Two Palestinians arrested, two internationals injured as groups attempt to break the siege on Ni’lin
July 7th, 2008Source ISM
Two Palestinian activists have been arrested and a Canadian activist has been shot in the leg by a rubber-coated steel bullet while attempting to take in food and other supplies to the West Bank village of Ni’lin, which has been holding constant non-violent demonstrations against the Israeli annexation barrier for the last two months.
In a separate attempt in the evening a large group of Palestinian residents of Budrus, together with international and Israeli solidarity activists, were opened fire on as they were bringing supplies into Ni’lin. One Palestinian was hit twice by rubber-coated steel bullets and one Swedish activist was hit by a tear-gas cannister fired at the group.
Basel Mansour, a member of Bi’lin Popular Committee and Ashraf Abo Rahma were arrested at the Ni’lin village entrance this morning as they attempted to enter the besieged village together with international solidarity activists. Israeli forces repeatedly attacked the group, forcing them back. One international solidarity activist from Canada was shot by a rubber-coated steel bullet as he attempted to put out a fire started on village land by an Israeli tear-gas cannister.
Efforts to enter Ni’lin with much needed supplies will continue tomorrow if the siege has not been lifted.
Curfew in Ni’lin
Palestine Monitor
9 July 2008
The morning of July 4, 2008 the Israeli army entered the small village of Ni’lin and imposed a curfew on the residents. The army said it was in response to the demonstrations against the wall. Since mid May the residents of Ni’lin have had weekly non-violent demonstrations against the building of the apartheid wall on Palestinian land.
The Israeli army invaded the village of 5000 with great force and violence. Over the four day occupation the soldiers shot rubber-coated steel bullets at anyone who was in the street including media. Soldiers shot tear gas at homes and into homes of residents, even homes with small children.
For four days residents were trapped in their homes not even allowed to go to their roofs much less look out of their window without fear of being shot at. Soldiers were walking the streets lobbing sound bombs and tear gas into the streets and at homes.
Dr. Muhammed Shahwn’s home was shot at with rubber coated bullets and tear gas. Walking into one of the rooms of his home the next day there was still the lingering smell of tear gas and burn marks on the floor.
There were many similar attacks through out the village including 20 homes that were invaded by the military. A girls school was broken into by the army for strategic purposes breaking down doors and windows throughout the school. Windows on homes and vehicles were shot out all over the village. Between damage to private property and village infra structure, the city estimates 300,000 shekels worth of damage (aprx. $90,000 U.S.).
Aside from the property damage there were over 50 people shot by rubber coated steel bullets. Several people were targeted, shot at, and hit by tear gas canisters that are meant to be aimed into the air. Others were beaten by soldiers including women and children. The army arrested a number of people including a twelve year old boy for throwing stones, he was kept for two days before finally being released.
Economically the occupation devastated the village. People were unable to go to work or run their businesses. One man who owns a grocery store said he lost 15,000 shekels because of the curfew.
The residents are left wondering what to do. The Israelis are stealing Ni’lin’s farm lands to build a wall in a place it does not belong to protect settlers who are on land that they themselves stole and do not belong. When the residents of Ni’lin try to have peaceful-non violent demonstrations against what is happening they are met by a barrage of fire and violence. Now residents also have to worry about their own town being invaded and being confined to their homes on their own land.
The village of Ni’lin is fighting a force that has no rules and will use any means necessary to accomplish their mission. Including control of media. During the occupation of the village no media was allowed in to cover what was happening. Anyone who was seen taking pictures or filming the events were shot at with rubber coated steel bullets and tear gas.
In the end the military left early on Tuesday morning. In an interview with a military spokeswoman, Reuters quoted her saying “the curfew was lifted this morning, the villagers promised not to protest and to keep the village quiet.”
The Ni’lin Popular committee who is representing the town said there were no such discussions with the military and no promises were ever made.
The Popular Committee said, “the Popular Committee wants to stress that the people of Ni’lin village will not give up their right to defend their basic human, economic, and social rights and therefore will not relinquish their right to protest against the confiscation of their land.”
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