ISM Update:
Last Thursday morning, August 12 around 8:30 am, five Israeli Army jeeps entered Balata Camp and occupied several homes in the middle of the camp and on the main road. They then stationed themselves at the entrances to the camp, shooting randomly tear gas and live rounds.
At 1:00pm ISM activists heard gunfire in the alley way and witnessed a young man, Abed Aburezik, shot in the arm and Ahmad Zaki shot in the stomach. One hour later it was announced that Abed had lost his arm as a result of the gun shot. Abed is a teenager.
In total, six Palestinians have been injured, one young man is in critical condition.
By Thursday afternoon, Israeli Army jeeps remain in the camps and in the occupied homes. For the past three hours, ISM activists have witnessed the Soldiers throwing tear gas into the homes of Palestinians in the camp.
Thursday evening three ISM activists attempted to go into the street near the center of Balata Camp to investigate the condition in the occupied homes and Israeli soldiers opened fire using rubber bullets. One activist, Kole, was hit in the leg with a rubber
bullet.
Wednesday night ISM activists learned of a night watchman in the bus compound south of Balata refugee camp who had been beaten by the Israeli soldiers. The ISM activists negotiated his release and managed to take him to the hospital for injuries sustained from the beatings.
The Israeli Army also occupied the Walweel home, (whose 7 year-old son was killed last March by Israeli soldiers). The family includes the grandmother, who is ill. ISM activists attempted to get to the home to verify their condition but were unable due to Israeli Army fire.
The Israeli Army shot and killed a 15 year-old boy.
PLEASE TAKE A FEW MOMENTS TO E-MAIL, CALL OR FAX THE FOLLOWING AND ASK THEM TO STOP THE ATTACKS ON PALESTINIAN FAMILIES AND THE OCCUPATION OF THEIR HOMES
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon,
Fax: +972 2 6705475
Telex: 25279 MPRES IL
E-mail: pm_eng@pmo.gov.il
Salutation: Dear Prime Minister
Spokesperson of the Prime Minister
Foreign Minister Silwan Shalom sar@mofa.gov.il
Fax: 011-972-2-530-3367
Email: sar@mfa.gov.il
Minister of Interior: Avraham Poraz
(fax: +972-2-5666376)(fax: 972-2-6701628)(fax: 972-2-6701585)
Email: sar@moin.gov.il
Minister of Justice: Enav Golomb
State Attorney's Office
Fax: 011-972-2-646-6655
url for nearest Israeli Embassy:
http://www.embassyworld.com/embassy/israel.htm
In addition, please contact your local Israeli mission and inform them that the world is watching and demand that the Ministry of the Interior abort this illegal deportation of a non-violent humanitarian activist.
The contact details for Israeli Missions around the world are as
follows:
. Australia: 02 6273 1309 / 1300
. Canada: 613 567 6450
. France: 01 40 76 55 00
. Germany: 0228 934 6500
. Ireland: 01 668 0303
. Netherlands: 070 376 0500
. New Zealand: 04 472 2362 / 8
. UK: 020 7957 9500
. USA: 202 364 5500
ACTION APPEAL FROM NABLUS: STOP THE VIOLENCE
Appeal Directly From International Peace Activists in Balata Camp!
“Demand that soldiers stop this senseless shooting of children. We know that the shootings of children in Balata will continue unless international pleas are made now!.”
“We just shot an Arab boy-now you will hear his screams”, Israeli soldier to family
Latest Update, Thursday PM: Mother six months pregnant-unborn child dies
ISM activist: “I haven't seen them come into the camp like they did today,. ...”
Israeli soldiers drove into Balata camp this morning and proceeded to shoot a 15 year old boy, Nasser, in his stomach. Two hours later they blew the arm off another boy, Abdul Salem. Internationals volunteers are trying to prevent the soldiers from shooting more children but the soldiers are continuing to rampage and shoot live rounds.
Almost every day for the last three weeks soldiers have come into the camp parked their jeeps to provoke the children and then used excessive force against them. Two days ago in Nablus, a soldier leaned out of an occupied house and shot Salim Alkusa (16) in the stomach, he died two hours later. The soldiers first pointed his gun at a medical crew. Internationals yelled out, “don't shoot”, he changed direction aimed his M16 at a group of teenagers on the other side of the road and shot Salim.
Later in Balata, whilst internationals were standing with a group of children, a soldier opened the side door of his jeep and shot Sami Abu Mustafa in the back of his head. Internationals and medical volunteers ran to pick him up- there was a hole in his skull, he was bleeding profusely and his eyes were rolling back.
In the last three weeks in Balata alone, soldiers have shot and killed three teenagers, one while he was drinking tea with his friends in the cemetery next to the grave of his relative. There is no reason for the soldiers to be in the camp: often they do not appear to be doing any kind of military operation; they do not arrest anyone; they just seem intent on terrorizing the residents.
The last boy killed was shot from a house which soldiers had occupied up on a hill. The family whose home it is told us that just after the soldier shot the boy, he turned to them and said: “We just shot an Arab boy, now you will hear his screams.”
Latest update: Israeli soldiers occupied the home of the Walweel last night. The family had already lost their son six months ago when he was shot by an Israeli soldier. The mother was six months pregnant and the terror she experienced when the soldiers entered the home resulted in the death of her unborn child. ISM activists accompanied the male members of the household to the cemetery to bury the baby.
Names of those shot since 17th July
Husam Abu Zaitoun 17 years old - shot dead whilst he was drinking tea with his friends in the cemetery next to the grave of his relatives
Salim Alkusa 16 years old shot in the stomach - died 2 hours later
Sami Abu Mustafa 15 shot in the back of head now in intensive care
Bashar Zwiek 16 shot in the eye with a rubber coated metal bullet - now blind.
Mohammed Hurani 15 shot and killed in the street yesterday by snipers.
Yasir Tantawy 20 Soldiers shot him in the leg, then whilst he lay injured on the ground and while a medical crew tried to reach him, a soldier got out of his jeep and riddled his body with bullets.
August 4, Israeli soldiers shot a market stall holder dead.
Latest child martyr: unborn baby
All of these people were unarmed and soldiers could see clearly who they were shooting.
Please call the DCO and Government Officials. One call can make a difference if we all make the call!
Nablus DCO (Israeli military liason)
Tel: +972-2-548-6217/5
Fax: +972-548-6218
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon,
Fax: +972 2 6705475
Telex: 25279 MPRES IL
E-mail: pm_eng@pmo.gov.il
Salutation: Dear Prime Minister
Spokesperson of the Prime Minister
Foreign Minister Silwan Shalom sar@mofa.gov.il
Fax: 011-972-2-530-3367
Email: sar@mfa.gov.il
Minister of Interior: Avraham Poraz
(fax: +972-2-5666376)(fax: 972-2-6701628)(fax: 972-2-6701585)
Email: sar@moin.gov.il
Minister of Justice: Enav Golomb
State Attorney's Office
Fax: 011-972-2-646-6655
url for nearest Israeli Embassy:
http://www.embassyworld.com/embassy/israel.htm
Israeli Army Continue the Violence, Blow up Three-Family Home
Friday, August 13, ISM activists were told that the Israeli Army had gone into the home of the Palestinian who had attacked the illegal settlement of Itmar, and rounded up all the family members (approximately 12 members) and locked them in one room of the house. The Israeli soldiers then spent about three hours to rigging the home with explosives.
As the internationals neared the home about 7:00pm they witnessed a massive explosion. The family members had been taken out of the building before it was blown-up. According to eye-witness reports, Israeli settlers and Israeli soldiers have been riding around in jeeps and shooting at civilians. They have been using live ammunition against children throwing stones. According to the international activists there were no armed Palestinians in the area.
Sunday, August 15, in Beit Faruk the Israeli soldiers rounded up and detained 20-30 men, friends and members of the family whose home had been blown up. They confiscated their identity cards and threatened to take them to the checkpoint. ISM activists decided to sit with the detained men. At one point an elderly Palestinian man raised his voice at one of the soldiers and the Israeli soldier threatened him by firing live ammunition next to his head. Young Palestinians began throwing stones and the Israeli soldiers began shooting live rounds at civilians. ISM activists began to yell “internationals!” in an attempt to notify the soldiers of their presence. The soldiers got back into their jeeps and drove away after they told the detained men they had to go to the checkpoint to retrieve their identity cards. However, only one Palestinian went to the checkpoint and all identity cards were returned. Palestinians and internationals felt this was a small victory because the soldiers had left and not followed through with their threats.
Today, a curfew was imposed in downtown Nablus. Two young people were seriously injured by live gun fire from Israeli soldiers. Ambulances were initially barred from reaching the wounded, but were eventually allowed to retrieve the wounded and transport them to the hospital.
For photos see:
http://www.palsolidarity.org/pictures/PHOTOS_15Aug04_05_36_36NablusLuke.htm
Freedom March Against the Wall Builds as it Nears Jerusalem
[Ramallah] The Freedom March Against the Wall, that began July 30 in Jenin, has traveled for 16 days and visited approximately 60 villages and towns. On several days the March has been joined by over 1,000 Palestinians, Internationals and Israelis and numerous organizations and political parties. They have met with families and farmers along the path of the Wall, under the constant watch of the Israeli Army. On several occasions the marchers have been met by military force as the Israeli Army has attempted to block their
path and arrest them.
Palestinians, internationals and Israelis are marching along the path of the Apartheid Wall, through cities, towns and villages arriving in Jerusalem, August 19. The purpose of the Freedom March is to highlight the devastation and suffering Palestinians and their communities are enduring as a result of the construction of the Wall.
Tomorrow the March will arrive in Biddu, where there has been strong resistance to the Wall. The March will be joined by hundreds more as they approach Ramallah and Jerusalem.
On August 18 and 19 the Freedom March will travel from Beitunia, through Qalandia, Al-Ram and will attempt to culminate in Jerusalem.
Wednesday August 18, the Freedom March will walk to Ramallah where they will visit with the prisoners' solidarity tent to show their support for the political prisoners who will be on hunger strike as of Sunday August 15 to demand basic rights and an end to abuse in the prisons.
The Freedom March will then visit President Arafat, in order to share the stories they have heard from the communities about the hardships resulting from the Wall and the impact on the lives of Palestinians throughout the West Bank.
The march will continue on to Qalandia where Israelis will be joining them from the other side to march together to Al-Ram. From there they will attempt to reach Jerusalem. Gush Shalom will be joining the March August 18 at Qalandia checkpoint.
March summary and photos at:
http://www.palsolidarity.org/pictures/ismphotos.php
For more information contact: International Solidarity Movement http://www.palsolidarity.org
ISM Media Office: 972-2-277-4602 or 972-547-358-579 (Spanish and
English)
Message from Gush Shalom:
GUSH SHALOM - http://www.gush-shalom.org/
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON - JOINING THE WALK AGAINST THE WALL
The international Anti-Wall-Walk - along (and against) the notorious route of the Wall, and organized by the ISM, is gaining momentum.
Wednesday, August 18, in the afternoon there will be a Gush Shalom bus from Tel-Aviv & picking up Jerusalemers as well, enabling you to take part in the one but last day, when the march will pass the A-Ram part.
On the day after (Thursday, Aug. 19) at 11pm the Supreme Court judges will give their verdict re the appeal of the A-Ram community against the Wall.
Awaiting the Supreme Court's decision (and in spite of the clear ruling of the International Court in The Hague), the main Jerusalem-Qalandia Highway connecting A-Ram with Qalandia checkpoint has already been dug up, and the 8 meter concrete slates are lying on the side waiting to be erected. If this is not stopped the Jerusalem suburb A-Ram will have a monster wall right through its middle, preventing people from crossing the main road, cutting off merchants from their customers, workers from their work places, pupils from
their schools, patients from their hospitals, etc. Tens of thousands of Palestinians will be cut off from the West Bank, other tens of thousands from all parts of annexed Jerusalem.
Please also see:
No Children Among Palestinian Resistance: Study
http://www.palestinechronicle.com/story.php?sid=20040806111041198
Last Thursday morning, August 12 around 8:30 am, five Israeli Army jeeps entered Balata Camp and occupied several homes in the middle of the camp and on the main road. They then stationed themselves at the entrances to the camp, shooting randomly tear gas and live rounds.
At 1:00pm ISM activists heard gunfire in the alley way and witnessed a young man, Abed Aburezik, shot in the arm and Ahmad Zaki shot in the stomach. One hour later it was announced that Abed had lost his arm as a result of the gun shot. Abed is a teenager.
In total, six Palestinians have been injured, one young man is in critical condition.
By Thursday afternoon, Israeli Army jeeps remain in the camps and in the occupied homes. For the past three hours, ISM activists have witnessed the Soldiers throwing tear gas into the homes of Palestinians in the camp.
Thursday evening three ISM activists attempted to go into the street near the center of Balata Camp to investigate the condition in the occupied homes and Israeli soldiers opened fire using rubber bullets. One activist, Kole, was hit in the leg with a rubber
bullet.
Wednesday night ISM activists learned of a night watchman in the bus compound south of Balata refugee camp who had been beaten by the Israeli soldiers. The ISM activists negotiated his release and managed to take him to the hospital for injuries sustained from the beatings.
The Israeli Army also occupied the Walweel home, (whose 7 year-old son was killed last March by Israeli soldiers). The family includes the grandmother, who is ill. ISM activists attempted to get to the home to verify their condition but were unable due to Israeli Army fire.
The Israeli Army shot and killed a 15 year-old boy.
PLEASE TAKE A FEW MOMENTS TO E-MAIL, CALL OR FAX THE FOLLOWING AND ASK THEM TO STOP THE ATTACKS ON PALESTINIAN FAMILIES AND THE OCCUPATION OF THEIR HOMES
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon,
Fax: +972 2 6705475
Telex: 25279 MPRES IL
E-mail: pm_eng@pmo.gov.il
Salutation: Dear Prime Minister
Spokesperson of the Prime Minister
Foreign Minister Silwan Shalom sar@mofa.gov.il
Fax: 011-972-2-530-3367
Email: sar@mfa.gov.il
Minister of Interior: Avraham Poraz
(fax: +972-2-5666376)(fax: 972-2-6701628)(fax: 972-2-6701585)
Email: sar@moin.gov.il
Minister of Justice: Enav Golomb
State Attorney's Office
Fax: 011-972-2-646-6655
url for nearest Israeli Embassy:
http://www.embassyworld.com/embassy/israel.htm
In addition, please contact your local Israeli mission and inform them that the world is watching and demand that the Ministry of the Interior abort this illegal deportation of a non-violent humanitarian activist.
The contact details for Israeli Missions around the world are as
follows:
. Australia: 02 6273 1309 / 1300
. Canada: 613 567 6450
. France: 01 40 76 55 00
. Germany: 0228 934 6500
. Ireland: 01 668 0303
. Netherlands: 070 376 0500
. New Zealand: 04 472 2362 / 8
. UK: 020 7957 9500
. USA: 202 364 5500
ACTION APPEAL FROM NABLUS: STOP THE VIOLENCE
Appeal Directly From International Peace Activists in Balata Camp!
“Demand that soldiers stop this senseless shooting of children. We know that the shootings of children in Balata will continue unless international pleas are made now!.”
“We just shot an Arab boy-now you will hear his screams”, Israeli soldier to family
Latest Update, Thursday PM: Mother six months pregnant-unborn child dies
ISM activist: “I haven't seen them come into the camp like they did today,. ...”
Israeli soldiers drove into Balata camp this morning and proceeded to shoot a 15 year old boy, Nasser, in his stomach. Two hours later they blew the arm off another boy, Abdul Salem. Internationals volunteers are trying to prevent the soldiers from shooting more children but the soldiers are continuing to rampage and shoot live rounds.
Almost every day for the last three weeks soldiers have come into the camp parked their jeeps to provoke the children and then used excessive force against them. Two days ago in Nablus, a soldier leaned out of an occupied house and shot Salim Alkusa (16) in the stomach, he died two hours later. The soldiers first pointed his gun at a medical crew. Internationals yelled out, “don't shoot”, he changed direction aimed his M16 at a group of teenagers on the other side of the road and shot Salim.
Later in Balata, whilst internationals were standing with a group of children, a soldier opened the side door of his jeep and shot Sami Abu Mustafa in the back of his head. Internationals and medical volunteers ran to pick him up- there was a hole in his skull, he was bleeding profusely and his eyes were rolling back.
In the last three weeks in Balata alone, soldiers have shot and killed three teenagers, one while he was drinking tea with his friends in the cemetery next to the grave of his relative. There is no reason for the soldiers to be in the camp: often they do not appear to be doing any kind of military operation; they do not arrest anyone; they just seem intent on terrorizing the residents.
The last boy killed was shot from a house which soldiers had occupied up on a hill. The family whose home it is told us that just after the soldier shot the boy, he turned to them and said: “We just shot an Arab boy, now you will hear his screams.”
Latest update: Israeli soldiers occupied the home of the Walweel last night. The family had already lost their son six months ago when he was shot by an Israeli soldier. The mother was six months pregnant and the terror she experienced when the soldiers entered the home resulted in the death of her unborn child. ISM activists accompanied the male members of the household to the cemetery to bury the baby.
Names of those shot since 17th July
Husam Abu Zaitoun 17 years old - shot dead whilst he was drinking tea with his friends in the cemetery next to the grave of his relatives
Salim Alkusa 16 years old shot in the stomach - died 2 hours later
Sami Abu Mustafa 15 shot in the back of head now in intensive care
Bashar Zwiek 16 shot in the eye with a rubber coated metal bullet - now blind.
Mohammed Hurani 15 shot and killed in the street yesterday by snipers.
Yasir Tantawy 20 Soldiers shot him in the leg, then whilst he lay injured on the ground and while a medical crew tried to reach him, a soldier got out of his jeep and riddled his body with bullets.
August 4, Israeli soldiers shot a market stall holder dead.
Latest child martyr: unborn baby
All of these people were unarmed and soldiers could see clearly who they were shooting.
Please call the DCO and Government Officials. One call can make a difference if we all make the call!
Nablus DCO (Israeli military liason)
Tel: +972-2-548-6217/5
Fax: +972-548-6218
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon,
Fax: +972 2 6705475
Telex: 25279 MPRES IL
E-mail: pm_eng@pmo.gov.il
Salutation: Dear Prime Minister
Spokesperson of the Prime Minister
Foreign Minister Silwan Shalom sar@mofa.gov.il
Fax: 011-972-2-530-3367
Email: sar@mfa.gov.il
Minister of Interior: Avraham Poraz
(fax: +972-2-5666376)(fax: 972-2-6701628)(fax: 972-2-6701585)
Email: sar@moin.gov.il
Minister of Justice: Enav Golomb
State Attorney's Office
Fax: 011-972-2-646-6655
url for nearest Israeli Embassy:
http://www.embassyworld.com/embassy/israel.htm
Israeli Army Continue the Violence, Blow up Three-Family Home
Friday, August 13, ISM activists were told that the Israeli Army had gone into the home of the Palestinian who had attacked the illegal settlement of Itmar, and rounded up all the family members (approximately 12 members) and locked them in one room of the house. The Israeli soldiers then spent about three hours to rigging the home with explosives.
As the internationals neared the home about 7:00pm they witnessed a massive explosion. The family members had been taken out of the building before it was blown-up. According to eye-witness reports, Israeli settlers and Israeli soldiers have been riding around in jeeps and shooting at civilians. They have been using live ammunition against children throwing stones. According to the international activists there were no armed Palestinians in the area.
Sunday, August 15, in Beit Faruk the Israeli soldiers rounded up and detained 20-30 men, friends and members of the family whose home had been blown up. They confiscated their identity cards and threatened to take them to the checkpoint. ISM activists decided to sit with the detained men. At one point an elderly Palestinian man raised his voice at one of the soldiers and the Israeli soldier threatened him by firing live ammunition next to his head. Young Palestinians began throwing stones and the Israeli soldiers began shooting live rounds at civilians. ISM activists began to yell “internationals!” in an attempt to notify the soldiers of their presence. The soldiers got back into their jeeps and drove away after they told the detained men they had to go to the checkpoint to retrieve their identity cards. However, only one Palestinian went to the checkpoint and all identity cards were returned. Palestinians and internationals felt this was a small victory because the soldiers had left and not followed through with their threats.
Today, a curfew was imposed in downtown Nablus. Two young people were seriously injured by live gun fire from Israeli soldiers. Ambulances were initially barred from reaching the wounded, but were eventually allowed to retrieve the wounded and transport them to the hospital.
For photos see:
http://www.palsolidarity.org/pictures/PHOTOS_15Aug04_05_36_36NablusLuke.htm
Freedom March Against the Wall Builds as it Nears Jerusalem
[Ramallah] The Freedom March Against the Wall, that began July 30 in Jenin, has traveled for 16 days and visited approximately 60 villages and towns. On several days the March has been joined by over 1,000 Palestinians, Internationals and Israelis and numerous organizations and political parties. They have met with families and farmers along the path of the Wall, under the constant watch of the Israeli Army. On several occasions the marchers have been met by military force as the Israeli Army has attempted to block their
path and arrest them.
Palestinians, internationals and Israelis are marching along the path of the Apartheid Wall, through cities, towns and villages arriving in Jerusalem, August 19. The purpose of the Freedom March is to highlight the devastation and suffering Palestinians and their communities are enduring as a result of the construction of the Wall.
Tomorrow the March will arrive in Biddu, where there has been strong resistance to the Wall. The March will be joined by hundreds more as they approach Ramallah and Jerusalem.
On August 18 and 19 the Freedom March will travel from Beitunia, through Qalandia, Al-Ram and will attempt to culminate in Jerusalem.
Wednesday August 18, the Freedom March will walk to Ramallah where they will visit with the prisoners' solidarity tent to show their support for the political prisoners who will be on hunger strike as of Sunday August 15 to demand basic rights and an end to abuse in the prisons.
The Freedom March will then visit President Arafat, in order to share the stories they have heard from the communities about the hardships resulting from the Wall and the impact on the lives of Palestinians throughout the West Bank.
The march will continue on to Qalandia where Israelis will be joining them from the other side to march together to Al-Ram. From there they will attempt to reach Jerusalem. Gush Shalom will be joining the March August 18 at Qalandia checkpoint.
March summary and photos at:
http://www.palsolidarity.org/pictures/ismphotos.php
For more information contact: International Solidarity Movement http://www.palsolidarity.org
ISM Media Office: 972-2-277-4602 or 972-547-358-579 (Spanish and
English)
Message from Gush Shalom:
GUSH SHALOM - http://www.gush-shalom.org/
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON - JOINING THE WALK AGAINST THE WALL
The international Anti-Wall-Walk - along (and against) the notorious route of the Wall, and organized by the ISM, is gaining momentum.
Wednesday, August 18, in the afternoon there will be a Gush Shalom bus from Tel-Aviv & picking up Jerusalemers as well, enabling you to take part in the one but last day, when the march will pass the A-Ram part.
On the day after (Thursday, Aug. 19) at 11pm the Supreme Court judges will give their verdict re the appeal of the A-Ram community against the Wall.
Awaiting the Supreme Court's decision (and in spite of the clear ruling of the International Court in The Hague), the main Jerusalem-Qalandia Highway connecting A-Ram with Qalandia checkpoint has already been dug up, and the 8 meter concrete slates are lying on the side waiting to be erected. If this is not stopped the Jerusalem suburb A-Ram will have a monster wall right through its middle, preventing people from crossing the main road, cutting off merchants from their customers, workers from their work places, pupils from
their schools, patients from their hospitals, etc. Tens of thousands of Palestinians will be cut off from the West Bank, other tens of thousands from all parts of annexed Jerusalem.
Please also see:
No Children Among Palestinian Resistance: Study
http://www.palestinechronicle.com/story.php?sid=20040806111041198