El-Arakeeb, Beit Jalla, Beit Omar, Bil'in, Hebron (Al Khalil), Jerusalem (Al Kuds), Ma'asara, Nabi Saleh, Ni'lin, Wad Rahal, Wallaje
No one will expect that the anarchists will lead the main struggle of the radical left of a country. No where in the world anarchist confront the state forces in a one sided non violent mode, week after week, expanding gradual the arena... and still walk free even when few of us detained for few hours or a day or two. No one will expect that the Hamas Fundamentalists will support in public the joint struggle with the anarchist Jews atheist. No one will expect the popularity and attention of the media to a few dozen anarchist activists that in less than 7 years changed the meaning of the label of "anarchists" in public opinions. No one will expect that the mighty Israeli repression machine will have to endure the activity of the anarchists like the legendary mosquito.
El-Arakeeb
In renewed and intensified measures the Israeli state invest lot of efforts to transfer the Bedouins citizens of Israel within the 48 borders to restricted areas and robe
the remaining lands not yet taken from them during the years.
"Emergency call for help in Al Arakib in the Negev - police gathering towards house demolitions tonight 26-07-2010, please contact asap if you can come or have a car"
On Tuesday 27-07-2010 35 homes demolished, 250 men women and children left homeless.
Is this only the beginning?
Demonstration tomorrow, Friday July 30th, 1:00pm
Stop the violent destruction of the village of El Araqib!
Where: at the location of the village of El-Araqib.
Directions: drive through the Lehavim-Rahat junction towards Beer Sheva. Take the 2nd dirt/ insignificant road turnoff to the right. You will see ahead of you a Bedouin cemetery, signs, and many cars. For more info: Halil el-Amour tel: 050 2700365
On Tuesday, 1,500 policepeople accompanied about 20 tractors to demolish and erase the village of El-Araqib. Women crying, children left to sit in the shade of the home's ruins under the summer desert sun.
In spite the presence of activists of the coalition for defending the Bedouins of the Negev (Israeli south) the Anarchists Against the Wall participate in, the huge state forces just did their destination mission...
It is difficult to describe the pain and horror when such force is used to destroy your roof. The helplessness. The forces arrived before dawn, at 5:30am. By 9:00am the meager dwellings were all just piles of rubble.
The Government of Israel has a plan for the "settlement of the Bedouin". As usual, no one in the Bedouin community is aware of the details, as it was, as usual, created for them, and without them. So we are only left to guess. The plan is sitting on Netanyahu's desk waiting for his approval. It is the plan that is supposed to implement the Goldberg Commission's recommendations.
These recommendations were good on the declarative level: Recognize all the villages, the Bedouin are not squatters… but on the practical level – far less generous. One recommendation: Bedouin should not have ownership of land beyond a defined area – a "Badu-stan". A second recommendation: villages that their location does not conflict with governmental plans should be recognized. However, 63 years of governmental plans that their intention was to prevent the possibility of recognition, do not leave many villages with this option. In effect it allows the decades of deprivation and coercion towards this weakened indigenous community to continue. Rumor has it that the new governmental plan includes the erasure and resettlement of at least half of the unrecognized villages, concentrating the population into a handful of to-be recognized other villages.
Is the attempt at erasing El-Araqib a first attempt at the erasure of villages? El-Araqib is outside the defined "Badu-stan", it is known as a village with strong leadership and a little more resources than most of the unrecognized villages. Its history includes forced re-settlement in the 1950's with an attempt of the people to return to the land ever since. It seems that this would be the right village for the government to start with to see what tactics can break a village's resolve not to be erased. Once they manage to break this village, it will be easier to continue and erase the others slotted for erasure.
During the 1948 war over 80% of the Negev Bedouin population were "convinced" to leave the country. In the 1950s the remainder was concentrated into a reservation area – the Siyag. Since then the government has refused to recognize the villages or the traditional land claims, leaving the population exposed to home demolitions and without the basic services of running water, electricity and much more. Now – the entirety of the land the Bedouin are living on and claiming is 3% of the Negev desert land. Is it not time that the Government stop the policies of demolitions and destruction, and allow the community to settle, and start healing from the six-decades long wounds it is suffering from?
If the village of El-Araqib holds against these policies of violence – there is a fighting chance for the entire community. So – YOUR HELP IS STRONGLY NEEDED!
El-Arakeeb :rebuilding continues amid fears of another demolition
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The women of al-Arakib village, whose houses were demolished by the State on Tuesday morning, invite Jewish and Palestinian women of conscience:
Women's Demonstration in al-Arakib
Friday, 30.7, 12:00
After the demo, we will have a women's meeting and tour.
Bus from Tel Aviv: 10:00 at Lewinsky Garden, near the Central Bus Station.
Transportation from other areas might also be available, please follow the updates
More info (in Hebrew) http://www.mysay.co.il/articles/ShowArticle.aspx?articlePI=aaafec
Photos: http://www.facebook.com/?sk=events#!/album.php?aid=7503&id=100001160094960&ref=mf
The Sheikh Jarrah Solidarity initiative (AAtW activists are part of) enlarge its "jurisdiction" again, and join the popular comity of Al Araqib village and others and organize a solidarity visit in the village on Saturday.
Robbery of Al Araqib village
http://www.facebook.com/notes/daniel-dukarevich/dwt-ryh-hsmdt-l-rqyb/141400299216961
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=FJJVWmBcDjU&vq=medium#t=17
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ash6IUbfDs
On Saturday we arrived on a solidarity visit to the ruins of El-Arakeeb, to meet the locals who are now rebuilding their homes.
We have been informed that another demolition may take place soon, and therefore, volunteers to stay the night at the place are needed. If you wish to volunteer, please contact N.
Beit Ommar Saturday July 31
A demonstration in Beit Omar, near Karmei Tsur settlement, were attacked by Israeli army on July 31st 2010. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFhxrCUach8
Bil'in
Thursday, a meeting of Bil'in popular comity activists with ISM and AAtW activist discussed the style of Friday demonstrations in the village against the separation fence and occupation....
Friday:
Over 100 internationals and about 10 Israelis joined the local weekly Palestinian demonstration in Bil'in. The demonstrators were determined not to give in to the weekly cycle of running away from soldiers under threat of arrest, and marched ready and willing. The soldiers, seeing the large demonstration from behind the fence, ran into the village and deployed along the route leading to the fence. The demonstrators continued their march and stopped only when they reached the first row of soldiers. There they chanted and sang for over half an hour, accompanied by Palestinian songs booming from a car-borne sound system. A few gas canisters shot into the flanks of the demonstration did not deter the demonstrators who stood their guard. Eventually some demonstrators insisted on marching onward toward the fence and the stolen lands. The soldiers reacted with grabbing and pushing. One activist was dearrested - as can be seen in the video of Emad Bornat: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z29697harl0
As usual, when the state force starts its violence against the nonviolent demonstration, not all participants adhere to the non violent mode. This time, like in previous demonstrations, three of the tear gas grenades which did not explode when shot at the demonstrators were returned.... with better success.... to the soldiers who tasted their own medicine to the cheers of many of the demonstrators.
Within seconds the soldiers' gas and the shabab's response of stones throwing dispersed the demonstrators, who retreated through clouds of gas.
They regrouped further back along the road, enjoyed a brief ad-lib hip-op session and ended the demonstration.
Half of the Israeli activists continued to the Sheikh Jarrah demo.
Friday 30.7.2010 David Reeb video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4YmKYx2CTA
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1315342936013&oid=52613180678
http://vodpod.com/watch/4150408-dailymotion-bilin-weekly-demo-30-07-2010-by-haitham-al-katib-une-vido-actu-et-politique
Raperring in Bil'in demo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z29697harl0
Hebron (Al Khalil)
Saturday July 31 "Open Shuhada Street" Weekly Demo in Hebron meets army violence; No arrests
Following last week's army attack, arresting 6 people, protesters were trying to avoid any confrontation with the Israeli army, but just before the end of the demo soldiers attacked the demonstration, pushing the protesters away from the already closed gates of Shuhada street in Hebron.
About 100 Palestinians and their supporters participated in this week's "Open Shuhada Street" demo. This time the army didn't allow the protesters to get anywhere near the closed gates of Shuhada street and in order to avoid confrontation the protesters marched away from the street the soldiers were blockading at its end.
While chanting slogans against the occupation, apartheid and settlements and for freedom of movement in Hebron, the march through the old city alleys led protesters to gather in front of the soldiers from another direction, close by to the usual spot. At this point a small 'play' was performed, featuring a “settler” protecting his colonial and racist supremacy. A donkey was also used in the demo.
After some speeches, the demonstration then started another march, which is usually its ending march, but as the street that was first blocked - was now open, protesters seized the opportunity and passed through this street to chant in front of the gates of Shuhada street. The army soldiers soon came out of the gates and violently pushed the protesters away.
After a short sit-in to assert the ever-diminishing Palestinian right to protest, the demo was declared over and people were about to go away. At this moment soldiers started harassing a journalist who was covering the demo. Protesters were trying to assert that (i.e.,freedom of press) diminishing right as well and were rejoiced when the journalist managed to get away from the soldiers. With this hopeful tone and a promise to come back next week - the demo then ended for real.
Jerusalem - Al Kuds
Another case of eviction of families in occupied east Jerusalem occurred at the night between Thursday to Friday. Activists of the AAtW initiative joined the families in their struggle to return to their homes.
"We are currently at the invaded Palestinian house in the old city,
invaded earlier today by a bunch of settlers. As far as I understand
the court, after instructing the settlers to be removed, agreed to
wait until Sunday with any decision.
Please get here to show support, the more the better!"
Sheikh Jarrakh
As usual, Friday demo had hundreds of participants. It included a march to the demo location from the Israeli part of Jerusalem and march to the street of the evicted houses that was blocked by the state forces.
Friday July 30, Protesters Defy Censors - Nissim Mossek video at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XH4iLqgO_4I
"Hello to all the activists and supporters of the Sheikh Jarah campaign
A year has passed since that morning of infamy when the Hanoun and Ghawi families were expelled from their homes, an act that ignited an unprecedented protest in Sheikh Jarah, a protest which has been growing from day to day.
Therefore, we are stepping up our campaign this week.
On this coming Friday, 6.8 at 13:00 we will set out on solidarity vigils with Sheikh Jarah all across the country!
And from these vigils we will continue to the
Central rally in Sheikh Jarah at 16:00!
Vigils will take place in West Jerusalem, Tel-Aviv, Haifa, Beer-Sheva, Kufr yasif, Tira, Taybe, Ara, Gan Shmuel junction, Raanana - and the list has not been finalized!
Ma'asara
This week, the Friday demonstration was a bit bigger than
usual due to the massive international activists
presence - as in other demonstrations, probably an after
effect of the Gaza flotilla. Contributed to the size were delegates
from the neighboring village Wadi Rahal which suspended
the Friday demo following temporary judicial success.
As usual the demo marched from center of the village to
the intersection on the way to their lands and started to go there
The soldiers tried to blocked physically and when they failed
used shock grenades - forcing the demonstrator to
retreat to the intersection.
Then. the soldiers retreated 50 meters trying to lure the demonstrators
to try passing and use it for another round of repression...
The demonstrators were wiser and stayed in the intersection
singing and even started there the Debka dance.
After a while the demo was declared finished and the participant returned to the village.
Part of the Israeli activists continued to the Sheikh Jarrah demo.
Nabi Saleh
Nabi Saleh: IOF hold a child hostage, wound a British activist
Latest News, Palestinian Grassroots Anti-Apartheid Wall Campaign, July 31st, 2010
On July 30th, 2010, the Israeli Occupation Forces detained the child Walid Daifallah (13 years-old) and arrested international solidarity activist and took him to an unknown destination in the village of Nabi Saleh (Ramallah District). The Occupation Forces also wounded a British supporter, 23 years-old, with a tear gas canister fired at her foot during the Nabi Saleh weekly protest.
The protest began after the Friday prayer and moved towards the land threatened by confiscation. The protest was an expression of the civil rejection of the Occupation practices and settlement expansion following a recent incident four days ago when settlers raided the village and attacked the villagers and their property.
The Occupation Forces blocked the regular route of the march, forcing the demonstrators to change their path. Significant amounts of tear gas was fired directly at the crowd, wounding a 23 years-old British activist who sustained an injury to her foot. Afterwards, violent clashes erupted between the demonstrators and the Israeli Occupation Forces who used rubber bullets and tear gas to suppress the protest.
The IOF also raided many houses and arrested Walid Daifallah (13 years-old) from his aunt's house. He was detained for more than an hour as the IOF held him hostage until the clashes subsided. Moreover, the IOF arrested an international solidarity activist and took him to an unknown destination.
Ni'lin
Ni'lin honors its martyrs and calls for continued popular resistance
Latest News, Palestinian Grassroots Anti-Apartheid Wall Campaign, August 1st, 2010
On July 30th, 2010, the weekly protest against the Wall and settlements in the village of Ni’lin (Ramallah District) commemorated the second anniversary of the martyrdom of Ahmad Musa and Yusef Amira. Ahmad Musa was killed during a demonstration against the Wall on July 29th, 2008 from a bullet in his head and Yusuf Amira was injured fatally the next day, and died a week later.
The demonstration began after the Friday prayers and moved towards the land in front of the Apartheid Wall. Many international activists participated in the march. When the demonstrators arrived at the Wall, Israeli Occupation Forces began firing teargas canisters directly at them, causing 15 cases of suffocation due to the inhalation of tear gas. The demonstrators responded by throwing stones and throwing back the tear gas canisters that were fired at them by the Occupation Forces from behind the Wall. According to eyewitnesses, five soldiers suffered asphyxiation from the tear gas thrown back at them.
Afterwards, the Occupation Forces pursued the demonstrators and the international solidarity activists to the outskirts of the village after they had opened the gate of the Wall and fired a significant amount of tear gas and sound bombs to suppress the demonstration. However, no demonstrators were arrested in the process.
Honoring the deaths of Ahmad Musa and Yousuf Amira during Ni’lin’s weekly march underlines that Palestinians are continuing to struggle for the cause that these Palestinian died for. Protests against the crimes of Israeli Occupation will continue in spite of the violent suppression at the hands of Israeli Occupation Forces.
Wad Rahal
Due to highest court order to halt the works on the separation fence on the lands of the village, Friday demonstrations were suspended.
"Our friends in Wad Rahhal have asked that activists will join them in work day this Wednesday at 16:00. If you wish to come to the work day please contact me".
Wallaje
Al-Wallaje village popular struggle committee calls on all internationals and Israeli activists to participate in the demonstration starting in the Mosque area of Wadi Jweza section of Al-Wallah on Wednesday at 7 AM. For more info call A.
on Thursday 29.7 about a 150 Israelis internationals and people from the village including about 30 summer camp kids watched the movie Budrus - a movie about the village Budrus' struggle against the wall - together in the village council. (One of the first joint struggles against the separation fence the Israeli anarchists against the wall involved with.)
Most of the Israelis and internationals did a tour of the village and the wall construction before the screening.
On Friday 30.7 about fifty people with 4 Israelis, 7 internationals and about 20 village children walked from the upper mosque to the new wall between the village and Har-Gilo, all the time shouting against the wall and occupation.
We walked along the wall and on the dirt path to the Har-Gilo fence.
Two border policemen stood on a roof in the settlement and observed us as we continued with the calling and the head of the village gave a speech. IDF jeeps passed us by on the village road stopping near the crowd for a second. But, there was no reaction from the villagers and we marched back shouting.
Saturday 31.7 the village celebrated the end of the summer camp with kids preforming debka, enacting a demonstration which met with IDF violence and more.
See http://awalls.org
Previous (weekly) reports at http://ilanisagainstwalls.blogspot.com
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