The olive harvest: Struggle, resistance and oppression

 

December 31 | International Solidarity Movement | Olive Harvest journal 

The olive harvest in Palestine (October – November) represents much more than simply picking olives. While it is an important contributor for the income of thousands of families in the West Bank – with a revenue between $160m and $190m in 2021 according to Aljazeera – it is also a symbol of resistance and defiance towards the occupation. Families come together in the fields and endure and resist systematic harassment by Israeli soldiers and settlers. Settlers notoriously insist on watching olive pickers, throwing stones at them and often attacking them and their vehicles. The IOF regularly allows this behaviour, protecting settlers during these actions, and being an aggressor itself.

Most of the olive trees are situated in Area C of the West Bank, which is under full Israeli control. Some private Palestinian lands are inside the apartheid wall or inside illegal settlements, or they are very close to Israeli military areas or settlements. In these cases, farmers need a permit issued by the Israel administration to access their land and harvest. Farmers are normally given 2- or 3-day access permit which is not enough to finish harvesting all the olive trees. In the rest of the areas, there is a coordination programme through the Israeli-Palestinian district coordination offices (DCO) for farmers to ask for a permit. These permits are sometimes refused even on lands far from settlements.

International activists joined Faz3a, a Palestinian youth-led campaign that supports Palestinian farmers during the olive harvest, other organizations and Palestinian families to show solidarity and support during this season. Their presence is a reminder that the international community is aware and documenting the disgraceful treatment of Palestinians.

ISM activists joined farmers in many locations across the West Bank for the 2022 olive harvest. This is what they witnessed:

Al-Janiya, west Ramallah

More than 30 Palestinians, Israelis and international activists joined the Faza3 campaign on their first day in the fields this year in Al-Janiya village, west of Ramallah.

We were there to support the farmer Abu Mohammed who hasn’t been able to access his land since the first intifada. His land is at the edge of three settlements surrounding his village from east, north and south.

Abu Mohammed told activists that every time he tried to reach his land the settlers would attack him and prevent him from entering. His cousin also said that one day Abu Mohammed’s father was attacked by settlers throwing stones, hitting him in his head. He was seriously injured and died a few months after the settlers’ attack.

All day ISM activists on the ground were followed by a drone from a nearby settlement filming their work and movements. Despite this, activists managed to harvest a good part of Abu Mohammed’s land without settlers interfering or attacking, which proves how important international solidarity and campaigns like Faza3 are.

Burin, near Nablus

ISM activists joined Faz3a, with Palestinian and Israeli activists, in the village of Burin, near Nablus, to help the farmer Abu Jamal, a young owner of a olive field attacked several times by Ytzar settlers who also burned his house. We had a successful harvest day and enjoyed the food Abu Jamal’s wife prepared for us. We also met his child, a two-year-old boy who was recently terrorized by settlers. Abu was able to rescue his child, but the settlers attacked and set fire to his car.

Hares, near Salfit

In Hares, near the West Bank town of Salfit, activists joined Faz3a to harvest. The farm was near the illegal settlement of Rivava. The farmer asked for help as he had not received his permit yet, but he believed it is still his right to go and harvest his land.

IOF arrived soon after we started and tried to chase people away. They inspected documents, took pictures, told the farmer where we could and could not go, giving us “only 5 minutes” to finish harvesting olives from this tree or that tree. We worked hard trying to ignore them and we had a very successful harvest under the constant watch of the army.

Husan, near Bethlem

ISM activists joined Palestinian farmer Shireen for the olive harvest in Husan, 19 km from Bethlehem, up on a hill several times besieged by the army. The field has already been burned 6 times (Shireen has lost more than 100 trees) by the illegal settlers of Beitar Illit, who also stole many donums of land. This year, settlers protected by the army stole more land and dumped earth and boulders over olive trees in order to build an Israeli security control station. While the land already taken is becoming a large road to connect Better Eleet with another illegal settlement.

On the second day, we found a big tree had been cut down and big stones thrown at her property. This time there were no physical assaults, but nonetheless, settlers caused deep suffering and frustration. Shireen will file a complaint, but to whom if the prime offender is the Israeli government?

At-Tuwani, Massafer Yatta

IOF threw tear gas and violently disrupted the olive harvest in at-Tuwani, a small village in the Massafer Yatta region in the south of the West Bank. More than 50 Palestinians, internationals and Israeli volunteers took part in an olive harvest event organised by Faz3a and the Ministry against the Wall and Settlements in the valley of Humra, near at-Tuwani.

Farmers from the village are exposed to settler violence and harassment neighbouring the 1981 illegal settlement Ma’on and its early 2000’s expansion, the illegal outpost Havat Ma’on.

Not long after arriving at Humra and starting to pick olives, the first settlers showed up, quickly followed by Israeli army and police. Five army jeeps with around 20 soldiers and around 15 settlers were there. Palestinian activists went to the edge of the field facing the army and settlers, raising Palestinian flags and chanting their right to be on their land and in Palestine.

The army reacted violently by throwing tear gas at the crowd, making it impossible for people to stay. Most people were forced to stop and only a small group remained to harvest.

Jibya, north Ramallah

A Palestinian activist was injured and over 12 cars were smashed by settlers in Jibya, north of Ramallah.

ISM and Faz3a activists, joined by international journalists, went harvesting near an outpost of the Israeli settlement of Halamish. The farmer appealed for help because he faces systematic attack from Israeli settlers. He tried to harvest his land a couple of days earlier but was harassed by settlers.

Soon after we started, a group of settlers with M16 arrived, taking pictures of everyone to provoke us. Army and more settlers also joined. Settlers were asking where everyone was from and why we were there, and army tried to remove us saying the area was a closed military zone. People then heard women crying and shouting: settlers had gone down the hill and threw stones and smashed the parked cars’ windows. One of the activists who was on the scene filming and telling the settlers to stop attacking, was injured as he fell on a piece of metal that cut his leg while trying to reach security and he needed 15 stitches.

Khalet, a Faz3a activist, said: “This happened under the watch of the Israeli army. The settlers were armed. We were peacefully activists and volunteers who came there just to help the farmers picking olives.”

Bidu, south-west of Ramallah

Around 40 volunteers, Palestinians and internationals, joined a harvest organised by Right to Movement in the village of Bidu, near Ramallah. We had a successful day with plenty of olives harvested.

The farmer is suffering as two of his sons are unjustly imprisoned by the Israeli occupation and the family in general face difficulties due to the occupation.

Kafr Qalil, south of Nablus

ISM activists joined the Suleiman al-Quni family in Kafr Qalil, south of Nablus, to assist in harvesting their land. The Israeli government granted them permits to harvest on 2 days.

The land is on a hill and valley overlooking the main road into Nablus, near the settlement of Bracha. During the harvest the pickers were watched constantly by a small number of settlers and 6 IOF soldiers, but the day went well without incidents, in an area that is often on the receiving end of harassment.

Kafr al-Dik, west of Salfit

We joined Ali Nassar, a Palestinian farmer from the town of Kafr al-Dik, west of Salfit, who has an olive field near the settlement of Alie Zahav. Kafr al-Dik’s land was confiscated for building Alei Zahav. Ali has around 120 olive trees. We harvested close to the settlement without any issues.

Burin, near Nablus

ISM activists joined Faz3a in the village of Burin, near the Yitsahar settlement. The elderly farmers we were there to help had been attacked and chased off their land the previous day by settlers, and the elderly woman was limping as a result. In the end, the couple were too afraid to take us harvesting because they were threatened by settlers not to return, especially with international support, unless they’d coordinated with the military.

Atara, north of Ramallah

We harvested in Atara Spring, very close to the illegal Israeli settlement of Ateret, which is currently being expanded.

ISM members were helping to harvest on behalf of the land owners who were attacked on multiple occasions last year whilst harvesting, so were afraid to harvest this year.

On multiple occasions, the settlement security stopped to ask what we were doing, if it was our land, and told the Palestinian farmer not to make a mess and to keep the road clear. At one point two settlers stopped their car to get out and watch us.

Attacks and disruption in Al-Khalil as settlers celebrate Sarah’s Day

December 29 | International Solidarity Movement | Al-Khalil

Around 30,000 settlers gathered in Al- Khalil (Hebron) on Saturday, November 19, to celebrate Sarah’s Sabbath and wreaked havoc in the Old City market, attacking Palestinians and their shops, houses and destroying cars. This happened under the watch of the Israeli army who cordoned the area so that settlers could go around “safely” and arrested and injured Palestinians as they tried to defend themselves.

Settlers arrived from all over the West Bank the previous night and slept in tents around the Ibrahimi Mosque and in Shuhada Street, which has been under Israeli control since the mosque massacre in 1994. During the night, settlers went around some Palestinian neighbourhoods, chanting racists slurs and threatening people, under the protection of the Israeli occupation forces (IOF). Ben-Gvir, leader of the far-right Otzmar Yehidit party and now set to be Israel’s national security minister, was also seen in Shuhada St and attended the march the day after.

Early on the Saturday, the army went out of the Shuhada St checkpoint and started putting up fences for the safe passage of settlers in the Old Town. They removed people from the streets and ordered Palestinian shops to close, therefore disrupting one of the busiest days for business. Badee Dweik, from Human Rights Defenders, told the ISM: “Saturday is one of the most important days for shopping and business for Palestinians, because people from ’48 come to shop in here.”

ISM activists in Shuhada St witnessed hundreds of settlers, lots of them armed, allowed out of the checkpoint at the end of the road. On the street, settlers were threatening to break into the few Palestinian homes left in Shuhada St, shouted and threw stones from nearby roofs.

This year, for the first time, settlers marched in the Old Shalala street. Passing through Khalil’s Old Market, they destroyed stalls, threw stones and hurled abuse at Palestinians. Around 20 Palestinians were injured and 9 were arrested. 11 cars were destroyed and many houses were attacked. Around 100 settlers gathered around the house of Imad, a well-known activist, and threw stones at it.

“This time was more violent than other years,” Badee continued. “Settler attacked Palestinian families, broke houses, broke inside the houses, attacked cars, threw stones. Soldiers, instead of controlling them, also invaded some Palestinian houses and arrested people since last night.”

“It is a cooperation between army and settlers. Settlers are just army without uniform, this is the only difference.”

ISM activists also witnessed attacks and abuses in the Jaber neighbourhood, a Palestinian neighbourhood located between the Kiryat Arba Israeli settlement and the Ibrahimi Mosque. Settlers went around shouting racist slurs and threatening local Palestinians or throwing stones, saying that the city and country is theirs and they have the right to move around. IOF also threw sound grenades, scaring the residents.

Alaa Jaber, a resident of the neighbourhood, told the ISM: “Today few settlers stormed this neighbourhood, and we went after them to tell them they were not allowed to come here, it is a Palestinian neighbourhood. They neglected us. They were heading towards my family’s house. Even the soldiers told them they had to leave, but they did not respond.

“Two settlers showed me pepper spray to threaten me. The soldier saw that the settler had the pepper spray, but they didn’t say anything. They only asked me to go inside my house.

“Every time settlers have a ceremony, the Palestinians are forced to stay at home. They steal our moments. They make us stuck at home. If we go out, we are afraid the settlers will attack our home.

We feel like we’re living in a ghetto, isolated from any support.”

The situation has been exacerbated by the newly-elected government in Israel, which saw Ben Gvir leading the third party in government.

“They have a very extremist ideology that Palestinians should not exist here and now the settlers will be more violent because they think they have more protection since they have the third political party who can defend them,” Badee added.

Sarah’s Day or Sabbath is one of the most important holidays held by the Chabad/Hasidim Jews, and it has been used by Israeli settlers to intimidate and antagonise Palestinians living in Al-Khalil.

Families Not Firing Zones: Defiance in Masafer Yatta

 

16 October | International Solidarity Movement | Masafer Yatta

 

For the last 42 years the Israeli occupation forces have been slowly but surely grinding the region of Masafer Yatta into dust. Now, in 2022, the various injunctions, petitions, hearings and a halfhearted international condemnation have amounted to nothing. The Israeli army has again successfully pushed through their application to forcibly transfer some 1,200 Palestinians to make way for a military firing zone. This is ethnic cleansing happening before our eyes.

 

At the gates to the valley lies the village of Khallat Al Dabaa, a well established resilient community. Persistent and violent Settler attacks, deliberate police negligence, military harassment, and the imminent threat of eviction makes life here increasingly difficult. A large portion of the Masafer Yatta valley has been designated a live firing range for military training dispute the existing residents. This is means displacing and demolishing the homes of 215 Palestinian households that have lived in these hills for generations, now under constant threat of eviction. In Khallat Al Dabaa, 20 structures have received demolition orders. The order demands that they personally destroy their own homes. Adding salt to the wound The residents had until the 29th of September and as they did not comply they will be charged for the cost of demolition. All the while the military training persists. Dropping bombs and firing live ammunition. Demolition and violence has been the only certainty for the communities of Masafer Yatta.

 

The Aldababseh brothers Jeber, father of five, Mohammed, father of twelve, and Amer, father of four, have  had their homes demolished five times each  over the past four years by the Israeli occupation forces. The vital school, the generators, the water pipes and five wells were also destroyed. Water pipes now have to be hidden from the army and settlers. Jeber said to ISM: “If they demolish everything we will rebuild, we have nowhere else to go. This is our home and this will be our grave.”

In a show of defiance from the local community and the activists on the ground, The ISM, together with the families of Khallet Al Dabaa has been painting large bold clear statements on the walls of the houses. Statements asking questions such as: “Where will I sleep”, “where will they stop”.
One statement reads “this is a home just like yours”. This is aimed directly at internationals asking them to draw a parallel with the situation here and their own lives. Your home is somewhere you will thrive in, sleep in, raise your family and somewhere you should feel safe. We want the international community to question what lengths they might go to protect their own home. This writing is not for the Israeli soldiers who come here for “military training”. The apartheid soldiers come here to evict, demolish and terrorise the community. It is unrealistic to think that this work will stop them in their tracks. This work is here to highlighting the human cost of this forcible transfer and raise international awareness. It’s is a call to action. The time is now. We must support these communities before they are eradicated. You can do this by either joining us on the ground here or from afar sharing and circulating as much information as you can. Solidarity can come in many forms.
In clear bold black and white text one statement reads: “LET ME LIVE MY LIFE” this has proven to be a daily challenge here and across the West Bank. We know this will contribute to a better appreciation of this urgent situation.

 

Making a stand and saving the village of Khalat Al Dabaa is specifically essential because Israel’s brutal occupation will not stop here. The local resistance committees and the ISM activists on the ground have resolved to do everything they can to help these communities survive this ordeal. If this village goes, it paves the way for the rest of the Masafer Yatta valley and the West Bank to be erased from the map.

 

Mahmoud Darwish sums up why the people stay, and how they have the strength to resist.

علَى هَذِهِ الأَرْض مَا يَسْتَحِقُّ الحَياةْ

We have on this land that which makes life worth living.

 

 

 

Keep Palestinian-led activism alive during COVID-19

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To our friends and comrades:

We would like to thank all of you for your continued solidarity and support for the freedom of the Palestinian people, whether through activism, protest, boycott, donations, or raising awareness online and personally. Because of you, the International Solidarity Movement has been able to continue using non-violent methods to resist Israeli apartheid in Palestine for almost two decades. 

ISM is an entirely grassroots funded organization, with no corporate or fixed sponsors, and all of our volunteers are self-funded. However, the global pandemic has forced many countries to adopt exceptional measures, such as quarantines and travel disruptions. Volunteers can no longer travel to Palestine and the consequent economic slowdown has seriously impacted us financially, to a point where we may be forced to close all of our offices in Palestine. This would severely limit our ability to advocate for Palestinian issues, not only during the pandemic but also for months afterwards, preventing us from resuming operations once the lockdown ends. 

With settler attacks up 78% amid the pandemic, and Israeli forces continuing with demolitions, arrests, imprisonment, and shootings of civilians, we believe it is more important than ever to maintain a presence in Palestine. Our goal, with your help, is to raise $7,000(USD) in emergency funds to ensure ISM can continue to operate until the  lockdown resulting from Covid-19 will be gradually lifted and international travel resumes. The funds will be used to cover costs including legal fees (Palestinian and international activists often face unjust arrest and trial for peaceful activism), rental fees for ISM’s offices and volunteer apartments across Palestine, maintaining current projects and media advocacy, transportation, and other incidental costs. 

Over the last 12 months, we have documented and reported on Israeli occupation and ethnic cleansing across Palestine, working as international human rights observers and defenders. Our recent actions include:

  • Our ongoing protective presence program with children in Hebron on their way to and from school.
  • Protective presence for farmers and villages in the South Hebron Hills. 
  • Protective presence for farmers across the West Bank during the olive harvest.  
  • Using direct action to oppose illegal settlement expansion, home demolitions, and arrests by occupying forces. 
  • Documenting, reporting, and media advocacy on human rights abuses and violence against innocent Palestinians. 
  • Internationally, we have continued to provide training for independent activists in non-violent direct action activism.
  • Worked with British researchers on a forensic report into the shooting of a Palestinian child by Israeli forces. 

With the spread of COVID-19 and consequent lockdown across Palestine, our newest projects include:

We are counting on all of you, our friends around the world, to keep ISM’s Palestinian-led, non-violent direct action approach to activism alive and ready to resume during this difficult time. We know that many of us are facing financial difficulties due to the current global crisis. In whatever capacity you are able we ask for your support as we face this unprecedented challenge to our movement. Please donate if you can, any amount helps. Please share this call and most importantly continue to support the Palestinian cause by raising awareness and advocating in your home countries and adhearing to and supporting the Palestinian call for boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) against those complicit in Israeli occupation and apartheid.

Together we can continue to spread solidarity and work for a free Palestine!

Follow the link to donate securely online: https://palsolidarity.org/donate 

If you have any questions or payment issues, tell us about it at palreports@gmail.com 

                                                                                                                                                        

التبرعات هنا

إلى أصدقائنا و رفاقنا :

نود شكركم لتضامنكم ودعمكم للفلسطينيّن سواءً من خلال نشاطكمم، وقفاتكم الاحتجاجية، الاضرابات، الدعم المادي، أو من خلال نشر الوعي والمعرفة عن طريق الانترنت أو شخصيا . 

بسببكم حركة التضامن الدولية استطاعت متابعة استخدام طرق سلمية في مقاومة التميّز العنصري الإسرائيلي في فلسطين لعقدين من الزمن تقريباً.

‏ISM مموّلة بشكل كامل عن طريق المتطوعين والعاملين فيها من دون مساعدة راعٍ  مستمر أو متعاون، جميع المتطوعين في ISM مستقلين ماديا ، على أي حال ، الجائحة العالمية أجبرت الكثير من الدول على اتباع اجرائات استثنائية على سبيل المثال: الحجر الصحي، وإيقاف الرحلات الجوية.

لم يعد بإمكان المتطوعين السفر إلى فلسطين ، والاضرابات الاقتصادية العالمية أثّرت علينا مادياً بشكل كبير ، وقد أوصلتنا إلى مرحلة قد تجبرنا على إغلاق جميع مراكزنا في فلسطين مما سيؤثر بشكل كبير على قدرتنا في دعم وتأيد القضية الفلسطينية، ليس فقط خلال هذه الجائحة ولكن لبضعة شهور بعد انتهائها  أيضاً، مما سيمنعنا من استئناف مشاريعنا عند انتهاء الحجر .

مع ارتفاع هجوم المستوطن بنسبة ٧٨٪؜ وسط الجائحة، ومتابعة القوات الإسرائيلية عمليات التدمير ، التخريب، الاعتقالات و السجن واطلاق النار على المدنيّن نحن نؤمن بأهمية بقائنا في فلسطين أكثر من قبل.

هدفنا بمساعدتكم هو جمع ٧٠٠٠ دولار أمريكي لتمويل طارئ، لضمان استمرارية ISM بالعمل لحين الانتهاء من الحجر الصحي بسبب ڤيروس كورونا المستجد واستئناف الرحلات الجوية.

التمويل سوف يستخدم لتغطية بعض النفقات من ضمنها : ضرائب قانونية ( بعض الفلسطينين والناشطين الدوليّن يواجهون في بعض الأحيان اعتقالات قسرية غير عادلة وتحديات بسبب نشاطهم السلمي)، رسوم إيجار لمراكزنا وشقق المتطوعين عبر فلسطين ، والمحافظة على استمرارية المشاريع الحالية، و التأيد الاعلامي، والمواصلات، وبعض المصاريف الطارئة.

خلال الشهور الاثنا عشر الماضية قمنا بتوثيق الاحتلال الإسرائيلي وما يقوم به من تطهير عرقي في فلسطين، عملنا كمراقبين ومدافعين لحقوق الإنسان الدولية، أعمالنا مؤخراً تضمنت:

مع انتشار ڤيروس كورونا المستجد وما ترتب عليه من حجر صحي في فلسطين، آخر مشاريعنا تتضمن:

 دعم للوضع الحالي في فلسطين عبر الانترنت.

حملة معا، بمشاركة فلسطينين ومنظمات دولية أخرى للمطالبة بإجراء تحقيق مع Herbon funds – مجموعة متطرفة عدائية أمريكية تقوم برعاية الاستيطان الاسرائيلي والاعتدائات العسكرية في الخليل.

نحن نعتمد عليكم جميعاً، أصدقائنا في جميع أرجاء العالم لإبقاء ISM بقيادة فلسطينية و إبقاء نهج النشاط السلمي على قيد الحياة ومهيئ لمتابعة العمل خلال هذه الأوقات العصيبة.

نعلم أن العديد منا يواجه صعوبات مادية بسبب الأزمة العالمية، نحن نطلب المساعدة بأي إمكانية مادية تستطيع عليها، في الوقت الذي نواجه فيه تحدٍ غير مسبوق في حراكنا السلمي . 

الرجاء الدعم،أي مبلغ باستطاعتك سوف يساعدنا.

الرجاء نشر هذا النداء والأهم الاستمرار بدعم الفسطينيّن عن طريق نشر الوعي، وتأيد القضية في بلدك الأم، والالتزام بدعم بدعم النداء الفلسطيني لمقاطعة ،وتعرية، وفرض عقوبات [BDS] ضد المتواطئين مع الاحتلال الاسرائيلي والتميز العنصري. 

معاً يمكننا متابعة نشز التضامن والعمل من أجل فلسطين حرة.

اتبع الرابط للتبرع والدعم بشكل أمن عبر الانترنت:

https://palsolidarity.org/donate 

في حال وجود أي استفسار أو إذا واجهتك مشكلة في الدفع أخبرنا عنها عبر : palreports@gmail.com 

                                                                                                                                                        

Dona aquí

Amigas, amigos y camaradas:

Queremos agradeceros a todas/os vuestra incondicional solidaridad y apoyo a la libertad del pueblo palestino, ya sea a través del activismo, la protesta, el boicot, las donaciones o la sensibilización en línea y presencialmente. Gracias a vosotras, el International Solidarity Movement (ISM) ha podido continuar utilizando métodos no violentos para resistir el apartheid israelí en Palestina desde hace ya casi dos décadas.

ISM es una organización de base y, al igual que todas las personas voluntarias que participan en el movimiento, se autofinancia sin ningún tipo de patrocinio.  Sin embargo, la pandemia ha obligado a muchos países a adoptar medidas excepcionales, como cuarentenas y restricciones de movilidad. Las personas voluntarias ya no pueden viajar a Palestina y la consiguiente desaceleración económica nos ha afectado seriamente a nivel financiero, hasta tal punto que podemos vernos obligadas a cerrar todas nuestras oficinas en Palestina. Esto limitaría severamente nuestra capacidad de abogar por los problemas del pueblo palestino, no sólo durante la pandemia sino también durante los meses venideros, impidiendo que reanudemos las operaciones una vez que termine la cuarentena.

Los ataques por parte de los colonos israelíes han aumentado un 78% durante la pandemia, y mientras que las fuerzas israelíes continúan con demoliciones, arrestos, encarcelamientos y tiroteos de civiles; consideramos que es más importante que nunca mantener una presencia activa en Palestina. Nuestro objetivo, con vuestra ayuda, es recaudar 7.000$ (USD) en fondos de emergencia para garantizar que ISM pueda continuar operando hasta que la cuarentena resultante del COVID-19 se levante gradualmente y se reanude la movilidad internacional. Los fondos se utilizarán para cubrir multas y tasas judiciales (tanto activistas de Palestina como internacionales a menudo se enfrentan a arrestos y juicios injustos por acciones de resistencia pacífica), los costes de alquiler de las oficinas de ISM y los apartamentos de voluntariado en Palestina, el mantenimiento de los proyectos actuales, la difusión mediática, el transporte y otros costes relacionados.

Durante los últimos 12 meses, hemos documentado e informado sobre la ocupación israelí y la limpieza étnica en toda Palestina, trabajando como observadoras/es y defensoras/es internacionales de derechos humanos. Nuestras acciones recientes incluyen:

  • Nuestro programa de presencia protectora continua para el acompañamiento de niños y niñas de Khalil (Hebrón) en su camino de ida y vuelta de la escuela, constantemente acosados por colonos y las fuerzas de ocupación israelíes.
  • Presencia protectora para familias agricultoras y residentes de aldeas en las colinas del sur de Khalil (Hebrón).
  • Presencia protectora para familias agricultoras en Cisjordania durante la cosecha de aceitunas.
  • Uso la acción directa no violenta para oponernos a la expansión ilegal de asentamientos, demoliciones de viviendas y detenciones por parte de las fuerzas de ocupación israelíes.
  • Documentación, generación de informes y difusión en los medios de comunicación sobre los abusos de los derechos humanos y la violencia contra la población palestina.
  • A nivel internacional, hemos seguido brindando formación a activistas independientes en materia de activismo de acción directa no violenta.
  • Colaboración con investigadores británicos en un informe forense sobre el disparo a un niño palestino por parte de las fuerzas de ocupación israelíes.

Con la propagación del COVID-19 y el consiguiente bloqueo en toda Palestina, nuestros proyectos y actuaciones más recientes incluyen:

Contamos con todas vosotras/os, amigas de todo el mundo, para mantener vivo el activismo de acción directa no violenta liderada por activistas palestinas, y poder disponer de los recursos necesarios para seguir actuando durante este difícil momento. Sabemos que muchas de nosotras nos enfrentamos a dificultades financieras debido a la actual crisis mundial. En la medida que os sea posible, os pedimos vuestro apoyo mientras afrontamos este desafío sin precedentes para nuestro movimiento. Por favor, si podéis, donad; ya que cualquier contribución es bienvenida. Compartid este comunicado y, lo que es más importante, continuad apoyando la causa palestina, creando conciencia y abogando en vuestros países de origen a adherirse y apoyar el movimiento de Boicot, Desinversión y Sanciones (BDS) contra la complicidad con la ocupación y el apartheid israelí.

¡Juntas podemos seguir difundiendo la solidaridad y seguir luchando por una Palestina libre!

Haced clic en el enlace para hacer una donación segura en línea: https://palsolidarity.org/donate

Si tenéis alguna pregunta o problema de pago, informadnos al respecto en palreports@gmail.com

                                                                                                                                                        

A nos amis et camarades

Nous aimerions vous remercier tous pour votre solidarité et votre soutien continus à la liberté du peuple palestinien, que ce soit par le militantisme, les manifestations, le boycott, les dons ou la sensibilisation en ligne et personnelle. Grâce à vous, le Mouvement de solidarité internationale (ISM) a pu continuer à résister à la colonisation et à l’apartheid israéliens en Palestine par des méthodes non violentes pendant près de deux décennies.

L’ISM est une organisation entièrement financée par la base, sans entreprise ni sponsor, et tous nos bénévoles s’autofinancent. Toutefois, la pandémie mondiale a obligé de nombreux pays à adopter des mesures exceptionnelles, telles que des quarantaines et des interruptions de voyage. Les volontaires ne peuvent plus se rendre en Palestine et le ralentissement économique qui en résulte nous affecte sérieusement financièrement, au point que nous risquons d’être contraints de fermer tous nos bureaux en Palestine. Cela limite gravement notre capacité à soutenir la cause palestinienne, non seulement pendant la pandémie mais aussi pendant les mois suivants, en nous empêchant de reprendre nos activités une fois le confinement terminé.

Avec des attaques de colons en hausse de 78% dans le contexte de la pandémie, et les forces israéliennes qui continuent les démolitions, les arrestations, les emprisonnements et les tirs sur les civils, nous pensons qu’il est plus important que jamais de maintenir une présence en Palestine. Notre objectif, avec votre aide, est de réunir 7.000 dollars US de fonds d’urgence pour que l’ISM puisse continuer à fonctionner jusqu’à ce que le verrouillage résultant de Covid-19 soit progressivement levé et que les voyages internationaux reprennent. Les fonds seront utilisés pour couvrir les frais, notamment les frais juridiques (les militants palestiniens et internationaux sont souvent confrontés à des arrestations et des procès injustes pour avoir milité pacifiquement), les frais de location des bureaux et des appartements des bénévoles de l’ISM dans toute la Palestine, le maintien des projets en cours et la défense des médias, les transports et autres frais annexes.

Au cours des 12 derniers mois, nous avons documenté et publié des articles sur l’occupation israélienne et le nettoyage ethnique en Palestine, en tant qu’observateurs et défenseurs internationaux des droits de l’homme. Nos actions récentes comprennent :

– Notre programme de présence protectrice continue avec les enfants à Hébron sur le chemin de l’école.

– Présence protectrice pour les agriculteurs et les villages dans les collines du sud d’Hébron.

– Présence protectrice pour les agriculteurs de Cisjordanie pendant la récolte des olives.

– Organisation d’actions directes pour s’opposer à l’expansion des colonies illégales, à la démolition des maisons et aux arrestations par les forces d’occupation.

– Documenter, rapporter et dénoncer dans les médias les violations des droits de l’homme et la violence contre des Palestiniens innocents.

– Sur le plan international, nous avons continué à former des militants indépendants à l’action directe non violente.

– Nous avons travaillé avec des chercheurs britanniques sur un rapport médico-légal concernant le tir des forces israéliennes sur un enfant palestinien.

Avec la propagation de COVID-19 et le verrouillage consécutif de la Palestine, nos projets les plus récents consistent en :

Témoignages en ligne sur la situation actuelle,

– et une campagne, avec des organisations palestiniennes et d’autres organisations internationales, pour exiger une enquête sur le Fonds d’Hébron – un groupe extrémiste américain qui promeut la violence des colons et des militaires à Hébron.

Nous comptons sur vous tous, nos amis du monde entier, pour maintenir vivante l’approche d’action directe non violente de l’ISM, dirigée par des Palestiniens, et prête à reprendre ses activités pendant cette période difficile. Nous savons que beaucoup d’entre nous sont confrontés à des difficultés financières en raison de la crise mondiale actuelle. Dans la mesure de vos moyens, nous vous demandons votre soutien pour faire face à ce défi sans précédent pour notre mouvement. Merci de faire un don, si vous le pouvez, tout montant est utile. Merci de partager cet appel et surtout de continuer à soutenir la cause palestinienne en sensibilisant et en plaidant dans vos pays d’origine, et en écoutant et en soutenant l’appel palestinien au boycott, au désinvestissement et aux sanctions (BDS) contre ceux qui sont complices de l’occupation et de l’apartheid israéliens.

Ensemble, nous pouvons continuer à répandre la solidarité et à travailler pour une Palestine libre !

FAIRE UN DON EN LIGNE EN TOUTE SECURITE.

Si vous avez des questions ou des problèmes de paiement, n’hésitez pas à nous en faire part à l’adresse suivante : palreports@gmail.com ou contact@ism-france.org

                                                                                                                                                        

Dona qui

Ai nostri amici e compagni:

Vogliamo ringraziarvi tutti per la vostra costante solidarietà e sostegno alla libertà del popolo palestinese, sia attraverso l’attivismo, la protesta, il boicottaggio, le donazioni o la sensibilizzazione, online e di persona. Grazie a voi, l’International Solidarity Movement è stato in grado di continuare a utilizzare metodi non violenti per resistere all’apartheid israeliana in Palestina per quasi due decenni.

ISM è un’organizzazione interamente finanziata dal basso, senza sponsor aziendali o fissi e tutti i nostri volontari sono autofinanziati. Tuttavia, la pandemia globale ha costretto molti Paesi ad adottare misure straordinarie, come le quarantene e le interruzioni degli spostamenti. I volontari non possono più recarsi in Palestina e il conseguente rallentamento economico ci ha gravemente influenzato finanziariamente, al punto che potremmo essere costretti a chiudere tutti i nostri uffici in Palestina. Ciò limiterebbe gravemente la nostra capacità di sostenere la questione palestinese, non solo durante la pandemia, ma anche per mesi dopo, impedendoci di riprendere le operazioni una volta terminato il blocco.

Con gli attacchi dei coloni in crescita del 78%  nel bel mezzo della pandemia e le forze israeliane che continuano con demolizioni, arresti, incarcerazioni e sparatorie di civili, riteniamo che sia più importante che mai mantenere una presenza in Palestina. Il nostro obiettivo, con il vostro aiuto, è quello di raccogliere $ 7.000 (USD) in fondi di emergenza per garantire che l’ISM possa continuare a funzionare fino a quando il blocco risultante dal Covid-19 sarà gradualmente revocato e riprenderanno i viaggi internazionali. I fondi verranno utilizzati per coprire i costi, comprese le spese legali (gli attivisti palestinesi e internazionali spesso affrontano arresti e processi ingiusti per attivismo pacifico), i canoni di locazione per gli uffici dell’ISM e gli appartamenti che ospitano i volontari in tutta la Palestina, mantenendo i progetti attuali di difesa, il lavoro sui media, i trasporti e altri costi collaterali.

Negli ultimi 12 mesi, abbiamo documentato e riferito sull’occupazione israeliana e sulla pulizia etnica in tutta la Palestina, lavorando come osservatori e difensori internazionali dei diritti umani. Le nostre azioni recenti includono:

Con la diffusione di COVID-19 e il conseguente blocco in tutta la Palestina, i nostri progetti più recenti includono:

  • Advocacy online sulla situazione attuale
  • Una campagna, insieme a organizzazioni palestinesi e altre organizzazioni internazionali, che richiede un’indagine sull’”Hebron Fund” – un gruppo estremista statunitense che promuove l’odio e sponsorizza la violenza dei coloni e dei militari a Hebron.

Contiamo su tutti voi, i nostri amici di tutto il mondo, per mantenere vivo l’approccio di azione diretta non violenta guidato dall’ISM, e per restare pronti a riprendere dopo questo momento difficile . Sappiamo che molti di noi stanno affrontando difficoltà finanziarie a causa dell’attuale crisi globale. A qualunque titolo ne siate in grado, chiediamo il vostro sostegno mentre affrontiamo questa sfida senza precedenti al nostro movimento.

Se vi è possibile, vi chiediamo di donare. Qualsiasi importo aiuta.
Condividete  questo appello e, soprattutto, continuate a sostenere la causa palestinese sensibilizzando le persone nei vostri Paesi d’origine e ascoltando e sostenendo la richiesta palestinese di boicottaggio, disinvestimento e sanzioni (BDS) contro i complici dell’occupazione israeliana e dell’apartheid.

Insieme possiamo continuare a diffondere solidarietà e lavorare per una Palestina libera!

Segui il link per donare in modo sicuro online: https://palsolidarity.org/donate

In caso di domande o problemi di pagamento, informaci a palreports@gmail.com

                                                                                                                                                        

Hier spenden

An unsere Freund*innen und Kamerad*innen:

Wir möchten Euch allen für Eure fortwährende Solidarität und Unterstützung für die Freiheit des palästinensischen Volkes danken, sei es durch Aktivismus, Protest, Boykott, Spenden oder Online- und persönliche Sensibilisierung. Durch Euch kann International Solidarity Movement seit fast zwei Jahrzehnten gewaltfreie Methoden anwenden, um der israelischen Apartheid in Palästina zu widerstehen.

ISM ist eine vollständig von der Basis finanzierte Organisation ohne Unterstützung von Unternehmen oder sponsoren, und alle unsere Freiwilligen sind selbst finanziert. Die globale Pandemie hat jedoch viele Länder gezwungen, außergewöhnliche Maßnahmen wie Quarantänen und Reisebeschränkungen zu ergreifen. Freiwillige können nicht mehr nach Palästina reisen, und die daraus resultierende wirtschaftliche Abkühlung hat uns finanziell ernsthaft getroffen, bis zu dem Punkt, an dem wir möglicherweise gezwungen sind, alle unsere Büros in Palästina zu schließen. Dies würde unsere Fähigkeit, sich nicht nur während der Pandemie, sondern auch für Monate danach für palästinensische Herausforderungen einzusetzen, stark einschränken und uns daran hindern, den Betrieb wieder aufzunehmen, sobald die Sperrung endet. 

Angesichts der um 78% gestiegenen Siedlerangriffe während der Pandemie und den fortgesetzten Zerstörungen, Verhaftungen, Inhaftierungen und Erschießungen von Zivilipersonen durch die israelischen Streitkräfte halten wir es für wichtiger denn je, in Palästina präsent zu sein. Unser Ziel ist es, mit Eurer Hilfe Notfallmittel in Höhe von 7.000 USD (USD) aufzubringen, um sicherzustellen, dass ISM weiter betrieben werden kann, bis die durch Covid-19 verursachte Sperrung schrittweise aufgehoben und die internationalen Reisen wieder aufgenommen werden. Die Mittel werden zur Deckung von Kosten verwendet, einschließlich Anwaltskosten (palästinensische und internationale Aktivisten werden häufig wegen friedlichen Aktivismus ungerechtfertigt verhaftet und vor Gericht gestellt), Mietgebühren für ISM-Büros und Freiwilligenwohnungen in ganz Palästina, Aufrechterhaltung aktueller Projekte und Medienvertretung, Transport und anderer beiläufigen Kosten.

In den letzten 12 Monaten haben wir als internationale Menschenrechtsbeobachter*innen und Verteidiger*innen die israelische Besatzung und ethnische Säuberung in ganz Palästina dokumentiert und darüber berichtet. Unsere jüngsten Maßnahmen umfassen:

  • Unser laufendes Schutzpräsenzprogramm mit Kindern in Hebron auf dem Weg zur und von der Schule.
  • Schutzpräsenz für Bauern und Dörfer in den South Hebron Hills.
  • Schutzpräsenz für Landwirte im gesamten Westjordanland während der Olivenernte.
  • Einsatz direkter Maßnahmen gegen illegale Siedlungserweiterung, Hauszerstörungen und Verhaftungen durch Besatzungsmächte.
  • Dokumentation, Berichterstattung und Medienvertretung zu Menschenrechtsverletzungen und Gewalt gegen unschuldige Palästinenser*innen.
  • International haben wir weiterhin unabhängige Aktivist innen in gewaltfreiem Direktaktivismus geschult.
  • Arbeit mit britischen Forschern an einem forensischen Bericht über die Erschießung eines palästinensischen Kindes durch israelische Streitkräfte.

Mit der Verbreitung von COVID-19 und der damit verbundenen Ausgangssperre in ganz Palästina umfassen unsere neuesten Projekte:

  • Online-Anwaltschaft über die aktuelle Situation,
  • Und eine Kampagne, die zusammen mit palästinensischen und anderen internationalen Organisationen eine Untersuchung des Hebron Fund fordert – einer extremistischen US-Hassgruppe, die Siedler- und militärische Gewalt in Hebron fördert.

Wir zählen darauf, dass Ihr alle, unsere Freunde auf der ganzen Welt, den von Palästinenser*innen geführten, gewaltfreien direkten Aktionsansatz von ISM für Aktivismus am Leben erhalten und bereit seid, in dieser schwierigen Zeit wieder aufzunehmen. Wir wissen, dass viele von uns aufgrund der aktuellen globalen Krise mit finanziellen Schwierigkeiten konfrontiert sind. In welcher Form   auch immer Ihr in der Lage seid, wir bitten Euch um Eure Unterstützung, wenn wir uns dieser außerordentlichen und neuen Herausforderung für unsere Bewegung stellen. Bitte spendet, wenn Ihr könnt, jeder Betrag hilft. Bitte teilt diesen Aufruf und unterstützt vor allem weiterhin die palästinensische Situation, indem Ihr das Bewusstsein und die Befürwortung in Ihren Heimatländern schärft und den palästinensischen Aufruf zum Boykott, zur Veräußerung und zu Sanktionen (BDS) gegen diejenigen, die an der israelischen Besatzung und Apartheid beteiligt sind, unterstützt.

Gemeinsam können wir weiterhin Solidarität verbreiten und für ein freies Palästina arbeiten!

Folgt dem Link, um sicher online zu spenden: https://palsolidarity.org/donate

Wenn Ihr Fragen oder Zahlungsprobleme habt, teilt uns dies unter palreports@gmail.com mit

                                                                                                                                                        

Dona aquí

Amics, amigues i camarades:

Volem agrair-vos a tots i totes la vostra incondicional solidaritat i suport en la llibertat del poble palestí, ja sigui a través de l’activisme, la protesta, el boicot, les donacions o la sensibilització en línia i de forma presencial. Gràcies a vosaltres, l’International Solidarity Movement (ISM) ha aconseguit continuar utilitzant mètodes no violents per resistir l’apartheid israelià a Palestina des de fa ja gairebé dues dècades.

ISM és una organització no governamental totalment finançada des de la base, sense patrocinadors corporatius o fixos, i totes les persones voluntàries que participen del projecte són autofinançades. No obstant això, la pandèmia ha obligat molts països a adoptar mesures excepcionals, com quarantenes i interrupcions de desplaçaments. Les persones voluntàries ja no poden viatjar a Palestina i la desacceleració econòmica ens ha afectat seriosament a nivell financer, fins a un punt en què ens podem veure obligades a tancar totes les nostres oficines a Palestina. Això limitaria severament la nostra capacitat d’advocar pels problemes del poble palestí, no només durant la pandèmia sinó també durant els propers mesos, ja que no es podrien reprendre les operacions una vegada que acabi la quarantena.

Amb l’augment del 78% dels atacs per part dels colons enmig de la pandèmia i davant del fet que les forces israelianes continuen amb demolicions, detencions, empresonaments i tirotejos a civils, creiem que és més important que mai mantenir una presència activa a Palestina. El nostre objectiu, amb la vostra ajuda, és recaptar 7.000$ (USD) en fons d’emergència per garantir que l’ISM pugui continuar operant fins que el bloqueig resultant del Covid-19 s’aixequi gradualment i es reprenguin els viatges internacionals. Els fons s’utilitzaran per cobrir costos que inclouen impostos o multes (els i les activistes palestines i internacionals sovint s’enfronten a detencions i judicis injustos per accions de resistència pacífica), els costos de lloguer de les oficines d’ISM i els apartaments de voluntariat a Palestina, el manteniment dels projectes actuals, la difusió en mitjans de comunicació, el transport i altres despeses relacionades.

Durant els últims 12 mesos, hem documentat i informat sobre l’ocupació israeliana i la neteja ètnica a tota Palestina, treballant com a observadors/es i defensors/es internacionals  dels drets humans. Les nostres accions recents inclouen:

  • El nostre programa continu de presència per protegir als infants de Khalil (Hebrón) en el camí d’anada i tornada a l’escola, constantment assetjats pels colons i les forces d’ocupació israelites.
  • Presència protectora per a famílies agricultores i residents de pobles als turons del sud de Khalil (Hebrón).
  • Presència protectora per a famílies agricultores a tota Cisjordania durant la collita d’olives.
  • Ús de l’acció directa no violenta per oposar-nos a l’expansió il·legal d’assentaments, demolicions de vivendes i detencions per part de les forces d’ocupació israelites.
  • Documentació, generació d’informes i difusió als mitjans de comunicació sobre els abusos dels drets humans i la violència contra la població palestina.
  • A nivell internacional, hem seguit realitzant formació a activistes independents en matèria d’activisme d’acció directa no violenta.
  • Treball amb investigadors britànics en un informe forense sobre el tret a un infant palestí per part de les forces d’ocupació israelites.

Amb la propagació del COVID-19 i el bloqueig a tota Palestina, els nostres projectes i actuacions més recents inclouen:

Comptem amb tots i totes vosaltres, amics/es de tot el món, per mantenir viu l’activisme d’acció directa no violenta liderada per persones palestines, i poder disposar dels recursos necessaris per seguir actuant durant aquest difícil moment. Sabem que molts i moltes de nosaltres afrontem dificultats financeres a causa de l’actual crisi mundial. En la mesura que us sigui possible, us demanem el vostre suport mentre fem front a aquest desafiament sense precedents per al nostre moviment. Si us plau, si podeu,  doneu. Qualsevol quantitat serà d’ajuda. Compartiu aquesta crida i, el que és més important, continueu donant suport a la causa palestina, creant consciència i advocant, en els vostres països d’origen i de residència, perquè s’adhereixin i donin suport al moviment de Boicot, Desinversió i Sancions (BDS) contra els còmplices de l’ocupació i el apartheid israelià.

Junts i juntes podrem seguir difonent la solidaritat i seguir lluitant per una Palestina lliure!

Fes clic a l’enllaç per fer una donació segura en línea: https://palsolidarity.org/donate

Si teniu alguna pregunta o problema amb el pagament, informeu-nos al respecte a palreports@gmail.com

About the legitimisation of the Palestinian oppression in Al Khalil (Hebron)

December 1st | International Solidarity Movement | Al Khalil, occupied Palestine

Last Saturday, November 23rd, was ‘Sarah’s day’, a festivity for the Jewish community that gathers Israeli settlers from all around the occupied Palestinian Territories and Jews travelling from abroad, in the Palestinian city of Al Khalil (also known as Hebron). This year in particular, there has been a special effort by the Hebron Fund to bring as many devotees as possible, who converged in the ‘H2’ zone of Al Khalil, including the old city area and all the surrounding illegal Israeli settlements.

 

A sign on Shuhada Street, Hebron,

 

In their daily life, Palestinians’ right of movement in this zone is severely restricted, and at times forbidden. The incoming celebrations worsened, if possible, the situation. In response to the huge influx of settlers and people coming from abroad, military involvement was significantly increased.

The outcome of these three different factors -massive presence of zionists, increased military presence and effective closing down of the area for the Palestinian residents – was a situation in which the incoming crowds were legitimated to do any type of action inside a de-facto ‘amusement-park’, with the complicity of the army, whose effective duty is to control and suppress local people and activists. The situation resembled the conditions under which the first settlement in Hebron was created. In 1968, a group of Israeli zionists reserved hotel rooms in the old city during a Jewish holiday. Their stay evolved into a permanent occupation, protected by Israeli soldiers and endorsed by the Israeli government.

 

Banner put by zionists during Sarah’s day.

What it was possible to witness from the participants in the Sarah’s day celebrations, seemed to be all the frustration and the rage cumulated during the year, crystallized, materialising into the basest actions, and enabled by an unlimited sense of power. These feelings were exemplified by banners such as “Palestine never existed… and never will” [source: Hebron Fund]. They transformed into overt hostility and aggression against the international activists observing the events. They emerged as physically violent attacks with pepper spray against unarmed Palestinian civilians, including children. This culminated with the stoning of a two-years old sleeping child.

 

A 2 years old kid stoned by the settlers in Tel Rumeida.
This gathering of zionists seems to flush out all the frustration due to the incompleteness of the apartheid process: the Palestinians in Al Khalil are guilty of not being fully subjugated by the racist policies of the state of Israel, and such a gathering is a good opportunity to remind them of the hierarchy that is supposed to be in place.

In view of all this, several questions are raised.
First of all, of course, why? Why such a rage and such a violent spirit? Does Israel not have enough? Illegally occupying a vast majority of Palestinian land seems not to be sufficient. The real occupation and the true oppression is carried out through the routine and persistent humiliation of Palestinians, and the feeling of impotence with which local people are left after every attack. However, it does not take much time for the Palestinians to resume their usual spirit of resistance. Their resilience is stronger than the fascist soul of a bunch of extremist settlers.

Secondly, what is the role of the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) present there? On
Friday afternoon, a group of almost 150 settlers attacked a barber shop on the way to the Kyriat Arba illegal settlement, assaulting the five people inside with pepper spray, wood and furniture. All around, a huge presence of IOF soldiers; did they stop this fascist aggression?

A couple of hours later, a 12 years old child was attacked by a group of settlers, spraying him with pepper spray and kicking him whilst on the ground. Nearby soldiers were stationed at an observation tower 50 meters away; did the soldiers intervene?

 

 

A 12 years old Palestinian kid gased and then kicked by the settlers.

 

In both cases the soldiers did not stop the violence. They observed, and they waited. They waited and watched while the illegal settlers vented their hatred against the Palestinians. At what expense?

A further, even more extreme example, took place on Saturday afternoon. The family of a Palestinian activist living in the Tel Rumeida neighbour (within the ‘H2’ zone) was gathered together in their home, when a group of settlers climbed on the roof and entered their garden. After shouting verbal abuse, the settlers began to throw stones at the house, the family came outside trying, in vain, to convince them to go away. One of the stones passed, not by chance, through a window and hit the two year old nephew of the activist, who was sleeping inside. The soldiers were on the rooftop, “containing” (i.e. observing) the settlers. A Palestinian ambulance could not reach Tel Rumeida: Palestinians are forbidden to drive inside ‘H2’. The only way for the family of the injured child to get him to safety and medical treatment, was to hold him and run, through the throngs of yelling settlers, towards the closest checkpoint. Then they could only hope for the medics to be able to pass the control and take the child. There are at least two past examples this not being possible. In one case, the victim died waiting at the checkpoint. On this occasion, mercifully the child could reach the ambulance, and the medical staff were able to take him to the waiting ambulance.

 

Palestinian medical staff trying to pass the check point 56 in order to enter Shuada street.
Hence it seems clear that the role of the IOF is not to prevent clashes. Not even to defend the Israelis. Their role is to indulge the settlers, whatever the price to pay for the others. In their amusement-park there is no place for disrupters, such as activists, adult and child Palestinians, who are systematically and brutally repressed.

IOF during Sarah’s day.
In the end, what should Palestinians do in order not just to be spectators of their own everlasting humiliation? The answer is more complicated than ever. As time passes by, the imbalance of power shifts further away from them, as the recent US declaration highlights. Active resistance is undermined by both the continued oppression of the Israeli police and the internal conflicts within the Palestinians factions. The presence of international activists helps in documenting the constant violations of basic rights, but is certainly not enough to change the inertia of the dynamics. While hope for change by pure political means weakens, space is created for more radical, and sometimes more appealing, answers based on the juxtaposition of Islamist ideas to the zionist arguments. The international powers, focused on the pure capitalistic interest of maintaining good relationships with Israel as an ally, are responsible for this radicalisation. They, and all those who turn a blind eye to the injustices happening here lose the right to judge the Palestinian means of resistance, in the face of an oppression in which they are accomplices.