Report of Balata raid where I was shot

[Resistance]

Mark is the ISM peace activist recently shot in the legs by the Israeli army.

Nablus
Mark T
27 Oct 03

http://www.palsolidarity.org/reports/writings/27Oct03_10_20_34NablusMarkT.htm

On Friday evening, around 7:30 pm, Israeli soldiers
came to the entrance of Balata Camp near Nablus as
they have on several occasions over the past few
weeks. The soldiers have not been conducting arrest
operations, rather they have displayed a pattern of
provocation, driving into and reversing out of the
camp, taunting its Palestinian residents in an attempt
to lure an exchange of fire from fighters. They have
been met with stones from the camp's younger
population and the presence of international activists
and observers.

...we were unmistakably
identified as internationals.

As the army continued to shoot inside the camp and young
boys responded with stones, the military shot out the
power conduit overhead, casting the entire area into
darkness. We realized that this was intended to create
a set of circumstances in which military fire could be
excused given that the targets would now be less
identifiable.

As Palestinians retreated, the internationals stayed,
attempting to preserve our presence there, but we were
met with a switch to live ammunition by the soldiers,
at which point we attempted to take cover. Josh Taffe
and I took refuge behind a wall near the position of
the lead vehicle. As the intensity of the shooting
increased, we attempted to retreat, but were struck
across the legs by rounds from an M 16 assault rifle
fired by the soldiers.

[Bozola]

1. Grrrrrr.

That night, a large deployment of soldiers raided the
hospital, waking us from our sleep with search lights
mounted on the ends of M 16 assault rifles. The
soldiers wore black ski masks and demanded to know our
identities, purpose for being in Nablus, etc. Two
soldiers were posted at the feet of our beds for the
next half hour, aiming shouldered weapons at our
bodies and demanding that we remain silent with our
hands in the air. All patients, visitors and staff
were forced to do the same. After securing the
hospital, the soldiers videotaped all occupants, made
an arrest and departed.

[Resistance]

2. notice

This story is for the most part ignored here in the U.S.

We're covering for Israel, no doubt about it.

[TimeLord]

3. Only when both sides can see each other as humans,

will peace be something obtainable. As it seems now, it seems that neither side wants any part of this.

This is inexcusable and the US and I as a citizen are complicit in every Israeli's and Palestinian's murder/death.

(edit) Punctuation

[Resistance]

4. I believe most people are humane

It's the terrorist organizations - the IDF, Hamas, and other various armed groups - who are ruining the chances of peace.

[Resistance]

5. has anyone

heard a thing about these incidents in the American media/press?

[Resistance]

6. I guess that's a no

[aneerkoinos]

7. I've seen document

On BBC international on murders of journalists and peace activists by IDF.

The real problem is not that few westerners get shot at and killed. Hundreds and thousends of Palestinians have been murdered and maimed by IDF and Settler militias with no fear of investigation. The problem is the culture of impunity, in effect license to kill and murder anyone you want by a whim. What was interesting in one case the IDF soldiers involved in killing journalist was not jews but beduin Arabs from Israel.

If the rule of law has no meaning for those working for governement, what is the the purpose of rule of law and why should anybody care? The only effective leadership is leading by example. Bullies get what they want in the end, more suffering for everybody, that's Karma.

[Resistance]

8. it's obvious

both the Israeli and U.S. governments hold non-violent peace activists in the highest of contempt. When Israel is allowed to openly engage in gunning them down, bulldozing them to death, and just randomly opening fire on them, then you know that these activist are viewed as a serious threat.

Can't have peace, can we? Oh, no. Not peace.

Anything but peace.