By: Jacob Wheeler, UpTake Reporter

The Run Across Palestine had gone no more than 10 kilometers between At-Tuwani and Beit Omar, in the southern West Bank, when the Israeli military and border control stopped the run in its tracks.

Confusion over whether the runners had the right to walk on the side of the road culminated in the arrest of a Run Across Palestine supporter and two French activists. Police originally gave no reasons for the arrests. Later, Run Across Palestine supporter Nasser Abufarha was charged with organizing an illegal demonstration, a charge he says is “false” because there was no demonstration.

After a melodramatic two-hour delay, the runners continued to Beit Omar. Their spirits and drive to plant olive trees remain high. Read more about the military stopping the run here.

UpTake journalist Jacob Wheeler is teaming up with Michigan videographer Aaron Dennis to document the Run Across Palestine. See more here.