Uk/US nationals remove Israeli roadblocks in Palestine
Andrew Wood | 20.12.2001 16:37
A group of fifty campaigners from the International Solidarity Movement dismantled two roadblocks near the West Bank City of Nablus this morning. It is part of a two week visit by the foreign nationals.
The work started at 8 a.m. GMT and was complete within four hours. One person, a US national was arrested. The roadblocks, consisting of six feet high piles of rock, rubble and concrete were removed by hand or with hand tools despite the arrival of the Israeli army. At Yassouf, Palestinian residents joined the foriegn nationals in removing the roadblock.
The roadblocks at the Hares and Yassouf villages in the Salfit region near Nablus prevented vehicles passing. The Yassouf roadblock was completely removed while heavy rocks meant the Hares roadblock was made passable to pedestrians only. An Israeli bulldozer constructed a new obstruction further down the Hares' road.
In the Salfit area most villages are cut off completely by roadblocks and are effectively under siege. Villagers told the campaigners they couldn't get to work, school or hospital.
Greg Muttit, one of the UK nationals said ''These roadblocks are a deliberate attempt by the Israeli government to intimidate and marginalise the Palestinian people. We want to see all of the roadblocks removed, and we call for an end to the military occupation of Palestine.'
Related items:
Heathrow to Palestine (15 December)
Sitting in front of an Isreali tank (18 December)
Andrew Wood
e-mail:
co101anw@gold.ac.uk
Homepage:
http://www.palestinecampaign.org