This article, posted in Reports from International Solidarity Movement on December 23rd, 2006, Villagers Unite Against Apartheid Road, gives one pause as to just what the significance of Olmert’s recent invitation to peace actually means, its sincerity, in particular.
Most followers of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict know well the history of Israel’s right wing leaders, who like to talk peace, but simultaneously act in ways that make clear that peace is furthest from their intentions. Its lesson has become axiomatic. The present article describes why it is always important to judge Israel intentions by its actions in the West Bank, not by what its leaders say.
Nonviolent protest by Palestinian, Israeli, and international groups and participants stimulated by the injustices Palestinians have endured over the four decades long military occupation of the West Bank and Gaza has received negligible attention world-wide. This article describes a nonviolent protest that took place on the very day of Olmert’s meeting with Abbas. The purpose of the protest concerned the fact that Palestinian land is being illegally annexed for the extension of a proposed Israeli only road, Route 60, deep inside the West Bank, which will presumably service Israeli settlements in the area. Thus, in spite of Olmert’s overture to the Palestinians for "dialogue," the actions of the government continue to slowly "liquidate the Palestinian nation," as it was put by the 18 Writers several months ago.
The story is self-explanatory:
This afternoon over 200 Palestinian, Israeli and international activists participated in a protest against the proposed "Route 60″ apartheid road which will illegally annex Palestinian farmland, affect homes and destroy significant heritage sites including a cemetery in the Halhul and Beit Omar villages near Hebron in the West Bank. The proposed road will result in the illegal confiscation of precious Palestinian farmland and be exclusively for the use of Jewish settlers.
At around 12:30 the crowd marched peacefully from a parking lot outside of Beit Omar along the proposed route towards a nearby technical college in Al ‘Arrub Refugee Camp carrying placards and chanting anti occupation slogans. Palestinians as well as Israelis and internationals walked in unity against the illegal plan in the pouring, but long-awaited rain. A small group of Israeli policemen and soldiers were present at the starting and half-way points, but did not interfere in any way.
The crowd then packed into the auditorium upon arrival at the college and were addressed by the mayor of Beit Omar, a farmer from Halhul and a spokesperson from the Israeli contingent who voiced the support from the Israeli side in favour of the Palestinians who would be affected by the planned road. The locals were highly appreciative of all who supported and stated that it was the largest protest in the area to date.
After listening to the mayor of Beit Omar, a farmer and spokesman of Halhul and viewing some powerpoint images of the devastating effects of the planned road the crowd peacefully left the college. No soldiers or police were present at the conference and the protest ended without incident. Now all that remains to be seen is if the Israeli authorities heed and respect the non-violent message that was strongly conveyed to them today and change their plans which are illegal even by Israeli Law.
Crossposted at Eternal Hope: http://eternalhope.blog-city.com/