Peace Team Responds to Israeli Incursion

Peace Team Responds to Israeli Incursion

PEACE TEAM RESPONDS TO VIOLENT INCURSION OF BI'LIN
Both Palestinians and Jewish Israelis have invited MPT to work with them. This
is a critical time, as the presence of internationals is needed to help deter
further violence. You have probably seen in the news that the Israeli military
has invaded Gaza and other towns in West Bank.

We are very proud of the work that our team has done in the last 24 hours. They were in the village of Bi'lin, known for its nonviolent resistance to the
illegal wall Israel is building on their land. The people of Bi'lin have been
demonstrating against the wall every Friday for more than 2 years, despite being shot at with 'rubber' bullets, live ammunition, tear gas, and sound bombs.

The Israeli army led a violent incursion into Bi'lin yesterday. Our team
responded immediately to the gunshots, flares, and what sounded like a bombing (still trying to get confirmation).

They accompanied Bi'lin families that were potential targets of the military;
joined the Popular Committee Against the Wall in the streets; and provided
protective accompaniment to high profile Palestinian activists. They were met
with sound bombs, rubber bullets, and tear gas but there were no major injuries.

The team is safe and the incursion ended this morning. Two or three men were
seized by the Israeli military. One of the men they were looking for could not
be found so they took his brother hostage and dragged him through the streets,
offering him in return for his brother. Evenutally they let him go. Our team
witnessed the arrest of one Palestinian, who was blindfold but not further
mistreated from what they could monitor.