Palestinian anti-wall protester convicted by Israeli military court
Abdallah Abu Rahma has been in prison since December 2009 for his involvement in protests against the construction of a fence/wall on Palestinian land by Israeli authorities.
Head of an activism committee in the West Bank village of Bil'in, he was found guilty of "organizing and participating in an illegal demonstration" and "incitement" by an Israeli military court on Tuesday.
He was acquitted of two other charges of "stone-throwing", and "possession of arms".
Abdallah Abu Rahma, a school teacher, is expected to be sentenced within the next few weeks and could face up to 10 years in prison.
"In prosecuting Abdallah Abu Rahma, the Israeli authorities appear to be seeking to punish him and to deter others from participating in legitimate protests," said Malcolm Smart, director of Amnesty International's Middle East and North Africa programme.
"He now faces imprisonment for exercising his right to freedom of expression in protesting against the construction of the fence/wall."
The well-known political activist has sought, through peaceful means, to raise international awareness of the human rights violations suffered by Palestinians living in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT).
The villagers of Bil'in, together with Palestinian, Israeli and international supporters, have been holding weekly demonstrations for the last five years in protest against the fence/wall and the confiscation of their land by the Israeli authorities for its construction.
The arrests of Abdallah Abu Rahma and other prominent activists against the fence/wall – including Mohammed Othman, and Jamal Juma' – have been part of a crackdown on those voicing their opposition to the construction of the fence/wall.
Mohammed Othman and Jamal Juma' were released uncharged in January 2010 following international appeals.
Against international law
The Israeli 700-kilometre fence/wall runs from north to south of the West Bank, encircling Palestinian villages as well as whole neighbourhoods in and around East Jerusalem.In June 2004, the International Court of Justice issued a unanimous advisory opinion stating that the construction of the wall in the OPT is contrary to international law.They also declared that Israel was obliged to dismantle sections already built there and provide reparation to Palestinians affected by the construction. The Israeli government has rejected these recommendations.Amnesty International is calling for an immediate halt to the construction of the fence/wall on Palestinian land.
Find out more about the fence/wall here
