Demonstrations in the West Bank Commemorate July 9th

19 July 2011

Demonstrations in the West Bank Commemorate July 9th

Violence at the Bakkah Mosque in Hebron

Five demonstrators suffered various injuries today and dozens suffered from gas asphyxiation as result of the suppression by occupation forces towards the mass demonstration. The demonstration started from outside Bakkah mosque in Hebron in Martyrs Street near the center of the old town to reject Judaizing the city, stealing land by the settlements, and to demand the opening of Martyrs Street, which has been closed since the second intifada to the Palestinians. Only settlers can use this street.

The demonstration was called by the Popular Campaign against the Apartheid Wall and the Welcome to Palestine campaign. It was attended by international solidarity activists as well as the people of Hebron and the popular committees in the cities of Bethlehem and Hebron.

Before starting the demonstration, Jabir Badran spoke on behalf of the national political parties and Mazen al-Azzah, coordinator of the Stop the Wall popular committee in Bethlehem, emphasized that the city of Hebron and its vicinity suffers the worst settlement process and looting of the ancient city. They also spoke of the rejection of the Palestinian people to have their cities and their civilization stolen.

After the speeches, demonstrators launched the march carrying Palestinian flags and slogans rejecting the stealing of Martyrs Street. There was strong suppression by the occupation of the demonstration. The launching of a barrage of tear gas led to the injury of five demonstrators. Those that were injured were treated on the ground. Additionally there were dozens of cases of severe choking from the gas.

Confrontations Occurred At Al-Quba Checkpoint, North Of Bethlehem Entrance

Occupation forces suppressed the demonstration organized today by Stop The Wall Campaign and “Welcome to Palestine” initiative at al-Quba checkpoint at the northern entrance of Bethlehem city by firing tear gas and rubber bullets. Mazen al-Azah, coordinator of Stop the Wall campaign for Bethlehem district, said that the demo came as part of the local grassroots movement's organized week of events against Apartheid, discrimination, and to end Occupation. He also added, “Today it is in Bethlehem; Yesterday was at Qalandiya checkpoint; then Hebron, Jerusalem, Jordan Valley, and Tulkarem will follow”

Around 200 people marched at 11:00 am toward the checkpoint of al-Quba before they were facing the Occupation forces, who fired the tear gas and rubber bullets, causing some injures among the demonstrators. Occupation forces also closed the metal doors in the Wall, which are used as entrances for the checkpoint, causing a traffic jam in the area.

Demonstration in Al-Walaja Village against Further Construction of the Wall

Later that evening, 150 demonstrators marched toward the apartheid wall on al-Walaja lands, in the west Bethlehem district. They tried to reach the isolated lands where Occupation bulldozers are currently working on constructing a new section of the Apartheid Wall. The demonstration, which was organized by Stop The Wall Campaign and the “Welcome to Palestine” initiative, saw wide-participation from Palestinian residents of al-Walaj village, near-by villages, and other national and international activists.

The march started from the village center toward the Apartheid Wall area. Occupation forces were prepared at the location of the march and inundated the demonstration with tear gas and sound bombs. They then started a hand-to-hand confrontation with demonstrators, causing several injures. The demonstrators tried to by-pass the Occupation forces to continue the march toward the bulldozers working on constructing a new section of the Apartheid Wall, but Occupation forces managed to stop them with force.

After the demonstration ended, Occupation forces set-up a checkpoint at the entrance to Bethlehem and detained a group of activists, included Mazen Al-Azah, coordinator of Stop The Wall campaign for Bethlehem district, and other local and international activists for 90 minutes before releasing them.

Palestinian Civil Society Calls for Comprehensive Military Embargo on Israel

As pressure to end Israel's impunity mounts: Palestinian civil society calls for comprehensive military embargo on Israel

Palestinian civil society calls for comprehensive military embargo on Israel * Youth movement activists deliver call and proof of military collusion with Israel to UN and consulates * Organizations representing millions around the globe as well as Nobel Peace Prize winners including Desmond Tutu express support for the Palestinian embargo call * The Palestinian Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions National Committee (BNC), the largest Palestinian coalition encompassing all Palestinian political parties, trade unions, NGOs and mass organizations, has called for an immediate and comprehensive military embargo on Israel.

"A comprehensive military embargo on Israel is long overdue. It would form a crucial step towards ending Israel's unlawful and criminal use of force against the Palestinian people and other peoples and states in the region, and it constitutes an effective, non-violent measure to pressure Israel to comply with its obligations under international law," reads the BNC embargo call.

Read More: http://stopthewall.net/em6/link.php?M=2422&N=81&L=13167&F=T

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