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PNN received a call to nonviolent
action from our neighbors in Beit Jala, a small city just up the
hill, west of Bethlehem where our main offices are located.
Israeli authorities continue to confiscate Bethlehem, piece by
piece, for settlements, for the Wall, for military installations.
The people of Beit Jala, as many Palestinians have done and
continue to do, fight back through nonviolent action. This is a
call for assistance as we are in the process of losing Cremisan,
the only Palestinian winery and one of the few remaining forests
in the entire area where families' picnic and children play, in
spite of the settlement coming down the hill and the settler-only
road nearby.
"Immediate Action Needed in BEIT JALA City – Bethlehem District –
Palestine”
"This is an urgent appeal from the Municipal Council of Beit Jala
City on behalf of the citizens of Beit Jala and its organizations
to our friends and peace loving people around the world, asking
them to help us to protest the continuous illegal act facing the
Palestinian Community in Beit Jala City, caused by the
construction of the segregation Wall.
"This morning Tuesday 27th of June 2006, the Israeli bulldozers
guarded with armed personnel started cutting and uprooting olive
trees in the Cremisan area in preparation for the construction of
the segregation Wall. Cremisan area has the only remaining forest
in the city, and the most fertilized agricultural land, which is
the main source of income to many farmers in the city. Cremisan
area is also one of the very few recreational sites in the city
where many citizens used to go during weekends or holidays. In
addition, the area hosts the only winery in Palestine, two
monasteries and a kindergarten.
"Constructing the segregation Wall in this area will separate the
city and its citizens from its northern part, slaying all our
fertile agricultural lands, depriving the right of our citizens
to use their lands and deprives any possibility for the city from
future expansion.
"The segregation Wall will severely affect us directly or
indirectly and cause destruction to our private and public
properties. The Wall will swallow the left open spaces and
strangulate the built-up areas where we live.
"The Wall is a collective punishment and a human right violation,
Israel through its construction opposes the peace objectives, the
International laws and UN resolutions and the will of the
International community to give peace and stability in the
region.
"Therefore, we ask the peace loving people of the world, and the
International community to immediately interfere and stop these
Israeli activities in Beit Jala city, that has suffered a lot
from land confiscation, leaving the city with only 4,500 dunums
from original 14,500 dunums.
"For further information please contact:
"Eng. Samia Zeit – Tel: +972 2 274 2601 / Jawal: 0599 253 830
"Ms. Nisreen Kunkar – Tel: +972 2 274 2601 / 276 6177 –
Jawal: 0599 253 83"
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