Bil’in Demonstrations continue against Israel’s Apartheid Wall
On Friday 17th July some 400 demonstrators, including international and Israeli activists joined the weekly non violent demonstration by villagers from Bil’in against the Apartheid Wall. A group of drummers from the PFLP Ramallah lead into this demonstration.
The protesters proceeded peacefully toward the Wall where they were soon met with a first series of tear gas and sound bombs. The people did not disperse but stayed close to the Wall chanting slogans. One international activist in the wheel chair was hit directly in the shoulder and the leg by tear gas, which slightly burned his clothes, luckily he was not seriously injured.
“bad smell” water (Darban)
The “bad smell” water which is an unidentified noxious chemical weapon causing people to vomit was once again sprayed at protesters , but, despite this the demonstrators did not disperse and chanting continued while everyone was dodging the tear gas and “bad smell” water. The demonstrators remained gathered close to the wall for some 90 minutes while the occupation forces shot tear gas from two directions, everyone returned back to the village, this time, no one was injured or arrested.
Activists Try to Prevent Arrests
The Israeli Defence Forces invaded the village of Bil’in at 2:00 a.m. After arresting Muhammed abde al fatah burnat (age 21) the soldiers tried removing him by foot to the military outpost. International and Palestinian activists blocked the path of the army units, demanding his immediate release. The army responded by hitting activists with their rifles, throwing percussion grenades, and spraying chemicals in activists’ faces. Additional army units arrived to dislodge the activists from the path of the arrested boy. These soldiers began chasing activists and trying to arrest them.
In the process of being chased, one of the Palestinian activists was injured. He suffered a deep gash on his leg that may require stitches and some minor lacerations on one of his arms.
The village of Bil’in has had 60 percent of its farmland confiscated by the apartheid wall and has had weekly demonstrations for the last 5 years. Recently, it has been under constant raids from the army and over 15 boys have been arrested in the last three weeks.
Arrests Come in Dfferent Ways
These arrests occur in various ways, i.e. at Israel’s borders when Palestinians attempt to travel, or locally in Bil’in at the Apartheid Wall, as well as during night invasions. In recent weeks, the occupation forces conducted night raids of houses in the village up to three times a week in the wake of the weekly demonstrations. During these operations, eight villagers and one international activist have been kidnapped. They are still in detention. The list of wanted Palestinians is steadily growing.
The occupation forces are constantly changing their strategy to suppress the resistance in Bil’in. On Tuesday, July 14, 2009, a flying checkpoint was erected between Bil’in and Safa, operating for some 2 hours. Arrests at Israel’s border to neighboring Jordan, in particular, are increasing. At last week’s demonstration on July 10, 2009, International and Israeli supporters joined the villagers of Bil’in and marched from the village center after the Friday midday prayers. The protesters demanded the halt of Israeli illegal settlements and construction of the wall. As the protesters arrived at the wall, Israeli troops stationed at its gate fired a barrage of sound bombs, tear gas and rubber-coated bullets. The soldiers also used what the villagers call the “bad smell” water (Darban). The “bad smell” Darban smell cause people to vomit and get miss oriented. Dozens were treated for the effects of tear gas inhalation and cases of vomiting,the “bad smell” water (Durban) was used to disperse the demonstrators. This weapon has not been used in Bil’in for over one year. Previously, this chemical weapon has been challenged in court, and the case was won against the Israeli Army.
The following Palestinians are currently being detained in connection with their active resistance against the military occupation:
Kamil Katib
Kaleel Yaseen
Mohammed Katib
Ouda Aburahma
Hammuda Yaseen
Mahsen Al-Katib
Majdi Aburahma
Adeeb Aburahma
Tamar Al-Katib
Souleiman Walidi
Mahmoud Issa Yaseen
Basel Bornat
Muhammed abde al fatah burnat
Raids and Arrests Continue
On Sunday 19 July 2009 at 5:30am, shortly after the Palestinian and international activists returned to their houses after patrolling the village all night, villagers gave the alert that four Israeli Army Jeeps were driving toward the village. Shortly thereafter, Israeli soldiers raided the house of Abd Al Fatah Bornat whose son Muhammed Abd Al Fatah Bornat (age 21) they had arrested at 2am on July 17, 2009. His brother is also wanted by the occupation forces, but he was not at home this morning. The Army left without making any arrests.
A few minutes later, they reached the house of Emad Bornat whom they arrested. Villagers and Palestinian and international activists tried to block the path to the Jeep where the soldiers were about to take the victim. They were pushed back violently by the Army so that any attempt to de-arrest the victim was futile. As the Jeep with the victim inside was about to drive off, the activists marched in a chain in front of it, preventing its escape. Soldiers in a second Jeep then threw sound bombs and tear gas at the activists which made them disperse allowing the Jeep to escape. The three remaining Jeeps followed under a rain of rocks thrown by the villagers. They drove into the village while activists followed. After stopping at an intersection, soldiers took extensive video footage of all the activists. All the Jeeps then turned back and left the village with the victim.
The situation is extremely serious for Emad Bornat. He is currently under medical treatment after a very bad tractor accident. It is vital for him to continue receiving this treatment.
Please support the people of the village of Bil’in in their resistance against the illegal Israeli military occupation.