Breaking Through The Wall
Palestinian, Israeli, International Groups to Rally in Qalqiliya, Demand End to Separation Wall, Expose Realities in
West Bank City
When: 10:00 AM, THURSDAY JULY 31, 2003 Where: Qalqiliya, West Bank What: Giant Balloon Banner Launch, March, Rally,
Paint on Wall, Performances Who: Palestinians, Israelis, International Activists
Participating Organizations from Qalqiliya: Palestine Red Crescent Society, Al-Amal Deaf Association, Palestine General
Federation of Trade Unions, Palestinian Prisoners’ Club, Farmer’s Union, State Information Services, Al-Quds Open
University, National Institutions Office
Participating Organizations from Israel: Gush Shalom, Kvisa Shchora (Black Laundry)
International Solidarity Movement
Palestinian residents and community organizations from Qalqiliya, Israeli Peace groups, and Human Rights activists with
the International Solidarity Movement will come together to demonstrate against the Separation Wall, which is now
surrounding Qalqiliya and which Israel is using to annex 10% of the Occupied West Bank, attack the Palestinian economy
and civil life, and force Palestinians to abandon their land.
Palestinians and internationals will gather in Qalqiliya at 10:00 AM on Thursday and march with balloons, banners, and
kites to the Separation Wall, where art performances, a balloon launch, speeches, and a dramatic painting of the wall
will take place. Israeli groups will convene at the same point along the wall, on the opposite side. Palestinian and
Israeli groups will attempt to reach a point where they can see each other.
A 6x4 meter banner reading “No Apartheid Wall “ in Arabic, Hebrew, and English will rise over the wall, lifted by giant
helium balloons, in addition to smaller balloons carrying the names of Palestinian prisoners from Qalqiliya. The
floating banner, escaping Qalqiliya, will send an urgent plea to the world on behalf of Palestinians throughout the West
Bank imprisoned behind the Wall.
The Separation Wall has laid siege to Qalqiliya’s population of 45,000, now isolated within concrete and barbed wire,
severely limiting or preventing movement between Palestinian cities and villages. The wall, which lies far inside the
Green Line, has confiscated 35% the city’s arable land and 33% of the city’s water resources. Qalqiliya, once known as
the “bread basket” of the West Bank now faces dire food and water shortages while the settlements that surround it enjoy
a rich supply of these resources. The wall has torn apart the local economy, causing a sharp rise in unemployment and
stifling business.
EnglishPress Contact: AdamKeller (Gush Shalom) 056-709603 (also for transportation from Tel-Aviv) LisaBhungalia: 055
673 452 (international:972-55-673-452)
Arabic Press Contact: Mohamed Qubaa: 054 379 876 (international: 972-54-379-876)
Hebrew Press Contact: Adam Keller (Gush Shalom) 056-709603 (also for transportation from Tel-Aviv) Ady Ben-Israel 058
459 780 (international: 972-58-459-780)
-- A map of the separation wall:
http://www.gush-shalom.org/thewall/hebrew.html (òáøéú) http://www.gush-shalom.org/thewall/index.html (English)
-- Our site: http://www.gush-shalom.org/ (òáøéú) http://www.gush-shalom.org/english/index.html (English)
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