Ramallah, 30-03-06: The Palestinian National Initiative marked the 30th anniversary of ‘Land Day’ today by participating in a series of peaceful demonstrations throughout the West Bank against continuing land expropriation by the Israeli authorities due to ongoing construction of the Separation Wall.
The non-violent protests took place in Aboud, Beit Sira, Bethlehem, Budrus, Hebron, Jayyous, Jenin, Jericho, Kifl Hares, Marda, Qalqiliya, Rafat, Tulkarem, and Zabda.
In Beit Sira, local residents marched together with Israeli and international supporters along the path of the Wall in protest at the 100 acres of prime agricultural land that the village stands to lose if the Wall is built according to its current trajectory. Some 2000 olive trees belonging to the village have already been uprooted as part of this process.
In July 2004, the International Court of Justice in the Hague ruled that the Wall is ‘contrary to international law’ and that Israel is under obligation to immediately cease construction, dismantle the existing structure together with all Israeli settlements built illegally on occupied land, and make reparations for any damage caused by its construction.
Land Day commemorates the killing of six Palestinians in the Galilee on March 30, 1976 by Israeli troops during peaceful protests over the confiscation of 5,500 acres of Palestinian land, which was later used for heavy, illegal settlement expansion.
Thirty years later, and history continues to repeat itself.