Demonstration

5/1/07 Bil’in (RJI) – Officials and supporters of the Palestinian Fateh movement joined together with residents of Bil’in, along with international and Israeli activists for the commemoration of the forty-second anniversary of the founding of the Fateh movement and a demonstration against Israel’s Annexation Wall.

Jabril al Joub, of Fateh, commended the unanimity amongst Paletinians fostered within Bil’in, and cited the death of Yasser Arafat as a catalyst toward the curent political crisis. The void left by Arafat, he said, combined with an absence of unified leadership, has led to endemic problems such as a lack of security, employment and such basic necessessities as food, health and education. Kais abu Leyla, also of Fateh, echoed the call for unity between Islamic and nationalist parties, to put an end to factionalism and restore cohesive Palestinian resistance to the Occupation.

Muhammad Baraka, member of Knesset, condemed ongoing Palestinian infighting and called for an immediate cessation of factional violence, commending the village of Bil’in for the example it has shown.

Before commencing the march toward the barrier, featured speakers extended their thanks to international and Israeli activists who have worked alongside the residents of Bil’in in their efforts against the Annexation Wall. The village has lost approximately 60% of its land, primarily agricultural, to the construction of the barrier and the illegal expansion of the Modin Illit settlement directly adjacent. Residents of Bil’in and their supporters have demonstrated and conducted non-violent direct action against the Wall every Friday for nearly two years.

Following the rally in the village center, approximatly four hundred demonstrators marched toward an access gate to the barrier where Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) awaited them. A much bolstered force accompanied the soldiers typically stationed in the area, possibly in advanced preparation of the well-publicized march and in the aftermath of Israel’s invasion into Ramallah on Thursday that claimed four Palestinian lives and left twenty wounded, several critically. A large contingent of Israeli Border Police indicated a preparedness to conduct mass arrests.

Israeli soldiers took positions at several locations along the expanse of the primary fence and immediately opened fire on the peaceful demonstration, though the majority of marches had not yet arrived to the barrier. Soldiers fired a vehicle-mounted water and tear gas cannon and began firing tear gas canisters, rubber-coated metal bullets and percussion grenades into the crowd, which dispersed in several directions. The IOF pursued villagers into a residential area of the village, firing continuously at youth who attempted to take refuge in the surrounding olive groves.

Several Bil’in residents were injured, including at least one who was taken to the hospital for treatment. An Israeli activist also received first aid after suffering burns from a tear gas canister.

On a personal note, I escaped the encounter unscathed, though narrowly. As I retreated from tear gas into an olive grove, an Israeli soldier took aim at me with a tear gas launcher. This is a modified grenade launcher attached to an M16 assault rifle. Firing at me, I was unable to get out of the path of the oncoming canister. The root of an olive tree, less than two meters from me, and directly between the soldier and I, deflected the shot at the last moment. Earlier, I had strained a muscle in my neck while vomiting from tear gas inhalation, though did not require medical assistance.

The reaction of the soldiers to today’s demonstration was swift and violent. It is imperative to consider the specious claim that Israel is a democracy when those it occupies, in defiance of numerous UN resolutions, are denied the very basic right of freedom of speech. This was a non-violent demonstration, as has been the case every week in Bil’in for nearly two years. The Israeli army opened fire on these peaceful demonstrators without provocation of any kind. It is a common practice here in the West Bank, and those who believe in the myth of “purity of arms,” an Israeli claim that its military acts only defensively and that every bullet fired is accounted for, owe it to the people of Bil’in and themselves to experience the reality here.

Soldiers fire in wanton, indiscriminate and grossly negligent fashion in a well established pattern of disregard for international human rights law. By proxy, and in contravention of its own foreign military financing laws, the United States shares culpability for today’s events and countless other violations carried out by Israel in the region.

Injured:
Suleilman Khaleb Khatub (17) shot with rubber-coated bullet in the back
Wael Fahmi Nasser (29) shot with rubber-coated bullet in the leg
Farahat Ibrahim Hashem (26) shot with rubber-coated bullet in the leg
Hiyam Abed (15) treated for tear gas inhalation
Khaled Showkat al Khatib (20) shot with rubber-coated bullet in hand
Ashraf Muhammad Jamal al Khatib (26) shot with rubber-coated bullet in leg
Jonathan Pollak, Israel (25) tear gas canister burns to hand
Ahmad Issa Yasin (50) treated for tear gas inhalation

For more information on the injured, please contact Abdullah at (972) 054-725-8210