Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Palestine-Israel, Another week the same joint struggles with ripples all over the region

The sixth year of joint struggle of Bil'in that inspired the Palest5inian Ni'ilin, Ma'asara, Beit Ommar, and Nabi Saleh, and some say also the idea of the third Intifada. And in Israel it facilitated the joining of radical Zionist to direct actions against the occupation and transfer both in occupied East Jerusalem (Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan mainly) and within the 1948 borders in the Lod region, In Taibe and with the Bedouins of the south. The yearly international conference in Bil'in enabled integration of struggles and drawing political profits by leaders of the west bank (whose support of the ongoing struggle is mainly verbal only). The Israeli state forces express their disapproval in many ways but their inconsistency and frequent change in suppression tactics show they are still with out a clue.

Beit Ommar

Activists Demonstrated and worked the land despite Israeli military harrasment

On Saturday, April 23, eight Israeli activists and 24 international volunteers joined residents of Beit Ommar for an action near Karmei Tsur organized by the Beit Ommar National Committee Against the Wall and Settlements. The international contingent included volunteers from the Palestine Solidarity Project and International Solidarity Movement, as well as the Belgian group Checkpoint Singers. The demonstrators gathered in the lands near Karmei Tsur, and marched towards the settlement carrying flags and signs and chanting against the occupation.

As the protest neared the settlement, soldiers from the Israeli Defense Forces lined the path. The protest continued beside the military for several hundred feet, before the soldiers stepped out and blocked the road. The IDF refused to let the demonstration pass.

The Checkpoint Singers began to sing as protesters argued with the soldiers, asking to continue their peaceful demonstration on their land. The lieutenant in command showed papers labeling the area a closed military zone and told the assembled protesters that anyone still in the area in three minutes would be arrested. The demonstrators refused to go.

Three minutes passed, and the soldiers prepared to move in. Then, Ahmed Abu Hashem gestured to his land, a field next to the road. “We are here to work my land,” he said.

“Then where is your tractor? Come back with a tractor, and you can work on your land,” the lieutenant replied.

Abu Hashem explained that a tractor was not needed, as stones needed to be cleared from the field by hand first. The lieutenant said that such an action needed to be coordinated through them first.

“Coordination my ass,” shouted a Beit Ommar resident.

Abu Hashem turned away from the soldiers, looping around the military line and walking onto his land. The rest of the protesters followed, and the soldiers formed a perimeter to attempt to contain the movement. As the choir sang anti-opression songs, Palestinians, Israelis, and internationals began to pull stones from the earth and add them to the rock walls bordering the field. Whenever a they approached the soldiers, the military would retreat, and soon a handful of the faster workers had pushed the IDF three-quarters of the way across the field.

While the demonstrators cleared the field, soldiers called out to them and asked them to stop. Despite the closed military zone and threats of arrest, work went on and on one was detained. The action dispersed on its own terms, and only after a substantial number of stones had been removed.


Bil’in

The fifth Bil’in Conference in Non violent popular resistance took place on the 20-23 of April 2011

Dear Friends,

You are all invited to a large meeting of activists from throughout 48 and the territories of 67.

On the occasion of the Bil'in conference on the Palestinian popular struggle, we would like to organize a meeting dedicated to seriously thinking together of ways in which the different local struggles can be joined into something bigger and more effective - encompassing the whole of historic Palestine.

All are invited to attend - everyone involved in the Palestinian struggle, those inside 48 and those in the West Bank and East Jerusalem - let us meet and decide on better ways of uniting the struggle. Especially important are our dear friends in the besieged Gaza Strip, who will hopefully be able to join us via live video feed, but who in any case will be on our minds and in our hearts.

Where: Bil'in conference, occupied Palestine
When: Thursday, April 21st, at 14:00

Conference on Popular Resistance Ends with dance of a veteran activist of the PLO who came very often from Ramalla to confront physically with the Israeli state forces.
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=218876534796447
Mass Demonstration

The 6th annual Bil’in conference on Palestinian popular resistance ended this afternoon with a mass demonstration against the wall and occupation. Over three hundred people from all over the West Bank, Israel and the international community. The demonstration was held in memory of Bil’in’s Bassem Abu Rahmah, who was killed by an Israeli tear gas canister two years ago during an unarmed demonstration. Many injuries were reported including the beating of Popular Struggle Coordination Committee director Mohammad Khatib.

Palestinian Flag Atop an Israeli Military Jeep Picture

Hundreds gathered to honour the memories of those who have fallen in the last eight years of unarmed struggle against the separation wall and the occupation in Bil’in on Friday. The weekly demonstration also ended a three day conference in the village on Palestinian popular resistance which was attended by high level diplomats and Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad.

After leaving the village square, demonstrators were attacked with tear gas as the army tried to quickly to end the demonstration through violent force. Five people were wounded during the course of clashes including Popular Struggle Coordination Committee leader Mohammad Khatib, who was beat by Israeli troops.

Despite the violent measures taken by the army, demonstrators were able to breach a section of the wall and place Palestinian flags on top of an Israeli military jeep. After the wall was breached, small clashes continued inside the village as soldiers invaded in order to quell the unarmed demonstration.
Haitham Al Khatib

Another take:

"This Friday demo in Bil'in

Some 30 Israelis and a large number of internationals joined the Palestinian demonstration concluding the sixth Bil'in conference and commemorating to years since the killing of Bassem Abu Rahme by the occupiers in Bil'in. The army was apparently so intimidated by the large number of demonstrators, that they gassed the demonstrators long before they reached the fence. An unfavorable wind from the west forced the demonstrators to turn back. Shortly after, however, the demonstrators regrouped and marched forward to face the skunk, gas, and sound bombs. Some demonstrators crossed the gap in the northern part of the fence, demanded that the soldiers leave their lands, and mounted an army jeep. After a long skirmish, rubber bullet injuries, direct hits from gas canisters, a hand injury to an eighty year old Swiss photographer who was pushed by the soldiers into barbed wire and several and a few rounds of live bullets, the demonstrators went back to the main route. There too they were attacked with direct shots of gas canisters and lots of gas and skunk water, until they decided to conclude the demonstration."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1vNrgbYJeA

Haitham Al Khatib Conference Cori
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCr_H6kebVo

Bilin-20.04.2011Sixth Annual Conference on the Palestinian Popular Resistance


Lod

Every Tuesday a demo

The comming Tuesday, April 26, 19:00, Demo in Lod
at the Abu-Id Family Protest Tent

Solidarity's activity in the Lod-Ramle area continues to grow. Due to the recent success and the local residents wish to strengthen the partnership. We are in the process of creating a local activist group which will work in the area. We are calling out to our supporters in the area of Ramle and Lod to contact us, join the group and make a change in the political reality in the area.

Jerusalem-Al-Kuds

Tomorrow an artistic action against the settlement in silwan everybody is welcomed to take part
we meet at 11 at silwan's info center
(warned you it will be short...)

Blindfolded in Silwan (Kfutim) 22/4/2011 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yo-AMxM20Q4
Tear gas on educating tent http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_s4jMxa6auo

Sheikh Jarrah

This Friday, April 22nd
Demo at 4:00 PM

Just before Passover, settlers' organizations issued eviction-claims to five families of the Um Haroon compound in Sheikh Jarrah.
Join us on Friday, April 22, to stand together with the residents of Um Harron and all of Sheikh Jarrah in their struggle against the settler take-over of their homes.

We will continue to struggle against this systematic dispossession

Join us this Friday, April 22nd, at 4:00 PM For the weekly demonstration in Sheikh Jarrah garden next to Nablus Road

We gathered there (some after the Bili'in demo too). We marched in the neighborhood visiting houses already confiscated for settlers and some to be confiscated in the near future.


Al Ma'asara


NABI SALEH

22-4-2011 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7oudXvqujY


Ni'lin

The weekly demo began as usual with prayers in the Olive groves, where olives are beginning to bus on branches. The demonstration then approached the wall route, where some 30 protesters chanted and demanded the immediate return of the land to its owners. A small number of youths threw stones at the soldiers, who responded with tear gas. No injuries were recorded. The protesters then returned to the village.


South Hebron Hills

The attacks on the Palestinian residents of South Hebron Hills continue. On Sunday settlers assaulted Yosuf Mur in front of the soldiers. Mur was taken to the hospital in Hebron.

Amidst the continuing settlers violence, we will go on Saturday to South Hebron Hills, where we will accompany Palestinian farmers and shepherds to their lands, and will continue cleaning water cisterns demolished by the army.

Saturday April 23

Cleaning water cistern and accompanying farmers and shepherds in

South Hebron Hills
Settlers attack Palestinian Shepherd Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZliHco4mWao

Tel Aviv

Anarchisty and antifascist block will join the coming Friday 1st of May general demonstration

------------------------------------------
See http://awalls.org
See Previous reports at: http://ilanisagainstwalls.blogspot.com

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Palestine-Israel, The joint struggle continue and the AAtW with other Israelis share it with Palestinian activists

It seems that things are as usual... but hardly so. The uprising of the Arab masses of all the region, and the September UN intervention in Palestine is nearing, and some optimism is in the air. Gradually increase the number of Israeli activists who join the struggle at Beit Ommar, Bil'in, Ramallah, Jerusalem-Al Kuds (Sheikh Jarrah, Silwan) Lod-Ramla-Dahamsh, Ma'asara, Nabi Saleh, Ni'lin, Tel Aviv-Jaffa, Wad Rahal and other locations. It seems the Spring is not only a whether process.


Beit Ommar
Register for Transportation to Saturday April 16 Weekly Demonstrations Against the Wall and the Settlements


Bil'in

Nearly 60 Israelis and several dozen internationals joined the hundreds of Palestinians from Bil'in and the region in prisoner's day demo in Bil'in and commemorated the murder of ISM activist Vittorio Arrigoni. After speeches by Fadwa Barghouti and Fatah and the prisoners' club dignitaries, the demonstrators marched to the wall. Since the demonstration was larger than usual, the gassing began before the demonstrators even reached the fence. A large number of protesters remained in front to dodge the gas canisters and skunk water, and several shabab tried to disperse the soldiers with stones.

After a while Samir Bournat, a 35 year-old resident of the village and regular demonstrator, noted that a sniper was aiming his rifle at a group of protesters standing nearby the iron gate in the Wall. He approached in order to warn them, and was shot by the sniper twice with live ammunition (0.22 inch bullets). One bullet hit his right shoulder, while a second bullet penetrated his left foot. When the ambulance arrived to evacuate him to the hospital in Ramallah, the army shot tear gas on the ambulance as well. http://popularstruggle.org/content/bilin-protester-shot-live-ammunition-sniper

The army later stated that Samir was an "instigator". It is important to know that on top of the imprisonment sentences applied to Palestinian "instigators", the Israeli State Terrorism Forces apply potentially deadly violence (remember Aqel Srour!) on an ad-hoc basis to punish activists for the "crime" of "instigating" people to demonstrate.

Shortly after Samir was evacuated a small team of soldiers crossed the fence, but were immediately forced/order to retreat without shooting (posing for the press?). The Shabab enjoyed the opportunity granted by the Israeli Nonsense Forces to escort the withdrawal with stones. One of the soldiers was throwing stones back at the Shabab as he retreated, but since he's probably much more experienced with shooting than with throwing stones, he was not very effective.

Two other protesters who were lightly injured were treated by a medical team on the ground and did not require being evacuated to the hospital.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1905725116583&set=a.1905724756574.105912.1045414361&type=1&ref=nf
Yisrael Puterman video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMsDOzcQSUA
Haitham Al Khatib http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5I76t63cCQ


After the demonstration, some of the Israelis, the internationals, and the village activists traveled to Ramallah to join the demonstration to mourn the murder of Vittorio Arrigoni.
Haitham Katib video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43tSSKYASYI

Friends,

On April 17th we mark another year to loosing Bassem, who we also knew as Pheel.
Although he is greatly missed at the village and during every demonstration, his spirit keeps on living with each and every one of us.

For this second anniversary we decided to share the short film made in his memory. The film was ready within days, just in time to be screened at the International Conference on Popular Resistance which was held in Bil'in, 22nd-24th of April 2009. Thanks goes to Shai Carmeli-Pollak for the sensitive and wonderful work he has put into it.

Bassem Abu Rahma - A Friend To Us All
http://blip.tv/file/3480954 (عربي)
http://blip.tv/file/3481361 (עברית)
http://blip.tv/file/3471631 (English)
http://blip.tv/file/3481174 (Français)


Jerusalem

Silwan

Political tours of solidarity on Wednesday April 13, 4:15pm, Thursday, and Friday.


Sheikh Jarrah

Join us this Friday, April 15, at 4:00 PM

We will continue to struggle against this systematic dispossession

For the weekly demonstration in Sheikh Jarrah garden next to Nablus Road
Transportation from Tel Aviv: 2:30 PM from the El Al terminal
near the Tel Aviv Merkaz central train station. No need for preregistration

Pictures of Sheikh Jarrah Demonstration, April 15, 2011 http://www.facebook.com/media/set/fbx/?set=a.216837281664628.66592.100000150737581


Lod-Ramla-Dahamsh

Demo in Dahamash, Tuesday, April 12, 6pm;


Ma'asara


Nabi Saleh 15 April 2011

this week in nabi saleh the weekly demonstration marking the prisoner day left the center of the village in the direction of the south-eastern exit of the village. not long after it had met with the soldiers who after an exchange of words, attacked the demonstrators with stun grenades and tear gas, and then invaded into the village. after a while the demonstrators gathered again for a second march, and again were gassed. this time with one Israeli activist detained. (was released later that day)
after hours of patrolling inside the village and occasionally throwing tear gas and stun grenades at people and houses, the skunk entered the village. in an act of disapproval, the skunk truck was stoned by demonstrators who in response were flushed with the stinky water. tear gas was again shut, this time accompanied with rubber cotted metal bullets and live ammo directed throwers the demonstrators.

two palestinians from beit rima were arrested.

On the impact of the anniversary of the arrest of the leader Marwan Barghouti and the death of the leader Khalil al-Wazir (Abu Jihad) started the weekly march against the settlement in the village of Nabi Saleh with the participation of dozens of international activists and youths from a fourteenth of March, who participated in the march slogan of the people want to end the occupation and division, has The demonstrators expressed their anger to the killing of Italian solidarity Victor pacifist in the Gaza Strip, considering that death is the targeting of international solidarity in an attempt to prevent the joint and several foreign support for the occupation of the Palestinian people accused of responsibility for his death. After the arrival of the peaceful march to the entrance of the village was surprised the demonstrators with a large number of Israeli soldiers and patrols attacked the march and their target by firing a heavy tear gas under the direct order to discourage protesters from continuing their march, which led to the injury of dozens of cases of choking to mention the arrest of a number of foreigners and attacks on journalists who are in place . Not only did the occupation soldiers so, but they increased the attacking homes and closed roads and target anything that moves within the village, arguing dozens of soldiers to the center of Nabi Saleh in addition to their occupation of houses and factories of the oil, and Nabi Saleh and turn them into military barracks, from where the soldiers fire on demonstrators. Although it has been able Popular Resistance Movement Palestinian in the village to restore its strength and its ranks and organized two marches another two from two different places to confuse the soldiers who were quick to suppress and attack on the inside and reached up as targeting a fuel station in the village with bombs sound and gas is not indifferent to the consequences of this targeting. Popular Resistance Movement in the village for its part, took responsibility for what the occupation is being certain that all these attacks will not intimidate the youngest child in the village of Nabi Saleh and will not dissuade her from continuing the struggle until the restoration of the legitimate rights of our people.
David Reeb video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHnBKVj_194
Another video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dakl7uEtDfk


Ni'lin

Ni'lin's weekly demo against the wall began as usual in the noon prayer in the village's olive groves. A group of approximately 40 protesters then marched towards the wall route. Some of the protesters demanded that the soldiers guarding the wall go home and stop stealing the village's land, while a small number of youths threw stones over the wall. the soldiers fired teargas. no injuries were recorded.


Tel Aviv Jaffa 16-4-11

The following is the text Anarchists Against the Wall are considering as a solidarity announcement to memorizing Vittorio Arrigoni for this evening's mourning-protest in Yaffa:

We mourn the loss of our dear partner Vittorio Arrigoni. In light of the recent
murder, Anarchists Against the Wall are shocked and dismayed at this tragedy
and the terrible loss. We mourn and share our deep sorrow with the Arrigoni
family, our friends at the International Solidarity Movement, the Palestinian
people and anyone else who has been working and struggling with Vittorio
shoulder to shoulder in ending the criminal and inhumane Israeli siege on Gaza.

Vittorio was a true freedom fighter, voicing the voice of the oppressed and
choosing to remain with the people of the besieged Gaza during the Israeli
massacre of December 2008. Vittorio's memory will carry on through such acts of
deep solidarity, and we, activists in the Palestinian struggle for freedom and
the end of occupation and apartheid, will make sure to walk on this path.

Such a horrible act should be opposed by all and will strengthen our fight
against any enemy of freedom and justice. Vittorio's work will not be in vain.

STAY HUMAN,
In loving memory of Vittorio Arrigoni, 1975-2011



Wad Rahal

Fadi, Shadi's brother, was released from jail and the friends from Wad Rahal are inviting us to celebrate with them on Sunday evening.
If you want to come, please contact.

See http://awalls.org

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Palestine-Israel, the joint struggle continue on the background of the regional uprising and the moment of truth expected at September.

Israeli expectation for the immanent political defeat on September at the United Nations and more, increase viciousness in many spheres of suppression of the Palestinians. This is expressed also in the joint struggles in Al-Arakib Bedouin village and in Palestinian neighborhood of Lod within Israel, and on South Hebron mountain region and Beit Ommar in the occupied Palestinian lands.


Beit Ommar

Today a few dozens of Palestinians, from Beit umar, a handful or internationals and five Israelis came to safra to plant trees on land owned by Palestinians but issued as a closed military area for 2 years.
That action was very successfully, over 200 trees were planted, we marched back to Beit umar with slogans and drums. The army tried to stop the action but had very little success. No one was arrested or injured.


Bil'in Photos By Chen Misgav http://www.facebook.com/album.php?fbid=10150205077516803&id=770301802&aid=341483
David Reeb video Bil'in Friday 8.4.2011 video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYJZvem_Feo

Lod-Ramla

Evictions are confronted at their expected timing and on Tuesday.

Ma'asara

The usual Friday demonstration against the separation fence and occupation




An-Nabi-Salih_8-4-11

This Friday Nabi Saleh demonstration against the settlements and occupation was joined by a group of West Bank March 15 http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=44902 activists and was larger than usual. Some 80 people marched through the village's main street and then crossed into the fields to reach the spring and land being stolen and threatened by settlers. This turn to the fields also helped the protesters avoiding being fired at by the Israeli soldiers who awaited them down the street. Even before the marchers could reach the village's main road, Israeli soldiers came to stop them, throwing stun and tear gas grenades and shooting rubber-coated metal bullets at a non-violent protest. This, however, did not deter the protesters, who kept standing in front of the soldiers in defiance. The soldiers than turned to violently arresting two Palestinian protesters and attempting to arrest a third one.

After the soldiers left the fields with the arrested, protesters regathered and managed to cross the main road and into the hill that overlooks the village's spring. The army was too slow to respond but when it did, it attacked the protesters, shooting tear gas canisters at them, as they moved further away. The protesters than marched back through the village and into its center. During this time the army had already swarm ed the village, taking over roofs, throwing tear gas and stun grenades , and arresting four Palestinian by-standers . When the peaceful march reached the village's center, two Israeli supporters – who, according to the army, have violated a closed military zone order – were also arrested. A third was detained shortly.

Three of the Palestinian arrestees have already been released. The two Israelis are also likely to be released this evening . The three other Palestinians may be taken to Ofer military prison, where they will be subjected to a harsh military legal system, specifically designated for a prolonged imprisonment of Palestinians without a viable trial.
www.youtube.com

Eight arrested in Nabi Saleh demonstration: Six Palestinians and two Israeli supporters April 8, 2011 This Friday Nabi Saleh demonstration against the settlements and occupation was joined by a group of West Bank March 15 activists and was larger than usual. Some 80 people marched through the v
Nabi Saleh Demo 08.04.11 / Nabi Saleh Manifestation 08.04.11
http://larissariahi.com/gallery/nabi-saleh-demo-080411-nabi-saleh-manifestation-080411/
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150150650789387&set=a.10150150626664387.299594.503804386
Israel Puterman http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9K8GTL12r0
Tamimi http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7t0zn-ukzg8


Ni'ilin

The usual Friday demonstration against the separation fence and occupation


Tel Aviv

KRAS revolutionary confederation of anarcho-syndicalists at Dizengof square http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mD4TNiZSWw


Occupied East Jerusalem

Silwan

Solidarity Tour of Silwan, Friday, 8.4.11, 12:30
Pictures of clashes Friday 8/4/2011 http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2011/04/09/18676757.php

Sheikh Jarrah

The usual Friday demonstration

Nebi Samuel

The third consecutive Friday of joint struggle against the efforts to transfer the villagers and rob their land.

------------------------
See http://awalls.org
See Previous reports at: http://ilanisagainstwalls.blogspot.com

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Palestine-Israel, More and more activists involve in the joint struggle with Palestinian adopting AAtW mode of non violence confrontation.

The heroic struggles of the Israeli Beduins of Al-Arakib and the inhabitants of the small village Nabi Saleh, are on the background of the persistent struggles in Bil'in, Ni'ilin, Ma'asara, Beit Ommar, South of Hebron mountain. Villages who were long ago the flag bearers of the struggle, return to it from time to time. The Sheikh Jararah struggle initiated a wider spectrum of activities and activists (Lod included) and the AAtW lost their unique place. Lately, the struggle of AAtW activists in the Tel-Aviv-Jaffa Metropolin initiated a series of demonstrations in front of the embassy of US - the sponsor of Israeli settler colonialism, occupation and war crimes.


Al-Arakib

Wednesday 30.3.11 14:00 Land day


Beit Umar
Video shows troops hitting, cursing leftists when ‎19 arrested in a demo who held a demonstration on 2-4-11, outside of the village, against the siege. After wards 3 more were arrested earlier. 8 still in custody.
http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-4051122,00.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NMUfFA4NWE

'You Arab son-of-a-bitch,' soldier calls protester as arrests in Beit Ommar erupt in violence
A video clip obtained by Ynet Saturday shows IDF soldiers cursing, beating and degrading leftist protesters they were sent to arrest in Beit Ommar.
One of the soldiers was caught on tape whispering in a protester's ear, "You're so gay, you son-of-a-bitch." When the protester said he hadn't heard, the soldier yelled the phrase out.
The violent clashes erupted in the West Bank village, where a number of people rallied to protest an IDF checkpoint established to prevent stone-throwing by residents, when one of the protesters asked a soldier why he was being arrested.
The troops then began to use force with the uncooperative leftists, some of them minors, and one was documented hitting a protester in the neck and pushing him away.
The clashes reached a climax when one of the troops yelled out the degrading phrase, afterwards saying, "Get out of here you Arab son-of-a-bitch".
Finally 19 activists were detained for questioning, and four were taken into custody.
The IDF said earlier Saturday, in response to claims made by the movement of a closure in the village, that no closure had been imposed on Beit Ommar but that "precautions are being taken in order to lessen stone-throwing at Israeli vehicles in the area". The village is located close to Hebron.
The army has not responded to the video clip so far.
Lihi Yafe, one of the activists taken into custody, claims she and her colleagues had not broken any laws. "The soldiers said it was a closed military zone but refused to produce the orders. They were very aggressive. One of our activists took a punch, his shirt was torn and he was pushed. Later a stun grenade was fired at us," she said.
Another activists said, "We object to the continuing closure on Beit Ommar, following fire by settlers from which two residents of the village were injured two weeks ago."

TV 10 news included clip of the scandalous behavior of the state force in Beit Ommar Saturday demo.

Following the exposer in the media, the two and a half weeks closer of the village was canceled.


Bil'in

Roy take:
Over 30 Israelis with the anarchists against the wall initiative (AAtW) and some 50 internationals joined the people of Bil'in to celebrate the first day of summer saving time while protesting against the wall, resisting the occupation, and expressing solidarity with the people of Syria. Mustafa Bargouthi dropped in surrounded by Mubadra flags, but Fatah and Marwan Bargouthi flags were not absent either. On the northern fence front the gas and stone exchange started pretty much immediately, but at the main gate the soldiers preferred skunk and stun grenades, forcing a couple of demonstrators who got sprayed while trying to cross the fence to continue the demonstration with their shirts off. The soldiers held the gas back for a while, either because of the unfavorable wind, or because they liked the popular Arab music played from a car-borne loud speaker, or because they have discovered the power of de-escalation and gone hippie on us (scat squirting and sound bombing hippie, that is). But the gas did eventually come, maybe because the sound bombs scared a flock of storks into circling in the air above the demo, upsetting the fine balance of mother nature, which is surely a definite no-no for our armed friends of the Zionist earth. During one of the pauses between the relatively thin showers of gas, a red ice-cream car came a-gingling and offered radioactive-colored lumps of sweet frozen vegetable fat which, given the heat, duped some of the demonstrators into buying and eating it. Eventually, when the shabab was almost done expressing its protest by stoning the skunk truck, the soldiers crossed the fence to scare the few remaining demonstrators away. But while some demonstrators did retreat, others took the opportunity to give the soldiers a 30 minute lecture about the evils of the occupation, describe the soldiers' personal faults, comment on their mothers, and rub skunk-soaked bodies in their noses. This tactic led the army to retreat, repent and promise to end the occupation.

Well, maybe the repenting and ending the occupation thing was a heat induced delusion or an April fool's hoax. A couple of demonstrators required first aid for exposure to gas and a rubber bullet bruise.

Haitham Al Khatib video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_G_yWPZWpo

Iyad Burnat take:

Friday 01/04/2011-Two citizens were injured in addition to dozens of cases of suffocation from teargas in Bil'in weekly demonstration.
Bil'in commemorates Land Day by promising the martyrs, wounded and prisoners that they will continue to struggle for independence and freedom.
Two citizens were wounded today with various injuries and there were dozens of cases of choking on poison gas. Many also suffered after being hit by the colored chemical water stench that the Israeli occupying forces launch towards the demonstrators. The suppression of the peaceful march organized by the Popular Committee Against the Wall and settlements, to commemorate Land's Day, was launched after the performance Friday prayers in front of the mosque in the village towards the separation wall.
Participated in the march along with the people of Bil'in, dozens of Palestinian civilians from nearby villages as well as several members of the Palestinian committee, al mubadara, led by Dr. Mustafa Barghouti, and numbers of activists, Israelis and international activists. Participants raised Palestinian flags and pictures of martyrs Jawaher and Basem Abo Rahma and yellow banners with a picture of the prisoner leader Marwan Barghouti and posters with the image of the mufti Amin al-Husseini. His home which was demolished by the Israeli occupying forces in Jerusalem, participants chanted slogans demanding an end to the occupation and division, and also chanted against the Israeli arbitrary practices committed by occupation forces against Jerusalem.
Before the arrival at the rally at the eastern gate of the fence the demonstrators were met with a shower of tear gas and sound grandees, rubber bullets, bullet cartridges and skunk water resulting in injuries to both Kamel-Khatib, 17 years and 30-years Rani Bornat were sprayed gas in their eyes.

To challenge the participants, the Israeli army stormed the gate of the wall despite the presence of dozens of heavily armed soldiers and machine sprayed chemicals they were subjected to a large quantities of these materials. When those materials were fired at them, ambulance crews dealt with all cases on the ground.
On the other hand the special forces in the Israeli army prosecute the participants and chased to arrest them, but failed to do so.


Lod

Day of land demo 29.3.2011
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdcMyNInsJg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvLMCXZRmrI

The coming Tuesday, April 5th, at 18:00 Demo in Lod at the Abu-Id Family Protest Tent
For the past 4 months there is an ongoing protest in Lod against house demolition, demanding also to find a long lasting solution for the Abu-Eid family.


Al-Ma'asara

Invitation "Al-Ma’sara Popular Committee against the wall and settlements calls every one to come and to participate in the central demonstration in the village of Al-Ma’sara, Friday the 1st of April at noon . this demonstration come in the anniversary of Land Day. The demonstration will start from the center of the village toward the apartheid wall".

Demonstration 22/10/2010 - Four Years of Struggle

"On a sunny 1th of April approximately 80 Palestinians, Israelis, and
internationals gathered at the village center for the weekly demonstration
under the banner of memorizing the Palestinian land day and condemning the
occupation.
Among the demonstrators, Abbas Zaki and his entourage were present. we started
walking along the normal path and even managed to over pass the first blockade
and to reach the main road. there the army didn't have any patience, while we
were trying to explain its the villagers own right to walk on their own land,
and we were scattered by over aggressive violence and by use of stun grenades
and tear gas that was shot directly at the demonstrators, and against any norm
and rules of using this kind of weapon. "

"The Palestinian village of Al-Ma'asara lies near the town of Bethlehem, and has suffered in recent year due to the separation wall which has prevented the village residents from accessing their lands, with the goal of taking over more land for the settlement of Efrat. This demonstration marks 4 years of struggle in Al-Ma'asara, and it's the first time I've attended. The demonstrations are completely non-violent. The demonstrators sing and give speeches. Nonetheless, the Israeli army chooses to disperse the demonstration by force".

Pictures at http://www.facebook.com/album.php?fbid=159834470717867&id=100000739446057&aid=33828


Nebi Samuel

We are invited to take a part in planting olive trees at a new location, called Nabi Samuel, near Ramot, Jerusalem! Planting is timed to mark the Land Day!
Background : Around 300 Palestinian farmers are living at the Nabi Samuel. After the 1967 their houses around the mosque were damaged, and a part of the mosque was declared as a synagogue. Therefore, the inhabitants moved some hundred meters from their destroyed houses and continue to preserve their agricultural way of life. However the Israeli authorities declared all the village land as a natural reserve and also built a few settlements on the rest of it (such as Ramot and Givon haHadasha). In addition, the authorities prohibit Palestinians from building or renovation of their housing, thus pushing the new generation to move out and to rent houses in Ramallah.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?fbid=1634945477402&id=1349656125&aid=2077057
Marking the Land Day with Olive Trees Planting


Nabi Saleh

Despite recent hardships, Nabi Saleh commemorates land day.

Land day at An Nabi Salih village - 30 3 11
www.youtube.com http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DLmJ6YeaTM
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=46632&id=113817528662736

This Saturday Nabi Saleh marked the Land Day with an official ceremony that included many distinguished guests as well as local activists. The ceremony was followed by a demonstration and march through the village and towards its spring threatened by settlers with the backing of the Israeli army. Israeli army jeeps waited at the spring, and as a few soldiers approached the marchers, some people started throwing stones to ward off the army incursion. This was followed by an intensified military raid onto the village from various directions. Soldiers started shooting rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas projectiles towards whomever in their sight and inside populated Palestinian areas.

The village was soon swarmed with soldiers, searching houses, taking over roofs, and arresting by-standers. This was the occasion for the arrest of one Palestinian youth who came from Saffa (near Bil'in), the owner of the sound equipment used in the ceremony (who was released later on) and a 15 and a 17 year-old of the village youths. All three arrestees are likely to be taken to Ofer military prison, where they will be subjected to a harsh military legal system and imprisoned for months , just as did about 10% of the village's population in the past year and a half.
avid Reeb video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dIb6K5Md2A

Sheikh Jarrah

Demonstration 1/4/2011 http://www.facebook.com/album.php?fbid=200390673328913&id=100000739446057
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LitRqaFLiR8



South Hebron hills

Arrest of 16 Activists South Hebron Hill
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjroCxyO92g
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvn_QJS6itg


Tel-Aviv-Jaffa

Activists of the Anarchist Against the Wall swarmed on molls to remind them that cost-tags are only in sales and the fake "cost-tags" are an occupation's terror.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?id=184879698210917&aid=48769
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=60531&id=100000559736199

Land day in Jaffa 2-4-11 Israel Putermam video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5uMX_n_Ev4

Pictures of Land Day in Jaffa, April 2, 2011 http://www.facebook.com/album.php?fbid=213498418665181&id=100000150737581&aid=65219
Ran 0526-324-998

No fly zone

We invite all organizations who are active in the struggle to join us this coming Sunday,
April 3rd 2011, at 19:30, for a loud protest in front of the US Embassy in Tel Aviv

We will join the Palestinians in calling for a
No-Fly Zone Over Palestine
Together we will call upon the world: Ban Israeli planes from bombarding the besieged Gaza
Together we will demand: US and EU – end your support of Israeli crimes

A couple of weeks ago, the UN Security Council decided to implement a no-fly zone over Libya, aimed at protecting its citizens. Last week Israeli fighter jets bombed the besieged Gaza several times, killing helpless civilians and children. Israeli jets also Invaded the sovereign skies of Lebanon, as has routinely been done before, in violation of international law.

Palestinian civil society organizations are calling upon the Security Council and the international community to protect the Palestinian people and prohibit these deadly jets form flying over Palestine, as is being enforced over Libya. Similar calls were also voiced by Ismail Haniyeh and Salam Fayyad.

The different factions in Gaza have agreed to a ceasefire, given that Israel puts stops its aggression. Israeli authorities have also confirmed that Hamas is interested in a ceasefire. Nevertheless, Israeli forces continue in bombing civilians while the heads of the state prepare us for a weeks-long confrontation, stating that "Hamas no longer remembers Cast Lead". While Hamas and Fatah are discussing unity, the Israeli prime minister warns us that such a unity will put an end to negotiations.

These are American weapons, American funding and American backing

Without their military, economic and diplomatic aid, Israel could not possibly carry on the illegal siege of Gaza, the bombing of civilians, the blatant disregard of the International Law and world consensus, and maintain its illegal settlements project, oppression and apartheid.

The US presents itself as a defender of democracy and of human rights, while doing everything to financially, diplomatically and militarily support Israeli occupation and apartheid, imposing an illegal and inhumane siege on those who are in need of protection.

This action is part of R€FU$E – Western Supported Occupation & Apartheid. The campaign targets the EU-US complicity in Israeli occupation and aims at raising awareness to this critical issue. We demand that both the EU and the US join the international community, in deeds rather than words, and act in order to protect the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.

Join us on Sunday | April 3rd | at 19:30 in front of the US Embassy, 71 Hayarkon Street, Tel Aviv!

Sunday evening we converged in front of the US embassy. About 30 activist held banners and chanted for an hour to press our point.
No-Fly Zone Over Palestine - Demo in front of US Embassy Tel Aviv
"Together we call upon the world: Ban Israeli planes from bombarding the besieged Gaza. Together we demand: US and EU -- end your support of Israeli crimes. These are American weapons, American funding and American backing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fqKplqVjnI
Israel Puterman video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bjpu-UTPsvQ
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See http://awalls.org
See Previous reports at: http://ilanisagainstwalls.blogspot.com