Israeli Army Storms Palestinian Town of Tuqua
INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY MOVEMENT
October 14, 2001
For Immediate Release
INTERNATIONAL DELEGATION BARRED FROM REACHING THE AREA
Today, 30 foreign civilians and Israelis were stopped while on their way to
express solidarity with the Palestinian residents of the town of Tuqua in the
Occupied West Bank.
The Americans, Canadians, Dutch, Germans, and Israelis, traveling in cars and
minibuses, were met by over 50 machine-gun wielding soldiers, border patrol and
police officers that would not let them pass. While the internationals were
being held up
and the Palestinian drivers of their vehicles harassed and threatened,
Israeli settlers were allowed free passage. The reason given by the police to
the internationals was that the area was a closed military zone and they would
not be allowed to pass.
Meanwhile, in the town of Tuqua, the mayor Suleiman AbuMuferreh reported that
the residents, composed mainly of elderly Palestinians gathered for a peaceful
demonstration outside a home in the town, were surrounded by scores of soldiers
and not
allowed to move. Suleiman then reported that soldiers began firing tear gas at
the crowd without provocation.
The town of Tuqua has been under siege since May, and for over three weeks now,
has been completely sealed off. The main road in the village, which is also the
road that connects Bethlehem to the Hebron areas, has been completely cut off to
Palestinian use. Additionally, all side roads in the town leading to this main
road have either been dug up or blocked to prevent usage by the townspeople. The
Israeli army has also destroyed the electrical lines and water pipelines in
Tuqua and maintains a 24-hour presence in the town, harassing the residents.
This closure is illegal collective punishment. Israeli settlers use the main
road in the village freely, passing by the homes of the townspeople, while the
Palestinian locals and the owners of the land are forbidden access or passage.
This Apartheid-like system is suffocating the Palestinian residents of Tuqua and
can no longer be tolerated. The townspeople are asking for the support of all
people of good will in demanding an immediate lifting of the siege and prompt
access to their roads.
The Israeli occupation forces attacked a peaceful gathering today and tried to
prevent any show of international and Israeli support for a people under
occupation and 24-hour siege. The residents of Tuqua, however, will continue
their struggle and the
International Solidarity Movement will continue to support them.
Stay tuned.
For more information: Huwaida (ISM): 052-290-173
Municipality of Tuqua: 02-276-3142 or 050-559-567