Atta Jaber, Prisoner Release, Arms Trade Petition Photo: London demonstration. 17th February - Stephen Sizer Actions Bulletin - March 2024 * View Jeff Halper’s Monthly Update * Join Us at the National March Calling for a Ceasefire * Read Report on US Delegation to Palestine * Apply to Join the May Study Tour * Know That Munther Amira Released * Review the Demolitions During February * Sign the Petition on the Arms Trade * Mark the Dates for Your Diary Jeff Halper in the West Bank Photo: Jeff Halper & Atta Jaber - 7 March 2024 What does decolonization mean to a Palestinian farmer in the West Bank? In Jeff Halper’s monthly update for March , he speaks to us from the Bakka Valley just outside of Kiryat Arba, Hebron where he is with Atta Jaber. ICAHD’s relationship with the Jaber family began in 1998 when ICAHD rebuilt the family’s home after it was demolished by the Israeli authorities. That home was also demolished so ICAHD rebuilt it for a second time, again demonstrating non-violent political resistance to Israel’s violation of the 4^th Geneva Convention. ICAHD stands in solidarity with the Jabers and wants to see the end of settler violence against the family and for their deeds of ownership recognized so the family’s land is returned to them. View the 12-minute video here Absolutely nothing has changed for the better in Gaza and instead the genocide continues. Over 100,000 Gazans have been killed, maimed and injured. Homes, hospitals and life-saving infrastructure have been demolished. Israel prevents sufficient desperately needed humanitarian aid from entering Gaza so now the situation is intensifying further with starvation, thirst and disease spreading that is predicted to affect hundreds of thousands of civilians. Our government has not taken any meaningful measures to call Israel to account for these atrocities. Instead, our government is escalating its attacks on those of us who stand with the Palestinians. It has issued further threats to clamp down on the right to protest even as we call for Palestinian liberation from oppression and for them to be granted the chance to experience equality, dignity, and to be treated like other peoples of the world within a democracy. There has never been a more important time to continue protesting so please make every effort to participate in Saturday’s march. They have been peaceful and with a wonderful atmosphere amongst the demonstrators of all ages, ethnicities and faith backgrounds who come together to take to the streets. ICAHD UK will assemble with the Jewish bloc at the Simon Bolivar Statue in Belgrave Square SW1X 8PH at 12 noon. Consider using Victoria Underground Station to avoid the congestion expected at Hyde Park Corner. A blistering report has been released by the 23-member American delegation who visited the West Bank between 27^th February and 4^th March. Composed of Christians, pastors and lay people, activists all, they responded to the urgent call from Palestinians to bear witness to the “abomination” and to return to the US with their message. All their hosts agreed that Zionism – and support by the US government and Christian Zionists in the West – is the problem. The racist, settler colonial project that is Zionism must be rejected out of hand, dismantled, and a system of government based on equity, human dignity, and full civil, political, and human rights created. Zionism makes Jews around the world less safe and contributes to antisemitism. If the US wants to be Israel’s friend, it must realize that this genocidal action fosters even more acts of antisemitism and disgust for the US. It is in no one’s interest, no one’s. Apply to Join the May Tour http://icahd.org/extended-study-tours/ “Your visits are a tangible expression of your commitment to stand with us, and it brings a sense of unity and support that is immeasurably valuable in these times,” so said Dima from PCC in Jerusalem, one of the hosts for the extended study tour in May. Despite continued unrest, Palestinians are calling for internationals of courage and conviction to be with them now even during this dark time to demonstrate their solidarity. We know of several delegations that have been to the West Bank during February and we have news about other organisations that have scheduled visits this spring. We have a long history of going to Palestine even when there is some risk because this is all part what happens during struggles for justice. More information about the May tour is found on our website . If you are interested in joining this cutting-edge tour, \ please contact us immediately. Munther Amira Released after Torture Photo: Munther Amira speaking on Channel 4 News - 5 March 2024 - screenshot We were relieved to hear that Munther Amira, Chairman of the Board of Aida Youth Centre in Aida Camp, Bethlehem, was released from prison on 1^st March. Munther is a Palestinian social worker who had previously served as the Secretary-General of the Palestinian Union of Social Workers & Psychologists. He is also a well-known human rights activist whom some of our study tour delegations have met when visiting the Aida Youth Centre. On 18th December 2023, the Israeli army broke into his home and brutally arrested him. On 11 January 2024, an Israeli military court confirmed a four-month administrative detention order against him despite there being no credible evidence of violations. Upon his release, Munther spoke about the horrendous situation in prison and described it as “hell”. He had been stripped naked and the Israeli soldiers took photos of him. The food he and his eleven cellmates received was enough to feed only two people. There was no warm water and nothing to help pass the long days. On several occasions, guards entered their cells with dogs. One young man tried to commit suicide due to the hopelessness of the situation. Currently, Anas Abu Srour, the Centre’s Executive Director, remains in prison where he has been held for over three months without trial or charges. We remember all of the 7000 Palestinian political prisoners currently held by Israel and call for their release just as we call for the release of the 130 Israeli hostages held by Hamas. February Demolition & Displacement Report Photo: One of the homes demolished in February in Al Walaja - owner: Ramzi Abu Hammad ICAHD’s demolition update posted on 21^st February 2024 listed the following: In the past three days, 27 Palestinians have been displaced in East Jerusalem, as families are forced to self-demolish their homes. On 18^th February 2024, a Palestinian family was forced to self-demolish their house in Silwan, displacing a family of two. On 19^th February, personnel from the Jerusalem municipality along with Israeli forces demolished three houses in Al Walaja, in an area declared by the Israeli authorities as part of the Jerusalem municipal boundaries. As a result, three households comprising 17 people including seven children were displaced. During the demolition, three water tanks and two solar tanks were destroyed. Also that day, a Palestinian family was forced to self-demolish a livelihood structure built in 2005, in Jabal al Mukabbur, affecting the livelihood of a family of five. On 20^th February a Palestinian family self-demolished their house in Al Walaja. The incident took place in an area declared by the Israeli authorities as part of the Jerusalem municipal boundaries. As a result, a family of six, including a child were displaced. Also that day, a Palestinian family was forced to self-demolish their house in Ras al 'Amud, displacing a family of two. This is what Jeff Halper describes in his March monthly update as the slow genocide that is going on daily in the West Bank. Concerns continue within the UK about our government’s refusal to halt arms transfers to Israel because of the risk that they are being used by Israel in its genocide of the Palestinian people. A group of NGOs, including Human Rights Watch, the Campaign Against the Arms Trade and Amnesty International UK, believe a licence for UK-made components for F-35 fighter jets, a combat aircraft which Israel has used to bomb Gaza since October, was very likely. The government has ignored their calls for information and even evaded questions put to it by MPs. All this leaves the British public in the dark about whether UK-made arms are being used by Israel in the Gaza war. Another way to put pressure on the government is through this petition that has been prepared which reads: The Government should commission a full inquiry into UK arms imports & exports with the state of Israel, to establish whether there is a risk of UK manufactured arms & components being used to commit or facilitate serious violations of international humanitarian law. The UK Government's Strategic Export Licensing Criteria sets out clearly the criteria for licensing of arms exports. Considering the available evidence, the inquiry should consider whether licenses should be suspended, revoked, amended or granted in the future. With 10,000 signatures, the government will respond to the petition. With 100,000 signatures the petition will be considered for debate in Parliament. Considering the more than 30,800 deaths in Gaza, we hope you will be eager to sign this petition as our government should not be complicit in violations of international law. Tuesday, 26^th March – CAMPAIGN march from Lambeth Palace to Church House in Great Smith Street via Westminster Bridge, London – Meet at 4.30 pm and finish at 6pm. Calling the Archbishop of Canterbury to account for showing support for Israel while claiming neutrality. From all at 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 Visit the ICAHD YouTube channel for our extensive range of videos Join Us at the National Demonstration 9th March March with the ICAHD UK flags at the national demonstration in London on Saturday. The Stones Cry Out: From the Ground in Palestine to the US Government and Churches Dr Michael Spath, Co-Chair of ICAHD USA seen on the far right, was instrumental in planning and leading this delegation to the West Bank at the end of February Read the February Demolition and Displacement Report here Sign Petition on the Arms Trade Commission an Enquiry into UK Arms Trade with Israel Sign the Petition here Dates for Your Diary Saturday, 9^th March – National March for Palestine – London – Details above. 6 – 16 May – ICAHD Recommended Study Tour to Palestine/Israel Saturday 19 October – ICAHD UK Annual Conference - from 10.00am to 4.00pm (times TBC). Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church, 235 Shaftesbury Avenue, London WC2H 8EP. Details to be announced but note the date in your diary. 4 – 14 November – ICAHD Recommended Study Tour to Palestine/Israel Many thanks for your ongong support. If you're not already a member of ICAHD UK, please join us (https://icahd.org/join-us/) or make a donation (https://icahd.org/donate-now/) to enable our campaign to spread at this critical time in history. — ICAHD (icahd.org) /newsletter/atta-jaber-prisoner-release-arms-trade-petition