Subject: Zabda action, Nov.22, Jenin ISM
Date: Sat, 22 Nov 2003 07:55:40 -0700

Greetings. Today there was a demonstration against the illegal Israeli
apartheid Wall near Zabda, east of Jenin. Despite the concerted
machinations of the IDF to quash our collective stand against the
Wall, around 70 human beings came together to defend humanity and human
rights. The demo was the result of much work by Jenin P.A.R.C. {Palestinian
Agricultural Relief Committee}, The National Defense Council, other
Palestinian groups and NGOs, as well as Jenin ISM. The planned action
was to have been several hundred farmers, activists and others marching to
the Wall in a non-violent demonstration aimed at raising awareness about
the wall and its horrific effects on Palestinian civilians. The plan was
to have a few hundred Palestinians, 200 Israeli activists, Jenin ISM and
the media march together. Unfortunately, many of the Israelis cancelled,
and all but two of the rest were denied entry by their "own" soldiers and
were not able to make it. More importantly, almost all of the would be
Palestinian participants were physically prevented from accessing the
Zabda area. The IDF had heard about the demo and closed the gates thru which
the Palestinians needed to pass, thus preventing hundreds from attending
their own demonstration, in their own area.
Despite this, the march proceeded energetically, marrching towards the
wall until we came to a long span of razor wire hoop blocking the road, with
a large and heavily armed contingent of IDF troops and Israeli Border
Police behind it, blocking us from the Wall. The P.A.R.K. represenatives
decided that they did not want the march to pass the blockade, that we should
remain at the blockade and carry on there. Jenin ISM respected the wishes of
our Palestinian hosts and formed a protective fan around the demonstraion.
The soldiers spread out until they had the crowd 3/4 surrounded, then
assumed firing positions in ditches, behind trees etc. We continued our
protective role as our hosts chanted, sang and spoke out their opposition to the
Wall. The demonstration was never actually attacked, and we left after an
hour. My shirt said "The Wall Sucks." Participants came from several
Palestinian villages, Italy, Sweden, Amerika, Canada, Australia, Pakistan, Israel,
and the Occupied State of New Mexico. Thanks to all who participated.
Struggle, Ben, Jenin ISM
PS The IDF killed a 10 year old boy in western Jenin late this
afternoon.