As every Friday, this week too, the Israeli anarchists against the wall initiative mobilized activist from the Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and other regions to the country to the demonstrations in Bil'in, Ni'ilin (both west of Ramalla) and to Um Salmuna (the Muashara region south of Bethlehem). In spits of the harassment of the Israeli authorities against the Israeli activists, and more so of the the members of local Palestinian Popular Committees, the joint struggle continue.
---- BIL'IN ----
Over 15 Israelis and over 20 internationals joined several dozens of Palestinians (including one Palestinian woman and one bicycle mounted boy) for the weekly demo in Bilin. The demonstrators marched towards the fence chanting slogans in memory of Bassem, who was murdered by the army in April, and against the annexation wall.
The shabab (local youth) gathered to the right
of the demonstrators (rather than on their left
side as they usually do), and started the weekly unbalanced exchange of projectiles. On the shabab side: foul manure bottles and stones; on the
soldiers' side: gas, shock grenades and a few rubber coated metal bullets. The army was a little less trigger happy than usual due to an unfavorable wind direction and the presence of Israeli press invited to cover the event from the soldiers' side. A Quebecois group made a
prominent appearance, carrying their provincial flag. As far as I saw, several people were injured from gas inhalation, and one person was injured in his hand from a shock or gas grenade.
UM SALMUN (Muashara region)
Around 50 villagers, supported by dozens of Israeli and international activists, participated in the weekly non-violent march against the Apartheid Wall, organized by the Al-Ma'sara Popular Committee Against the Wall and Settlements. The protest started after the midday prayer in Al-Ma'sara and moved toward the land that will be affected by the construction of the Wall. The march was stopped by a razor wire military barrier put by the Israeli troops at the settlers' road, which separates the villages from their land where the Wall is going to be built. The protestors delivered speeches calling for the release of Hassan Bergia and Mohammad Bergia (members of the Al-Ma’sara Popular Committee arrested on 1st May demonstration and still being held), and against the Apartheid Wall and the settlements: "Despite the Israeli violence shown during the last protests, we will keep demonstrating until the rights of the Palestinian people will be fully recognized", said Mahmoud Zwahre, head of the Al-Mas'ara Popular Committee. Israeli activists were leading the choirs with drums and percussion instruments. The march ended without any clashes with the army.
Pictures: http://dada.israel.indymedia.org/newswire/display/10814/index.php
Friday 1-5-09 - link to video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTvzkhc6LW0
Friday 22-5-09 - link to video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhVu9tCLwJk
NI'ILIN
Dozens protested today in Ni'ilin against the ongoing construction of the wall. This time, the military and border police decided to violently disperse the demonstration even before it started. Soldiers and border policemen arrayed near the Friday prayer, held in a field adjacent to the village, and as it ended attacked the prayers and the activists from three directions with stun grenades and tear-gas grenades. After a short while, as stones answered the soldier's attack, the police hardened its' measures and added rubber coated bullets and live ammunition ("Tutu") to the attack. During the conflicts one of the demonstrators was injured from live bullet in his leg. To the soldiers it didn't matter – they kept on shooting tear-gas canisters directly at the demonstrator and the medical crew that evacuated him - even while the stretcher was carried away. The confrontations continued for several hours, counting two more injured. One demonstrator was hit in his head with a tear gas canister shot at him directly, and another hit in his back.
Friday 22-5-09 - link to video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UbhZvsvRgk
Related http://awalls.org http://activestills.org
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Palestine-Israel, Tsumud = persistence is the the label of the joint struggle in the week of the Nakhba
This Friday was on the 15th of may - 61 years anniversary of the day half of Palestine was given to the Zionist agency to build a Jewish state on the ruins of the Palestinian land. In a plot between the British empire and the new Israeli state the Palestinian half was halved again - quarter to the new Israeli state and Quarter to Jordan and Egypt vassals at the time of the British emptier... (with the blessing of imperial powers of the time: US, UK, France, and the Russian empire, joined along the years by the newer powers). In addition to the other on-going struggles against the advancing of the settler colonialism which strive - and partly succeeded, to transfer the Palestinians out and rob their lands, we had the persistent Friday demonstrations in Bil'in, Ni'ilin, and Um Salmuna.
BIL'IN
R. W.: "About 10 internationals and 20 Israelis joined several dozens of Palestinians for the weekly demo in Bil'in, which marked the 61st memorial day of the Nakba - the expulsion of Palestinians from Israel during Israel's war of independence. The demonstrators carried an oversized cardboard key as a figure for the keys of the homes left behind, which many Palestinians still hold on to, and which symbolize the Palestinian right of return. The army greeted the demonstration with an exceptionally large amount of tear gas apparently shot with the aid of a multi-canister cannon, and caused several gas related injuries. A group of about 30 protesters remained at the gate for a long while despite the army's shock grenades, gas and bullets. When the demonstration was declared over, the army's shooting set fire in the olive grove next to the fence. The army kept shooting gas and bullets at the people who came to put the fire out, despite repeated calls in Hebrew saying that the demonstration was over, and that the people were only extinguishing the fire. Two people were injured in their legs from rubber coated metal bullets, but the fire was eventually put out."
Bil'in Friday 15.5.2009 video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUgf7fVHCNM
UM SALMUNA (Al-Ma’sara region)
The Al-Ma’sara Committee against the Wall and Settlements has been organizing and participating in demonstrations against the confiscation of their land for the past two and a half years. Participants and committee members are known for their strict adherence to non-violent tactics in demonstrations. While the protesters maintained their usual tactics on 1 May 2009, Israeli forces escalated their attempt to suppress the non-violent resistance by arresting several demonstrators. A new military commander, stationed in the area two months prior, had announced his intentions to end the resistance and implemented tactics such as night invasions of organizer’s homes, destruction of property and threats.
During the demonstration on 1 May 2009, the Israeli army arrested three members of the Al-Ma’sara Committee against the Wall and Settlements; Hasan Bergia, Mohammad Bergia and Mahmoud Sawahre. Additionally, Israeli forces arrested Mustafa Fuara; a resident of Al-Ma’sara, Azmi Ash-Shyukhi; a resident of Hebron, Haggai Matar; an Israeli solidarity activist and Tom Stocker, a British national volunteering with the Holy Land Trust.
The army alleged that the arrested demonstrators were involved in rioting, interfering with police work, assault of soldiers and policemen, and the destruction of military property.
The Israeli activist Matar and British volunteer Stocker, were released the same day on 1,500 NIS bail with conditions of not entering the West Bank for two weeks. Azmi Ash-Shyukhi; Mustafa Fuara; and Mahmoud Sawahre, were released on bail on 13 May 2009 (50,000 NIS all together) after being held in military prison for almost two weeks.
Hassan Bergia and Mohammad Bergia, members of the Al-Ma’sara Committee Against the Wall and Settlements, are still being held.
Mohammad Bergia’s lawyer will appeal for his release and letters of support can help shed light on the injustice of his arrest.
Um Salmuna video clip of Friday 8-5-09 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDCiIxFWNFI
NI'ILIN
2. Ni'ilin video clip of Friday 15-5-09 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ja0pFaJtUiE
BIL'IN
R. W.: "About 10 internationals and 20 Israelis joined several dozens of Palestinians for the weekly demo in Bil'in, which marked the 61st memorial day of the Nakba - the expulsion of Palestinians from Israel during Israel's war of independence. The demonstrators carried an oversized cardboard key as a figure for the keys of the homes left behind, which many Palestinians still hold on to, and which symbolize the Palestinian right of return. The army greeted the demonstration with an exceptionally large amount of tear gas apparently shot with the aid of a multi-canister cannon, and caused several gas related injuries. A group of about 30 protesters remained at the gate for a long while despite the army's shock grenades, gas and bullets. When the demonstration was declared over, the army's shooting set fire in the olive grove next to the fence. The army kept shooting gas and bullets at the people who came to put the fire out, despite repeated calls in Hebrew saying that the demonstration was over, and that the people were only extinguishing the fire. Two people were injured in their legs from rubber coated metal bullets, but the fire was eventually put out."
Bil'in Friday 15.5.2009 video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUgf7fVHCNM
UM SALMUNA (Al-Ma’sara region)
The Al-Ma’sara Committee against the Wall and Settlements has been organizing and participating in demonstrations against the confiscation of their land for the past two and a half years. Participants and committee members are known for their strict adherence to non-violent tactics in demonstrations. While the protesters maintained their usual tactics on 1 May 2009, Israeli forces escalated their attempt to suppress the non-violent resistance by arresting several demonstrators. A new military commander, stationed in the area two months prior, had announced his intentions to end the resistance and implemented tactics such as night invasions of organizer’s homes, destruction of property and threats.
During the demonstration on 1 May 2009, the Israeli army arrested three members of the Al-Ma’sara Committee against the Wall and Settlements; Hasan Bergia, Mohammad Bergia and Mahmoud Sawahre. Additionally, Israeli forces arrested Mustafa Fuara; a resident of Al-Ma’sara, Azmi Ash-Shyukhi; a resident of Hebron, Haggai Matar; an Israeli solidarity activist and Tom Stocker, a British national volunteering with the Holy Land Trust.
The army alleged that the arrested demonstrators were involved in rioting, interfering with police work, assault of soldiers and policemen, and the destruction of military property.
The Israeli activist Matar and British volunteer Stocker, were released the same day on 1,500 NIS bail with conditions of not entering the West Bank for two weeks. Azmi Ash-Shyukhi; Mustafa Fuara; and Mahmoud Sawahre, were released on bail on 13 May 2009 (50,000 NIS all together) after being held in military prison for almost two weeks.
Hassan Bergia and Mohammad Bergia, members of the Al-Ma’sara Committee Against the Wall and Settlements, are still being held.
Mohammad Bergia’s lawyer will appeal for his release and letters of support can help shed light on the injustice of his arrest.
Um Salmuna video clip of Friday 8-5-09 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDCiIxFWNFI
NI'ILIN
2. Ni'ilin video clip of Friday 15-5-09 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ja0pFaJtUiE
Monday, May 11, 2009
Palestine-Israel, The joint struggle flourish in the Spring - Bil'in, Ni'ilin, Um Salmuna, Saffa, Jerusalem and Tel Aviv
Sunday had again a demonstration in Tel Aviv protesting the persecution of "New Profile" that support refusnics. Last Saturday as during the previous weeks comrades escorted Saffa Palestinins (neighboring the settler colonialist Bat Ain terrorists) to their fields. In protest to occupation persecution of popular comity members arrested, an enhanced mobilization from Tel Aviv and Jerusalem succeeded in part to arrive at the joint demo.
In Bil'in - the "Flag Ship" of the non-violent struggle against the separation fence and occupation, we had the 220th Friday demonstration. Not far away Ni'ilin during the joint Friday demonstration, in spite of publicity done that "chief prosecutor declaring direct shooting of tear gas canisters as criminal conduct" it was done, and amputated a finger.
TEL AVIV
Some 50 punks, hoodies, anarchos, queers and 3 leftist aunties (myself included) gathered today at King George and Ben Zion to support freedom of expression and the New Profile organization that's suffering State and Police oppression. Large numbers of cops and SWATs stood across the street. But thanks to the samba percussionists the anticipated bone breaking assault on our skinny activist youth turned into a pleasant street party with leaflet distribution, slogan chanting, banner raising and pogo dancing (there wasn't any pogo, I'm embellishing). After about an hour and a half the demonstrators and cops dispersed without direct contact. Some participants are reported to have expressed discomfort with the "IDF is a terrorist organization" and "all soldiers are accomplices to murder" slogans.
HEBRON REGION
"Anarchists Arrested Demonstrating in Hebron Reported: 12:44 PM - May/08/09 by Reactionary media IsraelNN.com. Authorities arrested seven anarchists after disturbances broke out Friday morning in Hebron. The seven were part of a group of about 100 who came
to Hilltop 18 next to Kiryat Arba to put up a structure and provoke the local Jews.
Three Jews were lightly wounded in the incident."
SAFFA
Saturday, comrades traveled from Tel Aviv without wide publicity. It enabled the activist to arrive and stay with the villages two more hours of uninterrupted work in their fields before the Israeli state force stopped the works..
UM SALMUNA
"This Friday in Um Salmona
Over 100 Palestinian demonstrators were joined by some 15 internationals and 25 Israelis
for the weekly demo in Um Salmona / Ma'asara. (Other 25 were intercepted on their way.) The army set several roadblocks to prevent access to the area, but eventually almost all Israeli cars got through. The army set up its jeeps farther into the village than in the past, and separated the Israeli demonstrators from the Palestinians who came from the other side. Some Israelis managed to flank the army and join the main demo, but most of us remained on the other side and chanted slogans. Despite the army's attempts to generate escalation through last week's use of tear gas and the arrest of the local popular committee activists, the demonstrators maintained their commitment to non violent resistance. At the end of the day, no stones were thrown, and no weapons were fired. In order to get the Israelis out of the area, the army arrested two of them at the beginning of the demo, but released them after a brief negotiation when the Palestinian demonstrators dispersed.
Today the forces of occupation have once again tried to break the popular struggle in the
Ma'asara - Um salamuna area. Checkpoints were put up to prevent Israeli supporters from
getting in, but they did, and the demonstration took place.
However, the members of the local popular committee are still detained, and facing severe
charges brought forward on the basis of soldiers' lies. The military tribunal has decided
to release three of the five activists, pending the deposit of 10,000 NIS each. A forth
detainee might be released under similar conditions."
-------------------------
BIL'IN
"Palestinian, Israeli, and international protesters walked through the streets of Bil’in
on Friday wearing surgical masks to protect themselves from the “Occupation Flu” which
first infected Palestinians sixty-one years ago. It has caused the deaths of thousands of
Palestinians, injured hundreds of thousands and has put millions in prisons, including
Israeli prisons but also the prisons created by the wall in the West Bank and the siege on
Gaza.
Protesters carried banners that read, “Stop the Occupation Flu” and called on
international health and human rights institutions to intervene in order to save the
Palestinian people from this dangerous disease which is spreading in the region and is
threatening the rest of the world. Protestors also carried Palestinian flags and photos
of the martyr Bassem Abu Rahmah, Bil’in’s most recent victim of the “Occupation Flu”, who
was killed by the Israeli army three weeks ago."
JERUSALEM
Activists were involved with the struggle against eviction of Palestinians from the occupied districts of wider Al Kuds (Jerusalem):
"After a few weeks of uncertainty, both families Hannun and Gawi have received a new eviction notice. The eviction notice is up to date from the May 7th (today) until the 28 of May. reminder- the families can no longer turn to court in order to appeal, after both the local and the high court rejected the documents brought from Turkey in order to claim ownership, saying they were brought too late. Also, last monday two men of the families were up for trial , charged of the fact they did not evict the houses on their own will, the trial was delayed until May 17th."
In Bil'in - the "Flag Ship" of the non-violent struggle against the separation fence and occupation, we had the 220th Friday demonstration. Not far away Ni'ilin during the joint Friday demonstration, in spite of publicity done that "chief prosecutor declaring direct shooting of tear gas canisters as criminal conduct" it was done, and amputated a finger.
TEL AVIV
Some 50 punks, hoodies, anarchos, queers and 3 leftist aunties (myself included) gathered today at King George and Ben Zion to support freedom of expression and the New Profile organization that's suffering State and Police oppression. Large numbers of cops and SWATs stood across the street. But thanks to the samba percussionists the anticipated bone breaking assault on our skinny activist youth turned into a pleasant street party with leaflet distribution, slogan chanting, banner raising and pogo dancing (there wasn't any pogo, I'm embellishing). After about an hour and a half the demonstrators and cops dispersed without direct contact. Some participants are reported to have expressed discomfort with the "IDF is a terrorist organization" and "all soldiers are accomplices to murder" slogans.
HEBRON REGION
"Anarchists Arrested Demonstrating in Hebron Reported: 12:44 PM - May/08/09 by Reactionary media IsraelNN.com. Authorities arrested seven anarchists after disturbances broke out Friday morning in Hebron. The seven were part of a group of about 100 who came
to Hilltop 18 next to Kiryat Arba to put up a structure and provoke the local Jews.
Three Jews were lightly wounded in the incident."
SAFFA
Saturday, comrades traveled from Tel Aviv without wide publicity. It enabled the activist to arrive and stay with the villages two more hours of uninterrupted work in their fields before the Israeli state force stopped the works..
UM SALMUNA
"This Friday in Um Salmona
Over 100 Palestinian demonstrators were joined by some 15 internationals and 25 Israelis
for the weekly demo in Um Salmona / Ma'asara. (Other 25 were intercepted on their way.) The army set several roadblocks to prevent access to the area, but eventually almost all Israeli cars got through. The army set up its jeeps farther into the village than in the past, and separated the Israeli demonstrators from the Palestinians who came from the other side. Some Israelis managed to flank the army and join the main demo, but most of us remained on the other side and chanted slogans. Despite the army's attempts to generate escalation through last week's use of tear gas and the arrest of the local popular committee activists, the demonstrators maintained their commitment to non violent resistance. At the end of the day, no stones were thrown, and no weapons were fired. In order to get the Israelis out of the area, the army arrested two of them at the beginning of the demo, but released them after a brief negotiation when the Palestinian demonstrators dispersed.
Today the forces of occupation have once again tried to break the popular struggle in the
Ma'asara - Um salamuna area. Checkpoints were put up to prevent Israeli supporters from
getting in, but they did, and the demonstration took place.
However, the members of the local popular committee are still detained, and facing severe
charges brought forward on the basis of soldiers' lies. The military tribunal has decided
to release three of the five activists, pending the deposit of 10,000 NIS each. A forth
detainee might be released under similar conditions."
-------------------------
BIL'IN
"Palestinian, Israeli, and international protesters walked through the streets of Bil’in
on Friday wearing surgical masks to protect themselves from the “Occupation Flu” which
first infected Palestinians sixty-one years ago. It has caused the deaths of thousands of
Palestinians, injured hundreds of thousands and has put millions in prisons, including
Israeli prisons but also the prisons created by the wall in the West Bank and the siege on
Gaza.
Protesters carried banners that read, “Stop the Occupation Flu” and called on
international health and human rights institutions to intervene in order to save the
Palestinian people from this dangerous disease which is spreading in the region and is
threatening the rest of the world. Protestors also carried Palestinian flags and photos
of the martyr Bassem Abu Rahmah, Bil’in’s most recent victim of the “Occupation Flu”, who
was killed by the Israeli army three weeks ago."
JERUSALEM
Activists were involved with the struggle against eviction of Palestinians from the occupied districts of wider Al Kuds (Jerusalem):
"After a few weeks of uncertainty, both families Hannun and Gawi have received a new eviction notice. The eviction notice is up to date from the May 7th (today) until the 28 of May. reminder- the families can no longer turn to court in order to appeal, after both the local and the high court rejected the documents brought from Turkey in order to claim ownership, saying they were brought too late. Also, last monday two men of the families were up for trial , charged of the fact they did not evict the houses on their own will, the trial was delayed until May 17th."
Monday, May 4, 2009
Palestine-Israel High lights of another week of [joint] struggle AAtW activist were involved
The struggle expanded this week. In addition to the usual Friday demonstrations against the separation fence and occupation in Bil'in, Ni'ilin, and Ma’asara (South of Bethlehem), we had actions Tel Aviv and Artas. In Tel Aviv it was mainly around the new assault of state against the One Profile - the feminist/refusnic initiative for support of refusnics (total refusnics mainly). In Ni'ilin it was a "usual" Friday demonstration. I Bil'in we had a big Israelis delegation including our famous Samba drums circle. In the south of Bethlehem there was a special first of May character: "The Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions of the Bethlehem District and popular comity invite you to participate in a demonstration against the continuous land confiscations in the Bethlehem area on May 1s
SOUTH OF BETHLEHEM
Saffa
"Yesterday, approximately 15 Palestinians were able to successful work their land just under Beit Ayn settlement for the first time in three weeks, even though both cars of Israeli activists were prevented from entering the area, the farmers were accompanied by 5 internationals."
"The farmers want to go again this Tuesday. We believe it is best if Israeli activists, if possible, can come and spend the night tomorrow, Monday, to ensure that they aren't kept out again (we are also anticipating tighter checkpoints starting Tuesday because of the "holiday" on Wednesday)."
"The farmers are really committed to going to the area again in a group, to demonstrate they will not be intimidated. We need as many people as possible. this is a critical time for grape farmers, who have to prepare the plants and the ground before the heat of summer."
"Last Tuesday we had a really good work day in Saffa. Though the cars were not allowed through the main entrance to Beit Ommar we got them in another way and farmers, going with two groups of activists (one group that spent the night before and then later with the people coming from Tel Aviv and Jerusalem) they got in 5 hours of work before border police kicked us out of the area (even then we managed to delay for quite some time).
The farmers need one more day to complete their work, which is plowing (with tractors) the land. However, settlers again came to Saffa yesterday afternoon, setting fire to some trees and shooting at Palestinian homes before being chased away by the military (who then didn't let any Palestinians go and put out the fire)."
Murasaki-Artus
"The Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions of the Bethlehem District as well as the area's Popular Committee Against the Wall invite you to participate in a demonstration against the continuous land confiscations in the Bethlehem area on May 1st, the International Labor Day."
"A solidarity procession will begin at Solomon's Pools (near the village of Artus/Irtas) at 10.30 and walk towards the lands that are facing land confiscation in the Abu Zaid Mountain area."
"In the demonstration of this morning 7 comrades were detained - 5 Palestinians, one AAtW activist and one international one. The Israeli and the international activists were released late evening on bail and restriction conditions, the five Palestinians - four of whom members of the local comity remained in jail.
TEL AVIV
Sunday, the state forces assaulted the New Profile refuser support. Activists were detained and interrogated.
Thursday evening comrades dared the state forces [put a siege] in a demonstration in front of the main Tel Aviv police station. 8 comrades were arrested and 4 of them stayed the night in jail in solidarity with the other 4.
Protest the investigation of New Profile video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXT08cISAMI
----------------------------------
Media:
Police station protest turns ugly - ‘feminists & anarchists’, tsk tsk
Police made eight arrests Thursday during a protest at a Tel Aviv police station. Demonstrators were protesting a police raid on two websites that promote draft-dodging in Israel and the simultaneous arrests of several activists involved in their activity. About 50 protestors arrived at the Dizengoff St. Police Station; six women and two men were detained by Police Special Forces. Ayelet Maoz, an activist with the Coalition of Women for Peace and one of the organizers of the protest, said the police had been excessively violent with the demonstrators:
They were pushing people into the street without stopping the traffic. There are a few people here who nearly got run over. These are women over 80 years of age. This is not how the police are supposed to behave in Israel. We plan to file a complaint.
She said the law did not require them to file for a permit to stage the protest because it was merely an act of maintaining a quiet presence there throughout the day. A police statement said the demonstrators had been offered a meeting with the station chief but had refused:
This was an illegal protest staged by feminists and anarchists. The women besieged the station and would not allow anyone to enter or exit.
The statement added that attempts were made to move the protestors across the street before eight were detained for “rioting and failure to obey police orders.” Earlier this week police raided the offices of New Profile and Target 21, two websites that promote the dodging of the IDF’s mandatory draft. A total of 23 feminist organizations were angered by the move, and an enraged letter on the matter was sent to the Interior Ministry. Dorit Abramowitz, an activist for the organizations, explained that the large-scale feminist uprising was due to a violation of freedom of speech laws:
In any democracy there must be an opposition, but as we understand it, once an organization says something that differs from the government’s opinion they start to probe their files. We see this as a dictatorial move.
----------------------------------
Israeli democracy for Jews still holding...
The judge before him the 8 comrade were brought the next morning criticized the police for holding the eight at jail that night - retreating from an initial release agreement. He also refused to increase the police demand to increase the release conditions.
On Sunday another demonstration on the same subject happened at city center:
"Some 50 punks, hoodies, anarchos, queers and 3 leftist aunties (myself included) gathered today at King George and Ben Zion to support freedom of expression and the New Profile organization that's suffering State and Police oppression. Large numbers of cops and SWATs stood across the street. But thanks to the samba percussionists the anticipated bone breaking assault on our skinny activist youth turned into a pleasant street party with leaflet distribution, slogan chanting, banner raising and pogo dancing (there wasn't any pogo, I'm embellishing). After about an hour and a half the demonstrators and cops dispersed without direct contact. Some participants are reported to have expressed discomfort with the "IDF is a terrorist organization" and "all soldiers are accomplices to murder" slogans.
BIL'IN
The Murder of Basem two weeks before arose the anger and persistence in the periphery of the Anarchists Against the Wall initiative. About 50 of us mobilized to the Friday demonstration in Bil'in against the separation fence and occupation. Our Samba drumming circle added its flavor to the march from the center of the village to the region of the separation fence.
When we arrived there we turned to a less guarded section of the rote and few of us even succeeded to reach the electronic fence before repelled by tear gas.
After a long struggle the state prosecution admitted on Monday that the murder of Basem was criminal and part of state force breaking regulations of dispersing demonstrations.
Bil'in demonstration 24.4.2009 - more videos
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXOAIzS8Ifw&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNAYL5N15Rw&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvEzf8VFWAw&feature=related
Bil'in Friday 1-5-09 - link to video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XX2Hx13c4sg
NI'ILIN
Friday 1.5.2009 Ni'ilin video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=719oYWbRtlo
SOUTH OF BETHLEHEM
Saffa
"Yesterday, approximately 15 Palestinians were able to successful work their land just under Beit Ayn settlement for the first time in three weeks, even though both cars of Israeli activists were prevented from entering the area, the farmers were accompanied by 5 internationals."
"The farmers want to go again this Tuesday. We believe it is best if Israeli activists, if possible, can come and spend the night tomorrow, Monday, to ensure that they aren't kept out again (we are also anticipating tighter checkpoints starting Tuesday because of the "holiday" on Wednesday)."
"The farmers are really committed to going to the area again in a group, to demonstrate they will not be intimidated. We need as many people as possible. this is a critical time for grape farmers, who have to prepare the plants and the ground before the heat of summer."
"Last Tuesday we had a really good work day in Saffa. Though the cars were not allowed through the main entrance to Beit Ommar we got them in another way and farmers, going with two groups of activists (one group that spent the night before and then later with the people coming from Tel Aviv and Jerusalem) they got in 5 hours of work before border police kicked us out of the area (even then we managed to delay for quite some time).
The farmers need one more day to complete their work, which is plowing (with tractors) the land. However, settlers again came to Saffa yesterday afternoon, setting fire to some trees and shooting at Palestinian homes before being chased away by the military (who then didn't let any Palestinians go and put out the fire)."
Murasaki-Artus
"The Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions of the Bethlehem District as well as the area's Popular Committee Against the Wall invite you to participate in a demonstration against the continuous land confiscations in the Bethlehem area on May 1st, the International Labor Day."
"A solidarity procession will begin at Solomon's Pools (near the village of Artus/Irtas) at 10.30 and walk towards the lands that are facing land confiscation in the Abu Zaid Mountain area."
"In the demonstration of this morning 7 comrades were detained - 5 Palestinians, one AAtW activist and one international one. The Israeli and the international activists were released late evening on bail and restriction conditions, the five Palestinians - four of whom members of the local comity remained in jail.
TEL AVIV
Sunday, the state forces assaulted the New Profile refuser support. Activists were detained and interrogated.
Thursday evening comrades dared the state forces [put a siege] in a demonstration in front of the main Tel Aviv police station. 8 comrades were arrested and 4 of them stayed the night in jail in solidarity with the other 4.
Protest the investigation of New Profile video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXT08cISAMI
----------------------------------
Media:
Police station protest turns ugly - ‘feminists & anarchists’, tsk tsk
Police made eight arrests Thursday during a protest at a Tel Aviv police station. Demonstrators were protesting a police raid on two websites that promote draft-dodging in Israel and the simultaneous arrests of several activists involved in their activity. About 50 protestors arrived at the Dizengoff St. Police Station; six women and two men were detained by Police Special Forces. Ayelet Maoz, an activist with the Coalition of Women for Peace and one of the organizers of the protest, said the police had been excessively violent with the demonstrators:
They were pushing people into the street without stopping the traffic. There are a few people here who nearly got run over. These are women over 80 years of age. This is not how the police are supposed to behave in Israel. We plan to file a complaint.
She said the law did not require them to file for a permit to stage the protest because it was merely an act of maintaining a quiet presence there throughout the day. A police statement said the demonstrators had been offered a meeting with the station chief but had refused:
This was an illegal protest staged by feminists and anarchists. The women besieged the station and would not allow anyone to enter or exit.
The statement added that attempts were made to move the protestors across the street before eight were detained for “rioting and failure to obey police orders.” Earlier this week police raided the offices of New Profile and Target 21, two websites that promote the dodging of the IDF’s mandatory draft. A total of 23 feminist organizations were angered by the move, and an enraged letter on the matter was sent to the Interior Ministry. Dorit Abramowitz, an activist for the organizations, explained that the large-scale feminist uprising was due to a violation of freedom of speech laws:
In any democracy there must be an opposition, but as we understand it, once an organization says something that differs from the government’s opinion they start to probe their files. We see this as a dictatorial move.
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Israeli democracy for Jews still holding...
The judge before him the 8 comrade were brought the next morning criticized the police for holding the eight at jail that night - retreating from an initial release agreement. He also refused to increase the police demand to increase the release conditions.
On Sunday another demonstration on the same subject happened at city center:
"Some 50 punks, hoodies, anarchos, queers and 3 leftist aunties (myself included) gathered today at King George and Ben Zion to support freedom of expression and the New Profile organization that's suffering State and Police oppression. Large numbers of cops and SWATs stood across the street. But thanks to the samba percussionists the anticipated bone breaking assault on our skinny activist youth turned into a pleasant street party with leaflet distribution, slogan chanting, banner raising and pogo dancing (there wasn't any pogo, I'm embellishing). After about an hour and a half the demonstrators and cops dispersed without direct contact. Some participants are reported to have expressed discomfort with the "IDF is a terrorist organization" and "all soldiers are accomplices to murder" slogans.
BIL'IN
The Murder of Basem two weeks before arose the anger and persistence in the periphery of the Anarchists Against the Wall initiative. About 50 of us mobilized to the Friday demonstration in Bil'in against the separation fence and occupation. Our Samba drumming circle added its flavor to the march from the center of the village to the region of the separation fence.
When we arrived there we turned to a less guarded section of the rote and few of us even succeeded to reach the electronic fence before repelled by tear gas.
After a long struggle the state prosecution admitted on Monday that the murder of Basem was criminal and part of state force breaking regulations of dispersing demonstrations.
Bil'in demonstration 24.4.2009 - more videos
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXOAIzS8Ifw&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNAYL5N15Rw&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvEzf8VFWAw&feature=related
Bil'in Friday 1-5-09 - link to video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XX2Hx13c4sg
NI'ILIN
Friday 1.5.2009 Ni'ilin video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=719oYWbRtlo
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