Youth Against Apartheid activities against Israeli apartheid occupation of Hebron

11th June 2016 | Youth Against Apartheid | Hebron, occupied Palestine

On 8th June, Hebron Youth Against Apartheid organised an activity to erase the racist Zionist occupation slogans on slaps of concrete walls and the military checkpoints within mainly the Tel Rumeida and Shuhada Street area. The slogans were replaced with slogans calling for freedom, BDS, peace, and to remove the illegal Zionist occupation colonies from the heart of al-Khalil (Hebron) city. During the activity, Israeli forces stopped and chased the activists.

Activists replacing slogans Photo credit: Youth Against Apartheid
Activists replacing slogans
Photo credit: Youth Against Apartheid

In the evening, despite the Zionist occupation forces restrictions, threats and closure, Hebron Youth Against Apartheid decorated Shuhada Street and Tel Rumeida with special Ramadan lights, for the first time in years.

Activists preparing Ramadan lights Photo credit: Youth Against Apartheid
Activists preparing Ramadan lights
Photo credit: Youth Against Apartheid

On 7th June, Hebron Youth Against Apartheid organised a sit-in to protest the continued closure of the apartheid passage leading to Shuhada Street in front of the illegal Zionist occupation colony Beit Hadasa. The Palestinian citizens demanded freedom of movement and a removal of the closure imposed on these stairs since November 2015.

Palestinians stopped by Israeli forces on the Qurtuba stairs Photo credit: Youth Against Apartheid
Palestinians stopped by Israeli forces on the Qurtuba stairs
Photo credit: Youth Against Apartheid

 

Collective Punishment after Tel Aviv Shooting

10th June 2016 | International Solidarity Movement | occupied Palestine

Late on Wednesday night, two Palestinians from the West Bank town of Yatta opened fire in a Tel Aviv shopping center, killing four Israelis, and injuring sixteen. The shopping center stood adjacent to the Israeli Ministry of Defense, fueling speculation that the attack may have been inspired by the recent appointment of Avigdor Lieberman, leader of the right wing Yisrael Beiteinu party and illegal settler, to the position of Israeli Defense Minister. The two Palestinians are currently in Israeli custody, one of whom was wounded during the shoot-out.

Lieberman’s response to the first major crisis of his career, has been brutal. The entire town of Yatta (Population 64,277) has been closed off, with all Palestinians except emergency services barred from entering or leaving. Additional reports suggest that the Israeli Military has also taken the first steps toward demolishing the family homes of the two attackers. In addition to the closure of Yatta, the military has also announced that it is revoked all permits for Palestinians from the West Bank wishing to cross the green line in order to visit family, prisoners, or pray at al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan – approximately 83,000 permits in total will be revoked. Palestinians with Israeli work permits will still be allowed to make the crossing. In addition, two battalions of troops will be sent to the West Bank.

These tactics; permit restrictions, house demolitions, and closure of entire towns constitute collective punishment. Collective punishment, the practice of enacting revenge on the friends, family, or community of a criminal or combatant, is illegal under the fourth Geneva Convention. Israel has been widely condemned for using this tactic as a deterrent to Palestinian resistance. In this instance, close to 150,000 residents of the West Bank will be punished for the actions of just two.

In memory of a hero from Ni’lin: Aqil Srour

5th June 2016 | International Solidarity Movement, al-Khalil team | Hebron, occupied Palestine

7 years ago today, Aqil Srour was murdered by an Israeli sniper in the occupied West Bank village of Ni’lin, near Ramallah.

He was shot straight in the heart when coming to the rescue of a 16-year old boy that was shot with live ammunition in the stomach just minutes before. Aqil was shot straight in the heart, leading to his immediate death.

Even though 7 years have passed, the villagers won’t forget the cold-blooded murder of Aqil Srour.
Watch this video in remembrance of Aqil: https://www.facebook.com/Saeed.Amireh/videos/vb.575279446/10154903102244447/?type=2&theater

Israeli forces shot 3 youth with live ammunition in just two days in Kafr Qaddum

5th June 2016 | International Solidarity Movement, al-Khalil team | Kafr Qaddum, occupied Palestine

On two consecutive days, Israeli forces in Kafr Qaddum village, near Nablus, have shot three Palestinian youth with live ammunition in their hip.

The Friday demonstration under the slogan of the ‘Naksa’, remembering the 6-day ‘war’ and the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and the Sinai, started as every Friday after the noon-prayer. Right after the beginning of the demo, the army started firing tear gas canisters not only at the protestors, but at all directions. Additionally, they sprayed foul-smelling skunk-water, a mix of sewage and chemicals, directly inside the houses in an act of collective punishment of the civilian population of the village. Towards the end of the demonstration, Israeli forces shot two brothers, 19-year old Asaf Hikmat and 20-year old Omran, both were hit with live ammunition in their thigh. Asaf had to be evacuated to hospital and undergo surgery to remove the bullet-pieces from his thigh and is now recovering.

Demonstrators carrying one of the brothers to an ambulance after he was shot by Israeli forces Photo credit: Kafr Qaddum demonstration
Demonstrators carrying one of the brothers to an ambulance after he was shot by Israeli forces
Photo credit: Kafr Qaddum demonstration

On Saturday, Israeli forces attacked the demonstration with endless rounds of tear gas canisters, both shot from their guns and from the ‘venom’ mounted on the army jeep shooting 10 rounds at a time, as well as stun grenades. They additionally shot rubber coated metal bullets at the demonstrators, as well as live ammunition – injuring 16-year old Wael Abdallah with live ammunition in his thigh.

A Palestinian ambulance covered in tear gas shot by Israeli forces Photo credit: Kafr Qaddum demonstration
A Palestinian ambulance covered in tear gas shot by Israeli forces
Photo credit: Kafr Qaddum demonstration

After these two days, the number of injuries with live ammunition in Kafr Qaddum reached 81.

The village of Kafr Qaddum thus, in fear of this number rising even more, calls for international presence and media pressure to stop the Israeli forces’ violence against protestors and the collective punishment of the Palestinian village.

Take Action: Interview with mother of youngest Palestinian prisoner’s mother

4th June 2016 | International Solidarity Movement, al-Quds – team | Jerusalem, occupied Palestine

According to Shadi, a 12 year old boy from Kufr Akab, which is part of Jerusalem but on the Palestinian side of the wall he, together with a friend of the same age decided to sneak over the separation wall that divides the Palestinian Territories from Israel, into Jerusalem. Although Shadi’s father has Israeli ID, they are obliged to live outside the wall because his mother has Palestinian ID. Their idea was to hang out for a bit and have a look round. Whilst they were standing at the Musrara light rail stop some Israelis heard them speaking in Arabic and reported them to the police. The police arrived and arrested them.

When Shadi’s friend first proposed the idea of going to Jerusalem Shadi had been reluctant as he understood the kind of problems that might arise. His friend was still keen to go and Shadi finally agreed on the basis that he could protect him if anything should happen.

The police took the boys to the Masqubiya interrogation centre. They were interrogated alone, without a legal representative or family member present. The boys were shouted at, beaten and given electric shocks. The interrogators made the boys strip, poured cold water on them then put the air conditioning on to cold.

Since they were arrested, over 4 months ago, the boys have made 11 court appearances. Initially, the court agreed to house arrest for Shadi on the payment of 5,000 shekels, ($1,333 approx) bail. Although the family paid this – money which they had to borrow – a subsequent court appearance, under a different judge, failed to release Shadi and he remains in detention.

Shadi has now been charged with possession of a knife with intent to kill. He is adamant that this is not true.

Shadi is the youngest prisoner under the Israeli occupation and he has been incarcerated in Al Marsa detention centre, a facility for minors, (older teenagers, both Palestinian and Israeli), in the north of Israel. There was some consternation when he arrived at the centre as it appeared they were not prepared for the arrival of such a young child.

Although the staff at the detention centre treat him quite well, the problems are with the other, older boys some of whom harass and bully him. Shadi has headaches all the time and pain in his eyes but has not seen a doctor. He doesn’t sleep well as he is afraid of the other inmates. He is in a situation where if he should defend himself against harassment and bullying and ends up in a fight this will go on his file and will be bad for him.

Al Masra allows weekly family visits on Sundays but Shadi’s mother is only able to visit monthly due to the expense of travelling to and from the centre. The family are not well off and legal fees, bail and travel expenses amount to more than they are able to afford. Because of the distance and difficulties of getting there, it is necessary to take a taxi for the day which costs approximately 800 shekels, ($213 approx). Pocket money for Shadi comes on top of this. The ICRC, that often helps with transport costs will not help the family as they say that Shadi is not detained in prison but in a youth detention centre.

Shadi’s family have spoken to a lawyer who has seen the case papers and is willing to help them get him released but his fees are enormous, around 50,000 shekels, ($13,335 approx) and this is way beyond their ability to pay. To help them we are proposing a funding campaign to raise the money they so desperately need.

Anwar and Farihan, Shadi’s parents say that their son has never been in trouble before this. That he is a clever student and was doing well at school. That he is a normal boy, who loves animals, writing poetry, parkour and gymnastics. They are greatly shocked that he should have been accused of such a crime.

Read a letter Shadi wrote to his mother from prison here.

If you want to support the family to release their child from prison and to cover the expenses of visits to see their son, please donate and send a quick mail to palreports[at]gmail.com to let us know how much money you donated for Shadi.