Al Ma’sara Demonstration 22/04/11
Today in Al Ma’sara a group of 40 people, from Al Ma’sara and surrounding villages, from Tel Aviv, Europe and South-America marched together towards the borders of the village. Every week people come together to oppose the Wall and the settlements being built around the village, taking around 3500 dunums of land from Al Ma’sara and the villages around. When they wanted to cross the road that leads to these lands two jeeps with soldiers arrived and prevented the people from moving.
First the Palestinians tried to discuss with the soldiers why they could not pass. The soldiers said there is a closed military zone, but this is only closed off on Fridays. The Palestinians decided to stay and explain to the internationals what is happening. One person also mentioned the total closure during the Jewish holiday, wondering why Christians and Muslims are blocked from going to pray in the Old City of Jerusalem, while Jews can go.
More soldiers arrived and also a settler came. It was unclear what he said as he staid on a distance shaking hands with the soldiers. The soldiers said stones have been thrown at settlers, while villagers and internationals never witnessed stones during demonstrations.
The group was asked to leave after 1.5 hour and threatened with arrests. Then they decided to leave themselves and so the demonstrators also left, walking back to the village.
Mahmoud Zwahra
Al-Ma'sara village - Bethlehem - Palestine
