Israeli soldiers and Border Police attacked over 300 Palestinians and 30 internationals at the “separation fence” in the Tulkarem region today, throwing teargas, percussion grenades and beating the nonviolent protesters with batons. One American, Bruce Groeneveld from Washington, has been forcefully detained and remains in custody of the Israeli Army.
At 11:30am on Thursday, November 13, Palestinians from Tulkarem and surrounding villages together with International Solidarity Movement and the International Women’s Peace Team marched towards a gate in the wall outside of the village of Baka Sharqia, waving Palestinian flags and chanting “The Wall Must Fall.”
Members of the Swedish Parliament were also present. Within minutes of starting the peaceful march, Israeli Forces fired percussion grenades and teargas into the crowd. Due to the Israeli Army’s violent response, the demonstrators dispersed and regrouped several times in order to continue the nonviolent protest, each time sustaining more injuries. Israeli soldiers attempted to arrest one Jewish-American volunteer over five times, but were unsuccessful.
During the arrest attempts soldiers beat a Welsh volunteer leaving a seven-inch welt on his back, hit an American bruising his arm, repeatedly kicked an Irish man, pulling out a clump of his hair. The 73-year-old Welsh man was also hit with a baton. Several Palestinians and internationals were hit by scalding teargas canisters shot from rifles including: 2 Danes aged 65 an 67, and a Welsh man aged 73.
Two Palestinian women were hit by tear gas canisters, causing burning and several others were also beaten by soldier’s wielding batons.
Today’s violent response by the Israeli Army towards peaceful opposition to the Wall and the ghettoization of the West Bank is yet another indication that even nonviolent resistance to the Occupation will not be tolerated. Despite this intolerance, Palestinians and internationals will continue nonviolent action against the Wall in the Tulkarem region.
For more information contact the International Solidarity Movement: http://www.palsolidarity.org
UPDATE
[palsolidarity] American activist in Palestine under arrest, facing deportation
Earlier today (Nov. 13th), during a peaceful demonstration against Israel's Apartheid Barrier in Tulkarem, American ISM activist Bruce Groenveld was arrested while attempting to protect a fellow activist from arrest. Despite the nonviolent character of the event, the Israeli soldiers responded with considerable violence, callously beating protesters, many of whom were elders.
Police have fabricated the allegation that Bruce threw stones at, and attacked, an Israeli Police Officer, and he is being held at the Ariel police station. They will call for the revocation of his Visa, and subsequent deportation tomorrow at a hearing with the Ministry of the Interior. We urge you to call both the police station and the Ministry of the Interior to challenge his deportation, and call for his release.
Ariel Police Station
Tel: +972-3-9065-416
Ministry of the Interior
Tel: +972-2-629-0222/0231
For more information contact the International Solidarity Movement: http://www.palsolidarity.org
UPDATE: Friday 14 November
The latest on American ISM activist, Bruce Groenveld's arrest...
Bruce has a hearing with the Ministry of the Interior today, at which it is expected that he will NOT be deported, but will instead be released on 5,000 shekels bail, with no conditions, and required to leave the country within 10 days. However, Bruce's lawyer is going to try to get this period extended.
Bruce says he's doing well, and wants to express his appreciation for all the support from the outside world. Thanks to everyone who has helped out.
For more information contact the International Solidarity Movement: http://www.palsolidarity.org
At 11:30am on Thursday, November 13, Palestinians from Tulkarem and surrounding villages together with International Solidarity Movement and the International Women’s Peace Team marched towards a gate in the wall outside of the village of Baka Sharqia, waving Palestinian flags and chanting “The Wall Must Fall.”
Members of the Swedish Parliament were also present. Within minutes of starting the peaceful march, Israeli Forces fired percussion grenades and teargas into the crowd. Due to the Israeli Army’s violent response, the demonstrators dispersed and regrouped several times in order to continue the nonviolent protest, each time sustaining more injuries. Israeli soldiers attempted to arrest one Jewish-American volunteer over five times, but were unsuccessful.
During the arrest attempts soldiers beat a Welsh volunteer leaving a seven-inch welt on his back, hit an American bruising his arm, repeatedly kicked an Irish man, pulling out a clump of his hair. The 73-year-old Welsh man was also hit with a baton. Several Palestinians and internationals were hit by scalding teargas canisters shot from rifles including: 2 Danes aged 65 an 67, and a Welsh man aged 73.
Two Palestinian women were hit by tear gas canisters, causing burning and several others were also beaten by soldier’s wielding batons.
Today’s violent response by the Israeli Army towards peaceful opposition to the Wall and the ghettoization of the West Bank is yet another indication that even nonviolent resistance to the Occupation will not be tolerated. Despite this intolerance, Palestinians and internationals will continue nonviolent action against the Wall in the Tulkarem region.
For more information contact the International Solidarity Movement: http://www.palsolidarity.org
UPDATE
[palsolidarity] American activist in Palestine under arrest, facing deportation
Earlier today (Nov. 13th), during a peaceful demonstration against Israel's Apartheid Barrier in Tulkarem, American ISM activist Bruce Groenveld was arrested while attempting to protect a fellow activist from arrest. Despite the nonviolent character of the event, the Israeli soldiers responded with considerable violence, callously beating protesters, many of whom were elders.
Police have fabricated the allegation that Bruce threw stones at, and attacked, an Israeli Police Officer, and he is being held at the Ariel police station. They will call for the revocation of his Visa, and subsequent deportation tomorrow at a hearing with the Ministry of the Interior. We urge you to call both the police station and the Ministry of the Interior to challenge his deportation, and call for his release.
Ariel Police Station
Tel: +972-3-9065-416
Ministry of the Interior
Tel: +972-2-629-0222/0231
For more information contact the International Solidarity Movement: http://www.palsolidarity.org
UPDATE: Friday 14 November
The latest on American ISM activist, Bruce Groenveld's arrest...
Bruce has a hearing with the Ministry of the Interior today, at which it is expected that he will NOT be deported, but will instead be released on 5,000 shekels bail, with no conditions, and required to leave the country within 10 days. However, Bruce's lawyer is going to try to get this period extended.
Bruce says he's doing well, and wants to express his appreciation for all the support from the outside world. Thanks to everyone who has helped out.
For more information contact the International Solidarity Movement: http://www.palsolidarity.org