This weekend of intensive demonstrations in three Palestinian villages was closed this morning (Sunday) when army jeeps stormed in to Bil'in at 5AM and arrested Imad Burnat of the village's popular committee. See video at the end of this post.
Ni'ilin 17-7-09
Like every Friday, the Ni'lin demonstration proceeded to the route of the wall after lunchtime prayers. Unlike in previous weeks, the protesters couldn't reach the route, as a volley of tear gas canisters was fired at them from a jeep-top launcher, forcing them to disperse, and increasing the distance needed for some of them to direct stones at the forces of occupation and land-theft. Another reason to keep one's distance from the fence was the sight of the police tanker, used to spray the "skunk" at demonstrators. Border police officers fired tear gas and rubber coater metal bullets at the protesters. Rubber coated bullets haven't been used in Ni'lin for a long while, and it was assumed that the suspension of the use of 0.22 caliber live bullets was behind this). Some police crossed the fence, but they did not enter the village and no injuries were recorded.
In the village of Bil'in some 30 Israelis, over 40 internationals and the boys and girls of the Jericho Palestinian Struggle Youth Union marching band joined several dozen Palestinians, who conducted an exceptionally big demonstration against the annexation wall and the night and day arrests of residents of Bil'in (on the night before a 13th villager was snatched by the army for investigation, while the army's lawyers prepare to appeal a decision to release one of the local organizers). The marching band led the procession drumming and chanting toward the demonstration site, but stayed behind due to its members' young age. Upon arrival the demonstrators kicked footballs to the soldiers, who failed to follow the script of the current Israeli TV commercial and engage in a peaceful football match, possibly because in this real life situation their Palestinian opponents were clearly visible from across the barbed wire. Instead, the soldiers threw gas canisters at the demonstrators, and had to persist quite intensely until they managed to incite a handful of stones from the kids across the fence. Then the "skunk" was brought forth, spraying putrid water, locally nick-named "the shit". Only a handful of organizers, covered from head to toe in plastic suits and hospital gloves and masks, stayed at the fence keeping their post under the sickening rain. After a few rounds of gas and "the shit" the demonstration was declared over, which encouraged the soldiers to shoot even more gas at the receding demonstrators, extending the stand-off and causing some small fires in the fields.
At about the same time, in some 30 Palestinians, 15 Israelis and 20 international marched in the Um Salmuna and Ma'asara area south of Bethlehem, protesting against the building of the Apartheid Wall and the illegal settlements on Palestinian lands. The demonstration, which marked the 220th anniversary to the French Revolution, was stopped by the Israeli Occupation Forces, who declared a closed military zone, and prevented demonstrators from reaching the appropriated lands.
In their tri-lingual speeches, demonstrators called upon the soldiers to lay down their arms, and acknowledge the fact that now - more than ever before - Israel is facing the risk of international sanctions, and must give up the occupation before it is forced to do so.
When the demonstrations was nearly at its end soldiers started shoving some of the youths who were chanting slogans, and officers threatened to arrest all demonstrators.
The demonstration ended with no arrests and none wounded, and with the promise of returning time and time again in weeks to come.
Ma'asara 17-7-09
As mentioned above, Israeli Occupation Forces continud their new wave of arrests and intemidation in Bi'lin, as they stomed into the village in the early morning today and arrested a member of the popular committee. Soldiers also attacked locals and internationals who tried to protet against the arrest.
