Nonviolent Resistance in Palestine
Lets begin our report with the nonviolent actions in the West Bank cities of Bethlehem and Ramallah.
Bethlehem
On Friday about 70 people gathered for a non-violent demonstration against the confiscation of land belonging to the residents of the village of Wadi-An-Nis, south of the southern West bank city of Bethlehem.
The village is close to the Jewish settlement of Efrat and a new settler road. The road cuts through village land and now the farmers are not allowed to reach the area near the settlement. The demonstrators march across the new road and up the hill towards the fields but Israeli soldiers refused to let them pass. The group included local Palestinians, Israeli activists and internationals. Before the demonstration ended, one member of the group made a speech to mark the International Day of Non-violence, pointing to the non-violent way the demonstrators today had conducted themselves.
Bil'in
During this week of Bilin's nonviolent anti-wall protest, hundreds of Palestinians from the village accompanied by a number of International and Israeli peace activists marched to the construction site of the wall after the prayer on Friday at noon. The demonstrators who toured the village, carried Palestinian flags and signs and chanted slogans demanding an end to the Israeli Military occupation in Palestine and the dismantle of the wall.
The demonstrators could arrive at the construction site as the army has placed barbed wire on the road. As the protesters attempted to go through the barbed wire, the Israeli troops showered them with rubber-coated-metal bullets and threw tear gas and sound bombs at them. As a result, four civilians were wounded among them one journalist.
Political report
In political news this week, it has been revealed that the upcoming Middle East Peace Conference has been delayed until November 26. Elsewhere, Syrian President Bashir al-Assad has threated to boycott the summit should the Golan Heights not be discussed. IMEMC's John Smith has more.
The Israeli attacks
West Bank
This week the Israeli army conducted at least 21 military invasions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During those invasions, Israeli troops kidnapped 25 Palestinian civilians. IMEMC's Colin Bell has more:
Gaza strip
In the Gaza strip news this week, the Israeli army has continued to attack the costal region using both air forces and ground invasions. IMEMC's Rami Al Mughari has more.
Civil unrest
Hamas this week accused the Fatah-led security forces in the West Bank of arresting several Hamas party members. Elsewhere, Fatah and Hamas traded accusations over a series of sporadic blasts in the Gaza Strip. IMEMC's Jane Sahouri has more:
Conclusion
And that’s just some of the news this week in Palestine. For constant updates, check out our website, www.IMEMC.org. Thanks for joining us from Occupied Bethlehem, this Louisa White