Hundreds Defy th checkpoints in Nablus
THEWALLMUSTFALL | 02.04.2007 17:41 | Palestine | Repression | Social Struggles | South Coast | World
I will be here for the next month making links with grassroots groups in the Tubas/Jordan Valley Region with other activists from the Brighton Tubas Friendship and Solidarity Group (tubas.brightonpalestine.org) and working with the International Solidarity Movement (www.palsolidarity.org).
I will be sending short reports about the effect of the Israeli occupation on everyday life and Palestinian resistance to the occupation…
THE WALL MUST FALL
Nearly 200 Palestinian and international activists defied the Beit Furik checkpoint in Nablus today to resist the closure of the checkpoints for the Jewish Pesacht holiday and to commemorate land day.
A procession marched toward the checkpoint chanting slogans against the closure and Israel’s apartheid restrictions on movement. Soldiers were unable to block their path and the demonstrators were able to proceed to the Beit Furik side of the checkpoint. The checkpoint was then occupied as activists sat down in the centre of the crossing. Since 2002 it has only been possible to enter Nablus through six checkpoints on foot. It is even more difficult to exit. Men between 16 and 45 (it varies from day to day) can only exit their city with a special permit that can be obtained only outside Nablus.
The city is often sealed off during Jewish holidays. Today the road to Beda was blocked by soldiers and hundreds of young palestinians were prevented from leaving Nablus through Huwarra checkpoint. Today’s action was a reassertion of Palestinian freedom of movement in the face of these restrictions.
THEWALLMUSTFALL
e-mail:
thewallmustfall@riseup.net
Homepage:
http://www.brightonpalestine.org