Last Friday, as many of you know, the army tried to crack down on the resistance at Bil'in by brute force. One hour before the beginning of the weekly demonstration, a squad of roughly 100 soldiers invaded the village and proceeded to take over. In an unprecedented move, snipers set up posts on rooftops, jeeps and hummers patrolled the streets as a large group of soldiers positioned themselves outside of the mosque, where the demonstration was scheduled to begin. Once the prayer was over, the people leaving the mosque were violently dispersed, without even one stone having been thrown. A curfew was imposed immediately, and one of the commanders went on to announce that "there will be no more demonstrations in Bil'in".
The intense violence of the military resulted in the use of live fire against protestors in at least two cases. Some time into this, and despite the use of excessive violence against us, a group of Palestinians, internationals and Israelis managed to regroup and proceed together towards the construction site. The procession was halted as it reached the last home in the village by a massive bombardment of rubber bullets, tear gas and concussion grenades. By the end of the day 12 people were wounded and 14 arrested. 12 of the arrested people were released hours later, with no restraining orders; two others remained in custody and were released by the judge the next day (Saturday) on condition that they not enter the occupied territories for six days.
The village of Bil'in rises as a proud symbol of resistance for the people of Palestine and for all oppressed people worldwide, for its resistance to the wall. But its struggle symbolizes much more. It reveals the purpose of the wall - annexation and dispossession. The trajectory in the area proves that the purpose behind it is the expansion of Modi'in Elit and Matityahu settlements, at the expense of the area's villages' stolen lands.
We, Palestinians and Israelis, view the recent measures taken by the military as a substantial escalation in violent repression and as an additional infringement on our progressively eroding right to protest and resist the stealing of our lands and the denial of basic human rights. We will be holding a massive demonstration this coming Friday (Sept 9), and we call on you all to step up your efforts, spread the word widely, and join us in Bil'in as we deliver our message that the popular resistance to the wall and the occupation will not be crushed, that the protest against the crimes of occupation will not be silenced. Especially now, as the military is denying, through brute force, our right to protest, we urge you all to come out and raise your voice against the ongoing dispossession and violation of the basic human rights of the people of Bil'in and Palestine in general.
The demonstration will begin at the Mosque in Bil'in at 13:00. Transportation details to follow shortly.
The Popular Committees against the Wall and Settlement Expansion
Gush Shalom
Taayush
Coalition of Women for Peace
The Committee against House Demolitions
Anarchists against the Wall
Monday, September 5, 2005
Saturday, September 3, 2005
Israel, Draft of libertarian communist* statement 03 Sep
Evacuation of colonial settlements from the Gaza strip and the north of the west bank, building separation walls and annexation fences, and the racist policy for defense of the "Jewish majority" - are not steps towards peace, but attempt to disregard reality. The basic facts of the reality of the Mediterranean East have not changed since 5th of July 1967, when the following was written in a declaration of the Socialist Organization In Israel - Matspen, a month after the big victory of Zionism:
The Zionism is essential a movement of colonization - settlement of settlers who came to Palestine from abroad influenced by chauvinistic ideas. The action mode was always the same: create irreversible facts - if needed by physical acts - on the expense of the Palestinians and against them.
As result of the present international situation, the overwhelming majority of the Israeli public adopted the opinion that the military victory enable Israel to enforce a settlement, and this way to arrive into a solution of the Israeli-Arab dispute. This approach is mistaken from its essence, and all the formulas based on it cannot solve the problem.
In spite of the unequal military power balance of the present, Israel remain a small island in the Arab region. Every "settlement" which will be arrived at from the position of power, will be only temporary - and thus pseudo settlement.
We said in the past, and we repeat it now, that the Palestinian Arabs are entitled to decide their political destiny by themselves with out external coercion. However, we warn against the dangerous illusion born in the mind of part of the Israeli public, that now - when Israel rule by force of arms all the area of Palestine in the borders of the British colonial mandate, there created the opportunity to materialize that right for self determination.
The truth is the opposite. These occupations themselves, destroy the base for free choice self determination. The most that can be expected from a Palestinian state which will be built on the base of occupation is that it will be a narrow Geto - a caricature of an independent state.
From the point of principal objection to the Zionist policy of unilaterally establishing facts and forcing them on the Arabs, we hold the opinion that it is an obligation to call the Israeli government to retreat from the occupied territories and the intention to enforce a settlement by brute power.
This call is a test for every progressive organization and individual.
We nurture no illusion that the return to the lines of armistice ("green line" preceding 1967 conquests) will be by itself a solution to the Palestinian problem and the Israeli-Arab relations. This is only essential step without which no advance what so ever towards a real solution will be able. To all these nourishing the illusion we say: no solution is possible for political problems between nations using - openly or in subtle ways - means of economic, social, or political dominance of one group of people over another.
==================================
* Revolutionary antiauthoritarian anticapitalist organization in Israel. Mainly active in the 60s to the 80s.
The Zionism is essential a movement of colonization - settlement of settlers who came to Palestine from abroad influenced by chauvinistic ideas. The action mode was always the same: create irreversible facts - if needed by physical acts - on the expense of the Palestinians and against them.
As result of the present international situation, the overwhelming majority of the Israeli public adopted the opinion that the military victory enable Israel to enforce a settlement, and this way to arrive into a solution of the Israeli-Arab dispute. This approach is mistaken from its essence, and all the formulas based on it cannot solve the problem.
In spite of the unequal military power balance of the present, Israel remain a small island in the Arab region. Every "settlement" which will be arrived at from the position of power, will be only temporary - and thus pseudo settlement.
We said in the past, and we repeat it now, that the Palestinian Arabs are entitled to decide their political destiny by themselves with out external coercion. However, we warn against the dangerous illusion born in the mind of part of the Israeli public, that now - when Israel rule by force of arms all the area of Palestine in the borders of the British colonial mandate, there created the opportunity to materialize that right for self determination.
The truth is the opposite. These occupations themselves, destroy the base for free choice self determination. The most that can be expected from a Palestinian state which will be built on the base of occupation is that it will be a narrow Geto - a caricature of an independent state.
From the point of principal objection to the Zionist policy of unilaterally establishing facts and forcing them on the Arabs, we hold the opinion that it is an obligation to call the Israeli government to retreat from the occupied territories and the intention to enforce a settlement by brute power.
This call is a test for every progressive organization and individual.
We nurture no illusion that the return to the lines of armistice ("green line" preceding 1967 conquests) will be by itself a solution to the Palestinian problem and the Israeli-Arab relations. This is only essential step without which no advance what so ever towards a real solution will be able. To all these nourishing the illusion we say: no solution is possible for political problems between nations using - openly or in subtle ways - means of economic, social, or political dominance of one group of people over another.
==================================
* Revolutionary antiauthoritarian anticapitalist organization in Israel. Mainly active in the 60s to the 80s.
Friday, September 2, 2005
Greece, Crete, Anarchists solidarity with the struggle AGAINST THE APARTHEID WALL in Palestin 02 Sep
A brief communique about the event we'll organize here in a few days:
-SATURDAY 10 SEPTEMBER, 7.00p.m.:
-SQUAT OF "EVANGELISMOS", HERAKLION OF CRETE, GREECE:
-EVENT OF COUNTERINFORMATION FOR SOLIDARITY WITH THE COMMON STRUGGLE: OF PALESTINIAN AND ISRAELI ACTIVISTS FOR PEACE, DIGNITY AND SELF
-DETERMINATION AND AGAINST THE APARTHEID WALL OF ISRAEL
-PRESENTATION ABOUT THE WALL AND THE RESISTANCE AGAINST IT BY
A MEMBER OF THE "ANARCHISTS AGAINST THE WALL" ISRAELI GROUP -VIDEOPROJECTION ABOUT ACTIONS AGAINST THE WALL
-EXHIBITION OF RELATIVE MATERIAL (POSTERS,PHOTOS ETC)
AGAINST THE BIGGEST PRISON IN THE WORLD FOR FREEDOM AND DIGNITY...
...DOWN WITH THE APARTHEID WALL!
...STOP THE OCCUPATION AND GRAB OF THE PALESTINIAN LAND!
-SATURDAY 10 SEPTEMBER, 7.00p.m.:
-SQUAT OF "EVANGELISMOS", HERAKLION OF CRETE, GREECE:
-EVENT OF COUNTERINFORMATION FOR SOLIDARITY WITH THE COMMON STRUGGLE: OF PALESTINIAN AND ISRAELI ACTIVISTS FOR PEACE, DIGNITY AND SELF
-DETERMINATION AND AGAINST THE APARTHEID WALL OF ISRAEL
-PRESENTATION ABOUT THE WALL AND THE RESISTANCE AGAINST IT BY
A MEMBER OF THE "ANARCHISTS AGAINST THE WALL" ISRAELI GROUP -VIDEOPROJECTION ABOUT ACTIONS AGAINST THE WALL
-EXHIBITION OF RELATIVE MATERIAL (POSTERS,PHOTOS ETC)
AGAINST THE BIGGEST PRISON IN THE WORLD FOR FREEDOM AND DIGNITY...
...DOWN WITH THE APARTHEID WALL!
...STOP THE OCCUPATION AND GRAB OF THE PALESTINIAN LAND!
Palestine-Israel, Army failed in efforts to prevent the joint Friday demo in Bil'in 02 Sep
Soldiers have launched a siege on Bil'in this Friday noon in a futile effort to prevent the joint Israeli-Palestinian Friday demonstration on going for the last few months. The army declared the whole Bil'in village a closed military zone for Israelis, blocked all the roads leading to Bil'in to prevent the Israeli anarchists against the wall and others from arriving to participate in the joint demo. In addition, they invaded the main street of the village throwing shock grenades, firing tear gas rubber bullets and attempting to impose a curfew on residents. mainly near the Mosque where the demonstrations are started. As direct result from the invasion, a protracted battle started between the invading soldiers and stone throwing villagers (mostly young ones).
About 12 o'clock when we were nearing the Bil'in - 50 Israelis from Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, we were warned about the army block. Thus, we left the cabs and started to find our round about way among the olive orchards and the rocks of the step hill.
When we finally arrived in the village we were warned that the main street is dense with soldiers waiting for us... So we went between houses passing through the "war zone" with the tear gas clouds till we arrived in our safe house - where the international activists stay near the center of village.
There we confronted the soldiers who were shooting tear gas and shock grenades mainly, who found that our addition to the stone throwers - who responded in kind to the tear gas and shock grenades of the army, was too much for them and they gradually left the main street.
Though a bit late, and after two hours of confrontation with the army, we started the Friday demonstration as usually, marching to the end of the village, on the road leading to the fence building site.
When we arrived there, we sat down... but the soldier soon started to push us roughly with their hands back to the village... As we were resisting, they used plenty of tear gas and shock grenades and even some shooting, and detained 14 of us including Mohammed - member of the village comity against the fence, whom they often detain or even arrest in our demos.
At the end of the confrontation some of the local activists, the internationals and the Israelis who were not detained regrouped to the safe house to a meeting and discussions.
As usual during discussion and waiting for the release of most of the detainees, the comrades responsible to media prepared the material for the main TV channels evening news. (Announcements about the Friday struggle in Bil'in was broadcasted during the afternoon by the main radio station. A short video clip Including a picture of the demonstration was already screened in the channel one friday evening news...)
During the confrontation 12 of us were injured - most not seriously by rubber bullets. Two were taken to hospital. (One soldier too was hit hard in his leg by a stone and was carried away by his mates...)
12 of the detainees were released as usual after few hours, and as usual two were arrested and taken to the Pisgat Zeev police station...
About 12 o'clock when we were nearing the Bil'in - 50 Israelis from Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, we were warned about the army block. Thus, we left the cabs and started to find our round about way among the olive orchards and the rocks of the step hill.
When we finally arrived in the village we were warned that the main street is dense with soldiers waiting for us... So we went between houses passing through the "war zone" with the tear gas clouds till we arrived in our safe house - where the international activists stay near the center of village.
There we confronted the soldiers who were shooting tear gas and shock grenades mainly, who found that our addition to the stone throwers - who responded in kind to the tear gas and shock grenades of the army, was too much for them and they gradually left the main street.
Though a bit late, and after two hours of confrontation with the army, we started the Friday demonstration as usually, marching to the end of the village, on the road leading to the fence building site.
When we arrived there, we sat down... but the soldier soon started to push us roughly with their hands back to the village... As we were resisting, they used plenty of tear gas and shock grenades and even some shooting, and detained 14 of us including Mohammed - member of the village comity against the fence, whom they often detain or even arrest in our demos.
At the end of the confrontation some of the local activists, the internationals and the Israelis who were not detained regrouped to the safe house to a meeting and discussions.
As usual during discussion and waiting for the release of most of the detainees, the comrades responsible to media prepared the material for the main TV channels evening news. (Announcements about the Friday struggle in Bil'in was broadcasted during the afternoon by the main radio station. A short video clip Including a picture of the demonstration was already screened in the channel one friday evening news...)
During the confrontation 12 of us were injured - most not seriously by rubber bullets. Two were taken to hospital. (One soldier too was hit hard in his leg by a stone and was carried away by his mates...)
12 of the detainees were released as usual after few hours, and as usual two were arrested and taken to the Pisgat Zeev police station...
Friday, August 26, 2005
Israel-Palestine, "We Are All Anarchists Against The Wall" - a pamphlet 26 Aug
Produced by the Italian FdCA this is a 70-page PDF booklet on the struggle against the Apartheid Wall, specially produced for the international day of anarchist solidarity 22 October actions. Lots of interviews, documents and analysis. They invite anarchist organizations to download, print and distribute the booklet.
In English
www.fdca.it/wall/media/wall_english.zip
In Italian
www.fdca.it/wall/media/wall_italiano.zip
In English
www.fdca.it/wall/media/wall_english.zip
In Italian
www.fdca.it/wall/media/wall_italiano.zip
Thursday, August 25, 2005
Israel-Palestine, Immatin, Coalition against the Wall - Press release, 25.08.2005
A thousand demonstrators, Palestinians, Israelis and internationals protested the building of the stretch of Wall next to Immatin. "This is not a Security Fence, but a way to rob Palestinians of their land and add it to the Immanuel settlement."
"The route of the Wall penetrates 17 kilometer into the West Bank and usurpes a big part of the village's lands."
The organizers: "If the army abstains from provocations, such demonstrations can end without violence."
Some thousand demonstrators, Palestinians, Israelis and internationals held this morning a protest march towards the site where the "Separation Fence" is being built on the lands of Immatin village, located deep inside the West Bank at a 17 km distance from the Green line ('67 border). Previous demonstrations held in this area were dispersed by the army with much violence.
About 50 Israeli demonstrators, members of Anarchists Against Fences, Gush Shalom and Ta'ayush arrived at Immatin in the morning, ready to face army violence, and equipped with onions - this vegetable being an excellent antidote against tear gas. In the village center there awaited them a thousand Immatin residents, as well as a group from Bil'in - where an intensive struggle against the Separation Fence is going on for months - and also international volunteers, from America, Italy, Argentina and a group of French Canadians.
An army officer arrived at the spot in a jeep and told the village representatives that they had permission to march along the route of the Wall "on the condition that there will be no violence."
The demonstrators started to walk to the Wall site over a distance of three kilometres under the blazing sun, while raising their voices against the Wall and the settlements. Upon reaching the lined-up soldiers and army vehicles awaiting them they cried out "Take care, this is a non-violent demonstration". Thereupon they sat down in a circle, and Zahi Sowan of the Immatin Popular Committee spoke: "We have no other source of livelihood than our olive trees, which we inherited from our forfathers. Now you see here the withered remains of dozens of olive trees uprooted by army bulldozers, and on the other side of the fence are thousands of trees, of which we will be robbed. You see the factory belonging to the Immanuel Settlement, on the hill on the other side of the road. This factory was also built on a site where trees belonging to us were cut down. We hear that the state of Israel has dismantled the settlements in the Gaza Strip and Jenin area, but here they are expanding the settlements, making our lives bitter."
After him spoke Yonatan Pollak of the Anarchists. "They tell the Israeli public that this is a Security Fence. That is an outright lie. We are here 17 kilometres east of the Green Line, deep inside Palestinian territory. To our west there is already a fence. What is being built here is a fence within a fence. It has as its sole purpose to annex and widen the settlement and to imprison the Palestinians in a small enclave. That is an act of injustice which we oppose, and which is clearly a violation of international law and infringement of human rights."
Then was held a Muslim prayer on the site of the Wall, and after that the demonstrators returned to the village center - to disperse quietly, and orderly.
"In the media those who demonstrate against annexation and land-grabbing in the name of the Wall are depicted as a bunch of violent rioters, though the protestors, Israelis and Palestinians alike, come out non-violently against injustice and robbery. Today the army gave proof that, as long as it refrains from provocations, such demonstrations can end without any violent confrontation taking place" said Gush Shalom spokesperson Adam Keller, who had participated in the event.
"Could it be that the new criteria introduced by the army for the evacuation of settlers influence also the behavior of the soldiers here? If it would be like this again in Bil'in tomorrow afternoon, we may have a sign whether there really is a change of the army's attitude towards Israelis and Palestinians who protest the building of Walls on stolen land."
"The route of the Wall penetrates 17 kilometer into the West Bank and usurpes a big part of the village's lands."
The organizers: "If the army abstains from provocations, such demonstrations can end without violence."
Some thousand demonstrators, Palestinians, Israelis and internationals held this morning a protest march towards the site where the "Separation Fence" is being built on the lands of Immatin village, located deep inside the West Bank at a 17 km distance from the Green line ('67 border). Previous demonstrations held in this area were dispersed by the army with much violence.
About 50 Israeli demonstrators, members of Anarchists Against Fences, Gush Shalom and Ta'ayush arrived at Immatin in the morning, ready to face army violence, and equipped with onions - this vegetable being an excellent antidote against tear gas. In the village center there awaited them a thousand Immatin residents, as well as a group from Bil'in - where an intensive struggle against the Separation Fence is going on for months - and also international volunteers, from America, Italy, Argentina and a group of French Canadians.
An army officer arrived at the spot in a jeep and told the village representatives that they had permission to march along the route of the Wall "on the condition that there will be no violence."
The demonstrators started to walk to the Wall site over a distance of three kilometres under the blazing sun, while raising their voices against the Wall and the settlements. Upon reaching the lined-up soldiers and army vehicles awaiting them they cried out "Take care, this is a non-violent demonstration". Thereupon they sat down in a circle, and Zahi Sowan of the Immatin Popular Committee spoke: "We have no other source of livelihood than our olive trees, which we inherited from our forfathers. Now you see here the withered remains of dozens of olive trees uprooted by army bulldozers, and on the other side of the fence are thousands of trees, of which we will be robbed. You see the factory belonging to the Immanuel Settlement, on the hill on the other side of the road. This factory was also built on a site where trees belonging to us were cut down. We hear that the state of Israel has dismantled the settlements in the Gaza Strip and Jenin area, but here they are expanding the settlements, making our lives bitter."
After him spoke Yonatan Pollak of the Anarchists. "They tell the Israeli public that this is a Security Fence. That is an outright lie. We are here 17 kilometres east of the Green Line, deep inside Palestinian territory. To our west there is already a fence. What is being built here is a fence within a fence. It has as its sole purpose to annex and widen the settlement and to imprison the Palestinians in a small enclave. That is an act of injustice which we oppose, and which is clearly a violation of international law and infringement of human rights."
Then was held a Muslim prayer on the site of the Wall, and after that the demonstrators returned to the village center - to disperse quietly, and orderly.
"In the media those who demonstrate against annexation and land-grabbing in the name of the Wall are depicted as a bunch of violent rioters, though the protestors, Israelis and Palestinians alike, come out non-violently against injustice and robbery. Today the army gave proof that, as long as it refrains from provocations, such demonstrations can end without any violent confrontation taking place" said Gush Shalom spokesperson Adam Keller, who had participated in the event.
"Could it be that the new criteria introduced by the army for the evacuation of settlers influence also the behavior of the soldiers here? If it would be like this again in Bil'in tomorrow afternoon, we may have a sign whether there really is a change of the army's attitude towards Israelis and Palestinians who protest the building of Walls on stolen land."
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
Ireland: Public meeting with (Israeli) Anarchists Against the Wall, Dublin 23 August
Two activists from the Israeli Anarchists Against the Wall group are in Dublin and will be doing a meeting about their solidarity with the Palestinan struggle against the wall on Tuesday at 8pm. The "Anarchists Against the Wall" got their name after one of their activists was shot in the legs by the Israeli army while they were attempting to tear down a section of the fence. Every Friday for the last months they have been taking part in demonstation of the Palestinian village of Bil'in most of whose land will be taken away once the wall is constructed.
* * ** Tuesday 23 August 8pm WSM office, 5 Merrion Row
(above the Centra just down from the Shelbourne hotel)
* * ** * * Latest news on the anti-wall struggle at http://www.stopthewall.org/
Detailed text about the wall
http://www.af-north.org/wall.htm
Anarchists against the wall active in Israel/Palestine 'Anarchists against the wall' who have now been involved in more than 200 actions against the apartheid wall being built by Israel
http://www.anarkismo.net/newswire.php?story_id=399
Photos from 'Anarchist against the Wall' demonstrations
http://www.fdca.it/wall/foto2.htm
Reports from the anarchists against the wall actions at Bil'in (Aug 9)
http://www.anarkismo.net/newswire.php?story_id=1123
Imneizil & Bil'in, The joint struggle against the apartheid wall continues (June 29)
http://www.anarkismo.net/newswire.php?story_id=800
Hebron, Israeli anarchists earn an internationalist reputation (May 22
) http://www.anarkismo.net/newswire.php?story_id=563
Salfit, another joint* front against the apartheid wall/fence (June 10)
http://www.anarkismo.net/newswire.php?story_id=687
Protestors prevent trucks from unloading garbage in West Bank dump (April 13)
http://www.anarkismo.net/newswire.php?story_id=292
* * ** Tuesday 23 August 8pm WSM office, 5 Merrion Row
(above the Centra just down from the Shelbourne hotel)
* * ** * * Latest news on the anti-wall struggle at http://www.stopthewall.org/
Detailed text about the wall
http://www.af-north.org/wall.htm
Anarchists against the wall active in Israel/Palestine 'Anarchists against the wall' who have now been involved in more than 200 actions against the apartheid wall being built by Israel
http://www.anarkismo.net/newswire.php?story_id=399
Photos from 'Anarchist against the Wall' demonstrations
http://www.fdca.it/wall/foto2.htm
Reports from the anarchists against the wall actions at Bil'in (Aug 9)
http://www.anarkismo.net/newswire.php?story_id=1123
Imneizil & Bil'in, The joint struggle against the apartheid wall continues (June 29)
http://www.anarkismo.net/newswire.php?story_id=800
Hebron, Israeli anarchists earn an internationalist reputation (May 22
) http://www.anarkismo.net/newswire.php?story_id=563
Salfit, another joint* front against the apartheid wall/fence (June 10)
http://www.anarkismo.net/newswire.php?story_id=687
Protestors prevent trucks from unloading garbage in West Bank dump (April 13)
http://www.anarkismo.net/newswire.php?story_id=292
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