Bethlehem and the Palestinian villages near by are being splintered and surrounded by illegal [according to International Law] Israeli settlements and the Apartheid Wall.  Through the past 40 years of occupation, Israel has constructed 19 illegal Israeli settlements with an estimated settler population of over 77,000 in the Bethlehem area.   It is as if Bethlehem is being slowly choked to death.

Today, May 4, 2007, Martha and Loretta traveled with George N. Rishmawi and two other Palestinian men to a village south and east of Bethlehem to take part in a demonstration.  The demonstration, like so many, was in resistance to the construction of the Apartheid Wall, which near Wadi an Nis is being built right through olive orchards belonging to village farmers.

Before reaching the village our vehicle was stopped by Israeli soldiers, as were other vehicles carrying demonstrators, for a bit of a checkpoint operation.  There was a delay while everyone got out of their vehicles and milled around as soldiers questioned some of the Palestinian leaders.

A real joy for us during this time was that our friend Musa from last summer was suddenly standing in front of us, looking well and peaceful.  (Musa is a member of the Popular Committee Against the Wall in Beit Ummar.)  It was SO good to see him again!  Bekah, a long-term peace activist from New York City whom we also met last summer, was with him.  They are working together in Beir Ummar and enthusiastically invited us to visit them there, something we look forward to doing.

When all had arrived in the village, including a number of Palestinian and foreign journalists, activities began with the Muslim men praying on the land.

After prayers and the arrival of Mustafa Barghouti, Palestinian Minister of Information for the new formed Unity Government, everyone walked down a village road, toward the site where the wall is being constructed.  Soldiers saw the people coming and moved into place in front of and around the people.

Several Palestinian leaders gave short speeches in Arabic and at times chanted short phrases which were responded to by the people – a bit like “The people united will never to defeated.”

The military were mainly in front of the people, but also on the sides.

At one point all the people, mainly young men, raised their hands showing the peace sign.

About 20 internationals were present, most of whom where were the accompaniment group of the World Council of Churches.

One man pointed out to Information Minister Barghouti the land being taken and the water supply being siphoned off.  The man spoke with controlled anger.

We estimate that there were between 30 to 40 soldiers present.  While some of the soldiers had their rifles fitted with sound bombs, their overall attitude was pretty easy-going.  They did not fire their weapons and there were no injuries.  We could, however, see that the soldiers had the confidence of an occupying force.

We were impressed by the evident organization of the Palestinian community and their commitment to non-violence.

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