[E-rundbrief] Info 848 - Palestinian activist arrested in Bilin

[Matthias Reichl]

E-Rundbrief - Info 848 - Palsolidarity: Action Alert: Campaign to 
release Palestinian activist arrested in Bil'in

Bad Ischl, 15.7.2009

Begegnungszentrum für aktive Gewaltlosigkeit

www.begegnungszentrum.at

================================================

Action Alert: campaign to release Palestinian activist arrested in Bil'in

http://palsolidarity.org/2009/07/7652

Adeeb Abu Rahme, a leading Palestinian non-violent peace activist was
arrested in the weekly Bil’in demonstration against the Apartheid Wall
(see the video, Adeeb is the protester in the orange shirt with the
mega-phone http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqaO8lFYuM0 ). The Israeli
military is charging Adeeb with “incitement to violence,” a charge
that could bring a serious jail term. This charge is the culmination
of a new attempt to “break” the non-violent resistance in Palestine by
targeting the leaders of the non-violent protests.

Adeeb is currently in detention and will be taken in front of a
military judge on Thursday, 16 July 2009. The military prosecutor
intends to request for Adeeb to remain in detention until the end of
the proceedings against him. This could mean months or a year in
military prison for Adeeb, who is the sole provider for his family of
9 children, wife and mother.

In the past five years, many attempts have been made by the to break
the spirit of the Bil’in protests. Every new commander in Bil’in has
promised to break the resistance, using new weapons and increasing the
level of violence against unarmed demonstrators. But the spirit and
resilience of Bil’in residents and their supporters cannot be broken;
every Friday they continue to march and chant against the theft of
Palestinian land and the systemic violence of the Occupation.

In the past month, Israeli forces have attacked Bil’in and other
villages with renewed vigor, raiding homes in the early hours of the
morning to seize suspected demonstrators. Mostly children under the
age of 18, they are interrogated and pressured to ‘confess’ that they
throw stones at the instructions of the village leaders. The truth
remains that village leaders discourage stone throwing and recognize
that it is used as a tool by the Occupation to falsely accuse the
demonstrations of instigating violence. The Bil’in Popular Committee
Against the Wall and Settlements requested the presence of Israeli and
international solidarity activists to document and discourage the
night raids.

Anyone of the thousands who have marched with Adeeb can testify that
despite provocation and serious attacks on his person, he has never
responded violently. Attempts to criminalize the leadership of non-
violent protests where curbed in the past with the help of an
outpouring of support from people committed to justice from all over
the world. We need you now to testify to Adeeb’s commitment to non-
violence and to hold the Israeli military accountable for trying to
destroy the resistance.

Please email your letter to palestinesolidarity at gmail.com

SAMPLE LETTER:

To whom it may concern,

I was disturbed to learn that Mr. Adeeb Abu Rahme, a leader in his
village and participant in the non-violent demonstrations that take
place in Bil’in every Friday, was arrested for peacefully
demonstrating against Israel’s separation fence on July 10th, 2009 and
is still being held in prison. Over the past five years Mr. Rahme and
the leaders in Bil’in village have displayed an unshakable commitment
to non-violence and dignified action.

Mr. Rahme in particular is well known for his commitment to the
struggle for peace through non-violent means and for his willingness
to work in partnership with Israelis. He is a respected member of the
community. I am impressed with his honesty and commitment to non-
violence. My understanding of Israeli law is that the right to
demonstrate peacefully is protected. Mr. Rahme should be commended and
not punished for his efforts.

I hope and trust that Mr. Rahme will be allowed to return to his
family, including his 9 children, wife and mother for whom he is the
sole supporter, and community without further delay and that his name
be cleared of all accusations.

Sincerely,

--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~
PLEASE FORWARD THIS UPDATE WIDELY

DONATE @ http://palsolidarity.org/donate

WEBSITE: http://palsolidarity.org
YOUTUBE: http://youtube.com/user/ISMPalestine
TWITTER: http://twitter.com/ismpalestine
FACEBOOK: 
http://www.facebook.com/pages/International-Solidarity-Movement/56674479144


-- 

Matthias Reichl, Pressesprecher/ press speaker,
Begegnungszentrum fuer aktive Gewaltlosigkeit
Center for Encounter and active Non-Violence
Wolfgangerstr. 26, A-4820 Bad Ischl, Austria,
fon: +43 6132 24590, Informationen/ informations,
Impressum in: http://www.begegnungszentrum.at
Spenden-Konto Nr. 0600-970305 (Blz. 20314) Sparkasse Bad Ischl,
Geschäftsstelle Pfandl
IBAN: AT922031400600970305 BIC: SKBIAT21XXX