Members of the Brighton-Tubas Friendship and Solidarity Group (BTFSG) and International Solidarity Movement (ISM) are joining local Palestinians in Hebron who are defending a house under attack by Israeli settlers from Kharsema settlement.
They are sleeping at the house of a Palestinian family who live close to the ruins of the Federman Farms settlement outpost that was evacuated last week by the Israeli army. Settler violence and harassment of Palestinian residents has increased this week after settlers clashed with Israeli police over the eviction and reoccupied several Palestinian homes.
Last week armed Israeli settlers came to the house and tried to set fire to it, and since then the Palestinian family have been subjected to threats, intimidation and stone throwing .
Last night, three members of BTFSG slept in the house. This morning 15 settlers, carrying guns, came to the house. First the settlers attacked a 65 year old Palestinian woman, who was walking with the aid of a zimmer frame. The settlers pushed her over and kicked her with the result that she had to be taken to hospital. They then turned on the internationals. The international who was filming the attack on the woman, a 23 year old man from Brighton, was pushed to the ground and kicked in the head. His glasses and the camers were smashed. He has gone to a Palestinian hospital for medical attention. An Israeli woman from Rabbis for Human Rights, a group campaigning against settler violence, was assaulted and her face so badly cut that she was taken to hospital. Other members of BTFSG were pushed, punched and kicked.
To justify their attacks, the settlers have fabricated a story that the Palestinians stole 3 of their mules and have threatened to return.
There are at the moment 8 internationals in the house ready to film the threatened attack, and about 10 Palestinians.
The Israeli police have refused to attend the scene unless there is an attack, so the Palestinians have been left with no protection. The Israeli army, who have a large presence in the area, likewise is not protecting the Palestinians from attack.
Hebron has been the scene of escalating settler violence over the last few days. On Friday a group of settlers attacked a Palestinian house. On Sunday afternoon a peaceful demonstration by Palestinian residents of Hebron asking for more access to their city was attacked by settlers who burned Palestinian flags and protesters banners.On Sunday evening settlers pelted a Palestinian house with stones. The increased violence is linked to the attempted eviction.
Interviews and Photos and Video of the Attacks are available
For more info call Katie on 00972598581762 or Jamie 00972598581764 in Hebron or 07984438655 for BTFSG in Brighton.
or email
brightontubas@gmail.com
They are sleeping at the house of a Palestinian family who live close to the ruins of the Federman Farms settlement outpost that was evacuated last week by the Israeli army. Settler violence and harassment of Palestinian residents has increased this week after settlers clashed with Israeli police over the eviction and reoccupied several Palestinian homes.
Last week armed Israeli settlers came to the house and tried to set fire to it, and since then the Palestinian family have been subjected to threats, intimidation and stone throwing .
Last night, three members of BTFSG slept in the house. This morning 15 settlers, carrying guns, came to the house. First the settlers attacked a 65 year old Palestinian woman, who was walking with the aid of a zimmer frame. The settlers pushed her over and kicked her with the result that she had to be taken to hospital. They then turned on the internationals. The international who was filming the attack on the woman, a 23 year old man from Brighton, was pushed to the ground and kicked in the head. His glasses and the camers were smashed. He has gone to a Palestinian hospital for medical attention. An Israeli woman from Rabbis for Human Rights, a group campaigning against settler violence, was assaulted and her face so badly cut that she was taken to hospital. Other members of BTFSG were pushed, punched and kicked.
To justify their attacks, the settlers have fabricated a story that the Palestinians stole 3 of their mules and have threatened to return.
There are at the moment 8 internationals in the house ready to film the threatened attack, and about 10 Palestinians.
The Israeli police have refused to attend the scene unless there is an attack, so the Palestinians have been left with no protection. The Israeli army, who have a large presence in the area, likewise is not protecting the Palestinians from attack.
Hebron has been the scene of escalating settler violence over the last few days. On Friday a group of settlers attacked a Palestinian house. On Sunday afternoon a peaceful demonstration by Palestinian residents of Hebron asking for more access to their city was attacked by settlers who burned Palestinian flags and protesters banners.On Sunday evening settlers pelted a Palestinian house with stones. The increased violence is linked to the attempted eviction.
Interviews and Photos and Video of the Attacks are available
For more info call Katie on 00972598581762 or Jamie 00972598581764 in Hebron or 07984438655 for BTFSG in Brighton.
or email
brightontubas@gmail.com
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Arab graves desecrated
04.11.2008 02:35
Jews desecrate Muslim graves
OLMERT: 'WE'RE SICK OF THE VIOLENCE'
by JEREMY LAST
RIGHT-WING Jewish settlers attracted widespread condemnation this week after they desecrated a West Bank Muslim cemetery following the destruction of an illegal outpost by the IDF.
Blue paint was splattered on grave stones and some 15 headstones were knocked down in the Hebron cemetery early on Sunday morning. The angry attackers also slashed the tyres of more than 20 Palestinian-owned cars in the area around the southern city.
The violence came after Israeli army and police officers descended on the so-called Federman Farm close to Hebron and evicted the occupants of the few buildings there.
Settler leader Noam Federman was arrested while his wife and children were forced to leave their home and allow the security forces to destroy it under orders from the defence ministry.
Less than an hour later, a number of settler suppporter were reported to have gone on the rampage in Hebron, slashing tyres and desecrating grave stones.
According to witness reports, the IDF and border police present did nothing to stop the settlers.
(article continues)
___________________________________________________________
Rightists say all IDF soldiers 'should become Gilad Shalit'
Hebron's Jewish residents call for revenge against army following evacuation of Federman outpost Saturday night. 'We hope they are all defeated by their enemies, killed and slaughtered because that's what they deserve,' one of them tells Army Radio. Olmert: Inciters belong in jail
Efrat Weiss Latest Update: 10.26.08, 12:58 / Israel News
Jewish residents of the West Bank city of Hebron called Sunday for revenge against the Israel Defense Forces following Saturday night's evacuation of the home of extreme right-wing activist Noam Federman.
"We hope they are defeated by their enemies, we hope that they all become (kidnapped soldier) Gilad Shalit, that they are all killed and that they are all slaughtered, because that's what they deserve," one of the residents told Army Radio.
The residents said that a terrorist attack must be launched against the defense establishment in revenge.
"Damn the defense army's forces," one of them said.
Four suspects were arrested during the outpost evacuation, including Noam Federman.
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert addressed the remarks at the start of Sunday's cabinet meeting, saying that "those who talk this way belong in jail and should be prosecuted".
"This morning we heard in Hebron calls to harm security officials. I instructed the defense minister and the internal security minister to act against the incitement remarks.
"We have had enough of all this violence, the verbal violence which leads to physical violence, and we won't lend a hand to it. I expect the internal security minister and justice minister to let me know what has been done against these people."
Vice Premier Haim Ramon called on Internal Security Minister Avi Dichter to instruct the police commissioner to arrest all inciters immediately.
Speaking at a Kadima ministers' meeting, Ramon said that "had an Arab called for a terror attack on the radio, he would have been arrested a long time ago. The settlers must be treated the same way."
Defense Minister Ehud Barak also addressed the issue at the cabinet meeting. "I stress the seriousness of the statements and activity of the extreme Right in the territories. I believe the punishments are too soft and that the punishment and legal systems should focus on this."
Addressing the reinforcement of Palestinian police forces in Hebron, he said that "this is an extension of our existing activity to maintain law and order. The final security responsibility belongs to our security forces."
Justice Minister Daniel Friedmann said that the law enforcement authorities must act. He expressed his "disgust in light of the inciting remarks voiced today by radical elements in the territories against IDF soldiers and the security forces.
"The Israeli government will act firmly to uproot this phenomenon. I call on the attorney general and Israel police to take all measures needed to deal with this matter."
Knesset Member Rabbi Michael Melchior (Labor-Meimad) said in response to the harsh remarks, "The outposts in the hills of Judea and Samaria create a poisonous conservatory for dangerous and unrestrained groups trying to erase any humanism from the existence of the Jewish people in the State of Israel.
"I support the security forces and urge them to continue fighting the wild crops growing on the hills."
Yesha Council Chairman Danny Dayan told Ynet on Sunday that the threats made "by a number of hooligans" to hurt IDF soldiers following the evacuation of a Hebron outpost "should be harshly condemned".
"I have many claims against the security forces and the Israeli government over the activity in Hebron over the weekend, but there are no attenuating circumstances relieving the severity of the remarks made," Dayan added.
Extreme right-wing activists said following the outpost evacuation, "We set a price tag for the evacuation. We caused damage to nine Palestinian graves in the Hebron cemetery, we cut the tires of Palestinian vehicles and hurled stones at the security forces and at Palestinians in the region."
'Arab graves vandalized'
A Palestinian eyewitness told Ynet that he saw four cars whose tired were cut by the settlers. He added that several houses were stoned and their windows were smashed. In addition, a number of graves were vandalized and spray-painted with slogans against Arabs and Muslims.
Following settlers' calls for revenge against the IDF, the Judea and Samaria District Police announced they had begun gathering all relevant material and would decide on a way to deal with these threats.
The Hebron police continue to search for suspects who slashed the tires of 12 Palestinian cars in the city. An investigation into to vandalism of Muslim graves in the city's cemetery has also been opened, however no suspects have been arrested.
A Palestinian source in Hebron expressed his fear that due to the reinforcement of the Palestinian security organizations over the weekend, settlers would boost their attacks against Palestinians and their property in a bid to heat up the tensions in the city.
Shortly after 1:30 am on Saturday night, massive police, Border Guard and IDF forces arrived near the Federman home. Noam Federman was arrested for assaulting a policeman and breaking his hand, and two young girls were taken into custody after reportedly attempting to set fire to a police car. Another person was detained for questioning.
Federman's wife, Elisheva, recounted the events in a conversation with Ynet.
"It was a regular Saturday evening. We were cleaning after Shabbat. Our nine children went to sleep. I finished working on a paper for school, Noam was on the computer, when we suddenly heard dogs barking.
"We received a phone call that massive forces were headed towards us. Noam went out to see what was happening, and then Yasamniks ((Israel Police special patrol unit) jumped on him. I haven't seen him since."
Ali Waked, Roni Sofer and Aviad Glickman contributed to this report
First Published: 10.26.08, 10:04
re-posts sorry