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Boston support group for the International Solidarity Movement

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.......read more reports from our delegates participating in the Olive Harvest Campaign 2004

john p.

(John of BostontoPalestine writes to us from Balata refugee camps.
Located in Nablus, Balata camp is attacked by the Israeli Army regularly.)

After a week of relative quiet in Balata Refugee Camp, the city awoke
this morning to sound grenades in the city. A small incursion of
military vehicles - 2 jeeps and an armored military vehicle - had
stopped in front of two different entrances into the camp (two on market
street and the other at the other end close to the cemetery). It was
unclear what the intention of their incursion was. Internationals with
ISM mobilized and split into two groups of about 6 to monitor the
Israeli military's activities. Further sound bombs and tear gas were
shot at internationals in attempt to either disperse them from the scene
or punishment for simply watching. The soldiers did not seek to
communicate with the internationals choosing instead to hold a
confrontational stance toward them.

Children in the neighborhoods threw stones at the armored jeeps and the
military responded by with tear gas and threatening to shoot them with
guns they positioned out their windows. After about 45 minutes the jeeps
and APC left the area. Market street which had been nearly deserted all
morning due to the incursion was finally able to open.

Though they didn't appear to be invading the city, taking over or
demolishing houses, or arresting or assinating people, we have not as
yet received enough information to concretely confirm that no such
events took place.

Events such as these that occurred this morning are regular occurrences
in Balata and Nablus.