Land Day in Bethlehem
George Rishamwi - March 30, 2005

The Land Defense Committee Organized an anti-wall demonstration on Land Day in Bethlehem.

Dozens of Palestinians, and International Peace Activists marched towards the houses affected by the construction of the separation wall. The march is one of three organized for the Land Day by the Land Defense Committee and the civil society organizations.

Israeli soldiers attempted to stop the marchers, who nonviolently managed to go through the line of soldiers, who stopped them again further up near Rachel's Tomb. Palestinians are not allowed to reach, Rachel's Tomb since 2002.

However, a group of the demonstrators decided to reach those houses affected by the construction of the wall to show solidarity with them despite the soldiers orders not go there.

Finally under pressure of the demonstrators the soldiers had to allow them to reach the houses. The protestors met with the families and affirmed their commitment to stay in solidarity with them in their struggle against the wall.

These houses are going to be encircled by the wall. The families, who live there, said they are facing daily problems with the Israeli army.

George Nistas, one of three families out of forty are still living their homes in the Rachel tomb area, said the wall is not aimed as a security measure, but to force them to leave.

"I do not believe the wall is going to bring any security to Israel, and it is not meant to achieve this goal. I strongly believe that they want us to leave our homes like the others did, however, we will not leave," Nistas said.

Khaled Al-Azzeh, of the Land Defense Committee, said there will be two more actions in the Bethlehem area in the coming week against the wall, and the land confiscation.

On March 30, 1976, Palestinians in Sakhnin and Arrabeh in northern Israel demonstrated against Israeli authorities' decision to confiscate Palestinian land in the Galilee.

Six were killed by the police who charged the demonstrators in an attempt to disperse the crowd. Palestinians all over Palestine and Israel commemorate this day on March 30.

Ever since, Palestinians commemorate this day, either by protests or planting trees, or working in the land.

Land Day is a reminder for all Palestinians that someday, the stolen land will be retrieved and that occupation is coming to en end. Only then, peace will have a chance to prevail in this region.

Photos By: Ghassan Bannoura - PCR