Nablus stands in solidarity with Fallujah

For the past week, the US coalition forces have pounded the city of Fallujah in an attempt to recapture the city from the Iraqi resistance. In Palestine, the invasion and occupation of Iraq is viewed by many Palestinians as simply an extension of the US and Israel's middle policy as practiced against the Palestinian people and other Arab countries.

The Palestinian people see many parallels between the US occupation of Iraq and the Israeli occupation of Palestine. In particular they recognised the familiar practice of collective punishment that is now being carried out in Iraq by the Coaliton forces, a practice which the Coalition Forces have adopted from Israel.

Such practice, illegal under international law, has long been used by the IOF in the Occupied Territory and is now used regularly in Iraq and includes the mass rounding up and arrest of young men (and occassionally women), the arrest of women to pressure family members and suspected supporters of the insurgents, the collective bulldozing of houses, crops, fields and buildings as punishment, as well as the raids and intimidation of families.

On Tuesday, Nov 16, the Palestinian activists in the Palestinian city of Nablus, along with international activists carried out a solidarity action in support of the people of Fallujah. Nablus, for the past several months has been a declared a "closed military zone" by the IOF, allowing the Israeli security forces to restrict the presence of international media and human rights observers as they carry out assasinations, bulldozing and razing of houses and mass arrests, including arresting children (male and female) under the age of 16 years.

Below is an email sent by international activist who have been able to reach Nablus:

Tuesday November 16, 2004
by J and A in Nablus

Palestinians and members of the ISM in Nablus displayed a message of solidarity today with the people of Fallujah. At 5:30 PM, the word “Fallujah” was set ablaze on a mountain north of Nablus, known as Jabl-an-Naar (Mountain of Fire). Written in Arabic, the word was about 30 yards long and 10 yards wide, and expressed the commiseration that the people of Nablus feel for Fallujah, another city suffering under military occupation.

Like the war against Iraq with its attacks on Fallujah, which have had disastrous effects on civilians and civilian infrastructure in the city, Nablus has also suffered from invasion by occupation forces, ostensibly to combat terrorism. One Nablus resident, Nizar Kamal, stated, "On behalf of residents of the Old City of Nablus, the massacre in Fallujah announces the death of international conscience."


The press release for the event read:

People of Nablus will light the night sky with a message of solidarity written in fire to the people of Fallujah. It is to be held at 6 pm on the northern mountain in Nablus.

Around 3 p.m. Palestinians, along with internationals, began to arrive at the site. Shortly afterwards, neighborhood residents joined to help construct the path of the fire. Other groups from the community also arrived, including volunteer medical workers. Local Palestinian television arrived before the fire and interviewed many of the local Palestinian and internationals at the site.

Building the word that would be set on fire was challenging because the landscape was steep and rocky. Spelling out the word with rope and then using that as a guide to pour sand on it proved to be a solid plan. Sand was poured and people placed barriers of loose stone around it to help keep it in place. Petrol was poured on the sand and at approximately 5:30, as darkness set in, it was set ablaze. Although there was some uncertainty about the success of the project, it was ultimately successful, as the fire burned brightly and clearly for about 15 minutes. Reports came from all over the city that Nablus residents saw the message and were grateful and moved by the action.

There is agreement that there would be an attempt tomorrow to relight the fires. However, because the early winter’s rains are beginning to fall, there is no guarantee that it can be done. If nothing else, the fire that lit up the mountain with the words “Fallujah” was an inspiration for those who witnessed and participated in constructing it.