CPTnet
18 June 2012
SOUTH HEBRON HILLS: In a bow to settlers, Israel threatens a Palestinian village

	Susya residents and supporters march from Susya to an Israeli military outpost to protest the announced demolition of fifty structures.

Palestinians gathered in their village of Susya at midday on 16 June to demonstrate against its announced demolition. After receiving pressure from settler-led Zionist nongovernmental organization Regavim, the Israeli military issued a demolition order for approximately fifty structures in Susya, including house tents, solar panels and animal pens, threatening the entire village. Residents managed to gain an oral agreement to delay the demolition until 19 June, but the village’s future is very uncertain.

Men, women and children from Susya holding Palestinian flags gathered with international and Israeli activists and all walked peacefully down the road to an Israeli military outpost. Children joined in chants about the freedom of Palestine and their village. Two police vehicles and an army vehicle followed the procession.

The group reached the outpost to find another police vehicle there. A group of soldiers photographed the protesters as they arrived. The demonstration remained peaceful. As chanting continued, a TV correspondent interviewed one of the village’s residents. After the interview, the demonstrators turned around to head back to Susya. Three additional military vehicles arrived and Israeli soldiers brought out sound grenade and tear gas canister launchers. The protesters passed them peacefully, chanting and singing.