POPULAR RESISTANCE AGAINST THE WALL

Popular resistance against the Israeli Expansionist Wall is still going on in different places of the West Bank. IN JERUSALEM: Israeli Occupation soldiers detained on January 15, 2010 International “Solidarniosh”, Palestinian and Israeli peace activist in Sheikh Jarrah in East Jerusalem during a Demonstration against the Judaization and ethnic cleansing measures of the Israeli occupation Authorities. Hundreds of Palestinians took part in the demonstration in addition to Israeli and International peace activists. The raised Palestinian flags and denounced the colonization measures practiced by the Israeli authorities in this quarter and other quarters of the Holy city. They also chanted slogans denouncing the occupation and called for peace. Demonstrators stated that the Israeli soldiers attacked violently the demonstrators and beat them with clubs and the bottom of their guns causing bruises and blood stains, The Israeli soldiers detained as well 13 demonstrators. IN BIL’IN IN THE VILLAGE OF Bil’in to the West of Ramallah 8 people were hit by rubber-coated bullets in addition to tens of suffocation cases in an attempt to quell the weekly demonstration. Three journalists and six demonstrators were injured in the demonstration which was organized by the popular Committee to resist the Wall on Friday January 15, 2010. Central Committee member of Fatah Dr. Nabeel Shaath and other Fatah leading members took part. Fatah organized in this activity to celebrate the 45th anniversary of its creation and express its rejection to the Israeli colonization activities. Moreover, the Palestinian Liberation Front and the Popular Struggle Front took part in the weekly activities, in addition to International “Solidarnosh” and Israeli Peace activists. During the demonstration Fatah International Relations Commissioner Dr. Nabeel Shaath delivered a speech appreciating the steadfastness of the villagers of Bil”in in facing the Expansionist and Apartheid Wall. He greeted the International solidarity movement and the solidarity people who come to Bil’in and Ni’lin to take a stand of honor, pride and determination to end the occupation and the Wall. He emphasized that this day is an important day because it marks the day of the liberation of the Palestinian will. Dr. Shaath also said that Bil’in has become the symbol of Palestinian Struggle the same as the Karamah Battle of 1968 became a symbol of Palestinian armed resistance and a symbol of the Fatah Movement to liberate the homeland and achieve its independence. He added that “popular and peaceful resistance against the occupation is not for free, since we have lost until now 26 Palestinian martyrs and tens of prisoners during their resistance against the occupation and the Wall. He added that we are here today to emphasize Fatah’s role in carrying on the struggle which will lead eventually to independence and a just and real peace. We are here to emphasize that we will not return to negotiations unless the settlement is stopped and the setting of an international clear reference capable of safeguarding our rights, to stop the Judaization of Jerusalem and end the Gaza Siege.” Dr. Shaath also said: “Our plan is to escalate popular resistance and chase Israel around the world, the same as the people of South Africa chased the racist Apartheid regime until we achieve just peace. We also look forward to see that Bil’in and Ni’lin model be used in all threatened towns and villages subjected to colonization, settlements and Walls.” Dr. Shaath concluded that on this particular Day of Fatah we remember all the martyrs and especially our late great leader Yasser Arafat and all other martyrs who were killed during the struggle and in fighting the Apartheid Wall such as Bassem Abu Rahmeh, the martyr of Bil’in; in addition to all Palestinian prisoners who suffer in Israeli jails. IN NABI SALEH AND DEIR NITHAM 2 WOUNDED AND TENS OF SUFFOCATION CASES In the village of Nabi Saleh and Deir Nitham two Demonstrators were hit by shrapnels and tens of suffocation cases during a demonstration against the Israeli Army which prevented the Palestinian villagers to enter and cultivate their land properties. After an agreement with the Army to allow peasants to plow their properties the Israeli Army prevented the peasants which led to a demonstration against the Army. Extremist Jewish settlers in the area have been trying to put their hand on the Palestinian lands and expropriate Palestinians with the help and protection of the Israeli Army. As a result of this situation two peaceful demonstrations took place in the villages of Nabi Saleh and Deir Nitham, but ended with hand clashes between the Army and the demonstrators. The Soldiers tried to attack TawfiK Al Tirawi member of the Central who led the Demonstration and arrested for few hours the Secretary of the Palestinian Doctors and three girls. Al Tirawi said that Fatah will step up the struggle and will continue to support popular activities and demonstrations against the Wall and settlements in all villages and places which become subject to Israeli violations and land theft from the Extremist settlers or the Occupation Army. In other demonstration Member of the Central Committee Mahmoud Al Aloul who took part in the demonstration said that Fatah will continue to support the mass struggle in defense of the Palestinian lands and properties and face the occupation measures. He also said that our message is that the Palestinian people cannot be silent on the Israeli violations aiming at attacking their lands and properties and that those peaceful activities will continue. Al Aloul called all Fatah members to take part in those activities. IN MAASARA In the village of Maasara to the South of Bethlehem Israeli Occupation forces quelled a peaceful demonstration against the Israeli Apartheid Wall aiming at steeling Palestinian land properties. Palestinian villagers accompanied by International and Israeli peace activists staged their weekly demonstration against the Wall on Friday January 15, 2010. School kids carrying their drums and scout suits marched in front of the demonstration carrying Palestinian flags and banners denouncing Israeli oppressive measures, land confiscation and the Expansionist Israeli Wall. The demonstrators said that the Israeli army attacked the houses of the Village Council Head at dawn and the House of the head of the popular committee against the Wall in Maasara. They also said that the Israeli Army declared the village of Maasara a closed military zone, occupied the roofs of the houses, closed the main entrance of the village with barbwire and attacked the villagers by beating them with sticks and the bottom of their guns.