For More Information, Call:
Land and Water Establishment For Release 3:00 p.m. Tel: (972) (02) 812364/824559 January 9, 1995 Fax: (972) (02) 811072
Israeli Suppression of Peaceful Anti-Settlement Activity Continues
The demonstration called by the Land Defense Committee of Al Khader Village for 1:00 today was once again prevented by Israeli military order. Palestinians from Al Khader and surrounding villages gathered peacefully to protest the "compromise" between the Israeli government with the Jewish settlement of Efrat. They were to be joined by a busload of Israeli peace activists, but the Israeli protesters were prevented from entering the area where the demonstration was taking place. The border police presented a warrant forbidding Israelis from entering the area. The Land Defense Committee for Al Khader, and the lawyers for the Land and Water Establishment, objected to this. The area was then declared a closed military area, and the protesters were ordered to disperse.
Land and Water Est. considers this type of intervention intolerable and contrary to the spirit of the peace process. Popular demonstrations are being blocked at every turn. The Palestinian people must be allowed to express themselves and organize freely - free from the continual Israeli control, suppression and censorship - in order to allow as many people as possible to participate in the decisions being taken now about the development of the peace negotiations.
** The Land and Water Establishment is a Palestinian human rights advocacy organization. The lawyers of LAWE represent the people of Al Khader Village.