Ni’lin weekly demo 10.09.2010
Usually we celebrate the end of Ramadan (called Eid al Feter in Arabic) with a lot of joy and happiness. But this year was different. The people of Ni’lin refused to celebrate as all the years before because we suffered too much in the past year to celebrate now: too many people have been murdered, injured or arrested. And the Apartheid wall is being built on our land under the pretext to protect Israeli children. But instead Israel make us and our children suffer.
Our protest march started at 6:40am, after the holy prayer for Eid. Many many people from Ni’lin took to the streets, chanting slogans that express their deep sorrow about the suffering. After that they visited the graves of the 5 martyrs of Ni’lin that have been killed in the past 2 years by Israeli soldiers during the non-violent protests against the Apartheid wall. The first one was the child Ahmed Mousa who was only 10 years old when he got shot on 29 July 2008, then the 17 years old Yousef Amireh, killed on 4 August 2008, and Arafat Alkhawajah who was 23 years old when he got killed on 28 December 2008, 18-year-old Muhammed Khawaja who was killed on 30 December 2008 and Aqel Srour who was killed on 5 June 2009, at the age of 36. Everyone started to pray for them and to ask God for mercy.
Yousef Amireh's father with Yousef's brother at the grave. They put sweets for the dead on the graves.
As soon as the demonstration reached the wall the Israeli Occupation soldiers began to threaten the protesters, telling them that they were in a closed military zone (our olive groves). No one responded to the soldier’s threats. Instead, the protesters started speaking with the soldiers. They asked them, whether they don’t feel shame for what they are doing to the people of Ni’lin? How can they kill innocent children?
What about human rights? What about humanity? They’re human, too, or aren’t they? Don’t they have children themselves? How can they live with the shameful crimes they are committing? But the soldiers didn’t response. It looked like they don’t feel any shame, instead they seem to be proud of killing innocent people.
The people of Ni'lin visiting the graves. In the background Yousef Amireh's father is crying at his son's grave.
Ni’lin weekly demonstration 03.09.2010
2 demonstrators (international activists) got arrested 6 demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalations very badly. The medical team had to take care of them.
photo courtesy of HamoudH Amireh
Dozens others suffered from the tear gas inhalations in the fourth demonstration in Ramadan and the people of Ni’lin village continue their struggle despite of Ramadan and the very hot weather.Like every week, the demonstration started with a prayer under the olive trees.
photo courtesy of HamoudH Amireh
7 International and 8 Israeli activists joined our demonstration. As every friday, the protesters marched towards the Apartheid wall which is being built on our land. We are very upset because we cannot farm on our land, some of which was set on fire by the Israeli soldiers 3 weeks ago. The demonstrators carried pictures which showed the shameful crimes the Israeli soldiers committed against our prisoners.
photo courtesy of HamoudH Amireh
When the protesters reached the wall, the Israeli military started shooting tear gas canisters into the crowd. 6 demonstrators suffered so badly from the inhalation that the medical team had to take care of them. Again, the soldiers tried to catch and arrest as many demonstrators, as they always do. This time they succeeded in arresting 2 International activists, one man and one woman. The soldiers beat the woman heavily, even when she fell down and told them that her leg hurt very much they continued to beat her.
photo courtesy of HamoudH Amireh
It was very strange and also scary, when the soldiers spread into the orchards and surrounded us; we all felt like in a trap. The demonstration was finished at 2pm. After a long time of interrogation, the arrested activists were released .
I miss my father so much
My father is in jail since more than 7-1/2 months. I miss him so very much! I don’t want to lose hope because he can’t be with us, but sometimes it is very difficult. Now, during Ramadan, it is very painful that he can’t be with us. I feel like I can’t wait for him to be here with us and get out of jail. To give strength to my hurting heart, I looked at old pictures from him.
In 2008, my father has been jailed already once. I look at the pictures of the time, when he came home from jail. It hurts in my heart to see him only in pictures. But at the same time it gives me hope, that he will come out of jail soon and be with us. I would like to share some photos of him from that time with you:
When my father came out of jail, the pain of everything he had to suffer was still very fresh and made him cry. Also, he found out, that the Israeli occupation refused his work permit. He was so worried that he would not be able to feed the family without any income.
My father was so happy to meet Hassan Mousa after his release. He is a very close friend of my father. Right now, he is in jail, the same as my father: for 20 months and 15 days. We are trying to raise the money to pay the fine for him, too. So that he can go back to his family earlier.
My grandmother (the mother of my mother) is so happy when my father was finally back from jail. He too, hold her tight, celebrating his return.
So many friends came to celebrate when my father came out of jail… I hope we can celebrate his return very soon, again…
In 2008, my father has been jailed already once. I look at the pictures of the time, when he came home from jail. It hurts in my heart to see him only in pictures. But at the same time it gives me hope, that he will come out of jail soon and be with us. I would like to share some photos of him from that time with you:
This is my father with uncle Salah. My father was so happy to hold his brother in his arms.
Here, he is with my older brother Sadat. I love his happy smile on this picture.
Here, he is hugging my cousin, uncle Ahmed's son.
Uncle Ahmed and my father holding each other.
My father with his closest friend Hassan Mousa
My father with my grandmother.
My father, when he met with his other friends for the first time after jail.
Celebration after my father's return from jail.
Posted in 3. Diary 2 Comments
A video of my father Ibrahim and Hassan and Zaydoon about our resistance
In 2009 the villagers of Ni’lin were suffering so hard and payed an unbearbly high price for the non-violent protests against the wall. Not only were they beaten, arrested and shot at, but also all inhabitants lost their work permits and were unable to feed their families.
To help all those who were suffering from the wall and opressed and who didn’t have a voice, my father established a non-profit organization, called “Ni’lin’s Sons”, to support the people to stand steadfast against the wall and don’t fear the Israeli opression.
They also funded a Media Center where all the injustice and wrong-doing and violence against us is being documented as part of our resistance. Both are connected to the Popular Struggle Against The Apartheid Wall. Everyone can contribute what they filmed or photographed during our resistance.
My uncle Hamoudh Saeed Amireh has filmed, produced and edited a video that shows our father Ibrahim and the two other leaders of the Popular Committee and lets my mother and my grandparents about our suffering.
Please watch the video and share it. Thank you!
To help all those who were suffering from the wall and opressed and who didn’t have a voice, my father established a non-profit organization, called “Ni’lin’s Sons”, to support the people to stand steadfast against the wall and don’t fear the Israeli opression.
They also funded a Media Center where all the injustice and wrong-doing and violence against us is being documented as part of our resistance. Both are connected to the Popular Struggle Against The Apartheid Wall. Everyone can contribute what they filmed or photographed during our resistance.
My uncle Hamoudh Saeed Amireh has filmed, produced and edited a video that shows our father Ibrahim and the two other leaders of the Popular Committee and lets my mother and my grandparents about our suffering.
Please watch the video and share it. Thank you!
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Download ] Nilin weekly demonstration 27.08.2010 – Red Crescent medical team members and photographers arrested
In the third demonstration during the Ramadan, 7 people got arrested, among them the medical team as well as 2 photographers.
Dozens of people suffered from the tear gas inhalation and the heat was unbearable. Nevertheless, the people of Ni’lin continued to struggle and protest against the apartheid wall.
We started the day with prayers under olive trees, nearby the land that was confiscated by the State of Israel and occupied by the Israeli military. The demonstration began with international and israeli peace activists who came and joined us in solidarity. Together, we were heading towards the area of the wall, protesting its construction on our land. The demonstators carried tires, which they wanted to set on fire near the wall. The black smoke shows our sadness about the confiscation of our land and the injustice being done to us. Also, because the Israeli military our olive groves on fire two weeks before and destroyed many trees.
We reached the gate of the concrete wall and started shouting and chanting and setting the tires on fire. We tried to tell the soldiers about our sadness: they do not allow us to farm on our land. This is like a punishment for us that causes us a lot of pain and sadness. Also, we told them that we would stay steadfast and come back and demonstrate no matter what they do to us. We will do so, until the day of justice will come.
Once we reached the wall, the Israeli miltary started heavily shooting tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. 4 demonstrators got shot by the tear gas canisters.
After that, the Israeli soldiers disappeared into the fields. They tried to trap us and arrest us. Once we discovered their plans, we escaped towards the village. We were followed by the soldiers who were trying to arrest as many demonstrators as they could.
They caught 7 people, among them the medical team, as well as two photographers. One of the photographers is an Israeli peace activist, the other one is from the Ni’lin Popular Committee Against The Wall. They were all arrested for about 30 minutes and then released. This was not the first time they got arrested. Before they were arrested and held in jail for 3 days without any charges. The Israeli military tried to charge them with throwing stones. However, a camera man caught the scene on video and thus could prove that the charges were false.
The demonstration lasted till 14h30. 4 people got hurt and 7 were arrested.
Dozens of people suffered from the tear gas inhalation and the heat was unbearable. Nevertheless, the people of Ni’lin continued to struggle and protest against the apartheid wall.
photo courtesy of Joseph Dana
We reached the gate of the concrete wall and started shouting and chanting and setting the tires on fire. We tried to tell the soldiers about our sadness: they do not allow us to farm on our land. This is like a punishment for us that causes us a lot of pain and sadness. Also, we told them that we would stay steadfast and come back and demonstrate no matter what they do to us. We will do so, until the day of justice will come.
Once we reached the wall, the Israeli miltary started heavily shooting tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. 4 demonstrators got shot by the tear gas canisters.
photo courtesy of Joseph Dana
They caught 7 people, among them the medical team, as well as two photographers. One of the photographers is an Israeli peace activist, the other one is from the Ni’lin Popular Committee Against The Wall. They were all arrested for about 30 minutes and then released. This was not the first time they got arrested. Before they were arrested and held in jail for 3 days without any charges. The Israeli military tried to charge them with throwing stones. However, a camera man caught the scene on video and thus could prove that the charges were false.
The demonstration lasted till 14h30. 4 people got hurt and 7 were arrested.
Our day will come
Every evening, I sit in the fields and watch the sun go down. I see the sun go down and disappear into the sea. I can only catch a glimpse of the sea; it’s difficult for us to see it, since it’s far away and we’re not allowed to reach the sea or even go near it. But even when I’m only able to see a tiny bit of it, it makes me calm and makes me feel at peace. It also gives me hope because as the sun raises again the next day, we will get back our freedom, one day.
I remember what my father told us about Jaffa, which is where our family originally came from, before the catastrophe happened in 1948. He always told us to be assured because one day we will be able to return home. And that we shall never lose hope because we are right and they are wrong, and the wrong doesn’t stay forever. There will be an end to the darkness and than the light will come back. Looking at the sunset and the sea makes me feel my father’s presence very strong; I can feel that what he says is right.
Today, when we sit on the roof of our house, all we have are memories of my father; the way he lived and the funny things he always used to say. My father loves joy and jokes and he is always trying to make everybody happy and smile and optimistic in life. We are brave and we will not lose hope because my father wants us to. He taught us to face all difficulties and not escape them, and always stay confident. Because in life, nothing is impossible.
This is what I believe, too. We will achieve our aim and my father will be with us again. I know that he would tell me not to despair and therefore I’m full of hope that we will manage to pay the fines to get my father and Hassan Mousa and Zaydoon Srour out of jail, so that they can come back and be all with their families again and rest and get back their strength.
I remember what my father told us about Jaffa, which is where our family originally came from, before the catastrophe happened in 1948. He always told us to be assured because one day we will be able to return home. And that we shall never lose hope because we are right and they are wrong, and the wrong doesn’t stay forever. There will be an end to the darkness and than the light will come back. Looking at the sunset and the sea makes me feel my father’s presence very strong; I can feel that what he says is right.
Today, when we sit on the roof of our house, all we have are memories of my father; the way he lived and the funny things he always used to say. My father loves joy and jokes and he is always trying to make everybody happy and smile and optimistic in life. We are brave and we will not lose hope because my father wants us to. He taught us to face all difficulties and not escape them, and always stay confident. Because in life, nothing is impossible.
This is what I believe, too. We will achieve our aim and my father will be with us again. I know that he would tell me not to despair and therefore I’m full of hope that we will manage to pay the fines to get my father and Hassan Mousa and Zaydoon Srour out of jail, so that they can come back and be all with their families again and rest and get back their strength.
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Ni’lin weekly demonstration 13.08.2010
It was the first demonstration during the Ramadan dozens of people suffered from tear gas inhalation.
Despite the hot weather, we continue our struggle against the occupation. This week, our Friday prayers took place under the olive trees, nearby the land which was confiscated by Israel. International and Israeli peace activists joined us this week, approaching the area where the apartheid wall is being built that separates us from our land. Some activists spray-painted the wall, writing that it is illegal and that we all want the occupation to end and that the wall be torn down.
We approached the gate of the concrete wall, chanting and letting the soldiers know, that we will not go down. Instead we will remain steadfast and not stop protesting until they tear down the illegal wall and give us back our land.
Once we reached the gate, the soldiers started shooting tear gas. It was so bad, that 15 demonstrators got severaly hurt due to the inhalation. Right after that, the Israeli soldiers opened the gate and started running towards us, trying to catch demonstrators and arrest them.
They didn’t succeed. Thus, they approached the houses in our village and started shooting tear gas at the inhabitants. Two little boys (Mustafah Amireh, 6 years and Sakir Jamal, 8 years) got hurt from the tear gas.
The demonstration finished around 3 o’clock pm. All in all, 17 people were hurt from the tear gas. But luckily, no one got arrested.
photo courtesy of Joseph Dana
photo courtesy of Joseph Dana
photo courtesy of Jospeh Dana
They didn’t succeed. Thus, they approached the houses in our village and started shooting tear gas at the inhabitants. Two little boys (Mustafah Amireh, 6 years and Sakir Jamal, 8 years) got hurt from the tear gas.
The demonstration finished around 3 o’clock pm. All in all, 17 people were hurt from the tear gas. But luckily, no one got arrested.
Visiting my father in jail
Yesterday, finally my mother could visit my father in jail. She woke up at 5 o’clock in the morning and left the house together with my two little brothers who were allowed to join her to visit our father.
About two weeks ago, my father has been transferred to the Alnaquab jail, which is in the desert. Hence it is terribly hot there during the day and cold at night time. My fathers health is not good and he suffers a lot from the heat. He knows that it makes aprt of his punishment. Still, he is full of hope and in high spirits. He is so happy about our effort to collect the fine and very much hopes that we will succeed, thus he will get out of jail as soon as possible. Despite the hardship, he remains steadfast and wants to give hope and strength to all of us: we shall stay strong and not an inch despite the crimes and injustices of occupation.
He is very grateful for those who are supporting him and sends greetings to all of you. He wants to send a message to all and tell about how life as a political prisoner in an Israeli jail.
My brothers where able to actually reach my father (usually the visitors are allowed only to see the inmate through a window and speak to him him). This time, my father was allowed to actually hug them and kiss them. They were all so happy and my father didn’t want to stop caressing them.
They came back at 11 o’clock in the evening. My mother was very exhausted because it was a long and tiresome trip. Still, she was very happy that we were able to come up with the 300 Shekel (which is a lot for us right now), and visit my father.
I am so happy that Israel didn’t succeed in breaking my father. I want to find every possible way to raise the money and make sure that he as well as Hassan and Zaydoon will be released soon. I know, I can’t disappoint my father.
About two weeks ago, my father has been transferred to the Alnaquab jail, which is in the desert. Hence it is terribly hot there during the day and cold at night time. My fathers health is not good and he suffers a lot from the heat. He knows that it makes aprt of his punishment. Still, he is full of hope and in high spirits. He is so happy about our effort to collect the fine and very much hopes that we will succeed, thus he will get out of jail as soon as possible. Despite the hardship, he remains steadfast and wants to give hope and strength to all of us: we shall stay strong and not an inch despite the crimes and injustices of occupation.
He is very grateful for those who are supporting him and sends greetings to all of you. He wants to send a message to all and tell about how life as a political prisoner in an Israeli jail.
My brothers where able to actually reach my father (usually the visitors are allowed only to see the inmate through a window and speak to him him). This time, my father was allowed to actually hug them and kiss them. They were all so happy and my father didn’t want to stop caressing them.
They came back at 11 o’clock in the evening. My mother was very exhausted because it was a long and tiresome trip. Still, she was very happy that we were able to come up with the 300 Shekel (which is a lot for us right now), and visit my father.
I am so happy that Israel didn’t succeed in breaking my father. I want to find every possible way to raise the money and make sure that he as well as Hassan and Zaydoon will be released soon. I know, I can’t disappoint my father.
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Ni’lin weekly demo 06.08.2010
Today was the second anniversary of the death of 17-year-old Yousef Amireh. An Israeli soldier shot him in the head with a rubber bullet and killed him. Also, 10-year-old Ahmed Mousa was killed two years and two days ago by the Iraeli military. Both children are from Ni’lin.
The people of Ni’lin demonstrated together with Israeli and international peace activists demonstrated. To mark this painful anniversary, everyone in town put down their work and mourned for 6 hours. After the Friday prayers, we marched towards the Apartheid wall, holding pictures of the two boys. We chanted slogans and told the soldiers that we will never forget that they murdered two innocent children. And that we will remain steadfast and protest until they tear down the wall and remove it from our land.
The Israeli soldiers started shooting a lot of tear gas into the crowd. 5 protesters suffered couldn’t breath and were injured due to the inhalation of the toxic tear gas.
Then, as always, Israeli soldiers came towards our village and started chasing protesters and fired tear gas at them and tried to hurt and arrest us. The demonstration continued until 4 o’clock pm. Luckily, no one other than the 5 who inhaled the tear gas, git hurt.
About Yousef Amireh, who was murdered 2 years ago:
Yousef was 17 years old. He was shot in the head with a rubber bullet on 4.8.2008 by an Israeli sniper from the Border Patrol Unit, while he was demonstrating in solidarity with the 10-year-old Ahmed Mousa, who got killed only 2 days earlier.
Today, on this very painful anniversary, members of Ni’lin’s Son’s Society visited the family to stand by them while they mourn the loss of their son. On this occasion, Yousef’s mother said, that we will continue to stand steadfast and that nothing will stop our protests against the apartheid wall. Even if the Israeli military aims to kill all of us, we will not go down. Yousef’s brothers said that they will never surrender and will always honor what Yousef died for: a free and peaceful Ni’lin. For every one of us who gets killed, thousands will stand up and refuse to surrender to the inhuman forces that insult life and try to deny us a peaceful and dignified existence. No person on this planet should be denied freedom and peace and dignity. For this, we will always stand up and struggle.
The people of Ni’lin demonstrated together with Israeli and international peace activists demonstrated. To mark this painful anniversary, everyone in town put down their work and mourned for 6 hours. After the Friday prayers, we marched towards the Apartheid wall, holding pictures of the two boys. We chanted slogans and told the soldiers that we will never forget that they murdered two innocent children. And that we will remain steadfast and protest until they tear down the wall and remove it from our land.
The Israeli soldiers started shooting a lot of tear gas into the crowd. 5 protesters suffered couldn’t breath and were injured due to the inhalation of the toxic tear gas.
Then, as always, Israeli soldiers came towards our village and started chasing protesters and fired tear gas at them and tried to hurt and arrest us. The demonstration continued until 4 o’clock pm. Luckily, no one other than the 5 who inhaled the tear gas, git hurt.
About Yousef Amireh, who was murdered 2 years ago:
Yousef was 17 years old. He was shot in the head with a rubber bullet on 4.8.2008 by an Israeli sniper from the Border Patrol Unit, while he was demonstrating in solidarity with the 10-year-old Ahmed Mousa, who got killed only 2 days earlier.
Today, on this very painful anniversary, members of Ni’lin’s Son’s Society visited the family to stand by them while they mourn the loss of their son. On this occasion, Yousef’s mother said, that we will continue to stand steadfast and that nothing will stop our protests against the apartheid wall. Even if the Israeli military aims to kill all of us, we will not go down. Yousef’s brothers said that they will never surrender and will always honor what Yousef died for: a free and peaceful Ni’lin. For every one of us who gets killed, thousands will stand up and refuse to surrender to the inhuman forces that insult life and try to deny us a peaceful and dignified existence. No person on this planet should be denied freedom and peace and dignity. For this, we will always stand up and struggle.
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Finally my mother can visit my father
Yesterday, my mother got a new ticket to visit my father in the Al Naquab jail. We are all very happy because this time, things went much easier and faster than before. My mother can only take my two 5-year-old brothers with her to the visit. But we are all very happy because we know that, even though we can’t see him or reach out to him, at least my mother can and we will hear about him and how he is doing.
Also, the Red Cross promised that they will give me information where to send letters for my father. I will get the address on Sunday and publish it on the blog. I think my father will be very happy when you all write to him. At least, he knows he is not alone and people are thinking at him and praying for him.
Also, the Red Cross promised that they will give me information where to send letters for my father. I will get the address on Sunday and publish it on the blog. I think my father will be very happy when you all write to him. At least, he knows he is not alone and people are thinking at him and praying for him.
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