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CNN Saturday Morning News
American and European Activists Try Their Hand at Peacemaking in the Middle East
Aired August 18, 2001 - 09:10 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Right now, we turn to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. There was more bloodshed today. Palestinian sources say one Palestinian was killed and seven others injured after Israeli tanks entered Palestinian territory in Gaza. Israel confirms it initiated activity in the refugee camp, saying there had been instances of shooting coming from the area.
Meanwhile, there's word that Egypt has accepted the U.S. and Israeli position not to send international observers to the Middle East. Egypt is regional power. The government is also agreeing to intercede with Yasser Arafat to try and stop attacks on Israel.
A small group of American and European -- American, European and Israeli activists are trying their hand at peacemaking in the Middle East.
CNN's Ben Wedeman reports on that effort.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BEN WEDEMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Away goes an Israeli roadblock outside the Palestinian town of Al-Khadr on the West Bank, courtesy of the International Solidarity Movement to End the Occupation, a group of European, North American, and Israeli activists.
UNIDENTIFIED CROWD (singing): ... Palestine shall be free, Palestine shall be free some day. Oh, deep in my heart...
WEDEMAN: But here, things are not as simple as they might seem.
(on camera): The Palestinians watching this roadblock being cleared away say they appreciate this sort of gesture, but worry it may only make things worse.
(voice-over): "We made an opening in the roadblock about five days ago," says Mahmoud (ph), a truck driver. "Nobody said anything. But after this, the army will get their bulldozers and close it up again."
Group members concede they are a bit of an oddity in this landscape. BETH DAOUD, SOLIDARITY MOVEMENT: Maybe we aren't exactly fitting exactly into the culture, or we don't agree on all things. But we're here because we care, because what is happening to the Palestinians by Israel is wrong.
WEDEMAN: Their original plan was to clear away the roadblock, march through an Israeli checkpoint, cross a major highway, and help Palestinian farmers harvest their crops.
Earlier, they had discussed how to react if their protest turned violent.
UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN: With tear gas, if you close your nose and you just breathe through your mouth, spit neutralizes it. And you just keep spitting.
WEDEMAN: But when well-armed Israeli troops deployed way up at the top of the hill, their preparations came to naught. They turned around and went home.
The group has participated in protests outside the Orient House in Arab East Jerusalem. Some of its members have been arrested. Others are living with families in the Palestinian town of Beit Jala (ph), scene of intense fighting in recent days. They say they are there as human shields.
LUISA MORGANTINI, EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: So we have yet to share, to share, to understand, and to take the word that (UNINTELLIGIBLE) peace is (UNINTELLIGIBLE) some justice.
WEDEMAN: A postscript to this story. The morning after, the roadblock the solidarity movement had cleared away was back in place.
Ben Wedeman, CNN, Al-Khadr on the West Bank.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
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