Palestine-Israel, Iskaka 28-1-05 : they say they want peace - by kobi snitz 29 Jan

While headlines celebrated a breakthrough and renewed prospects for peace, the people of Iskaka had no illusions about what sort of peace the celebrants have in mind for them.
https://israel.indymedia.org/usermedia/image/7/1900_iskaka-28-1-05-david-nir1.jpg Astbach and Dafni photo credit David Nir While headlines celebrated a breakthrough and renewed prospects for peace, the people of Iskaka had no illusions about what sort of peace the celebrants have in mind for them. The Palestinian taxi driver who drove us back after the demo has seen it before. He repeated such a familiar complaint that one can complete it for him "they say they want peace but where is the peace? is this peace ?"

Twelve years ago the celebrated Oslo accords brought the partition of the west bank into areas A,B and C, an impossible permit system regulating travel, the construction of hundreds of roadblocks and checkpoints, Jews-only highways, long curfews and closures and most of all, the fastest rate of settlement construction. Today's celebration accompanies the deepest penetration of the wall beyond the green line. At the edge of the Ariel settlement, 22 kilometers beyond the green line, the wall is being constructed on the lands of Iskaka and Salfit. Here is where the wall has met some of its most determined resistance anywhere in Palestine. The people of Iskaka have proved to be well organized and brave in their efforts, and have repeatedly managed to stop the bulldozers.

Is is always the case in well organized villages, the Iskaka resistance has a strong women presence. The women of Iskaka are organized in three different committees which deal with issues ranging from construction of agricultural roads to resistance to the wall.

At around 10:15 the procession left the village on its way to the bulldozers. About 300 people from Iskaka and Salfit, 10 internationals and 19 Israelis*. they were soon met by about 20 policemen and 40 soldiers. Some of the soldiers were snipers who had their clips in their guns and were taking aim at people. When demanded "what are you doing here! what are you doing with a sniper's gun!? " a soldier names Shuki responded "Obviously, I am here to kill arabs". Another soldier named Dafni was shooting rubber bullets at people from close range. Their commander was captain Gal who said that they did not violate his orders and in fact his orders were even more severe to prevent anyone from reaching the bulldozers. Other soldiers were shooting bursts of live ammunition but those were probably not aimed at anyone. In addition shock grenades were thrown at the crowd and gas would surely have been used had the wind not been at the demonstrators back.

In spite of the shooting, pushing and shoving and beatings the demonstrator were not provoked into stone throwing and manages to get past the lines of soldiers and to a distance of about 10 meters from the bulldozers. At that point the work stopped and a long stand off began. After about an hour, with or without an negotiated agreement with the army commanders the people of Iskaka moved a few meters forward and climbed onto the path cleared for the wall. A few speaches were made and the men prayed.

Small confrontation broke out between the nervous and angry soldiers who failed to stop the crowd and the shabab (youth) who wanted to move up another step or two. At this point a soldier who had the name Astbach written on his helmet (who we suspect is from the DCO office) announced that if a single stone is thrown he will shoot live ammunition into the crowd.

His threats to shoot at unarmed people were deemed serious enough for other soldiers to rush over to stop him from shooting when he took aim a few minutes later.

On the way back to the village, the frustration of the shabab was not contained anymore and stones were thrown at a passing truck. After the truck got out of the shabab's range the driver stuck an automatic gun out the window and shot a burst of live ammunition without looking.

The day should be considered a success. A spirited demonstration was mounted, the bulldozers were reached and stopped and no injuries or arrests occurred.

At the very most, the peace currently celebrated in op eds in Tel-Aviv and Washington will mean a relaxation of the violence and travel restrictions inside Palestine but no mention is made of a pause in the continuing process of Palestinian dispossession, let alone its reversal. While some might celebrate, the people of Iskaka and Salfit and their supporters will be struggling to hold on to what is left of their land in the coming months.
https://israel.indymedia.org/usermedia/image/8/1900_ISKAKA-iskaka-28-1-05-david-nir2.jpg truck from which shots were fired, photo credit David Nir More photographs:
https://israel.indymedia.org/feature/display/1900/index.php

See also:
http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3038378,00.html
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* Editor note: "Israelis...." are of the radical anti-occupation activists spectrum - mainly from the Anarchists Against The Wall initiative and Ta'yush.

Israel, Media: Emma Goldman again in the cultural section of the Haaretz daily. Jan 25

In an article, the author contradict Suzan Sontag - which she criticize, with Emma Goldman. The article is about an Hebrew printing of Emma Five Feminist articles. It contradict Sontag the intellectual with Goldman the activist which she label "Workers Leader", "Refusnics Leader"....
In the article, the author mentioned that "just by coincidence" there is an exhibition of texts and pictures of the life and contributions/activity of the unique anarchist leader in the entrance to the Hecht museum of Haifa university". An article that could have bin printed as is in an anarchist journal.

Israel, This morning started the trial of Tali Fahima in Tel Aviv district court for defying Israeli death squads in Jenin. 11 Jan

This morning we had a 50 people vigil* in front of the court house with placards and shirts printed with slogans (see below). About 20 entered the court room**. During the last five months the security services have been holding a defamation campaign against Tali Fahima, vilifying her as a danger to the state and to public security. This media campaign is meant, among other things, to deflect public attention from Tali's clear and uncompromising stance against the occupation and targeted killing policy, and to portray her as an unstable, isolated woman. [They also vent this way their frustration fury for failing to murder Zacharia Zubeidi she vowed to protect].

While declarations made by security forces in the media spoke of Tali having been involved in planning terrorist activities, the indictment contains no such charges. The indictment, with its ludicrous charges and poor evidential basis, addresses the public's darkest fears and feelings of nationalism. (www.freetalifahima.org)

But the judges are also part of this public. To this day, and during five long months, the judicial system has time and again approved the denial of Tali Fahima's freedom, simply because the security system asked them to.

Through all this, Tali has courageously stood up to humiliating and exhausting political persecution, and asserted her right to voice her belief in solidarity between the two peoples.

The Call distributed for the vigil:

This coming Tuesday, 11/1/05, at 8:00 AM, we will gather outside the Tel Aviv district court and say
No to Tali Fahima's political persecution
No to the political imprisonment of Israeli Arab leaders
No to Shabak harassment of political activists
No to the witch hunt, hatred and suspicion directed at those who refuse to bow to government intimidation

Action in the court house

Inside the court we will keep the order, hoping that the judges will also fulfill their duty of carrying out justice in a fair and open manner.

If you refuse to stop meeting Palestinians in Palestine, to stop showing solidarity with them, to stop opposing the occupation, the wall and Israel's killing and suffocating policy in Palestine, we suggest you wear, during the protest vigil in front of the courthouse, a T-shirt imprinted with one of the following messages:

I've been to area A,

I've been to Genin

I have met with Palestinians

I have met with armed Palestinians

I have Palestinian friends

I have met with Palestinian freedom fighters

I object to the targeted killing policy

I object to the occupation

I have been interrogated by Shabak

I have been harassed by Shabak

I have been summoned to Shabak interrogation

Free Tali Fahima

We ask everyone to cover or take off these T-shirts when entering the courthouse, so we can start our relationship with the new judges on the right footing (and with our hearts on the left).

To order T-shirts (Hebrew inscription only):

Send the following details to talialmi@actcom.net.il:

1. T-shirt size (S, M, L, XL)
2. Your choice of inscription (from the above list, please, to make things easier for us)
3. Number of T-shirts
4. Your name

The price of a T-shirt is 10 Shekels. We will bring them to the courthouse entrance.
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* The vigil consisted of young and old activists against the occupation of Palestine by Israel. Significant number of the participants were from the Anarchists Against The Wall initiative.

** In his "huge generosity" the prosecutor claimed he will not ask for the death penalty for the ridiculous and absurd accusations.
--------------------------------------------------
Following is some references of today's media:

Haaretz:

Trial begins for Israeli woman accused of helping terrorists By Zvi Harel, Haaretz Correspondent

The trial of an Israeli woman accused of aiding Palestinian terrorists opened Tuesday in the Tel Aviv District Court with the reading of the charges against her.

Tali Fahima is charged with aiding the enemy during wartime, contact with foreign agents and supporting a terrorist organization.

The trial proceedings will begin January 16, but Fahima's attorney, Smadar Ben Natan, told the court Tuesday that she intends to present preliminary arguments beforehand.

The defense will file a motion to dismiss some or all of the charges, on the basis that, even if Fahima did in fact commit a crime, it was inconsequential.

According to the charges, Fahima helped Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Bridages militants, including the organization's Jenin commander, Zacharia Zubeidi, evade capture during an Israel Defense Forces operation.

Fahima is accused of translating for the militants a secret map accidentally left behind by the IDF that included details on an upcoming operation to arrest militants.

Fahima denies the charges, arguing among other things that Zubeidi and many of his associates speak Hebrew and thus do not need her as a translator.

Fahima arrived at the hearing accompanied by dozens of supporters. "For half a year I have been kept in isolation and haven't been allowed to speak," Fahima said prior to the hearing.

In a letter distributed among Fahima's supporters, Zubeidi and other residents of the Jenin refugee camp said they are "strengthening her [Fahima's] spirit."

"The Israelis are afraid that you will lead to hundreds of Tali Fahimas. The are afraid that many Israelis will cross the fence and see the truth," the letter said.

From September 2004 until roughly one month ago Fahima was held in administrative detention due to the state's contention the evidence against her was confidential.

According to the prosecution, the evidence that served as the basis for the detention relates to far more serious accusations. Charges have not been filed in connection with these accusations because the evidence remains confidential.

Tali Fahima being led by a policewoman into the Tel Aviv court http://www.haaretz.co.il/hasite/images/daily/D110105/245fahima110105.jpg http://www.haaretz.com/hasite/images/iht_daily/D110105/147e_fahima110105.jpg
where she is charged with aiding terrorists. (Motti Kimche)
Related Links * Court extends remand of left-wing activist Tali Fahima http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=515634&contrassID=1
* Fahima indicted for aiding the enemy http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=519315&contrassID=1

Jerusalem Post: Trial of far-left activist Fahima begins in TA By YAAKOV KATZ

The trial of far-left activist Tali Fahima, 28, an Israeli Jew from the center of the country, began on Tuesday at the Tel Aviv District Court.

Fahima, who was arrested in August and has been in custody since, is suspected of aiding Palestinian terror organizations and planning terror attacks in Israel.

Fahima, a close friend of Al-Aksa Martyrs Brigades leader in Jenin, Zakariya Zubeidi, is also charged with violating an IDF order not to enter Palestinian-controlled Area A.

Israel, Tel-Aviv, Street Party - Politicalpersecution Friday, 7th january, 14:30 - TelAviv Jan 5

Hello all! ---- This friday, 14:30, Kolbo shalom tel aviv CRAZY STREET PARTY against political persecution) PASS THIS ON!
They are afriad...
They are afraid of Palestinian-Israeli contacts, They are afriad of mutual non-violent protests.
They are afraid from the will to break walls and see what's happening on the other side,
They are afraid that we will see that on the other side there are human-beings.
They are afriad we will see the poverty, the suffering. That poors from both sides will learn who to blame.
They are afraid unviolent resistance that will uncover the crime and violent oppression of the army.

That's why they shoot non-violent protestors against the fence.
That's why they investigate activists.
That's why they bring to court palestinian and Israeli peace activists.

THEY will not shut us down!
WE have nothing to hide!
We're not the ones hiding...

Let's blow their cover together in a fun and happy STREET PARTY that will mark to everyone where are THEY and where we are!

Friday (7th january), 14:30 (Exactly!) Under Kolbo Shalom TEL-AVIV

More anouncments to come.

Be there or be THEM!

PASS THIS ON!!!!!
=======================
* Antiauthoritarian anticapitalist initiative

Israel-Palestine, The anarchist struggle expand. Jan 2

The construction of the Apartheid wall continue - in many places contradicting higher court of "justice" verdicts. Non-violent actions of Palestinian villagers joined by Internationals, Anarchists Against The Wall (AATW) and other Israeli radicals is met with various levels of Israeli state violence. Political persecution of non-violent Palestinians, Israeli (Tali Fahima and others) continue with counter action of Israeli radicals and anarchists at courthouse and in front of it.... Lately, People of the AATW initiative joined the struggle of the two homeless camps (Jerusalem and Beer Sheva) under court order for eviction.

For more information: http://israel.indymedia.org
and
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/againstwall/

Palestine-Israel, The struggle continue - Replanting the olive trees of Jayyous Jan 1

In spite of police threats, hundreds of Israeli and international peace activists and Palestinian villagers planted olive trees at the site of a planned new settlement: North Zufin, next to Qalqilya. "We, Israelis and Palestinians, shall campaign together against the landgrab of the Separation Fence" "I warn you, this is private property belonging to the settlers, and the planting of olive trees here is a violation of the law. We shall photograph every single person planting trees" called the police officer over his megaphone to hundreds of Israeli peace activists who gathered this morning at the site of the new settlement-to-be "Zufin North", next to Qalqilya. The activists responded to his words by chanting "Police State", "Stop the Occupation" and "No soldier and no policeman - we shall not rule over another nation".

Together with residents of the nearby Palestinian village Jayyous, they began to plant hundred of olive saplings which they had brought with them to the plot of land where the bulldozers of the settlers had uprooted hundreds of olive trees last week. "In spite of the police and army assertions, we do not recognise the ownership of the settlers over this land. This land belongs to the Jayyous villagers and the company "Geulat HaKarka" which is associated with the settlers took control of it on the false assertion that it was sold to them. The matter is still awaiting legal review, and we will not allow the settlers to dictate facts on the ground, to grab Palestinian lands and to commence establishing a new settlement on it" said Advocate Wiam Shbeyta, an activist of the Ta'ayush movement and a representative of the village residents.

The hundreds of demonstrators, members of Gush Shalom, Ta'ayush, the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions, MachsomWatch and the Anarchists Against the Wall, came to the site in a convoy of buses and private cars from Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Haifa. To the west of the Tsur Natan (inside the Green Line) they were stopped by a large force of police and army, including a team of YASSAM (special forces). The demonstrators descended from the vehicles and marched five kilometres by a rough country path, escorted by the police and army, holding olive saplings and signs reading: "Settlement behind the smokescreen of the Gaza Disengagement" "In Gaza we are disengaging, here we are settling" "Stop the land grab" "Demolish the Separation Wall", "We will build trust, not walls", "There is no peace with settlements, there is no peace without justice" and also signs displaying the joined Israeli and Palestinian flags.

At the site of the new settlement - started by the settler-owned Geulat Ha'aretz company - the actvists planted the hundred olive saplings which they had brought. The police at the site photographed the faces of the people planting the trees, but did not stop them in their work. A rally developed on the spot, where Uri Avnery of Gush Shalom (the Peace Bloc) said: "Two years ago, when the fence was built here, we had a hard time convincing people in Israel that the puurpose of the fence was not security or prevention of suicide bombings, but was erected for political and settlement purposes: first they separated the people of Jayyous from their land, preventing them from working on it. Now, everything is clearly visible: they are passing over the land over to settler possession. That is part of the plan of Ariel Sharon, to annex into Israel 58% of the lands of the West Bank and to leave the Palestinians in isolated enclaves, which means never ending war with the Palestinians and with the entire Arab world." The historian Dr. Gadi Algazy, one of the Ta'ayush activists, said: "The day before yesterday we were here on the land, and we saw the settlers uproot whole live trees in order to profit from their sale, to sell them to Israeli juppies who enjoy seeing hundred-year old trees in their gardens.

Whoever is offered an olive tree for sale had better check very well where it came from." Abu Azzam, the Jayyous residents' representative told how the Israeli military authorities registered in the Land Registry settler possession of plots numbered 788 and 786, but did not show the Palestinian landowners the maps of those plots, on which this land was marked. "Only when the bulldozers came on our land and began to uproot the olive trees we earn our living from, did we understand that these numbers refer to our land. The settlers assert that we sold our land to them. This is a lie. We never sold this land and we have no intention of giving it up to them."

From the site of the tree planting, the demonstrators marched to the "Separation Fence" where, on the other side, many hundreds of Jayyous villagers gathered, who are not allowed by the army to cross (only 7% of the village residents have been given permits to pass the fence gate and work on their land on the western side of the fence). A large force of the army and police prevented the Israelis from approaching close to the gate and make eye contact with the Palestinian villagers. Sharp alteractions broke out between the demonstrators and the army and police. After a lengthy negotiation the army allowed a delegation of three Israeli activists to approach the gate of the fence and to give the villagers of Jayyous an olive tree that had been uprooted by the settlers and which had been left on the ground by them. "This is a token act of solidarity and joint struggle of Israelis and Palestinians, a campaign that will continue and grow in strength until the walls and fences are brought down, and the settlements and the Occupation itself" said one of the three members of the deleagtion, Yafit Jemila Bisso, a peace activist who is an immigrant from Syria and resident of Rishon Le Zion.