The Peace People

Urgent Action - Against the Demolition Palestine Homes -- 3rd August, 2001.

We have received an urgent-action message from Rabbis for Human Rights, a group which Mairead worked with in Israel and Palestine last year, 2000. The Peace People, together with Peace Council, USA, last year supported efforts to change the Israeli Policy of demolishing newly constructed Palestinian homes on the west bank. We also raised some funds and sent these to a Palestinian Family in order that they could purchase a Generator as their own had been destroyed by Israeli forces before the demolition of their home.

The following appeal is from Rabbi Arik W. Ascherman.

"For Among my people are found wicked men, Who lurk, like fowlers lying in wait, They set up a trap to catch men. As a cage is full of birds, So their houses are full of guile;... They pass beyond the bounds of wickedness, And they prosper. They will not judge the case of the orphan, Nor give a hearing to the plea of the needy" Jeremiah 5:26-28

Dear Friends and Supporters,

Its the 11th hour and only you can help us save homes in Jerusalem slated for demolition, most likely on Sunday. Please email, fax and call Israeli and local officials, with copies of correspondence and responses to us. This afternoon the Municipality of Jerusalem photographed and handed out demolition orders to at least 7 families in(The numbers are still coming in.) in Shuafat and Anata (The Biblical Anatot, Jeremiah's home. What would he have to say?) We are in touch with anybody and everybody, and all possible legal avenues are being pursued as well. The missing piece is not only tens, but hundreds of letters to Shimon Peres, Ariel Sharon, Ehud Olmert and your government officials. If you can write politely, forcefully and IMMEDIATELY (contact info below), you may make the difference for people such as:

The families of Husein, Mahmud and Salakh Abed ElAd. Mahmud's family is the one family already living in their home. He has 11 children, including two with kidney problems. He lived in rented housing for 30 years until he inherited a piece of land and began to build. He has invested over $35,000 in his home.

Nahleh Tafikha, with metastasizing cancer, and her husband and 6 children . They currently live in a storage area.

Yasser, Mustafa and Oudad Hamdan, Dais Khakalf, Rami Mukhamed Ali Kheder...

Let us remember the words we read on Shabbat just before Tisha B'Av. We are responsible, but can avert the pending disaster:

"Put your evil doings away from My sight.
Cease to do evil;
Learn to do good.
Devote yourself to justice;
Aid the wronged.
Uphold the rights of the orphan
Defend the cause of the widow...
If, then , you agree and give heed,
You will eat the good things of the earth....

2. Another matter: You may recall that in May, Issa Jaber was shot and paralyzed. A personal friend and one of the handful of Palestinians who has worked with us in nonviolent joint protest during this intifada, he was shot when the army entered his village and he tried to bring the children inside. We are pursuing an army investigation. Issa will be coming home from treatment in Jordan soon. Adapting the house and a car he can use will cost the family over $13,000. We are hoping he will go for further treatment in England, requiring large amounts of funds. In additional to general contributions, the Olive Tree Campaign, etc., contributions for Issa would be greatly appreciated.

3. I am starting to think about my next trip to North America, which will probably be the East Coast in early December.