Last week, July 17, an Associated Press photographer was seriously injured in Beit Ommar during the weekly demonstration against the settlement when a sound grenade exploded near his head, blowing out his eardrum. A strong statement by the Foreign Press Association was made and Israeli and international media reported on the incident. Yet all of this attention to the misuse of these dangerous weapons did not deter the large group of soldiers present at this week’s demonstration from again launching sound grenades, as well as tear gas, directly at demonstrators, particularly aiming at their heads.
As the group of approximately 50 demonstrators, including several women from the village for the third week in a row, were met by the Israeli soldiers who demanded they leave … Continue reading
More than 100 mostly international solidarity activists convened in the streets of Al Ma’asara on Friday, July 23rd, to march against the construction of the Annexation Barrier in neighboring Um Salamuna. The group, made alive by drummers and a chorus of anti-occupation chants, made its way onto the main road toward the now inaccessible Palestinian land. Military jeeps immediately sped down to block the alternate route. Soldiers jumped out, detained a journalist and photographer, and forcefully pushed the nonviolent demonstrators off of the road. As the crowd stood on the side of the road, soldiers attempted to arrest an international and began throwing … Continue reading
In an action organised by the National committee of Beit Ommar and the Palestine Solidarity Project a group of Palestinians joined by Israeli and International activists marched to the gate of Karmei Tsur Settlement and protested the expropriation of local farmers’ land Saturday, July 3. Making noise with world-cup inspired vuvuzelas, the demonstrators were confronted at the gate by Israeli soldiers and private security of the illegal settlement.
Israeli forces broke their way through the gate and pushed the protesters, including children. The settler security spat several times in the direction of the Palestinian demonstrators. After the area was declared a closed military area the demonstrators slowly dispersed, with Israeli forces shooting tear gas in their direction.
Karmei Tsur is one of … Continue reading
Thursday, July 1, Israeli forces raided and destroyed several Palestinian structures along Route 60 in the West Bank. Privately owned greenhouses and fruit and vegetable stalls were among those demolished.
Three army Jeeps, in addition to police and private security were involved in the demolition.
Route 60 is one of the few highways in the West Bank which is used by both Palestinian residents and illegal Jewish settlers. The route is part of Area C, under full Israeli control, and Palestinians are therefore continually refused permission to build in the area.
This, while a massive new shopping mall was built just up the road, also on Route 60, at the entrance to … Continue reading
Friday, June 18, 2010 – Today between 30 and 40 Palestinians, internationals and Israelis marched from inside of Wad Rahal to the outskirts of town where the Annexation Barrier is being built, cutting off expropriating agricultural land to the Efrat settlement which is currently expanding. The demonstrators peacefully walked along the road, carrying flags, chanting songs and banging on drums until they were prevented from going further by Israeli soldiers. Beit Sahour resident Mazin Qumseyer gave a speech in English to the soldiers stating that they were 12-15 km within the 1967 green line, and therefore were breaking international law under the Geneva convention. He also described … Continue reading
Early this morning, Wednesday, June 16, 7 year-old Muhsen Yousef Awwad was handed a summons by Israeli forces ordering him to report to the Etzion settlement police station for interrogation during an arrest campaign throughout the village of Beit Ommar. Two young men were also arrested this morning, bringing the total to six arrests this week of young men from Beit Ommar, most residing near the Karmei Tsur settlement and ranging in age from 15-24.
