Breaking Through The Wall

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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