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Written by Judith Sudilovsky
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Monday, 01 March 2010 00:46 |
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Beit Sahour, West Bank (ENI) Palestinian activists say they will continue protests against an apparent re-occupation of an abandoned Israeli army outpost on the outskirts of Beit Sahour near Bethlehem, despite being repelled by the Israel Defense Forces.
"We are going to be there next week. We object to the military presence there, and will demonstrate peacefully against that presence there," said Bethlehem University Professor Mazin Qumsiyeh, who belongs to the Greek Melkite Church and lives in Beit Sahour.
People at the February 28 protest said it turned violent after Israeli border police officials fired stun grenades, tear gas, and rubber bullets at a group of about 75 banner-waving demonstrators. They had marched up to the outpost to protest about the Israeli presence there. Although demonstrators began leaving the area after a sudden heavy downpour of rain, the border police continued firing at the group as they dispersed.
Following a similar incident the previous week, when women, children, and older people are said to have participated, the second demonstration consisted mostly of older male leaders. Among them were some young male students — some of whom covered their faces with scarves known as keffiyahs — female students, and some foreigners. No injuries were reported.
Some of the young men began throwing stones after Israeli soldiers started shooting, while other demonstrators tried to stop the young men. Qumsiyeh said the organizers of the protest were, "not happy" with the stone throwing.
From 1967 until April 2006, Israel occupied the IDF outpost and surrounding area, known to Israelis as the Shdema base, and to Palestinians as Ush Ghrab. In addition, Israel occupied some 60 hectares (150 acres) belonging to about 100 families, most of whom are Christians. This land represents almost the only ground that has not been built upon in the vicinity. It had been declared a closed military area.
In April 2006, the army base was transferred. Still, because Israel in 1995 had declared the area to be under Israeli security control, Palestinians have been forbidden from bringing heavy machinery on to the land, although planting and sowing are permitted.
Local residents say that after the Beit Sahour municipality received verbal permission from Israel, it used some of the public land to build a park with a playground, and planned to construct an orthopedic children's hospital on the rest of a 10 hectares (25 acres) site. However, subsequent requests for the building permits from the Israeli Civil Administration have not been answered.
In 2008, Israeli settlers began to demonstrate at the base against the "Palestinian construction," and in February 2009 the IDF started erecting a new guard tower in the area. Palestinians say this was done under pressure from settlers who are demanding that the area eventually be turned into an Israeli settlement. The IDF has denied this but did not respond to a phone inquiry from Ecumenical News International.
Sabina Blum, a Swiss volunteer with the World Council of Church's Ecumenical Accompaniment Program, was at the February 28 protest. She said women and children from Beit Sahour had asked her and other program members to attend the demonstration.
"We know from people it is very important. They are afraid they will lose the playground. This is the only playground for the children of Beit Sahour," said Blum.
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For those who don't know (probably 99% of those who read this), by agreement the “West Bank” is comprised of three areas. 96% of Arabs live in areas administratively controlled by the Palestine Authority.
The area in question is, by agreement with the P.A., under Israeli military control. The reason why Israel asked (and was permitted to) keep control of this site is that terrorists have long used the site, located on a hill, as a base to shoot at and murder drivers (both Arab and Israeli) on a nearby road. The Israelis built a watchtower there (and) the killing stopped.
Beginning in 2006, Israeli troops no longer used the site regularly (though it remained under Israeli jurisdiction) and some nearby townspeople put up swing sets other toys without consulting local government. Almost immediately, the attacks resumed. Since the P.A. is not able or willing to prevent these shootings, the Israeli Army has no choice but to resume responsibility for the area (which is Israeli land) to prevent more deaths.
The claim that the land is “owned’” by Christians is untrue. Their own government — the Palestine Authority, which was elected by them — expropriated the land many years ago. Any complaints should be made to their own government, not Israel, who received the land in a signed agreement.
And there is plenty of undeveloped land available to build another playground and hospital (which is not even a real project as there is no funding and no completed permits). Anyone who has either been to the area or seen a map will immediately recognize that. The problem from the P.A.'s point of view is that they will have to either pay for that land or face political consequences, whereas if they take over Israeli land they will have it for free.
If the Outlook would actually do some research or ask for the Israeli narrative instead of repeating what they are told by the P.A., it would get some actual facts.
Kerry Hurwitz
Boston, Mass.