Photo from Stop the Wall
In a column for the Daily Star, Mohammad Daraghmeh captures the amazing and inspiring non-violent resistance of the Palestinian village of Bil'in to the construction of Israel's Apartheid Wall.
The people of this small village of 1,500, west of Ramallah, have exhibited outstanding creativity in devising non-violent methods of protest. When their lands were confiscated four months ago, they responded with peaceful demonstrations, each different from the others, in order to attract more supporters and to surprise the soldiers with something unfamiliar.
Bil'in is just one of several West Bank towns to respond to the overwhelming might of the Israeli forces and the theft of their land with peaceful resistance.
These villages have paid dearly - several demonstrators have been murdered and many more injured. Organizers have been arrested and their villages have been repeatedly raided by the occupation forces or placed under curfew. Despite it all, they continue to resist non-violently against the theft and destruction of their livelihood.
Most recently, one organizer from Bil'in, Rateb Abu Rahma, labeled "the Palestinian Gandhi" has been imprisoned since June 17 - even though all evidence proves he is innocent and an Israeli judge has scolded the police for lying in order to bring charges against him.
Rateb, 40, married with children, was arrested whilst he lay on the ground holding a fake tombstone. The tombstone represents the death of Bil'in due to the illegal separation barrier being built close to the village.
Rateb was injured by a sound grenade thrown at him while he lay on the ground. He was then arrested, and refused medical treatment. Israeli peace demonstrators videoed everything and their tape proves Rateb is innocent. Since his arrest on June 17th, he has remained in custody charged throwing stones.
And the resistance continues. Tomorrow, July 1st, in Bil'in, Palestinians, internationals, and Israelis will demonstrate against the wall.
Don’t worry little martyrs - The fence’s stay is only brief, until the blessed Sword of Allah, Shihab3 blows it away.
Posted by: Rocket Scientist | July 02, 2005 at 12:17 AM