This week the Bil'in demonstration usual suspects were joined by the Palestinian People's party and the Israeli-mostly-Palestinian Democratic Front (Hadash), including three of its Knesset members: Dov Hanin, Afu Agabriya and Muhammad Barake. While waiting for the Democratic Front buses crossing from the Israeli side, the local organizers, Palestinian and Israeli politicians and Israeli and international activists made assertive speeches mentioning Arafat's 5th memorial, Barake's recent indictment for allegedly assaulting a policeman in a Bil'in demo a few years back, and the boycott.
The large number of demonstrators - some 300 - must have stressed the soldiers, who used large amounts of gas. In one of the stampedes away from the gas an American demonstrator tripped and hurt his head, requiring medical attention and a few stitches. As often happens, the army fired the multi gas canister cannon after the demonstration had been declared over, and the protesters were on their way back to the village. All participants won free Berlin-Bil'in T-shirts.
Bilin - November 13, 2009
In Niilin, some 150 demonstrators gathered after the prayer and marched to the fence. The demonstration opened with 20 minutes of slogan chanting near the gate. Peculiarly enough, the army did not retaliate. Soon after, some of the village youth began throwing stones at the fortifications hiding the soldiers. For long minutes, the army chose again not to retaliate. As more stone throwers joined the field, little by little the soldiers started using tear gas. But still, much less than usual. Knowing that this relative calmness from the soldiers is usually but a preparation to some fierce surprise, the experienced youth were not tempted to take heavy risks. As the demonstration continued, the military violence gradually increased and rising amounts of tear gas flooded the fields. All of the sudden, the gas was joined by live ammunition shot at the demonstrators.
Niilin - November 13, 2009
Ever since June 5, 2009 – when Akil Sadek Srur was murdered by this gun in a Niilin demonstration, the soldiers were hesitant using this weapon – and the following demonstrations "only" counted few wounded from these bullets. Today, the careful approach proved itself, and despite the military's thirst for blood only two light injuries were listed. The demonstration did not die, and many soldiers invaded the fields forcing it closer to the village. Luckily enough, although the soldiers attempted to carry out arrests and shot dozens of live bullets, neither injuries nor arrests were made. After re-gathering on a hilltop, the demonstrators decided to end the weekly protest. In a media release – the army announced that due to the severe damage inflicted to the wall in the prior demonstration, the shortly illegal firing of live ammunition at unarmed demonstrators is now "legal" again.
.jpg "Niilin - November 13, 2009")
Niilin - November 13, 2009Few dozen Palestinians, internationals and Israelis joined the weekly demonstration against the wall and occupation in Al-Ma'sara. The demo was held as usual in front of some Israeli military soldiers who blocked it from continuing towards the Palestinian lands beyond the wall's route. The Israeli soldiers kept children from pulling a barbed wire that was put there by the soldiers. During the demo protestors chanted slogans against the Israeli apartheid wall, occupation and land theft. Speeches were carried in Arabic and English, and in them were mentioned the 5 anniversary to Arafat's death and the Israeli continued reluctance to end the occupation and achieve peace. One Palestinian woman managed to cross between the soldiers and pass through carrying a Palestinian flag. The demo ended with a promise to continue the struggle and weekly demos.
In Deir-Al-Ghoussoun, a village near Tul-Karm, few dozens of Palestinian youth met some Israeli and International activists, to demonstrate together at the agricultural gate in the fence, manifesting the Israeli brute regime in the area. The fence in the area annexes de-facto some 2,500 Dunams of the village lands. Only few of the landowners are allowed access to their agricultural lands. After marching and chanting, some of the youth managed to break open one of the barrier's gates. The army started using tear gas, and some of the youth retaliated with stones thrown at the gate. The soldiers continued with tear gas, rubber bullets, stun grenades and swears. The clashes went on for nearly an hour. At the end of the demonstration the soldiers surprised the demonstrators as many soldiers attacked from the village side, arresting 18(!) of the Palestinian demonstrators. They were held for long hours in the fields, and 6 were further detained. The occupation forces were obviously trying to send a clear threat to the village people as to the results of popular resistance. Nonetheless, Deir-Al-Ghossoun will not abide, and its just struggle against the wall will carry on.
