The overall political picture in this corner of the world sees Netanyahu grudgingly implementing the Wye Agreements, with as much foot dragging as you would expect from this dangerous little boy. Yes, he has begun withdrawal from the region promised to the Palestinians – and this is an important about-face for the Israeli right wing – but he is also confiscating more Palestinian property in the remaining territory, which he plans to criss-cross with “bypass roads” (roads that steer clear of Palestinian towns, of course), which will make creation of a viable and contiguous Palestinian state much more difficult.
I was in the Palestinian city of Ramallah yesterday (for a wonderful meeting of Israeli and Palestinian women arranged by Na’amat and the Democracy and Workers’ Rights Center), and was again witness to the deep desire and willingness of real people to make peace. We Israelis and Palestinians – both sides – are being led into recurring acts of violence by political leaders who foment hatred of each other in order to keep themselves in power. We must make it clear to them that we do not buy into their games of power and war, but demand leaders who make peace.
Some recent peace movement activities:
Lebanon
This issue is most salient in the minds of the Israeli peace movement these days, with the ongoing war in Lebanon resulting from the Israeli occupation of its southern region. More and more soldiers (Israeli and Lebanese) are being killed. If you live in Israel, you can:
This Sunday (29/11): Join the Four Mothers protest outside the Prime Minister’s Office.
This Monday (30/11): Join the studio audience at Telad Studios (behind the Jerusalem Theater) when Atalia, the mother demanding that her son not be required to serve in Lebanon, will be interviewed. Studio audience reaction is critical in these shows.
This Tuesday (1/12): Come to the Bat Shalom offices and help us plan a major, multi-movement demonstration demanding that Israel Leave Lebanon Now.
The Roslan Family
The Roslan family, an extended Palestinian family of 28 living in the Palestinian part of Jerusalem, is being threatened with eviction by the Jewish National Fund (JNF), which claims that it owns the house. The JNF, once a beautiful tree-planting organization, has in recent years engaged in more political kinds of activity, and this is one example. If you are a donor to JNF, tell them to stop trying to evict this Palestinian family, who legally purchased the house in 1966. Rumor is that the JNF wants to vacate the house for Jewish settlers to move in. Peace Now has done enormously important work trying to protect this family by providing a lawyer and holding ongoing vigils at the home. We in Bat Shalom joined them last Tuesday, when an extension on the eviction notice was given until the end of December. Be prepared to join us at the Roslan home when the vigil is resumed, if settlement is not reached.
So-Called ‘Rubber Bullets’
The B’Tselem Human Rights organizations has recently announced that at least 57 people were killed – and hundreds wounded, blinded, permanently maimed – by “rubber bullets” used by the Israeli army to disperse Palestinian demonstrators. These are actually metal bullets covered by rubber, and they have been a deadly weapon in the hands of the army. Bat Shalom, Gush Shalom, and others have staged recent demonstrations to halt the use of these weapons to disperse demonstrators.
The Jahalin Bedouin
Finally, the plight of the Jahalin Bedouin, a peaceful tribe that has found itself caught in the midst of somebody else’s war. After 1948 when the state of Israel was declared, the Jahalin left their tribal lands to move to a more secure location – area controlled by Jordan outside the border of Israel. Unfortunately, this land became Occupied Territory in 1967, and Israel has built a massive Jewish settlement in the region (Ma’aleh Adumim). Now the Israeli authorities want to force them to leave.
After a long campaign to prevent their transfer (conducted by Bat Shalom, Rabbis for Human Rights, B’Tselem, and others), we have now reached a stage of making this transfer as humane as possible. All of you can help. Please fax or email the individuals below, note that the Jahalin’s requirements are minimal, and ask that they be met. (Sample letter below).
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear Minister Mordechai,
The Jahalin Bedouin have been innocent victims of a war not theirs, and they deserve decency and compassion in arrangements made for their transfer.
Please ensure that
*Israel provide basic infrastructure of water, electricity and sewage;
*Each family be given a minimal plot of land.
*Building permits be issued, and construction funds made available.
*A nearby site for grazing their flocks be allocated.
Since winter is approaching, please allow the Jahalin to construct tin shacks until these conditions are met.