International observers attacked by Israeli soldiers in Nablus

Wednesday April 17, 2002
Andrew Gray

An observer from North East England suffered cuts and grazes and one of his British colleagues was badly beaten today, when they tried to protect a group of Palestinians in Nablus, on the West Bank. The observers' cameras and mobile phones were smashed and a stun grenade was used, while Israeli soldiers tried to force the Internationals to leave behind a small group of Palestinian medics.

Adam Conway, from Morpeth in Northumberland, UK, was returning from the Balata refugee camp in Nablus, with about 24 other international observers and 6 Palestinians, both women and men, when they were stopped by soldiers and military police. The whole group had been allowed through the checkpoint earlier in the day, to take food and medical supplies into Balata. On being refused access to the nearby camp of Askar, they were returning to the city centre when they were stopped.

Speaking over a poor telephone line this afternoon (Tuesday), Adam explained how the soldiers had attempted to separate the Palestinians and Internationals. Shots were fired in the air and a stun grenade was used, but the observers refused to leave the Palestinians behind. While some of them (including Adam) stood or lay with individual Palestinians, others attempted to talk with the soldiers and negotiate a way through.

Eventually the group was allowed to proceed, with the Palestinians accompanied by just three Internationals, and the rest of the observers following at a distance. The whole group was accompanied by soldiers and followed by a tank. A group of French observers was allowed to leave to collect their bags and depart, but the other Internationals were not prepared to leave the Palestinians behind, and a long stand-off ensued, until they were allowed to return to the Union of Palestinian Medical Relief Committees clinic, where they are now staying.

"We're very frightened to think what the soldiers might have done to the Palestinians if international observers had not been with them, or had agreed to leave them behind," said Adam. "They showed no respect for the medical status or insignia of the Palestinians. We were all threatened and one of the observers has been badly beaten and cut."

Adam confirmed that the whole group is now safe, but expects to be forced to remain within the building until they can leave Nablus, as the area is subject to curfew. Tanks were shelling outside the clinic at the weekend, and empty shells were found just outside the gates on Monday. Adam added that the army was shelling the main hospital in Nablus today, and the military presence was still strong, despite Israeli claims that Nablus is no longer a military zone. There were five tanks, plus other armoured vehicles and sniper positions, at the checkpoint where the group was stopped today. Adam is urging people in the UK to write to their MPs. "We cannot stop all the suffering and deaths, but the world must know what's going on. We must all help in whatever way we can," he said.

(c) 2000-2002 Palestine Independent Media Center.

Original link

_____
Vredessite | Palestina alert 2002 Ooggetuigen