Action Call: Qalqiliya Thursday Tulkarem Friday

Calls To Action: Qalqiliya Thursday, Tulkarem Friday, Brit denied entry

Three press releases for distribution to local media: please distribute widely.

BREAKING THROUGH THE WALL

Palestinian, Israeli, International Groups to Rally in Qalqilya, Demand End to Separation Wall,

English Press Contact: Lisa Bhungalia: 055 673 452 (international: 972-55-673-452)

Arabic Press Contact: Mohamed Qubaa: 054 379 876 (international: 972-54-379-876)

Hebrew Press Contact: Ady Ben-Israel 058 459 780 (international: 972-58-459-780)

When: 10:00 AM, Thursday July 31, 2003

Where: Qalqilya, West Bank

What: Giant Balloon Banner Launch, March, Rally, Paint on Wall, Performances

Who: Palestinians, Israelis, International Activists

Participating Organizations from Qalqilya:

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, Palestinian Agricultral Relief Committee, Qalqilya Municipality

Participating Organizations from Israel:

Gush Shalom, Kvisa Shchora (Black Laundry)

International Solidarity Movement/Jews Against the Occupation

Palestinian residents and community organizations from Qalqilya, Israeli Peace groups, and Human Rights activists with the International Solidarity Movement will come together to demonstrate against the Racial Separation Wall, which is now surrounding Qalqilya 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.

An expected 1,000 demonstrators will gather in Qalqilya at 10:00 AM on Thursday and march with balloons, banners, and kites to the Racial 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. Activists on the inside will attempt to break through a gate.

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 Qalqilya. 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 racial separation wall has laid siege to Qalqilya's population of 39,000, 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. Qalqilya, 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. ***************************************************** DEIR AL GHASOON FIGHTS BACK

Friday, August 1, 12 noon The farmers and workers of Deir al Ghassoon Near the city of Tulkarem Will break through the fence that has blocked them from their land, will attempt once more to gain access to that which the Israeli government has promised them: their livliehood.

As they have in the past, as they will continue in the future, the farmers will attempt to escape their prison, using their bare hands.

For more information, contact Huwaida 067 473 308 Flo 064 309 753

For video footage of previous successful actions at Deir al Ghassoon, contact Ghassan Bannoura: 054 441 603

***************************************************** International Solidarity Movement July 30th 2003 For immediate release

British school teacher treated like terrorist

[Ben Gurion Airport] Yesterday morning, July 29th, David Watson, a 35 year-old high school teacher and humanitarian aid worker from East London, was turned away at Ben Gurion airport. He was denied entry into Israel, but has refused to be deported until he can legally appeal. He is awaiting a judges decision on whether his appeal will be heard or not, but he is likely to be sent back to the UK in shackles 8am tommorow morning.

The Israeli security forces claim he is a threat to security. David is a member of Amnesty International, has done poverty relief work in Brazil and Malawi, and has previously met with the ISM in the Palestinian territories to talk about humanitarian relief in the area. It is likely he was turned away because of Israel‚s policy of denying entry to people associated with peace groups like the ISM, which is a Palestinian led organisation devoted to fostering non-violent means of ending the occupation.

© Scoop Media