Sunday, December 27, 2009

Palestine-Israel, The joint struggle expand to the Sheikh Jarrah and Gaza cases

This week the focus was on the straggle against transfer in Seikh Jarrah, and a one year "aniversory" to the Israeli war crime onslout on the Gaza strip - the world largest concentration camp. In Sheikh Jarrah activists tried to help during the week - in addition to the Friday demonstration. For gaza, we both participated in the joint demonstration on Saturday evening in Jaffa and in Sunday walking on the Zikim beach towards Gaza. The usual Friday demonstrations in Bil'in and Ma'asera were adhered to. The Ni'ilin Friday demonstration was preceded with a second demo in Shukba.

BIL'IN

Some 30 Israelis and 15 internationals celebrated Xmas (and the 42nd anniversary of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine) in Bilin today. They joined the weekly local demonstrations against the wall with St. Nick and Mrs. Claus (how come she hasn't got her own name?) costumes and toys for the kids. The soldiers were offered a Xmas tree decorated with used gas canister baubles, and reciprocated with brand new gas canisters for the demonstrators and village youth. But since collecting and displaying used army projectiles is grounds for arrest and indictment (as shown by the case of Abdullah Abu Rahme), the good boys of the local shabab politely returned the army's spent (and some unspent ammo... Representatives of the the Fatah Party, including central committee member Abass Zaki, joined the march joint the demonstration to congratulate and show solidarity.... and inhaled tear gas like many of the other demonstrators. The demonstration ended with no casualties, and most Israelis continued to Sheikh Jarrah.

Haethm Alkateeb video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DGI2q-vfZg Christmas in Bil'in: http://www.bilin-ffj.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=228&Itemid=1
Israel Puterman video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIg93xb6srk

On Tuesday, 29 /12/2009 at ten in the morning, a demonstration in solidarity with Abdullah Abu Rahme will be held outside Ofer Military Base and prison. Abdullah Abu Rahme is the imprisoned coordinator of the Popular Committee Against the Wall and Settlements. The demonstrators will demand the release of all political prisoners.

GAZA - Media

Police detain 16 leftists on Gaza border

Activists marking one year since launch of IDF offensive protest Israeli blockade, prevented from entering Strip. Israel continues to perpetuate destruction, suffering,' one of them says


Police detained 16 left-wing activists as they were trying to cross into Gaza on Sunday to mark the one year anniversary of Operation Cast Lead.

Chief Superintendent Simon Nahmani, commander of the Sderot police station, said the leftists held a rally without prior authorization.

"We detained them and had to employ a reasonable amount of force, but we didn’t beat anyone," he said. "They are currently being interrogated at the station, and may be charged with entering a closed military zone without a permit and holding an illegal demonstration."

Several dozen left-wing activists took part in the protest against the Israeli blockade on the Hamas-ruled territory, claiming it was hindering Gaza's rehabilitation.

Adar Grievsky of the "Anarchist against the Wall" group said, "We began walking southward on the beach towards Gaza, but near Zikim large police and IDF forces prevented us from crossing (into Gaza).

"A year after Israel killed 1,400 people during the Cast Lead war, Israel continues to perpetuate destruction and suffering by preventing rehabilitation and denying the transfer of construction materials to Gaza," said the activist.

According to Grievsky, the purpose of the march was to "convey the message that as citizens living in this country, we find the situation intolerable and we must resist it."

One of the protestors claimed that one of the leftists was beaten by police.

Afternoon, all 16 were released.

David Reeb: Demonstration against Gaza siege at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irlTe2tFlvc

JAFFA - GAZA

The (Palestinian) popular comity of Jaffa called for a demonstration on Saturday evening 26.12 to commemorate the Israeli war crime assault a year ago and the on going siege that keep Gaza as a huge jail. About 500 people participated including a big anarchist block. We marched through the main Palestinian neighborhood and at its end we held a meeting and both speeches and political cultural happening.

KIFEL HARETH

The people of Kifel Hareth near Ariel, where the grave of Yehoshua Ben Nun is considered to be, will be put under curfew tomorrow night so that settlers can hold a ceremony there.
A request has been made for people to stay there for that time, with a video camera, and document.

MA'ASARA

Some 80 demonstrators marched in this Friday's Christmas demonstration in Ma'asara, which focused on solidarity with Bil'in's arrested popular committee member Abdallah Abu-Rahma. Kids, adults and Santa Clauses were handed out used tear-gas and stun grenades, and hung them as decoration on the holiday tree.

The tree-carrying procession reached the regular military road block, where some of the children choose to decorate even the soldiers' barbed wired fence with some grenades. Santa Clauses were waving flags, slogans where chanted, and speeches were carried in Arabic, English and Hebrew. One of the prominent speakers was Palestinians MP Dr. Mustapha Barghouti.

The demonstration's jolly Christmas spirit did not catch the soldiers and border policemen, who jumped nervously at any sight of someone touching their fence. At some point five policemen crossed the fence and tried to arrest one of the village youth, but failed and had to face some heavy mocking while returning to their unlawful place behind the fence.

The demonstration ended peacefully and with season's greetings to all present.


MEDIA

Danger: Popular struggle: http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1137056.html
Haaretz editorial: http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1137613.html (against state forces harassments in Bil'in, Ni'ilin, and Sheikh Jarrah)
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3825182,00.html (About this Friday Sheikh Jarrah)


NI'ILIN - SHUKBA

Tomorrow, Friday, December 24 - another demonstration will be held in Shuqba.

In the village of Shukba, close to Ni'lin, several Israelis joined tens of Palestinians in their second Friday demonstration. The villagers are protesting against a local illegal Israeli settler-quarry, using local natural resources in contrast to international law (see more here).

The procession was met by a group of soldiers, who after short negotiations allowed it to proceed towards the quarry, by a road surrounded with barbed wired fence and a deep valley that would not allow access to the quarry itself. A second group of soldiers, waiting at the quarry, saw the marching demonstrators and violated the agreement by shooting tear gas at them. As a response parts of the barbed wire were dismantled and some stones were thrown.

SHEIKH JARRAH

Sheikh Jarrah. Dec. 18 - 2009 Nisim's movie of the latest protest http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhB8PwBdrvQ

There were repeated attack against a Palestinian families at Sheikh Jarah during the week, and some activist try to help them.
-----------
One of the invitations to the previous Saturday solidarity "street party" at the Saturday late evening hearing at court of the previous Friday demo:

let's meet today at 19:00 in levinsky garden - bring a car if you can.
if there won't be room for all, the rest will take a service taxi.

We were about 200 participant in the happening from 20:00 till 24:00 - when the last of the Israeli detainees were released (many of them were of the AAtW initiative residents of Tel Aviv region and Jerusalem. One international activist was taken by the immigration police.

Stop the deportation of Ryan Olander; USA citizen arrested in Sheikh Jarrah
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=233789839016
http://twincities.indymedia.org/2009/dec/american-citizen-be-deported-following-his-arrest-occupied-east-jerusalem
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There were repeated attack against a Palestinian families at Sheikh Jarah during the week, and some Israeli and international activists try to help them.

Invitations for this Friday demo:

Every Friday for the past few weeks, there has been a march to Sheikh Jarrah to protest the eviction of Palestinian residents from their homes. During the last two weeks, the police attempted to violently disperse the demonstrations and arrested 50. The protest is growing and every week many more join the march and demonstration in the neighborhood. The settler attacks in the neighborhood are continuing and are becoming common occurrences. We must not remain silent in the face of settler violence and the suppression of the Palestinian protest!

Friday demonstration:

More than 400 Israelis and Palestinians converged Friday afternoon in Sheikh Jarrah - near the entrance to the street the settlers are trying to take over. Most of them marched in a demonstration along the streets from the Israeli part of Jerusalem, many came directly to the neighborhood from Tel Aviv region. So did Anarchists Against the Wall activists who came after the end of Bil'in and Ma'asara Friday demos against the separation fence and occupation.

Five People were arrested in this weekly Demo for violating bogus charge of not complying with bail conditions not to come for a period to Sheikh Jarrah - after arrested two weeks before in the Friday Sheikh Jarrah demo. Four were released at the police station with "apology" as the district court had already removed the said restriction, one stayed in jail for attempting to de-arrest them... to be brought before judge Saturday evening.
Alas, after second thoughts the police expected embarrassment in court and released him Saturday evening without bringing him before a judge.

"Some were released after a couple of hours, since the police were unaware of the appeal decision of Wednesday, allowing all those arrested in SJ in the past to come back.
The police used violence and undercover cops to made the arrests. The police who did allow anyone from the demo to actually enter the street of the stolen houses allowed settlers to do their usual "prayer" (aka intimidation and abuse). There was a fight in the Al-Kurd family house. Once again the police is using illegal tactics to end and discourage those who want to protest."

Israel Puterman video of this Friday demo in Sheikh Jarrah - Some 500 demonstrators gathered at the top of the street that Jewish settlers are taking over in Sheikh Jarakh in East Jerusalem. The demonstrators organized march from West Jerusalem, sang songs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSaG8m0ymmI

--------------------------

Following the stone throwing and violence on Friday night by settlers- which was "punishment" for the afternoon demo, the settlers attacked the families in Sheikh Jarrah on Saturday again.
About 50 settlers entered the neighborhood during the day and threw stones at Palestinians. 2 children were injured and sent to the hospital, and several adults were lightly injured. The police that were summoned to the area detained several settlers. As a continuation of the persecution of internationals in the neighborhood, the police also detained an international activist for no reason.

"...As the violence is becoming more severe we could use reinforcements for day and night shifts. We will be happy if you sign up for a shift- Maya"

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Palestine-Israel, The joint struggle focused on Sheikh Jarah (Jerusalem) transfer

The struggle in Sheikh Jarah during the week intensify and number of participants in Friday demonstration there more than doubled... in spite of rainy whether. Other villages like Krayut, Nizaam, and Shuqba, invite us to join their struggles against aspects of the occupation. Bil'in, the prominent flag of the non violent popular struggle still suffer along the week "visits" and harassments of the various Israeli occupation forces. Ma'asara, and Ni'ilin still persist in struggle. Refusnics struggle continued too. The "hungry" settler colonialist aspect of Zionism backed by Israeli High court of "justice" protection of land ownership of pre 1948 era in Sheikh Jarah, put back on the focus of the agenda the theft of Palestinian parts and Jerusalem neighborhoods at 1948.

BIL'IN

Bil'in Raid December 18, 2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9woGNUOd1M&feature=player_embedded

Friday demo 18-12-2009

About 25 with the Anarchists Against the Wall initiative, and about dozen or so internationals, joined Bil'iners, and Palestinian guests, for the nearly five years ongoing and never broken chain of Friday demonstrations against the separation fence and occupation.

After a protracted confrontation with the Israeli state force who tried to disperse us, the majority of the Israelis traveled (like the previous week) to the demonstration against the transfer in Sheikh Jarrah


Video clips:
by Haitham al Katib - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyeDvIyXmi8&feature=player_embedded
by David Reeb - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukbrI9I5gDE

Bil'in 18.12.2009 video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukbrI9I5gDE

19.12.09 05:58 AM - hi Two houses raided in Bilin http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-StkkQjxeD8&feature=player_embedded

KRAYUT

If anyone is interested in going to Krayut tomorrow 16/12/2009 to secure and help farmers while they work their land, please contact R. we are planing on leaving at 6am from Jerusalem.
there are four spots available from Tel Aviv, and maybe a small bus from Jerusalem (depend on how many people come).
M

Krayut, "settlers attack Palestinian, Police arrests the victim and offers me to become an informer http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2009/12/17/18632858.php"

MA'ASARA

"All of us are Abdallah Abu Rahmah" the Friday 11-12-09 weekly demo in Al-Ma'sara village

At 12:00 the villagers of Al-Ma'sara gathered in a protest along with Israeli and international activists. In their weekly demonstration in solidarity with the coordinator of the popular committee in Bil'in village Abdallah Abu Rahmah was was arrested two nights ago from his house in Ramallah

The protesters raised Palestinian flags and banners in solidarity with Abdallah Abu Rahamah. This protest came in the 42 memory of the Palestinian organization DFLP

The demonstrators chanted against the discriminatory policies of the occupation and called for a national unity among the Palestinians,. When the protest reached the fences that the army put on the main road of the village the protesters tried to remove it and then the solders dealt violently with the protesters.

A speech of Mohammed Banat a member of the popular community against the wall in the village talked about the Israeli behavior against the Palestinians specially these days were people living the international day of human rights.

This Friday

About 70 Palestinians, Israelis and foreigners marched in this week's demonstration against the wall in Ma'asara, in spite of hostile weather conditions. This week's protest was joined by members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, who came to show their solidarity with the popular struggle.

Leaving the village towards the route of the wall demonstrators were met by soldiers and border policemen, who blocked the road with barbed wire as usual. The occupiers did not present any warrant to justify their actions, and were quite determined not to talk to the demonstrators, even while these were explaining to them in three languages about the wrongs of the occupation and the alternative options they have – those of refusal and joint action.

A few children tried to pull at the barbed wire. This week the soldiers did not use much violence, and in stead simply crossed the wire and formed a line to protect it for harm. The picture was an occupation classic: soldiers protecting a fence that protects other soldiers who protect a fence. Guns and fences are all they can offer us.

The demonstration went on for another half hour, and eventually dispersed peacefully.

NI'ILIN

Ni'lin and Shuqba, 11/12/09

Around 200 men and youths from Shuqba village, fortified with activists from nearby Budrus and Ni’lin, and five Israeli activists, marched through the hilly countryside from the village center to the site of the enormous quarry built by Israel on its land. About two dozen youths entered the quarry, and manifested their discontent with the theft of the village’s resources for the benefit of the Israel’s settlement project. A small number of soldiers fired a few teargas canisters at the protesters, and called reinforcements. Approximately 10 minutes later, several army and border police jeeps arrived and the soldiers proceeded to clear the protesters off of the quarry site, and remove the flag hung by protesters on the heavy equipment in the site. A small number of the village youths, who withdrew to the hillside overlooking the quarry threw some stones at the jeeps. Soldiers fired more tear gas at the protesters, including at least one “extended range” canister, of the type that killed a demonstrator and severely injured others. The demonstration ended with no injuries recorded.

In Ni’lin, a few dozen protesters participated in the weekly protest against the wall. One protester was lightly injured by a 0.22 caliber bullet in his leg.

Mid week harassment and detention of Arafat Amira http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3821061,00.html

Regarding the raid that was in Ni'ilin yesterday (16-12-09)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmOBnE3TYnQ&feature=player_embedded

NIZAAM

The people of Dir Nizaam (near halamish) ask for people to come and join them in a demonstration and planting trees on their lands, next to the settlement of halamish
the planting will be an act against the frequent harassments by the settlers and their attempt to take over parts of the village land
the demonstration will take place at 9 am

K.

REFUSNICS

34 Days in Prison for CO Or Ben-David
Or Ben-David returns to prison after being sentenced for 34 days. This is her 3rd prison term in a row. Further information and recommended action follows.

After completing a second prison term, Or Ben-David, of the 2009-2010 high school seniors letter of refusal, was sentenced earlier today, Dec. 15th, to 34 days in prison. She will serve her sentence in the military prison for women (no. 400) in Tzrifin/Sarafand.

Or is expected to be released on Jan. 21st and is likely to be imprisoned again soon afterwards.

SHEIKH JARAH

Free the Sheikh Jarrah Six! A somewhat personal account of the Friday 11-12-09 demo

On Friday more then 150 people marched to Sheikh Jarrah, to show support and solidarity with the families who has been evicted from their houses, and those facing evictions. Upon arriving at the neighborhood, the protesters continued to the Al-Kurd’s home where settlers have taken over parts of the house, making the Al-Kurd lives a living hell.
The marchers chanted and spoke against the settlers and the protection they receive from the Israeli courts in their attempt to remove all Palestinians from East Jerusalem. Not surprisingly, the police and Israeli soldiers protected the settlers and expressed their banal and blunt opposition to the protesters in words ( “why are we suppose to be around those who are against Jews?”) and later in actions.

After an Israeli flag which represents colonialism and more then 60 year of apartheid and ethnic cleansing was removed from the stolen settler house window, the police charged the protesters, beating and arresting 23 people, three of them internationals.
Requests by some arrestees for medical attention after being pepper- sprayed and beaten were ignored by the police immediately after the arrests. While one person was lying on the ground, calling for help and expressing deep pain at the police station, the cops were watching videos taken at the protest, and talking casually between themselves. After an hour the police officers finally agreed to call an ambulance, but refused to allow medical personal to evocate the wounded person (although a medics insistence on it). He was allowed to be taken to a hospital only after the intervention of lawyers.
All the protesters were eventually taken to the main police station in Jerusalem, where they were left to stand outside in the cold night for hours. Six protesters were signaled out by the cops, deeming them to be the “leaders” and the instigators of the demonstration. Many request to see lawyers were ignored and silenced (at one point as a direct order of the police personal in charged of the investigation), and all of the arrested protesters were charged of attacking police personal, rioting, and refusing to dispersed.
The five women who were arrested were taken to the general population in a women prison and requests by one of them for medical attention were also ignored. The eighteen men were taken to the police detention center in Jerusalem. Although it is illegal to arrest a person for more then 24 hours without a judge decision, the arrestees were held for more then 36 hours before seeing a judge (and more then 12 hours without being fed). The six person who were singled out by the police at first were charged with rioting and for “putting the public at risk” with their actions. As their statement the six express their concerns at the police action and at the persecution request that they will not be allowed to enter the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood for three month. The judge who behaved very annoyingly all through the procedure, not allowing the defense lawyers to speak freely, ruled that all the six are not to enter Sheikh Jarrah for the next thirty days. While he was speaking the chants and yelling of tens of activists were heard from a demonstration held outside of the court.
The 12 persons arrested were not charged with anything, but were also ordered not to enter Sheikh Jarrah for 30 days. The three internationals were taken by the immigration police, prompting the lawyers to quit from representing their clients for the illegality of treating the three international activists differently from the rest of the arrestees (I’m not very familiar with what happened around that).
Although the police actions, supported by the court ruling were designed to discourage those who participate (or those who are planning to participate in the future) in solidarity activities, the opposite has been achieved. The police and military were exposed again for their violence and protection of Israel’s racist policies against Palestinians, and the Israeli court was exposed for its criminalization of those challenging those policies. One activist was heard yelling leaving the court “next week we will meet again in Sheikh Jarrah”. Upon their release from the police detention (some only at 4am, hours after the trial ended), the arrestees all express their intention to come back and support the just struggle of Palestinians in Sheikh Jarrah.

Free the Sheikh Jarrah six!

Support the Palestinian struggle in Sheikh Jarrah against forced removal!

Unity in struggle,
M

Video of 11-12-09 demo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWxulvckyAI
Another video from last week in Sheikh Jarrah http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pm6VAYllFEA

A huge thank you for all the people that came and stood all these long hours in the freezing cold outside of the police station .

It meant so much to hear you all singing and making noise and even better was to sit in court and see the judge shivering every time you shouted : "The Fascism shell not pass " . It's just made the long hours so much easier.
Thank you again B.

Media: http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1135709.html

This Friday


Around 300 protesters participated in yesterday's demo in Sheikh Jarah, marching from Hamashbir Plaza towards the neighborhood.

As early as the initial gathering, the police began to arrest demonstrators, claiming that the event is illegal, and by the end of the demonstration 27 people were detained. None of those detained resisted arrest. Quite a few of them were arrested when they were simply drumming or performing as dressed up clowns.

In spite of our legal team's attempt to have the detainees brought to an immediate hearing to set terms for their release, the police has decided to punish the detainees to the extent permitted by the law. Therefore, they will be brought to the hearing only after the end of Sabbath.

The detainees will probably be brought at 19:00 to Hashalom court in the Russian compound, where we will be demonstrating in solidarity with them starting at 20:00. According to last week's detainees, we know for a fact that our calls and our chanting penetrate the walls of the court, and can encourage and empower the detainees after long hours in their detention cells. Please make an effort to be there.


Seikh Jarah Friday demo - 18-12-09 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIsvt4W4nGU

MEDIA

http://www.haaretz.co.il/hasite/spages/1136103.html

25 leftists arrested in east Jerusalem --- Police forces detain activists for refusing to end rally against Jews inhabiting houses in Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood. One of protestors tells Ynet, 'The police's conduct resembles a military regime. This neighborhood cannot be under Jewish control' ---- The police arrested twenty-five Palestinians and left-wing activists in Sheikh Jarrah on Friday afternoon for refusing to end a rally against Jews inhabiting houses in the east Jerusalem neighborhood. The protestors were removed from the area with the help of mounted policemen.

Time table:

14:43 So far about 30 people arrested in sheikh jarrah, and counting.
almost all the drummers of the Samba circle were arrested + all the clowns... of the clowns troupe.

17:35 Hi, just on break from the police station at Migrash Hrosim. 30 people arrested, some even before reaching SJ. police tried to prevent people from coming, block all the entrances to the SJ street. people managed to get in anyway. police used violence.
we had about 350-400 people at the demo. right now we have about fifty people outside of the police station. many left back to SJ b/c 100 settlers are right now at SJ doing their Friday prayer.
listen to the radio, it said that a demo of Anarchists and leftist activists was dispersed by the police. M.

Final numbers:
27 people arrested. All will be held for 24 hours. We managed to pass some food and warm clothing to some of them. They will be brought before judge tomorrow evening.

We will hold a solidarity demonstration by the court. 20:00 at the Russians compound!

2 kids injured by stones thrown by settlers, after the demonstration, and taken to the hospital by ambulance.

there is going to be a demo tomorrow (Saturday) at 8pm at the same spot that it was last week.
27 people were arrested in another attempt by the Israeli police and military to shot down the demos in sheikh jarah.
please come,
M

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Palestine-Israel, The joint struggle against the separation fence, occupation, and transfer expand.

This week the struggle around the transfer from Sheikh Jarrad neighborhood (east Jerusalem) become more intensive and got lot of media attention. Activists from Tel Aviv reinforced during the week Jerusalem comrades and internationals. On Friday the mobilization to Sheikh Jarrah involved in addition to activists of Jerusalem, comrades attending an hour earlier demonstrations in Bil'in, Ma'asara, and human rights demo in Tel Aviv. The Wednesday struggle in Ni'ilin, was a bit less intense after a high concrete wall was built along the main part of the separation fence. It was the first time state forces did not use shooting of bullets and used only tear gas. In Bil'in, in spite of the arrest of the head of the popular comity (we demonstrated against it on Thursday in TA) we had Friday demonstration and tear gas as usual.

BIL'IN

10th December, Abdullah abu-Rahme from Bil'in was arrested early this morning by soldiers in Ramallah. He is being held for questioning. More to follow.

Invitation to Thursday evening demonstration

End political repression – long live the popular struggle

Last night, at 2 am, the Israeli army arrested Abdullah abu-Rahmeh, one of the leaders of the popular struggle in the village of Bil’in. Abdullah’s arrest is the latest in a long line of arrests, accompanied by violent nightly invasions the army has been conducting in order to repress Bil’ins popular struggle.

‘Adib abu-Rahmeh, another member of the popular committee, has been detained for the past five months at ‘Ofer prison, in addition to 15 Bil’in youths. Their only crime is popular resistance of the occupation, demanding justice and freedom.

This is the Israeli apartheid regime: leaders and participants in the popular struggle are imprisoned, while war criminals walk free, and the separation wall built on Bil’in’s land still stands, although it has been ruled illegal even by Israel’s high court.

If the people of Bil’in, Ni’lin, Ma’asara and Shekih Jarrah are wanted by the army we shall all be wanted. Together, we shall stand against the persecution. Together, we shall continue the resistance.

Protest tonight, Thursday, 10th Dec, 18:30

Meeting: Sderot Ben-Zion, Corner of King George and marching to the Ministry of defense, the Kiriya, Tel Aviv

Media report on the demo http://news.walla.co.il/?w=//1620855&m=1&mid=80116

..."A protest was held in Tel Aviv Thursday night against the arrest hand in hand with marking International Human Rights Day. At the event, which was attended by some 150 people, banners were waved with slogans such as: "If Abu Rahma is a wanted man, so are we" and "We won't let popular resistance be put to death."

Adar Grievsky from the group "Anarchist against the Wall," said, "In recent months 31 people have been arrested in Bilin during night raids. It must be remembered that these are popular protests that take place every week. They are not violent or armed, and every democratic regime must allow them. When Israel acts violently against non-violent people, it shows that it has something to earn from armed struggle.

"The protest is both an outcry against the occupation and oppression of such outcries against it. It is International Human Rights Day, and it is important to emphasize to all Israelis that human rights are violated in the territories on a daily basis, and every time basic rights are violated there that need to be granted to every person whoever they are."

Friday report:

"A total of about 25 Israelis and internationals joined the Palestinians of Bil'in for a relatively small demonstration against the wall. The focus of the protest was the arrest of Abdullah Abu Rahme, a member of the popular committee, whose prominent presence in demonstrations and attempts to curb the use of stones and gas canisters made him such a dangerous person, that the Israeli army had to break into Ramallah in the middle of the night to abduct and arrest him. The new border police soldiers were very eager to spend gas canisters, and the wind made it difficult to maintain steady presence near the gate, which was nevertheless opened by the demonstrators. Many suffered from gas inhalations, some were bruised, and some went on to get arrested in the demonstration in Sheikh Jarrah, just in time for the lighting of the first Hanukka candle. May the occupiers be defeated as was the evil king Antiochus."


Bil'in Friday 11.12.2009 video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycimo0lpbsQ

NI'ILIN

Weekly Demonstration Against the Wall in Ni'ilin-06/12/2009
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2009/12/07/18631667.php

22nd aniversary to the First Intifada - Demonstration in Ni'ilin
The coming Wednesday, December 9th (noon time) - a demonstration commemorating the outbreak of the First Intifada will be held in Ni'ilin on Wednesday.

It was a relatively small demonstration as it was in a working day early afternoon.
About 10 Israelis, the village main activists against the separation fence, and few others, and lot of media workers participated.

There was surprisingly minor suppression of Israeli state forces who did not shoot at us with any thing more than tear gas canisters.

SHEIKH JARAH

Occupation of Al-Kurd home, 1st December, Sheikh Jarrah
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NqjXLVc81s

Update on Sheikh Jarrah, 12/08/2009

I just came back from Sheikh Jarrah. Talked to some people and following a fight from last week a bunch of Palestinians were sentenced to forty days of a house arrest out of Sheikh Jarrah. The police officer asked the judge for that particular sentence saying that the Jerusalem police is planning to evict another two families in the next couple of weeks and they would prefer it if those subversive element will not be around for that action.
While there, three times a groups of settlers harassed the Palestinians in different ways. One of them by painting over a beautiful moral on a Palestinian house an Israeli flag. obviously, the police or the military did not do anything to stop them. Yesterday, some settlers were seen covering their faces as if they were trying to hide their identity, before attacking someone.

So once again our presence is very much needed in Sheikh Jarrah. I will try to do a couple of hours a day, and I hope that others can join me. For those who are coming from Tel Aviv by a service taxi, the walk from Kikar Zion to Sheikh Jarrah takes about 10 minutes.

Invitation for the Friday demonstration

The settlers in Sheikh Jarrah are harassing the Palestinian residents, especially the Al-Kurd family. Ever since they moved into a section of their house, the settlers are threatening the family members, preventing them from sleeping at night, painting Israeli flags on their walls, and even throwing stones at them.

Our presence is still needed in the neighborhood, and there are no volunteers for the weekend yet. In order to ensure activist presence at all times, we created a schedule of shifts. If you can come for a few hours, please sign up in advance and join a day/night shift – M.

The weekly marches are growing and receiving significant public attention. Last week we were 130. Let us grow in numbers!

Join a march from West to East Jerusalem in protest of the injustice committed against the Palestinian residents of East Jerusalem. The march will end in Sheikh Jarrah with a protest against the settler enterprise in the neighborhood.

The march will start at the center of west Jerusalem - Mashbir plaza, on the corner of King George and Ben Yehudah on Friday 11.12 at 13:30

For transportation from Tel Aviv: K.
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Activist from Jerusalem came to the late morning "human rights" mass demonstration in Tel Aviv to distribute fliers about the struggle in Sheikh Jarrah and invitation to join this Friday demonstration in Jerusalem.

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After the police attack on the demo today, and the arrests, there is a big need for presence there. please go to the place if you can come.
s.

First details:

In the weekly Friday demonstration, when the people reached the neighborhood, they encountered big presence of police. The police assaulted the demonstrators on the false accusation that they intended to forcibly invade apartments settlers occupied with the blessing Israely courts. The police officers were super violent and used peper spray and batons.

24 comrades were arrested - many of them activists of the AAtW initiative. 24 of them were brought to the Russian compound police station for interogation and one taken for hospital.

There are supporting lawyer with the comrades, and it is expected that part of the arrested will stay in jail and wil be brought before judge at the end of Saturday.
However, after the end of the interogation all were cept in jail to appear before judge the next late evening charged with "assaulting an officer".
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A call for solidarity demonstration Saturday evening in front of the Jerusalem courthouse was issued:

Every Friday for the past few weeks, there has been a march to Sheikh Jarrah to protest the eviction of Palestinian residents from their homes. During the demonstration yesterday, the police stormed the crowd with unprecedented force, wounding ten demonstrators and arresting twenty-four. The detainees spent the night in the Russian Compound, and will be brought before a judge to be arraigned this evening. The harsh police response seems planned in advance in order to suppress the mounting protests and to silence the public opposition to the policy of judaizing East Jerusalem. Brutal suppression of legal and nonviolent demonstrations will not silence the opposition.

We will not be silent.
We will not stand by while the Sheikh Jarrah residents are evicted and their protest silenced. Tonight at 7:00 PM Demonstration in front of the magistrate court.

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Media report with link to video clip at: http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1134512.html

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Towards midnight, first group of 6 appeared before the judge. The prosecution asked for their detention till the trial, but judge released them on bail - conditioned on 30 days refraining from coming near Sheikh Jarrah/

Around 03:50 - Sunday early morning all the Israelis were released. The three internationals who were kidnapped by the immigration police in spite of the physical resistance of the comrades at the hearing, were released later.

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Palestine-Israel, The joint struggle continue "as usual" in Bil'in, Jerusalem, Ma'asara and Ni'ilin

More than 60 activists were involved with the Anarchists Against the Wall initiative at the Friday demonstrations (in addition to the week day on going struggles. Friday demonstration were as usual in Bil'in and Ni'ilin (west of Ramalla), Ma'asara (south of Bethlehem), and Sheikh Jarrah (occupied east Jerusalem).

BIL'IN

Over 20 Israelis and about 20 internationals joined the weekly demonstration against the Israeli stranglehold of Bil'in and the Palestinian people. The procession marched on chanting merrily, waving a bunch of new Palestinian flags and sporting banners protesting European and corporate support of the occupation. The wind, however, was unilaterally pro-Israeli, and made it difficult for demonstrators to hold their stance against the clouds of gas slowly flowing down the path in endless abundance courtesy of Israeli and American tax payer's money. The shabab was very restrained and refused to use force in order to disperse the soldiers from the gate area. It was only at the very end of the demonstration that they used their free and eco-friendly means for dispersing armed oppression.

Bil'in 27-11-09 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3oPCxzsB0s

MA'ASARA

Invitation to the demo: "there's a car going to ma'asara demo and from there to seih jarah demo tomorrow"

In Ma'asara some 50 Palestinian, Israeli and international demonstrators marched on Friday in protest against the Apartheid Wall. Soldiers and Border Policemen waited for the march just outside the village, laying razor wire on the road in a location closer to the village that the usual. Demonstrators aliened themselves opposite the occupation forces, and within three minutes police charged and grabbed one of the village youth, arresting him with no reason at all.

The demonstration proceeded, and speeches were carried in Arabic, English and Hebrew. The joint Palestinian-Israeli drumming band played to the rhythm of the slogans chanted, and some of the village children challenged the soldiers by pulling at the razor wire. Meanwhile, some of the Israeli activists presented the soldiers with a map of the West Bank and the Wall and with a specially drawn map of the area of the demonstration so that they know how far away they (and the fence) are from Israel's border.

After half an hour a deal was struck with the police that the demonstration will retreat ten meters, and the detainee be released. Surprisingly enough, the police did not keep their end of the deal. The demonstration went on for another hour, with people drumming, playing football and proceeding with geography lessons to the soldiers. Eventually the detained youth was made to sign a promise not to return to the demonstrations for two weeks and was then released. Back with the crowd, he told his friends how he had been beaten inside the police car once out of sight.

http://www.youtube.com/v/pKs6D_OSmqw

http://awalls.org/files/images/Masara1.JPG

NI'ILIN

Protester Shot With Live Bullet During Demonstration Against the Wall in Ni'ilin

This Friday in Ni'ilin, some 150 Palestinian, International, and Israeli protesters, gathered in a demonstration against the annexation of the village's land and the wall surrounding it. The protesters marched toward the gate in the wall (through which soldiers enter when raiding the village), and urged the soldiers on the other side to refuse to serve, reminding them that they are standing on a stolen land. In response, the soldiers shot tear gas at the protesters, as well as 0.22 live bullets (two-two), hitting one protester in the hip. The protester required immediate medical attention and was later transferred to a hospital. http://awalls.org/files/images/Niilin1.jpg

Retreating from the scores of tear gas and live bullets shot at them, the protesters moved towards an uncostructed area of the wall. A group of soldiers, escorted with three jeeps, crossed the gate and started advancing in the fields while shooting tear gas. Two soldiers, hiding in the many olive trees that surround Niilin, tried to hunt and aim at the protesters. Once the soldiers retreated back behind the wall, a group of the village youths followed them back and confronted them there.


SHEIKH JARRAH

In early November the Al-Kurd family was evicted from a section of their house. On Tuesday 1.12 the settlers moved into it. When settlers lived in the other Al-Kurd family house in the neighborhood, they terrorized the family for months, until they obtained ownership over the entire house. This led to the eviction of the family a year ago. This will be the fifth house taken over by settlers in Karm Al Ja'ouni.

Weekly Protest March from the Mashbir plaza to Sheikh Jarrah

Join a march from West to East Jerusalem in protest of the injustice committed against the Palestinian residents of East Jerusalem. The march will end in Sheikh Jarrah with a protest against the settler enterprise in the neighborhood.

The march will start at the Mashbir plaza on Friday 4.12 at 13:30

For further information or transportation from Tel Aviv: M

The situation in Sheikh Jarrah is very explosive right now. The last three days were filled with violent outbreaks, confrontations with the settlers and the police, and the tent of the Gawi family was demolished once more. Yesterday the Al-Kurd family lost the appeal they submitted requesting the settlers to be removed from the new section of their house. Earlier today (Thursday) morning, police and secret service forces entered the neighborhood and arrested three Palestinians. Two of them were not found at home and were summoned to the police. There are large police forces in the neighborhood at the moment. International presence is insufficient, and there is a lack of cameras.
We need greater presence in the neighborhood in the next few days.
for coordination or further information M
Occupation of Al-Kurd home, 1st December, Sheikh Jarrah
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NqjXLVc81s

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Boycott Israel in Paris http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfK7Yal64S0