A Special Message for Members of ICAHD UK despite the pandemic, demolitions continue as does settler violence and what compensation will there be for Palestinian businesses? At the beginning of January, I stepped back into the role of Director, having first founded ICAHD UK in June 2004 and having led our organisation here until May 2017. Initially I thought that this would be an interim position but now I shall remain at the helm for the foreseeable future. We had hoped that ICAHD UK would be represented this year within parliament, in the regions, at big events such as the Greenbelt festival and more. Dates were set for the study tours and with a rebuilding camp in November. Because of the pandemic, all such activities are now on hold however we will be working in other ways. Displacements – For the last few years we have also highlighted the Israeli government’s move to clear vast areas of land of the Palestinian people as it Judaizes all of historic Palestine. We will continue to report on the areas most under threat of displacement and our statistics about demolitions and displacements will be put into chart form for easier reference and understanding. With warm wishes, Linda Ramsden Director, ICAHD UK https://www.facebook.com/pages/Israeli-Committee-Against-House-Demolitions-UK/366423593418140 Facebook https://www.twitter.com/ICAHDUK/ Twitter http://icahduk.org Website mailto:info@icahduk.org Email 20 March 2020 Dear friends, Our thoughts are with you all as we enter a time of uncertainty when none of us know what the future will bring. As we prepare for closure and possibly months of staying home, attempting to keep well, we also think about the homeless, the refugees and the Palestinians who now face yet another unprecedented challenge in their lives. During recent days I’ve been writing to those who were to host the two study tours this spring. We know that Bethlehem was the first location to be closed down, with all hotels emptied of tourists. Ivona wrote to say, “We have no illusion that this new behaviour of isolation could guarantee anything. We share anxiety and uncertainty with the whole world, every one of us apprehensively waiting to see who will draw the short straw in this bad luck lottery.” Nadera in Jerusalem’s Old City spoke of the situation there being “really scary”. Jeff Halper and his wife are in self-isolation and they are grateful that strict measures were quickly put into place. But Cancellations The ICAHD UK Executive Committee met via Skype earlier this week and the decision was made to cancel our Members’ Dinner and Annual Conference scheduled for 29^th and 30^th May for this year and new dates will be identified for 2021. Full refunds will be returned to those who registered for those events so lookout for that money to reach you from Eventbrite. The speaking tour that we were arranging for Atta Jaber will not proceed at the beginning of June and we will look for another future opportunity to bring Atta to the UK. Alternative arrangements will need to be made for our Annual General Meeting and in the worst-case scenario it will need to happen remotely. Please be assured that we will follow guidance provided by Companies House as we ensure that our annual reports reach you and that there will be the opportunity for members to vote on necessary items of business. New Campaigns Demolitions - Over the years ICAHD UK, along with the wider ICAHD family, has focussed on the issue of Israel’s demolition of Palestinian homes through resistance on the ground, our educational programmes and lobbying of governments as well as at the EU and UN. Although we raised awareness of this cruel policy, demolitions have not stopped so we are stepping up our activity which will be reflected in far more extensive tools for campaigning being posted on our website. We are strengthening our partnerships with other organisations on specific campaigns such targeting the companies that make the bulldozers that are used for the demolitions. One State Position Adopted For several years ICAHD UK has provided platforms to present arguments for the one democratic state position on the basis that the two-state position is now dead. Last year the ICAHD family updated it strap line to Resisting Apartheid, Building a Shared Democracy. At this week’s Executive Committee Meeting the exec formally adopted the one-state position therefore information about this campaign will also be found on the ICAHD website. Our monthly newsletter will include articles from prominent Palestinians and Israelis who are leading this campaign. Our commitment As we enter this exceptional time in history as the coronavirus reveals the failure of a world driven by greed, ICAHD UK is focussing on our connections to one another as we strengthen our commitment to justice for the Palestinians and a better, fairer world for all. Stay with us and stay well! — ICAHD (icahd.org) /newsletter/a-special-message-for-members-of-icahd-uk