Palestinians dressed as the Na’vi from the film Avatar stage a protest against Israel’s separation barrier

Date: 12/02/2010

The village of Bilin reenacted James Cameron’s new film Avatar during todays weekly demonstration. Five Palestinian, Israeli and international activists were painted blue, with pointy ears and tales, resembling the Avatar characters. Like Palestinians, the Avatars fight imperialism, although the colonizers have different origins. The Avatars presence in Bilin today symbolizes the united resistance to imperialism of all kinds.

Todays non-violent demonstration was again met with excessive violence by the Israeli army. Sound bombs and tear gas were used, leaving four people directly injured by the canisters. The canisters were shot directly at the protesters, which is in violation with the IDFs firing regulations. Many other activists suffered from tear gas inhalation.

Before coming to Bilin, Israeli activists reported that police were present at their carpool meeting point. Their IDs were checked and some cars reported they were followed by the police. At the Rantis checkpoint, they were delayed once more and activists were obliged to continue their journey by taxi.

Bilin has reason to celebrate this week. Yesterday, preparations for the construction of the new Wall began, which returns 30 per cent of Bilins land to the village. Iyad Burnat, Head of the Bilin Popular Committee speaks of a victory: We feel relieved and feel the non-violent resistance is successful in its aim. Nevertheless, we will continue our struggle against the occupation as Bilin still has another 30 per cent of land that is confiscated by Israel.

Next week Bilin will have a special demonstration, celebrating five years of non-violent resistance and expects a large number of demonstrators. Bilin calls for all its supporters to invite people to join in next weeks demonstration.
Catégorie : Actualités et politique
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Bilin Reenacts Avatar Film 12-02-2010 By Haitham Al Katib

Tanta workers continue sit-in protest downtown

Protesters from the Tanta Flax and Oils Company outside the headquarters of the Cabinet of...

Workers from the Tanta Flax and Oils Company continued their sit-in in front of the headquarters of the Cabinet of Ministers in downtown Cairo yesterday. The protesting workers have not received salaries for January and are calling on Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif to solve their dispute with Saudi investor Abdullah al-Kahki, who closed the company and threatened to dismiss the workers.

The 400 protesters said they submitted a memorandum to the prime minister’s office on Tuesday demanding that they be allowed to enter early retirement in return for financial compensation of no less than LE45,000. The workers from Tanta also demanded the payment of their salaries for January and their share of profits since 2005.

The workers said officials from the cabinet promised to respond within two days, but didn’t propose any preliminary solutions

Two members of parliament have been supportive of their demands, the workers said

Abdel Hadi el-Qasabi, member of the Shura Council for the National Democratic Party, offered to allow 170 workers to enter early retirement, but the workers turned down the offer saying they wanted a plan to include all workers, they said

Youssri Bayoumi, a Muslim Brotherhood member of the People’s Assembly, told the workers he was going to ask People’s Assembly Speaker Fathi Sorour to examine their problem immediately.

The protesters called on President Mubarak and his two sons to intervene, chanting slogans like, “Why is the future bleak? Gamal, what are you going to do?” and “Alaa, tell your father the Tanta workers love him.” Protesters also chanted that Prime Minister Nazif is taking Egypt “back to the [King] Farouk era.”

Translated from the Arabic Edition.