The Gaza Pullout Issue 38 - Fall 2005 by Naim Ateek 1 p. 1 Sabeel’s Reflections on the Gaza Pullout Sabeel p. 4 P-3P-3 Israel’s Unilatereal “Disengagement”

n This Issue n This Diana Buttu p. 6

I Legality, Settlements and a Just PeaceP-5 Jeff Halper p. 9 Removing Some, Expanding Others Issue 38 - Fall 2005 Jessicca Montell p. 10 Jerusalem OK’s Neighborhood Construction P-8 SETTLEMENTS: Ramit Plushnick-Masti p. 12 School Patrol in Hebron Diane Roe p. 13 P-10 AN OBSTACLE TO PEACE In Person... Francis Tams p. 14 Snapshots p. 15

Practically speaking, however, producing the Balfour Declaration on a piece of paper THE GAZA PULLOUT and drawing a map for the future borders by Naim Ateek, Director of Sabeel of the state proved infinitely easier than facing the reality of life in Palestine. The Palestinians were not willing to hand over On June 9, 2005 the Chief Justice of the Israeli Supreme Court, their homeland to the Zionists on a silver Aharon Barak said, “Judea and Samaria and the Gaza area are lands platter. In spite of all the support that the seized during warfare and are not part of Israel.” Why was such a British gave to the Zionists - immigration of Jews into the country, enactment of laws voice not heard after the 1967 war? Why did the government of that facilitated Zionist expansion, training, Israel promulgate and protect a lie for 38 years? Why was nobody equipping, and protecting the Zionists, able to stop it? Why did we - Palestinians and Jews - have to endure etc.- it was not easy to turn Palestine into so much pain, anguish, and sorrow with thousands of people killed a Jewish state. Palestinian resistance continued against the great odds of the and injured on both sides during the last 38 years of occupation? Zionist military brigades.

On August 15, 2005 the government of In 1919, the Zionist Movement issued a The 1930s and ’40s saw the escalation of Israel began its “disengagement” from the map outlining the boundaries of their violence on both the Jewish and Palestinian Gaza Strip. The plan was to dismantle the proposed future Jewish state. The timing sides. The British found themselves caught 21 settlements which Israel built after the seemed appropriate. The First World War between their conflicting promises to the 1967 war and evacuate its 8000 settlers. had just ended. Britain and its allies were Arabs and Jews and consequently the Political analysts agree that the Israeli victorious. Britain was governing Palestine aspirations of the two national pullout does not indicate the end of the after it had conquered it from the Turks. communities. The Palestinians were occupation of the Gaza Strip. This action The Zionists were full of exhilaration. seeking independence while the Zionists was a unilateral decision on the part of the Now that Palestine was under the British, were pushing for a legal foothold that Israeli government and, therefore, Israel is they would definitely implement the terms would enable them to create a state. still legally responsible until a negotiated of the Balfour Declaration of 1917 and Whereas the Palestinians lacked settlement is reached in line with establish the Jewish homeland in Palestine international support, the Zionists enjoyed International Law. In order to as they had promised. It was crucial for powerful allies in high positions in both comprehend the impact of what has been the Zionists to act promptly and clarify the British and American governments. happening recently, it is important to the boundaries of that state. The 1919 Ultimately, the pressure and influence of review briefly Zionist history regarding Zionist map was timely. these people produced results. settlement building. 2 Issue 38 - Fall 2005

In fact, four factors coalesced and drove ZIONIST PLAN FOR PALESTINE 1919 the Jewish state into reality. Firstly, during WWII, the Allied leaders suspected (some would say “knew”) that millions of Jews were being exterminated by the Nazis. This had a strong psychological and moral impact on people in the West. After the war, there was a strong feeling that the solution to the Jewish problem could be found in Palestine. Secondly, the United States gave powerful support to the Zionists by passing the United Nations resolution regarding the Partition of Palestine in 1947. America pressured some countries to vote in favor of the two- states. It was this resolution that gave the Zionists the legal foothold to achieve their project. Thirdly, the Jewish people, generally speaking, enjoyed great sympathy and support from Christians in the West which undoubtedly influenced their governments. Most people did not realize that by solving one problem they were creating another. Western countries including the United States did not comprehend at the time that they were forcing the Palestinians to pay the price of European anti-semitism. Fourthly, the disunity of the Arabs and the organizational weakness of the Palestinians also contributed to the catastrophe, Al- Nakbah. There was too much talk and not enough concerted action on the part of the Arabs. They were not adequately prepared. They did not assess the threat nor the power and preparedness of the Zionists. These factors coalesced and gave a great advantage to the Zionists. The dream of establishing a Jewish state became a reality in 1948. The Jewish Zionists were strong enough to establish Jordan. Furthermore, in 1982, Israel Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites, their state not only on the 54% of the land occupied southern Lebanon. In the minds and the Jebusites.” which the UN Partition Plan gave them, of many settlers and Jewish religious but on 78% of the land of Palestine. In Zionists these territories were included in In fact, it, more or less, fulfilled the initial order to accomplish this task, the Zionist God’s promise according to Genesis 15: Zionist dream according to the 1919 forces had to displace three quarters of a 18-21: Zionist map and in some areas exceeded it. million Palestinians and destroy over 500 towns and villages. In the June war of “On that day the Lord made a covenant with Practically speaking, the 1967 war was the 1967, the Zionist dream came closer to Abram, saying, “To your descendants I give last war Israel decisively won. Up until fulfillment by conquering the Gaza Strip, this land, from the river of Egypt to the great then, the Zionists went from victory to the West Bank including East Jerusalem, river, the river Euphrates, the land of the victory. It was becoming obvious that they the Egyptian Sinai peninsula, the Syrian Kenites, the Kenizzites, the Kadmonites, the would be able to achieve their dream. Golan Heights, and even small areas of Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaim, the Religious Zionists were witnessing biblical Issue 38 - Fall 2005 3 history being re-enacted before their eyes. of the indigenous people of the land, the THE NEED FOR A NEW They were convinced that God’s promises Palestinians. Herzl’s words were clear IDEOLOGY FOR PEACE to the Jewish people were being honored. when back in 1895 he wrote in his diary Therefore, they had to act on those that when the Zionists occupy and Secular Jews need a new ideology for peace promises and began to “redeem” and settle expropriate the land, “We shall endeavor that is not based on the old Zionist dream. the land that, from their perspective, to expel the poor population across the This means that if Jews want to live in belonged to them by divine right. At the border unnoticed, procuring employment peace they have to give up the West Bank same time they did everything they could for it in the transit countries, but denying and share Jerusalem. Jews and Palestinians to deny the Palestinians their right to the it any employment in our own country.” can live in peace. The best way to ensure land. Extremist religious Jewish greed for peace is to base it on International Law the land and the euphoria at grabbing it Therefore, when Zionism is tested and United Nations resolutions. Now that knew no limit. Their own government of regarding the achievement of peace and many Jews inside and outside Israel are Israel was at their service giving them reconciliation, it is found wanting. In fact, beginning to realize the realistic price of political, legal, and economic support. on the ground today Zionism is not peace, they can learn a lesson from the Millions and millions of dollars were tenable. It can only live by the gun. It Gaza withdrawal. diverted from government as well as must change. It must be re-defined. It must private funds, including Christian Zionist undergo a metamorphosis. To pursue Through the violence of its army and the money. These were spent on settlements Zionism as envisioned by its founders is unbecoming behavior of its extremist in the Gaza Strip, on the West Bank, proving painful and disastrous. It is settlers, Israel created and nourished so around the city of Jerusalem and inside disastrous for its pronounced enemy, the much hate and resentment among the the Old City - all in contravention of Palestinians, and disastrous for its own Gazans that Israel today is afraid to turn International Law and United Nations lovers, the Jewish Zionists. Zionism as its back on the Palestinians. It is afraid to resolutions. The government of Israel did envisaged is capable of destroying both. To allow them to control their borders - land, what was good in its own eyes and no one survive, it must be transformed from being sea, and air. It dominated, oppressed, and was able to stop its injustice. If the an expansionist, dominating, oppressive humiliated over a million and a half government of Israel, both Likud and ideology into a movement for peace - peace Palestinians for 38 years. It has sown the Labor, was in the service of the settlers who with the indigenous people of the land, the wind and now it fears reaping the were virtually and practically helping it Palestinians. There is no other solution. whirlwind. Had the Israeli army known realize the Zionist dream, the United The 1967 war achieved the zenith of that one day it would have to leave Gaza, States’ government was behind the Zionism. Since then it has gradually would they have had a different strategy? government of Israel supporting it with contracted. In the 1970’s it had to Would they have nourished so much billions of dollars each year. withdraw from Sinai and dismantle the bitterness and resentment? We need to settlements there including hardcore Yamit. listen to the wisdom of Jesus, the son of ZIONISM BETWEEN EXPANSION In 2000 it could not keep hold of southern Sirach, “My son, do not sow in the furrows AND CONTRACTION Lebanon after 18 years of occupation. It of injustice, and you will not reap a had to withdraw. In 2002, Prime Minister sevenfold crop” (Ben Sirach 7:3). I hope Gradually, after the 1973 war, and at a Sharon said that Netzarim (one of the Gaza it is not too late. Secular Jews need a new deeper level, some cracks began to be settlements) was no different from Tel Aviv. re-defined ideology for peace. perceived in the Zionist project. One can However, in August 2005 the government even say that as a dream, Zionism - for its of Israel was “disengaging” from all 21 THE NEED FOR A NEW Zionist adherents, both secular and settlements of the Gaza strip after 38 years THEOLOGY FOR PEACE religious - was lofty and noble. Its of occupation. accomplishments on the ground for Israeli Religious Jews need a new theology of Jews have, indeed, been impressive and I am certain that some of the Israeli leaders peace. This “new” theology of peace can marvelous. They built a beautiful country know that if they want to live in peace, be found in the heart of their Torah. with increasingly impressive infrastructure. they have ultimately to give up the Golan According to Leviticus 25:23 God tells the The United States alone contributed over Heights and return it to Syria. It, too, is ancient Israelites, “...the land is mine; with a hundred billion dollars for its building. occupied land. Moreover, for a genuine me you are but aliens and tenants.” This, I Actually Zionism’s accomplishments fitted peace to be accomplished, Israel must pull believe, is a foundational theological its own ideology, namely, the building of out from the occupied West Bank and East statement. The land, all the land, whatever a Jewish state. But the Zionist ideology Jerusalem in accordance with International we call it, Canaan, Palestine, Israel, belongs has failed to build peace. It cannot achieve Law. This is the demand of justice if peace to God. All the people who live on the peace so long as its ideology and theology is to be achieved. land - be they Palestinians or Jews - are are based on the negation and exclusion aliens in God’s land and tenants who are 4 Issue 38 - Fall 2005 responsible to the land owner. This basic theological tenet about God’s relationship to the land and its people takes precedence over any subsidiary “ownership” that any group might claim. In fact the theological ramification of this tenet leads us to say that this little land of Israel/Palestine becomes metaphorically a microcosm to the way God relates to the whole world. For “the earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it” (Psalm 24:1). If we accept this basic tenet, then it is possible to argue that in God’s wisdom and providence, whether some of us like it or not, God has placed both Palestinians and Israeli Jews on this land. Instead of perpetually fighting over it and killing each other, we must live together on the land and share it under God. Together we can be good stewards of it. After all we are only aliens and tenants, or as another translation has it, we are merely “sojourners.” This is not really a new theology. It is a Sabeel’s Reflections theology that finds its origins within the most sacred texts of the Hebrew Bible, the book of Leviticus. This is a theology that on the is worthy of God and worthy of human beings. It is worthy of God who has created us all equally in God’s image, and who calls Gaza “Disengagement” us to love God and to love one another. Surely, such a theology can open wide the Facts and Concerns door for peace and lead us to the possibility of forgiveness and reconciliation. “My son, do not sow in the furrow of injustice, and you will not reap a seven fold crop.” CONCLUSION (Ben Sirach 7:3) If the people of Israel want to live in peace in this part of the world, they must Long overdue, it has finally happened. Occupied Palestinian Territories - and redefine, transform, and revamp Zionism. Israel is out of Gaza, but not quite. There 95% still remains occupied. Prime They must begin by defining what they is sorrow in Israel but mixed with joy. Minister Ariel Sharon throughout the mean by “neighbor”. For most of its The burden called Gaza has been lifted. disengagement process has declared his history, the last 60 years, Israel has lived There is joy in Palestine but mixed with intentions to continue the expansion of by the original Zionist definition. That sorrow. The burden called occupation has settlements on the West Bank and in East definition excluded, demonized, and been lifted, but not quite. Sabeel would Jerusalem. negated the indigenous people of the land, like to share some facts and concerns with the Palestinians. The new definition must our friends: Concern: As the settlers leave Gaza, where include, embrace, and accept them AND are they going? Some of the Gaza settlers VICE VERSA. The withdrawal from Gaza 1. Fact: Around 8000 settlers lived on had previously lived illegally on occupied provides us with a very important lesson. 42% of the 365 square kilometers of the land in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula. We are The writing is on the wall. There is no Gaza Strip, occupied by Israel in 1967. concerned that the bulk of settlers will future for oppression, occupation, or One million, four hundred thousand move again to live in illegal settlements domination. There is, however, a great Palestinians lived on the remaining 58%. on the Occupied West Bank or East future for peace and reconciliation. The Gaza itself is only 5% of all of the Jerusalem. only way forward is the way of a just peace. Issue 38 - Fall 2005 5

2. Fact: The Gaza pullout is not an end 5. Fact: Prime Minister Sharon has Palestinian homes which has continued to the occupation of the Gaza Strip declared that Israel will keep and annex since 1948. In Gaza alone, since according to International Law until the six settlement blocks on the West Bank as September 2000, 2,704 homes have Palestinians are granted full sovereignty well as all of Jerusalem. Silvan Shalom, been demolished. over air, land and sea. The pullout from his foreign minister, together with U.S. Gaza is not a negotiated agreement. It is a Secretary of State, Condeleeza Rice, are Concern: As the world focuses its well-calculated, unilateral Israeli project, calling for a regional conference where sympathy on the relocation of displaced which leaves Israel free of any obligations Israel will normalize relations with the settlers, the international community or commitment towards a peaceful Arab States. will continue to turn a blind eye to the solution. house demolitions and dispossession of Concern: The pullout has changed the the Palestinian community. Concern: Gaza will be turned into a giant mutually accepted formula of “Land for prison with Israel controlling its borders, Peace.” Sharon wants a long-term As Palestinians watched the settlers air space and seaport and suffocating its temporary agreement that will freeze any being uprooted memories of losing 1.4 million people. Although Israel is still final peace agreement and indefinitely homes, neighborhoods and responsible, according to the Fourth delay defining borders. The new formula communities came back painfully. We Geneva Convention, for the well-being he seems to have developed is “Land for remember the sorrow and sense of of this occupied population, we are Time.” It is clear that Sharon is expecting hopelessness. We wish that the settlers concerned they will not meet their legal a reward from the Americans for the - as they receive compensation, apologies obligations. Palestinians are left without pullout. However, to grant this partial from the soldiers, acknowledgement of a political horizon and this may trigger withdrawal the reward of total the government’s responsibility, and another Intifada. normalization ignores the fact that the sympathy from the global community - withdrawal is simply one step towards and the world will begin to empathize 3.Fact: The settlers and their sympathizers dealing with the wider issue of illegal and take action to end the occupation have called the Gaza pullout “a transfer of occupation. and bring about a just peace for the Jews by Jews.” Palestinians who are still waiting. 6. Fact: Settlers in Gaza bemoaned the Concern: Transfer is a word dreaded by fact that they were being forced out of their Sabeel Ecumenical

Palestinians and often advocated by homes. Few made the connection between Liberation Theology Center extreme right-wing Israelis to “deal” with their removal and the eviction of Jerusalem the Palestinian problem. It is now feared Palestinians and the destruction of August 24, 2005 that since Sharon has set a precedent with Jewish Israelis, he is more likely to get ,, away with the transfer of Palestinians. 4. Fact: The world has watched scenes of The social impact of the disengagement in the evacuation of the settlers from Gaza. Everyone spoke about the suffering of the essence means placing the responsibility of settlers and the pain of the soldiers attending to the needs and welfare of the evacuating them. On the other hand, during the evacuation, “angry settlers” Palestinian community squarely on the shoulders killed four Israeli Palestinians in the north of the Palestinian leadership. Under the prevailing of Israel and four Palestinian workers in circumstances this represents a heavy load that the West Bank. requires serious and organized attention which

Concern: Now that the settlers have been means establishing priorities, proper organization moved, a great deal of the blame and anger is directed towards the Palestinians. in all fields, and organized,, cooperation between all It is greatly feared that settler attacks the forces on the stage. against Palestinians will increase. Palestinians are once again concerned that Dr. Haidar Abdel Shafi they will be made to pay the price of the Palestinian National Initiative -Gaza suffering of the Jewish people. 6 Issue 38 - Fall 2005

mere 7,300 settlers in 2,800 houses. These 2,800 houses will not be able to meet the housing demands of the burgeoning Israel’s Unilateral Palestinian population. Instead, the land upon which the colonies sit can be used to build high-rise apartments to house more people while simultaneously freeing “Disengagement” land for investment purposes to by Diana Buttu rehabilitate the Palestinian economy.

“[The] formula for the parameters of unilateral solution * Where will the rubble be taken? are: To maximize the number of Jews; minimize the number of Palestinians; not to withdraw to the 1967 For environmental reasons, the rubble border and not to divide Jerusalem.” (approximately 80,000 tonnes) cannot be - Ehud Olmert, Israel’s Deputy Prime Minister[1] reused and therefore it must be disposed of in a manner that is not hazardous. The PA insists that the rubble cannot be stored in Gaza (for environmental, health and Frequently Asked Questions: as possible while retaining as much Pa- space reasons) and therefore it must be lestinian land as possible. By evacuating transported out of the Gaza Strip. * What is the Israeli “Disengagement” Plan? Israel’s colonies in the Occupied Gaza Strip, Israel can divert attention away from * Will the land evacuated by Israel return The Israeli “disengagement plan” (unveiled its ongoing colonization in the Occupied to its rightful owners? by Israeli PM Sharon in December 2003) West Bank. In exchange for evacuating is a unilateral two-part plan: (1) the colonies in the Gaza Strip (a mere 4.8 Yes. Ninety-five percent of the land upon evacuation of all Israeli colonies from the percent of Occupied Palestinian which Israel’s colonies and military Occupied Gaza Strip (with a total settler Territory), Israel will continue to build its installations are built is “state land” and population of 7,300) and four small colonies and Wall in the Occupied West accordingly will revert to the public colonies in the northern Occupied West Bank, taking more than 45 percent of domain upon evacuation. The remaining Bank (with a total settler population of Occupied Palestinian Territory. five percent of the land belongs to private 475); (2) the ongoing colonization of the Palestinian owners who will have their land West Bank and its ancillary construction * What will happen to the Israeli colonies? returned to them in accordance with of the Wall, designed to fragment Palestinian law. Palestinian communities. The Israeli government has taken a unilateral decision to demolish the * What about the rest of the land? The term “disengagement” is a misnomer: structures in the colonies, including it implies that Israel will no longer control houses. Given that the land will revert to the public the Palestinians. Yet, under the terms of domain, projects for the public will be Israel’s plan, Israel will retain complete * But can’t the houses be used to resettle developed there. The Ministry of Planning control over the Occupied Gaza Strip as it Palestinians? is currently revising its regional plan for will control all borders and crossing points the evacuated areas and aims to build (thereby controlling the movement of Not really. The Occupied Gaza Strip is hospitals, schools, and housing projects as 365 km2, and has an estimated Palestinian goods and people), Palestinian airspace and 2 well as tourist locations in the areas water space. Israel has also reserved itself population of 1.3 million, living on 55 km evacuated by Israel. the right to reinvade the Occupied Gaza of built-up land, making the Occupied Strip at will, thereby ensuring its military Gaza Strip the most densely populated * What will happen to the Gaza Strip control over the area. In effect, what Israel place on earth. In twenty years, the following the evacuation? aims is to isolate the Occupied Gaza Strip population of the Gaza Strip is expected and cut it off from the rest of the world. to reach 2 million Palestinians. The Palestinian Authority aims to revitalize the Palestinian economy of the Gaza Strip * Why is Israel carrying out this Plan? Israel’s colonization of the Gaza Strip was by encouraging investment and hence carried out in a horizontal fashion: Israel’s creating jobs. However, in order to The Plan is part of Israel’s long-term colonies take up approximately 20 percent revitalize the economy Israel’s cooperation strategy to rid itself of as many Palestinians of the land of the Gaza Strip and house a (and international support) is necessary. Issue 38 - Fall 2005 7

While the colonization of the Gaza Strip Occupied Palestinian Territory) and searches. Israeli goods, which do not have will end, Israel’s occupation of it will not. require Israeli permission to cross these to go through any security procedures are Currently, Israel strictly controls all access checkpoints. shipped in daily on more than 300 trucks. in and out of the Occupied Gaza Strip, Israeli settlers have been involved in a Accordingly, Israeli goods are often less both for people and goods. If the current number of crimes against Palestinians and expensive to Palestinians and Palestinian levels of absolute control continue, the their property that have largely gone reliance upon such goods is increased. Gaza Strip will be cut off from the unprosecuted. Human rights Occupied West Bank and the rest of the organizations, including Israeli, have Israel can easily improve the economy by world, thereby turning the Gaza Strip into submitted reports on such incidents. simply removing its barriers and a large prison. For the Gazan economy to checkpoints and by allowing Palestinian improve and for the evacuation of the Gaza * What can be done to revitalize the Gaza goods to move based on international Strip to be a model of success, Israel will Strip? principles of “door-to-door” wherein have to ensure that Palestinians and their Palestinian goods are freely allowed to goods are provided free movement and Currently, Israel exercises complete control move without onerous security searches that the Palestinians are allowed to live over the Palestinian economy by that are not imposed on Israeli goods. without Israeli control over their lives and controlling the movement of Palestinians economy. and their goods. In the Occupied West By creating certainty among investors, the Bank, for example, Israel maintains economy of the Gaza Strip can be * Don’t you feel sorry for the settlers? hundreds of checkpoints and barriers revitalized and improved. The World designed to fragment Palestinian Bank is in agreement with this conclusion: Israeli citizens were given large incentives communities. Palestinian goods are “Palestinian economic recovery depends to move into Occupied Palestinian subject to a “back-to-back” system of on a radical easing of internal closures Territory, including large housing movement, wherein Palestinian goods are throughout the West Bank [and Gaza] the subsidies, lower income tax rates and unloaded and reloaded onto different opening of Palestinian external borders to subsidies for their factories located in trucks several times before reaching their commodity trade, and sustaining a Occupied Palestinian Territory. Israeli final destination. For example, goods reasonable flow of Palestinian labor into settlers are now also being compensated originating from Hebron (in the Occupied Israel.” See “Disengagement, The for evacuating from the Occupied Gaza West Bank) destined for Nablus (also in Palestinian Economy and the Settlements”, Strip and are being resettled at Israel’s the Occupied West Bank) must be the World Bank, June 15, 2004. expense in Israel. unloaded and reloaded an estimated seven times. Obviously this increases * Will Palestinians remain subject to the The settlers have been the cause of Israel’s transportation costs and the time for which same movement restrictions? ongoing military occupation of Palestinian goods reach their destination. Territory. Their presence has led to: (1) Currently, Palestinians require Israeli greater Israeli military presence in Furthermore, Israel does not maintain permits to travel: (1) within the Occupied Occupied Palestinian Territory; (2) the systematized rules or procedures for the West Bank; (2) between the Occupied confiscation of Palestinian land for the movement of Palestinian goods, thereby West Bank and the Occupied Gaza Strip construction of Israeli-only colonies and increasing risk and uncertainty among and (3) to Israel. Palestinians in the Gaza roads, often in the name of “security”; (3) investors. In the Karni terminal (the sole Strip also require Israeli permission to cross the destruction and demolition of terminal for the movement of Palestinian international boundaries to visit other Palestinian homes and historic locales and goods from the Occupied Gaza Strip), countries. Such permits are granted rarely (4) led to a dual system of laws imposed rules for the movement of goods are (less than 30 percent of the Palestinian in Occupied Palestinian Territory: Israeli frequently changed by the Israelis. Today, population receives such permits; and in settlers, who number 430,000, live under a mere 50 trucks per day of Palestinian the Occupied Gaza Strip the percentage

Israeli civilian law, granted superior rights goods are allowed to leave the terminal, barely reaches 10%). to 3.5 million Palestinians who are subject owing to the onerous and unpredictable to Israeli military law, thereby denied their ,, freedom. Israelis are granted complete freedom of movement in Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel while Israeli settlers have been involved in a number of crimes Palestinians are relegated to Palestinian- only roads (that lead only to Palestinian against Palestinians and their property that have largely gone areas), live behind hundreds of unprosecuted. Human rights organizations, including checkpoints and road barriers (situated in Israeli, have submitted reports on such incidents. ,, 8 Issue 38 - Fall 2005

Under the Oslo Agreements, Israel was For 38 years Israel has carried out two Currently, goods produced in the EIE do supposed to have instituted a “safe passage” projects in the West Bank (including East not undergo any security or other searches between the Occupied West Bank and Jerusalem) and the Gaza Strip: (1) before entering the Israeli markets. After Gaza Strip to ensure freedom of movement colonization of the areas through the the evacuation, the EIE will revert to the for Palestinians within Occupied construction of Israeli-only housing and Palestinian public domain and, according Palestinian Territory. Passage through the roads and (2) military occupation of the to Israeli officials, goods produced there will “safe passage” remained subject to strict areas through the imposition of Israeli be subject to Israeli searches as well as the Israeli control and in 2000 Israel closed military law on the areas and its existing “back-to-back” system for the the safe passage route, thereby isolating the inhabitants. While the colonization movement of Palestinian goods. This will Occupied Gaza Strip from the rest of process may cease in the Occupied Gaza undoubtedly discourage investment and Occupied Palestinian Territory. Strip and northern West Bank, the military likely kill the prospects of the EIE (or any occupation will continue. industrial area). If the Palestinian economy In order to ensure that Palestinians are not is to recover, Israel’s control over the enclosed in a large prison, freedom of * What will happen to the airport? Palestinian economy will have to cease: the movement must be guaranteed. Yet, while back-to-back system will have to be replaced Israel asserts that it wants to “disengage” The Palestinian International Airport was immediately with the “door-to-door” system from the Occupied Gaza Strip, it wants to opened in 1998 by Presidents Clinton and of movement that allows goods to reach retain control over Palestinians and their Arafat and serviced Palestinians seeking to their destination without the senseless economy. Israel has yet to respond to fly in and out of the Occupied Gaza Strip. unload/reload system employed by Israel. whether freedom of movement for The airport operated under the strict Palestinians will be guaranteed: whether control of Israel. In 2000, the Israeli Army * But isn’t the evacuation of colonies a Palestinians will be able to travel to the closed the airport and several months later good thing? rest of Occupied Palestinian Territory and destroyed the runway and control tower, whether Palestinians will continue to with estimated damages exceeding USD The evacuation and dismantlement of require Israeli permission to leave the Gaza $8 million. It has remained closed. Israel’s colonies is always welcomed (owing Strip and whether Palestinians will be able to the fact that these colonies are one of to freely travel throughout the Occupied Following Israel’s evacuation, the the reasons that the Palestinians are denied West Bank. Palestinian Authority seeks to open the their freedom). However, there are two airport, but, to date, discussions with Israel parts to Israel’s plan: one entails the While many discussions have taken place have been inconclusive. evacuation of colonies (but the on the mode for transportation between maintenance of Israeli military control over the Gaza Strip and the West Bank (sunken * Can’t the greenhouses based in the the area) and the second entails the road, railroad, convoy), these discussions colonies be used as a means of job creation? continued colonization of the West Bank. remain inconclusive. It is irresponsible to simply focus on one The greenhouses in the colonies produce side of the equation while ignoring the “organic” food that is exported to With respect to the Rafah terminal other. So, while the Palestinians may be European markets. The greenhouses are (movement to Egypt), talks also remain pleased that the colonization of the Gaza heavily subsidized by the Israeli inconclusive: While the Palestinians Strip is coming to an end, it is clear that government and water is shipped in from continue to insist on no Israeli presence the colonization of the West Bank will be Israel owing to the polluted nature of the in the Rafah terminal (and hence allow for intensified. It is also clear that the military Gaza coastal aquifer. The greenhouses the free movement of Palestinians), Israel occupation of both areas will remain. currently employ approximately 4,000 has yet to agree. Therefore while there is much fanfare Palestinians. While, on face level, it may regarding Israel’s evacuation, real applause seem like a good idea for these greenhouses * What will be the international legal should be withheld until Israel completely to be maintained, unless the free status of the evacuated areas following the ends its military occupation of the West movement of the goods produced in these evacuation? Bank (including East Jerusalem) and the greenhouses can be guaranteed and unless Gaza Strip. Until that time, Israel should The Gaza Strip and the northern West the subsidies can be maintained, the be punished for its ongoing violations of Bank will remain occupied territory. greenhouses will be worthless. international law and human rights - not Israel will still be subject to international rewarded. obligations embodied in the Fourth * What will happen to the Erez Industrial Geneva Convention and in various human Estate? rights agreements. The fate of the Erez Industrial Estate Diana Buttu is Communications Director (“EIE”) remains in the hands of Israel. to the Palestinian Technical Team Issue 38 - Fall 2005 9

Israel itself. Land is expropriated from Palestinians according to Israeli law, and more than 200 settlements have been established using Israeli mechanisms of planning, zoning, law, and bureaucracy. Over the past four decades, Israel has thus “routinized” its control. Since it seeks to retain East Jerusalem and most of the West Bank permanently, the normal and routine use of law and administration to consolidate its control has allowed it, to a significant degree, to conceal the more brutal military aspects of the occupation. Thus more than 12,000 Palestinian homes have been demolished in the Occupied Territories since 1967 with barely a murmur of opposition from either the international community or from within Israel itself. Olive trees uprooted by settlers from Revava during the olive harvest, November 2000. So successful has this strategy been, that Photo credit: Najib Abu Rokayah, B’Tselem opposition to Israeli settlements is focused today not on the 200 settlements themselves - settlements that have virtually LEGALITY, SETTLEMENTS disappeared from the public discussion - but on the more than 100 so-called “illegal” settlements (or “outposts” AND A JUST PEACE comprised of trailers that are gradually transformed into permanent housing) that by Jeff Halper gave Israel such a superior position in the have been established on their peripheries, negotiations that the peace process was significantly expanding their area. The utterly destroyed. minute the outposts have been designated The issue of the illegality of Israeli “illegal,” the settlements themselves settlements in the Occupied Territories is Avoiding international law is what has become de facto “legal.” The struggle is much more than simply an academic allowed Israel to expand its civilian control thereby diverted from dismantling the matter. Israel uses complex issues of legality over the Occupied Territories without entire network of settlements to to blur the illegality of its occupation - confronting the international community dismantling only the “illegal” ones. When indeed, to deny that it even has an head-on and to maintain a façade of one points out that all the settlements are occupation. Israel’s claim that its rule does democratic rule. According to illegal, one is often considered extreme or not constitute an occupation because no international law, and in particular the unreasonable. sovereign power had ruled the West Bank, Fourth Geneva Convention, Occupying East Jerusalem and Gaza before 1967 is Powers are forbidden from taking any steps This is especially important in light of the one that finds no support in the that render their occupation permanent - Bush-Sharon agreement of April, 2004, international community. The only partial especially transferring populations into subsequently ratified almost unanimously exception is the United States. Realizing occupied territories, establishing by both houses of Congress. In that that it would lose in its negotiations with settlements, constructing permanent agreement, the American government the Palestinians during the Oslo process if infrastructures of highways (and, we might extended de facto recognition to Israel’s negotiations were conducted on the basis add, walls) intended to incorporate the annexation of its seven major settlement of international law, Israel prevailed on the occupied territory into the occupying blocs, an area mainly on the western side United States - the only international country itself and imposing its own legal of the West Bank, including “greater” power it cares about - to reclassify the status system. Denying occupation and the Jerusalem, which comprises some 20-25% of the Palestinian territories from applicability of the Fourth Geneva of the Occupied Territories and 80% of “occupied” to “disputed.” This pulled the Convention has allowed Israel to treat the the settlers. If the settlement blocs in fact rug out from under the Palestinians and Occupied Territories as an extension of become part of Israel, the two-state 10 Issue 38 - Fall 2005

solution is finished, since no viable “Removing Some, Palestinian state can emerge in the islands between the settlement blocs. Expanding Others” But there is every indication, since by Jessica Montell the legality of the settlement blocs themselves are not at issue but only The disengagement plan, which includes removing all settlers that of the “illegal” outposts, that the Israeli government will move this Fall from the Gaza Strip, as well as four small settlements in the to formally annex the settlement northern West Bank, represents an earthquake in domestic Israeli blocs to Israel. politics. This is the first time in history that Israel has decided to remove settlements from the Occupied Territories. However, the We cannot allow Israel to maintain an artificial distinction between implications for a negotiated resolution of the conflict with the “legal” and “illegal” settlements. The Palestinians are unclear. This ambiguity primarily stems from the problem is not simply one of legal fact that, at the same time that Israel dismantles settlements in terminology, but of allowing Israel to Gaza, it is expanding its settlements in the West Bank. “sanitize” and keep its settlement blocs at the cost of dismantling the Settlements are a clear violation of access to water resources. Settlers use 40% peripheral outposts. This gets to the international humanitarian law, specifically of the eastern aquifer, with Palestinians only very heart of whether a just solution the Fourth Geneva Convention prohibition able to exploit 60% of this aquifer. With can be found to the Israeli-Palestinian on transfer of population from the occupying regard to the mountain aquifer the division conflict or if Israel will succeed in power to the occupied territory. This is even more discriminatory, as Israel exploits establishing an apartheid system over violation is not merely a matter of the dry 100% of this aquifer. This is not due to the the Palestinians. We must insist that letter of the law. Settlements result in a long presence of the settlements, however, but all the settlements are illegal and that list of very tangible violations of Palestinian rather to the unequal division of this shared the Occupation be ended completely. human rights. resource between the State of Israel and the If we allow ourselves to be Palestinians. Settlements deprive Palestinians of their two encumbered in endless negotiations vital natural resources: land and water. The During the last five years, Israel has imposed over what is legal and illegal, if we built-up area of settlements comprises less severe restrictions on Palestinian movement begin to compromise on the extent than 2% of the West Bank. However, throughout the West Bank. Although these to which the Occupation is illegal, settlements control 42% of the land in the restrictions are justified primarily as necessary we will play into Israel’s hands. Either West Bank. Israel has used complex legal and to prevent terrorist attacks inside Israel, they the Occupation will turn into bureaucratic mechanisms to take control of are also related to the settlements. For annexation approved by the all of this land. The main tool is to declare example, settlements are dispersed in a string international community, or Israel land to be “state land” through a formation along Road Number 60 - the main will succeed, through endless legal manipulative application of the Ottoman north-south traffic artery in the West Bank. manipulations, in delaying forever Lands Law. In many cases, Palestinian With the goal of protecting the safety of the dismantling of the Occupation. residents were unaware that their land was settlers in this area, the IDF (Israel Defence We must insist that international law declared state land, and by the time they Force) has restricted Palestinian use of this be applied in the Occupied discovered this fact, it was too late to appeal. road. On some roads there are even more Territories and that it alone stringent restrictions. The road to the Elon constitutes the basis of political Although only 5,400 settlers live in the Moreh settlement, for example, is completely negotiations. Anything that helps Jordan Valley, for example, almost the entire off-limits to Palestinians. Altogether Israel maintain the Occupation Valley (some 1.2 million dunams) has been seventeen roads or sections of roadway are indefinitely contradicts international declared state land, off-limits for Palestinian off-limits to Palestinian vehicles. law. We must end the occupation, use. Thus Palestinians cannot exploit these period. vast land reserves for economic development. The location of settlements also obstructs Although the northern part of the Dead Sea Palestinian urban development. Settlements borders the West Bank, Palestinians have no surround major Palestinian cities blocking Jeff Halper is the Coordinator of the access to this unique natural phenomenon the potential for growth. The settlement of Israeli Committee Against House and cannot develop industry or tourism- Psagot, for example, adjacent to Ramallah, Demolitions. related projects, nor do Palestinians have fair prevents the city from expanding to the east. Issue 38 - Fall 2005 11

Israeli settlements in close proximity to and after the disengagement. on freedom of movement. The drastic change Hebron, Bethlehem, Nablus, and Jenin Concurrently, there has been an escalation that Israel has made in the map of the West hinder the urban development of these cities in attacks by Palestinians against Israeli Bank prevents any real possibility for the as well. civilians, both inside Israel and even more establishment of an independent, viable There is blatant discrimination in the Israeli severely in the West Bank. Settlers are almost Palestinian state as part of the Palestinians’ authorities’ treatment of settlements entirely a civilian population. Over 400,000 right to self-determination. compared to Palestinian communities. The people live in Israeli settlements: men, The settlers, on the contrary, benefit from planning system, for example, operates on women and children. Though their very all the rights available to Israeli citizens living two distinct tracks: one for Jews and the presence in the Occupied Territories within the Green Line, and in some cases other for Palestinians. While facilitating constitutes a violation of international are even granted additional rights. The great Jewish settlement, the planning system humanitarian law, the majority of the settlers effort that Israel has invested in the works vigorously to restrict the development are peaceful, law-abiding people. Indeed, the settlement enterprise - in financial, legal and of Palestinian communities. Thus, the blame for the establishment and expansion bureaucratic terms - has turned the planning system rejects virtually all requests of settlements rests largely not with the settlements into civilian enclaves in an area for building permits filed by Palestinians in settlers, but with the Israeli government itself, under military rule, with the settlers being Area C, where Israel still has responsibility which granted extensive financial benefits to given priority status. To perpetuate this for civil affairs. Houses built by Palestinians encourage Israelis to move there. The settlers situation, which is a priori illegal, Israel has without building permits may be are therefore entitled to the full protection continuously breached the rights of the demolished by the Civil Administration, of the law. Palestinians. even when constructed on private land. Israel has created in the Occupied Territories The settlements are unlawful, and their The newest feature to the West Bank a regime of separation based on presence leads to the violation of human landscape is the Separation Barrier. Here too, discrimination, applying two separate rights. Accordingly, they must be vacated, settlements are the primary factor for the systems of law in the same area and basing while at the same time respecting the human human rights violations created by the the rights of individuals on their nationality. rights of the settlers, including payment of Barrier. Because the route of the barrier runs Israel has taken vast tracts of land from the compensation. Israel is to be congratulated primarily within the West Bank - in order Palestinians, established dozens of for its decision to remove the Gaza to encompass as many settlements as possible settlements and populated them with settlements. At the same time that the - it further limits movement, prevents hundreds of thousands of Israeli citizens. international community welcomes the Gaza Palestinian farmers from reaching their Israel prohibits the Palestinians as a group disengagement, however, it must make very farmlands, etc. The harm is liable to be most from entering and using these lands, and uses clear that Gaza is only the first step to a much severe around Jerusalem, where the Barrier the settlements to justify numerous violations more significant removal of settlements from runs down the middle of busy streets. of the Palestinians’ human rights, such as the West Bank. Although Israel has annexed East Jerusalem, house demolitions and massive restrictions Jessica Montell is Director of B’tselem and considers it to be part of the State of Israel, its legal status is identical to the rest EDITORIAL NOTE: The designation of Jewish settlers as “peaceful law-abiding of the West Bank: occupied territory to people” in their majority is highly disputed by Palestinians; first, because all settlers by which Israel is forbidden to transfer its own definition are violating international law, secondly B’tselem, Al Haq, and Christian population. Peacemaker Teams have chronicled the constant harassment, violence, and lawlessness Over the past five years, we have witnessed of Jewish settlers toward their immediate Palestinian neighbors - even under Israeli an escalation in violence by settlers toward laws. Many settlers are armed not only with guns provided by the Israeli army, but also Palestinians. The Israeli military and the with an ideology that they are under direct commandment of God and are not Israeli police, which are responsible for answerable to the human laws of the State of Israel. They often clash with the Israeli protecting all residents of the Occupied army if it fails to assist them in their violations, but are quick to call upon it for Territories, have done a poor job of protection if Palestinians try to resist or defend themselves. They routinely and regularly protecting Palestinians from acts of violence harass Palestinian farmers, shepherds, storekeepers, and villagers who are in their by settlers. Only in the most severe cases are immediate vicinity. They rampage through Palestinian villages and when the Israeli settlers ever prosecuted for attacks on army comes, more often than not, the army simply provides the settlers with protection Palestinians and their property. B’Tselem has from Palestinians, or the army stands aside and watches silently. It is true that in areas documented many cases in which soldiers where the Palestinians have been totally removed and within the more densely populated stood by but failed to intervene while Jewish settlements, particularly around Jerusalem, some of the settlers do not participate Palestinians were attacked. There is a very in the daily torment of Palestinian Arabs. To refer to them as being “innocent civilians: real fear that incidents of settler violence will Women and children” is really stretching the facts daily experienced by Palestinians. increase over the next few months, during 12 Issue 38 - Fall 2005

but today rarely visits the heavily guarded compound. The plan approved Monday, Jerusalem OK’s which has been in the works for several years, would violate a city ban on building Neighborhood Construction within 10 yards of the Old City wall, Alalu said. by Ramit Plushnick-Masti The city engineer, Uri Shetrit, initially (Copyright 2005 Associated Press. 07/26/05) opposed the plan, which called for the JERUSALEM — Jerusalem planners have a decision not recognized internationally. construction of 30 housing units, Alalu approved the construction of a new Jewish Palestinians want east Jerusalem, including said. Due to the engineer´s concerns, the neighborhood in the city´s Muslim the walled Old City, as the capital of a committee approved a smaller plan for 21 Quarter, officials said Tuesday, threatening future state. Israeli moves to settle Arab homes, but recommended the regional to further inflame tensions between Israelis neighborhoods of the city have sparked planning board, the next stop in the and Palestinians in the city claimed by both violence in the past. authorization process, approve the larger as a capital. plan, Alalu said. The current plan could be even more The plan to build 21 apartments for Jews incendiary because it does not involve The municipality said Shetrit is not in the walled Old City´s Muslim Quarter private property transactions, but is backed permitted to speak to reporters. It will take was approved 5-2 by a local planning board by the government. Alalu said the years for the plan to move from paper to late Monday, said Yosef Alalu, a dovish city municipality would have to rezone a actual construction, Alalu said, because council member who is on the committee. “green” area to build the apartments. “It is several more approval stages remain. In the The plan has to go through several more clear that when the first tractor puts down past, the Housing Ministry and other bureaucratic stages before final approval. the first stone it will lead to the next government agencies have halted the The plan was presented to the planning uprising and could have international project in the planning stages, he said. board by the Housing Ministry. impact,” Alalu said. Israeli human rights activist Danny Seidemann said Sharon´s goal is to Palestinian officials accused Israel of The Old City consists of four quarters, strengthen the hold on Jerusalem while the creating facts on the ground ahead of a Muslim, Christian, Jewish and Armenian. world´s attention is focused on his peace deal that would determine the fate Today, just a few Jewish families live in upcoming Israeli withdrawal from the of Jerusalem. “It will be like adding fuel to the Muslim Quarter, in fortified Gaza Strip. [Withdrawal was completed] the fire, and we urge U.S. intervention to complexes. block this decision,” said Saeb Erekat, the About a dozen properties are owned by Earlier this month, the Sharon government chief Palestinian negotiator. Jews, including Prime Minister Ariel decided on the route of its separation Sharon, who bought an apartment there barrier, intended as a defense against Israel captured east Jerusalem in the 1967 in 1987. ** For several years, Sharon used suicide bombers, that will cut off six Arab Mideast War and annexed it into its capital, the apartment to hold political meetings, neighborhoods of Jerusalem from the city. Palestinian officials have accused Israel of drawing the barrier to reduce the Palestinian population of the city. The approval of the Jewish neighborhood in the Muslim Quarter “is yet another example that Mr. Sharon is using the withdrawal from Gaza ... to consolidate an Israeli stranglehold over east Jerusalem in a way that no government, including his own, has ever, ever dared to do in the past,” said Seidemann, an attorney who heads Ir Amim, a Jerusalem settlement watchdog group.

Photo credit: Efrat Shvili Efrat Photo credit: ** See related article Construction on the Modi’in Ilit settlement in 2001. “In Person... Francis Tams” page 14 Issue 38 - Fall 2005 13

Especially in 2001 and 2002, we accompanied children who were trying to SCHOOL PATROL get past the Israeli army. Now locked gates and checkpoints, one-at-a-time turnstiles and backpack searches are the norm as IN HEBRON children make their way to school. Wisam by Diane Roe Abu Haikel and her cousins no longer pass hen school starts in Hebron I will individual children who were at risk from by the Tel Rumeida caravans when they Wbe on school patrol. No, I won’t be settler attacks and walking with them to go to school. Tel Rumeida settlers have wearing a crossing guard uniform or and from school. built a towering apartment complex and holding up a sign that tells drivers to slow the Israeli army has blocked the driveway down. For ten years Christian Peacemaker There are several schools located in the area to the Abu Haikel home. The Abu Haikel Teams (CPT) have been in Hebron and (known as H2) still under full Israeli children are forced to go out a back way. during that time school patrol has taken occupation where settler militias roam Now even that back way is threatened as different forms. Most of the time being freely. Children trying to get to these the Israeli occupation forces plan a new on school patrol means trying to protect schools have been confronted with settler road, and the settler militias have extended children from the armed Israeli settlers. violence. Qurtuba elementary girls’ their presence to the back of the Abu There are no signs telling drivers to slow school, located on a hillside between two Haikel home. down near schools. The only drivers (aside of the militant settler enclaves, has been from the Israeli military) allowed on the the most vulnerable. In the fall of 1995, So, as I prepare for school patrol 2005, I streets we patrol are the Israeli settlers and after numerous attacks on school children wonder what is ahead. Wisam Abu most of them speed up when they see the and staff, CPT began accompaniment at Haikel’s cousin Bashaer, who lives in the children. If I tried to stop them they might the beginning and end of the school day, same house, will start kindergarten this run over me. (They have threatened it). especially on Saturday when the settler year. She cannot take the same route that attacks were the most vociferous. I Wisam took ten years ago; the Israeli army There are four settler enclaves in Hebron’s remember one Saturday in particular when bolted the gate shut. We will take a back Old City. The children who are most at settler youth knocked me down. When a way behind Qurtuba school, near the risk from settler attacks are those who live thirteen- year- old girl tried to help me, cemetary. EAPPI (Ecumenical closest to these enclaves. Ten years ago they knocked her down, and I watched in accompaniers sponsored by the World CPT walked Wisam Abu Haikel, who was horror as they dragged her down the street Council of Churches) will be on the other then in kindergarten, back to her home by her braided hair. side of the locked area helping children after school. Settlers from the militant get down to Qurtuba school. The group Kach would throw stones at her as Israeli soldiers cannot arrest the settlers; accompaniers will stay at the school all she passed the caravans at Tel Rumeida they can only arrest Palestinians. Thus, morning because last spring on several next to the driveway to her home so the in times of high tension, the Israeli Army occasions Israeli settlers entered the school family asked us to accompany her. That prevents school children from going to grounds and attacked the children. was the beginning of our seeking out school “for their own protection.” Please pray for a safe school year. Dianne Roe is a member of the Christian Peacemaker Teams in Hebron 14 Issue 38 - Fall 2005

IN PERSON ...

My father was killed during the early small, only 2 meters by 3 meters square. ‘70s in disturbances between Isrealis and Francis Tams The authority of the prison wanted to Palestininans under uncertain accommodate more prisoners in each circumstances. My mother took the heavy room. The prisoners refused as this was and sole responsibility for her children; 4 an illegal deprivation of our rights since girls, the eldest was 17 years old, and 3 each room had a maximum capacity set boys, the youngest being 6 years old. I was by the Red Cross. The Prison Authority the youngest. declared a state of emergency in the prison My mother faced very difficult and they broke into my room because it is challenges to survive with her children. She the smallest and the nearest to the didn’t surrender to family pressures to get emergency door. They emptied 2 gallons a new husband, and she was willing to pay of tear gas and set off 4 tear gas bombs. the full price for her attitude. Our small After this they opened the door and put a home in the Old City of Jerusalem, where new prisoner in the room. This made me we were all born, consisted of two rooms moved to Ramallah where in 1999 he very sick, affecting my lungs and sinuses, accommodating all seven of us children succeeded in getting a judgment from the and I had to be moved to the clinic where and our mother. In 1987 at the height of Israeli Court declaring him innocent I spent 4 days trying to recover. The the Intifada Ariel Sharon, currently the enabling him to come back to his city of excessive amount of tear gas used caused Prime Minister of Israel, purchased one of Jerusalem. permanent damage and I suffer from the 13 apartments in our building with At the time when George left, since the chronic health problems ever since. the assistance of Atteret Cohanim (a Jewish Israeli authorities’ efforts to force us out In 1993 the prisoners declared an open society that acquired property in the Old through fear tactics had not worked, the hunger strike. The strike continued for 17 City) in an effort to coopt the remaining Israelis directed their plan to the courts days during which time we took only water apartments. where they succeeded in evacuating us with salt. The prisoners ended the strike To put more pressure on my family, from our home by military order. But the only after the prison authority accepted we are asked to vacate the house, being harassment continued. As if evicting us to develop new conditions and agreed to offered a huge amount of money that from our home was not enough, in 1988 some of our rights inside the prison. We could have changed all our style of life. they arrested my second brother, Elias, and succeeded to increase the time for family This would have meant that we would sentenced him to three years in prison. He visits from half an hour every two weeks need to leave our home, but also that we was released from prison in 1991. In 1989 to 45 minutes, and to open the fence that abandon our history as Palestinian I was arrested on the charge of throwing separated inmates from their children Christians in the Holy Land, thus stones and sentenced to 9 years in prison, during family visitation. jeopardizing our lives as we knew it since although I was released after seven years. My wife, Maha, was my girlfriend my family has lived in this house since My mother did not even think of before I went to jail. Before they sentenced 1936. My mother did not accept the very selling our home or accepting the bribe of me she insisted to be my partner for life generous offer. the freedom of her three sons along with a so, against family protests, we were By our refusal we were forced to face huge amount of money. She wanted her engaged while I was in prison. She spent more and more pressure from the Israeli sons to be able to hold their heads up with all seven years waiting for the moment of Authorities. First my brother, George, was dignity. For me, whatever their reason for my freedom. The hard feelings our families declared a “terrorist”. The authorities tried killing my father or stealing our home, the had to face, the mother, brothers and to arrest him but he fled the house and hardship my brothers and I had to face in sisters, was the price we all had to pay just disappeared for almost seven years. After prison I can only blame on the because we insisted on being Palestinians losing a father and then the eldest son in Occupation. and not allowing the Israeli authorities to the family we all became vulnerable, but No one can imagine the details of my take away our identities. In 1995, after I we still had our very courageous and day to day life during my time in prison. got my freedom, my family went to see a faithful mother who made sure we stuck It is very difficult for me to write about, famous lawyer to see if he could help us to together to face all challenges. George’s first even now, so I will only recount a few of get our house back from Sharon. We were meeting with our mother since fleeing the the milder incidents. successful, by the grace of God. authorities was in Jericho when the In 1992 at Ashkelon prison, I was in Palestinian National Authority took back cell number 22 on the second floor with continued on page 17 control over the Jericho district. Later he another five prisoners. The room was very Issue 38 - Fall 2005 15 Snapshots of ourActivities

Siniora, the Director of Al-Haq in Jerusalem...Today: Thirty eight years after COMMUNITY BUILDING Ramallah, spoke about human rights and the occupation and annexation of PROGRAMS double moral standards, and Naim Ateek Jerusalem, Sabeel, YMCA/YWCA, presented a theological perspective on the Department of Service for Palestinian The Open Forum: This program is open sanctity of life. Since over 40% of the Refugees, International Christian to all family members and continues with attendants were young people, Sabeel Committee, Justice and Peace, and Caritas zeal and interest. On April 21, the focus immediately started a new program for invited the Jerusalem Community to was on the different church traditions’ “Singles”. analyze the situation in Jerusalem today. understanding of the family of Jesus! The Social Problems in our Lives: In The three-hour afternoon event held on June meeting looked at different scripture Bethlehem in July a similar session brought July 18 at YWCA included a skit in which texts dealing with mixed marriages. together eighty people to hear Fr. Marwan Sari Husseini and Muna Sabella, two Mixed Marriages: This topic became a Di’des, the Franciscan principal of Terra amateur actors, voiced the concerns of priority for Sabeel as a series of local events Sancta School, Randa Siniora, and Naim Jerusalem youth about emigration, non- created mixed feelings about the whole Ateek who shared their thoughts on violent resistance, unemployment, issue of Muslim/Christian relations in intermarriage, and the sanctity of life. Dr. humiliation at checkpoints, and the Wall, Jerusalem, Ramallah and Bethlehem. Jeanne Kattan from Bethlehem University and urged the audience to work with them moderated the session. to preserve Jerusalem. Minister of State Commemorating Palestinian Prisoners’ Hind Khoury enumerated the fears and Day: The needs of the Palestinian concerns of the Jerusalemites; in a community at large are numerous but at PowerPoint presentation Khalil Tufakji, the core of it all is the need for JUSTICE. Director of the Map Department, Arab On April 25 Sabeel uplifted the role and Studies Society, exposed the bleak facts on responsibilities of the community towards the ground of a strangulated East political prisoners. Jonathan Kuttab Jerusalem with very few positive prospects. presented the theological and legal The moderator, Naim Ateek, then invited perspectives while Buthayna Duqmaq, a the audience of over 70 people to join in a lawyer from the “Mandela Institute” gave discussion group on Youth Concerns, a clear picture of conditions in Israeli Social Issues, or The Role and Concerns Minister of State for Jerusalem Affairs, Hind Khoury prisons and the suffering of incarcerated of Jerusalem Civil Society Organizations. women and children. Francis Tams and The recommendations were then The Sanctity of Life: In May a panel Yousef Ghneim, two activists dealt with presented to Ms Khoury to raise the issues discussion was moderated by Minister of the neglect/marginalization of the issue of with the Palestinian Authority and to urge State for Jerusalem Affairs, Hind Khoury, prisoners in peace talks and political them to keep Jerusalem on their and attended by over two hundred negotiations; and the social outlook immediate agenda. participants in Jerusalem. Fr. Maroun towards released prisoners. Naim Ateek, Ecumenical Worship Service: One year Lahham gave the Roman Catholic moderating the session, included the after the International Court of Justice’s position on mixed marriages, Randa “Jesus” approach to prisoners. Advisory Opinion on the illegality of the 16 Issue 38 - Fall 2005

presence of Naim Ateek who had not watch this inhuman behavior was painfully accompanied the women on a trip for over remembered. two years was a welcome bonus. It was After refreshments, the visitors were refreshing to have a theological perspective taken on a tour of the actual sites of the added to the customary pilgrimage guided massacre. The years had not erased the sad tours of the Arab villages of the Galilee. memories. Survivors of Eilaboun and the In Tur’an, women’s committees of the refugees who had fled to Lebanon had Greek Catholic (Melkite), Greek come back and rebuilt the destroyed Orthodox, and Baptist Churches welcomed village. There definitely is a glimmer of the Jerusalem and Nazareth people in the hope and life among the continued Melkite Church. After prayers by Fr. Nimr Christian community there. In fact, the Wall Sabeel held a worship service at the Khoury and a few words from Naim Ateek, neighbors across from the church were Wall in Bethany. Prayers for breaking two ladies described the ecumenical co- celebrating a wedding and showered the down all forms of walls were lifted in existence in the village. A large number of visitors with sweets and delicacies. Arabic, English, French, German, Dutch the residents joined the visitors for a The last stop was at the village of and Hindi by clergy and lay participants. sumptuous buffet. What warmth and Mughar, the site of friction that resulted In his address Archmandrite Atallah kindness! in attacks and destruction of property by Hanna called for an end of all forms of Unfortunately the visitors had to move the Druze against the Christian inhabitants terrorism, a unified stand by Christians on to Eilaboun, where again the Melkite last spring. Fr. Maher Abboud welcomed to safeguard their heritage and properties, Church played host. (The majority of the the visitors, and Naim Ateek shared and non-violent resistance to end the Christians in the Galilee belong to the scripture readings about Christian occupation. Singing hymns for peace, the Melkite Church) After Fr. Suhail Khoury response to challenges. Many of the young participants then placed olive branches in gave a brief history of the village, church women present talked about their own the joints of the monstrous Wall. The few and activities within the community, two experience and trauma of the vandalism, branches left were then offered to the eye witnesses told their stories about the and called upon the visitors, and churches soldiers blocking the entrances. A copy occupation of Eilaboun in October 1948. in general, to find means to calm the of the service is available upon request. The tragedy of that October night when situation, and restore life to normal. Sabeel will hold such prayers at different Israeli soldiers rounded up all the men in locations of the wall until justice is done. the old church square and executed several A Visit to Tur’an: On July 17 Sabeel An Evening of Music: On a lighter note, of them while the women were forced to welcomed over 100 people from Tur’an to Sabeel hosted the Rev. Garth Hewitt, president of Amos Trust in the UK, in an evening of spiritual and inspirational music at the Sabeel Center on June 8. For over thirty years, this Anglican priest, poet and songwriter has been singing for peace in areas of conflict around the world. Dialogue for Life: Christians and Muslims Together: A new program for Sabeel was started with a gathering of young adults who met to discuss the differences and diversity within the Palestinian communities, and to develop and create a deeper sense of unity.

WOMEN

Field Trips: Sabeel held another of its popular field trips that combine awareness building, spirituality and fun on June 24. So eager were the women from Jerusalem to meet their friends from the Galilee that they had reserved their bus seats before Praying at the Wall knowing the details of the program. The Issue 38 - Fall 2005 17

Jerusalem. Upon their request, the meeting Easter (Eastern calendar) another egg was both a spiritual encounter with Naim hunt took place in Bethlehem for around continued from page14 Ateek and a social gathering with over 20 40 children who have cancer. Following Jerusalem women. Together they reflected a short lecture by a social worker who In 1996 I married Maha and we on how to live one’s faith using the model works with the children and who started our new life. The priority then of the first followers of the way by praying informed us about their situations and and continues to be to live in this Holy and singing, and sharing a simple meal. cancer in general, a local priest discussed Land as a Christian family, to open our As Sabeel prepares for its sixth the importance of volunteer work in hearts to all the people in Jerusalem, international conference on “The Christianity and in the community. even our new Jewish neighbors, and Forgotten Faithful”, such meetings among Leadership Training: In June the to sacrifice for others. the indigenous Christian communities will Summer Camp Leadership Training took I started to raise the problem of pave the way for a stronger ecumenical place where 22 camp leaders from the Christians in the Holy Land by commitment and witness. different denominations were trained in discussing this issue on many Showing Solidarity: A group of Jerusalem communication skills, activities, and how occasions with friends in Christian women visited the residents of the Al- to follow Christ in order to be good centers and clubs until I agreed with Bustan quarter in Silwan (Jerusalem) the leaders. my friend and brother in law, Yusef area targeted for the demolition of 88 Singles Program: In June a new program Daher, that we needed to do homes. For over an hour, five women from for Singles from ages 23 till 40 was something about the situation. We Silwan shared their stories and grievances introduced. The first program was made many visits and consultations in the solidarity tent visited by local, Jewish attended by fifty-five singles who with others in the community and and international activists. People eagerly gathered to discuss issues such as ended with us establishing the Laity listened to Um Hasan al Qadi, an 85 year- interfaith marriage. Suggestions for other Committee in the Holy Land old “young” woman, reminisce about the topics and plans for future programs were (LCHL), aimed at activating the prosperous days before the settlers made. A second meeting took place in Christian role in the general occupied the area. July for reporting and planning purposes. Palestinian life. Invitations: Nora Carmi, Coordinator for LCHL is my area of focus for Community-Building Programs, attended Congratulations! The Sabeel staff would Christian and Palestinian activity. an international women’s conference on like to congratulate our Youth Together with my colleagues from all “Globalization, Violence and Equality”, Coordinator, Haya Di’des, on her recent denominations we are trying to get August10-15 in Blekinge, Sweden, at the marriage to Ala Daw. The wedding took the Palestinian Christian voice heard invitation of the Diocese of Lund. Six place in the Galilee with two busloads of in the International and Christian international guests from Ireland, well-wishers traveling from Jerusalem to communities, believing that this is Germany, Sudan and Palestine shared their take part in the celebrations. Sabeel our wider family, the Church we experiences. Nora presented a paper on the extends our heartfelt congratulations to inherited from our Lord. effects of the Israeli Occupation on the new couple, and our best wishes for Palestinian women and also promoted the a long and happy life together. Francis Tams is a certified accountant. work of Sabeel.

YOUTH PROGRAMS:

Celebrating Mothers’ Day: On the 17th of March, we celebrated Mothers’ Day by holding a discussion facilitated by a social worker for youth and their mothers. Discussion topics included relationships, conflicts, and the importance of our mothers in our lives. This activity was followed by a presentation of flowers and dinner Celebrating Easter: On Easter (of the Western calendar) 68 children from local orphanages gathered to hear the story of Lent, watched a short passion play Easter Egg Hunt followed by an Easter Egg Hunt. On 18 Issue 38 - Fall 2005

This is a good, peaceful, but central location, where many people will be able to find us

At the end of August we joined in a very successful Greenbelt Festival, where Revd Naim Ateek led three seminars, and Snapshots participated in other events. His final seminar was received with a standing International Friends of Sabeel supports the work of Sabeel through education, ovation. This was a good opportunity for advocacy, conferences, solidarity visits, partner-to-partner projects, and financial us to promote the work of Sabeel and contributions. Regional chapters have been established creating a network of freinds Friends of Sabeel UK, and to inform throughout the world who work in partnership with Sabeel to help bring about a people about the Palestinian situation just and durable peace for Palestine and Israel. The next major event is the FOS-UK residential conference, entitled What is FRIENDS OF SABEEL- common vision of peace-this is the Truth?, taking place 11-13 November. NORTH AMERICA inspiration of Sabeel that brings more and Speakers include Revd Naim Ateek and more Christians and their church leaders Prof Marc Ellis. This update comes into the fold. It is the “mustardseed just following four conspiracy” that won’t be reported on cable NEWS FROM FRIENDS major conference news but is the invisible promise of the OF SABEEL AUSTRALIA events (three in the Holy Spirit working in the hearts and U.S. and one in Canada, all in October). through the actions of peacemakers. Friends of Sabeel FOSNA has been focusing on regional Conference participants become longtime Australia Inc. (FOSAI) conferences in major North American members of Friends of Sabeel providing were pleased to host a cities as a means for drawing church financial support and forming local Sabeel meeting for the young partnerships in educating American support groups. These typically are the Palestinian speaker, Christians. The importance of these same people who go on pilgrimage Zack Sabella. Zack’s conferences cannot be overstated. Since through a Sabeel international witness visit to Australia was sponsored by the September 11, 2001, FOSNA visit, who “Come and see” (John 1:39) the National Council of Churches in Australia membership has blossomed-from about holy places where the Prince of Peace - Christian World Service. On Friday, 15 800 in the U.S. to over 3,000. That walked on earth and who see with their July, around 35 people gathered at a growth can be attributed to the widening own eyes how Palestinians must live under FOSAI sponsored meeting to hear Zack concerns among Christians of the Israeli military occupation, behind speak about the situation of the worsening situation for Palestinians, the concrete walls and barbed wire, Palestinians. Earlier in the day Zack was war in Iraq, more threats from Washington surrounded by checkpoints, armed also interviewed on ABC radio in S.E. against Iran, and to Sabeel conferences settlements, oppressed by the evil of hatred Queensland. which provide the opportunity for and aggression. These people become the National members of FOSAI were notified Christians and others to hear directly from Voice of the Palestinian Christians who of Zack’s itinerary as he was going on to Palestinians and Israelis living at the center through Sabeel are living their faith speak at different capital cities in the of the conflict. Our speakers are people through action. More Sabeel conferences Australian states. who are deeply committed to justice and are being planned for 2006. Check our The Brisbane Anglican diocesan paper peace, who are expert in their respective calendar online at www.fosna.org. carried a report of Zack’s meeting as well fields of work-activism, historical and as an article by Greg Jenks (Vice President political analysis, Biblical studies, theology, of FOSAI) on the endorsement given by church social teachings, etc. Conference the Anglican Consultative Council to participants, representing a wide FRIENDS divestment from any economic link with ecumenical community, leave a Sabeel OF SABEEL UK the occupation in the Palestinian conference renewed with hope. Just to be territories. in the same room with hundreds of Friends of Sabeel UK are going through Greg’s article also informed readers of kindred spirits who have come to exciting times. We have moved into our Sabeel’s statements on the issue understand the underlying causes of new office in the precinct of Gloucester of divestment. injustice and violence and who share a Cathedral, sharing with Christian Aid. Issue 38 - Fall 2005 19

SABEEL INTERNATIONAL WITNESS FOR JUSTICE 2005 AND PEACE VISIT

Visit begins with lunch on Friday, October 28 and concludes with closing “Be not afraid, worship and dinner on Friday, November 4.

speak out and Witness Visit will include: do not keep silent: • Exposure trips to see the political “facts on the ground” in the West Bank I am with you.” • Advocacy workshops Acts 18:9 • Lectures by Palestinian and Israeli experts • Visits to holy sites in Jerusalem and the Galilee • Jerusalem’s Old City

For more information visit our website: www.sabeel.org • e-mail: [email protected] If you can’t join us this time, join us for the Spring Visit, March 24-31, 2006.

Mark Your Calendars... Sabeel’s 6th International Conference THE FORGOTTEN FAITHFUL The Challenges and Witness of Palestinian Christians

Oct 27 - Nov 3 2006 (dates to be confirmed)

Sabeel’s First International For more information contact Young Adults Conference [email protected]

July 28- August 5, 2006 | For ages 18-26 Conference will include: Focus on: • Visits to Towns and Villages •Cultural evenings • Christian community • Sharing experiences and ideas •Volunteer experience • The political situation • Workshops and group discussions • Challenges confronting Christian young adults worldwide 20 Issue 38Issue - Fall 38 2005 - Fall 2005 Purpose Statement Éy Sabeel Sabeel is an ecumenical grassroots liberation theology movement among Palestinian Christians. Sabeel Inspired by the life and teaching of Jesus Christ, this liberation theology seeks to deepen the faith of Palestinian Christians, promote unity among them, and lead them to act for justice Ecumenical Liberation and love. Sabeel strives to develop a spirituality based on justice, peace, non-violence, Theology Center liberation, and reconciliation for the different national and faith communities. The word ‘Sabeel’ is Arabic for ‘the way’ and also a ‘channel’ or ‘spring’ of life-giving water. P.O.B. 49084 Jerusalem 91491 Sabeel also works to promote a more accurate international awareness regarding the identity, presence, and witness of Palestinian Christians as well as their contemporary concerns. It Tel: 972.2.532.7136 encourages individuals and groups from around the world to work for a just, comprehensive, Fax: 972.2.532.7137 and enduring peace informed by truth and empowered by prayer and action. Visit our website at: For more information on Friends of Sabeel groups in your area please contact our International representatives or the Sabeel Center in Jerusalem. www.sabeel.org E-Mail addresses: General E-mail [email protected]; Local Programs: [email protected]; Clergy Program: [email protected]; Friends of Sabeel: [email protected]; Youth Program: [email protected]; Media: [email protected]. Friends of Sabeel Friends of Sabeel Friends of Sabeel Friends of Sabeel North America (FOS-NA) United Kingdom (FOS-UK) Scandinavia (FOSS) Australia Inc. (FOS-OZ) (U.S. and Canada) Jennifer Oldershaw (Norway, Denmark, Sweden) The Rev. Ray Barraclough Canon Richard Toll Summer House The Rev. Emmanuel St. Francis College PO Box 9186 High Street Furbacken.. .. 233 Milton Rd. Queensland Portalnd, OR 97207 Hawksbury Ronnvagen.. 50 Australia 4064 USA Badminton 443 45 Sjovik Tel: (61)7 3369 4286 Tel: (1)-503-653-6625 Glos GL9 1AU Sweden Fax: (61)7 3369 4691 E-mail: [email protected] Phone (44) 1454 238501 Tel: 46-302 43665 E-mail: www.fosna.org E-mail: [email protected] Fax: 46 302 43745 [email protected] Canadian FOS (CFOS) E-mail: [email protected] c/o The Rev. Robert Assaly Friends of Sabeel Postgiro: 22 43 21-0 Sabeel- Nazareth 2262 Braeside Ave. Ireland (FOS-IR) Website: www.sabeel.nu PO Box 8862 Ottawa, ON The Rev. Ken Thompson Nazareth 16300 K1H 7J7 ARDSONAS’ Israel E-mail: [email protected] 12B Carrickbrack Road Tel: 972(4)6020790 website: www.sabeel.ca Sutton, Dublin 13 Ireland E-mail: [email protected] Tel/Fax (353)-1-832-1152 E-mail: [email protected]