Tag: Hebron

Who’s Afraid of Human Rights Observers?

Israeli soldiers violate court order and close off Palestinian homes, assault Human Rights Workers, confiscate cameras and destroy film in Tel Rumeida, Hebron

A human rights worker was filming the Israeli army’s violation of a recent Israeli court order to open a pathway to Palestinian homes at around 12:30 p.m., Wednesday, December 14, near the illegal Israeli settlement of Tel Rumeida. Israeli Occupation Forces recently installed a coil of razor wire, blocking a path that leads to Palestinian families’ homes located just below the settlement. The razor wire violates a recent court order saying that Palestinians in the area are allowed to use the path at all times.

The Israeli military commander at the scene pushed the human rights worker and tried to take her camera. Upon witnessing the scene, another human rights worker started filming and the IOF commander approached him, pushed him to the ground and started dragging him along the street, holding the strap of his bag and video camera until he managed to take the camera. A few minutes later the woman who was initially pushed was once again attacked by three soldiers who surrounded her, pushed her to the ground as she was screaming in fear, and took her video camera. In the commotion a third human rights worker was assaulted in a similar way by another soldier; he was pushed to the ground and the soldier ripped his camera out of his hands. Two other human rights workers were assaulted during this time.

The cameras were returned at 3:15 p.m. with the film missing from the still camera and the tapes in the two video cameras fully taped over by the military.

The International Solidarity Movement, together with the Tel Rumeida Project, provides an international presence in Tel Rumeida to support the Palestinian families in the area in their daily struggle to lead a normal life next door to the violent settlers of Tel Rumeida and Beit Hadassah. Among other activities, these human rights workers accompany Palestinian children to school on a daily basis to help prevent frequent attacks on the children and their teachers by settlers.

For more information about the Tel Rumeida Project, and videos of recent settler attacks in Tel Rumeida, see their website:
www.telrumeidaproject.org.

Deadline extended, fears continue for safety of hostages

Originally published in CBC News

Kidnappers holding four members of a Christian aid group in Iraq, including two Canadians, have extended their deadline. The militants now say Britain and the United States have until Saturday to meet their demands or the four will die.

The extension of the deadline means more time to negotiate a peaceful resolution, but it also means increased pressure, anxiety and heightened emotions for the families of the hostages.

James Loney, 41, and Harmeet Sooden, 32, were kidnapped at gunpoint on Nov. 26 in Baghdad, along with Briton Norman Kember, 74, and American Tom Fox, 54.

Loney is from Toronto and Sooden has lived in Montreal.

A group calling itself the Swords of Righteousness Brigades has demanded the United States and Britain free all Iraqi prisoners by Saturday. The kidnappers say the men are spies, which is denied by their organization.

The hostages are members of a Christian aid group called Christian Peacemaker Teams, which sends teams to troubled areas. According to its web site its actions in Iraq are aimed at “focusing attention on the issue of detainee abuses and basic legal and human rights …”

The family of James Loney met with reporters on Wednesday at their home in Sault Ste, Marie, Ont.

Patrick Loney, father of James Loney, could not speak, his exhaustion evident. Instead it was James’ brother Edward who said the family was thinking not only of their situation but were also praying “for other families facing similar circumstances in Iraq.”

“We want James home,” said another brother, Matthew Loney. “We want the other members home. And we want a peaceful resolution to how things are going over there,” he said.

The militant group that is holding the Westerners originally demanded that Iraqis being held in U.S. and British custody be released by Thursday. But as the deadline approached, it was extended for a further 48 hours.

Prime Minister Paul Martin says he is concerned about the fate of the Canadians. “I’ve been on phone every day and we’re doing everything we possibly can. But it’s a matter of such delicacy I can’t really comment,” he said.

In a statement released late Wednesday evening Martin went further. “I want to reassure the public that the government of Canada remains absolutely committed to securing the safe release of the hostages. Every resource of the government is committed towards achieving that outcome.

James Loney and Harmeet Singh Sooden (courtesy Christian Peacemaker Teams) “Canada remains willing to listen to and speak with persons who may have information that will assist in the safe release of the hostages,” said the statement.

Christian Peacemaker Teams issued a statement on Wednesday evening highlighting its concerns about the safety of the four men.

“Christian Peacemaker Teams believes that no single person, no single nation can meet the demands of justice. No single person, no single nation can meet the demands of peace. But we believe that it is everyone’s responsibility to do their part to bring each combatant and each captive home to their families and to end the war and occupation.”

There was support from around the Arab world, as well.

Mohammed Ayash of the International Solidarity Movement for Palestine, said the hostages are peacemakers, friends of Muslims and defenders of Iraqi detainees “because they are working there as human rights [supporters] and are against the occupation,” he said.

A Week of Palestinian Calls for the Release of the CPT Volunteers Held Hostage in Iraq

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

[Ramallah, Occupied Palestine] Over the last week Palestinians from across the political spectrum have issued impassioned appeals and demonstrated for the release of the four Christian Peacemaker Team volunteers who were taken hostage in Iraq, three of whom had previously served in Palestine with CPT and ISM.

Tomorrow, Wednesday the 7th, two further demonstrations will take place. In Nablus, a demonstration will take place at 11am in front of the Red Cross building. Participating will be several Palestinian NGOs and the friends of Harmeet Sooden who met him in January 2005. The Nablus region was the main focus of Harmeet’s work with ISM, and he made many friends there. A candle-lit demonstration calling for the release of the four will be held in Ramallah, meeting at al-Manara at 4:30pm.

Calls for the release of the hostages were made by the head Mufti of Palestine, Ikram Al Sabri; the coordinating body for all Palestinian political parties, the National and Islamic Forces for both Palestine and Hebron; Shawkat Samha the Mayor of Jayyous; the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades; Qadura Fares, the Coordinator of the National Committee to Resist Settlement and the Wall; Ferial Abu Haikal, the Headmistress of the Qurtuba Girls School in Hebron, and many other community leaders from Hebron.

Demonstrations calling for the release of the CPT volunteers were held in Hebron, At-Tuwani and Ramallah. More are planned over the next week in Nablus (tomorrow at 11am) and Ramallah (tomorrow at 4:30pm). Below are statements by these individuals and groups, as well as links to their full statements in English and Arabic when available, and reports on the demonstrations.

Ikram Al Sabri, the Chief Mufti of Palestine on December 5th: “There is a duty for all Palestinian people, institutions and factions to commit to sending a call to release these people who have been kidnapped. They are very important for us to help continue our struggle, whether here in Palestine or in Iraq, to gain our country’s freedom. We repeat our call to release all the civilian people who have been kidnapped all over the world, not only these four.”
For full text see:
Transcript of Palestinian Press Conference Calling for the Release of the Four CPT Hostages in Iraq

The Palestinian National and Islamic Forces, the coordinating body for all Palestinian political parties, on December 2nd: “We call upon all the people of Iraq, on all people of faith and honour, on all people of conscience to act for the release of those activists who struggle on our behalf against occupation and injustice. We raise our voice alongside all National and Islamic factions in the district of Hebron who issued a statement on this most serious matter, on November 29th, 2005, which reflects the feelings of all Palestinians from all factions and persuasions.”
For full statement in Arabic and English:
Statement by the Palestinian National and Islamic Forces on the CPT Hostages in Iraq
For press conference remarks see:
Transcript of Palestinian Press Conference Calling for the Release of the Four CPT Hostages in Iraq

The Palestinian National and Islamic Forces of Hebron on November 29th: “We appeal to our brothers in the resistance and all those with alert consciences in Iraq, with whom we consider ourselves to be in the same trench confronting American aggression and occupation, to instantly and quickly release the four kidnapped persons (two Canadians, one Briton and one American) from CPT, in appreciation for their role in standing beside and supporting our Palestinian people and all the Arab and Islamic peoples.”
For full statement in Arabic and English:
Statement by the Palestinian National and Islamic Forces in Hebron on the CPT Hostages in Iraq

Shawkat Samha, the Mayor of the West Bank Village Jayyous on November 30th: “They subjected themselves to grave dangers when they stood in front of Israeli bulldozers. We knew them as people who were against the occupation and supported freedom for occupied peoples, like the Palestinian and Iraqi peoples.”
AP article:
Palestinians appeal for release of Western activists kidnapped in Iraq

The Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades on December 4th: “Those are the same friends of the martyr Rachel Corrie who was crushed under an Israeli bulldozer as she stood in the defence of our people and her friends against the Israeli Zionist occupation. We came to know them as they took a courageous stance against the new system of apartheid and the racist separation Wall. They suffered as we did, and were wounded by the bullets of the occupation, while others were exiled and imprisoned. Therefore, we ask the kidnappers to release those hostages.”
For full statement in Arabic and English:
Statement by the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades Palestine on the CPT Hostages in Iraq

Qadura Fares, Coordinator of the National Committee to Resist Settlements and the Wall on November 30th: “From Palestine we call upon you to release the four from the Christian Peacemaker Teams who were kidnapped from Baghdad. This is an organization that has helped and continues to help our people living under Israeli occupation in the city of Hebron and in other regions throughout our occupied homeland. They expose themselves to danger in order to provide protection to our women and children in front of Israeli military checkpoints.”
For full statement in Arabic and English:
Statement by the National Committee to Resist Settlement and the Wall on the CPT Hostages in Iraq

Ferial Abu Haikal, the Headmistress of the Qurtuba School in Hebron on December 5th: “We still remember the nice moments while we were under curfew with the CPT members who we have known since 1995. They came and gave food to people under curfew and showed their love and solidarity with our schools and our children. We will never forget these moments, because the CPT were the only people standing with us at that time. As a women who works with them, I send my call for the Iraqi resistance to release these people because CPT are very important people for us.”
For full statement see:
Transcript of Palestinian Press Conference Calling for the Release of the Four CPT Hostages in Iraq

At the December 2nd Demonstration in At- Tuwani, Hebron District, another Palestinian said: “We have been suffering from the Israeli occupation since ages. CPT members first came here two years ago. They have documented such suffering, and were badly beaten by the Israeli settlers for that. As such, we have to stand by them because they hold a message of peace as we call upon the kidnappers to release the kidnapped CPT members in Iraq. They have become human shields for our children against Israeli aggression. We demand that they are to be set free as a reward for their good deeds here in Tuwani and in the rest of Palestine.”
For coverage see:
Palestinians Ask for Release of Christian Hostages

On the 1st of December, 300 Palestinians demonstrated in Ramallah in solidarity with the four. The demonstration was attended by Abu Hasan Morrar a representative of the Islamic Council of Palestine, Shawkat Samha the mayor of the town of Jayyous, Fatima Asi of the Women For Life group in the Salfit region and Mustafa Barghouti the general secretary of the Palestinian National Initiative. All called passionately for the hostage’s release, as demonstrators held up signs in Arabic and English describing the four as their friends. A statement on behalf of the Popular Committees Against the Wall was read adding to the call. Palestinians and internationals who know the hostages personally were on the demonstration which was attended by Palestinians from Bil’in who spoke and called on the kidnappers to release the hostages.
For coverage see:
Palestinians Unite to Call For Release of Four Peace Activist Hostages in Iraq
For press conference remarks see:
Press Conference in Hebron Held by the National and Islamic Forces on November 30th.

Wire Service Photos

Ikram Al Sabri at December 5 Press Conference in Ramallah:
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/051205/481/jrl12112051314
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/051205/481/jrl12212051325
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/051205/ids_photos_wl/r3564300070.jpg
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/051205/ids_photos_wl/r3034176822.jpg

December 1st Ramallah Protest for Release of Hostages:
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/051201/481/jrl12212011903
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/051201/481/jrl12012011629

November 30 Hebron Protest:
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/051130/481/jrl11811301803

For More Information Contact:
ISM Media Office: 02 297 1824 or 057 572 0754
CPT Hebron: 02-222-8485

Statement by the National Committee to Resist Settlement and the Wall on the CPT Hostages in Iraq

The Palestinian National Authority
The National Committee to Resist the Wall and Settlement
Office of the Coordinator of the Committee
Ramallah, Palestine

November 30, 2005

A PLEA TO THE IRAQI PEOPLE

From Palestine we call upon you to release the four from the Christian Peacemaker Teams who were kidnapped from Baghdad. This is an organization that has helped and continues to help our people living under Israeli occupation in the city of Hebron and in other regions throughout our occupied homeland. They expose themselves to danger in order to provide protection to our women and children in front of Israeli military checkpoints.

We urge you in the name of humanity and in the name of all peoples that have tasted bitter wars, violence and occupation… we urge you to release Tom Fox (American citizenship), Norman Kember (British citizenship), James Loney and Hermeet Sooden (Canadian citizenship), all of whom insisted on helping our family in Iraq and living with our Iraqi brothers and sisters through the war and destruction, believing in the message that every human being has the right to live in freedom and with dignity and that occupation is wrong and must end.

We have faith that you will find that this group is among those working for peace and against occupation and that you will release them immediately, god willing.

Coordinator of the National Committee to Resist the Wall
Qadura Fares

Statement by the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades Palestine on the CPT Hostages in Iraq

From your brothers in arms, the sons of the same blood who have suffered from one enemy, to the fighters against the invaders in Iraq, at a time when we are engaged in one battle against a single unjust plan by Zionist imperialism; a plan aimed at dividing the region, the theft of its wealth and the subduing of its peoples in the name of deceitful excuses such as the spreading of democracy and freedom, we appeal to the hands that are fighting the Anglo-Saxon invasion of the lands, those who reject occupation. This occupation is the real terrorism in this world. As a result of the actions of this occupation, be it the killing of humans, or destruction of houses and trees, a group of free people in the world have moved to stand by the Iraqi and Palestinian peoples, as they continue to suffer from the evils of the occupation. Those volunteers include: Tom Fox, James Loney, Harmeet Sooden, and Norman Kember.

Those are the same friends of the martyr Rachel Corrie who was crushed under an Israeli bulldozer as she stood in the defense of our people and her friends against the Israeli Zionist occupation. We came to know them as they took a courageous stance against the new system of apartheid and the racist separation Wall. They suffered as we did, and were wounded by the bullets of the occupation, while others were exiled and imprisoned

Therefore, we ask the kidnappers to release those hostages in order for them to go back and stand by the side of justice and peace, and by the side of the persecuted nations, notwithstanding the actions of their governments who are directly responsible for all the violence in the region.

United together to eradicate the occupation and to lift the injustices from our peoples

Your brothers,

The Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades
December 4, 2005