Across the Brooklyn Bridge

We Will Never Give Up Our Land: Fighting the Occupation Wall

The violence and the injustice of the Israeli occupation is not new to Budrus or nearby villages. In 1948, the Israeli forces confiscated 80% of the village's land. In 1953, Israel's current prime minister, Ariel Sharon, led a massacre of 60 people in the neighbouring village of Qibya. Today, Sharon and his government are trying to steal 45% of Budrus’s remaining land through the wall.

But the residents of Budrus, which is located west of Ramallah, have refused to concede. Since November 2003, the village has mounted a popular campaign of resistance, based on unity and non-violent action. The town formed a grassroots Popular Committee, bringing together all the political factions within the village, along with the village council, schools, women's committees and youth clubs. The Popular Committee has also sought to work with Israeli peace activists and international observers from organisations like the International Women's Peace Service (IWPS) and the International Solidarity Movement (ISM). more>>>

Posted by Alif on Monday, October 11, 2004 at 8:54 PM | Permalink