Chief Palestinian Justice: nonviolent resistance in Bil'in is national example of steadfastness
22/02/2008
Source : PNN
During the weekly nonviolent demonstration against land confiscation and the Wall, western Ramallah residents of Bil’in Village were joined by Sheikh Taysir Tamimi.
The Sheikh, as Chief Justice of Palestine, delivered the Friday prayer, addressing the Israeli forces who continue to build the illegal Wall and expand illegal settlements, despite international condemnation and the illegality of such land grabs and ethnic cleansing.
He called, as the International Court of Justice has, for compensation for Palestinian citizens who have suffered from the damage caused by occupation and its destruction of lands, homes and livelihoods.
Sheikh Tamimi described the Wall around Jerusalem as part of Judaization scheme to create facts on the ground that will deceive the international community and isolate Palestinians from their own city and land. He added that the “expansionist aggression is devouring 58 percent of the West Bank, turning cities, villages, and refugee camps into prisons.” He said that the Israelis are “devoted to crushing the people, imposing siege and closure, and rendering movement impossible without passing through military checkpoints,” adding that Palestinians are “subjected to humiliation and insults by the Israeli occupation army soldiers.”
The Sheikh said that construction of the Wall will no bring “Israel security or stability, but instead sows hatred and resistance.” He said, “The way to achieve security and peace in the region is to end the brutal Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands.”
He gave props to the ongoing nonviolent resistance of Bil’in Village, which has worked nonstop for years to hold on to its land. Sheikh Tamimi said that the people of Bil’in are a “national example of steadfastness and resistance,” and that what they do should be followed by all throughout Palestine until the occupation is ended and freedom and independence achieved, including an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as capital.
During the ensuing nonviolent march after the Friday prayer, Israeli soldiers opened fire on demonstrators with rubber bullets and gas. Several people fainted due inhalation of the noxious gas.
