Settlers attack East Jerusalem rally

Published yesterday (updated) 05/04/2010 23:45

Jerusalem – Ma'an –

Five people were lightly injured when illegal Israeli settlers attacked a group of protesters gathered in the flashpoint neighborhood of Shaikh Jarrah, in occupied East Jerusalem, on Monday.

Ma'an's reporter said settlers stormed the neighborhood near the Al-Ghawi and Hanoun family homes and attacked relatives and activists. Both homes are slated for demolition and confiscation by the Israeli government.

Ayman Al-Ghawi, Mahir Hanoun, and three international members of the Would Council of Churches sustained bruises during the incident.

Israeli police were called to the scene and detained Nasser Al-Ghawi, 45.

An Israeli police spokesman did not immediately return calls seeking comment.

Meanwhile, Israeli media reported that one ultra-Orthodox Israeli was lightly injured by a stone.

The Hebrew-language daily Yedioth Aharonoth said the injured was treated at the scene and a suspect was detained by Israeli police.

IOF troops wound 5 demonstrators in OJ including 3 foreigners

 [ 05/04/2010 - 05:26 PM ]

OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, (PIC)--

 Israeli occupation policemen on Monday wounded five people including two Jerusalemites and three foreign solidarity activists in Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood in occupied Jerusalem.

Local sources said that tens of Jewish settlers stormed the neighborhood in the afternoon and threw stones at the citizens and foreign activists who were protesting the Israeli judaization policy and confiscation of Palestinian land in Sheikh Jarrah.

Clashes ensued between the two parties and the occupation police intervened to protect the settlers, the eyewitnesses said, adding that the three female foreigners are members of the World Council of Churches.

They said that the policemen detained a Jerusalemite.

Gandhi's grandson in Al-Khalil supports Palestinian just struggle

[ 05/04/2010 - 05:52 PM ]

AL-KHALIL, (PIC)--

Israeli occupation forces (IOF) have tried to obstruct the tour of Rajmohan Gandhi, the grandson of Indian independence leader Mahatma Gandhi, and his wife Usha in Al-Khalil city on Sunday.

Local sources said that the IOF soldiers tried to prevent the couple, who were accompanied by Palestinian MP Mustafa Al-Barghouthi, from reaching the settlement outposts erected in the vicinity of the Ibrahimi Mosque and detained a number of journalists who were covering the visit.

Gandhi, after touring the Old City and the Ibrahimi Mosque, told a press conference that the Palestinian people were entitled to freedom and independence.

He said that the electronic gates installed in front of the Ibrahimi Mosque were an insult to humanity, and a humiliation that the Israeli occupation should stop.

The Israeli repression in the city of Al-Khalil was obvious including the confiscation of civilian homes and attacking citizens, he said, expressing absolute support for the Palestinians' popular struggle.

Gandhi said that the world community was fast asleep and was not moving to amend the situation, promising to convey what he saw to the world so that it would wake up and act.

Gandhi's grandson applauds non-violent protest

Published yesterday (updated) 05/04/2010 18:44

Ramallah – Ma'an –

Rajmohan Gandhi, grandson of the late Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi, visited the West Bank village of Bil'in on Monday, accompanied by Palestinian National Initiative leader Mustafa Barghouti.

Gandhi applauded what he described as Bil'in's "modern struggle," adding that "the whole world knows of Bil'in's activists, and it is a model for modern popular resistance. There will come a day when the Israelis learn that their (illegal) settlements and (the Land-Grab, Apartheid) wall vanish and will be destroyed as a result of the injustice and tyranny they practice."

He added that "It is our duty to awaken the international community, and to call attention to what is going on in Palestine, and seek support for the Palestinian people and their just cause."

Received by members of the local village council and the Popular Committee Against the Wall, Gandhi and his delegation heard committee member Muhammad Al-Khatib speak of Bil'in's form of non-violent resistance during the past five years, highlighting its achievements and the participation of international activists and sympathizers who "played a major part in this resistance."

The popular committee screened a short video about the village's non-violent protests against the wall held four weeks prior, where Gandhi expressed his admiration for their form of non-violent resistance.