Israeli Anarchists Against The Wall Face Trial
* | 05.12.2004 20:43 | Anti-militarism | World
On Thursday December 9, the trial of two members of Anarchists against the
wall will begin at the magistrate court in Jerusalem. The two, Kobi Snitz
and Yonatan Pollack were arrested on 21.9.04 at a demonstration against the
wall at the Palestinian village of Budrus. They are accused of being in
a closed military zone and causing a disturbance. Adv. Gaby Laski who
represents the two, will challenge the legitimacy of closed military
zones and the court's jurisdiction. The right to protest extends to the
occupied territories as well and closed military zones are not
protest-prevention zones.
The real offence the defendants are accused of is participation in
non-violent resistance to the wall and the occupation. The aggravating
circumstance are the fact that this resistance has been successful and
the defendants and their comrades collaborate with a popular movement
which acts democratically and non violently.
The fact that these activists are put on trial while the soldiers who
shot at them with live ammunition from close range and the officers who
ordered the shooting are allowed to continue to shoot at demonstrators
illustrates the corrupt repressive policies of "the only democracy in
the middle east".
This trial follows administrative detention of Palestinian anti wall
activists, who do not even get the benefit of a trial, and the violent
repression of the protests. This is a clear attempt at silencing
legitimate protest. Those who repress non-violent popular resistance
are guilty of fueling the violence.
It was said that the hottest places in hell are reserved for those who,
in times of great moral crisis, maintain their neutrality. Not the
policy of repression, the violence or the legal persecution will deter
us from the struggle against occupation and repression and for justice,
equality and liberty for all living beings.
We are in need of monetary help to pay legal fees for this and two
other ongoing trials. If you are able to assist and donate please contact
Ronen at
ronen@indymedia.org.il or +972-52-356-1580
wall will begin at the magistrate court in Jerusalem. The two, Kobi Snitz
and Yonatan Pollack were arrested on 21.9.04 at a demonstration against the
wall at the Palestinian village of Budrus. They are accused of being in
a closed military zone and causing a disturbance. Adv. Gaby Laski who
represents the two, will challenge the legitimacy of closed military
zones and the court's jurisdiction. The right to protest extends to the
occupied territories as well and closed military zones are not
protest-prevention zones.
The real offence the defendants are accused of is participation in
non-violent resistance to the wall and the occupation. The aggravating
circumstance are the fact that this resistance has been successful and
the defendants and their comrades collaborate with a popular movement
which acts democratically and non violently.
The fact that these activists are put on trial while the soldiers who
shot at them with live ammunition from close range and the officers who
ordered the shooting are allowed to continue to shoot at demonstrators
illustrates the corrupt repressive policies of "the only democracy in
the middle east".
This trial follows administrative detention of Palestinian anti wall
activists, who do not even get the benefit of a trial, and the violent
repression of the protests. This is a clear attempt at silencing
legitimate protest. Those who repress non-violent popular resistance
are guilty of fueling the violence.
It was said that the hottest places in hell are reserved for those who,
in times of great moral crisis, maintain their neutrality. Not the
policy of repression, the violence or the legal persecution will deter
us from the struggle against occupation and repression and for justice,
equality and liberty for all living beings.
We are in need of monetary help to pay legal fees for this and two
other ongoing trials. If you are able to assist and donate please contact
Ronen at
ronen@indymedia.org.il or +972-52-356-1580
*