Nonviolent Resistance Continues In Az Zawiya

Nonviolent Resistance Continues In Az Zawiya

[Az-Zawiya, Salfit] Bulldozers continue to destroy the land and livelihood of the village of Az Zawiya. Over 200 villagers have been injured in two weeks of ongoing protest. Az Zawiya community urged all Israeli and international activists to come tomorrow and join them in their nonviolent struggle against the construction of the wall.

The residents of Az-Zawiya stand to lose access to around 24,000 dunums where they grew olive trees, almond trees, and carried out intensive cultivation of vegetables in greenhouses. The village has already lost land to road expropriations for settler highway no. 5, settlement building, military facilities and training grounds.

The villagers have vowed to continue their protests until the wall is stopped and to remain steadfast in their nonviolent struggle for the survival of their community.

DATE: Sunday, June 20, 2004 TIME: 10:00 a.m. PLACE: Az Zawiya Village, Salfit, meet by the central (old) mosque.

For more information, please contact: IWPS Office: 09-251-6644 or 052-360-241

Internationals and Israelis are welcome to spend the night in the village.

Driving directions to Az Zawiya:

>From Jerusalem: Take Hwy 60 to Tapuach Junction (Zatara) Turn left onto 505W Past Ariel, merge onto Hwy 5 Take 5 to Kesem Interchange Go around circle, follow signs to Ariel Take turnoff to Beit Arye End of road that goes to Beit Arye is Deir Ballut checkpoint After checkpoint, go right, Az Zawiya is the second village you come to (turn left into the village)

>From Israel: There is a road from Israel towards Ari'el, Pdu'el and Alei Zahav that goes right by the Deir Ballut checkpoint.

If you get stopped at Deir Ballut, please try an alternate route.

Alternate route from Tel Aviv taking Palestinian roads from Haris junction:

On Hwy. 5 towards Ari'el, turn left where the road narrows (couple of kilometers before Ari'el). There is a sign for Kedumim. Half way up this hill, there are two small stores and a garage on your left. Behind the stores is a large frame structure with a blue canopy. It's ok to park by the garage. Then walk up the hill till you come to the junction—straight ahead is Barqan, to the right is the road to Kedumim. Go straight ahead direction Barqan and cross the road to the Palestinian bus stop where you can pick up a service to the roadblock at Qarawat Bani Hassan. (2 shekels per person in a service, 10 shekels for a car). Go through the roadblock and take a service to Az Zawiya (20 shekels for a car/service).

Ahmad is a taxi driver fromn Az Zawiya. Call him at 052 267 545 ahead of time and he'll come to the roadblock to meet you. Otherwise, just take any available driver. Ask for the one whose turn it is. They have a kind of system where the drivers from Az Zawiya who have been waiting longest take the next customers.

There are sometimes flying checkpoints but ordinarily they let Israeli cars through for the settlers. Tell them you're going to Kedumim.

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