Alternative Information Center - Residents of al-Nu'man performed Symbolic Nonviolent Action against Exclusion and Indirect Transfer

On 5 May, residents of the twin West Bank Palestinian villages of al-Nu’man and al-Khas, now separated by the wall that runs along the municipality borders of Jerusalem, together with Israeli and international activists, held a symbolic demonstration at the fence that prevents them from seeing each other.

The wall was the meeting point for the two groups who marched both from al-Nu'man and al-Khas holding banners and bringing Palestinian colors. Although they were not able to reach the checkpoint, family members from both the villages greeted one another at the fence and together with the peace activists performed a colorful non-violent action that left soldiers and border police incapable of handling the unusual situation.

Indeed, on the al-Khas side of the fence, as soon as the activists started hurling brightly colored balls of wool and reels of ribbon to one another, the Israeli military began shooting concussion grenades and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. Two international women were lightly injured when hit by the concussion grenades. Although the soldiers attempted to contain people at a two meter "security distance" from the fence, after few minutes of fear and tension, the demonstration continued, eventually creating an amazing web of colors.

This symbolic action was timely and necessary, given that the residents of al-Nu'man—together with al-Haq and Defence for Children International section Palestine —recently filed a new petition to the Israeli High Court of Justice, demanding an improvement of their living conditions.

Since May 2006, residents of the village have not been allowed visitors of any kind from beyond the fence—no family members, school friends, doctors for the sick, veterinarians for the goats, no garbage trucks and no gas providers. Although the community is now completely cut off from the West Bank, the Municipality of Jerusalem refuses to provide the basic services.

The action on 5 May was meant to draw some attention to this unbearable situation and to highlight the destructive Israeli policies in this area: the disruption of social and family life of this small community due to the Separation Wall, to the expansion of the nearby settlement of Har Homa and to the ongoing construction of the Lieberman bypass road.

The court case will be heard on 13 May 2007 and will determine the future of the community. In particular, the Israeli High Court of Justice will decide on the requests of al-Nu’man villagers included in the petition:

b) Alternatively, that the villagers be given permanent residency status in al-Nu'man, as is their right, having been residents of the village before 1967.

c) That the Israeli authorities facilitate the free movement of the residents, with no hindrance, from and to the village.

e) An injunction preventing the demolition of any existing building in the village.

International and Israeli presence is welcome and needed that day at the court and for the following possible initiatives organized to support the community and to influence the decision of the court about their case.

It is also vital that this hearing be used as an opportunity to monitor the proceedings as well as to demonstrate that the case of al-Numan village is not going unnoticed.