Bil’in’s Mohammad Khatib arrested
One month after touring Canada key Palestinian activist kidnapped by Israeli soldiers.
- Photo: Valerian Mazataud. Activiste Mohammad Khatib de Bil’in.
In the early morning hours on Monday, Israeli military forces wearing combat paint and masks invaded the West Bank village of Bil’in.
Israeli soldiers raided several homes, arresting two Palestinian children and five Palestinians adults including Mohammad Khatib from the Bil’in Popular Committee Against the Wall and Settlements.
In June 2009 Mohammed Khatib traveled to Canada to testify in a historic lawsuit launched by Bil’in village against two Quebec-based companies, Green Park International and Green Mount International, both involved in constructing illegal Israeli-only settlements on the lands of the Palestinian village of Bil’in.
Palestinian activist Mohammed Khatib also spoke to Canada’s major media outlets and publicly in eleven Canadian cities with Emily Schaeffer, an Israeli lawyer representing the village of Bil’in, connecting with hundreds of people across Canada.
At present time Mohammed Khatib remains in Israeli custody although no charges have been brought against Khatib or the other Palestinians arrested, including the children.
“Mohmmad Khatib and Adib Abu Rahme along with other leaders of the Palestinian popular struggle are being targeted because the mobilize Palestinians to resist non- violently,” outlines Abdullah Abu Rahme, coordinator of Bil’in’s popular committee, “the fact is that the Apartheid Wall and the settlements built on Palestinian land are illegal under international law, in the case of our village even the biased Israeli court declared the route illegal, yet Israel is prosecuting us as criminals because we struggle non-violently for our freedom.”
Monday’s night-time raid is another in a series of many that Israeli forces have carried out in Bil’in since June 2009, raids that commenced in tandem to the commencement of legal proceedings in Canada.
Israeli forces have arrested 25 people from Bil’in village in the last month, most under 18. Israeli forces have been using interrogation techniques to pressure the arrested youth to give statements against Bil’in community leaders.
information
www.bilin-village.org
Comment fait on pour savoir que quel qu’un a le visage peint s’il porte un masque ?
Comment by Pierre A Roy — August 5th, 2009 @ 11:20 AM