Stop the Wall repression update: Mar. 10 – Mar. 24
Part II: Analysis
From March 10 – March 24, Occupation forces continued their attack on the leadership of the popular resistance in al Nabi Saleh. Basem Tamimi, who was arrested on March 24, is the second protest organizer to be arrested this month. Occupation forces arrested Naji Tamimi at the beginning of the month, but were unable to capture Basem in the same raid.
The arrest of popular resistance organizers in al Nabi Saleh is following a well-established pattern, whereby Occupation forces systematically arrest local youth, often gathering forced confessions, before targeting protest organizers. Over the past several months, dozens of youth have been arrested in al Nabi Saleh, and with the arrest of Naji and Basem it is clear that Occupation forces are employing the same tactics used against the people of Ni’lin, Bil’in and other villages struggling against the Wall and settlements.
Occupation forces continued to arrest residents of Beit Ummar, where ongoing protests against settlement and land theft are staged. While arrests during night raids did not occur, on March 23 Occupation forces arrested seven people, shooting two of them.
Violence also continued to be used against protestors on Fridays, but over the reporting period no serious injuries were recorded at the demonstrations. However, Occupation forces continued to employ tear gas to target the entire village of al Nabi Saleh while at the same time actively suppressing media coverage.
Part III: Statistics
Serious injuries: 0
Arrests: 9
Arrests of HRDs, Youth and Minors
1. Two unnamed international activists
Place: Al Nabi Saleh (Ramallah district)
Date of arrest: 11 March 2011
Circumstances: Both activists were arrested at the weekly protest in the village.
2. Basem Tamimi
Place: Al Nabi Saleh (Ramallah district)
Date of arrest: 24 March 2011
Circumstances: A unit of special forces raided the village and burst into Basem’s home in the afternoon. Basem had been wanted by Occupation forces in connection for his activities in al Nabi Saleh. Earlier this month, Naji al Tamimi, also a coordinator in the popular committee, was arrested during a night raid on his home. Soldiers attempted to arrest Basem during the same raid, but when they were unable to find him in the village.
3. Mohammed Hussein Abu 'Ayash (27), Nabeel Hammad Abu Maria (28), Saddam Hussein Za'aqiq (32), Omar Mohammed Braighaith (33), Rami Hassan Abu Hashem (31), Suhail Mohammed Braighaith (24), Yousef Bader Ekhlil (30)
Place: Beit Ummar (Hebron district)
Date of arrests: 23 March 2011
Circumstances: According to PCHR, Occupation forces arrested 7 residents of Beit Ummar on March 23. Four were arrested while participating in a funeral. Rami and Suhail were both shot and later arrested, Yousef was arrested later by an undercover unit.
Violence against HRDs, Youth and Minors
1. Eyad Mohammed Bernat (38), Mohammed Shawkat al-Khatib (17), Nashmi Mohammed Abu Rahma (16), Mohammed Suleiman Bernat (20)
Place: Bil’in (Ramallah district)
Date of injury: 18 March 2011
Circumstances: Four minor injuries on Friday: Eyad (hit by a tear gas canister to the head), Mohammed Khatib (hit by a tear gas canister to the left foot), Nashmi (rubber-coated metal bullet in the right hand), Mohammed Bernat (tear gas, right foot)
2. Rami Hassan Abu Hashem (31), Suhail Mohammed Braighaith (24)
Place: Beit Ummar (Hebron district)
Date of injury: 23 March 2011
Circumstances: According to PCHR, Occupation forces shot and wounded both men. They later arrested them.