Farmer Has Heart Attack As Israeli Forces Attack

Palestinian Farmer Has Heart Attack As Israeli Forces Destroy Olive Trees In Ras 'Atiya

8th March 2009, Ras 'Atiya, Qalqilya region: A Palestinian farmer has had a heart attack while Israeli forces cut down olive trees on his and other farmers' lands in the village of Ras Tira, Qalqilya region. He was immediately taken to hospital.

Two Israeli and three international Human Rights Workers (HRWs), from the US, Denmark and Sweden, have also been arrested and taken to an Israeli police station in the settlement of Qedumim after they joined villagers from Ras at Tira, Wadi Ar-Rasha and Dhab'a in protest over the Israeli destruction of the region's olive trees.

Residents from the area, joined by Israeli and international HRWs, were protesting the cutting down of olive trees due to the Israeli plans to change the route of the Apartheid Wall in the area. As the trees were being cut, villagers and HRWs demonstrated, while Israeli forces fired tear-gas into the crowds.

"The Israeli forces are chaining up the trees and cutting them down. Just before, they gave everyone five minutes to leave the area, but then straight away went and took the Israelis and internationals. Women from the village have just come out to the fields and are throwing shoes at the soldiers. Israel is destroying more of the village's land for the settlements." - Tom Patterson (USA) - International Solidarity Movement

The villages of Ras at Tira, Wadi Ar-Rasha and Dhab'a are completely surrounded by both Israel's Apartheid Wall and the illegal Israeli settlements of Alfe Menashe.

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