Monthly Archives: January 2009

Remembering the Holocaust as well as Gaza

This week’s letter from Bil’in remembers the Jewish Holocaust and the promises made never to repeat it. Promises never kept particularly by those whose families endured it.
Bil’in demonstrators remind the world of the Holocaust and its promise

Four injured and five arrested in the weekly protest in Bil’in
Friday January 9th
The residents of Bil’in gathered in a protest today after the Friday prayer. The protest was joined by Israel and international activists standing in solidarity with Palestinians and opposing the war on Gaza, Israeli settlement building and the construction of the wall. Protesters carried Palestinian flags and the Venezuelan flag, in appreciation of Venezuela’s removal the Israeli ambassador from his post.
The protesters wore clothes similar to those worn by Jews in the fascist concentration camps during the Second World War. Protestors also wore small yellow cut-outs in the shape of Gaza with the word “Gazan” written on them to symbolize the yellow “Jude” stars of David worn by European Jews during World War II. This angry message was to remind the world of the Nazi Holocaust and of the promise made by the international community to never allow another Holocaust to happen, while this promise is being broken by the same people whose ancestors were victims of the Holocaust.
The Popular Committee and the residents of Bil’in strongly condemn the continuing Israeli war on Gaza, which is causing the Palestinians to suffer yet another “Nakba” or catastrophe. The world has been largely silent about the massive destruction and the victims, especially women and children, created by this war. The protesters tried to show the horrible situation in Gaza, where infrastructure has been destroyed and the necessities of daily life are scarce or nonexistent. About 1.5 million people are currently isolated under a cruel siege where they are being massacred and forced to leave their homes, while not even the most basic of human rights are being protected.
The protesters marched through the streets of the village toward the wall, chanting and calling for an end to the war on Gaza. When the protest reached the wall, the Israeli army responded to the nonviolent action by firing tear gas, which caused dozens to suffer gas inhalation. The army also fired rubber bullets and four people were injured, one of which is a photographer from Al Jazeera International and the child Nashmi Aburahma,Yase Ashal, and Mahmud Yasen.
The soldiers arrested five people during the demonstration. Muhammed Khatib, member of the popular committee, Ashraf Abu Rahma, and Samer Ataya. Also arrested were two Israeli activists, Gur and his son.

Women Protest in Bil’in for Gaza

Thursday, January 8th
The women and children of Bil’in today marched in a solidarity protest for Gaza. The protest was joined by international women. Palestinian flags were carried and also symbolic coffins presenting the massacres against the citizens of Gaza and especially women and children.The women walked through the streets of the village singing slogans in solidarity with the women in Gaza who have been killed or lost children and family. They also called for a national unity among Palestinians and called for help from the Arab leaders.
The protest headed from the center of the village towards the apartheid wall which is built on Bil’in’s land. An Israel army unit was situated behind the wall and when the women tried to go through the gate, the army fired tear gas canisters to disturb the crowed and caused dozens to suffer gas inhalation.
Umm Samarah expressed her rage and anger on what’s happening in Gaza and called on the Arab leaders to open the borders to save the Palestinian people. “We cry every moment for hundreds of times when we see our people and especially children being killed in cold blood. We call on Egypt to open the border crossing and all the neighboring countries to save the people of Gaza “.
Yesterday, Amro Hisham Nasir was shot in the thigh and was taken to Sheik Zaid hospital in Ramallah for treatment.
Thank you for you continued support,
Iyad Burnat- Head of Popular Commitee in Bilin
Head of Friends of Freedom and Justice in Bilin
Email- ffj.bilin@yahoo.com
Mobile- (00972) (0) 547847942
Office- (00972) (2) 2489129
Fax- (00972) (2) 2489129
www.bilin-ffj.org

Violence Begets Violence in London Gaza Demo

It was reckoned by the organisers that 200,000 turned up to the rally in support of Gaza which took place in London yesterday (11/1/2009). This was in contrast to last week’s gathering of around 40,000. The idea was to march on the Israeli Embassy, an idea that a few who looked as if they had come straight from Gaza took rather literally it seems. We marched under the Indian Workers’ Association, Birmingham Branch banner, one of many showing a spread of support of regions and interests across the UK. In Hyde Park celebrities Annie Lennox and Brian Eno spoke eloquently while Michael Rosen read a poem for the children of Gaza. Some children read the names of some who have died as a result of Israeli atrocities.
It was freezing as we stood waiting to move off. The group carrying our banner was augmented by Dr Jackie Chambers. Eventually we created a long banner waving procession spiced by a incidents along the route. There was Tony Bliar standing on a wall and attracting attention, mirth and comment. An extremely long peddle powered float forged its way ahead through the throng and someone carried out a ritual flag burning.
Our coach to Birmingham was due to leave at 4.00pm from Park Lane. Problem was that when we reached Kensington High Street the march halted. Speakers ahead we didn’t get to hear included George Galloway and Salma Yaqoob. The only thing for it was to escape down a side street. This was easier said than done since there appeared no obvious easy way round the blockage.
A minority had decided to take matters into their own hands attacking not only the gates of the Israeli Embassy but shop fronts along the route. How this contributes to support for beleagured Gazans defeats me, but I suppose the nature of violence is that it allows a pretext for delivering elsewhere however inappropriate.

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Private security in the war zones. Any come back?

As more news trickles out a British-based security firm is coming under scrutiny concerning serious injuries sustained by Iraqis.
Our “civilised” world is beset with contradictions and among those who contrive to set themselves above and outside the bounds of law and civilised behaviour are various contractors who arm employees and send them into dangerous places. There’s money to be made you see. Problem is there are no set down terms of engagement. Not that regular armies are often bothered by such niceties routinely. War is not a place for detailed attention to the rules. Abuse, killing, maiming are a matter of routine. Companies set up serious websites about the services they offer, although curiously this aspects is never mentioned. Blackwater and Haliburton are well-known giants in the US, but there are an unknown number of smaller concerns which have not come to light. So when I notice another it will get a bit of attention here.

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$1 trillion debt and counting, but who pays? Not the rich.

The Times Square clock in New York has long run out of space to record America’s spiraling debt. Now Obama reckons that it will be $1 trillion over the foreseeable future.
I remember Margaret Thatcher lecturing us on how as householders we should remember we had to pay our way. Remember her advice about stocking up the larder with tins for hard times? Thrift was the answer and Cameron is banging on about it too. Yet she so loved the American way with her great mate Ronald Reagan.
Why is it the poor who always take the brunt of everything. Don’t they have a vote? In the Middle East dispossessed Gazans are having $xxxbillion dollars of American weapons rained down on them following Iraq, Bosnia and dozens of other sovereign states which the US thinks it can dominate with impunity.
In UK they are selling off the Post Office, not all of it. Only the profitable parts while the dodgy bit is being nationalised. Yes the poor vote and pay taxes and this is where the money goes.

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New Year in Gaza: ‘Too young to die…’

The following is an account of a personal situation in Gaza. While Blair, Sarkozy et al are now belatedly running round in ever decreasing circles and pontificating the Israeli army continue to blow Gaza apart. Homes, schools, places of refuge – nowhere is safe. Blair says stop the tunnels then Hamas can’t be armed. Does he say to Bush “stop supplying arms to Israel?”

New Year in Gaza: ‘Too young to die…’

“Despite living in one of the most heavily bombarded areas of Gaza City, Rana and her husband had been determined not to leave their house. Rana, in common with most Palestinians, is a refugee whose grandparents were forced from their land in 1948 during the first years of Al Nakba. On January 3rd 2009, three days into the New Year and over 60 years since her grandparents originally became refugees, Rana was forced from her house as Al Nakba continues:
“Our neighbours got a phone call from the Israeli Army last night. They were told: ‘Evacuate your house immediately – we are about to Shell it!’ ”
The Red Crescent immediately came to Rana’s house and neighbouring houses as they attempted to evacuate all residents. Rana was taken to a friends’ house a little outside the immediate area as she is still unable to reach her sister Amahl and their parents in Deir Alballah. She had just a matter of minutes to get out of her house:
‘Really it’s a tragedy, I was crying so much. They shelled our neighbours’ house, a Sports Club, and a Community Association building. The buildings are not totally demolished but have been very heavily shelled, maybe they will return to re-bomb them…’
Today (Jan 4th) Rana returned to her house to collect whatever belongings she could salvage and carry to her friends’ house. There is no electricity at all now in Rana’s neighbourhood and in most of the Gaza Strip. Whilst she gathered up possessions from her house we talked together with the help of a small generator – her only remaining form of power.
“There is no electricity at all now; they bombed the power transformer before the ground attacks began yesterday. I’m collecting whatever I really need – clothes for us, my documents, whatever I can. I can hear them now; they are shelling all around us…”
There is no way for Rana to know when, or even if, she will be able to return to her house again. She had refused to leave for over a week after the massacres began until the Red Crescent came for her, she knew then that the time had simply come when she no longer had the option.
‘People here have nothing to lose anymore. They believe they must protect their land, there is nothing else. They don’t fear death, but I do… ha ha ha…’
A nervous laughs escapes as she considers her own mortality.
Rana has many hopes just like people everywhere, but currently she is surviving minute by minute. She hopes to learn lots of new languages (although already speaking Arabic, English, and French) so she can talk to people all around the world, she hopes to listen to music again, and she hopes to give birth to the child she is carrying and have future children. Rana should have a long life ahead of her, but like all Palestinians she has no idea what the future holds:
‘I have many hopes; I feel it’s too early to die… I am 25 years old. I am too young to die…’ ”

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International support brings a glimmer of hope to beleagured Palestinians

Last night in Birmingham something remarkable happened. At least 1,000 people turned out to a meeting at the Council House. Following one of a series of well–attended vigils near to the Bull Ring there was a march along New Street. A large committee room had been booked, but given the size of gathering it had to be transferred to the Council Chamber with rooms 3 and 4 used for overspill. Even then there were hundreds left outside.
As the e-mail I received from Bi’lin shows the response from around the world does make a difference to a beleaguered people and I print it below.

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Complain about Israel’s activities and this is what you get

While all eyes are on Gaza protests about Gaza, the Wall, the Occupation, the Seizure of Palestinian land, all illegal under international and even Israeli law. are met with violence.
Gaza solidarity protestors attacked with new IOF bullet in Bil’in
by TD – Free Palestine Campaign Galway- Fri Jan 02, 2009 14:19
Today, as for the past four years, along with internationals and Israelis with, thankfully, consciences still alive, the villagers of Bil’in after Friday prayers marched to the nearby Annexation Wall to protest the thieving of 60% of their land by this illegal structure. Today’s protest was imbued with anger and dismay at the ongoing ferocious criminal assault by the Israeli Air Force on the helpless concentration camp that is Gaza. Today was noteworthy by the use of a new bullet by the IOF against the protestors: small, light in weight, green coloured and filled with some liquid or other, it seems innocuous enough at first glance but lacerated the skin and drew blood on impact, yesterday, mourners at the funeral of Mohammad Al-Khawaja with a new tear gas projectile.
http://www.indymedia.ie/article/90357
http://www.bilin-ffj.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=112&Itemid=1

Thank you for you continued support,
Iyad Burnat- Head of Popular Commitee in Bilin
Head of Friends of Freedom and Justice in Bilin
Email- ffj.bilin@yahoo.com
Mobile- (00972) (0) 547847942
Office- (00972) (2) 2489129
Fax- (00972) (2) 2489129
www.bilin-ffj.org

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