A summary of yesterday's vigil that ended with the police brutally beating us up and arresting six participants. The video footage clearly shows the police violence. At the end of the summary you can click on different links to see the footage.
From Yehudit Katsover and Nadia Matar
--------------------------------
Continuing to Hike in Eretz Israel!
February 3, 2011
1) Thank G-d, all those from the trip in Gush Etzion who were arrested have been released. A great injustice was done them, by accusing them of manslaughter, when they acted in self-defense - and thanks to them the Arab rioters were unsuccessful in carrying out their plans.
2) Dozens of people participated in the protest vigil held yesterday in front of the Magistrates' Court, including hikers who come from throughout Israel to participate in these hikes and take possession of the land with their feet.
3) The speakers included Rabbi Yehudah Amihai, the head of the Torah and Land Institute and the father of Ahikam, may G-d avenge him, after whom and David Rubin, may G-d avenge him, these hikes are named; Rabbi Ya'acov Medan, the head of the Har Etzion Yeshivah; Rabbi Mordechai Rabinowitz, the rabbi of the Tiferet Yaakov congregation in Kokhav Yaakov; Boaz Haetzni; Dr. Nava Tavger; Alizah Said, the mother of David Said, one of those arrested; Danny Halamish, former Prisoner of Zion in Zion; Yisrael Bramson, member of the Kiryat Arba Local Council; Zvi Kedar, a resident of Kfar Sabah who was one of the hikers on Friday.
A letter to the Interior Minister by Knesset Members from the Eretz Israel Lobby was read in which they urge the minister to indict the Arab assailants, as was the letter by Shimon Kohen of Rehovot, another of the hikers.
All of the speakers praised the hikes and called for their continuation, the release of those arrested, and for bringing to trial the Arab rioters.
4) After about two hours during which a peaceful vigil was held, a group of police officers arrived, with a court order, claiming that the protest was to be dispersed. When the organizers requested an explanation about the puzzling order, and also attempted to photograph him and the officers, the police began using force and acting violently. Six were arrested, including two girls, two boys, an adult resident of Gush Etzion, and Nadia Matar from Women in Green.
Participants who continued to protest were brutally attacked and pushed, including Yehudit Katsover who was punched in the ribs and the back. In the wake of the arrests, a letter of strong protest was sent to the Minister of Internal Security.
5) In order to take full legal action against the unrestrained policemen who so brutally attacked the protest participants, we are collecting evidence. We ask all the participants in yesterday's protest to provide us, as quickly as possible, with all documentation: video recordings, still photographs, written testimonies to what you saw, and the like. We will not let this pass quietly.
6) We wish to thank all the protest participants who came. Once again, we learned that support and public involvement bear fruit. We thank Adv. Adi Kedar from the Honenu organization for immediately coming to the assistance of those arrested.
Leading Activist Violently Apprehended by Police at Protest
^
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment