<h3 class="post-title subpt">Palestinian activist Abdallah Abu Rahmah, who greatly impressed the Elders during their visit to the West Bank with his commitment to peaceful protest, was convicted by an Israeli military court for his involvement in non-violent demonstrations against the separation barrier that divides the people of Bil'in from their land.</h3><div class="quoteblock"><div class="quotetext"></div></div><p>Archbishop Desmond Tutu, chair of The Elders, has expressed his concern about the conviction of Palestinian activist Abdallah Abu Rahmah by an Israeli military court. Abu Rahmah was convicted for his involvement in non-violent protests against the separation barrier in the West Bank village of Bil'in.</p>
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<td width="55"><img src="http://theelders.org/sites/default/files/imagecache/elders_thumb/tutu-t…; alt="Desmond Tutu" width="55" height="55" align="left"></td>
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<p><em>“I am deeply concerned about the conviction earlier this week of Abdallah Abu Rahmah by an Israeli military court. When I met him with my fellow Elders last year, we were very impressed by his commitment to non-violence and the wise leadership he showed.</em></p>
<p><em>“He and his fellow activists have had some success in challenging the wall that divides the people of Bil'in from their land. Israel's attempt to crack down on this effective resistance movement by criminalising peaceful protest is unacceptable and unjust.</em></p>
<p><em>“I urge the Israeli authorities to release Abdallah Abu Rahmah immediately and unconditionally, and to overturn his conviction.”</em></p>
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