Dozens of activists from Israel and abroad joined residents of Ma'asara this week to protest Israel's recent decision to resume the construction of the Wall in Bethlehem area. Aiming to counter oppression with creative force, the "Army of Clowns" a local performance group, took a significant role. Many of the protesters wore costumes and mask, and proceeded from the center of the village towards the main entrance to the village which chanting, singing and dancing. After a short confrontation with the soldiers who were placed to block the entrance, protesters moved a bit further and made a number of speeches.  The protest ended without any arrests or injuries and with a promise to expand local resistance.

Residents of Al-Ma'asara village, near Bethlehem, have been demonstrating for the past five years against the Wall that is planned to encircle the village. This week, residents were informed of the construction of new gate at the entrance of the village, which will prevent passage to the main road to Bethlehem and Hebron. The new gate is part of the recommencement of the construction of the Wall in this area, which ceased in 2008 after an Israeli court ruling. If completed, the Wall will expropriate Palestinian privately owned agricultural land and will result in the closure of the main road that links Al-Ma’asara to nearby cities in the West Bank. Residents are currently gathering objections for a court case against this decision.