Brighton-Tubas Campaigners on Trial in Jerusalem tonight

Three British women, Kate Harrison, Caroline Bailey and Sarah Cobham
representing the Brighton-Tubas Friendship and Solidarity group, were
arrested during a non-violent protest at Al Mazra’a al Qibilya in the West
Bank on Friday 26th October and will appear at 6pm this evening in the
Jerusalem Peace Court, located in the Russian Compound in Jerusalem.

The women, aged 45, 60 and 62, who are facing deportation, are being
charged this evening with “participating in an illegal demonstration“,
“damaging a barbed wire fence” belonging to settlers erected on
Palestinian land and uprooting settler owned grape vines planted illegally
on Palestinian land.

The women, two of whom are members of Amnesty International, did not
actively participate in the demonstration but intended to act as
observers. They were arrested as the protesters retreated under live fire.

Members of a ten person delegation to Palestine organised by the
Brighton-Tubas Friendship and Solidarity Group joined a demonstration in
Al Mazra’a al Qibliya in the occupied West Bank today. Al Mazra’a is
surrounded by seven illegal Israel settlements known collectively as
Talmund B.

The settlements have been steadily expanding. In the last few years they
have expropriated 14,000 denums of Palestinian land (4 denums= 1 acre) and
uprooted Palestinian olive trees.

The settlement also monopolises water resources in the area. Settlements
like Talmund B are illegal under international law. However, the Israeli
state encourages the growth of settlements by subsidising colonisers who
move to the occupied territories.

Three months ago a further 500 dunams were confiscated from the village
and were planted with grape vines.

The Brighton group joined the villagers in marching to the confiscated
land. They reached the area where a barbed wire fence marked the boundary
of the stolen land. Approximately

50 people crossed the fence and started to remove the grape vines from the
land. Also the pipes that take the stolen water were partially destroyed.

As the demonstrators entered the land settlers fired live ammunition at
them. Soldiers also fired live ammunition. No warning was given. The group
included old people and many young children.

The villagers told the remaining members of the Brighton group that it was
because of their presence that no-one was killed.

For more info contact Tom Hayes on 00447846506710 or Ann on +972522354477


Personal report of the demonstration:
 http://brightonpalestine.org/blog/?p=208

More information on Al Masra’a

 http://www.palsolidarity.org/main/2007/10/26/action-alert-non-violent-demonstration-at-al-mazra-al-qiblya-to-protest-illegal-confiscation-of-palestinian-land/

For more details contact Tom Hayes on 07846506710 or email
 thewallmustfall@riseup.net
www.tubas.brightonpalestine.org.

NOTES FOR JOURNALISTS

1.The Brighton-Tubas Friendship and Solidarity group is a grassroots
network aimed at fostering and strengthening links between grassroots
groups in Tubas, Palestine and Brighton, UK.

2. 10 people from Brighton arrived in Palestine on October 20th. The
delegation includes students, health workers and representatives from
Brighton branches of Amnesty International and the Palestine Solidarity
Campaign. The group will contact grassroots organisations like the Tubas
Red Crescent, agricultural cooperatives, students’ unions, Tubas Women’s
Group and local trade unions.

3. Over the Summer the group helped to fund and sent volunteer to build a
school in Tubas region in defiance of Israeli military restrictions on
building. The Israeli army recently issued a demolition order on the
school.

4. Sussex University Students Union twinned with Al Quds Open University
in Tubas in June this year. The city branch of UNISON in Brighton and Hove
is twinned with a union branch in Tubas.

5. A nurse from Brighton is planning to travel to Tubas to work as a
volunteer.