In 1976, Israel confiscated a large amount of Palestinian land and then killed six of the Palestinians who protested. Each year since, Palestinians have commemorated this sad event as “Land Day.”
Palestine has been divided by Israel into the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip. Most of the inhabitants are the children and grandchildren of refugees from the Israeli occupation of centuries-old Palestinian homelands. Those in Gaza have suffered a harsh Israeli blockade for so long that the U.N. says Gaza will be completely unlivable by 2020.
This year, Gazans have decided to observe Land Day by holding a massive peaceful march of the people up to the Israeli-built border wall, seeking their justifiable right of return to their homes. This happened on March 30. They were met by massive numbers of Israeli troops, including 100 snipers.
A few among the 10,000-plus Gazan marchers threw some rocks and rolled some burning tires on their own land in the direction of the wall. The Israeli soldiers opened fire. Eighteen Palestinians were killed and over 1500 wounded as a result, many children, many in critical condition, people far from the wall, people shot while praying.
On April 6, Palestinians peacefully marched again. According to the Washington Post, some of them burned tires near the wall, trying to block the view of Israeli snipers. Seven Palestinians were killed; 293 wounded by gunfire, 25 seriously. Hundreds suffered tear gas and other injuries. They plan to march each Friday before noon prayers till May 15.
The U.S. blocked a U.N. Security Council resolution to condemn the Israeli Army actions. Our tax money is paying for this. Is this really what we stand for?
Bruce Bennett
Ashfield