Bassem Aburahma killed in Bilin weekly protests
Bil’in Marks Palestinian Prisoners’ Day during its Weekly Demonstration
Basem Ibraheem Abo Rahmeh killed Bilin weekly protest. He is shot with new kind of tear gaz canisters (The Rocket). He was shot in his chest which lead to his death immediately. He participated in the weekly protest and was standing in the other side of the wall, and was shouting at the soldiers “we are in a nonviolent protest, there are kids and internationals” he couldn’t continue his scrim and was shot. He was transferred to Ramallah governmental hospital, but he was dead. The funeral will be tomorrow in the village of Bilin at 1:00 pm.
Following Friday prayers in Bil’in today, residents held a protest in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners on Prisoners’ Day. The demonstration was joined by the Israeli Anarchists Against the Wall and international activists from Belgium. The crowd marched towards the wall carrying Palestinian flags and posters calling for the release of all prisoners, especially bodies of prisoners who have died in prisons still held by the Israeli government. Protesters wore symbolic handcuffs in solidarity.
The protest was also joined by family members of prisoners. The families marched holding photos of their relatives who are in prison. The protesters expressed that the wall, settlements and Israeli-only roads in the West Bank and the ongoing siege on Gaza create cantons for Palestinians that amount to de facto prisons. Posters were also carried to commemorate the 21st anniversary of the murder of Abu Jihad and the 7th year since the arrest of political prisoner Marwan Al-Barghouti.
As soon the protest reached the wall, an Israeli army, stationed behind the wall since early morning, prevented the crowd from going through the gate. The army fired tear gas canisters to disturb the crowd, causing dozens to suffer gas inhalation and and the martyr of Basem Abo Rahmeg.
The Popular Committee Against the Wall in Bil’in stated their frustration with the ongoing and violent Israeli policies against protesters. The committee also called for Palestinians to organize demonstrations to support the threatened residents of Jerusalem and for the protection of the holy sites. Finally, the committee announces an open invitation for the 4th Annual International Conference on Non-Violent Resistance in Bil’in April 22nd to 24th, 2009.
For more information:
Abdallah Abu Rahmah - Bil’in Popular Committee.
0547258210 or 0599107069
e-mail – lumalayan@yahoo. com
