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The residents of Bil’in, near the central West Bank city of Ramallah, gathered today after the Friday prayer to mark the fourth anniversary of the struggle against the construction of the wall and expanding settlements. Party members and supporters of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) also celebrated its 40th anniversary. Friday February 20, 2009
Palestinian Prime Minister, Mr. Salam Fayad, visited the village of Bil’in today joining the Friday prayer. This visit comes in solidarity with the residents in their 4th anniversary marking the popular struggle against the wall.
Mr. Fayad expressed his support to the village and the residents who have been struggling the past four years against the wall. He also supports the village and it's efforts to continue until the end of the occupation.
Representatives from many of the national parties also joined the protest, along with members of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), including Moheeb Awad, Walid Assaf, Qayis Abu Layla and Mostafa Al Barqiti. International and Israeli peace activists joined the protest in solidarity with Palestine. A member of the Popular Committee against the wall in Ni’lin also joined the protest.
Demonstrators waved Palestinian flags and carried banners condemning the violence against civilians, the construction of the wall and the expanding settlements, especially in Jerusalem and the Jordan valley. The protest also called for national unity and defense of Palestinian national and human rights.
The protest left the center of the village and headed towards the annexation wall, which is built on Bil'in's land. An Israeli Army unit was situated behind the wall to prevent the crowd from going through the gate. Israeli soldiers firied tear gas canisters, causing dozens to suffer gas inhalation. Five demonstraters were injured, including Mohammed Adeeb Abu Rahmah, Mohammed Nabil Abu Rahmah, Abed Al qader Abu Rahmeh, Isamail Abu Rahmah, and Omer Al Tamimi.
The Israeli Army invaded the village twice yesterday. In the afternoon, they reached the center of the village and set up a checkpoint stopping people from passing through. Some youth from the village responded by throwing stones. The Israelis left, but returned later that night and fired teargas and sound bombs inside the village in an attempt to terrify the residents, and spread fear.
The Israeli Army has been continuously raiding the village, mostly at night, for the last few days in order to break the people’s spirit in continuing their struggle against the construction of the wall and the expansion of illegal settlements on their land.
www.imemc.org/article
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