12/19
Mark Schneider
Israeli live ammo for us and Arafat throws in Pizza too!
An Israeli soldier, protected in his armored personnel carrier
("apc" which is lumbering towards us) aims his gun skyward and pumps
off a live round. Just 40 feet away I shudder at the blast which is
meant to intimidate us. As we were warned by our hosts of this
tactic, we lay down on the ground, to prevent the apc from
encroaching further. A tear gas launcher is raised from the apc.
It is aimed at us. Anticipating the gas, my body stretched out on
the dirt ground, I pull out my vinegar-soaked red bandanna.
What is going on you're wondering? Since the second Intifada began
nearly 15 months ago, Israel has illegally erected numerous military
roadblocks and checkpoints throughout Palestine. Just north of
Ramallah, and just 200 yards from Palestinian Pres. Yasser Arafat's
main office, Israel has placed a tank, apc, several jeeps and untold
numbers of tense soldiers. This roadblock permanently prohibits
Palestinians from traveling to nearby towns, at least by the main
road.
Our Colorado delegation of five was joined by over 75 internationals
in creating a symbolic die-in right in front of the Israeli military
presence, just yards from a heavily armed apc. Preceding this
action we began a two kilometer march from downtown Ramallah to the
site of the military roadblock. As we gathered during the mid-
morning bustle, hundreds of Palestinians surrounded us, our banners
and the dozen members of the international press (Arab News Network,
Al Jazeera, Reuters, Times of London, etc…).
Without any kind of permit or permission we took over a street, a
few dozen Palestinians joining us – no small risk for them. A
bright blue sky day greeted us, a cool wind out of the south pushed
us north towards the roadblock.
The march stopped just short of Pres. Arafat's offices and were told
the story of a Dec. 13th Israeli attack that flattened the
Palestinian Broadcasting Corporation building as well as the radio
tower. This was the same day Israel bombed one of Ramallah's police
stations and the next-door Quaker-Friends boys school where Val
Phillips taught.
As we passed Pres. Arafat's administration compound, we were briefly
met by two busloads of Fatah Party leaders from Jerusalem – marching
in for a visit to Arafat. Just past this intersection a Red
Crescent van passed us and traffic noticeably thinned out though we
were very much still in urban Ramallah.
Without much fanfare a series of gunfire shoot out just west of us,
maybe two blocks away – most likely from a Palestinian sniper.
Int'l Solidarity Movement organizers told us not to worry, though
this noticeably increased the tension level.
100 feet short of the Israeli military roadblock more shots rang out
and we crossed an earthen roadblock across the road. The paved road
became dirt and concrete chunks and the apc's engine revved up and
it began to roll. Our paced slowed then the sudden live ammunition
shot by the Israeli soldier. International media snapped photos and
shot plenty of video.
We laid there for twenty minutes while one of the International
Solidarity Movement leaders, Hiwaida Araff, spoke: "This is a
nonviolent gathering of internationals here to protest the
occupation. The occupation kills. We stand here for freedom, for
justice and to call for an end to occupation, to repression and
oppression. Israel must leave Palestine! Get out now! Get out
now!"
The Israeli soldiers don't respond. Instead, a local Palestinian
elder, just back from Ramallah to buy still-warm pita bread, began
imploring the soldiers to leave and for Palestinians to continue
resistance. All this out in the open in total defiance of the
military closure and intimidation. One of the ISM organizers, Netta
Golan, told us later that this man is well-known for his bravery.
Every day he crosses the closed military checkpoint to buy bread and
when he returns the soldiers usually threaten him. He keeps on
walking yelling at them to shoot him in the back if they need to.
After 20 minutes we rise and march back to make a very recently
scheduled visit with Pres. Arafat. With full media in tow, we are
ushered into Arafat's office, where he made sure to shake each of
our hands. After a brief solidarity message read by Val Phillips,
three other internationals made comments. Then the food was brought
in as thanks for our visit. Yes, we ate pizza at Arafat's place.