Palestinian village of Bab Alshams violently evicted

13 January 2013 | PSCC, Occupied Palestine

Although established on privately owned Palestinian lands, Israel forcefully expelled residents of the village in a pre-dawn raid this morning. Six required medical attention.

Shortly before 3 am, hundreds of Israeli policemen and soldiers staged a raid on the newly founded Palestinian village of Bab Alshams (Gate of the Sun), violently evicting its 150 inhabitants. Use of police brutality is even more objectionable in light of the passive resistance offered by the residents. No arrests were made, and all persons detained were released shortly after.

In light of harsh international criticism over the plan to expand the Ma’aleh Edomim settlement, and in an attempt to draw away attention from the case, eviction took place early this morning. Following its arrival at the scene, a massive police force began by removing journalists from the residents’ immediate surroundings and proceeded to drag people away, beating some of them. Six Palestinians later required medical care at the Ramallah Hospital.

Following his release, Mohammed Khatib of the Popular Struggle Coordination Committee said, “We will not remain silent as Israel continues to build Jewish-only colonies on our land. Bab Alshams is no more, but during its short days it gave new life and energy to all who passed through it. Israel continues to act in violation of every imaginable law and human decency. In establishing Bab Alshams we declare that we have had enough of demanding our rights from the occupier – from now on we shall seize them ourselves.”

Last night the state appealed to the High Court to withdraw an injunction prohibiting the eviction. The state argued, among other things, that the very existence of the village may occasion rioting, despite its remote and isolated location. The state further argued that the village was established by the Committees to Resist the Wall (a body which does not exist), also behind a blockade of Route 443 in October 2012. This claim, backed only by an affidavit signed by an Israeli police chief, has never been supported by any indictments or arrests for the questioning of individuals.

The village of Bab Alshams was established last Friday by Palestinian activists, on privately owned Palestinian lands, in an area between East Jerusalem and the settlement of Ma’aleh Edomim, which Israel refers to as E1. After the acceptance of Palestine as a non-member state to the UN, Israel announced the approval of a plan to expand the Ma’aleh Edomim settlement by building some 4,000 residential units in this area. Such construction would effectively bisect the West Bank and effectively cutting it off from Jerusalem.

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More pictures of the injured here: http://db.tt/56UREmL2.

 

19 year-old law student Anwar Al-Malouk from Gaza City shot dead

11 January 2013 | Jabalia, Gaza Strip, Occupied Palestine

The fragile ceasefire announced on 21st November, following Israel’s eight-day offensive on Gaza, was yet again violated by the Israeli military today after a fatal attack on a group of Palestinian civilians east of Jabalia. 19 year-old Anwar Al-Malouk, a law student from the Shajaia district of Gaza City was shot dead and 21 year-old Omar Wadi from the Jabalia refugee camp, north of Gaza City, was injured as he came to Anwar’s aid.

Omar Wadi (21) sitting in his house in Jabalia refugee camp, still recoverig from wounds in both legs after being shot by Israeli soldiers on January 11th 2012, while he was in the "Buffer Zone". He was injuried by the shrapnel of a hollow-point bullet when he was trying to help Anwar Almalouk (19), who was shot in the stomach. Anwar would later die while being transferred to the hospital.
Omar Wadi (21) sitting in his house in Jabalia refugee camp, still recoverig from wounds in both legs after being shot by Israeli soldiers on January 11th 2012, while he was in the “Buffer Zone”. He was injuried by the shrapnel of a hollow-point bullet when he was trying to help Anwar Almalouk (19), who was shot in the stomach. Anwar would later die while being transferred to the hospital.

At about 2.30pm on 11th January, Omar was in a local cemetary visiting the graves of friends killed under the occupation. He noticed a group of around 30 Palestinians a few hundred metres away to the east, between the cemetary and the fence marking the eastern border of the Gaza Strip.

From the cemetary, which was over half a kilometre from the border fence, Omar approached the group to investigate the situation. Four Israeli military jeeps were positioned on the other side of the fence and around 12 Israeli soldiers were present, firing tear-gas canisters towards the group of Palestinians.

At this point, the group was at a distance of approximately 100 metres from the fence but then fled a further 100 metres back, amid the tear-gas attack. By around 4pm, Anwar had been separated from the group and remained alone about 40 metres from the fence, when he was shot by the soldiers and fell.

Three of the group, including Omar, went back to assist Anwar. Omar says he acted instinctively at the sight of a fellow Palestinian in danger and didn’t consider his own safety – despite not having previously known Anwar. As he arrived to where Anwar lay, he was hit in both legs by shrapnel from a hollow-tip bullet which exploded on impact with the ground nearby and showered metal fragments in his direction.

The two others managed to evacuate Omar and Anwar from the scene to safety but Anwar had sustained a serious gunshot wound to his abdomen and died en route to hospital. Anwar had to be driven from the area to the main road in a toc-toc, where he was then transferred to an ambulance. Unfortunately, by this time he had already passed away in the toc-toc.

At Kamal Adwan Hospital in Jabalia, Omar was treated for ankle injuries. He has since been released but the shrapnel remains embedded in his bones. As an outpatient of the osteological department, he must return next week for assessment regarding the possibility of surgery to remove the shrapnel. It is understandable that Omar was terrified during the attack. He has been traumatised by the experience and has not been able to sleep due to reliving the memory of it.

An X-ray showing the piece of shrapnel embedded in Omar´s leg (white spot).
An X-ray showing the piece of shrapnel embedded in Omar´s leg (white spot).

Omar has two brothers and six sisters. His 18 year-old brother, Mohammed, was seriously injured during an Israeli incursion in the east of Jabalia five years ago when he was only 13 years old. Mohammed underwent treatment in Egypt for four months and is still receiving treatment in Gaza to this day.

The young mens’ father expressed concern about Omar ever visiting the cemetary again, whilst their mother said she feared one day all her sons would be killed. The Wadi family yearn for a genuine ceasefire yet anticipated from the outset that Israel would never respect it. Omar’s principal hope is that Israel’s crimes against Palestinians will end.

Anwar was the youngest son of the Al-Malouk family and the only one still living at home due to his older brothers being married. His 55 year-old mother hopes he is now at peace.

The first Palestinian killed after the ceasefire announcement was also named Anwar. On 23rd November, just two days into the agreement, Anwar Qudieh was shot dead, this time in the rural area of Abassan, east of Khan Younis in the south of the Gaza Strip.

There have been numerous Israeli attacks against Palestinian civilians in Gaza during the ceasefire. One can only imagine the response had it been the other way around.

 

Photos courtesy of Desde Palestina

Palestinian Village of Bab Alshams Remains Steadfast

Update: The Israeli occupation forces invaded Bab AlShams village in the middle of the night and arrested all it’s residents and removed them by force injuring six Palestinians. The Residents of Bab ALShams were forced on an ISraeli police bus and driven through Jerusalem/Al Quds, from which as Palestinians they are banned by Israel, and dropped off at the Qalandia military checkpoint near Ramallah.

12 January 2013 | PSCC, Bab Alshams, Occupied Palestine

Bab AlShams at nightIsraeli army and police have been laying siege to the newly founded Palestinian village of Bab Alshams since earlier today, blocking all roads leading to. The area has been declared a closed military zone. The village was inaugurated yesterday on Palestinian land, East of Jerusalem, in an area referred to by Israel as E1, and designated for the expansion of Ma’ale Edomim settlement.

Despite the siege, roughly a hundred supporters from across Palestine managed to reach the village, trekking through rocky terrain. Earlier today, Abdallah Abu Rahmah of the Popular Struggle Coordination Committee said, “Israel has been defying international law for decades by building illegal settlements on stolen land and demolishing Palestinian homes. We are here to say that Israeli impunity must end. We have the right to build and live on our own land”.

 This morning the residents of the village where notified by Israeli police that they will be evicted despite an injunction issued by the Israeli High Court, prohibiting demolition of the village for six days. The officers informed residents that the injunction only forbids the removal of village structures, not their inhabitants. Despite this statement, Israeli government has appealed to the court to revoke the injunction. As growing numbers of Israeli forces amass in the vicinity of the village, seemingly preparing to carry out an eviction, the residents of Bab Alshams stand firm in their resolution to hold on to the land.

Meanwhile, Israeli soldiers prevented Palestinian legislators Hannan Ashrawi, Saeb Arekat and Ahmed Majdalani from reaching the village and confiscated Majdalani’s VIP card.

Famed Lebanese writer, Elias Khury, author of the epic novel Bab Alshams after which the village is named, phoned the residents earlier today to express his support. “You have revived Bab Alshams”, he said, “I wish I were there with you.”

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Tom Hurndal, RIP

12 January 2013 | International Solidarity Movement

tomTom was 21 years old when he was shot. A photography student, he had left the UK to volunteer as a ‘human shield’ in Iraq. Here he heard about the ISM, one of whose volunteers, Rachel Corrie, had just been killed by a bulldozer whilst protesting house demolitions in Rafah. He headed there himself, arriving on the 6th April.

On the day of his shooting, Tom was with other ISM activists walking through Rafah when Israeli sniper fire started. Almost everyone ran for safety, but Tom noticed that three children, aged between four and seven, had remained motionless, paralysed with fear. Tom went back for them. He got the little boy to safety, and then went back for the two girls. He was wearing a fluorescent vest, and was clearly unarmed. An Israeli sniper shot him in the head. (Read more.)

 

 

possibly other videos???

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1145529/

 

Time For Justice – A call from Palestine to EU citizens

Join the Palestinian call urging EU citizens to act for justice for Palestine.

EU representatives have expressed numerous concerns about Israeli violations towards Palestine, however, witnessing ever-increasing violations, words are not enough. Ask your representatives to act and call for suspension of EU’s trade agreements with Israel, until it complies with international law. Stop EU’s complicity in these crimes now. Read the full text of the call below.

smallTake Action: Write to your Prime Minister and Foreign Minister. Then write to your Members or European Parliament (MEPs).

1) WRITE TO YOUR PRIME MINISTER AND FOREIGN MINISTER:

AUSTRIA / BELGIUM (DUTCH / FRENCH) / BULGARIA / CYPRUS / CZECH REPUBLIC / DENMARK / ESTONIA / FINLAND / FRANCE / GERMANY / GREECE / HUNGARY / IRELAND / ITALY / LATVIA / LITHUANIA / LUXEMBOURG / MALTA / NETHERLANDS / POLAND / PORTUGAL / ROMANIA / SLOVAKIA / SLOVENIA / SPAIN (CASTILIAN / CATALAN) / SWEDEN / UNITED KINGDOM

2) WRITE TO YOUR MEMBERS OF EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT:

AUSTRIA / BELGIUM (DUTCH / FRENCH) / BULGARIA / CYPRUS / CZECH REPUBLIC / DENMARK / ESTONIA / FINLAND / FRANCE / GERMANY / GREECE / HUNGARY / IRELAND / ITALY / LATVIA / LITHUANIA / LUXEMBOURG / MALTA / NETHERLANDS / POLAND / PORTUGAL / ROMANIA / SLOVAKIA / SLOVENIA / SPAIN (CASTILIAN / CATALAN) / SWEDEN / UNITED KINGDOM

 

Full text of the call

Time For Justice – A call from Palestine to EU citizens

 

Ask your governments and EMPs to suspend EU-Israel Association Agreement and ACAA, stand up for human rights and end the occupation

Representatives of European governments have expressed grave concerns over Israel’s plan to build another 3000 settlement units in the West Bank. The EU High Representative Catherine Ashton reiterated that “all settlement construction is illegal under international law and constitutes an obstacle to peace.”

While statements of concern regarding Israeli war crimes and international law violations are welcome, in practice Israel’s military occupation and apartheid policies including its settlement project in the West Bank, the continued siege and assault on the Gaza Strip,  the ongoing demolition of Palestinian homes, the illegal annexation of occupied East Jerusalem, Arbitrary arrests and torture of adults and children, severe restrictions on freedom of movement and access to resources and other illegal military operations, receive direct and concrete support from Europe.

European support is expressed in the preferential conditions that Israel receives under its Trade and Association Agreements with Europe. The association agreement stipulates that  “relations between the parties, as well as all the provisions of the agreement itself shall be based on respect for human rights and democratic principles”, and that this “constitutes an essential element of this agreement”.

To date the European union state-members  have chosen to ignore their obligation to suspend the agreement due to Israel’s ongoing severe human rights violations. It is time to end European complicity with Israeli war crimes.

Tell your Prime Minister, your Foreign Minister and your representatives to the European Parliament that the time has come to take action and suspend Europe’s trade agreements with Israel as well as end trade with companies operating in settlements on occupied territories until Israel fulfils its obligations under international law: Ending its occupation and colonization of all Arab lands and dismantling the Wall; Recognizing the fundamental rights of the Palestinian citizens of Israel to full equality; and respecting, protecting and promoting the rights of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes and properties as stipulated in UN resolution 194. Tell your representatives to act for justice now.

 

Signed by

Endorsed by

Additional information

 

Draft Letter

Dear Prime Minister, Dear Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dear MEP,

I am gravely concerned with the complicity of European Union countries in war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by Israel against the Palestinian people. While the recent statements of concern issued by European representatives regarding Israeli unilateral actions such as Israel’s settlement project in the West Bank, the continued siege and assault on the Gaza Strip,  the ongoing demolition of Palestinian homes, the illegal annexation of occupied East Jerusalem, the arbitrary arrest and torture of Adults and children, the severe restrictions on freedom of movement and access to resources and other illegal military operations, are welcome, they are not enough.

It is past time that we fulfil our obligations and stop support of trade with companies associated with settlements, and implement the Human rights clause in our Trade and Association Agreements with Israel and suspend the agreements due to Israel’s ongoing severe human rights violations.

I call on you to take immediate action and suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement, ACAA and the planned Protocol on the participation of Israel in Community programmes, as well as end trade with companies operating in settlements on occupied territories, until Israel fulfils its obligations under international law: Ending its occupation and colonization of all Arab lands and dismantling the Wall; Recognizing the fundamental rights of the Palestinian citizens of Israel to full equality; and respecting, protecting and promoting the rights of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes and properties as stipulated in UN resolution 194.

Sincerely,

Your Signature

 

For the full text in all European languages click here.