The morning of the 26th of October the Popular Resistance movement organized a non-violent direct action at the outpost near Khirbet Tell El-Himma, located at the North of the Jordan Valley. Around 150 Palestinian and International activists raised their voices in front of this illegal settlement against the Israeli occupation.

This outpost is considered illegal by the Israeli law since it was built after the Oslo Agreements in 1993. However, the State is not applying the law and they let them stay with its support such as providing them with water from the near settlements and military camps. This illegal settlement was initially built on a land privately own by Palestinians and afterwards it was moved to another land registered as Israeli government property. The fact that the settlement spot was relocated to another spot designated as state land suggests the move was coordinated with the Israeli authorities following its colonization.

The illegal outpost covers around 5 hectares and there is approximately 10 inhabitants. These settlers are using different ways with the aim of displacing the Palestinian community of Khirbet Tell El-Himma, such as blocking shepherds from accessing their fields. They are also implementing intimidation tactics using weapons and violence to keep the Palestinian shepherds away. Rashid Khudairat, the Jordan Valley Coordinator, affirms that ‘The settlers were planning to turn his outpost into a colony’. Two days before the action, they were digging and processing a piece of land to construct officially a huge house made by cement, which would mean the beginning of a new colony in Palestinian land.

Being totally aware of these violations, the Popular Resistance decided to take action right after the two days National Conference United in Struggle. This conference was organized to unify the different forces and groups of the Palestinian movement and to connect with the International network. The main goal was to create new strategies of resistance based on the involvement of women and youth, the connections of the struggle with international solidarity and a global effort for freedom, justice and equality.

During the action, the activists achieved their goal and Palestinian flags were hung on the settlers´ illegal residences. When the activists arrived, only seven settlers were occupying the place but soon other ones as well as the Israeli military soldiers showed up.

The settlers as well as the Israeli army attacked the activists that were singing slogans against the occupation to liberate their land. These occupation forces repressed the action arresting 20 activists both, International and Palestinian. After some hours of arrestment and following the last news, all the activists have been liberated. However, the international group will be deported to their own countries and they will be blocked to come back to Israel at least for 10 years.

The aim of the action was standing against the occupation forces as well as sending a message to the people to let them know they are not alone. Popular Resistance stands for the freedom of our people and we will continue until the occupation ends.