On the 35th anniversary of the murder [1] of four non-violent protestors at Kent State, comes this press release from the International Solidarity Movement:
School Children Murdered by Israeli Military at Anti-Wall Protest
Beit Liqya, Ramallah, West Bank
Two cousins, 14 and 15 years old, were shot dead today by Israeli
soldiers who opened fire on a demonstration against the Apartheid
Wall in the village of Beit Liqya.
After school ended for the day students went out to protest against
the illegal Wall which is right now cutting through their homes and
lands threatening the livelihood and freedom of movement of the
entire region. Israeli soldiers, positioned on a hill above the
demonstration, met the student's confrontation with live fire.
According to eye witnesses, the two boys were shot by the same
soldier from a distance of 5 to 10 meters.
Jamal Jaber Ibrahim Assi, 15, received a bullet in the heart and
died at the scene. Odai Mufid Mahmoud Assi, 14, was shot in the
left side of his stomach. The two boys, who were cousins, were
rushed by ambulance to the village of Biddu while doctors tried in
vain to save Obai. He died enroute to the hospital. Their bodies
are currently in the Ramallah Government Hospital.
Less than 5km away in the neighboring village of Bil'in, residents
organized a non violent action against the annexation wall.
Sixteen people, nine Palestinians, joined by Israelis and
internationals chained themselves to the olive trees while fifty
others demonstrated. Bil'in farmers had received notice yesterday
that eighty five olive trees would be uprooted to make way for the
illegal Wall and called for International and Israeli support.
After a stand off that lasted four hours, the Israeli military using
excessive force cut the chains and dragged away twelve of the non-
violent protesters, arresting 6 Internationals and 5 Israelis.
The six Internationals arrested are scheduled to have deportation
hearings at Ben Gurion airport at 8:30 AM Thursday morning 5 May
after which they may be immediately deported from the country. They
are Atle from Norway, Maria from Greece, Yohan from Sweden, Nathan
and Gabe from the United States, and Ester.
Please call the Ministry of the Interior to protest their
deportation and point out that the building of the Wall was ruled
illegal by the International Court of Justice in the Hague which
ordered that it be dismantled. This ruling has been ignored by the
Israeli government which continues to build the Wall each day
destroying more homes and trees as it steals more Palestinian land.
phone: 972 26701411
fax: 972 26701628
All the Palestinians who were initially detained were all released.
All 5 arrested Israelis were released after agreeing not to return
to Bil'in for 15 days.
For more information:
In Bili'n
Flo 0544 059-676088 059-676088
Muhammed 0545851893
ISM media
02-2986538 059-871055
Photos and additional article from Stop the Wall [2]
See our last post [3] on Israeli attacks on peaceful protests at Bilin
