International Solidarity Movement Nonviolence. Justice. Freedom.
13 November, 2023, Wadi Tiran in the occupied West Bank, Palestine
The village of Wadi Tiran was given a 24 hour warning, “leave or we kill everyone”.
Residents, along with a handful of international and Israeli human rights defenders, are gathered in a large tent awaiting their fate. The Israeli police were called but they refused to attend.
The village of Wadi Tiran is a small herding community located next to what was the larger village of Zanuta, whose 150 residents were forced to leave their homes on 31 October under similar, persistent and violent Israeli settler attacks.
Seven colonial settlers from the Havat Yehuda illegal outpost that lies above the village arrived in Wadi Tiran two nights ago: “You have 24 hours to leave or we will kill everyone”. This threat has become the standard threat issued to herding communities across the Occupied West Bank. Fifteen of these communities have already been wiped off the map. After 24 hours passed, settlers entered the community and destroyed cars, a solar panel, a tractor, and anything they could get their hands on.
Now that night has fallen, the entire village has gathered in one tent waiting for the settlers to complete their threats.
We ask people around the world to pressure their governments to take immediate action to stop the displacement of Wadi Tiran.
If you are a US citizen, please contact your local representatives and embassies:
Embassy in Jerusalem:
Ambassador: Thomas R Nides
Phone: (02) 630 400
Email: Americancenterjerusalem@state.gov
Website: https://il.USEmbassy.gov
Tel Aviv Branch Office:
Phone: (03) 519 7575
US Palestinian Affairs in Jerusalem:
Phone: (02) 6227230
Email: USPalestinianAffairs@state.gov
Script for communication to Embassies and Representatives:
I am writing to demand rapid action be taken by this body to defend human rights in the West Bank. As violations of International Humanitarian Law continue to be committed against occupied Palestinians, world leaders who do not take every action to defend human life and dignity are complicit in the denial of them.
Daily incidents of violence committed by Israeli settlers against isolated and vulnerable Palestinian families in the South Hebron Hills are being documented and transmitted to the world. Daily transgressions of the rights of Palestinians to live their lives without being harassed, searched, arbitrarily arrested and held without charge, raided, shot at and humiliated by the army and settlers -who are being emboldened by the silence of the international community. These violations are being reported by human rights organizations across the globe. With the whole world watching, what side of history will you be on?
Resources:
- https://www.crisisgroup.org/middle-east-north-africa/east-mediterranean-mena/israelpalestine/settler-violence-rises-west-bank-gaza-war
- https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/31/west-bank-palestinian-villages-israeli-army-settlers
- https://www.ochaopt.org/content/other-mass-displacement-while-eyes-are-gaza-settlers-advance-west-bank-herders
- https://www.unocha.org/publications/report/occupied-palestinian-territory/fact-sheet-displacement-palestinian-herders-amid-increasing-settler-violence-september-2023
