Holy Land: Checkpoints closed for peace activists

Rabbi Amichai Lau Lavie, Rabbi Dana Sharon and Anton Goodman of RHR, prevented entry to West Bank at Beitar checkpoint this morning

Today was Solidarity Day, and hundreds of people joined Rabbis for Human Rights and other activist groups to visit Palestinian communities across the West Bank living in the line-of-fire of settler terrorism.

Early in the morning buses of activists left from different cities in Israel, as Palestinian communities prepared to host them on the ground.

We quickly realized that the Army and Police had targeted solidarity day, and all of the checkpoints were heavily manned on the side leaving Israel into the West Bank. Our buses were singled out at the different checkpoints and presented with Restriction of Movement Orders from the army. These orders give the ability to apply the restriction at the discretion of the officers, and all of our groups were held and prevented from entering the West Bank.

It is painful to see the Police and Army coordinate a large operation against non-violent peace activists, while they remain inactive in addressing settler terrorism.

Activists gathered where they could and spontaneous demonstrations where held at several checkpoints.

Small groups of activists managed to arrive to solidarity day visits in the Northern Jordan Valley and Khan al Ahmar. RHR team and Palestinian activists reached the town of Janata, where we provided fencing for the homes opposite the settler outpost, and met with the Mayor and the landowners.

Interfaith March for Human Rights - May 18th

Rabbis for Human Rights say: "Join us for the fourth Annual Interfaith March for Human Rights and Peace. The March will take place in Jerusalem on May 18th, we will march together: faith leaders, activists, people of compassion from all traditions. Please join us and help spread the word!"

Sign up for the Interfaith March here: www.interfaithhumanrights.com/