Bil’in residents demonstrate in support of recent Swedish initiative calling for a Palestinian state

Friday December 04, 2009 23:28 by Abdullah Abu Rahma - IMEMC News

Residents of Bil’in village, central West Bank, alongside international and Israeli solidarity activists, demonstrated on Friday against the Wall after the midday prayer.

Bilin protest Nov.20th 2009

Many suffered from tear-gas inhalation, as the Israeli armed forces fired upon protestors as they approached the illegal Wall.

The weekly demonstration, organized by the Bil’in Popular Committee against the Wall and Settlements, was centered on the recent endeavor of the Swedish government.

Sweden, as president of the European Union, recently announced plans to discuss a draft for a Palestinian state, recognizing Jerusalem as its capital. The Popular Committee encourages the just effort and calls on other governments to support the initiative.

Demonstrators marched from the center of Bil’in village, chanting slogans against the theft of Palestinian land and called for an end to Israel’s military occupation.

People rallied especially as a response to the escalation of the Israeli authorities to resume an arrest and intimidation campaign against Bil’in protestors which the Israeli military began on June.

ramallah | non-violent action | news report ghassan at imemc dot org