– A demolition of the Bedouin village of Al-Araqib in 2014, which has to date been razed more than 90 times. Photo with thanks to Rabbi Arik Ascherman.
– March 2016
Within the first eight weeks of this year over 440 Palestinians (a majority of whom were children) were displaced from their homes – equivalent to over half the total number of Palestinians displaced in all of 2015. A further 1,700 Palestinians lost structures relating to their sources of income. The Jordan Valley, the South Hebron Hills and East Jerusalem are the major targets along with E-1 where on Sunday, 21st February, the sole remaining school for young Bedouin children in that area was demolished. February 2016 recorded the highest number of demolitions in the West Bank since the UN began recording in 2009, and the weekly average of home demolitions in Area C has reached an increase of over 400% higher than during 2015. We are appalled by this deteriorating situation and compiled a report with recommendations for the UN’s Human Rights Council, which we expect to be reviewed later this month. With this newsletter, we urge you to bring this issue to the attention of your MP’s, and we provide a sample letter below for you to do so easily.
We find hope as Arabs and Jews joined in protest this week against the impending demolition of Umm al-Hiran and Atir. These joint villages have been slated for demolition for the sake of developing a Jewish town and forest in their ruins. We know that the village of Susiya was saved only through international attention and protest, so now is the time we must increase our support Umm el-Hiran. Please take 30 seconds to sign this petition. For reference, this poster from Adalah clearly contrasts the clear discrimination of the Um el-Hiran case. You can also find a letter from ICAHD UK’s Director which was recently published in the Guardian on the issue.
Another UN press release now calls for the immediate halt to demolitions in the Occupied West Bank, highlighting Israel’s obligations under International Law. Do we have what it takes to call our political representatives to speak up for us? We think so! Please raise your voices and send this sample letter (or anything else you wish to compile yourself on the issue) – which can be quickly sent in a matter of minutes.
This is just weeks after the UN’s projected outline of the $112 million needed for urgent shelter for Palestinians (a mere 20% of the total aid proposal for this year). Yet this is after 48 years of Occupation! ICAHD abhors Israel’s shirking of its responsibilities under International Law, and the consequent externalization of costs – whether the ‘fee’ for demolition meted onto the victims themselves, or huge costs paid by the wider international aid community. Let’s not let Israel get away with it – please write to your MP using our sample letter attached.