INDEPENDENT NEWS

International Solidarity Movement Reports & Alert

Published: Tue 28 Sep 2004 09:40 AM
International Solidarity Movement Reports and Alert
1. Village of Budrus faces Israeli army threats after peaceful demonstration against the Wall 2. Israeli army calls "Women in Green" for protection
3. ISM activist shares penpal project between Vermont, USA, and Palestinian elementary school children
4. Action alert: Join the people of Mas'ha in nonviolent action this Sunday, October 3
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1. Budrus threatened by Israeli army after peaceful demonstration against the Wall Budrus, West Bank September 26, 2004
Yesterday at 10:30 am, the village of Budrus, accompanied by internationals and Israeli's had a successful demonstration against the construction of the wall. There were only a few canisters of tear gas fired at the demonstrators, and there were no rubber coated steel bullets fired at the peaceful demonstrators during the march. The media was out in force at this protest. After the demonstration protestors tried to return and confrontations erupted. Eye-witness reports claim there were no injuries.
However, an abandoned Israeli military jeep was found by youth from the village and two bullet proof vests that were set on fire. Other insignificant articles were also claimed to have been taken from unmanned jeeps at the protest site. The Israeli army came into the village of Budrus in force yesterday evening and made demands that the articles taken from the unmanned jeeps be returned if the Budrus wanted to avoid trouble with the Israeli army.
A call from the local Mosque requested that the items be returned. Local contacts stated that the articles demanded were returned to the local mosque to be handed over to the Israeli army. They have informed the Israeli army that two vests were burned in the fire by local youth.
The Israeli army is presently searching the village and repeatedly entering the home of a young man they suspect had something to do with the abandoned jeep and its contents. The family members of the young man are afraid and have requested that internationals stay at the home to help protect them and their property. Three ISM activists plan to spend the next two nights at the home.
Tomorrow, September 28,villagers will march in commemoration of the 4th anniversary of the second Intifada and to protest the Wall. They will be joined by internationals, including Israelis.
For additional information contact: Abu Ahmad: 972-67-924-952 Lisa: 972-67-715-968 Dave: 972-54-683-2921
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3. Israeli army calls "Women in Green" for protection
Around 1:30 pm on Sunday, women settlers arrived at a flying checkpoint between Funduq and Qedumim and attacked human rights monitors from the International Women's Peace Service, saying that the soldiers had called them and asked them to come. "The soldiers called you?" one of the human rights monitors asked. "Yes," replied on of the women. "They call us everyday." The soldier standing next to this settler nudged her and whispered something out of the side of his mouth, presumably telling her that this was not public information.
The attack happened after the army had been holding 4 Palestinian buses for about 5 hours, having taken people's IDs and forcing them to get on an off the buses several times without providing them with water. An ISM activist happened to be on one of the buses at the time and notified Hamoked, Machsom Watch and IWPS.
The settler group Women in Green arrived with beverages and ice cream for the soldiers, claiming that "it is our job to protect the soldiers." Shortly after, one woman started screaming in Hebrew through a megaphone into the ears of the IWPS women. "Shalom!" she screamed, "Go away from here! You are bothering the soldiers!" When the IWPS women covered their ears, the settler forcibly pushed the megaphone against their heads. At least 2 soldiers gave her a `thumbs up' sign. This continued for about a half hour, until the soldiers forced everyone to board the buses.
The Women in Green (approximately 5 women and 2 men) stayed for about an hour. The buses were released after a total of 5 hours of detention.
ISM activist present during the ordeal:
ISM activist, Neta Golan, traveling to Ramallah with her two small children, was also on one of the buses stopped by the Israeli Army. While she and other Palestinians were being held, HAMOKED, an Israeli human rights organization, Machsom Watch and IWPS were notified. According to Neta, the Israeli Army called the Women in Green because of the presence of groups that monitor checkpoint abuses by the Israeli Army. In coordination with IWPS there was an attempt to get water to the detained Palestinians. The Israeli army had refused to supply any water in spite of Palestinians being held in the sun for 2-5 hours.
09-251-6644 IWPS@palnet.com www.iwps.info September 26, 2004
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3. ISM activist shares penpal project between Vermont, USA and Palestinian elementary school children
As most of you know already, I am doing peace work in Palestine/Israel for the next 8 weeks. I arrived in Tel Aviv today and I'm staying in Jerusalem. The peace work consists of coordinating a penpal exchange between Vermont and Palestinian elementary school children, assisting farmers with olive harvest, and being a currier of greetings between the sister cities of Burlington (Vermont), Bethlehem (Palestine), and Arad (Israel).
Penpal Exchange: About 200 students from Vermont are participating in the program. Grand Isle (grades 5-8), Folsom in South Hero (grades 3-4), and Lawrence Barnes in Burlington (grades 4-5) are participating in the cultural exchange. Aside from exchanging letters, students are learning about Arab and Palestinian culture and making new friends with their Palestinian counterparts.
The Olive Harvest: I wil also be participating in the Olive Harvest Campaign. The fun part will be harvesting the olives from the trees. Entire villages help out with this special occasion which lasts for about 6 weeks. The not so fun part will be escorting farmers to their fields in order to minimize harassment, violence, etc. from Israeli settlers and soldiers.
>From the Holy Land, Joe
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4. Action Alert:
OLIVE HARVEST 2004
JOIN THE PEOPLE OF MAS'HA IN NONVIOLENT ACTION ON SUNDAY
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WHEN – Sunday, October 3, 7.00 am
WHERE – Mas'ha village, Salfit District. Meet at Abu Anwar's Station, near the west gate of the Wall
Join the farmers and families of Mas'ha and Az Zawiya at the beginning of this year's olive harvest as they demand open and continous access to their land and trees.
The farmers and their families will meet near the west gate of the Wall which has been closed for almost 9 months. They will attempt to cross through the gate to pick their olives. Ninety-five percent of the farmers' land now lies behind the Wall and within close range of settlements.
ALL Palestinian, Israeli and international activists are urged to come. Please make every effort to be there.
For more information contact:
RA'AD (Palestinian Contact): 0547 768 254 (Arabic, Hebrew and English) DOROTHY (Israeli Contact): (Hebrew and English): 09 958 4804 INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S PEACE SERVICE: 09-251-6644

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