Internal Israeli politics are always complicated, but rarely as bizarre as incidents such as the blocking of the “‘Eid Boat” from going to Gaza with food, toys, and medical supplies, which was organized in part by Palestinian-Israeli members of the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament. A boat filled with aid and toys was set to launch from the Jaffa port outside of Tel Aviv. It was named the “‘Eid Boat” because of ‘Eid al-Adha, the Muslim holiday Monday. The contents of the boat were confiscated and 3 crewmen were arrested by Israeli police. All of Gaza’s crossings have been closed to aid for over a month and the UN reported Sunday that food supplies would begin … Continue reading
This week’s Friday demonstration in Al-Ma’asara was dedicated in solidarity with the residents of Hebron, who were in the midst of a violent Israeli settler pogrom. Residents of Al-Ma’asara were joined by Israeli activists from Anarchists Against the Wall and members of Palestine Solidarity Project as they marched towards a group of Israeli soldiers who had once again set up a razor-wire fence across the road, preventing the march from approaching Palestinian land which is being confiscated for the construction of the Annexation Barrier. Children of local farmers began pulling on the razor wire, in defiance of the intimidating soldiers who repeatedly pointed their guns at them, and … Continue reading
On Thursday, December 4, the Israeli police, supported by the Israeli military, carried out the largest evacuation of illegal settlers in Hebron city in recent times. Up to 250 settlers, most bussed in from outside, had reinforced a building in central Hebron which had been taken over 2 years ago, but which the Israeli High Court had ordered evacuated weeks ago. They were dragged out of the so-called “House of Contention”, with approximately 20 arrested.
Settlers then rioted throughout Hebron, attacking Palestinians, setting Palestinian homes, shops and cars on fire, and in one incident caught on tape through the Btselem camera distribution project, shot 40 year-old Hosni … Continue reading
Husan is a village of just under 5,000 people situated in the western Betlehem District. It’s existence is precarious; it is crammed between two rapidly expanding settlements, Batar Illit and Har Gilo. If the Annexation Barrier is completed on its intended path Husan, along with 4 other villages, will be on the Israeli side of the barrier. Due to the desirability of the land, Husan’s land has been consistently encroached upon by settlers in a variety of ways. 10 years ago, a section of agricultural land was cut off from the village by an Israeli military checkpoint. Access was prohibited and though residents have documentation … Continue reading
Israeli forces closed down the northern section of Hebron on Saturday, declaring the entire half of the city a “closed military zone” as soldiers occupied five houses and forced shop owners, at gunpoint, to close early.
“No sooner had Israeli soldiers handed me a warrant saying that military forces planned to occupy my home did 20 soldiers storm the house,” said 42-year-old Bassam Al-Ja’abary, whose home was one of the five taken over by Israeli soldiers.
“Then they climbed up to the roof and prevented my family from leaving,” he added.
His and the other four houses are located in the Wadi An-Nasara neighborhood, close to the home of the Rajabi family home, which Jewish settlers occupied in March 2007.
Other homes belong to … Continue reading
