Thread by @ShevGoldberg

I have know the members of the gentle community of Umm El Khair for more than a dozen years. I have never been more truly afraid for their lives and well-being. 🧵

Last Wednesday, the Israeli army, accompanied by settler security, completely unannounced, demolished nearly a quarter of the village. Buildings that have had demolition orders for 18 years. One of the homes was the house of my friend Eid Al Hathaleen.

Eid, his wife and his 4 daughters were left homeless. They were given no time - not to appeal the demolition nor to even remove all of their belongings. Eid slept on the rubble of his house. They are still homeless.

I went down to visit the village the next day, and the evidence of settlement expansion was everywhere.

The next few days have been indescribable. I got a terrified voice note from my dear friend Awdeh (in pic above) Eid’s cousin: “We really need help! Settlers are attacking us, they are shooting between the houses - one guy is already injured! We cannot protect ourselves. Please!”

Settlers from the violent Shorashim farm, an illegal outpost nearby, led by Shimon Attia and accompanied by men in IDF uniform (!!!) had entered their village and were shooting with live ammunition and tear gas.

Awdeh’s mother and mother in law were both hospitalized for tear gas related injuries. A five year old girl was injured. One man was shot.

The settlers have since been back again and again. They came, put up a tent, and then *davened* in the village. They blocked the road into the village with their cars so activists could not come to help.

Then—and I can’t believe I’m saying this— they *cut off their water supply*. The 250 people who live in Umm el Khair - women, children - can’t bathe, cook, or drink anything at the height of summer. It was over 90 degrees when I was there last week. This is desperate.

This is how bad it’s gotten. Settlers, alongside the army, are working to make it impossible for Palestinians to live where they live in the West Bank. These are the facts. I am terrified for my friends in Umm El Khair.
This is their gofundme:
gofundme.com/f/support-pale…