One of the most common words that Palestinians use to describe their resistance to Israeli occupation is “steadfast”. Their saying “To exist is to resist.” reflects this determination. One of the best examples to this persistent determination takes place each Friday in Bi’iln where Palestinians, Israeli peace advocates and concerned internationals (primary European) demonstrate against the construction of the Israeli security fence/apartheid wall which in this area separates Palestinians from their land.
Because this area is not densely populated, the barrier here is a “fence” and not a wall, although, as one can see from the picture, it is a serious fence.
As my friend Diane Peavey recently found out being part of this demonstration is not risk free. Over the years there have been numerous examples of targeting of demonstrators with tear gas, rubber bullets and live ammunition by Israeli army and border police. Two years ago Irish Nobel Prize winner Mairead Maguire was shot while participating in the demonstration. Even the internationals are persistent as Maquire was back again this year.
Diane was in Bi’iln attending a conference on non-violent resistance. She went to the fence area to watch a group of Palestinian youth play soccer when the tear gas canisters began to fall. She described it as looking like the 4th of July. From the picture that’s not a bad description.
The persistent effort to maintain non-violent resistance in the face of a response of disproportionate force reminds me of the efforts of the American civil rights movement in the 60’s. The difference is this. Whereas in 60’s the reaction of the general population in America was one of outrage over the response, in the Palestinian case the reaction of the American and Israeli general population is one of indifference. I applaud the steadfast effort to maintain non-violent resistance, but I can understand how frustration at the indifference can lead to violence.
After my first visit to the West Bank several years ago, my reaction to the conditions there was “I am not surprised that there are so many terrorists, but that there are so few.”
Because this area is not densely populated, the barrier here is a “fence” and not a wall, although, as one can see from the picture, it is a serious fence.As my friend Diane Peavey recently found out being part of this demonstration is not risk free. Over the years there have been numerous examples of targeting of demonstrators with tear gas, rubber bullets and live ammunition by Israeli army and border police. Two years ago Irish Nobel Prize winner Mairead Maguire was shot while participating in the demonstration. Even the internationals are persistent as Maquire was back again this year.
Diane was in Bi’iln attending a conference on non-violent resistance. She went to the fence area to watch a group of Palestinian youth play soccer when the tear gas canisters began to fall. She described it as looking like the 4th of July. From the picture that’s not a bad description.The persistent effort to maintain non-violent resistance in the face of a response of disproportionate force reminds me of the efforts of the American civil rights movement in the 60’s. The difference is this. Whereas in 60’s the reaction of the general population in America was one of outrage over the response, in the Palestinian case the reaction of the American and Israeli general population is one of indifference. I applaud the steadfast effort to maintain non-violent resistance, but I can understand how frustration at the indifference can lead to violence.
After my first visit to the West Bank several years ago, my reaction to the conditions there was “I am not surprised that there are so many terrorists, but that there are so few.”
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