Photo: Fakhri Abu Diab in the ruins of his home. 14th February 2024 - Arab News
ICAHD is amongst the organisations raising funds to support the Fakhri Abu Diab family following the demolition of their home. In our February newsletter we carried the story of the demolition that happened on 14th February.
When Jeff Halper got the news of the demolition happening, he rushed to the location to see Fakhri whom we have known for many years. Fakhri is the elected spokesman for the 60,000 Palestinian residents of Silwan, located in East Jerusalem just below Jerusalem’s Old City. Within Silwan is the neighbourhood of El-Bustan. Fakhri chairs the Bustan Residents’ Committee as for the last twenty years, he and his neighbours have contested the double threat of facing the demolitions of their homes to make way for a biblically themed Israeli archaeological park and Jewish settlers violently taking over their homes all with the backing of the municipality, the courts and the police. This plan would displace 1550 residents.
Fakhri believes that while the world’s eyes were on Gaza, his family’s home was demolished for political reasons. He is well known internationally including amongst the diplomatic community. The British consulate in East Jerusalem put out the statement from Lord Ahmed of Wimbledon, Head of the Middle East Desk at the FCDO, in which he wrote, “Israel’s demolition yesterday of Palestinian activist Fakhri Abu Diab’s home in Silwan, East Jerusalem, is unacceptable. I condemn this and all demolitions. Israel must halt this policy now.”
The plan is to build a small new home on a piece of land that will not carry the risk of re-demolition for the rest of his family and to retain the pre-1967 part of Fakhri’s home, making it habitable again for Fakhri from where he will continue his community work.
To donate
- Online to ICAHD UK CAF Bank - sort code 40-52-40, account number 00034911. Add reference - Fakhri. Then please email info@icahduk.org to inform us so we can thank you.
- By Cheque to ICAHD UK and send to ICAHD UK, BM ICAHD UK, London WC1N 3XX. Enclose a note stating it is for the Fakhri Abu Diab family.