In the village of Bil'in the Jericho Palestinian Struggle Youth Union marching band joined several dozen Palestinians, international and Israelis, 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. On Sunday morning, 5AM, soldiers stormed into the village and arrested a member of the popular committee.

This was a week of intense struggle, with Bil'in invaded by the army and residents of the village kidnapped by the army during several nights during the week.  At this Friday's protest, the Army, in addition to the usual tear gas, sound gas, and rubber coated bullets, also used the "bad smell" water that causes vomiting and disorientation.  In Ni'lin, at least two protesters were arrested by Israeli agents disguised as demonstrators.  Protests also occurred in Al Mas'ara/Um Salmuna and Nahalin, read on for details….

Dozens of demonstrators gathered this Friday in Ni'ilin. For the third week in a row, the demonstrators managed to arrive at the fence. As in the previous two weeks, some of the demonstrators even managed to cut some of the barb wire surrounding the fence.

Some 250 Palestinians, Israelis and Internationals demonstrated today in the West Bank village of Bil'in against the Apartheid Wall and the settlements built on Palestinian land. Prior to the demonstration a press conference took place, where a representative of the village's popular committee, a member of the Palestinian Boycott National Committee and world renowned Canadian journalist and author Naomi Klein spoke of the local struggle, of the village's new court case in Canada against Canadian companies building the new neighborhoods on Bil'in land, on the boycott, and of the inability to detach art and politics.

No serious injuries were noted.

Friday was an unusually quiet day of demonstrations, with no major injuries.    We were part of Friday demonstrations against the Wall this week in  Bilin, Nil'in, Al Mas'ara and Azun Atme, and also went to Saffa on Saturday.  On Sunday overnight, over 125 grapevines and trees in Saffa were cut or burned by settlers from Bat Ayin. 

Full reports below.

Nil'in 19.6.09