Non-violent protest near Bethlehem

Friday September 21, 2007 17:38 by Ghassan Bannoura - IMEMC News

On Friday at midday, the residents of Al Walaja village to the north of the southern West Bank city of Bethlehem, joined by International and Israeli supporters marched against the building of the illegal Israeli wall on village land.

Palestinians supported by Internationals and Israeli activist removing the road block at Al Walaja – Photo by IMEMC's Ghassan Bannoura (092107)

Shortly after Friday prayers were held on the construction site, by main road leading into the village, the protesters marched along the hillside to reach a road which used to connect Al Walaja to Bethlehem. The road was closed by the army two years ago when the building of the Wall began.

Villagers, internationals and Israelis, using shovels and bare hands, managed to remove the road-block and reopen the road.

Israeli soldiers were present in the area but they kept their distance and did not interfere with the action. They then left the scene leaving the village to celebrate the day's achievements.

Khalid Al Azza, the head to the Committee against the Construction of the Wall and Settlements in the Bethlehem region said that the today's action is part of the continuing popular resistance and points the way for the generations to come.

bethlehem | non-violent action | news report ghassanb at imemc dot org