Crackdown on Nonviolent Activists in West Bank
Background and Recent Articles
The current Israeli government and military campaign against nonviolent resistance has centered on Palestinian villages that have built and sustained ongoing nonviolent protests to the Wall being built on their village land. Among these villages, Bil’in, Nil’n, and AlMaasara are the most well-known, but there are also campaigns established and/or starting in Nabi Saleh and other villages.
A recent press release from the Popular Struggle Coordination Committee gives an overview of just how many organizers and nonviolent activists have been targeted recently. Bil’in has been subject to frequent nightly raids by the IDF since last summer and they are intensifying. Popular Committee members Abdullah Abu Rahmeh and Mohammad Khatib, along with others, have recently been arrested. Iyad Burnat, head of the popular committee, and a regular speaker on IFPB tours, was hit with a tear gas canister last Friday during the weekly Bil'in demonstrations. Three more activsts were arrested last night in Bil'in and took video of the 4am raid.
In the village of Nil’in, there have been 15 night raids in the past six weeks. 20 villagers have been arrested in the past month, including members of the popular committee. One leader of the committee, Hasan Moussa, has met with several past IFPB delegations and a recent IFPB delegate posted an interview with Mousa here just before he was arrested. In the village of AlMaasara, 34 villagers have been arrested in the last month. Jamal Juma’a and Mohammed Othman of the Stop the Wall Campaign were arrested earlier in December. Due in part to international efforts they have been released. This victory encourages us that more pressure might lead to releasing other detainees; see more below for ways YOU can take action.
The crackdown has not just targeted anti-Wall activists; but also others working nonviolently. Nablus area activist Wa’el Al-Faqeeh was arrested in a December 19th raid in Nablus. Furthermore, in addition to the arrests of nonviolent Palestinians, Israel has also increased pressure on internationals living and working in the West Bank. Jared Malsin, the editor of the Maan News agency was removed from Israel two weeks ago. There are also reports appearing in the Israeli press about growing problems for foreigners working in the West Bank getting work permits.
In addition to the specific articles linked above a few overview articles are also useful:
Israel crushes local dissent, attacks global criticism (IMEU)
Israel Signals Tougher Line on West Bank Protests (NYT)
How to Take Action Today
Campaign to Free Abdullah Abu Rahmah
Popular Struggle Coordination Committee Campaign or
Amnesty International Campaign
Let the US Consulate Know You’re Concerned about the Arrests
Write a Letter Here
Join us in Washington DC on March 7/8 to learn organizing skills and let your elected officials know what you think
Travel to Israel/Palestine with IFPB to meet these and other activists
Continue to Follow the Issue
Popular Struggle Coordination Committee
Bilin Village Website
Wall Prisoners Twitter Updates
US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation
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