Al Khader Villagers Protest the Israeli Wall

Friday May 02, 2008 22:52 by Ghassan Bannoura - IMEMC News

The Popular Committee of Al-Khader village, located near the southern West Bank city of Bethlehem, organized a non-violent demonstration in protest of the construction of the illegal Israeli segregation barrier, as well as the discriminatory and oppressive Israeli policies used daily against Palestinians.

Israeli troops stopping Palestinians protesters near the illegal Wall between Bethlehem and Jerusalem –Photo by IMEMC's Ghassan Bannoura 2008

On Friday about 300 residents of Al Khader, along with international and Israeli activists, gathered in the village. The village's residents performed their Friday prayers at Al Nashah Israeli checkpoint located at the entrance of Al Khader.

Afterwards Dr. Mustafa Al Barghuthi, a Palestinian MP, gave a speech calling for the continued resistance against the wall and the Israeli settlements.

Soldiers were deployed, but the protesters stood their ground for nearly an hour before deciding to end the action.
Activists and many international and Israeli organizations allege that as a result of Israel's construction of the illegal apartheid wall, the free movement of Palestinians, especially workers, has been heavily restricted. The apartheid wall separates workers from their workplaces, leaving them facing serious levels of poverty.

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