ffj.Bilin-20-11-2008

Israeli Occupation forces arrested Iyad Burnat. President of the Popular Committee in Bil'in. The Army was arrested Mr. Iyad Burnat early today At nine am . After he was with a group of Americans tried to visit the village of Naalin. Were prevented soldiers stationed at the entrance to the village from entering. Pretext of a closed military Area. Also detained Mr. Burnat for several hours and then abandoned him.

Iyad Burnat- Head of Popular Commitee in Bilin
Head of Friends of Freedom and Justice in Bilin

www.bilin-ffj.org
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Dear all,

Emad Burnat from Bil'in is still in a serious condition in hospital. We will keep everyone updated when there is any more news.

In solidarity,

ISM Palestine


Bi'lin: Israel's Wall puts Palestinian farmer and his children in hospital.

At 5:20 pm on Saturday Bi'lin Popular Committee Against the Wall and Settlements member, Emad Burnat, was admitted to hospital in very serious condition after his tractor flipped over against Israel's Wall. The wall – which in Bil'in is composed of metal fence and barbed-wire – cuts through the village's farmland.


The video documenter of the Bi'lin's anti-wall struggle was returning with his children from plowing his fields when he was forced to detour down a steep hill in order to return to the village because the wall separates his home from his land. Loosing control of the tractor on the sharp decline, it overturned directly into the metal mesh and razor wire.


While his children were taken to hospital in Ramallah, the army medic who treated Burnat decided to send him to the Tel Aviv hospital out of fear that he wouldn't make to Ramallah alive. None-the-less, it still took the ambulance an hour to arrive at the checkpoint and Burnat had to be transferred from a Red Crescent to an Israeli ambulance before being taken to Tel Aviv.


"While this is a tragic accident, the blame can be laid directly at the feet of Israel's occupation and land confiscation by the wall, which forces a dangerous burden and risk on Palestinian farmers," says popular committee chairperson and Brother of Emad, Iyad Burnat.


"Israel's checkpoint system only adds to this hardship by preventing the speedy medical attention to Palestinians when necessary," he added.


At present Burnat's spleen has been removed and doctors have yet to stitch up his wounds because his liver is still bleeding. Doctors are exercising cautious optimism, reporting that he arrived at the hospital in time and was a healthy man. Burnat's children were treated for mild injuries.


Thank you for you continued support,

Iyad Burnat- Head of Popular Commitee in Bilin
Head of Friends of Freedom and Justice in Bilin