Tag: TIPH

Press targeted during peaceful protest in Al-Khalil

February 22, 2019 | International Solidarity Movement, Al-Khalil team | Al-Khalil, occupied Palestine

ISM and members of the press targeted and attacked with teargas and concussion grenades at peaceful protest in Al-Khalil. Peaceful demonstrators gathered at the checkpoint to the closed historical Shuhada street, asking for an increased international presence and for re-entry into Shuhada street. Shortly after, the Israeli Defense Forces escalated the demonstration with brute force, illegally entering the Palestinian H1 side of Hebron, attacking children with rubber coated steel bullets and grenades, and eventually kidnapping one youth. This is one incident of many in the recent history of Khalil, in which internationals and observers are currently being targeted, intimidated, attacked and deliberately removed from the area

Call for volunteers after TIPH & EAPPI exodus from Hebron

1st February 2019 | International Solidarity Movement, Al-Khalil team | Hebron, occupied Palestine

In the wake of TIPH being ejected from Al-Khalil (Hebron), it’s critical for ISM to sustain an international presence to protect the Palestinians.

TIPH shakes hands with Palestinian man welcoming him to Hebron

After an Israeli settler murdered 29 worshippers while they were praying at the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron in 1994, the UN Security Council published Resolution 904 called for the establishment of an international presence “to guarantee the safety and protection of the Palestinian civilians throughout the occupied territory”.

That international presence became TIPH, which operated–most recently–for 22 consecutive years since the Hebron Protocol of 1997.

But last week, PM Benjamin Netanyahu tweeted that he would not be extending TIPH–a move that has emboldened Israeli settlers and further endangered the security of Palestinians.

Two EAPPI members walk through Hebron with Palestinian man

Moreover, the day after Israel decided to remove TIPH, another international observer force on the ground in Hebron–EAPPI (Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel)–left Hebron after their personnel were targeted by a campaign of harassment from the right-wing fascist group Im Turtsu.

In the wake of this exodus of teams critical to thwarting violent attacks against Palestinians by Israeli settlers and soldiers, we ask the international community to come defend Palestinian human rights on the ground here in Hebron. If you’re interested in joining the ISM team in Hebron, please contact us about an upcoming ISM training session in Palestine.