Editorial Note: The following news reports are summaries from original sources. They may also include corrections of Arabic names and political terminology. Comments are in parentheses. Share this article with your facebook friends

 

Scandinavians and South Africans Mark 67th Anniversary of Palestinian Catastrophe, Nakba, by Launching Flotilla III and Marching Against Apartheid Israel

May 15, 2015 

 

Scandinavian peace activists on Marianne ship, starting Freedom Flotilla III to break the Israeli siege of Gaza, leaving Sweden to Denmark then to other European countries in its way to besieged Gaza Strip, May 15, 2015	South African students march in solidarity with the Palestinian people against the Israeli racist, apartheid regime in 67th anniversary of Nakba, 15th May 2015 | Congress of South African Students | Welkom (Free State), SA.

 

Four Palestinians shot by Israeli fire in Gaza for marching in Nakba anniversary, May 15, 2015	Marianne started Freedom Flotilla III to break the Israeli siege of Gaza, leaving Sweden to Denmark on May 10, to other European countries in its way to besieged Gaza Strip, May 15, 2015

 

A Palestinian shot by Israeli fire in Ni'lin for marching in Nakba anniversary, May 15, 2015	Israeli occupation soldiers firing at Palestinians who marched on 67th  Nakba anniversary in Silwad, May 15, 2015.

 

 

Freedom Flotilla III  starts with Marianne reaching Copenhagen heading for Gaza

May 16, 2015, ANATOLIA, (PIC)--

Marianne reached Friday port of Copenhagen-Denmark after it kicked off from Sweden heading to break the siege of Gaza as part of Freedom Flotilla III, a peaceful nonviolent action to break the Israeli illegal and inhumane blockade of the Gaza Strip.

On the 10 of May, the trawler, which has been acquired by Ship to Gaza Sweden and Ship to Gaza Norway jointly, departed for a voyage of almost 5000 nautical miles to eastern Mediterranean and the blockaded Gaza Strip.

On board are Danish and Norwegian members of Parliament as well as other well known Scandinavian activists, artists and academics including Rosa Lund, Member of Parliament (Denmark).

The Danish politician and Member of Parliament for the Socialist People's Party (SF) Özlem Sara Cekic stated that Marianne will join other ships and together they will form the Freedom Flotilla III.

For her part, the Danish-Syrian doctor Haifa Awad pointed out that cancer patients’ number has increased due to the Israeli siege on Gaza Strip.

Spokesperson for the campaign Stefan Garner appreciated the “great international efforts made to break the Israeli siege of Gaza.”

Marianne will join other ships to form Freedom Flotilla III. On its way Marianne will call at many European and will serve as a focus for demonstrations and manifestations against the blockade.

In 2010, Freedom Flotilla 1, comprised of 6 seats, was on its way to Gaza when it was attacked and boarded in international waters by Israeli navy forces. During the attack, the Israeli soldiers murdered 10 unarmed activists on Mavi Marmara.

In 2011, Freedom Flotilla 2 comprised of 12 boats attempted to sail from Greece and Turkey. Most boats were prevented from leaving their ports; however three of them sailed towards Gaza and were attacked by the Israeli Navy. The boats were illegally confiscated by the illegal Israeli occupation government.

 

Marianne of Gothenburg left her home port at 7 pm on the 10 of May.

Marianne of Gothenburg left her home port at 7 pm on the 10 of May. The trawler, which has been acquired by Ship to Gaza Sweden and Ship to Gaza Norway jointly, departs for a voyage of almost 5000 nautical miles to eastern Mediterranean and the blockaded Gaza Strip.

Representatives of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) and partner organizations traveled to Tunis last week where they participated in the World Social Forum.  During the WSF they met with several Palestinian and Tunisian civil society organizations.

FFC representatives were also received by Dr. Moncef Marzouki, former President of Tunisia and renowned Human Rights defender.  During the meeting Dr. Marzouki gave FFC his full support and confirmed that he will be on board of one of Freedom Flotilla III (FF3) ships.

More information:https://freedomflotilla.org/

Freedom Flotilla III Heads for Gaza

Alternative Information Center (AIC), 12 May 2015

The ship Marianne of Gothenburg set sail Monday night on its journey to break the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip. It's journey will mark five years since the Israeli navy forcibly boarded the first Freedom Flotilla's ship Mavi Marmara, killing nine Turkish activists.

Israel has announced it will not permit unauthorised ships to enter its territorial waters.

Marianne will join additional ships to form the Freedom Flotilla III to perform a peaceful, nonviolent action to break the illegal and inhumane blockade of the Gaza Strip.

In passing, Marianne will call at European ports for demonstrations and actions against Israel's blockade of Gaza.

The ship is bringing a limited cargo of solar panels and medical equipment for the people of Gaza. The group Ship to Gaza stated that “In the blockaded Gaza Strip, where the infrastructure has been demolished, solar cells will thus provide an opportunity to independent local production of clean energy. The sun can not be blockaded.”

In addition to a crew of five people, Marianne will have up to eight delegates as passengers in each section of the route.

The Freedom Flotilla's first attempt to break the blockade ended in the deaths of nine Turkish activists after Israeli Navy commandos on May 31, 2010 boarded the Mavi Marmara. The United Nations declared that Israel used excessive force in stopping the ship, and a diplomatic crisis opened between Turkey and Israel which has yet to fully subside.

A second attempt was turned back in October 2012.

Without relating specifically to the Marianne of Gothenburg, Foreign Ministry spokesman Emmanuel Nachshon told the Jerusalem Post that “if the so-called helpful Gaza flotillas were really interested in the welfare of the population in Gaza, they would send their aid via Israel. The fact that they insist on a flotilla demonstrates this is an unnecessary provocation.”

Israel is clearly concerned about the possible ramifications of Freedom Flotilla III, however; the Foreign Ministry has appointed a point-person to coordinate policy on the matter between the foreign ministry, the prime minister’s office, and the defense ministry. 

 

Nakba Solidarity: South African Students Protest Woolworths

Friday May 15, 2015 22:36 by Congress of South African Students - International Solidarity Movement (ISM)

More than 10,000 South African students marched, earlier today, in protest against Woolworths Stores' trade agreements with Israel.

The #BoycottWoolworths protest was led by the Congress of South African Students (COSAS) in the Free State. COSAS represents school children in all 9 SA provinces and is arguably the largest school learner organization in the country. Click here for photos from today’s COSAS protest against Woolworths.

The 15th of May was chosen for the protest to also mark the 67th year of the Palestinian Nakba “Catastrophe” (the 1948 establishment of the modern State of Israel that was the start of the displacement and oppression of the indigenous Palestinian people).

According to COSAS Free State, the protest march by COSAS against Woolworths is “in solidarity with the people of Palestine who continue to experience the harshest form of apartheid by the Israeli regime”. Sipho Tsunke of COSAS Free State said: “We are therefore mobilizing all young people and parents to boycott Woolworths which continues to have relations with Apartheid Israel. We will not be misled by Woolworths and their silly PR campaigns for example their MySchool programme or that of bringing USA musician Pharrell Williams to South Africa. We are telling Pharrell Williams, as school learners of South Africa, to cancel his shows in South Africa until Woolworths ends its relations with Israel.”

Today’s protest march started at Thabong Community Center at 09h00 and ended at Goldfields Mall (where Woolworths store is located) in Welkom in the Free State. The protest, according to police estimates, drew between 10 000 and 13 000 young learners from various areas in and around the Free State province of South Africa. Further COSAS protests against Woolworths are due to take place in coming weeks in other provinces.

In August 2014 a call for the complete boycott of Woolworths until it ends its Israeli trade links was made by BDS South Africa, COSATU, ANC Youth League, MJC, SACP, YCL, SASCO, PSA, COSAS and various others including the National Coalition 4 Palestine (a coalition of more than 30 organizations, trade unions and other groups). An independent #BoycottWoolworths impact report by a Wits University researcher has found that Woolworths is losing over R30 million (close to R8 million per month) since the start of the BDS #BoycottWoolworths campaign. According to the report the actual impact “could be in the hundreds of millions”.

15th May 2015 | Congress of South African Students | Welkom (Free State), SA

*** 

Dozens of Palestinians injured during Nakba marches

May 16, 2015, RAMALLAH, (PIC)--

Violent clashes broke out on Friday as Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) suppressed Palestinian peaceful marches in West Bank marking the Nakba Day.

A number of injuries and breathing problems were reported when IOF opened fire at Palestinian protesters while commemorating the 67th anniversary of the mass displacement of Palestinians during Israel's creation at the expense of Palestinian villages and towns in 1948.

Israeli forces fired live and rubber bullets towards the protesters who were taking parts in Nakba marches organized in Ramallah, Qalqilia, and Gaza. Heavy tear gas canisters and sound bombs were also fired.

Three Palestinian youths were injured by Israeli fire during clashes that erupted near Ofer prison in Ramallah. The three injured were taken to hospital for treatment.

Three other injuries were reported as IOF suppressed Kafar Qadum weekly march in Qalailia.

Similar clashes broke out afternoon in Khudar town in Bethelehem. A Palestinian minor was nabbed during the confrontations before the intervention of local residents who managed to release him.

Along the same line, PA security forces suppressed a march in Bthelehem organized to commemorate Nakba anniversary in order to prevent any expected clashes with Israeli forces.

Clashes Take Place In Different Parts Of Occupied Jerusalem

Saturday May 16, 2015 13:12 by IMEMC & Agencies

As thousands of Palestinians marked, on Friday, the 67th anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba, Israeli soldiers resorted to the excessive use of force against the protesters, causing dozens of injuries.

The Palestinians held protesters, starting on Friday afternoon, in different parts of the occupied city, and the West Bank.

The protesters affirmed national Palestinian unity, and ongoing struggle against the Israeli occupation of Palestine.

Hundreds of protesters marched in various alleys and streets in the Old City of occupied Jerusalem, challenging the soldiers who were extensively deployed in an attempt to stop the procession.

Clashes took place with the soldiers in Ras al-‘Amoud area, one of the most prominent gates of the Old City, after the soldiers used excessive forces against the protestors.

In addition, hundreds marched in Jabal al-Mokabber neighborhood, southeast of occupied Jerusalem marking the Nakba of 1948, and chanted against the ongoing Israeli occupation and aggression, including Israel’s illegal policies of home demolitions. Several mild injuries were reported.

Hundreds also marked the Nakba in Ras al-‘Amoud area, in Silwan town, south of the al-Aqsa Mosque, and commemorated the death of a local child, Milad ‘Ayyash, who was killed by army fire in 2011.

The Follow-Up Committee in the al-‘Eesawiyya town, south of the Al-Asa Mosque, said the soldiers fired dozens of gas bombs, firebombs, and rubber-coated metal bullets on Palestinian protestors.

The Committee added that 15 Palestinians were shot by rubber-coated metal bullets, while dozens suffered the effects of tear gas inhalation. Local youths used fireworks to target military jeeps, and hurled stones and empty bottles.

Clashes also too place near the main entrance of the Shu’fat refugee camp, in the center of Jerusalem.
The Israeli Police issued a statement revealing the three Border Guard officers have been injured, in the Suwwana neighborhood, on Friday at night.

In addition, at least ten Palestinians were injured in clashes that took place with the soldiers on the northern entrance of the ar-Ram town, north of occupied Jerusalem, and were moved to local medical centers.

Similar clashes took place in Bir Nibala town, west of Jerusalem.

In addition, soldiers invaded the main entrance area of the Qalandia refugee camp, north of Jerusalem, kidnapped several Palestinians, and installed a roadblock on the Jaba’-Qalandia road, northeast of Jerusalem.

Four Palestinians shot by Israeli fire in Gaza for marching in Nakba anniversary

May 16, 2015, GAZA, (PIC)--

Three Palestinians were shot and injured by Israeli live fire Friday afternoon to the east of Gaza city, while another one was shot east of Khan Younis.

Israeli forces opened their machine gun fire towards dozens of Palestinians who marched in Gaza city and Khan Younis marking the 67th anniversary of the Palestinians Nakba (catastrophe) local sources said.

Three people were transferred to hospital as they suffered moderate injuries after being shot during the peaceful march in Shejaiya neighborhood in Gaza city, while the fourth injured was taken to Nasser hospital in Khan Younis.

The Israeli heavy live fire prevented the protesters' progress into the occupied territories, the sources added.

Friday's armed attack came as part of the Israeli repeated violations to the ceasefire agreement reached on Aug 26, 2014 to end Israel's brutal aggression on Gaza.

 

Dozens Injured In Silwad And Betunia, Near Ramallah

Saturday May 16, 2015 10:11 by IMEMC & Agencies

Israeli occupation soldiers invaded, on Friday afternoon, Silwad and Betunia towns, near the central West Bank city of Ramallah, and attacked dozens of Palestinians marking the Nakba Day.

The Palestine TV has reported that several military vehicles invaded the southern area of Silwad town, and clashed with dozens of local youths.

The Israeli occupation soldiers fired dozens of gas bombs, concussion grenades, rubber-coated metal bullets, and several rounds of live ammunition.

Medical sources said ten Palestinians suffered the effects of tear gas inhalation, and received treatment by local medics.

During the clashes, a number of youths hurled Molotov cocktails on the invading soldiers, while the army also fired the “Tutu” live ammunition on the protestors.

The Tutu live rounds cause larger bodily harm, and were outlawed by an Israeli court in 2001, but the army continued to use them.

Israeli sources said a number of soldiers were mildly injured during the clashes with local youths in the town, while a few soldiers received treatment for the effects of tear gas inhalation, after the protestors managed to throw back some of the gas bombs fired at them.

In addition, clashes took place in Betunia nearby town, after the soldiers invaded it, and attacked local protesters marking the Nakba, and marking the first anniversary of the death of Nadim Nuwwara and Mohammad Abu Thaher, who were killed by Israeli army fire, on May 15 2014.

The soldiers fired dozens of gas bombs, in addition to rubber-coated metal bullets and live rounds, while local youths hurled stones and empty bottles on the soldiers; several Palestinians suffered the effects of tear gas inhalation.

Local protesters also burnt Israeli flags, and said, “The Palestinians will never abandon their legitimate rights of liberation and independence in their homeland.”

Scores Injured as Bil’in Marks Palestinian Nakba

Saturday May 16, 2015 02:23 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC News

The Popular Committee against the Wall and Settlements in Bil’in village, near the central West Bank city of Ramallah, has reported that Israeli occupation soldiers have attacked the weekly protest, firing dozens of gas bombs and rubber-coated metal bullets.


This week’s protest marks May 15, the Palestinian Nakba Day when Israel was established in the historic land of Palestine after massive expulsion of the indigenous population and the destruction of hundreds of villages and towns.

The Popular Committee said that locals, accompanied by Israeli and International peace activists, marched from the center of the village towards Palestinian orchards, isolated by the Wall and illegal Israeli settlements.

The protesters marched nonviolently, carrying Palestinian flags, and black flags commemorating the Nakba, chanted and sang for Palestinian unity, liberation, independence, and the Right of Return of all refugees.

They also chanted for the ongoing popular resistance against the Israeli occupation and its illegal colonies, and for the release of all political prisoners.

The soldiers intercepted the protest firing dozens of gas bombs and rubber-coated metal bullets, and invaded and western area of Bil’in.

They also chased the protesters through olive orchards, and in between homes in the village while firing more gas bombs, also targeting local homes with them.

Medical sources said that dozens of residents, Israeli and international peace activists, suffered the effects of tear gas inhalation.

The gas bombs also set fire to a number of olive trees belonging to the villagers, while residents rushed to contain the fire.

Injuries Reported as Soldiers Attack Nil’in’s Weekly Protest

Saturday May 16, 2015 02:07 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC News

More than 1,200 Palestinians, accompanied by Israeli and international peace activists, marched in the weekly protest in Ni’lin village on Friday, near the central West Bank city of Ramallah, marking the 67th anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba (May 15 1948). Five Palestinians were shot, and dozens more suffered the effects of tear gas inhalation.

The Popular Committee against the Wall and Settlements in Ni’lin has reported that the protesters, including representatives of Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), various other political factions, as well as representatives of National Committee of Commemorating the Nakba, the Global Campaign to Return to Palestine, the Right to Land Coalition, the Coordination Committee against the Wall, marched along with Israeli and international activist, starting at noon in the center of the village.

The Nakba Commemoration started in the village with a speech by the head of the Ni’lin Village Council, Nader al-Khawaja, who welcomed both Palestinians and activists, including those who came from different cities, towns and refugee camps across the occupied West Bank, and especially the villagers living close to illegal Israeli settlements.

Al-Khawaja saluted the residents of Ni’lin and their determination to continue their legitimate struggle against the apartheid wall and colonies which isolate them from their orchards.

He added that Ni’lin has been holding the ongoing protest against the wall and settlements for eight consecutive years, now, embracing their steadfastness and determination to defend their lands despite the ongoing Israeli violations and excessive use of force by the soldiers.

It is worth mentioning that the soldiers detained Palestinians coming from Hebron, Bethlehem and Salfit to participate in this week’s protest marking the Palestinian Nakba of 1948.

The Imam of Ni’lin said in a speech, following noon prayers in the center of the village, that Ni’lin and its ongoing nonviolent popular resistance, has become a symbol of the national struggle against the occupation, and a symbol for national unity.

He added that the Nakba of 1948 did not just happen and end, as it is ongoing, while refugees continue to suffer, and Palestinians continue to be targeted by Israel's illegal occupation and colonial settlements.

The imam called for national unity among all factions, among the Palestinian people, so that the struggle can continue until liberation and independence, and until achieving the Right of Return of all refugees.

The procession then took off from the southern area of the village heading towards the Annexation Wall and the settlements that were illegally built on Palestinian lands, while the residents chanted in demand of their legitimate Palestinian rights.

Israeli occupation soldiers used excessive force against the protesters, firing rubber-coated metal bullets and dozens of gas bombs, wounding five Palestinians, while dozens suffered the effects of tear gas inhalation. The gas bombs also set fired to olive orchards and farmlands, the only source of livelihood for literally hundreds of villages.

The Popular Committee against the Wall in Ni’lin said that the soldiers installed roadblocks oat the entrances of the village over the past week, in an attempt to isolate it and prevent residents from reaching it to participate in the protest, and even installed surveillance cameras on the main road and main entrance of the village.

It added that dozens of Israeli occupation soldiers were also deployed near the second roadblock, installed by the army near Palestinian orchards belonging to villages of Ni’lin and several nearby villages.

Search IMEMC: "Nakba"

***

Share this article with your facebook friends