Deir al Ghassoon, north of Tulkarem
At 11:30 approximately 200 farmers from Deir al Ghassoon, at least 50
internationals, and many television cameras, started their march from
the center of the village to the fence that has prevented access to
the fields of the village for two weeks now.
At 11:30 approximately 200 farmers from Deir al Ghassoon, at least 50
internationals, and many television cameras, started their march from
the center of the village to the fence that has prevented access to
the fields of the village for two weeks now.
Two weeks ago, the farmers attempted to pass through the gate in the
Ghetto Wall that the Israeli government promised them, along with
ISM activists. They were shoved back onto the village side of the
Wall and denied access to the land by hired security guards. A lock was
placed on the gate. Last Friday, the farmers came again to the fence.
This time, they took action into their own hands. They dismantled the
fence physically and cut the lock. When proceeding to move to their
field, the Israeli army appeared, and again physically forced them
back through the gate.
Today, while approaching the gate, the international activists began
to cut the razor wire that has been placed meters before the gate to
block access. The army was waiting for them. As they approached, the army
opened fire with "rubber bullets", clearly aiming high, not at the
ground as is the regulation.
Eight activists were hit during continuous fire, shielding the
Palestinians. 2 farmers were also hit with rubber-coated steel bullets. None
were seriously wounded, although several were taken to the nearby hospital
of Dr.Thabet Thabet in Tulkarem. As the activists fled admist clouds of tear
gas, the army spokesman was already claiming an appropriate use of "non-
lethal force".
The eight internationals injured were:
Thomas, from Britain
Polly, from Britain
Andrew, from Scotland
Robin, from Britain
Michael, from the USA
Joe, from the USA
Eric, a student at Bir Zeit University
and Juliana, currently in Palestine to work on a documentary
film about medical care and access in the Occupied Territories,
from the USA.
Ghetto Wall that the Israeli government promised them, along with
ISM activists. They were shoved back onto the village side of the
Wall and denied access to the land by hired security guards. A lock was
placed on the gate. Last Friday, the farmers came again to the fence.
This time, they took action into their own hands. They dismantled the
fence physically and cut the lock. When proceeding to move to their
field, the Israeli army appeared, and again physically forced them
back through the gate.
Today, while approaching the gate, the international activists began
to cut the razor wire that has been placed meters before the gate to
block access. The army was waiting for them. As they approached, the army
opened fire with "rubber bullets", clearly aiming high, not at the
ground as is the regulation.
Eight activists were hit during continuous fire, shielding the
Palestinians. 2 farmers were also hit with rubber-coated steel bullets. None
were seriously wounded, although several were taken to the nearby hospital
of Dr.Thabet Thabet in Tulkarem. As the activists fled admist clouds of tear
gas, the army spokesman was already claiming an appropriate use of "non-
lethal force".
The eight internationals injured were:
Thomas, from Britain
Polly, from Britain
Andrew, from Scotland
Robin, from Britain
Michael, from the USA
Joe, from the USA
Eric, a student at Bir Zeit University
and Juliana, currently in Palestine to work on a documentary
film about medical care and access in the Occupied Territories,
from the USA.
