Swedish Activist Released and Update on Budrus

Swedish Activist Released and Update on Budrus

1. Frederick Batzler Released

January 7, 2004

Frederick Batzler, a Swedish activist volunteering with the International Solidarity Movement, was released today after seven days incarceration.

Mr. Batzler was arrested while participating in a peaceful demonstration in the village of Budrus on December 31. He was charged with being in a closed military zone and a deportation order was issued against him.

Frederick was released with a 5000 NIS Israeli bank guarantee and ordered not to return to the Occupied Territories. He is currently awaiting a deportation hearing.

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2. Budrus Update - Village Now Declared Closed Military Zone

January 7, 2004

The Israeli army has declared the entire village of Budrus (West Ramallah) to be a closed military zone.

This declaration came today during a peaceful demonstration attended by over 400 Palestinian, Israeli and international activists against the Apartheid Wall. The International Womens Peace Service (IWPS), International Solidarity Movement (ISM), Israeli Anarchists against the Wall and other Israeli activist groups have been maintaining a presence in Budrus for the past two weeks in solidarity with the village's non-violent resistance to the Apartheid Wall.

During the demonstration held in the main street of the village, an Israeli army hummer attempted to enter Budrus and drive through the crowd in an effort to disperse the demonstration. After the demonstrators successfully negotiated the hummer's retreat, two more arrived with an order declaring Budrus a closed military zone for the day and that all international and Israeli activists must leave the village within five minutes.

Internationals have vowed not to leave Budrus, but will continue to support the resistance of the village to the Wall. We are calling on activists and delegations to come to Budrus to witness the land theft and destruction that is going on in Palestine.

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