Internationals Beaten in Village of Al-Hatab

Internationals Beaten in Village of Al-Hatab, East of Nablus

For Immediate Release
ISM Media Office
October 20, 2004

Internationals Beaten in Village of Al-Hatab while Palestinians Attempting to Harvest Olives

Violence escalates as Israeli soldier puts gun to head of Danish national and threatens to pull the trigger

At approximately 9:00AM, 18 internationals accompanied Palestinian farmers to their olive groves to harvest their olives near the village of Al-Hatab, East of Nablus. Five minutes after they arrived, the Israeli army descended upon the group.

The farmers, residents of Al-Hatab, had obtained the necessary permits to pick olives. However, the Israeli army said they could not pick olives today and that the internationals had "ten seconds" to leave the area. Eye-witness reports claim that the soldiers were extremely aggressive and attempted to arrest one Palestinian after taking his identity card.

When six internationals tried to intervene, the soldiers began beating them with their guns, punching them in the face and kicking them. One international from the United Kingdom was badly cut and bruised. Another activist, from Denmark had been thrown to the ground. An Israeli soldier then put his gun to the Danish mans head and pulled on the trigger as if he were going to shoot.

It is increasingly difficult for Palestinian farmers to access their land and harvest their crops due to the construction of the Israeli Annexation Wall, Israeli army control of gates through the wall and the violence of settlers who attack Palestinians attempting to pick olives on Palestinian land that may border the illegal settlements.

At the time of this release, the internationals are remaining in the area in the event that the Palestinian farmers are unable to harvest their olives.

For more information please contact:

Mohammad: 972-59-67-6085 ISM Media Office: 972-2-277-4602 or 972-59-67-67-82

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