PNI Upholds Commitment to Non-Violent ResistanceInitiative
maintains presence at peaceful protests against Apartheid Wall
Ramallah, 12-12-05: A second, peaceful demonstration against construction of the Apartheid Wall was held in Abud yesterday, as part of a series of ongoing non-violent protests that have been taking place throughout the West Ramallah district since construction of the Wall in the area was approved by the Israeli cabinet in October 2003. The demonstration was attended by an estimated 1,000 Palestinian, Israeli and international activists. Members of the Palestinian National Initiative (PNI) also participated in the demonstration, including PNI General Secretary, Dr. Mustafa Barghouthi, affirming the Initiative’s deep-seated commitment to non-violent, peaceful resistance. The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Michel Sabbah, led prayers at the site where construction of the Apartheid Wall has commenced. Patriarch Sabbah and Dr. Barghouthi both gave speeches condemning the Wall, and, despite attempts by Israeli soldiers to disrupt the process, proceeded to plant olive trees on the site. Abud
is a village of approximately 2,200 Christian and Muslim Palestinians.
It stands to lose 1,000 acres of land, much of it prime agricultural
land, if the Wall is built according to its current trajectory.
The path of the Wall has been strategically designed in order to
allow for the expansion of the illegal Ofarim and Bet Arye settlements
surrounding the village. In
July 2004, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at The Hague found that
construction of the Wall is “contrary to international law,” and that
Israel is under an obligation to immediately cease the Wall’s
construction, dismantle the existing structure, and make reparations for any
damage caused by the construction. Moreover, the ICJ found that “all
States are under an obligation not to recognize the illegal situation
resulting from the construction of the wall and not to render aid or
assistance in maintaining the situation created by such construction.” |