Here is the beautiful banner that the women in Dar Assadaqa have made
Sunday, 5 April 2009
Friday, 3 April 2009
Evictions, demolitions and settlements
I am feeling incredibly depressed (and angry)by the blatant acts of inhumanity and ruthlessness being carried out by Israeli government. There are so many incidents of homes literally being stolen in the dead of night and families being turned out of their houses onto the streets. All with the long term view of pushing Palestinians out of Jerusalem - a form of ethnic cleansing. There is also the longer term plan to expand the settlements around Jerusalem and to divide the West Bank physically into two separate pieces.
On Friday I had intended to go on an alternative tour of the activities taking place in East Jerusalem. Unfortunately I missed out on this but I met up with my co-volunteer Jennifer. The day before she had witnessed how settlers had broken into an upstairs flat in the old city by actually breaking down the wall. The owner was not present as he had been in the process of renovating it and had been staying with his mother when the incident happened. When Jennifer arrived at the scene along with other international volunteer observers soldiers were actually present to protect the intruders!
We went to another area in Sheikh Jarrah, where I think 27 houses have been served with demolition orders. Although residents have lived there for 55 years ownership of the land is disputed as newly arrived settlers are claiming rights and there are plans to build a large settlement and a park. One family has already been evicted with the consequence of the husband dying of a heart attack and she now lives in a tent that has been erected in an adjacent piece of land. The tent acts as a community centre for the neighbourhood committee as well as a campaign headquarters. We visited another home where the family is awaiting imminent eviction. This usually happens at night so a member of the International Solidarity Movement usually sleeps over with the family to witness such an occurance. This is just one area where Palestinians are being forced out of their homes. Its happening all over East Jerusalem. In the Salwan district another 200 families are facing demolition of their homes - the excuse being that they did not have planning permission to build extensions on to their houses. Planning permission is a long and convoluted process and is rarely granted to Palestinians. For Israelis on the other hand it seems to be a fairly simple, straight forward process judging by the rate of settlement growth!
The group of teachers from Camden arrived yesterday - Its a British Council funded trip and they are staying in a hotel in Jerusalem but will be spending time in various schools here. There are 4 schools in Abu ~Dis that are twinned with schools in Camden so this visit will strengthen these links. As usual I think CADFA have produced an intense and very useful programme. We met up with them yesterday for an introductory meeting and a meal. They were all pretty weary having arrived at 5.30am at the airport. I believe they visited Bethlehem, Hebron and Ramullah today!!
This a time of wind-down and separation for me - a time for saying good-bye. My arabic is still next to nothing - so difficult to retain new words. When I think I can count easily up to 10 one day, the next day it has completely gone. Old age ?? I must take lessons before I come again and also organise some while I am here.
I think thats all for now. Will see many of you soon!! Probably another blog before I go!
We went to another area in Sheikh Jarrah, where I think 27 houses have been served with demolition orders. Although residents have lived there for 55 years ownership of the land is disputed as newly arrived settlers are claiming rights and there are plans to build a large settlement and a park. One family has already been evicted with the consequence of the husband dying of a heart attack and she now lives in a tent that has been erected in an adjacent piece of land. The tent acts as a community centre for the neighbourhood committee as well as a campaign headquarters. We visited another home where the family is awaiting imminent eviction. This usually happens at night so a member of the International Solidarity Movement usually sleeps over with the family to witness such an occurance. This is just one area where Palestinians are being forced out of their homes. Its happening all over East Jerusalem. In the Salwan district another 200 families are facing demolition of their homes - the excuse being that they did not have planning permission to build extensions on to their houses. Planning permission is a long and convoluted process and is rarely granted to Palestinians. For Israelis on the other hand it seems to be a fairly simple, straight forward process judging by the rate of settlement growth!
The group of teachers from Camden arrived yesterday - Its a British Council funded trip and they are staying in a hotel in Jerusalem but will be spending time in various schools here. There are 4 schools in Abu ~Dis that are twinned with schools in Camden so this visit will strengthen these links. As usual I think CADFA have produced an intense and very useful programme. We met up with them yesterday for an introductory meeting and a meal. They were all pretty weary having arrived at 5.30am at the airport. I believe they visited Bethlehem, Hebron and Ramullah today!!
This a time of wind-down and separation for me - a time for saying good-bye. My arabic is still next to nothing - so difficult to retain new words. When I think I can count easily up to 10 one day, the next day it has completely gone. Old age ?? I must take lessons before I come again and also organise some while I am here.
I think thats all for now. Will see many of you soon!! Probably another blog before I go!
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