At noon, we marched from the center of the village on the road leading to the route of the separation fence. We were about 150 demonstrators. About 100 of Bil'in villagers, 20 Israelis organized by the Anarchists against the wall initiative, 25 internationals, and a number of media workers from all over the world and of our region. The march was accompanied as usual with chanting. The theme of this Friday was the protest of the Israeli special forces who kidnapped las nights lot of Palestinians - including three of Bil'in villagers. It was expressed by orange head and face cover that many of the demonstrators wore. When we arrived at the fence route we encountered the state forces who blocked the entrance with three armored cars and spools of barbed wire.
The chants and verbal confrontation intensified and two Palestinian climbed on the robust gate. less than 10 centimeters distance from the roofs of the armed cars they held Palestinian flags and one of them gave a speech. The angered state forces threatened them but resigned as they had no excuse for violence.
Few restless village youth at the fringe of the crowd collected stones for throwing on the state forces at the gate but were convinced to delay their confrontation till the nonviolent demonstration ended.
After a while, the non violent demonstrators left the place near the gate and started to march along the route of the fence - leaving the area for the stone throwers. However, as one of the marchers tilted the spool of barbed wire placed along the fence bordering the route of the electronic separation fence. The enraged soldiers responded with shower of shock grenades that injured seriously two of the demonstrators and caused the dispersing of the rest - few of them returned to the area near the gate previously blocked, but now wide open as the armored cars had driven in a kind of violent patrol towards the village. In addition, a violent patrol of foot soldiers entered the are where the demonstrators have dispersed and where the stone thrower youth were positioned. (Of it resulted with lot of shock grenades and few tear gas ones with the edition of some rubber coated bullets.)
The non violent demonstrators who returned to the area near the gate were not treated as wanted guests. First two Israelis were snatched. Then the soldiers tried to close the gate and expel the demonstrators who approached the fence "too much". The physical efforts of the state forces failed to evict the comrades and there was a relative quite period, after which the demonstration was declared by the village comity as finished.
However, the road to village was not free... On the way we encountered the returned violent patrol of armed cars. some points we had to wait or go around confrontation between the stone throwers and the foot soldiers violent patrol resulting in flying stones, grenades and even bullets.
At the end, all the nonviolent demonstrators returned to the village and after a while the two Israelis that were snatched and detained at the fence rout were released.
Friday, June 30, 2006
US, Oakland, CA, Benefit for Israeli Anarchists Against the Wall 30 Jun 2006
Come help support the struggle against Israel's Apartheid wall.
Featuring
Dalit Baum -- An Israeli activist in the Feminist anti-occupation movement, involved with radical queer resistance in Israeli and Solidarity work with Palestinian non-violent resistance.
Presenting: Anarcho - Queer Protest and Resistance in Israel, in slides and video clips.
And The Devin Hoff Platform -- August 3, 2006 -- 8 pm @ 21 Grand (416 25th St. Oakland, CA) -- $5-10 -- All ages/wheelchair accessible. http://www.awalls.org/
Featuring
Dalit Baum -- An Israeli activist in the Feminist anti-occupation movement, involved with radical queer resistance in Israeli and Solidarity work with Palestinian non-violent resistance.
Presenting: Anarcho - Queer Protest and Resistance in Israel, in slides and video clips.
And The Devin Hoff Platform -- August 3, 2006 -- 8 pm @ 21 Grand (416 25th St. Oakland, CA) -- $5-10 -- All ages/wheelchair accessible. http://www.awalls.org/
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Palestine Israel, Bil'in, the joint struggle continue in spite of hot whether and Ramadan fasting 29 Sep 2006
This Friday demonstration was on both Muslim Ramadan (day hours fasting) and Jewish new year... and an exceptional early Autumn Hamsin (hot and dry whether) day. In spite of these the traditional Friday demonstration was not abolished. At noon, about 60 people - Palestinians, internationals and Israelis of the anarchists against the wall initiative started the march on the road towards the separation fence. In spite of the small number, the Ramadan fasting and very hot whether the marching was fast and was accompanied by chanting. When we reached the fence of the last house of the village we had a surprise: the Israeli state forces who confronted us there for the last month trying to put end to the Friday demonstrations with all means they had, were absent. We could see them far away at the entrance to the route of the fence. So, we continued marching not knowing what to expect.
When we arrived at the gate to the route of the separation fence, we still did not know what to expect. The "welcome" words of the commander of state forces was the declaration of the area as a closed military zone. However he immediately added that we can do there our demonstration as long as we do not try to force our way.
When few of us tried to push forward the commander ordered to arrest any one who will really cross the line, but as a matter of fact the half hearted push got a "gentle" counter push - no use of batons or arrests.
For a short while we stayed there telling the state forces what we think on them and afterwards started to return to the village.
On our way we could hear from the olive trees orchards on the two sides of the road the confrontation between teams of state forces sent to provoke the stone throwing youth, and the youth. We hear the shooting of the rubber coated bullets and seeing some of stone throwers in action.
Another week of joint struggle of Israelis and the people of Bil'in against the separation fence and occupation. It started Monday at a tract of land on the West of of the separation fence within the settler colonialist town. We erected there a sign board declaring the intended building of hotel Falastin. We did it on the exact piece of land the settler colonialists had to cover with earth and give back to the Bil'in villager owner - after building there a two lanes road and a square. See: http://www.palsolidarity.org/main/2006/09/25/bilin-hotel/
When we arrived at the gate to the route of the separation fence, we still did not know what to expect. The "welcome" words of the commander of state forces was the declaration of the area as a closed military zone. However he immediately added that we can do there our demonstration as long as we do not try to force our way.
When few of us tried to push forward the commander ordered to arrest any one who will really cross the line, but as a matter of fact the half hearted push got a "gentle" counter push - no use of batons or arrests.
For a short while we stayed there telling the state forces what we think on them and afterwards started to return to the village.
On our way we could hear from the olive trees orchards on the two sides of the road the confrontation between teams of state forces sent to provoke the stone throwing youth, and the youth. We hear the shooting of the rubber coated bullets and seeing some of stone throwers in action.
Another week of joint struggle of Israelis and the people of Bil'in against the separation fence and occupation. It started Monday at a tract of land on the West of of the separation fence within the settler colonialist town. We erected there a sign board declaring the intended building of hotel Falastin. We did it on the exact piece of land the settler colonialists had to cover with earth and give back to the Bil'in villager owner - after building there a two lanes road and a square. See: http://www.palsolidarity.org/main/2006/09/25/bilin-hotel/
Palestine Israel, Bil'in, the joint struggle continue in spite of hot whether and Ramadan fasting 29 Sep 2006
This Friday demonstration was on both Muslim Ramadan (day hours fasting) and Jewish new year... and an exceptional early Autumn Hamsin (hot and dry whether) day. In spite of these the traditional Friday demonstration was not abolished. At noon, about 60 people - Palestinians, internationals and Israelis of the anarchists against the wall initiative started the march on the road towards the separation fence. In spite of the small number, the Ramadan fasting and very hot whether the marching was fast and was accompanied by chanting. When we reached the fence of the last house of the village we had a surprise: the Israeli state forces who confronted us there for the last month trying to put end to the Friday demonstrations with all means they had, were absent. We could see them far away at the entrance to the route of the fence. So, we continued marching not knowing what to expect.
When we arrived at the gate to the route of the separation fence, we still did not know what to expect. The "welcome" words of the commander of state forces was the declaration of the area as a closed military zone. However he immediately added that we can do there our demonstration as long as we do not try to force our way.
When few of us tried to push forward the commander ordered to arrest any one who will really cross the line, but as a matter of fact the half hearted push got a "gentle" counter push - no use of batons or arrests.
For a short while we stayed there telling the state forces what we think on them and afterwards started to return to the village.
On our way we could hear from the olive trees orchards on the two sides of the road the confrontation between teams of state forces sent to provoke the stone throwing youth, and the youth. We hear the shooting of the rubber coated bullets and seeing some of stone throwers in action.
Another week of joint struggle of Israelis and the people of Bil'in against the separation fence and occupation. It started Monday at a tract of land on the West of of the separation fence within the settler colonialist town. We erected there a sign board declaring the intended building of hotel Falastin. We did it on the exact piece of land the settler colonialists had to cover with earth and give back to the Bil'in villager owner - after building there a two lanes road and a square. See: http://www.palsolidarity.org/main/2006/09/25/bilin-hotel/
When we arrived at the gate to the route of the separation fence, we still did not know what to expect. The "welcome" words of the commander of state forces was the declaration of the area as a closed military zone. However he immediately added that we can do there our demonstration as long as we do not try to force our way.
When few of us tried to push forward the commander ordered to arrest any one who will really cross the line, but as a matter of fact the half hearted push got a "gentle" counter push - no use of batons or arrests.
For a short while we stayed there telling the state forces what we think on them and afterwards started to return to the village.
On our way we could hear from the olive trees orchards on the two sides of the road the confrontation between teams of state forces sent to provoke the stone throwing youth, and the youth. We hear the shooting of the rubber coated bullets and seeing some of stone throwers in action.
Another week of joint struggle of Israelis and the people of Bil'in against the separation fence and occupation. It started Monday at a tract of land on the West of of the separation fence within the settler colonialist town. We erected there a sign board declaring the intended building of hotel Falastin. We did it on the exact piece of land the settler colonialists had to cover with earth and give back to the Bil'in villager owner - after building there a two lanes road and a square. See: http://www.palsolidarity.org/main/2006/09/25/bilin-hotel/
Palestine Israel, Bil'in, the joint struggle continue in spite of hot whether and Ramadan fasting 29 Sep 2006
This Friday demonstration was on both Muslim Ramadan (day hours fasting) and Jewish new year... and an exceptional early Autumn Hamsin (hot and dry whether) day. In spite of these the traditional Friday demonstration was not abolished. At noon, about 60 people - Palestinians, internationals and Israelis of the anarchists against the wall initiative started the march on the road towards the separation fence. In spite of the small number, the Ramadan fasting and very hot whether the marching was fast and was accompanied by chanting. When we reached the fence of the last house of the village we had a surprise: the Israeli state forces who confronted us there for the last month trying to put end to the Friday demonstrations with all means they had, were absent. We could see them far away at the entrance to the route of the fence. So, we continued marching not knowing what to expect.
When we arrived at the gate to the route of the separation fence, we still did not know what to expect. The "welcome" words of the commander of state forces was the declaration of the area as a closed military zone. However he immediately added that we can do there our demonstration as long as we do not try to force our way.
When few of us tried to push forward the commander ordered to arrest any one who will really cross the line, but as a matter of fact the half hearted push got a "gentle" counter push - no use of batons or arrests.
For a short while we stayed there telling the state forces what we think on them and afterwards started to return to the village.
On our way we could hear from the olive trees orchards on the two sides of the road the confrontation between teams of state forces sent to provoke the stone throwing youth, and the youth. We hear the shooting of the rubber coated bullets and seeing some of stone throwers in action.
Another week of joint struggle of Israelis and the people of Bil'in against the separation fence and occupation. It started Monday at a tract of land on the West of of the separation fence within the settler colonialist town. We erected there a sign board declaring the intended building of hotel Falastin. We did it on the exact piece of land the settler colonialists had to cover with earth and give back to the Bil'in villager owner - after building there a two lanes road and a square. See: http://www.palsolidarity.org/main/2006/09/25/bilin-hotel/
When we arrived at the gate to the route of the separation fence, we still did not know what to expect. The "welcome" words of the commander of state forces was the declaration of the area as a closed military zone. However he immediately added that we can do there our demonstration as long as we do not try to force our way.
When few of us tried to push forward the commander ordered to arrest any one who will really cross the line, but as a matter of fact the half hearted push got a "gentle" counter push - no use of batons or arrests.
For a short while we stayed there telling the state forces what we think on them and afterwards started to return to the village.
On our way we could hear from the olive trees orchards on the two sides of the road the confrontation between teams of state forces sent to provoke the stone throwing youth, and the youth. We hear the shooting of the rubber coated bullets and seeing some of stone throwers in action.
Another week of joint struggle of Israelis and the people of Bil'in against the separation fence and occupation. It started Monday at a tract of land on the West of of the separation fence within the settler colonialist town. We erected there a sign board declaring the intended building of hotel Falastin. We did it on the exact piece of land the settler colonialists had to cover with earth and give back to the Bil'in villager owner - after building there a two lanes road and a square. See: http://www.palsolidarity.org/main/2006/09/25/bilin-hotel/
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Ireland, Anarchist journal Workers Solidarty #92 - Palestin-Israel, Anarchists Against the Wall 28 Jun 2006
The struggle continues in Israel and Palestine A young Israeli anarchist was shot by Israeli forces during a protest against the construction of the the so called `Separation Fence' in Palestine. Matan Cohen, 17, was critically wounded when he was shot in the face with a rubber bullet, after Israeli Border Police opened fire on a group of peaceful demonstrators at Bil'in, in the occupied West Bank. Matan, a member of Anarchists Against The Wall, and who recently met with WSM during a European speaking tour, is a peace activist who refuses to serve in the Israeli army. There have been daily ongoing protests in the village of Bil'in as there have been in villages and towns right across Palestine, where the construc- tion of the wall threatens livelihoods, cuts off farmers from their land. It is a further attempt by the Israeli government to legitimise its ongoing terrorism against the Palestinian population. Anarchists Against the Wall are a collective of Israeli activists who work closely with Palestin- ians and others groups such as the International Solidarity Movement, in coordinating non-violent marches and direct actions against the wall's con- struction. Having recently returned to the village of Bil'in he was greeted by those who he was act- ing in solidarity with."It is very moving to see how the village people reacted" says Cohen. "As far as I am concerned, this human warmth, our together- ness, is the biggest achievement of struggle. More than a struggle against the physical wall and the thousands of acres it is stealing from the Palestin- ians. The real struggle is against the mental wall." Cohen, like many, is only too well aware of the disparities between Israeli and Palestinian life. At the weekly Friday protests across Palestine against the wall, many hundreds of Palestinians have been injured, beaten or shot. Their injuries are rarely re- ported, showing the dehumanising and ultimately racist attitudes inherent within not only the Israeli government and its security forces, but most of the western media as well.
Readers may be interested to know that the Irish Cement Roadstone Holdings Group, are heav- ily involved in the wall's contruction. Amnesty International recently stated that "C.R.H., through its subsidiaries Mashav and Nesher is likely to be providing the raw material of the fence/wall...if so, it would contravene the U.N. norms on the responsibilities of Transnational Corporations and other Business Enterprises with regard to Human Rights". Regardless, the company made a profit of !1279 million. So when CEO Liam O Mahony says "..CRH continued to move forward on many fronts in 2005 once again producing new record sales and profits to- gether with substantial development activity", Pal- estinians and all those who genuinely value human life can only but wonder what hope there can be under the bastardising logic of capitalism, and its wars. Mark Malone
Readers may be interested to know that the Irish Cement Roadstone Holdings Group, are heav- ily involved in the wall's contruction. Amnesty International recently stated that "C.R.H., through its subsidiaries Mashav and Nesher is likely to be providing the raw material of the fence/wall...if so, it would contravene the U.N. norms on the responsibilities of Transnational Corporations and other Business Enterprises with regard to Human Rights". Regardless, the company made a profit of !1279 million. So when CEO Liam O Mahony says "..CRH continued to move forward on many fronts in 2005 once again producing new record sales and profits to- gether with substantial development activity", Pal- estinians and all those who genuinely value human life can only but wonder what hope there can be under the bastardising logic of capitalism, and its wars. Mark Malone
Friday, June 23, 2006
Palestine-Israel, Bil'in, the joint struggle against the occupation and the separation fence continue - Friday 23-06-06
The creative theme of this Friday demonstration was the Mondial. A huge imitation for foot ball, flags of participating countries, and shirts of famous players were seen among the marchers. The traditional (for the last 17 months) Friday march started at noon from center of village on the road towards the route of the separation fence. Participated in it about hundred marchers: among them about 25 of the Anarchists Against The Wall initiative, fifteen internationals, and few Palestinians and media people from out of the village. Along the march people shout the usual slogans. So did they do when we we arrived at the gate to the route of the separation fence and the way to the other side of it that was blocked with armored cars of the border police. Besides the verbal confrontation with the border police people played with the huge ball.
At a certain point, a certificate of honor was given to this report writer from the village comity for the struggle against the fence, for persistent participation nearly every Friday in spite old age and health problem lately.
Along the confrontation with the state forces a palestinian comrade holding a branch of olive tree succeeded to pass the road block and entered the route of the fence. Seven border police soldiers jumped on him and hand cuffed him in one of their cars.
A stone thrown towards the state forces after an hour of the demonstration was a sign for the non violent demonstrators to leave the area near the blocked gate. Soon these not supporting the nonviolent mode started to throw stones on the state forces, who responded, after a short time, with a volley of shock grenades.
Many of the nonviolent demonstrators (mainly Israelis and internationals) stayed around to tone down the violence of the state force who threw from time to time shock grenades and even tear gas.
After an additional hour the rest of the demonstrators dispersed, and the state forces released the holder of the olive tree branch previously arrested.
At a certain point, a certificate of honor was given to this report writer from the village comity for the struggle against the fence, for persistent participation nearly every Friday in spite old age and health problem lately.
Along the confrontation with the state forces a palestinian comrade holding a branch of olive tree succeeded to pass the road block and entered the route of the fence. Seven border police soldiers jumped on him and hand cuffed him in one of their cars.
A stone thrown towards the state forces after an hour of the demonstration was a sign for the non violent demonstrators to leave the area near the blocked gate. Soon these not supporting the nonviolent mode started to throw stones on the state forces, who responded, after a short time, with a volley of shock grenades.
Many of the nonviolent demonstrators (mainly Israelis and internationals) stayed around to tone down the violence of the state force who threw from time to time shock grenades and even tear gas.
After an additional hour the rest of the demonstrators dispersed, and the state forces released the holder of the olive tree branch previously arrested.
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