Tuesday, January 15, 2013

BREAKING NEWS: Palestinians return to Bab Al Shams despite IOF presence

Dear friends,
Breaking news in the last 15- 20 minutes - approximately 100 Palestinians have sought to return to Bab Al Shams despite Israeli Occupation Force (IOF) presence. 

As you will be aware, on Friday around 250 Palestinians established Bab Al Shams in the early hours of the morning on privately owned Palestinian land located in the Occupied West Bank/Occupied East Jerusalem corridor known by Israel as "E1".  The resistance village sought to claim back Palestinian land and create "facts on the ground" and challenge Israel's occupation and apartheid policies.  Bab Al Shams lasted for two wonderful days before Netanyahu violated Israel's own high court ruling and violently ethnically cleansed the village.

As I write this blog entry, Palestinians are attempting to return to Bab Al Shams, initially catching the IOF of guard.  Reports via twitter from activists on the ground and via the Bab Al Shams facebook page report that a small number of activists were able to reach the village, while the IOF stopped others just metres away.  It has been reported that the IOF are firing teargas and sound grenades and have arrested at least 5 people, including Mohammed Khatib from Bil'in village.   Despite this, Palestinians continue to engage in non-violent civil disobedience and are staging a non-violent sit-in, refusing to leave the Bab Al Shams ares.

I will update this blog as more news come to hand.

In solidarity, Kim 




Palestinians reach Bab Al Shams
Photo via Bab Al Shams Facebook

Palestinians being pushed away from Bab Al Shams by IOF
photo via Bab Al Shams Facebook

Palestinians being detained by IOF at  Bab Al Shams
photo via Bab Al Shams Facebook


First arrest as Palestinians return to Bab Al Shams
photo by Activestills

Palestinians stage a sit-in and rush to leave Bab Al Shams area
photo via Bab Al Shams Facebook

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