ATTACK ON BEIT RIMA

Israeli troops have killed at least 8-10 people in the village of 
Beit Rima in the occupied West Bank, which remains totally sealed 
off. According to Al-Jazira, the occupation forces are still at work 
in the village. Many bodies have been seen lying in the olive groves 
and injured people have been lying for hours in the streets.

The occupation forces entered the village at 3.30 AM, according to 
Al-Jazeera, and at this time of writing, almost twelve hours later, 
they are there and still not allowing any one in or out , but the 
army has dumped the bodies of dead and injured people at the edge of 
the village.

According to BBC News Online report, "Eight killed in Israeli 
incursion", 24 October, 2001":

         Reports from the West Bank say at least eight Palestinians
         have been killed during an incursion into a village by Israeli
         forces. The village of Beit Rima near Ramallah has been
         sealed off since early morning when a column of Israeli tanks
         rolled in, firing on a Palestinian police outpost as they entered
         under cover of darkness.

         The incursion came as Ariel Sharon's government persisted with
         its partial reoccupation of Palestinian-controlled territory in
         six towns the West Bank, including Ramallah.

         A doctor in Beit Rima told the BBC by telephone that he had
         seen six bodies lying in the streets in the village and had
         heard that many more were lying in olive groves nearby.

         Villagers said troops have been going from house to house
         searching for suspected Palestinian militants, arresting dozens
         of people, and army bulldozers have demolished several houses.

         [...]

         The army has prevented anyone from entering the village,
         including emergency vehicles, and some of the dead and wounded
         have been taken to the outskirts on military vehicles.

         Three Apache helicopters have been flying overhead,
         shooting bullets, witnesses said.

I would like to ask everyone to consider calling the White House 
today to demand that the United States actually DO something to stop 
these massacres which are carried out with US weapons and US 
diplomatic cover. Israel is simply ignoring a US demand to stop, and 
as Israel's patron the US is responsible. The number is 202-456-1414.

Ali Abunimah
for The Electronic Intifada