In the workshop participated a significant contingent of the Israeli anarchist scene, Israeli Palestinians, and other PGA people interested in the Israeli-Palestinian struggle against the occupation.
The confrontational mode of the Anarchists Against The Wall who were not satisfied with the less beligerant mode of the other Israeli activists draw the attention of the mainstream media. It also supplied to the Palestinian villagers a kind of shield agains the full use of murderous live ammunition by the Israeli army in the suppression of the mass demonstrations.
Thursday, December 9, 2004
Palestine-Israel, Budrus, Ahmed Awwad is Free 9/12/04
Just freed from administrative detention Ahmed Awad who is one of the prominent activists in the nonviolent struggle against the Apartheid Wall/fence (intended in the name of "security" to annex Palestinian areas to Israel). The lame effort of the Israeli security agencies to present him as serious terrorist failed - mainly because of wide scale struggle of israli activists who know him from joint actions. See: (en) Palestine-Israel, Budrus, Lessons in popular resistance or We are all Ahmed Awwad by kobi snitz* http://www.ainfos.ca/04/dec/ainfos00217.html (en) Palestine-Israel, Budrus action report 07.12.04 - by kerem: Our right to protest - the struggle against the fence continues http://www.ainfos.ca/04/dec/ainfos00122.html
To see the call to action by the ism; https://israel.indymedia.org/newswire/display/1341/index.php or the story by amira hass. Also, the story of the demonstration for Awad and another story about the demonstration 21:00 Indymedai has just learned that Ahmed awad is out of prison and on his way home. more details tomorrow.
===============================
* The Anarchists Against The Wall initiative is a prominent factor in the joint Israeli-Palestinian struggles along the rote of the fence.
To see the call to action by the ism; https://israel.indymedia.org/newswire/display/1341/index.php or the story by amira hass. Also, the story of the demonstration for Awad and another story about the demonstration 21:00 Indymedai has just learned that Ahmed awad is out of prison and on his way home. more details tomorrow.
===============================
* The Anarchists Against The Wall initiative is a prominent factor in the joint Israeli-Palestinian struggles along the rote of the fence.
Wednesday, December 8, 2004
Palestine-Israel, Budrus action report 07.12.04 - by kerem: Our right to protest - the struggle against the fence continues 08/12/04
The protest's main aim was to demand our right to protest. The 2 main messages that we, the israelis, wanted to put across in this protest was one: to protest against the closed military zone that is presented to us every time we protest. This consequently makes the israelis hide from the soldiers in the fear of being arrested. The second message was to go against the political persecutions. 2 israeli activists are being persecuted for entering a closed military zone in a protest in Budrus, a few weeks ago. Ahmed Awwad, a 43-year-old high-school teacher and father of six, was arrested on October 21 in Budrus. He is in administative arrest up to this date, for no reason that is known to him or his lawyers.
We arrived at the village at different times, from 9am, to about 11 am. We were about 60 israelis and 40 internationals. We, the israelis divided ourselves into affinity groups, of between 5-12 people in a group, who's job was to look out for eachother during the protest. We all put signs on ourselves saying "I am Ahmed Awwad" in a few languages.
The protest began at 1 pm. We walked down to the land with about 100 palestinians, and arrived about 30 meters from the bulldozers, where the soldiers were. The soldiers immediately began with pushing and shoving us, and threw tear gas and shock grenades. The soldiers showed us a closed military zone order. They then decided that they would go back, and so should we, but the israelis decided not to retreat as we planned.
The soldiers retreated and tried to stop us from advancing but we held hands and managed to get to the bulldozers. When we got there I saw one israeli who was wounded in the head. I said to the soldier that she needs to get he medical treatment and he replied that it's her problem that she's here and got hurt.
The were many stunt grenades at that point, and a lot of different conforntations with the soldiers near the bulldozers. There was no attempt to stop them from working. At that time I saw the village people retreating, and the soldiers began shooting rubber bullets at them.
We saw a roller tractor coming toward us and a few people sat down in front of it. It wasn't about to stop until the soldiers made him stop, the driver swore at us, and more of us joined to sit there. I got pulled backwards very strongly by a soldier and screamed very loud, and came back to sit infront of the bulldozer when he let go.
The bulldozer finally turned around. At that point I saw someone from my group being arrested by about 7 soldiers. I found the rest of the group and we walked with him, when he was taken away to where more israelis and soldier were. We sat down and were told that we're allunder arrest. More israelis were coming on their free will to where we were and joined us. We were 34 israelis in all.
We waited for about 2 hours. We wouldn't identify ourselves, and had no I.Ds.
all of us said : "we're all Ahmed Awwad".
The blue police came as well. And all that while we heard shooting inside the village. (we were later told that the soldiers went into the village, took over the school and 3 private houses and were shooting at people on the street. One boy was injured.)
The police brought a Safari vehicle to take us. Which is only enough for 10 people, they told us not to worry, that they have enough cars to take all of us. One of the police officers recognized one of the protesters and told him he wants to take him in his jeep. We then thought that they recognize a few faces and maybe they'll only take them and leave the rest of us. We put 10 "not wanted people" on the safari and they drove off. We received a call a few minutes later that the Safari dropped them off somewhere and told them they weren't arrested. The intentions of the police were made clear by themselves a few minutes after that. They only wanted specifically 3 men and one woman and pointed them out. They gave us a few minutes to organise. We said we wouldn't let them take the targeted ones without a fight.
With about 20 soldiers around us, and the targeted sitting surrounded by all of us, the last struggle began. It took about 5 minutes for them to get the 4.
The soldiers and police went, and we walked up to the village where the rest waited for us. On the way up the village's kids were still throwing stones at the soldiers on the hill.
The 4 were released later that evening, and were paid bail for on the condition that they don't enter Budrus for 7 days.
======================
See also
(en) Israel-Palestine, Trial of two members of Anarchists against the wall Thursday the 9th of December 20004 at 12:30 http://www.ainfos.ca/04/dec/ainfos00078.html
(en) Palestine-Israel, Budrus, Media, Anti-fence protest detained - another take on today's demo http://www.ainfos.ca/04/dec/ainfos00114.html
We arrived at the village at different times, from 9am, to about 11 am. We were about 60 israelis and 40 internationals. We, the israelis divided ourselves into affinity groups, of between 5-12 people in a group, who's job was to look out for eachother during the protest. We all put signs on ourselves saying "I am Ahmed Awwad" in a few languages.
The protest began at 1 pm. We walked down to the land with about 100 palestinians, and arrived about 30 meters from the bulldozers, where the soldiers were. The soldiers immediately began with pushing and shoving us, and threw tear gas and shock grenades. The soldiers showed us a closed military zone order. They then decided that they would go back, and so should we, but the israelis decided not to retreat as we planned.
The soldiers retreated and tried to stop us from advancing but we held hands and managed to get to the bulldozers. When we got there I saw one israeli who was wounded in the head. I said to the soldier that she needs to get he medical treatment and he replied that it's her problem that she's here and got hurt.
The were many stunt grenades at that point, and a lot of different conforntations with the soldiers near the bulldozers. There was no attempt to stop them from working. At that time I saw the village people retreating, and the soldiers began shooting rubber bullets at them.
We saw a roller tractor coming toward us and a few people sat down in front of it. It wasn't about to stop until the soldiers made him stop, the driver swore at us, and more of us joined to sit there. I got pulled backwards very strongly by a soldier and screamed very loud, and came back to sit infront of the bulldozer when he let go.
The bulldozer finally turned around. At that point I saw someone from my group being arrested by about 7 soldiers. I found the rest of the group and we walked with him, when he was taken away to where more israelis and soldier were. We sat down and were told that we're allunder arrest. More israelis were coming on their free will to where we were and joined us. We were 34 israelis in all.
We waited for about 2 hours. We wouldn't identify ourselves, and had no I.Ds.
all of us said : "we're all Ahmed Awwad".
The blue police came as well. And all that while we heard shooting inside the village. (we were later told that the soldiers went into the village, took over the school and 3 private houses and were shooting at people on the street. One boy was injured.)
The police brought a Safari vehicle to take us. Which is only enough for 10 people, they told us not to worry, that they have enough cars to take all of us. One of the police officers recognized one of the protesters and told him he wants to take him in his jeep. We then thought that they recognize a few faces and maybe they'll only take them and leave the rest of us. We put 10 "not wanted people" on the safari and they drove off. We received a call a few minutes later that the Safari dropped them off somewhere and told them they weren't arrested. The intentions of the police were made clear by themselves a few minutes after that. They only wanted specifically 3 men and one woman and pointed them out. They gave us a few minutes to organise. We said we wouldn't let them take the targeted ones without a fight.
With about 20 soldiers around us, and the targeted sitting surrounded by all of us, the last struggle began. It took about 5 minutes for them to get the 4.
The soldiers and police went, and we walked up to the village where the rest waited for us. On the way up the village's kids were still throwing stones at the soldiers on the hill.
The 4 were released later that evening, and were paid bail for on the condition that they don't enter Budrus for 7 days.
======================
See also
(en) Israel-Palestine, Trial of two members of Anarchists against the wall Thursday the 9th of December 20004 at 12:30 http://www.ainfos.ca/04/dec/ainfos00078.html
(en) Palestine-Israel, Budrus, Media, Anti-fence protest detained - another take on today's demo http://www.ainfos.ca/04/dec/ainfos00114.html
Tuesday, December 7, 2004
Palestine-Israel, Budrus, Media, Anti-fence protest detained - another take on today's demo 07/12/04
Border Police units on Tuesday detained 41 activists at an anti-security fence protest in Budrus, west of Ramallah on the West Bank. The protesters were held for violating the closed military zone orders for the area. Military sources confirmed that the members of two Israeli left-wing organizations - 'Anarchists Against the Wall' and 'Taayush' - had obtained a permission for the demonstration*.
The IDF had agreed for the event to take place exclusively inside of Budrus on the condition that the demonstrators did not approach the fence. When activists began to approach the barrier, the army declared the area a closed military zone.
Yonatan Pollak, a member of Anarchist against the Wall told The Jerusalem Post that the activists insisted on staying within the closed military zone in order to defend their rights to freedom of expression.
Of the 150 activists involved, 41 were detained** by Border Police Units who alerted Judea and Samaria police to the situation. When police arrived on the scene they immediately released the activists that cooperated with their request to vacate the area. Four Israelis resisted orders and were subsequently arrested on charges of attacking police officers and a security fence construction worker.
=================================
* The anarchists do not ask permission for demonstrations.
** The arrested were only of the Israelis as by their presence they force the army to refrain from too harsh repression of the palestinians.
The IDF had agreed for the event to take place exclusively inside of Budrus on the condition that the demonstrators did not approach the fence. When activists began to approach the barrier, the army declared the area a closed military zone.
Yonatan Pollak, a member of Anarchist against the Wall told The Jerusalem Post that the activists insisted on staying within the closed military zone in order to defend their rights to freedom of expression.
Of the 150 activists involved, 41 were detained** by Border Police Units who alerted Judea and Samaria police to the situation. When police arrived on the scene they immediately released the activists that cooperated with their request to vacate the area. Four Israelis resisted orders and were subsequently arrested on charges of attacking police officers and a security fence construction worker.
=================================
* The anarchists do not ask permission for demonstrations.
** The arrested were only of the Israelis as by their presence they force the army to refrain from too harsh repression of the palestinians.
Palestine-Israel, Budrus, Media, 35 activists arrested 07/12/04
Israeli army and gendarmes arrested 35 israeli activists participating in peaceful [nonviolent] demonstration against the separation fence [the Apartheid Wall] - so reported public Radio station and on line daily. The demonstration was against the wall and in protest of the harsh repression of the Budrus people involved in the nonviolent demonstration against the separation fence - see (en) Israel-Palestine, A Village Stands for their Rights: Civil Disobedience in Budrus http://www.ainfos.ca/04/dec/ainfos00026.html The stated reason for arrest the authority gave was: "entrance to area disregarding the declaration by authorities that it is closed military zone." Two of the arrested are to appear Thursday in Jerusalem courthouse for the same "offense" at previous demo.
The arrested refused to reveal their names and when asked replied: "All of us are Ahmad Awad - the name of local Budrus activist in the nonviolent struggle against the Apartheid Wall, who was administratively arrested a month ago for that reason alone.
In the demonstration that started at 13:00 participated about 100 israelis of the Anarchists Against The Wall initiative and of other left organizations, 30 international volunteers and about local villagers. They approached the construction site of the fence near Budrus and stand in a vigil near the working Bulldozers. One of the activists was hit in her head by a tear gas grenade. When the report was distributed by Roiters, the army was assaulting the people and the village with tear gas grenades (including shooting an ambulance).
The arrested refused to reveal their names and when asked replied: "All of us are Ahmad Awad - the name of local Budrus activist in the nonviolent struggle against the Apartheid Wall, who was administratively arrested a month ago for that reason alone.
In the demonstration that started at 13:00 participated about 100 israelis of the Anarchists Against The Wall initiative and of other left organizations, 30 international volunteers and about local villagers. They approached the construction site of the fence near Budrus and stand in a vigil near the working Bulldozers. One of the activists was hit in her head by a tear gas grenade. When the report was distributed by Roiters, the army was assaulting the people and the village with tear gas grenades (including shooting an ambulance).
Sunday, December 5, 2004
Israel/Tel Aviv, Media, The yearly conference of the local business elite, the counter "conference, and the anarchists counter-counter action 05/12/04
Background: In parallel to the local "Dabos" conference of the economic elite the reformist left held its counter conference (including - as speaker the the general secretary of the general trade union - Amir Perets) whose tinny parliament party joined lately the Labor party - that carried when in power the same neo-liberal policy as the Licud party now in power. [Ed.]
Internet electronic media headlined an article on the counter conference" "Anarchists disconnected the loudspeaker when Perets gave his speech". ....During Perets speech in the "Exploited conference", activists of "Anarchists for ending the authoritarian economy" cut the lines of the loudspeakers an shouted: "No to the Licud [the ruling party], no to the Labor [working hard on joining the government] dismantle the state". So said a person of that organization to the Nana news. According to the report, the loudspeakers were cut twice during the speech, but after their reconnection Perets could finish his speech.
Internet electronic media headlined an article on the counter conference" "Anarchists disconnected the loudspeaker when Perets gave his speech". ....During Perets speech in the "Exploited conference", activists of "Anarchists for ending the authoritarian economy" cut the lines of the loudspeakers an shouted: "No to the Licud [the ruling party], no to the Labor [working hard on joining the government] dismantle the state". So said a person of that organization to the Nana news. According to the report, the loudspeakers were cut twice during the speech, but after their reconnection Perets could finish his speech.
Israel-Palestine, Trial of two members of Anarchists against the wall Thursday the 9th of December 20004 at 12:30 05/12/04
A trial against two anti-wall activists that were arrested in Budrus at Jerusalem Magistrate Court (6 Hishin st.), judge Shulamit Dotan's court room On Thursday 9.12 the trial of two members of Anarchists against the wall will begin at the magistrate court in Jerusalem. The two, Kobi Snitz and Yonatan Pollak were arrested on 21.9.04 at a demonstration against the wall at the Palestinian village of Budrus. They are accused of being in a closed military zone and causing a disturbance. Adv. Gaby Laski who represents the two, will challenge the legitimacy of closed military zones and the court's jurisdiction. The right to protest extends to the occupied territories as well and closed military zones are not protest-prevention zones.
The real offence the defendants are accused of is participation in non-violent resistance to the wall and the occupation. The aggravating circumstance are the fact that this resistance has been successful and the defendants and their comrades collaborate with a popular movement which acts democratically and non violently.
The fact that these activists are put on trial while the soldiers who shot at them with live ammunition from close range and the officers who ordered the shooting are allowed to continue to shoot at demonstrators illustrates the corrupt repressive policies of "the only democracy in the middle east".
This trial follows administrative detention of Palestinian anti wall activists, who do not even get the benefit of a trial, and the violent repression of the protests. This is a clear attempt at silencing legitimate protest. Those who repress non-violent popular resistance are guilty of fueling the violence.
It was said that the hottest places in hell are reserved for those who, in times of great moral crisis, maintain their neutrality. Not the policy of repression, the violence or the legal persecution will deter us from the struggle against occupation and repression and for justice, equality and liberty for all living beingWe will be grateful to anyone who could come and show support at court.
The real offence the defendants are accused of is participation in non-violent resistance to the wall and the occupation. The aggravating circumstance are the fact that this resistance has been successful and the defendants and their comrades collaborate with a popular movement which acts democratically and non violently.
The fact that these activists are put on trial while the soldiers who shot at them with live ammunition from close range and the officers who ordered the shooting are allowed to continue to shoot at demonstrators illustrates the corrupt repressive policies of "the only democracy in the middle east".
This trial follows administrative detention of Palestinian anti wall activists, who do not even get the benefit of a trial, and the violent repression of the protests. This is a clear attempt at silencing legitimate protest. Those who repress non-violent popular resistance are guilty of fueling the violence.
It was said that the hottest places in hell are reserved for those who, in times of great moral crisis, maintain their neutrality. Not the policy of repression, the violence or the legal persecution will deter us from the struggle against occupation and repression and for justice, equality and liberty for all living beingWe will be grateful to anyone who could come and show support at court.
Friday, December 3, 2004
Palestine-Israel, Beit Ula, activity against the Apartheid Wall - December 3 2004
As they outflanked the soldiers and it became clear to the shabab that they could reach the work site, they began to run across the side of the hill and were not slowed down by the tear gas canisters that flew overhead- too far to do any damage https://israel.indymedia.org/usermedia/image/4/1263_beit-ula-03-12-04-reuters2.jpg https://israel.indymedia.org/feature/display/1263/index.php Today, the people of Beit Ula were able to stop the construction of the giant cage that the israeli government is constructing for them in the form of the separation barrier. For the second day in a row, the work was stopped and no injuries requiring medical treatment were suffered. The experience has left the village with a sense of power and a renewed determination to come back to resist the wall day after day.
At 11:30 300 palestinians, israelis and internationals gathered for "friday prayer" on Beit Ula's lands close to the work site. Unlike the day before, today's demonstration included shabab (youth) and young children. Like the day before, and unlike other villages, today's demonstration still did not include any women.
At the end of the [palestinian] prayer, the demonstrators divided into three groups, one headed to the soldiers and one on each side of them. It must have been obvious to the soldiers that they will not be able to stop the crowd so the bulldozers were withdrawn from the work site before the crowd got close. As they outflanked the soldiers and it became clear to the shabab that they could reach the work site, they began to run across the side of the hill and were not slowed down by the tear gas canisters that flew overhead- too far to do any damage. The other groups of demonstrators also streamed past the soldiers who were trying to catch up with the shabab and converged on the work site.
At the actual spot where the bulldozers tore into the hill the demonstrators decided to hold their ground. The organization was disciplined enough that the people were able to sit down when soldiers began to escalate the tension. As it was the day before, literally not a single stone was thrown, this time with the shabab present.
https://israel.indymedia.org/usermedia/image/6/1263_beit-ula-03-12-04-reuters.jpg Speeches were made by the deputy mayor Abu al Abed (translated by Billal Adam) and an Israeli activist called Abu Na'im. The deputy mayor demanded that the work be stopped until the court decided the case brought by the village against the wall. He then addressed the Druze soldiers who could understand his speech in arabic: "you must know that our actions are looked upon favorably by god, I am sure that in your heart you are ashamed of your actions... we do not wish to fight with you or even with the Israeli state, if you take the wall back to the green line you will not have this fight". The Israeli activist also spoke to the soldiers and when they told him that this is a closed military zone he replied that this is actually the private property of the people of Beit Ula.
At 11:30 300 palestinians, israelis and internationals gathered for "friday prayer" on Beit Ula's lands close to the work site. Unlike the day before, today's demonstration included shabab (youth) and young children. Like the day before, and unlike other villages, today's demonstration still did not include any women.
At the end of the [palestinian] prayer, the demonstrators divided into three groups, one headed to the soldiers and one on each side of them. It must have been obvious to the soldiers that they will not be able to stop the crowd so the bulldozers were withdrawn from the work site before the crowd got close. As they outflanked the soldiers and it became clear to the shabab that they could reach the work site, they began to run across the side of the hill and were not slowed down by the tear gas canisters that flew overhead- too far to do any damage. The other groups of demonstrators also streamed past the soldiers who were trying to catch up with the shabab and converged on the work site.
At the actual spot where the bulldozers tore into the hill the demonstrators decided to hold their ground. The organization was disciplined enough that the people were able to sit down when soldiers began to escalate the tension. As it was the day before, literally not a single stone was thrown, this time with the shabab present.
https://israel.indymedia.org/usermedia/image/6/1263_beit-ula-03-12-04-reuters.jpg Speeches were made by the deputy mayor Abu al Abed (translated by Billal Adam) and an Israeli activist called Abu Na'im. The deputy mayor demanded that the work be stopped until the court decided the case brought by the village against the wall. He then addressed the Druze soldiers who could understand his speech in arabic: "you must know that our actions are looked upon favorably by god, I am sure that in your heart you are ashamed of your actions... we do not wish to fight with you or even with the Israeli state, if you take the wall back to the green line you will not have this fight". The Israeli activist also spoke to the soldiers and when they told him that this is a closed military zone he replied that this is actually the private property of the people of Beit Ula.
Thursday, December 2, 2004
Israel-Palestine, A Village Stands for their Rights: Civil Disobedience in Budrus 02/12/04
Over the last year, thousands of Palestinian villagers have been demonstrating against the fencing works that are closing in on their villages, confiscating their lands and livelihood, and threatening to turn them into prisoners in their own home. Their demonstrations and attempts to stop the bulldozers with their body are encountering brutal violence from the army and the Frontiers Patrol. Apparently, what frightens the Israeli government the most is the development of a Palestinian popular, non-violent struggle. It is much more convenient for Israel to deal with those represented as terrorists and "human beasts".
The village of Budrus has been at the center of the "Fence Intifidah", and is now the target of ample oppression. Hundreds of Israelis have already visited the place to express peace and solidarity, and have been welcomed by the inhabitants. One of the leaders of of the civil protest in Budrus, Ahmad Awad, has spent the last few months in administrative detention, without facing charges or standing trial.
Ta'ayush, Anarchists Against Fences and Hakampus Lo Shotek Tel Aviv invite you to hear about the activities of Ahmad Awad and the village of Budrus, about the Apartheid Fences and their danger, about the non-violent resistance to the Occupation and the chances that resistance hold, if we will manage to protect it.
Monday, December 6th, 18:00
Tel Aviv University, Gilman, room 326
Participants:
Tamar Peleg
A filmed interview with A'ed Murar, Budrus
Shai Pollack
Hana Amuri
Einat Podjarny
--------------------------------
A call for direct action
call for direct action in budrus December 7 for over a year the joint israeli- palestinian non violent struggle has been waged with remarkable success. The ocupation authorities have responded by increasing the number of indightments against political activists for participating in demonstrations against the wall.
political repression of the people of Budrus has for some time now included harrasment of the entier village, night-time house searches and arrests. likewise, their fellow israeli activists are being put on trial for their support of the Budrus struggle.
join us for a solidarity direct action for the people of Budrus, the israeli activists and for the right of each and every one of us to protest, demonstrate and struggle jointly
The village of Budrus has been at the center of the "Fence Intifidah", and is now the target of ample oppression. Hundreds of Israelis have already visited the place to express peace and solidarity, and have been welcomed by the inhabitants. One of the leaders of of the civil protest in Budrus, Ahmad Awad, has spent the last few months in administrative detention, without facing charges or standing trial.
Ta'ayush, Anarchists Against Fences and Hakampus Lo Shotek Tel Aviv invite you to hear about the activities of Ahmad Awad and the village of Budrus, about the Apartheid Fences and their danger, about the non-violent resistance to the Occupation and the chances that resistance hold, if we will manage to protect it.
Monday, December 6th, 18:00
Tel Aviv University, Gilman, room 326
Participants:
Tamar Peleg
A filmed interview with A'ed Murar, Budrus
Shai Pollack
Hana Amuri
Einat Podjarny
--------------------------------
A call for direct action
call for direct action in budrus December 7 for over a year the joint israeli- palestinian non violent struggle has been waged with remarkable success. The ocupation authorities have responded by increasing the number of indightments against political activists for participating in demonstrations against the wall.
political repression of the people of Budrus has for some time now included harrasment of the entier village, night-time house searches and arrests. likewise, their fellow israeli activists are being put on trial for their support of the Budrus struggle.
join us for a solidarity direct action for the people of Budrus, the israeli activists and for the right of each and every one of us to protest, demonstrate and struggle jointly
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