Photostory: Bil’in, the art of shaking off

by via the Electronic Intifada

Mon, Nov 19, 2007 6:51AM

Monday, November 19, 2007 : In January 2005 the people of the West Bank village of Bil'in began holding weekly demonstrations demanding access to their farmlands that had been cut off by the Israeli separation barrier. During that time of popular and nonviolent struggle the response by the Israeli army intensified and grew increasingly violent. Because of their resilience, the people of Bil'in's struggle began to receive media coverage and support internationally. The separation barrier has stagnated the agriculturally-based economy in Bil'in and has become a symbol of Israeli oppression and colonization in the West Bank.

A few weeks ago the Israeli High Court finally followed through on its classification of the route of the wall as illegal and ordered the IDF and Israeli government to reroute the wall in Bil'in. Though only a little over half the stolen farmland will be given back it is still unclear when the decision will be enforced. In a speech given to demonstrators a few weeks ago after they heard the court's decision, Popular Committee of Bil'in representative Basel Mansour stated that the villagers of Bil'in will continue to struggle until the occupation ends in total:

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For more information: http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article90...

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