Press Release: For immediate release: 29.03.13

The Freedom Bus, Jenin Refugee Camp, Occupied Palestine.

An international participant from the Freedom Bus has just been arrested by IDF soldiers during a peaceful solidarity walk in the South Hebron Hills. The man, from the United States, was hauled away from the group and arrested at approximately 10.40am this morning. He was taken to the police station in Kiryat Arba.

This followed the attempted arrest of Abu Mosa from the local Popular Committee, who fainted while in Israeli custody and had to be removed by the Red Cresent. The IDF are currently attempting to stop the walk altogether, and have injured several participants. One international had her leg twisted and others were hit in the head with rifle butts. There are an estimated 150 people taking part in the walk.

The planned walk brings Palestinian artists, activists, and community leaders together with internationals in a peaceful solidarity walk through five communities in the South Hebron Hills. Located in Area C, Mufaqara, Tuba, a-Sfay, Maghayir al-Abeed and al-Fakhit are five of 12 communities located within “Firing Zone 918″ – an area of the South Hebron Hills used by the Israeli Forces as a training zone. Residents have been issued with evacuation orders. All homes in these villages are faced with demolition. Each person is faced with forced expulsion from traditional homelands. [1]

This is not the first intervention by the Israeli security forces. Arab artists from Eygpt, Tunisia, and the Sudan attempting to join the event were denied travel permits by the Israel Civil Administration. [2]

The planned walk included community visits, discussions and music, with a focus on the life and resistance of residents in the South Hebron Hills. Palestinian musicians, and artists joined the ride, including Abu Naji, renowned traditional Zajaal poet, and musicians from the band Toot ‘Ard.

Details and background info:

• The March Freedom Ride: From 21 March-29 March. Palestinians and international allies will take part in a 13 day solidarity ride, joining Palestinian farmers and herders at risk of forced displacement from lands they have inhabited for generations.

• The March Freedom Ride will include building and reconstruction work, protective presence activity, guided walks, home-stays, interactive workshops, educational talks and cultural events.

• The Freedom Bus is coordinated by The Freedom Theatre: a Palestinian theatre and multi-media centre based in Jenin Refugee Camp. A range of other Palestinian community based organizations and associations are involved in Freedom Bus initiative. [Website: http://www.thefreedomtheatre.org/]

For further comment, contact: media@thefreedomtheatre.org / Ben: +972(0)592-902256

Notes to Editors:

[1] For more details see B’Tselem: http://www.btselem.org/south_hebron_hills/firing_zone_918 and http://nofiringzone918.org/ and http://almufaqarah.wordpress.com/

[2] See Freedom Bus Press Release: http://bit.ly/Z3MCqn