Anti-Wall protest in Bil'in commemorates Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian people

Friday November 28, 2008 21:46 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC News

Under the slogan, “Towards a Palestine free from settlements, the wall, apartheid roads, checkpoints and roadblocks, and for one united Palestine with no islands and cantons”, the residents of Bili’n gathered in a protest after the Friday prayer joined by international and Israeli activists.

Anti-Wall protest in Bil'in (archive)

The protesters raised Palestinian flags and banners calling for resilience and persistence to continue to demand Palestinian rights like Jerusalem, right of return, borders, access to water, the release of all detainees and removing the wall and settlements.

A group from Al Mobadara students from Al Najah National University participated with the people in Bil’in to give their support.

The international activists carried banners showing their solidarity with the Palestinian people and the Palestinian right to resist the occupation and live in peace on their land. A Danish activist, Nina Olsen, said “We came to be in solidarity with the Palestinians, we believe in their right to live in peace. We are here today in Bili’n because we see the Wall as an obstacle to the building of a Palestinian state”.

Another activist from Japan, Kazuma Aikawa, said “ I’m here today to show my solidarity with the Palestinians in Bili’n on the International Day for Solidarity with the Palestinian people. I have heard a lot about this village and the weekly protests against the wall and settlements. I admire the struggle in Bili’n, and I’m happy to be here with you today.”

The protesters marched towards the wall built on the land of Bili’n chanting and singing slogans to resist the occupation, hold on to the Palestinian rights, and a national unity among the Palestinians. When the demonstration reached the razor wire placed by Israeli soldiers to block the protesters, the Israeli army announced a closed military zone, but the protest kept moving towards the gate.

The Israeli soldiers fired teargas canisters and stun grenades, dozens suffered teargas inhalation and one japaneese national, Fumia Inada was hit by a teargas canister.

Imad Burnat, a member of the Popular Committee and the videographer of the village, is still in a coma at the hospital after many surgeries to stop internal bleeding caused by an accident when his tractor hit the Wall. Last Saturday, Imad went with his children to the land confiscated behind the Wall and had a painful accident on his way back. The Popular Committee of Bili’n holds responsible the Israeli occupation that has built this wall to take away our land and which threatens the lives of our children.

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