by Adam Horowitz

This past Monday over 200 masked and camouflaged Israeli soldiers swarmed into the West Bank village of Bil’in at 3 a.m. and raided five homes. Eight people were arrested, including Mohammad Khatib a leader of the Bil’in Popular Committee Against the Wall and Settlements (pictured right).

These arrests were part of on ongoing effort by the Israeli military to end the nonviolent resistance in Bil’in by carrying out now routine late night raids. According to the International Solidarity Movement, since the beginning of June Israel has arrested 25 people in the village (most are under 18). The ISM also says that “Israeli forces have been using interrogation techniques to pressure the arrested youth to give statements against Bil’in community leaders.”

There are several ways you can help. From the ISM:

1. Many of you have met Mohammad Khatib and perhaps one of the others mentioned above. We need you now to personally testify about your knowledge of them and their commitment to non-violence. Write a letter to the Israeli military judge and please send to bilinlegal@gmail.com.

2. Please Protest by contacting your political representatives, as well as you consuls and ambassadors to Israel to demand the release of Mohammad Khatib, Adib Abu Rahme and all Bil’in prisoners.

3. The Popular committee of Bil’in is in desperate need for legal funds in order to pay legal fees and Bail. Please donate to the Bil’in legal fund by paypal click http://tinyurl.com/lcr6rg . If you would like to make a tax deductible donation in the US or Canada contact: bilinlegal@gmail.com.