It was at noon of the hottest Friday in the pick of the summer. It was also after a direct action in the region in which a new vineyard planted by a settler colonialist outpost, on field of a village near Bir Zeit was uprooted by Palestinians, internationals, and few Israelis. This may be the reason the 133th Friday demonstration in Bil'in was smaller than the usual. In spit of the heat, all along the march from the center of the village towards the route of the fence, people had a lively chain of slogans chanted. When we arrived at the foot of the hill the gate in the separation fence robing more than half of the village lands, the commander of the Israeli state force declared the region beyond a spool of razor wire stretched across the road as forbidden militarized zone. As usual he warned us not to cross it. As usual after the more daring participants converged there for a while we started to go beyond this obstacle.
Few of us went through the olive trees wood, and reached the route of the separation fence, but after a while had to retreat because of tear gas grenades thrown on us. Others defied the tear gas grenades at the wire spool obstacles and even dismantled the spool and dragged it towards the village. Others, just stayed there challenging the soldiers verbally and even advanced few meters beyond the forbidden line. May be because they were exhausted by the hot whether, or some change in policy, the state force was much less belligerent than usual. They threatened the people not to advance any more but let them stay where they advanced. After the first wave of grenades of tear gas shower they used them only sporadicly. They even refrained from sending teams of soldiers to engage the few stone thrower kids....
After the hour and a half we ended the demonstration with 5 lightly injured and 3 detained (two of the Israeli anarchists against the wall and a reporter of Shin Hua - the Chinese official news agency).
Not long later, the detainees were released and we returned to Tel Aviv.
==== South of Bethlehem - Wallage ===
The Friday demonstration at the South of Bethlehem region, against the separation fence in building was at the village Wallage. In a kind of escalation, the state forces blocked the road and prevented the Israeli anarchists against the wall initiative activists from driving to the village. As usual in such cases, the activists parked the cars near by and found a walking path to the demonstration. Though the missed the main part of the demo, the still was in time to "enjoy" the noise of two shock grenades the Israeli state forces used to mark the end of the demonstration.
------------------------------------
Ilan S.
http://ilan.shalif.com/anarchy/glimpses/glimpses.html
See also http://awalls.org
Friday, August 24, 2007
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Palestine-Israel, The Friday joint struggle against the occupation and the separation fence in Bil'in and Wallage 18 Aug 2007
It was a usual Friday in the village Bil'in - west of Ramallah. Like in nearly all Friday noons of the last 30 months, we marched towards the route of the separation fence: Palestinians of the village and the region, international activists, Israelis of the anarchists against the wall initiative, and media professionals. Like in the last three months, when we arrived at the foot of the hill at the top of which located the gate in the fence to the half of the lands of the Bil'in village robbed for the settler town Modi'in Ilit, the Israeli state force commander declare the region as forbidden military zone. As usual he threatened to attack us if we cross a razor wire spool that was stretched across the the road. As it happened lately often, we were "allowed" to come up to the spool and converge there. Even many of the people with cameras were "allowed" to stand beyond the wire spool...
However, after some people without cameras crossed the line, the shower of tear gas started. Most people dispersed among the olive trees and retreated out of the tear gas range. Some were bolder and stayed around the forbidden line dodging tear gas canisters thrown towards them.
Gradually, kids who threw stones engaged the state force who added shooting of bullets coated with rubber. One of our comrades with a video camera recorded a command of the state force ordering soldiers to shoot tear gas canisters on the ambulance with medics that was on duty.
It seems that this Friday no one was arrested or seriously wounded till the end of the demonstration.
Videos of this Friday demo: http://mishtara.org/blog/?p=231 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwRu9YOBe28
Video of previous Friday demo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lp91tZVNAtk
======== Wallage - South of Bethlehem =========
The Friday demonstration in the village Wallage was the third consecutive weekly there. This week the activists of neighboring villages in the area united for a larger demonstration in one location and the plan is to continue in this way with the location rotating between the villages. About 150 Palestinians Internationals and Israelis marched a short distance to a site where trees have been uprooted on land belonging to a near by monastery. One of the speakers told the crowd that the monastery has sold the land to the Israelis after protecting it against even the slightest damage by the people of the village.
At the end of the speeches the demonstrators marched up the hill and were blocked by what looked like a mixture of reserve units and Border Police. Some of the demonstrators were attacked by the soldiers and in the scuffle some soldiers were also beaten.
Following the demonstration an Italian activist was arrested walking down the street on charges that he attacked the soldiers but was released after several hours when the police realized he did not.
See also:
http://awalls.org
http://matzpen.org
http://ilan.shalif.com/anarchy/glimpses/glimpses.html
However, after some people without cameras crossed the line, the shower of tear gas started. Most people dispersed among the olive trees and retreated out of the tear gas range. Some were bolder and stayed around the forbidden line dodging tear gas canisters thrown towards them.
Gradually, kids who threw stones engaged the state force who added shooting of bullets coated with rubber. One of our comrades with a video camera recorded a command of the state force ordering soldiers to shoot tear gas canisters on the ambulance with medics that was on duty.
It seems that this Friday no one was arrested or seriously wounded till the end of the demonstration.
Videos of this Friday demo: http://mishtara.org/blog/?p=231 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwRu9YOBe28
Video of previous Friday demo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lp91tZVNAtk
======== Wallage - South of Bethlehem =========
The Friday demonstration in the village Wallage was the third consecutive weekly there. This week the activists of neighboring villages in the area united for a larger demonstration in one location and the plan is to continue in this way with the location rotating between the villages. About 150 Palestinians Internationals and Israelis marched a short distance to a site where trees have been uprooted on land belonging to a near by monastery. One of the speakers told the crowd that the monastery has sold the land to the Israelis after protecting it against even the slightest damage by the people of the village.
At the end of the speeches the demonstrators marched up the hill and were blocked by what looked like a mixture of reserve units and Border Police. Some of the demonstrators were attacked by the soldiers and in the scuffle some soldiers were also beaten.
Following the demonstration an Italian activist was arrested walking down the street on charges that he attacked the soldiers but was released after several hours when the police realized he did not.
See also:
http://awalls.org
http://matzpen.org
http://ilan.shalif.com/anarchy/glimpses/glimpses.html
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Palestine-Israel, The joint struggle continue in Bil'in, Um Salmuna, Walage, and Mirsim 12 Aug 2007
In Bil'in it was the 131th Friday demonstration against the separation fence and occupation. In late morning we marched as usual - Palestinians of the village and the region, many internationals as it is summer vacation now, and Israelis of the anarchists against the wall initiative. On the road to the gate of the separation fence we chanted as usual. When we arrived at the foot of the hill the gate is on its top, we set down not to give the Israeli state forces the the excuse to start fire on us. After few minutes, individuals of the group of young adults who join the demo but resent the nonviolent mode of it "succeeded to provoke" the Israeli state force who started to shower us with tear gas.
The majority of the people dispersed among the olive trees slowly retreating towards the village. However, tens of us were not deterred and stayed near the separation fence and the soldiers who failed to get rid of them as they could not use the tear gas in too short range. So, the commander ordered the arrest of few Palestinian and international activists. (When the demonstrators are about a meter or so near the state forces among the trees, it is very hard for them to drive the demonstrators away by gas or by physical violence.)
After the soldiers at the front wasted most of their stock of tear gas, the demonstrators returned again and again till the soldiers replenished their stock.
Teams of state forces that advanced up to the building area of the village and used sooting with bullets covered with rubber (mainly against stone throwing kids) failed to put end to the demonstration.
After about two hours the village popular comity for the struggle announced the end of the demo - resuming it in a second wave at noon after the Friday prayer.
After the second wave ended too, the activists who were detained during the first wave of demonstration were released.
-----------------------------------------
At the south, the relatively new front there were two demonstrations. The participants as usually in the joint actions of the last few years: local Palestinians from the village(s) involved and the region, international activists - mostly of the ISM, and Israelis - mostly of the AATW initiative.
South Bethlehem - Palestinians, internationals, and Israeli activists (mostly of the AATW) in the persistent joint struggle against the separation fence.
The first demonstration was in Um Salmuna.
The participants marched toward the construction site of the separation fence undisturbed. However, when they damaged the fence around the construction site of the separation fence, the Israeli state force arrested one Israeli activist charging him for the damage.
The second demonstration was at noon at the Walage village.
In that Friday demonstration there was no confrontation with the Israeli state forces.
--------------------------------------------
The week end joint struggle in the south continued in Saturday too...
http://awalls.org Saturday evening, report with pictures:
30 Meters of the wall dismantled in Beit Mirsim 11/08/2007
Today, Palestinian, Israeli, and International activists dismantled a section of the Israeli separation barrier at the village of Beit Mirsim.
This action is the second of such actions in the past two weeks, following a similar action in Surif
Beit Mirsim is a tiny Palestinian village in the Southern West Bank. It has been known as an archaeological site and as a site of a war crime committed in 1967 by the army.
Today, the criminals who destroyed the original village of Beit Mirsim walk free. So do the bureaucrats at the Civil Administration’ who prevent its reconstruction and order new homes destroyed, along with many others who embody the persistent Israeli urge to clear Palestinians away (Amira Hass crimes of war, destruction of civilian property). In contrast, those who tear down the criminal wall are in jeopardy from both Israeli courts and military.
No one knows that jeopardy better than the people of Beit Mirsim: the regularity with which collective punishment is meted out in the West Bank and the crimes the IDF is capable of. Still, they persist living on their lands after seeing their village destroyed and despite decades of hardship courtesy of the army.
Today they took initiative in their struggle for survival.
Together with Israeli and International supporters they physically dismantled the cage which constructed for them by the Israeli Ministry Of Defense has constructed for them.. In that, they follow the countless examples of Palestinians living near the wall.
Whenever and wherever there is an opportunity Palestinians will simply dismantle the cage they are in.
Media report: Leftists, Palestinians damage separation fence Anarchists Against the Wall activists, local residents of Hebron vicinity village cut 30 meters of barbed wire, electric fence
Thirty Palestinian and Anarchists Against the Wall activists damaged the separation fence near Hebron Saturday afternoon.
The activists managed to cut 30 meters of the barbed wire and electric fence before security forces arrived at the scene. The activists ceased their activity, and no arrests were carried out.
Activists cut separation fence
A source in the left-wing organization said that similar incidents have occurred many times over the years. "We will continue to do this, and join the Palestinian resistance to the occupation", he said.
"The fence is a political tool designed to steal as much land from the Palestinians as possible, and to ensure the Israel has strategic control over the Palestinians. We oppose the fence wherever it stands, and we intend to continue damaging it."
Alternative media:
http://mishtara.org/blog/?p=228
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihb_XIFc518&eurl=http://awalls.org/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihb_XIFc518&eurl=http://awalls.org/#
Palestinian, Israeli and International activists dismantled a section of the Israeli separation barrier at the village of Beit Mirsim.
This action is the second such action in two weeks.
The majority of the people dispersed among the olive trees slowly retreating towards the village. However, tens of us were not deterred and stayed near the separation fence and the soldiers who failed to get rid of them as they could not use the tear gas in too short range. So, the commander ordered the arrest of few Palestinian and international activists. (When the demonstrators are about a meter or so near the state forces among the trees, it is very hard for them to drive the demonstrators away by gas or by physical violence.)
After the soldiers at the front wasted most of their stock of tear gas, the demonstrators returned again and again till the soldiers replenished their stock.
Teams of state forces that advanced up to the building area of the village and used sooting with bullets covered with rubber (mainly against stone throwing kids) failed to put end to the demonstration.
After about two hours the village popular comity for the struggle announced the end of the demo - resuming it in a second wave at noon after the Friday prayer.
After the second wave ended too, the activists who were detained during the first wave of demonstration were released.
-----------------------------------------
At the south, the relatively new front there were two demonstrations. The participants as usually in the joint actions of the last few years: local Palestinians from the village(s) involved and the region, international activists - mostly of the ISM, and Israelis - mostly of the AATW initiative.
South Bethlehem - Palestinians, internationals, and Israeli activists (mostly of the AATW) in the persistent joint struggle against the separation fence.
The first demonstration was in Um Salmuna.
The participants marched toward the construction site of the separation fence undisturbed. However, when they damaged the fence around the construction site of the separation fence, the Israeli state force arrested one Israeli activist charging him for the damage.
The second demonstration was at noon at the Walage village.
In that Friday demonstration there was no confrontation with the Israeli state forces.
--------------------------------------------
The week end joint struggle in the south continued in Saturday too...
http://awalls.org Saturday evening, report with pictures:
30 Meters of the wall dismantled in Beit Mirsim 11/08/2007
Today, Palestinian, Israeli, and International activists dismantled a section of the Israeli separation barrier at the village of Beit Mirsim.
This action is the second of such actions in the past two weeks, following a similar action in Surif
Beit Mirsim is a tiny Palestinian village in the Southern West Bank. It has been known as an archaeological site and as a site of a war crime committed in 1967 by the army.
Today, the criminals who destroyed the original village of Beit Mirsim walk free. So do the bureaucrats at the Civil Administration’ who prevent its reconstruction and order new homes destroyed, along with many others who embody the persistent Israeli urge to clear Palestinians away (Amira Hass crimes of war, destruction of civilian property). In contrast, those who tear down the criminal wall are in jeopardy from both Israeli courts and military.
No one knows that jeopardy better than the people of Beit Mirsim: the regularity with which collective punishment is meted out in the West Bank and the crimes the IDF is capable of. Still, they persist living on their lands after seeing their village destroyed and despite decades of hardship courtesy of the army.
Today they took initiative in their struggle for survival.
Together with Israeli and International supporters they physically dismantled the cage which constructed for them by the Israeli Ministry Of Defense has constructed for them.. In that, they follow the countless examples of Palestinians living near the wall.
Whenever and wherever there is an opportunity Palestinians will simply dismantle the cage they are in.
Media report: Leftists, Palestinians damage separation fence Anarchists Against the Wall activists, local residents of Hebron vicinity village cut 30 meters of barbed wire, electric fence
Thirty Palestinian and Anarchists Against the Wall activists damaged the separation fence near Hebron Saturday afternoon.
The activists managed to cut 30 meters of the barbed wire and electric fence before security forces arrived at the scene. The activists ceased their activity, and no arrests were carried out.
Activists cut separation fence
A source in the left-wing organization said that similar incidents have occurred many times over the years. "We will continue to do this, and join the Palestinian resistance to the occupation", he said.
"The fence is a political tool designed to steal as much land from the Palestinians as possible, and to ensure the Israel has strategic control over the Palestinians. We oppose the fence wherever it stands, and we intend to continue damaging it."
Alternative media:
http://mishtara.org/blog/?p=228
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihb_XIFc518&eurl=http://awalls.org/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihb_XIFc518&eurl=http://awalls.org/#
Palestinian, Israeli and International activists dismantled a section of the Israeli separation barrier at the village of Beit Mirsim.
This action is the second such action in two weeks.
Friday, August 10, 2007
US, NYC: Aug. 27th, Anarchist perspective on Israel & Palestine 10 Aug 2007
Comrades, Please pass this information on far and wide. Workers Solidarity Alliance (WSA) and NEFAC-Open City will host Israeli narchist Eyal for a dicussion of events in Israel and Palestine from an anarchist erspective.
DATE: Monday, August 27th
TIME: 7 PM
PLACE: Muste Room in the WRL Building 339 Lafayette Street (corner of Bleecker & Lafayette Street's)
Contact: wsany@hotmail.com
DATE: Monday, August 27th
TIME: 7 PM
PLACE: Muste Room in the WRL Building 339 Lafayette Street (corner of Bleecker & Lafayette Street's)
Contact: wsany@hotmail.com
Friday, August 3, 2007
Palestine-Israel, The joint struggle continue in Bil'in, Artas, Walage, and Jafa 03 Aug 2007
In Bil'in it was the 130th Friday demonstration against the separation fence and occupation. At noon, we marched as usual - Palestinians of the village and the region, internationals, and Israelis of the anarchists against the wall initiative. On the road to the gate of the separation fence we chanted as usual - thinking about the lands of the village beyond it (55% of the village lands) and about the settler colonialist company building on that land that just got bankrupt (which the struggle of Bil'in contributed to it by freezing their project more than a year ago by court order). When we arrived at the foot of the hill the gate is on its top, the Israeli state force started to shower us with tear gas. The people dispersed among the olive trees slowly retreating towards the village. However, due to the persistence of many participants, and the frequent change of direction of wind, tens of us were not deterred and stayed near the separation fence and the soldiers who failed to get rid of us. (When the demonstrators are about a meter or so near the state forces among the trees, it is very hard for them to drive the demonstrators away.)
After the soldiers wasted most of their stock of tear gas, and fire caused by the shooting of tear gas canisters caught the dry grass among the trees, a kind of non formal truce arrived at and the state forces let the demonstrators extinguish it and nearly mingled with the soldiers.
After two hours the demonstration finished - leaving behind some kids who confronted the state force with stones.
On the way back to Tel Aviv a comrade who stayed about two hours at the front, described the many cases he seen when the changing wind blew the tear gas back to the soldiers with the demonstrators near them ridiculing them. and at south of Bethlehem too. -----------------------------------------
At the south, the relatively new front there were two demonstrations. The participants as usually in the joint actions of the last few years: local Palestinians from the village(s) involved and the region, international activists - mostly of the ISM, and Israelis - mostly of the AATW initiative.
The first demonstration was late morning at the village Artas. A comrade who participated there report: "At the Artas demo we marched to the site of the uprooted trees. The army was perhaps unprepared or else decided to not interfere. So, we managed to do that without any trouble. After surveying the area and making some speeches we returned to the village."
The second demonstration was at noon at the Walage village. The comrade describe: "At Walaga, a very large crowed was present, reinforced by buses from Hebron. The mosques were all closed so people would come to pray (the Friday noon prayer) on the land at the demo. After prayer at the edge of the work site of the separation fence, we marched down the road towards the old checkpoint and again the army did not interfere. We went home without any trouble." -----------------------------------------------------
At Jafa, Activists organized together with the local Palestinian citizens of Israel started today a project of rebuilding a demolished house of a Palestinian family. This demolition is part of a municipality and state project to demolish about 500 houses of Palestinians in Jafa in a gentrification/Jewfication efforts. Following is an excerpt of the call for action. (This action is part of ongoing struggle against the demolition of Palestinian houses in Jafa the AATW participate in.)
Home Rebuilding in Jafa, starting August 3rd 2007
Jafa for it's Residents, not for the Capitalists!
Three weeks ago, the Israel Land Administration destroyed the home of Zina and Omar Al-Adassi in Ajami neighborhood. Following the demolition, the Jafa Popular Committee, acting together with the Al-Adassi family, decided to initiate the rebuilding of the home.
The decision is part of the Committee's general policy, supported by Jafa residents:
We will not stop opposing home demolitions!
Every house demolished will be build anew!
A complete solution must be found for Jafa's residential problems, for the current generation as well as the next!
On the weekend of the 3rd and 4th of August, there will be a rebuilding effort.
Business owners and builders from Jafa have volunteered, as well as the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions (ICAHD). We invite you to join the effort and to help with your labor and your presence in the rebuilding of the Al-Adassi home and in protest against the racist policy of the Israel Land Administration, the Amidar company, the Tel Aviv municipality, and the Ministry of Housing.
We will meet on Friday, at 14:30 in the park, corner of Yefet st. and Dr. Erlich st. in Jafa
After the soldiers wasted most of their stock of tear gas, and fire caused by the shooting of tear gas canisters caught the dry grass among the trees, a kind of non formal truce arrived at and the state forces let the demonstrators extinguish it and nearly mingled with the soldiers.
After two hours the demonstration finished - leaving behind some kids who confronted the state force with stones.
On the way back to Tel Aviv a comrade who stayed about two hours at the front, described the many cases he seen when the changing wind blew the tear gas back to the soldiers with the demonstrators near them ridiculing them. and at south of Bethlehem too. -----------------------------------------
At the south, the relatively new front there were two demonstrations. The participants as usually in the joint actions of the last few years: local Palestinians from the village(s) involved and the region, international activists - mostly of the ISM, and Israelis - mostly of the AATW initiative.
The first demonstration was late morning at the village Artas. A comrade who participated there report: "At the Artas demo we marched to the site of the uprooted trees. The army was perhaps unprepared or else decided to not interfere. So, we managed to do that without any trouble. After surveying the area and making some speeches we returned to the village."
The second demonstration was at noon at the Walage village. The comrade describe: "At Walaga, a very large crowed was present, reinforced by buses from Hebron. The mosques were all closed so people would come to pray (the Friday noon prayer) on the land at the demo. After prayer at the edge of the work site of the separation fence, we marched down the road towards the old checkpoint and again the army did not interfere. We went home without any trouble." -----------------------------------------------------
At Jafa, Activists organized together with the local Palestinian citizens of Israel started today a project of rebuilding a demolished house of a Palestinian family. This demolition is part of a municipality and state project to demolish about 500 houses of Palestinians in Jafa in a gentrification/Jewfication efforts. Following is an excerpt of the call for action. (This action is part of ongoing struggle against the demolition of Palestinian houses in Jafa the AATW participate in.)
Home Rebuilding in Jafa, starting August 3rd 2007
Jafa for it's Residents, not for the Capitalists!
Three weeks ago, the Israel Land Administration destroyed the home of Zina and Omar Al-Adassi in Ajami neighborhood. Following the demolition, the Jafa Popular Committee, acting together with the Al-Adassi family, decided to initiate the rebuilding of the home.
The decision is part of the Committee's general policy, supported by Jafa residents:
We will not stop opposing home demolitions!
Every house demolished will be build anew!
A complete solution must be found for Jafa's residential problems, for the current generation as well as the next!
On the weekend of the 3rd and 4th of August, there will be a rebuilding effort.
Business owners and builders from Jafa have volunteered, as well as the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions (ICAHD). We invite you to join the effort and to help with your labor and your presence in the rebuilding of the Al-Adassi home and in protest against the racist policy of the Israel Land Administration, the Amidar company, the Tel Aviv municipality, and the Ministry of Housing.
We will meet on Friday, at 14:30 in the park, corner of Yefet st. and Dr. Erlich st. in Jafa
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