Israel Fires Live Ammunition at Ni'ilin Demonstration 9-4-10

Ni'ilin 9-4-10:

yisraelpnm — April 09, 2010 —


Related News:
Live Ammunition Fired at Nonviolent Demonstrators in Ni’lin
Posted on: April 9, 2010
Sorce: International Solidarity Movement

International Solidarity Movement
9 April 2010

Facing tear gas, rubber-coated steel bullets and live ammunition, roughly sixty Palestinians gathered outside of Ni’lin today. Joined by 15 Israeli and International activists, the demonstrators protested the Israeli occupation which has claimed over 40% of the village’s land.

After congregating in nearby olive groves for midday prayers, demonstrators marched towards the illegal annexation wall with flags and chants led by village youth. Upon reaching the wall, demonstrators were met with a violent military response. Claiming nearly 30% of remaining village land, the wall annexes Ni’lin farmland for use by the nearby illegal settlement Modi’in Ilit. Soldiers fired tear gas and percussion grenades over the wall at nonviolent demonstrators, who were not deterred and continued a spirited protest.

Soldiers then invaded the village’s olive groves, firing live ammunition, rubber-coated steel bullets and tear gas. The use of live ammunition has claimed the lives of five Ni’lin residents since May 2008. No injuries were reported today.

Background on Nil’in:

Israel began construction of the Wall on Ni’lin’s land in 2004, but stopped after an injunction order issued by the Israeli Supreme Court (ISC). Despite the previous order and a 2004 ruling from the International Court of Justice declaring the Wall illegal, construction of the Wall began again in May 2008. Following the return of Israeli bulldozers to their lands, residents of Ni’lin have launched a grassroots campaign to protest the massive land theft, including demonstrations and direct actions.

The original route of the Wall, which Israel began constructing in 2004, was ruled illegal by the ISC, as was a second, marginally less obtrusive proposed route (http://www.poica.org/editor/case_studies/view.php?recordID=622). The most recent path, now completed, still cuts deep into Ni’lin’s land. The Wall has been built to include plans, not yet approved by the Army’s planning authority, for a cemetery and an industrial zone for the illegal settlement Modi’in Ilit.

Since the Wall was built to annex more land to the nearby settlements rather than in a militarily strategic manner, demonstrators have been able to repeatedly dismantle parts of the electronic fence and razor-wire surrounding it. Consequently, the army has erected a 15-25 feet tall concrete wall, in addition to the electronic fence. The section of the Wall in Ni’lin is the only part of the route where a concrete wall has been erected in response to civilian, unarmed protest.

As a result of the Wall construction, Ni’lin has lost 3,920 dunams, roughly 30% of its remaining lands. Originally, Ni’lin consisted of 15,898 dunams (3928 acres). Post 1948, Ni’lin was left with 14,794 dunams (3656 acres). After the occupation of the West Bank in 1967, the illegal settlements and infrastructure of Modi’in Ilit, Mattityahu and Hashmonaim were built on village lands, and Ni’lin lost another 1,973 dunams. With the completion of the Wall, Ni’lin has a remaining 8911 dunams (2201 acres), 56% of it’s original size (http://www.poica.org/editor/case_studies/view.php?recordID=1366).

Ni’lin is effectively split into 2 parts (upper and lower) by Road 446, which was built directly through the village. According to the publicized plan of the Israeli government (http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/819633.html), a tunnel will be built under road 446 to connect the upper and lower parts of Ni’lin, allowing Israel to turn Road 446 into a segregated-setter only road. Subsequently, access for Palestinian vehicles to this road and to the main entrances of upper and lower Ni’lin will be closed. Additionally, since the tunnel will be the only entryway to Ni’lin, Israel will have control over the movement of Palestinian residents.

Israel commonly uses tear-gas projectiles, rubber coated steel bullets and live ammunition against demonstrators.

Since May, 2008, five of Ni’lin’s residents were killed and one American solidarity activist was critically injured from Israeli fire during grassroots demonstrations in Ni’lin.

* 5 June 2009: Yousef Akil Srour (36) was shot in the chest with 0.22 caliber live ammunition and pronounced dead upon arrival at a Ramallah hospital (http://palsolidarity.org/2009/06/7023).
* 13 March 2009: Tristan Anderson (37), an American citizen, was shot in the head with a high velocity tear gas projectile. He is currently at Tel Hashomer hospital near Tel Aviv with uncertain prospects for his recovery (http://palsolidarity.org/2009/03/5324).
* 28 December 2008: Mohammed Khawaje (20) was shot in the head with 5.56mm caliber live ammunition. He died in a Ramallah hospital 3 days later on 31 December 2008 (http://palsolidarity.org/2008/12/3742).
* 28 December 2008: Arafat Rateb Khawaje (22) was shot in the back with 5.56mm caliber live ammunition and pronounced dead upon arrival at a Ramallah hospital (http://palsolidarity.org/2008/12/3714).
* 30 July 2008: Yousef Amira (17) was shot in the head with two rubber coated steel bullets. He died in a Ramallah hospital 5 days later on 4 August 2008 (http://palsolidarity.org/2008/08/3346).
* 29 July 2008: Ahmed Mousa (10) was shot in the forehead with 5.56mm caliber live ammunition and pronounced dead upon arrival at a Ramallah hospital (http://palsolidarity.org/2008/07/3329).

In total, 20 people have been killed during demonstrations against the Wall (http://palsolidarity.org/2009/06/7647).

Israeli armed forces have shot 40 demonstrators with live ammunition in Ni’lin. Of them, 11 were shot with 5.56mm caliber live ammunition and 29 were shot with 0.22 caliber live ammunition.

Since May 2008, 112 arrests of Ni’lin residents have been made in relation to anti-Wall protest in the village. The protesters arrested by the army constitute roughly 9% of the village’s male residents aged between 12 and 55. The arrests are part of a broad politically motivated Israeli campaign to suppress grassroots resistance to the Occupation.
Updated on April 9, 2010

Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

Protest in Ni'lin after Israeli army invades homes 1.5.2009

Ni'ilin1.5.2009:

"Friday 1st of May protest in Ni'ilin (after the army invades houses)"



Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

Ni'lin 17 4 09 - Friday Prisoner’s Day demonstration against the apartheid wall

Ni'ilin 17 4 09 - Friday demonstration against the wall:

Related Report:
Israeli forces supress Prisoner’s Day demonstration in Ni’lin
Source: ISM (International Solidarity Movement)

Ni’lin villagers once again held a Friday demonstration against the illegal Apartheid Wall and in commemoration of Prisoner’s Day. Around 150 villagers, supported by Israeli and international solidarity activists, gathered after the prayer at the local clinic. Several demonstrators wore shirts urging solidarity with the thousands of Palestinian political prisoners in Israeli jails. Israeli forces stationed in the fields in the outskirts of the village started firing tear gas at the clinic even before the prayer was finished. The nonviolent demonstrators sought cover in the village from the gas, and retreated back towards the town center. However, Israeli soldiers also stationed themselves on the main street of the village. These soldiers started firing tear gas and live ammunition at the villagers gathered in the village center. Some of the village youth responded to this use of weaponry by throwing stones.

During the following hours, one male resident was hit by a fragment from a live bullet in his chest and 11 people needed medical treatment after inhaling large amounts of tear gas. Israeli forces also placed snipers on several roofs in the village, from which they shot at demonstrators near Ni’lin’s main street. Soldiers also attacked the Palestinian medical team inside the village and shot large amounts of tear gas at an ambulance.

At this Friday demonstration, the Israeli army once again shot extended range high velocity tear gas canisters. This is the same type of canister that was used to kill Basem Abu Rahme at a nonviolent demonstration in Bil’in on the same day. On the 13 March, American solidarity activist Tristan Anderson was critically injured after being shot in the head with a high velocity tear gas canister. Tristan is still listed in critical condition in a Tel Aviv hospital after undergoing three separate brain surgeries.




Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

More from Ni'lin Friday Demo - April 10

Ni'ilin 10 4:



Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

Weekly Demo Against the Apartheid Wall in Ni'lin April 10, 2009

Ni'lin 4-10-09 (2):

"Residents of Ni'lin demonsrate against the apartheid wall that separates villagers from land that is rightfully theirs according to Israeli & international law."

Friday Prayer before this week's demonstration


Soldiers' Aggression against protesters


Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

Ni'lin 3-4-09 - Friday demonstartion against the wall

Ni'ilin 3-4-09 - Friday demonstartion against the wall:

Six injured, one seriously, in Nil'in [Ni'lin] weekly protest
Source: IMEMC
Date: Friday April 03, 2009 16:51

Scores of villagers from Nil'in, located near the central West Bank city of Ramallah, along with their international supporters held their weekly protest on Friday midday against the illegal Israeli wall being built on village land.

As soon as locals and international supporters arrived in the part of the village where Israel is building the wall, soldiers showered them with tear gas and rubber-coated steel bullets. They also fired rounds of live ammunition.

Six people were injured including a boy who sustained serious wounds and was moved to a hospital in Ramallah city. Dozens were treated for gas inhalation. Israeli troops attacked the village early on Friday morning and fired tear gas at houses. Local sources said that clashes took place between the invading troops and local youth but no injuries were reported.



Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

Ni'lin 30 3 09 Land Day Protest

Ni'ilin 30 3 09 Land Day Protest:



Ni'ilin 30.3.2009:
"Land Day demonstration at Ni'ilin Monday March 30th"



Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

American citizen critically injured by Israeli Army in Ni'lin

American citizen critically injured after being shot in the head by Israeli forces in Nilin:

"Tristan Anderson has been critically injured in the village of Nilin after Israeli forces shot him in the head with a tear-gas canister.

For updated information, visit: http://palsolidarity.org/2009/03/5324"



Watch an Israeli soldier delay the ambulance while a companion of Tristan screams [to let the ambulance go] "Now, please" in hebrew.



Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

Ni'lin 13-3- 09 - Friday protest against the Apartheid Wall

Ni'ilin 13-3- 09 - Friday protest against the separation fence:

Two people injured during the demonstration against the apartheid wall, this Friday in Ni'lin.
One of them, a resident of Ni'lin, was shot with a live bullet in his leg
The other, an American citizen, was severely injured in the head, hit in the forehead with a long-range tear gas canister"



Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

ISM video - Ni'lin, 6th March 2009 [Four villagers shot with live ammunition]

Ni'lin, 6th of March 2009:

"Demonstrators reach the construction area of the apartheid wall and manage to destroy parts of the surrounding barb wire. The Israeli army respond violently with live ammunition, tear gas and sound grenades. Four persons got shot with live ammunition and at least three persons were injured by the new kind of tear gas canister known as saruch (rocket) among the villagers."



Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

Construction of Apartheid Wall enters new phase in Ni'lin. Village invaded, olive trees uprooted by IOF

Ni'lin invaded and olive trees uprooted by the Israeli Army:

"16th of Feb 2009 Ni'lin, West bank.
The village was invaded and a further construction site for the Apartheid Wall was initiated by the Israeli Army.

Full report at: www.palsolidarity.org"



Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

Demo against the Apartheid Wall in Ni'ilin 13 2 09

Ni'ilin 13 2 09:

Related News:
15 injured, including journalists, at Nil'in weekly protest
Source: IMEMC
Date: Friday February 13, 2009 17:11author

On Friday midday, scores of villagers from Nil'in, located near the central West Bank city of Ramallah, held their weekly protest against the illegal Israeli wall being built on the village's land by Israel's settlement and annexation project.

The activities began at a football tournament between 19 teams from various villages throughout the West Bank. the tournament was dedicated to Mahmoud Qassm and Arafat Al Khawaja, two boys who have been killed by the Israeli Army during Nil'in protests two months ago.

At noon, the Palestinians and other demonstrators held Friday prayers near the village lands, and then proceeded to march to the land being confiscated by Israel. Demonstrators carried banners calling for national unity and demanded an end to the Israeli occupation.

As soon as locals and their international supporters arrived to the village where Israel is building the wall, soldiers showered them with tear gas and rubber-coated steel bullets. Fifteen were treated for gas inhalation, three journalists were among the injured. Witnesses in the village added that soldiers shot tear gas inside three homes in the village.




Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

Israeli Army invades Ni'lin during friday demonstration - 23rd of January

23rd of January, Army invade Ni'lin during friday demonstration:

"Army invaded the Ni'lin using violence resulted in 15 injured, including two boys shot with live ammunition. While attacking the village the army was occasionally using their speakers to play music. The graves of Mohammed and Arafat Al Khwaja were disrespected by the army when they occupied the town and medical centre where they were burried, removing the Palestinian flags.
Arafat and Mohamed were murdered by the Israeli army on the 28th December for taking part in a demonstration in solidarity with Gaza and against the Apartheid Wall that will annex a large proportion of Ni'lin's land and make the village only accessible by a tunnel."



Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

Ni'lin demonstration against the Apartheid Wall 21/01/2009

21/01/2009 - Ni'lin demonstration against the Apartheid Wall:

"ISM video from Ni'lin village demonstration on the 21st January 2009"



Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

Funerals of Mohammed and Arafat Khawaje in Ni'lin

Funeral of Mohammed Khawaje - Second resident of Ni'lin killed by Israeli army during demonstration against the massacres in Gaza:

"International Solidarity Movement - Israeli forces shot 20 year old Mohammed Khawaje in the forehead with live ammunition as he was demonstrating in the village of Nilin against the Israeli massacres in Gaza. He was pronounced brain-dead on the evening of the 31st December.

Arafat Khawaje, 22, was shot in the back and killed by Israeli soldiers at the same demonstration on the 28th December."




Funeral of Arafat al Khawaje killed by the Israeli army while he was demonstrating in solidarity with Gaza

29th December 2008 - The funeral of Arafat al Khawaje from Ni'lin, who was shot with live ammunition by the Israeli army while he was demonstrating on his own land in solidarity with the people of Gaza.



Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

Israeli army kill Arafat Khawaje (22) as Ni'lin demonstrate in solidarity with Gaza

Israeli army kill Arafat Khawaje (22) as Ni'lin demonstrate in solidarity with Gaza:

"Israeli forces have killed one Palestinian man from Nilin, while another is in critical condition, as they opened fire on a demonstration against the Israeli massacre of the people of Gaza.

Arafat Rateb Khawaje, 22 years old, was shot in the back with live ammunition, he died at 2:45pm in Ramallah Hospital

Mohammed Kasim Khawaje, 20 years old, was shot in the forehead with live ammunition from close range. He remains in critical condition in Ramallah hospital."




Funeral of Arafat al Khawaje killed by the Israeli army while he was demonstrating in solidarity with Gaza:

"29th December 2008 - The funeral of Arafat al Khawaje from Ni'lin, who was shot with live ammunition by the Israeli army while he was demonstrating on his own land in solidarity with the people of Gaza"



Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

Ni'lin Friday 28-11-08

Ni'lin Friday 28-11-08:

"The villagers of Ni'lin struggle against the wall continue"



Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

Confrontation in Ni'lin 31-10-08

Confrontation in Ni'ilin 31-10-08:

"Friday 31 October 2008 the village of Nilin has been protesting against the wall and settlement building. The protesters marched after the Friday prayer joined by international and Israeli activists, showed solidarity with the residents of Nilin in particular and the Palestinian people in general with their right to struggle against the Apartheid Wall and have freedom"

Mass olive-harvest in the village of Ni'lin - 10-10-08

Mass olive-harvest in village Ni'I'lin - 10-10-08:

"In solidarity with the popular struggle against robbery of the lands and the apartheid wall which build on the village lands, a group of about 100 Israelis arrived at the village.

The olive-harvest took place together with inhabitants of the village. His target, to help the people of the village to pick olives of their plantations and to express solidarity with the residents that injured from the separation fence that build on their lands, prevents from them to cultivate the land, to collect the crop, and slowly creates the conditions that will enable to the state and to the settlers to control on the lands and to do in them as their desire.

The army had another plan. In spite of that the villagers' right is to work on their land, the army made an effort to prevent the action by the declaration of the area as militaristic closed territory and an activation of violence against the group.

Nevertheless lastly the group succeeded to arrive at the territory that will set and to pick olives.

But In the other part of the territory the border guard attacked in tear gas Palestinian families, that picked olives on their plantations, and hurt children and women."

Ni'lin demo 3.10.2008

Ni'ilin 3.10.2008:

Mass prayer and protest against the Apartheid wall, on lands of Ni'lin village.