On Friday July 2nd, 2010, villagers and international activists gathered in a protest launched by the âStand up⦠and Break the Siegeâ campaign which seeks to remove the military checkpoint in the village of Beitin (Ramallah District). The checkpoint has prevented 17 villages north and north-east of Ramallah from reaching the city for ten years.
The demonstration began in the junction of the Beitin and Deir Dibwan villages and moved towards the military checkpoint where the demonstrators staged a sit-in. This demonstration was met with a large military force. The IOF provoked the demonstrators and one officer mocked the activist youth by asking questions such as âWhy do you mobilize after ten years?â However, in spite of the presence of the IOF, the protesters continued their sit-in and refused to engage the Occupation forcesâ attempt to belittle the demonstrators.
This protest reflects how the âStand up⦠and Break the Siegeâ initiative will continue in its activist work until it will achieve the opening of the road restricted by the Beitin checkpoint. This closure constitutes a violation of international law as it serves as a form of collective punishment by the occupying power.