Mar 30, 2014
As Agence-France Presse reports:
In the northern Israeli town of Arraba, more than a thousand people turned out for the main demonstration, many waving Palestinian flags, an AFP correspondent said.
A smaller gathering was also taking place in an unrecognized Bedouin village called Sawawil in the southern Negev desert. [...]
In annexed east Jerusalem, some 70 demonstrators gathered outside the walls of the Old City by Damascus Gate, throwing stones and chanting slogans, a police spokeswoman told AFP, adding that the rally was quickly broken up and one person arrested.
Six protesters were arrested during a pre-Land Day rally in Jerusalem on Saturday as police clashed with dozens in Jerusalem. Several demonstrators and four journalists including photographers from AFP and Reuters were injured.
As tensions remained high on Sunday, human rights organization Amnesty International warned Israel to not use violence against protesters.
"Amid news of plans for forced evictions of Bedouin in the Negev/Naqab, demolitions of Palestinian homes in the West Bank and the often lethal enforcement of a no-go zone in Gaza, 'Land Day' demonstrations will protest ongoing policies as well as commemorate historical events. Israeli forces must not resort to unnecessary or excessive force as they so often have done in the past," said Philip Luther, Director of the Middle East and North Africa Program at Amnesty International.
"Israel's authorities have failed to respect the right of Palestinians to exercise their right to freedom of peaceful assembly," Luther added. "Amnesty International's researchers will be monitoring events on Sunday closely to examine whether the rights of demonstrators are respected."
______________________
Why Your Ongoing Support Is Essential
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
Jacob Chamberlain
Jacob Chamberlain is a former staff writer for Common Dreams. His website is www.jacobpchamberlain.com.
As Agence-France Presse reports:
In the northern Israeli town of Arraba, more than a thousand people turned out for the main demonstration, many waving Palestinian flags, an AFP correspondent said.
A smaller gathering was also taking place in an unrecognized Bedouin village called Sawawil in the southern Negev desert. [...]
In annexed east Jerusalem, some 70 demonstrators gathered outside the walls of the Old City by Damascus Gate, throwing stones and chanting slogans, a police spokeswoman told AFP, adding that the rally was quickly broken up and one person arrested.
Six protesters were arrested during a pre-Land Day rally in Jerusalem on Saturday as police clashed with dozens in Jerusalem. Several demonstrators and four journalists including photographers from AFP and Reuters were injured.
As tensions remained high on Sunday, human rights organization Amnesty International warned Israel to not use violence against protesters.
"Amid news of plans for forced evictions of Bedouin in the Negev/Naqab, demolitions of Palestinian homes in the West Bank and the often lethal enforcement of a no-go zone in Gaza, 'Land Day' demonstrations will protest ongoing policies as well as commemorate historical events. Israeli forces must not resort to unnecessary or excessive force as they so often have done in the past," said Philip Luther, Director of the Middle East and North Africa Program at Amnesty International.
"Israel's authorities have failed to respect the right of Palestinians to exercise their right to freedom of peaceful assembly," Luther added. "Amnesty International's researchers will be monitoring events on Sunday closely to examine whether the rights of demonstrators are respected."
______________________
Jacob Chamberlain
Jacob Chamberlain is a former staff writer for Common Dreams. His website is www.jacobpchamberlain.com.
As Agence-France Presse reports:
In the northern Israeli town of Arraba, more than a thousand people turned out for the main demonstration, many waving Palestinian flags, an AFP correspondent said.
A smaller gathering was also taking place in an unrecognized Bedouin village called Sawawil in the southern Negev desert. [...]
In annexed east Jerusalem, some 70 demonstrators gathered outside the walls of the Old City by Damascus Gate, throwing stones and chanting slogans, a police spokeswoman told AFP, adding that the rally was quickly broken up and one person arrested.
Six protesters were arrested during a pre-Land Day rally in Jerusalem on Saturday as police clashed with dozens in Jerusalem. Several demonstrators and four journalists including photographers from AFP and Reuters were injured.
As tensions remained high on Sunday, human rights organization Amnesty International warned Israel to not use violence against protesters.
"Amid news of plans for forced evictions of Bedouin in the Negev/Naqab, demolitions of Palestinian homes in the West Bank and the often lethal enforcement of a no-go zone in Gaza, 'Land Day' demonstrations will protest ongoing policies as well as commemorate historical events. Israeli forces must not resort to unnecessary or excessive force as they so often have done in the past," said Philip Luther, Director of the Middle East and North Africa Program at Amnesty International.
"Israel's authorities have failed to respect the right of Palestinians to exercise their right to freedom of peaceful assembly," Luther added. "Amnesty International's researchers will be monitoring events on Sunday closely to examine whether the rights of demonstrators are respected."
______________________
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.