European Parliament member, Luisa Morgantini, giving a speech in Beit Ummer

The weekly demonstration organized by the Beit Ummar National Committee and PSP against the Israeli settlement of Karmei Tsur was joined by European Parliament member Luisa Morgantini. Morgantini joined the residents of the village in condemning Israel’s illegal settlements, and spoke out against the Israeli occupation and the continued annexation of Palestinian land.

The demonstration was calm this week, perhaps because of the cold climate brought by the rain. There were no arrests, nor did the soldiers use any sound bombs or teargas. Near the start of the demonstration soldiers did however threaten two members of the Committee with arrest because they had been seen on other demonstrations.

From the start the group split up, so it is hard to say how many people joined, but to estimate roughly there were around 70 protesters.

Rumors that several soldiers were located at the top of the hill behind where protesters were stannding, led the Committee to decide to retreat and call an end to the demonstration.