The Continuing Struggle Over the Separation Barrier/Aparthied Wall

by Charles Lenchner · 2008-10-26 09:08:00 UTC
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Most of us "in the know" activists are aware that Israel has constructed a very long barrier within the West Bank that was either constructed to wall in Palestinian bantustans, or was established to safeguard Israel from terrorist activity. Perhaps both? [See the ever-wonderful Wikipedia article about it.] What we might not know is the Friday routine of demonstrations and clashes taking place in a few West Bank villages.

In the village of Bil'in, the barrier separates some agricultural land from the homes of the villagers who tend to it.  The residents - together with other organizations of Israelis, internationals and Palestinians - have been protesting the construction of the barrier since the route was announced. Weekly protests have been ongoing since 2005.

Friends of Freedom and Justice in Bil'in is an organization based in the village that solicits support and documents the ongoing struggle. This fairly typical report is from this past Friday:

The demonstrators marched in the village chanting against the discriminatory policies of the occupation and calling for a national unity among the Palestinians, while they were carrying ladders and tools to pick olives. When the protest reached the gate, protesters tried to access the land to pick olives, but they were stopped by sound grenades and teargas canisters. Dozens suffered inhalation.

What was special about this past week was this:

A week ago, the protesters succeeded in removing a gate in the wall and are now using it in a parking lot for cars in the village. The Popular Committee said about this incident “Any tool that the occupation uses to oppress us, we will use it for our own services.” Palestinians have the determination and the belief that this wall will be removed.

Sorry folks, but that's funny. The protesters "liberated" a gate and are now using it for a parking lot. I couldn't tell if the author of the protest report understands why that's funny. And now, some links.

Charles Lenchner
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