Date: 24 / 04 / 2009  Time:  09:50
Bethlehem - Ma’an -

Bil’in’s fourth annual conference on nonviolent resistance will see at least two presentations by Vice President of the European Parliament and outspoken supporter of Palestine Luisa Morgantini, who will stay in Palestine for a week.

The “priority objective” for Morgantini’s visit will be addressing the conference, though her itinerary also includes a meeting with Palestinian caretaker Prime Minister Salam Fayyad and several meetings with the Beit Jala International Women’s Committee.

Morgantini will also take part in the weekly nonviolent demonstration against the construction of the Israeli separation wall in Bil’in Friday.

Israel to computerize permit system for access to lands beyond the wall; Palestinians expect abuse, delays

Date: 24 / 04 / 2009  Time:  15:21
Jerusalem - Ma’an -

Israel will computerize the permit system governing the entrance of West Bank Palestinians entry to areas on the west side of the separation wall including Jerusalem as of 1 May 2009.

A computer system will be installed at military controlled crossings including gates separating villages from their agricultural land. Already Israeli authorities warned that those who fail to register in the new system could face the loss of their permits for a day, week or even month.

Palestinians see the new system as yet another obstacle between them and access to families living in Israel and in East Jerusalem as well as access to jobs, religious, cultural and historic sites, as well as a mechanism preventing farmers and landowners from accessing their property.

The system is also expected to be used for punitive measures, ensuring those who act or speak out against Israel’s occupation of the West Bank or siege of Gaza can be easily identified and denied permission to Israeli controlled areas.

The first crossings to be outfitted with the computer equipment will be: Jalameh (Gilboa), Rihan (Barta’a) Sha’ar Efraim, Eyal, Macabeem (Bet Seera), Ni’lin, Atarot (Qalandia) Zaitoun (Hazeiteim), Ras Abu Sbitan, Rahel (Checkpoint 300), Tarqoumia and Mitar.