Peace activists try to enter Gaza Strip
Nearly a thousand peace campaigners headed for Gaza in busses and cars on Friday to protest against the destruction of lives and homes in Rafah by Israeli forces. Among them was Jocelyn Hurndall, Catholic mother of the 22 year-old British student killed by an Israeli soldier last April while he escorted some refugee children across a road. The demonstrators walked the last few kilometres before assembling at a military checkpoint where scores of military and police vehicles, water tanks with water jets were waiting for them. Entry was refused and police and soldiers resorted to physical and verbal violence to disperse the demonstrators, some getting slight injuries. Seven Israeli peace activists were arrested. Those taking part included representatives of many Jewish, Palestinian and foreign peace organisations, among them the Holy Land Trust, Gush Shalom, The Refusenik Pilots, The Refusenik's Parents Forum, Women's Coalition for Just Peace, Tayush Arab Jewish Partnership, Women in Black, Makhsoum Watch, and the Alternative Information Centre. Source: Palestinian Monitor