Deportation Hearing for 6 International Activists

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Update: Deportation Hearing for Six International Activists 5 May, 2005 5 May, 2005

Six International peace activists arrested in the West Bank Village of Bil'in are scheduled for a deportation hearing at the Israeli Ministry of the Interior at Ben Gurion airport at 8:30 AM Thursday, 5 May. They may be immediately deported from the country following the hearing.

They are: Atle (Norway), Maria (Greece), Yohan (Sweden), Nathan and Gabe (U.S.A.), and Ester. On the morning of 4 May, residents of the village of Bil'in near Ramallah organized a non-violent protest against the annexation Wall. Sixteen people, nine Palestinians, joined by Israelis and internationals chained themselves to the olive trees while fifty others demonstrated.

Bil'in farmers had received notice on Tuesday that eighty five olive trees would be uprooted to make way for the illegal Wall and called for International and Israeli support. After a stand off that lasted four hours, the Israeli military using excessive force cut the chains and dragged away twelve of the non- violent protesters, arresting 6 Internationals and 5 Israelis.

All the Palestinians who were initially detained were all released. All 5 arrested Israelis were released after agreeing not to return to Bil'in for 15 days.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: In Bil'in Flo 0544 059-676088 059-676088 Muhammed 0545851893 ISM media 02-2986538 059-871055

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