Posted on September 28, 2020, by & filed under Masafer Yatta, News, Webinars.


Resisting Israel's Demolitions in the West Bank

Sami Hureini, Cody O’Rourke, & Jeff Halper

Wednesday, 14th October 2020
5.00-6.15pm (UK)    7.00 – 8.15pm (Jerusalem)

 

Demolitions have spiked this year, even during the Covid-19 pandemic, and annexation de facto or de jure threatens areas of the West Bank. Connect with key activists on the ground.

Sami H Huraini spoke from At-Tuwani located in the South Hebron Hills in Area C at the very bottom of the West Bank. It is an area that Israeli authorities have identified as a closed military zone that it has targeted for home demolitions in its attempt to completely erase the indigenous Palestinian population.  Sami is a board member of the Popular Struggle Coordination Committee that opposes the expansion of Israel’s illegal settlements. He is one of the leaders of Youth of Sumud, a non-violent direct action group that supports the local people to help them remain on their land. Sami Huraini has also been involved in protecting the Palestinian civilians from settler attacks and this has included escorting Palestinian children to school and accompanying Palestinian farmers to their lands close to the green line.

Insight was received from Cody O’Rourke, who works alongside Sami in the Good Shepherd Collective, on how Regavim is influencing Israeli government policies on the locations of the demolitions and the growth of new settlements. Jeff Halper from ICAHD provided an update on political developments and how to interpret them.

At a time when the world is becoming more aware of racist policies that have caused division throughout many parts of the world, learn about what can be done to support and empower Palestinians who wish to remain in their homes, resisting demolitions and displacement which are at the core of Israel’s settler-colonialism policies.

News Update

Sami Huraini was arrested by Israeli authorities when they broke into his family’s home on 8 January 2020. Sami had recently demonstrated against more demolitions in the South Hebron Hills  and the shooting of Harun Abu Aram of al Rakeez who had attempted to stop the Israeli army from confiscating a generator which has now left Harun paralyzed from the neck down. On 12th January Sami appeared before the Ofer Military Court which released him on bail of 10,000 NIS (about £2,295). He is obliged to report to the Israeli police state in the Kiryat Arba settlement every Friday where he is held from 8am – 3pm. He is prohibited from being present at or participating in any demonstrations or protests organised against the Occupation. If Sami violates any of these conditions, Sami’s father is obliged to pay 5,000 NISC (£1,500) and Sami will again be arrested.

The message to Palestinians is clear: resist and be shot; speak out against violence and be arrested.


View a video of this webinar here