| 13.-16.8.2005, Israel/Palästina - 'Stop the occupation' - Die Mauer durch Palästina und Aktionen der 'Frauen in Schwarz' im Rahmen der internationalen Konferenz in Jerusalem |  |
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WOMEN RESIST WAR AND OCCUPATION Women in Black International Conference, Jerusalem, 12-16 August 2005 We, Palestinian, Israeli, and international women gathered this week in Jerusalem for the 'Women in Black 13th International Conference': Affirm our commitment to work together as a world-wide network of women dedicated to freedom, equality, justice, peace, women?s rights and a world free of violence. Agree to meet again to continue our fight and to reaffirm our commitment to the work and goals of our network, in the next Women in Black International Conference to be held in the Spanish state. Insist on the participation of women as full partners in the prevention and resolution of conflicts, and in the negotiation and implementation of peace agreements according to UN Resolution 1325. The active and equal participation of women of diverse backgrounds in decision making is crucial to ensure that issues related to women?s economic, social, national, ethnic and cultural rights, freedom of choices and security are raised and effectively addressed. Demand social and economic justice and condemn the exploitative system and structure of multinational corporations? globalization that that drive millions of people all over the world into poverty, and thrive at the cost of social justice and human development. Work for a world where difference does not mean inequality, oppression or exclusion, and struggle against all causes of oppression and discrimination based on gender, race, sexual preference, age, national and ethnic identity, and religion. Challenge the militaristic policies of our governments, call for disarmament, and condemn the interference of the US and its allies in the political affairs of other sovereign nations. Commit ourselves to promote education and a language of truth and hope that reflect our right to justice, to remedy and to reparation, that are the basis for the creation of a world based on the values of equality, justice, cooperation, and solidarity. Condemn feminicide and all forms of violence, sexual, physical or psychological that women are subjected to in areas of conflict, in militarized zones and in their daily lives. Demand an immediate end to the war and United States occupation of Iraq and stand in solidarity with Iraqi women in their struggle for their legal and human rights Call for a just and sustainable peace between Israel and Palestine based on international law and human rights, to be achieved by
WE CALL ON ALL WOMEN AND MEN IN THE WORLD TO JOIN US IN OUR QUEST TO PRESERVE LIFE, HUMAN DIGNITY AND FREEDOM IN THE WORLD, MAKING OUR VISION OF FREEDOM, PEACE, AND JUSTICE A REALITY. [JPN Commentary: During the recent international Women in Black conference held in Jerusalem, at which JPN editor Rela Mazali gave her excellent talk entitled "Iraq, Palestine and Resisting Erasure" and sent out on this list (link here), the Women in Black participants from all over the world made a declaration in support of Cindy Sheehan. Sheehan is being widely credited with kick-starting a mass appeal of the peace movement in the U.S. and with furthering the issue of withdrawal on the political agenda (a number of U.S. congress people have raised the issue for discussion in Congress). Notable in WIB's declaration, in addition to the international support for Cindy Sheehan, is the expansion of the category of mourners. This is not only a movement of mothers; as Women in Black, it is all women connected to soldiers as wives, mothers, or sisters. In the world at large, the mourners include all partners, parents and siblings. By supporting Cindy Sheehan and her campaign, we can directly counter President Bush's grotesque logic that more soldiers and civilians must die to honor the memory of those already lost. -- SAM] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN IN BLACK CONFERENCE AUGUST 17, 2005 JERUSALEM Quelle:  www.demaction.org (Jewish Voice for Peace) |
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Women in Black Vigil Launches - International Conference of Women Peace Activists Jerusalem, August 12, 2005 - Margaret Thompson & Katerina Anfossi (Radio Internacional Feminista/Feminist International Radio Endeavour/FIRE) about the 13th International Conference of Women in Black Jerusalem, August 12-16, 2005, "Women Resisting the Occupation and the War" As more than 650 women peace activists from 44 countries arrived in Jerusalem, over 200 gathered in Hagar Square for a vigil of the Women in Black, calling for an end to the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories including the Gaza Strip. Dressed in black, the vigil participants held up large banners and posters toward the heavy car traffic around the square, which called for peace in several languages. Stasa Zajovic, one of the founders of Women in Black of Belgrade/Serbia talked to FIRE about how it felt to come to Jerusalem: "It's very very exciting because [the Women in Black[Jerusalem] are our spiritual mothers and our sisters in peace. We met through the Italian Women in Black, and started building this international network. So the Jerusalem women are very important for us -- emotionally, politically and morally." The Women in Black of Belgrade, which is comprised of Serbian, Croatian and Bosnian women, have been a very active group and an important international symbol of women working together for peace in the region during and after the conflict in the former Yugoslavia. Participants in the International Women in Black Conference come from all continents and 44 countries of the world, a number of which are now or have been embroiled in conflict. African women from war-torn countries such as Uganda and the Congo and other African countries are arriving to share their experiences and strategies with women from other conflict areas such as Israel and Palestine, as well as Colombia, Guatemala, Chechnya, and the former Yugoslavian countries of Bosnia, Serbia and Croatia, among others. The conference is being held in Jerusalem, where heated conflicts are underway regarding the disengagement process of Israeli settlers from the Gaza Strip and other areas, as well as the controversial construction of the Separation Wall between Israeli and Palestinian areas. This context of heated conflict was one reason why Women in Black of Jerusalem decided to host the conference here. The group, which was founded 17 years ago in Jerusalem, now has chapters in more than 150 cities and countries all over the world.. Dina Firestone of Israel said that "it is really heartwarming to see all these women from all over the world. I know I'm not alone." But Firestone thinks that vigils and demonstrations are not enough. "I have realized that we have to get all the women of Israel to realize what a heavy price we pay" for this conflict. She said that "it's not just that there is a war and our children go and get killed," but many who come home from the war are deeply affected by their experiences, and are acting out in other ways. Firestone noted the drastic increase in domestic violence and violence in schools. She also noted the connections of violence and poverty, which is increasing as a result of dismantling of state services and privatization. According to the Organizing Committee for the Women in Black conference, "Women will share their experiences from political and social activities and will examine the unique and important roles of women in political conflicts. At a time when the Israeli government is implementing unilateral steps - the "Disengagement" and the Separation Wall, the activists will come here to say that cooperation against oppression, wars, poverty and occupation, which crosses borders and nationalities, is the way to reach true peace and security." Women attending the conference come from the following continents and countries: Africa: Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Congo, Namibia, Kenya, Uganda, Morocco; Asia: Philippines, India, Pakistan, Japan, Bangladesh, Chechnya, Jordan; Australia; South & Central America: Guatemala , Chile, Bolivia, Colombia, Mexico, El Salvador. Europe & North America: Italy, Germany, United States, Canada, Serbia-Macedonia, Bosnia, Turkey, Croatia, Ireland, Denmark, Greece, Sweden, Bulgaria, Austria, Holland, Iceland. Among the participants will be European Parliament member Louisa Morgantini from Italy and former PM from Israel Tamar Gozansky. Quelle: www.radiofeminista.net |
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Women in Black Participants Join Palestinian Women in Solidarity with Presentation of Global Charter for Humanity & Demonstration Against the Israeli Occupation Ramallah, August 15, 2005 - Margaret Thompson & Katerina Anfossi (Radio Internacional Feminista/Feminist International Radio Endeavour/FIRE) about the 13th International Conference of Women in Black Jerusalem, August 12-16, 2005, "Women Resisting the Occupation and the War" Calls for non-violent resistance to Israeli policies and actions both inside and outside Israel and Palestine have been one of the main themes of the 13th International Women in Black Conference in Jerusalem. A record 735 mostly women from 44 countries registered for the conference, which is entitled "Women Resisting War and the Occupation," held August 12-16, 2005. After two days of panels and plenaries on conflict, peace & resistance issues, the international participants traveled to Ramallah to meet with Palestinian women who were not allowed to travel to Jerusalem. A number of the Palestinian women gave their testimonies about the impact of the Israeli occupation on their lives. Afterwards the Women in Black traveled to Bil'in to join Palestinian villagers in a demonstration against the Separation Wall, which will divide their village once construction is finished. In Ramallah, Palestinian women who in some cases had to travel 70 kilometers, met with about 350 peace activists from around the world. Israeli women including some organizers of the conference were not allowed to accompany the women, because it is illegal for them to travel to Palestinian territories. Three of the Palestinian women gave their testimonies about the impact of the Israeli occupation on their lives. One woman talked about her three sons who were serving sentences in Israeli prisons, while another cried as she told the story of her 11 and 15 year old sons were killed by the Israeli military. Another woman described the six years she had just spent in prison, as one of 127 Palestinian women political prisoners. Also at the Ramallah event, the Palestinian women presented the Women's Global Charter For Humanity, which has been passed along on a global relay that was launched by the World March of Women on International Women’s Day 2005. The Charter proposes to build a world where exploitation, oppression, intolerance and exclusion no longer exist and integrity, diversity, and the rights and freedoms of all are respected. Its demands include elimination of poverty and violence against women. The relay began March 8 in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and will be passed along to women in 53 countries before concluding in Quagadongou, Burkina Faso on Oct. 17, 2005. Salwa Abu Khadra, who presented the charter at the Ramallah event declared, "More than 600,000 women have marched in order to have this declaration, which is a declaration for all women of the world, asking for equality, justice, and freedom." Many of these women are "struggling against poverty and injustice…so I want to say many thanks to all these women who are very brave and courageous and who come from over 50 countries." Many of the Women in Black participants then turned their words into action and joined Palestinian women and girls in the village of Bil'in for a demonstration against the Separation Wall, which as in many Palestinian areas will divide villages and take away land belonging to the Palestinians. Many countries have condemned this vast construction project as a threat to peace rather than a means to increase security as claimed by the Israeli government. During the first two day of the Women in Black conference, participants listened to numerous panels and workshops, focusing on a variety of issues related to women, resistance and conflict. But just outside the event in the streets were nightly marches by large crowds of Israeli settlers and their supporters against the disengagement process in the Gaza Strip. During the settlers’ protests in Jerusalem, about 2,000 Palestinians were held by police outside the Old City, not allowed to go to their jobs or in some cases return to their homes. Mainstream international media reports have focused primarily on the protests in Gaza by Israeli settlers and their supporters, which have become increasingly violent. But little attention has focused on efforts by a large number of peace activists among both Israelis and Palestinians to seek a non-violent resolution of the conflict, and a halt to the building of the Separation Wall. The Women in Black conference was timed to coincide with the disengagement process in Gaza, in order to support Israeli and Palestinian peace activists, and to explore parallels of conflict, oppression and resistance in other parts of the world. Quelle: www.radiofeminista.net |
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Women resisting the Separation Wall BIL'IN, West Bank, 15 August, 2005 - Margaret Thompson & Katerina Anfossi (Radio Internacional Feminista/Feminist International Radio Endeavour/FIRE) about the 13th International Conference of Women in Black Jerusalem, August 12-16, 2005, "Women Resisting the Occupation and the War" On the morning of August 15th, the little town of Bil'in in the West Bank welcomed 350 women from 44 countries around the world who were participating in the International Women in Black Conference. But there was a definite purpose behind the invitation to visit this small community of 1,600 people, located high up into the very steep and arid mountains, making it difficult to access. As the group arrived in seven large buses, about 20 women were waiting for them on the outskirts of the town near the local mosque, along with a group of children who were running and jumping around in the crowd, shouting with great excitement. . The objective to receive them was simple and yet very complex. A massive wall of concrete is being constructed by the Israeli government through Bil'in, separating the residents from their lands and community. In June of 2002, Israel decided to construct a massive Separation Wall around and through the Palestinian territories of the West Bank, which would ultimately stretch 630 kilometers. The plan would go beyond the limits of the border of Israel established after the Six Day War in 1967, when Israel took over through military force the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Critics of the plan say that contrary to Israel's claim that the purpose of the Wall is to ensure greater security of its citizens, that instead it is about land annexation politics, expansion of the Israeli settlements, and ultimately greater control of the Palestinian population. The plan calls for constructing the Wall through several Palestinian communities, of which the town of Bil'in is one. The community will lose 575 acres from land confiscated for the Wall, much of which provides the livelihood of the inhabitants with olive groves, almond trees and fig trees. Every single resident of the town will lose agricultural land, because it is all located south of the proposed wall. But the people of the town are determined to resist in a nonviolent way, to save their lands and community. . After a warm welcome to the diverse group of visitors by the women of Bi'lin, they all set off toward the new "border" of the town where the Wall will be located, walking along on a narrow road lined by houses of stone and adobe, and olive groves. Shortly they were brought up short with the sight of a huge coil of razor wire across the road, flanked by Israeli soldiers with M-16 rifles. As the crowd walked up to the soldiers, the visitors could see heavy bulldozing equipment ready to dig in the land beyond, which not too long ago belonged to the women and men of the community. In the distance they observed a Jewish settlement, which once the Wall is completed will be expanded to occupy the land of the town of Bil'in. Such land confiscation is occurring throughout the country, with Israel planning to annex a total of 2,565 square kilometers to build the Wall and to create "Closed Zones" (to Palestinians) on the other side, amounting to 45% of the total land of the West Bank. The local women did not hesitate in confronting peacefully yet with assertive determination the rank of soldiers, making clear their resistance to the appropriate of their land and the military occupation. They crossed through the line of soldiers and, linking arms, a young woman using a microphone read aloud to them a list of demands. Meanwhile the visitors stood facing the soldiers on the other side, singing songs and chanting. But after crossing back to the village side, the demonstrators started back to the village. But some local women whose patience was exhausted, in an act of defiance, dragged away the coil of razor wire that divided their community lands. As the soldiers began to advance, a few boys threw rocks at them, then ran back toward the town. Soon shots were heard and tear gas canisters were launched at the crowd in the village, scattering the demonstrators, visitors and observers. But the objective of the women of the community was achieved. The 350 visitors had witnessed the presence of the soldiers, the expropriation of their lands, the prohibition on passing through the blockade to their agricultural land on the other side, and the construction of the Wall. The little community of Bi'lin has become a symbol of peaceful and creative resistance, determined to stop or at least change the plans for the location of the wall, conducting twice weekly protests, often accompanied by international solidarity visitors. All too often the soldiers have reacted far more violently, not only shooting tear gas at the demonstrators, but shooting rubber bullets, sponge bullets, salt bullets and even exposing villagers to a new sound device called "The Scream" that emits a loud siren-like noise that causes dizziness and nausea. The children of the village have been the target of these assaults along with the adults. Despite the military's aggressive advances, the community is determined to continue its peaceful resistance. They hope through demonstrations such as the one on August 15 with the Women in Black to receive ever greater media coverage and international attention, in order to convince other governments to pressure Israel to end construction of the Wall and the occupation. Regardless, the little town of Bi'lin will no longer be invisible, no longer a remote community alone in its resistance. And the inhabitants also hope that their resistance will serve as an inspiration to the many other communities whose lands are being divided by the wall. As of now, the Separation Wall is 214 km long. For this construction, so far 604 Palestinian family homes have been knocked down and the families will be separated from their agricultural land, which is their main source of livelihood. The Palestinian territories confiscated for construction of the Wall is the site of some of the most fertile land in the region, and also provides important water resources. This includes the village of Bi'lin, as well as a large part of the Jordan Valley. The Wall also circles around to surround some large and Jewish settlements to ensure they are located (many illegally) in the eastern part of Jerusalem, (now a Palestinian zone), where more than 180.000 Jewish settlers now live. Although the government of Israel defends the construction of the Wall as important for security of its citizens, Palestinian and a growing number of Israeli women and men as well as international activists are determined to stop it, claiming that it only creates greater divisiveness and conflict, and will not help achieve peace in the region. Governments and citizens of a growing number of countries, as well as the UN have condemned the wall. Quelle: www.radiofeminista.net |
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Vigil Shows Power of Solidarity with Palestinian Women at Checkpoint to Highlight Last Day of Conference Ramallah, August 16, 2005 - Radio Internacional Feminista/Feminist International Radio Endeavour/FIRE about the 13th International Conference of Women in Black Jerusalem, August 12-16, 2005, "Women Resisting the Occupation and the War" Exhausted but with far greater knowledge and understanding about the intensive conflict and war in Israel and Palestine, many of the 735 mostly women who attended the 13th International Women in Black conference in Jerusalem are committed to returning to their countries to encourage their governments and people to support efforts to seek peace and justice in that Middle East region. A draft declaration presented at the closing session of the conference calls for an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestine and a halt of the construction of the Separation Wall, which winds like an ugly cement snake through Israel and Palestine . And as the Israeli and Palestinian organizers of the conference said farewell, many of them said they feel more energized and hopeful to know that they are not alone in their struggles for peace, to know that their message will be taken to 44 different countries by the women who attended the event. Challenges of Solidarity Work & Power Differences Yvonne Deutsch, an Israeli, talked about the challenges of bringing together Israeli and Palestinian women to organize this conference, when neither group could travel easily to meet with the other. Also, the organizers wanted the event to be a forum for solidarity with the occupation and oppression of Palestinians. But questions about power differences face many activists such as the Women in Black doing solidarity work with others living under repression. Deutsch noted, "In the case of the relations between Israeli and Palestinian women, how do we conduct solidarity, as women from the occupying society with women of the occupied society? As we come together with our feminist values and priorities on the one hand …how do we understand and have empathy for the constrictions of women who live under occupation? …[And as an Israeli], although neither I nor my family are taking an active part in the occupation, I belong to the occupying society and that puts a lot of responsibility on our shoulders." Deutsch continued, "For the international community, the big question is, what is your role in solidarity? On the one hand, to be a catalyst for change because we here are stuck in this conflict …but it is also important to deconstruct colonialist attitudes which are so easy to have. It's also very important to discuss these differences." March and Vigil With Palestinian Women at Checkpoint Earlier on the last day of the conference, over 500 Women in Black marched through Al-Ram along the Separation Wall that now divides this Palestinian town. One international activist told FIRE that she had visited this town just a year ago to join local residents in protests against the Wall, and was so shocked because now she could only see half of it because of the Wall. The Wall, which is 25 feet high, prevents Palestinian residents from crossing over to go to school, to the hospital or to jobs and their businesses without going through a security checkpoint, and only if they have permits. The Women in Black marched to the Qalandia Checkpoint north of Jerusalem where they held a vigil to express their opposition the occupation and the Wall, and to express solidarity with local peace activists. Arabiya Mansour explained to FIRE that the purpose of the vigil was to support the Palestinians and to oppose construction of the Wall, because "it is destroying Palestinian families by separating people who now live together. We are here marching to support them, to bring our voice to the international community, because the international community doesn't don't do anything about the Wall or the suffering of the Palestinian people." There are 600 checkpoints in the Israeli-occupied territories. Aribiya also explained why the Qalandia checkpoint was selected as the site of the Women in Black vigil: "We are marching here because this will be the main checkpoint [between Jerusalem and the West Bank]. So the most suffering of people will happen here for Palestinians who need to go to the hospital or their jobs or visit relatives. They cannot pass through if a young soldier stands here and says no, so they will make a lot of decisions in the lives of Palestianians. There's no sense to that." Meanwhile, on the other side of the checkpoint over 100 Palestinian women also held a vigil, accompanied by several of the Women in Black from different countries who had crossed over to meet them earlier that morning. Women at the vigils on both sides said they could hear each other singing and chanting on the other side. One Palestinian woman was arrested by soldiers who threatened to put her in jail unless the protestors left, and although they refused to leave, the woman was eventually released. Aanchal Kapur of India was with the group who demonstrated on the Palestinian side of the checkpoint. She told FIRE that "a lot of Palestinian women told us thank you for coming and giving us support and solidarity. That is what I take back to my country, that as women we are there to give strength to each other, particularly in conflict situations." Final Declaration Calls for an End to the Occupation and Destruction of the Wall The Women in Black draft declaration that was presented during the closing session of the conference calls for an end to the occupation and a halt to the construction of the Separation Wall. Debates will continue via email and with the drafting committee about whether the activists should call for a boycott or sanctions against the Israeli government. The draft declaration will be posted in the near future on the Women in Black website at: www.womeninblack.org/jerusalem.htm. Quelle: www.radiofeminista.net |
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La solidaridad y el poder de las mujeres toma fuerza en la Vigilia de Calandria, un cruel punto de paso y de control para la población palestina. Jerusalén, 17de agosto 2005 - Radio Internacional Feminista/Feminist International Radio Endeavour/FIRE about the 13th International Conference of Women in Black Jerusalem, August 12-16, 2005, "Women Resisting the Occupation and the War" Por Margaret Thompson y Katerina Anfossi. Agotadas pero con mayor conocimiento para entender lo intenso del conflicto y la guerra en Israel y Palestina, muchas de las 735 mujeres que participaron en la 13 Conferencia Internacional de Mujeres de Negro en Jerusalén , están confiadas de que al volver a sus países podrán animar a sus gobiernos y a la población para que apoyen los esfuerzos por la paz y la justicia en Medio-Oriente. Tanto las organizadoras como las participantes expresaron su satisfacción y se sienten renovadas y esperanzadas de que sus esfuerzos por la paz serán llevados a los 44 países representados en la conferencia. Un borrador de la declaración se presentó en la sesión final haciendo un llamado para poner fin a la ocupación israelí en Palestina y un alto a la construcción del muro de separación. Un depredador nocturno se arrastra a través de Israel y de Palestina. El borrador de la declaración fue presentado durante la sesión de cierre. En él se destaca el compromiso de la 13 Conferencia Internacional de Mujeres de Negro con intensificar la solidaridad y su rechazo al muro de separación. La conferencia "Mujeres Resistiendo la Ocupación y la Guerra" reafirmó su compromiso para trabajar juntas como una red mundial de mujeres comprometidas con la paz, la igualdad, la justicia, los derechos de las mujeres y un mundo sin violencia. Reafirman el derecho de las mujeres a participar plenamente en la resolución e impedimento de conflictos, en las iniciativas de paz entabladas de acuerdo a las resoluciones de ONU y la resolución 1325 Señala que la participación de las mujeres es fundamental para garantizar el análisis de temas diferentes vinculados con problemas de libertad, economía, política, paz, seguridad, justicia social y política. Por el fin de la ocupación y un alto a la construcción del muro de separación. El declaración será publicada en la Web en el sitio: www.womeninblack.org/jerusalem.htm. Nuevas energías para los desafíos de la solidaridad Muchas preguntas surgen al intentar abordar los desafíos. El costo personal de la solidaridad, la gran energía invertida para resultados inciertos, la desigualdad en el esfuerzo y el riesgo. Yvonne Deutsch, israelí, habló de los desafíos de reunir a mujeres israelíes y palestinas para organizar la conferencia, cuando ninguno de los dos grupos puede encontrase fácilmente. Deutsch expresó, "en el caso de las relaciones entre las mujeres israelíes y palestinas ¿Cómo hacemos solidaridad como mujeres de la sociedad ocupante con las mujeres de la sociedad ocupada? ¿Cómo trabajamos con nuestros valores y prioridades feministas por una parte... y cómo comprendemos y llegamos a una empatía con las limitaciones de las mujeres que viven bajo la ocupación? ...Como mujer israelí, aunque ni yo ni mi familia está tomando parte activa en la ocupación, pertenezco a la sociedad que ocupa y eso impone una gran responsabilidad en nuestros hombros." Deutsch continuó señalando que "en la comunidad internacional, hay un gran interrogante sobre ¿cuál es el papel de la solidaridad?" Según ella, hay que deconstruir y desarmar actitudes colonialistas que se expresan en el rol de la solidaridad. Agregó que es importante vivir y dilucidar las complejidades para poder trabajar desde el lugar donde se sientes unidas, "donde nos sentimos juntas". ¿Cuál es el efecto político de este congreso? Para Yvonne Deutsch, este es un foro de solidaridad frente a la ocupación y la opresión de Palestina, donde las participantes han sido expuestas a la tragedia de la vida. Ella espera que al concluir y las participantes vuelvan a sus países esto será transmitido a otras personas. Según Deutsch, ella tiene la esperanza de que el movimiento pacifista de mujeres en Israel se encuentre con nuevas energías para continuar con el trabajo y que los movimientos de mujeres palestinas encuentren muchas aliadas para que continúe llegando el apoyo y la solidaridad. Una cadena de solidaridad desde Jerusalén a Ramallah. Vigilia en el punto de control de Calandria Más de 600 puntos de control existen entre los territorios ocupados e Israel. Uno de ellos es Al-Espolo'n, ubicado en el norte de la ciudad de Calandria, lugar hasta donde llegaron la mañana del martes 16 de agosto, unas 500 mujeres participantes en la 13 Conferencia Internacional de Mujeres de Negro. Tomadas de las manos marcharon en fila a lo largo del muro de separación, de unos 8 metros de alto, hasta el punto de control militar. Del otro lado un grupo de mujeres de negro esperaba junto a las mujeres de Palestina, venidas desde Ramallah y BIL'IN Juntas, pero divididas por el muro, entonaron cantos y expresaron su solidaridad y su oposición a la construcción del muro. Los cantos que entonaban podían escucharse en ambos lados del muro. Para muchas de ellas, esto les daba fuerza para continuar. Arabiya Mansour de Palestina expresó que el muro está destruyendo a familias palestinas y separando las comunidades. "Estamos aquí porque éste será el punto de control principal entre Jerusalén y la Cysjordania (Ribera Occidental). La mayoría del sufrimiento de la gente de Palestina sucederá aquí. Cuando necesitan ir al hospital o a sus trabajos o visitar a parientes, deberán tener la aprobación de un joven soldado israelí. Muchas decisiones en las vidas de los palestinos dependerán de este paso". Una participante palestina fue arrestada por los soldados, quienes amenazaron con encarcelarla a menos que terminara la manifestación. Las mujeres de negro expresaron a los soldados que se irían cuando la dejaran en libertad. Aanchal Kapur de la India quien estaba con el grupo de mujeres en el lado palestino señaló que "muchas mujeres palestinas nos expresaron su gratitud por haber venido. Yo llevaré de vuelta a mi país, la importancia de la solidaridad entre las mujeres, porque nos da fuerza mutuamente, particularmente en situaciones de conflicto." Quelle: www.radiofeminista.net |