Nabi Saleh: Videos, reports & photos (17th – 31 January 2015)

21 January 2015

Update by Nabi Saleh Solidarity

IOF in Nabi Saleh on 21 January 2015. – the Israeli army raided NabiSaleh in the morning, firing live ammunition/teargas and arresting Eyad Tamimi (49) and Hamza Tamimi (25) from their houses

23 January 2015

Update by Nabi Saleh Solidarity

Activists report IOF invade village with four jeeps and at least 18 soldiers before the weekly demonstration began. The fired large amounts of teargas at unarmed protesters. In particular the valley was filled with teargas making it difficult for people to breath. Residents reported that the teargas was particularly strong, with many suffocated by the gas due to the large quantities and strong winds. IOF continue to invade village and harass village for several hours after the conclusion of the demonstration.

 

Video by David Reeb

 

Report and photos from Haim Scwarczenberg:

(for more photos, click here)

“The weekly protest in Nabi Saleh followed a week of IDF raids in the village and arrests of residents, as well as what seems like the introduction of a new weapon that contains an unknown organge-colored chemical. Villagers and solidarity activists marched with the Palestinian and Egyptian flags to protest against arbitrary arrests of civilians. The IDF responded with barrages of tear gas, rubber-coated steel bullets and rounds of live ammunition (“tutu”) in order to disperse demonstrators. No major injuries reported.”

 

30 January 2015

Photos and text by Haim Schwarczenberg:

(for more photos, click here)

“Protesting the systematic detention of children and minors by the IDF, residents of Nabi Saleh and solidarity activists marched today, demonstrating against the recent prison sentence given to 14 years old Malak al-Khatib. Malak was accused of stone throwing, and was pressured into signing a plea deal which handed her a two-months prison term and 6000NIS fine. She is currently held in Hasharon prison, with other female Palestinian political prisoners. The IDF attempted to disperse the marchers by using tear gas, rubber-coated steel bullets and live ammunition (“tutu”). One child was injured from a live bullet and was taken to Salfit for medical treatment.”

 

Teen hurt as Israeli forces suppress West Bank demos Maan News: 30/01/2015 (MaanImages) RAMALLAH (Ma’an) — Israeli forces suppressed weekly protests near Ramallah in the occupied West Bank on Friday, injuring a child, a Ma’an reporter said. In Nabi Saleh, a 15-year-old Palestinian boy was injured in the thigh with a live bullet fired by Israeli soldiers. The boy, Muhammad Bilal al-Tamimi, was taken to the Palestine Medical Center in Ramallah. This week’s march in Nabi Saleh was a protest of Israeli violations against Palestinian children. Protesters held signs against the Israeli occupation and demanding protection for Palestinian minors. Demonstrators also carried pictures of Malak al-Khatib, a 14-year-old girl currently being held in Israeli custody. Israeli soldiers fired tear-gas grenades and rubber-coated bullets at protesters. Clashes broke out after protesters refused to stop marching. Meanwhile, in Bilin, a Palestinian was hit directly with a tear gas canister. Several others suffered tear gas inhalation as Israeli forces suppressed a march made up of Palestinians from the village in addition to international and Israeli activists. The protesters were calling for an end to Israeli aggression against Palestinian children. Israeli forces detained local popular committee member Muhammad al-Khatib for a few hours before releasing him. Nonviolent protests are held each Friday in villages across the West Bank in protest of the Israeli occupation, Israeli settlements, and the separation wall.

Nabi Saleh: Videos, reports & photos (1st – 16th January 2015)

Video: 2 January 2015

by David Reeb

 

Reports & Photos: 16 January 2015

Report from Popular Struggle Coordination Committee

Local and International protesters participated in the peaceful weekly demonstration in Nabi Saleh. The reprisals didn’t made wait. The patients demonstrators suffered again the Israeli violence. The soldiers shot protesters with live bullets, pushing back them. Moreover, threw tear gas bombs leaving tens wounded. But, in spite of this, the demonstration continued shouting for stopping the violence, collective punishment and terror against humanity which Israel practice every day against Palestinians

ISM Report: Live ammunition used at Nabi Saleh demonstration

16th January 2015 | International Solidarity Movement | Nabi Saleh, Occupied Palestine

For five years now, residents of Nabi Saleh have been denied access to their spring. A source of irrigation for their crops, as well as a place for recreation: al-Qaws spring was the heart of this farming community.

The illegal settlement of Halamish was established on the land of Nabi Saleh, and the neighbouring village of Deir Nidham in 1977; since then, and particularly in recent years, the settlement has been growing, stealing more land, and finally denying the villagers access to their spring.

For five years, every Friday, residents of Nabi Saleh gather with local supporters, Israeli and international activists, to protest against the theft of their land and the denial of access to the spring. Sometimes, with bravery and determination alone, these villagers have managed to reach the spring, stealing a few precious moments before the arrests and reprisals reach their climax.  Most of the time, the repression from the Israeli Occupation Forces is too great to get anywhere close.

Today in Nabi Saleh the villagers gathered at the petrol station on the edge of the village; undeterred by the rain, they were ready for the weekly demonstration. The weekly show of strength and determination to fight for what is rightfully theirs.

We walked down the road, men, women, and children chanting in Arabic and English, voicing our common determination to end this occupation. The Israeli military were waiting at the bottom of the road, blockading the access to the village. As soon as we were in range the tear gas started. A peaceful march met with poisonous tear gas from the very beginning. Many attempted to throw and kick the smoking toxic canisters away, but the sheer quantity meant we had to retreat quickly.

As the smoke cleared, we tried to walk forwards once more. But then the unmistakable crack of live ammunition. We ran back. Without provocation, live ammunition was aimed at a group of peaceful protestors. Fortunately this time the bullet didn’t find a body, but the Israeli Occupation Forces lack of respect for human life is truly frightening.

Two months ago four protestors were injured at this peaceful demonstration, adding to a long list of villagers who have been hurt or killed by Israeli military bullets whilst trying to fight for their rights. The army have been using live ammunition at this group of families and demonstrators more and more frequently during the last year. So the villagers’ weekly demonstration to struggle for their most basic rights – land and water – has been reduced to a short walk to become the target of bullets. Each week villagers risk their lives because they will never accept the theft of their land. Each week they are shot at because they want access to the spring which has been the source of life for their community for generations.

Nabi Saleh weekly protest attacked again by Israeli Occupation Forces – 25 October 2014

Israeli occupation forces once again attacked the weekly protest in Nabi Saleh against the occupation.  The non-violent protest marched towards the village’s land which has been confiscated by the illegal Israeli colony of Halamish.  Residents and supporters chanted slogans condemning the occupation and settlements.

Immediately after the arrival of the rally off the land confiscated by the occupation, Israeli occupation soldiers fired on the unarmed protesters with rubber coated steel bullets and tear gas, wounding dozens of cases of suffocation.

Photos by Tamimi Press:

Nabi Saleh continues protests against Occupation – 13 July 2014

Video by Bilal Tamimi

Video by David Reeb

Maan News: Israeli forces declare Nabi Saleh ‘military zone,’ injure 2 people

by Maan News: 12 April 2014

(MaanImages)

RAMALLAH (Ma’an) — Israeli forces surrounded the central West Bank village of Nabi Saleh and declared it a “closed military zone” on Saturday, subsequently injuring two Palestinian civilians, a local group said.

The attack by Israeli forces comes a day after Israeli forces detained five — including two Palestinian women and three foreign journalists — and lightly injured a French journalist during a protest in the village, which has held weekly protests for four years against Israeli confiscation of village lands.

Israeli forces arrived “suddenly” on Saturday to close the village entrances and then targeted locals nearby, shooting a young man with a live bullet and injuring a 45-year-old woman after beating her, local popular resistance group “Intifada” said in a statement.

The woman was identified as Wijdan al-Tamimi, while the injured young man was not identified.

After declaring the area a “closed military zone,” Israeli forces shut the main streets of the village, closing an iron gate on the main road and placing boulders on other roads so as to prevent Palestinian traffic.

Additionally, they fired stun grenades into the village’s streets, damaging a number of cars, the group said.

The group said that the attack was part of an escalation in military violence against the village in recent months.

The village is the site of weekly protests against the Israeli occupation, with residents demanding that lands confiscated by Israeli forces to build a settlement be returned to them.

An Israeli military spokeswoman said that “as a result of a violent riot” on Saturday afternoon, “one of the two gates of Nabi Saleh was temporarily closed.”

Nabi Saleh remember Battle of Karameh & march in support of Druze anti-draft campaign.

Report and photos by Haim Schwarcenberg: 21 March 2014

This Friday’s demonstration was titled “Palestine is our mother and our freedom is our dignity” commemorating mother’s day, as well as the 46th anniversary of the Battle of Karameh, in which the Fateh resistance fighters defeated the IOF. Palestinians, accompanied by Israeli and international solidarity activists, marched from the centre of Ramallah-district village of Nabi Saleh is solidarity with the jailed Druze draft refuser, Omar Sa’ad. Protesters held banners and chanted slogans in support of the Druze anti-draft campaign and national unity in the face of occupation.

The IOF attempted to disperse the march with barrages of tear gas, rubber-coated steel bullets and stun grenades. A medic suffered injuries from rubber bullets to his chest and leg and required medical attention. A few other demonstrators, including minors, were also injured from rubber bullets while other suffocated from tear gas.

     Nabi Saleh residents carry Druze anti-draft campaign banners

Israeli High School refuseniks

Nabi Saleh mark International Women’s Day and protest the killing of Mu’taz Washaha by IOF

Photos and Report by Haim Schwarczenberg: 7 March 2014

Honoring Mu’taz Washaha from Bir Zeit, an activist murdered by the IOF a week prior, Palestinians and solidarity activists marched from Martyrs’ Square at the centre of Nabi Saleh towards the main road. Marking also international women’s day, prominent female protesters also confronted the soldiers who attempted to brutally disperse the march. One woman was severely beaten and transferred to a Ramallah hospital. Several other protesters were injured from rubber-coated steel bullets.

Video by David Reeb

 

 

 

Israeli Occupation Forces invade Nabi Saleh; search cars; fire live ammunition

by Nabi Saleh Solidarity: 4 March 2014

Israeli Occupation Forces have invaded Nabi Saleh on 4 March. The IOF fired teargas and rubber coated steel bullets. Cars were also  stopped and searched. At least two injuries have been reported.  According to the Popular Struggle Coordination Committe, the IOF fired live ammunition, as well as teargas and rubber coated steel bullets.

Israeli Occupation Forces invade Nabi Saleh, stop cars and search them. Photo by Tamimi Press.

Bil’in marks 9th anniversary of it’s popular struggle against the wall and occupation

By Claire Matsunami –  Palestine Monitor: March 06, 2014 This past Friday approximately 500 people gathered in the West Bank village of Bil’in to commemorate the 9-year anniversary of theirweekly Friday demonstrations. Demonstrators began at the mosque and marched in a procession towards the wall surrounding the neighboring settlement of Modi’in Illit. People came from all over Palestine to participate, including many demonstrators from other villages participating in the popular struggle protests such as Nabi Saleh.  It is worth noting that numbers were minimized due to the scores of people who chose to attend the public funeral of Moatazz Washaha. Demonstrators reached the wall and broke open the gate meant to deter protesters from the rest of their land and the neighboring settlement.  Several young Palestinian men scaled the wall to secure Palestinian flags at the top. The Israeli military responded with tear gas, rubber bullets, and stun grenades. Youths scattered throughout the hills, hurling stones over the wall towards the soldiers. Settlers from the neighboring Jewish settlement gathered in the streets to watch the events unfold. Clashes lasted for a few hours, before the army came out and arrested two demonstrators: Sameh Tayseer Sa’adar and Kufr Nimeh. Nine years of demonstrations Bil’in is a small village located in the West Bank about half an hour north from Ramallah.  The local economy relies primarily on olive trees for income. Citizens of Bil’in began staging these weekly protests in February of 2005 after Israel set up a separation barrier (then just a fence) that cut the residents of Bil’in off from 200 acres of their agricultural land. The settlement of Modi’in Ilit, illegal under international law, now sits on a portion of the village’s land. Demonstrators adopted the method of popular resistance, choosing to partake in unarmed protests and coordinated action by demonstrating every Friday after prayer ended. The Israeli military categorized (and continues to categorize) the weekly protests in Bil’in as “violent disturbances of the peace,” according to B’Tselem. Under Military Order 101, created in 1967 when Israel began it’s occupation of the West Bank, Gaza Strip and Golan Heights, Palestinians in the occupied territories have no right to the freedom of expression or assembly. The order contravenes both Israeli and International law. The demonstrations in Bil’in have been met with brutal repression by the Israeli military as well as the settlers. Siblings Bassem and Jawaher Abu Rahmah were killed in separate occasions during clashes with the Israeli military. Night rides are a common occurrence in the village; olive trees have been burned, homes are raided, children are taken to jail, and unarmed demonstrators are often subjected to beatings and bullets. Partial success The protester’s persistence paid off in 2007 when Israel’s High Court of Justice found the fence to be illegal and ordered it to be removed.  However, it took three years for the fence to be removed and the new wall is to be rebuilt (this time made of concrete) around the edges of the Modi’in Illit settlement.  During the three-year wait, the settlement had expanded and thus the new barrier still prevents Bil’in residents from accessing 1,500 dunams (about half a square mile) of their land. Protests continue in attempt to regain the remaining land. Rajai Abu Khalil, an activist at the demonstration, spoke to the Palestine Monitor, explaining that for him the protests are also about resisting the occupation. “The daily oppression, apartheid, segregation, discrimination and daily theft of lands for the benefits of the expansion of Israeli illegal settlements.” Bil’in has become a rallying point for those involved in the popular resistance movement.  Their non-violent methods and success in moving the barrier have served as an inspiration for many activists throughout the occupied territories.  According to Abu Khalil, “The popular struggle has proven to be a very effective method and I believe it can bring change to the situation [in Palestine]” The model of demonstration used in Bil’in is becoming increasingly popular as a form of resisting the occupation, notably in villages such as Nabi Saleh, Ni’lin, Kufr Qaddoum and Al-Maasara. “For us it is so important to continue to encourage other people in other places to use this type of resistance.  Through this action we will invite new people, Israeli, International, Palestinian together to give people support to continue their struggle… this is not just a vision for Bil’in, it is a vision for all of Palestine” said Popular Struggle Coordination Committee member and Bil’in leader Abdallah Abu Rahmah in an interview the Palestine Monitor.  Activists in Bil’in intend to continue their weekly demonstrations until they receive the rest of their land.  For many, the struggle will continue until the occupation has ended entirely. Abdallah Abu Rahmah expressed his most basic wish: “to have all of our land without any settlers, to live in peace and freedom and independence.”

Tamimi Press: Night raid in Nabi Saleh – 5 people arrested

by Tamimi Press: 18 February 2014

Video by Bilal Tamimi

Around 2 a.m. the Zionist Israeli forces violently raided the village of Nabi Saleh searching brutally in the houses for ‘wanted’ people by using an album of photos to identify youth from the village.. 5 people were arrested:

• Mohammad Attaallah Tamimi – from Tamimi Press / 25 years old
• Rami Hussein Yousef Tamimi / 36 years old
• Jihad Muhammad Rushdi Tamimi / 23 years old
• Mahmoud Mohammed al-Tamimi Wagih / 19 years old
• Basil Abdul Ilah Saleh Al-Tamimi / ONLY 16 years oldThey were brought to unknown destination.

Photos from the wall of Tamimi Press Office and Media were also confiscated. The photos were used to show visitors the violations and abuses carried out by the Israeli Forces against the people and the village of Nabi Saleh.

***Update on arrests in Nabi Saleh***

Muhammad ‘Atallah al-Tamimi, who was arrested last night at his home in Nabi Saleh, was released today on 1000NIS bail. The hearing for Basel Tamimi, 16, arrested during the same raid, is set for tomorrow. However, his father was detained after a verbal altercation with an IOF officer. In addition, Islam Dar Ayub al-Tamimi was sentenced today to 15 months in the occupation prison.