Nonviolent Palestinian demonstration in Hebron protesting Israeli settler and soldier harassment

25 January 2007

The people of Hebron are protesting the practices of Israeli settlers and soldiers against them. Planned for this afternoon, the nonviolent demonstration will take place in Tel Rumeida and Shuhada Street. Dozens of foreign supporters are expected to join.

Israeli forces closed Shuhada Street in the center of Hebron's Old City six years ago. Since then Palestinians have had to take rooftops and balconies to reach their homes.

Last week the Israeli court publicly stated that the closure had been “a mistake” that would be immediately rectified. The street remains closed to Palestinians.

On the main road to the Tel Rumeida neighborhood citizens plan to speak out against the daily harassment endured at the hands of Israeli settlers who have inhabited the region. Many Palestinians have been forced from their homes in the process of dealing with the recurring assaults.

The demonstration was organized by the Popular Committee in the southern West Bank city, with the support of international organizations and Legislative Council members, including attorney Hatem Kafisha.

He spoke specifically of the conditions in what is referred to as “H2,” the area of Hebron under complete Israeli control as opposed to “H1” that suffers what are considered “the normal practices of occupation.”

The lawyer told PNN, “H2 in Hebron is under Israeli security control where citizens are subjected to daily raids and searches by soldiers, in addition to attacks by Israeli settlers on people and their children. The Israeli army also prevents Palestinians from entering Tel Rumeida if they do not have permits indicating they live there.”

Kafisha stressed that the “people of the region demand their right to freedom of movement and the prevention of abuse by settlers and occupation forces, which is part of human rights law and the Fourth Geneva Convention.”

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