Interview with Tommy Donnelan Irish activist in the West Bank – 3 May 2010

by TD - Free Palestine Campaign Tue May 04, 2010 10:52

A new section of the Apartheid-Annexation Wall is being constructed on expropriated Beit Jala land, last Sunday's protest was one of a series of ongoing demonstrationss against Israel's criminal project.

Beit Jala is a predominantly Christian town located 10 km south of Jerusalem, on the western side of the Hebron road, opposite Bethlehem. Once completed, the Wall will Isolate 3,200 dunams of the towns lands, including almost 3,000 dunams of olive groves and the only recreational forest in the area, the Cremisan monastery and the Cremisan Cellars winery. According to a military confiscation order handed to the villagers, the path of the Wall will stretch over 4890 meters between Beit Jala and al-Wallaja, affecting 35 families, whose homes may be slated for demolition http://palestinesolidarityproject.org/2010/05/02/demons...jala/

In an action organised by the National Committee of Beit Ummar (also spelt Beit Ommar) and the Palestine Solidarity Project, a group of Beit Ommar farmers and their families gathered Saturday afternoon, May 1, at the gates of Karmei Tsur settlement demanding access to their land inside the fence to inspect the 20 almond trees cut down by settlers this week.Two army jeeps arrived within minutes and the Israeli soldiers gave the farmers 5 minutes to leave however immediately fired tear gas into the crowd causing panic amongst the children present. Six soldiers with automatic weapons at the ready then rushed through the gates whilst their colleagues fired more gas at the retreating villagers. Mohammed Awad, member of the National Committee, was thrown to the ground and beaten by 2 soldiers for filming their aggressive action. He was carried from the scene by ambulance suffering also from severe tear gas inhalation. Several army jeeps have invaded the village firing tear gas, stun grenades and rubber coated steel bullets apparently indiscriminately. An international solidarity activist was briefly detained by the Israeli army but managed to escape through vineyards. A number of foreign press crews were present to record the violent response to this peaceful rally and one was physically attacked.

Beit Jala resident after being tear-gassed

Souk: Old City, Hebron

Beit Jala: Before the gassing commenced

Blocking the gate to the "settlers" fortified enclave in Hebron

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Beit Jala protest 2-05-2010

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Beit Ummar Protest 1-05-2010

by TD - FPC Tue May 04, 2010 11:00

Palestinian, Israeli and international activists held a full- throated protest at the checkpoint gate separating Shuhada Street in H2 from the Casbah in H1. The protestors successfully blocked the gate where the "settlers" usually emerge every Saturday for their "cultural" triumphalist, intimidatory tour. After the blockade and during the march through the narrow Old City souk the demonstrators were attacked by colonists spraying water on them from rooftops. Last Saturday's protest was one of a series of ongoing demonstrations against the colonising "settlers" and the continued closure of Shuhada Street. See Open Shuhada Street website.

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Hebron Protest 1-05-2010