By: Alison Avigayil Ramer
The small village of Nabi Saleh marked this weekend a full year of unarmed demonstrations against the occupation. Protest erupted in the village after the nearby settlement of Halamish took control over a pond which was used by the villages’ farmers. The demonstrations were met with fierce IDF response, which left many injured. Still, each Friday dozens of the village’s residents, accompanied by Israeli and International activists, continue to confront IDF soldiers.
On Saturday, the people of Nabi Saleh marked the protests’ first anniversary by planting olive trees in the valley leading to the lost pond. They promised to carry on with the demonstrations until the village’s lands are returned.
Bassam Tamimi, one of the leaders of the popular struggle in Nabi Saleh, addresses a crowd of 300 Palestinians, Israelis and internationals in Nabi Saleh (photo: Alison Avigayil Ramer)
Palestinians near Nabi Saleh. Overlooking is the settlement of Halamish (photo: Alison Avigayil Ramer)
A young villager, who was injured by an Israeli tear gas canister (photo: Alison Avigayil Ramer)
Planting a tree near Nabi Saleh (photo: Alison Avigayil Ramer)
settlers of Halamish watch as the village of Nabi Saleh marks first anniversary of protest (photo: Alison Avigayil Ramer)
Israelis and Palestinians planting olive trees near Nabi Saleh (photo: Alison Avigayil Ramer)
Protest organizer Bassam Tamimi with an Israeli activist in Nabi Saleh (photo: Alison Avigayil Ramer)
An Israeli soldier takes a nap in Nabi Saleh's pond (photo: Alison Avigayil Ramer)
Israeli soldiers and settlers watch as leftwing activist are sent away from Nabi Saleh's pond (photo: Alison Avigayil Ramer)
A Palestinian boy plants a tree near Nabi Saleh (photo: Alison Avigayil Ramer)
Images: Tiny village marks first anniversary of unarmed protest