Elad said the arrests represent a “dramatic increase in attempts to silence dissent” that he believes began during last year’s offensive in Gaza, when Israel arrested hundreds of anti-war protesters, mostly Arab citizens of Israel.
Israeli police spokesman Mickey Rosenfeld dismissed allegations of an arrest campaign and said recent protests in east Jerusalem did not have the required permits.
“There’s
no campaign whatsoever,” he said. “When there’s a right wing or left
wing, or Jewish or non-Jewish or Christian or Muslim demonstration …
they have to be fully coordinated with the police.”
The
residents of Bilin have marched every Friday since 2005 toward the
barrier that separates villagers from 60 percent of their land. Last
year, Nobel Peace Prize laureates Jimmy Carter and Desmond Tutu dropped by for a visit. Nearby Naalin started similar marches two years ago.
Israel says the barrier seeks to keep out Palestinian attackers, including suicide bombers. Palestinians call it a land grab because parts of it jut far into the >>>
