While walking through the old market, we observed as we looked above our heads some Israeli flags that flew from windows in houses that overlooked the market. A number of Jewish families had bribed some Palestinians to sell property while other Israelis had obtained eviction notices since owners of Palestinian houses had not obtained the required permits from the government to build additions to their homes. Thus, we saw Israeli flags flying above the passageways that led through the old market. We also observed the netting that was placed over the streets in the market. This heavy wire mesh (see photo) is designed to protect Palestinians from being hit with bottles, bricks, chairs, and other debris that the settlers routinely throw down upon any persons who take this route while shopping in a very limited area of old Hebron. In addition, Hebron residents must place wire meshing over their windows to protect them from armed settlers who walk by and throw rocks that would shatter the windows without such protection. Incidentally, Palestinians with houses on Shuhada Street are not allowed to walk on this street. In 2000, the IDF sealed the front doors of these homes and shops in the name of “security,” requiring Palestinians in these houses to find alternative routes through other houses or via their rooftops in order to access their own community.
Many of the merchants whose shops were welded shut have moved away as they have no way to display their goods or no way to easy access to another location because of the blocked off streets. Business, therefore, has slowed to a trickle as nearly a thousand more have closed their shops. No access, no business.
We IFPB delegates learned that Israeli settlers verbally harass and sometimes, physically attack Palestinians, including school children who walk to school. Thank goodness for members of Christian Peacemakers Team (CPT) and International Solidarity Movement people (ISM) who often act as escorts for the children and provide protection. We met a gutsy pair of CPT who documented the many human rights abuses inflicted by settlers who have taken over much of Hebron and nearby lands. Within one month after we returned home, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that two of the CPT staff were assaulted while attempting to video record an attack on Palestinian shepherds by Israeli settlers. Moreover, we learned from Issa that Anna, a German national, was attacked and beaten as was George, a Greek International, and even a disabled Palestinian child.
All this occurred in this “Hell on Earth” city. Americans should be outraged to discover that when Palestinians are being attacked, beaten, even shot, the IDF usually looks the other way. This is the military that our tax dollars are supporting.
Who supports these settlers? One major donor is the Hebron Fund (a 501.c.3 organization) which collects monies (tax-free) to maintain and support Hebron settlers and those who live in adjacent areas. To view a glimpse of the injustices we have described, we recommend going to www.Openshuhadastreet.org . Moreover, the photos that accompany this article show what we have mentioned: the netting over the passageways in the old market and the concrete blocks that are examples of resistance.
Our IFPB group was allowed to walk on Shuhada Street, which is well-kept and refurbished by money from the Clinton administration with the stipulation that it must be shared by all citizens of Hebron. However, the water and electricity which were supposed to serve both the Hebron settlers and the residents of the Old City are no longer available to the Palestinians. Contrary to the agreement (the Hebron Protocol), when we were there in June, Shuhada Street was closed to all traffic except for the military and settlers. There are still some Palestinians clinging to their homes on Shuhada Street, but they have had to cover their windows with heavy reinforced screens to provide protection from religious zealots in Hebron.
We questioned if settler damage is ever reported to the Israeli occupying authority and Issa told us that attacks by settlers on native Palestinians are rarely investigated, even if these attacks result in serious injury or death. We conclude by stating that the oppressive Israeli policy that we witnessed firsthand does little or nothing for Israel’s security, but, instead, has the opposite effect of inciting anger and encouraging insurgency among Palestinians. So many of the ideological settlers carry US weapons which have been used to terrorize or kill Palestinian families. Settlers also cut down olive trees, poison Palestinians’ animals, as well as their water supplies, and fields.
Help to bring peace and justice to Israel/Palestine. Get involved. Do your own research such as visiting the websites of UN OCHA, UN office for the Coordination of Humanitarian affairs; B’tselem, Israeli Information Center for Human Rights ( www.btselem.org ); If Americans Knew (www.ifamericansknew.org ); Ha’aretz, Israeli Newspaper; The Jerusalem Post, Israeli Newspaper; and ICHAD, Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions ( www.icahd.org ).
Finally, we believe it is in Israeli’s best interest that people worldwide support the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Campaign (BDS). We say take the profit out of Illegal Occupation and support the nonviolent international movement to pressure the government of Israel with a tactic that aided the collapse of South African Apartheid. For additional information on this campaign, go to www.BDSmovement.net
Will Thomas lives in New Hampshire, where he had a lifelong career as an educator, teaching US History and American Government. Since 1989, he has been an active member of Veterans for Peace and creates awareness for this organization. Will is a vocal and productive activist for many causes related to human rights, fairness and justice.