Annual Conference, March Webinar, ICAHD's Half-day Tours

February 2022 Newsletter * ICAHD UK annual conference – 23 April * Webinar with Israeli dissidents – 16 March * ICAHD’s half-day political tours resume * Demonstration at JCB headquarters * Key to Return play reading success * Dates for your diary

ICAHD UK Annual Conference Photo: Ali Awad - depicting a father standing in the rubble of his demolished home in the South Hebron Hills

Palestinians will speak from Jerusalem, the Jordan Valley, the South Hebron Hills and from within the state of Israel as they describe demolitions in their area, local resistance and the struggle for them to remain in their homes.

Other speakers will provide updates of our campaigns including British-made JCB bulldozers, a company that sells its machines then used to demolish Palestinian homes. Palestinians will speak about actions of the Jewish National Fund (JNF) and its subsidiaries which aggressively seek to cleanse the indigenous population from their homes and land.

The conference will include news of the impact following the release of the Amnesty report on Israel’s apartheid policies and ICAHD’s Jeff Halper will address how demolitions and displacement are at the core of Israel’s settler colonial policy. Details of all speakers will soon be released however registration for the conference is now openhere .

Acute tension has built up again in Sheikh Jarrah as Israeli authorities attempt to evict more Palestinians from their homes. Due to international pressure and the Israeli court’s fear of protests spreading throughout Jerusalem, the Salem family’s eviction due to happen at the beginning of March has been temporarily frozen. Nevertheless, many other families remain at risk of eviction and demolitions and far right Knesset member Itamar Ben-Gvir still has his makeshift office set up near a Palestinian family's home in Sheikh Jarrah – a deliberate provocative action. Unease also remains high in the Naqab (Negev) because of violent suppression of Palestinians by Israeli forces who resist the seizure of Bedouin land for afforestation by the Newish National Fund. These Palestinian citizens of Israel fear another strong attack on them in the coming days.

Rabbi Arik Ascherman has led Israeli human rights organizations for over 26 years, is executive director of Torat Tzedek-Torah of Justice and the former director of Rabbis for Human Rights.

Guy Hirschfield, field coordinator for Torat Tzedek – Torah of Justice, is a long-time member of Ta’ayush — an Israeli-Palestinian volunteer grassroots group founded during the Second Intifada which physically stand up to the Israeli army and extreme settlers.

ICAHD’s half-day tours are designed for those who are travelling independently or are on a group visit to Palestine/Israel. Tens of thousands of people from around the world have already connected to us this way.

During the tour, participants see Israel’s “Matrix of Control” over the Palestinian people. Participants witness how Israel’s settlement project has created irreversible “facts on the ground” and gain better appreciation of what a truly just and lasting peace would entail. ICAHD believes that first-hand learning is the only way to grasp the social, cultural, political, and historical issues that underlie the Israeli-Palestinian issue.

ICAHD tour guides provide tours in English and Hebrew. For groups of at least three participants, a tailor-made tour is arranged including transport, if needed. Individuals are also encouraged to contact us to see what can be provided. The tours are either three or four hours in duration, depending upon locations that are included. Contact tours@icahd.org for information and to schedule a tour – general information is on the website.

Internationals wishing to participate in the ICAHD recommended study tour 7 – 17 November should contact info@icahduk.org for an application form. ICAHD UK members support JCB demonstration

Photo: John Hastings-Thomson

A demonstration at JCB world headquarters in Rocester, Staffordshire on Thursday, 24^th February attracted a crowd of 50 supporters who called for JCB to stop supplying its equipment to Israel because they are used in the demolition of Palestinian homes. Demonstrators travelled from Derby, Sheffield, Manchester, and Birmingham for this event called by Derby Friends of Hebron, a multi-faith group.

The peaceful protest included speeches and singing. A letter, read out by The Very Revd Geoffrey Marshall, Convenor of Derby and Derbyshire Friends of Hebron, which included reference to ICAHD, was then handed over for delivery to Lord Bamford DL, Chairman, JCB, and Graeme Macdonald, Chief Executive, JCB. Revd Marshall had offered to meet with them for a discussion, but they were not free to do so.

The packed, sell-out performance of Key to Return at the P21 Gallery in London, attracted plaudits for the world class actors and musicians who participated. Norma was given helpful, constructive feedback, which is allowing her to take time to move the project forward as she works on the next draft of her play. We wish Norma success for this creative way to not only raise ICAHD’s profile but more importantly as another way to inform the public of today’s reality in Palestine.

Dates for Your Diary