Palestinian Territories: The Right to Resist

The Right to Resist

US activist Huwaida Arraf and French activist Angela Coppin face trial today for refusing to abandon the struggle of Biddu

[Biddu, NW Jerusalem] Over the last two months, the village of Biddu has been actively engaged in unarmed resistance to the destruction of its land and the ghettoization of its people resulting from the construction of the Apartheid Wall. The Israeli military has shown no restraint in its attempt to crush the popular resistance of Biddu, including the use of live ammunition aimed at demonstrators. The use of such force has resulted in the death of five civilians.

In an attempt to support the village in its struggle and reduce the level of lethal force used by the Israeli military, international and Israeli activists have participated in demonstrations with the people of Biddu. The Israeli authorities have responded by targeting the international and Israeli activists for arrest and only releasing them on the condition of not returning to Biddu.

On April 15, Huwaida Arraf was arrested in Biddu during her participation in a popular protest against the Wall and refused to sign such conditions. She was brought in front of an Israeli judge who issued a verdict barring Huwaida from returning to Biddu for the next 15 days.

During a demonstration in Biddu two days later, De'yaa Abdul Karim Abu Eid was shot and killed by an Israeli soldier. Similarly, two other villagers of Biddu were wounded by live ammunition since this date.

Huwaida, not recognizing the authority of the occupier, returned to Biddu yesterday, April 25, to join a peaceful women's demonstration. In order to disperse the crowd, Israeli policemen mounted on horses charged the women, hitting them with batons. The policemen arrested four women protestors, including Huwaida Arraf and French activist Angela Coppin – both of whom are refusing to be banned from Biddu.

Today, at 11:00 AM at the Peace Court located near the Russian Compound of Jerusalem, Huwaida and Angela will be brought in front of a judge.

For pictures of the demonstration, please go to:

http://www.palsolidarity.org/reports/writings/25Apr04_10_50_56JerusalemISMBiddu.htm

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