Beit Surik: Villagers Attempt To Stop Bulldozers

Villagers Attempt To Stop Bulldozers From Destroying Their Land

Fifty trees were uprooted by the Israeli Army on the second day of ICJ hearing

[Beit Surik, Occupied Jerusalem] On the second day of the hearing at The Hague International Court, the Israeli authorities started to destroy olive groves in Beit Surik to expand the Wall of Apartheid in the North-Western region of Jerusalem. The bulldozers started uprooting olive trees around the village of Beit Surik, under the protection of the Israeli Army and the Israeli Border Police.

The villagers of Beit Surik, ISM Internationals and Israelis started a demonstration on the planned path of the Wall of Apartheid. The soldiers fired tear gas, sound grenades and rubber bullets at the demonstrators. At least 10 Palestinians are reportedly wounded, including a child seriously injured in the chest by rubber-coated steel bullet.

Two Palestinians and one Israeli activist have been taken away by the police.

Tens of Palestinians along with the 7 members of the ISM sat in the path of the bulldozers to stop them from uprooting more trees. They were surrounded by the soldiers who fired tear gas at them. A group of young boys from the village tried to ward off the bulldozers by throwing stones at them.

Later, the bulldozers and the soldiers retreated out of sight but there were still tear gas fired at the demonstrators. Palestinians farmers are expecting the bulldozers to come back tomorrow and do not intend to leave their lands. ISM volunteers will stay in the village overnight to support the farmers' struggle. Palestinians from neighboring villages are also expected to join Beit Surik's inhabitants early tomorrow morning. The Israeli soldiers have temporarily pulled out in the surrounding settlements.

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