Yesterday, #Israeli authorities carried out a massive #demolition in the village of Khirbet Homsa in the northern region of the #JordanValley, leaving eleven families—a total of 74 people, most of whom are #children—houseless.
The #military brought six bulldozers to the small enclave, demolishing #homes, barns, tents, restrooms, #water tanks, #solar panels, and more. This huge act of destruction is clearly even more dramatic than the already cruel daily #demolitions and confiscations, as it wiped out
all of the major #resources belonging to many people at once. A perfect illustration of the devastation Israel’s #demolition policies have made this year alone, this instance shows the level of devastation demolitions leave in the most vulnerable #Palestinian communities.
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Last night, Jewish Israeli youths marched in the streets of Jerusalem, chanting "Death to Arabs."
What's left to say? Settlers are marching in the streets, calling for the genocide of those the land was stolen from. Is this one of the hallmarks of "democracy" we're just missing?
Let's set aside our existential dread for a second to bring you some truth: the fact that people feel comfortable to do this en masse is a result of the rhetoric of organizations like Regavim, Israel Land Fund, Hebron Fund, Ateret Cohanim, etc, etc.
For years, these orgs have been bringing once-hidden racism into the light. They tell settlers, "This is your land. Those people don't belong here. They are liars, thieves - they made up their identity." They reinforce that dehumanization through political and legal decisions.
Since the breakout of six formerly imprisoned Palestinians a few days ago, imprisoned Palestinians have responded to Israeli decisions to move them to new prisons by threatening riots.
In the wake of the breakout, Israeli military forces have made clear that they have no problem punishing other Palestinians for the embarrassment of this event—an event which has made clear that Israel’s security infrastructure and surveillance technology is not infallible.
As the military presence in the West Bank becomes more aggressive, the former prisoners’ family members have been harassed and arrested, and a child has been shot in the head. There is no doubt that we will continue to see increased violence.
Israeli forces responded to Palestinian anti-blockade protesters with live fire, tear gas, and stun grenades today, shooting a 12 year old Palestinian child in the head as well as at least one other civilian. The military referred to this use of violence as “necessary.”
Gazans will be at home tonight fearing another round of violence only months after the last horrific escalation which resulted in the murder of over sixty Palestinian children. The international media will either say nothing, or speak of this as “Israel-Hamas tensions.”
Meanwhile, Palestinians continue to be oppressed by a settler-colonial state and its lackeys. Unless people are willing to organize en masse and put their bodies on the line, the cycle of violence will continue.
in terms of broadcasting the #Israeli#military’s HR abuses on the intl stage, it is important to remember that #ICC rulings do not have any power w/o the cooperation of other states; #Israel and the #US have made it clear that they will not in any way support these proceedings.
While the investigation and potential subsequent trials might be meaningful in a symbolic sense, it is real people like our #international friends and partners who need to do the real work of connecting with their representatives.
**ACTION ITEM BELOW**
On Monday, two Good Shepherd Collective members headed to #Ofer#military court & #prison to stand in #solidarity with Sami Huraini of Youth Of Sumud / شباب صمود and his family on the day of his trial.
Although we were unable to join Sami in the #courtroom, we sat with his family and dozens of other #Palestinians awaiting their family members, imprisoned and/or awaiting #prosecution in the #military#court system.
In Sami’s case, his trial was postponed, granting momentary relief despite a continuation of the bail conditions which prevent him from participating in #protests—essentially, keeping him from exercising his most basic right to #free speech and #resistance to #oppression.
The #settlers, who brought attack dogs with them, confronted #nonviolent protesters and those there to document them.
Since the attack against the Mur family, the family and those standing in #solidarity with them have faced countless threats against demonstrating and publicizing what is happening in South #Hebron.