Final call for 'Judaizing Palestine' conference

Last chance to book for our conference (#booking) ! Plus: read our recommendations (#recommendations) ; learn more about the Judaizing Palestine (#judaizing palestine) campaign; write to save Umm al Hiran (#write) ; news of more demolitions (#demolitions) ; international news (#international) ; plus local events (#events) ...

- Attendees from our 2014 ICAHD UK conference Judaizing Palestine: Analysis

Jeff Halper, ICAHD's Director, will explain why we believe that nothing demonstrates the existence of a state oppressing its subject population more than Israel’s policy of house demolitions and that this is part of an ongoing process of ethnic cleansing that has continued since 1947/48 on both sides of the “Green Line” which ICAHD identifies as ‘Judaizing Palestine’ . This is also the subject of ICAHD’s new campaign that will be launched at the conference by Jeff Halper.

Over the years Israel has demolished well over 120,000 Palestinian homes – at least 50,000 in 1948 and the years immediately following, some 64,000 in the Occupied Territory since 1967, and thousands more within Israel over the years (al-Araqib, an “unrecognized” community of Israeli (Bedouin) citizens in the northern Negev, has been demolished 83 times in the past five years). The wholesale destruction of entire villages, towns, urban neighbourhoods, cities and their infrastructures has fundamentally damaged the very fabric of Palestinian society, as has the trauma of each individual demolition.

Khalil Al-Amour will speak on behalf of the 70,000 Bedouins from the unrecognized villages in the Negev. A father of seven, he is qualified in computer science and law, and teaches mathematics. A field researcher for Adalah , a human rights NGO, he is also a Board Member of the Negev Coexistence Forum for Civil Equality.

Salma Karmi-Ayyoub, is a UK-based criminal barrister and works as an external consultant for Al-Haq , a Palestinian human rights NGO based in Ramallah. Salma has a particular interest in the question of Palestine and the International Criminal Court. In the UK she is the co-chair of Lawyers for Palestinian Human Rights and during the conference she will illustrate the benefits of and tips for using International Law as a campaigns tool.

In addition there will be contributions from Tony Lerman, author of ‘The Making and Unmaking of a Zionist’ and representing Independent Jewish Voicesto chair the Q & A session, and Deborah Burton of Tipping Point North South who will share news about an exciting new global campaign. There will also be information on the uniqueness of the study tour programme that takes internationals to visit both sides.

The afternoon will also include mobilisation sessions on campaigning for Bedouins in the Negev and investigating the UK's involvement in the arms trade to develop our response and more!

Tickets include light refreshments, lunch, and an info pack, and cost just £15 - £25. Booking is essential , and must be completed by Wednesday 27^th May.

This conference is sure to inspire and challenge you, but don’t just take our word for it! Here’s some feedback from attendees last year, and you can read more recommendations here .

“The annual gathering is one of the high-lights of my year for a number of reasons: it provides me with an up to date analysis of the situation in Palestine/Israel even though I read ICAHD's news letters and those of others; it is an occasion to renew my own commitment to this cause for Justice and Peace, and also the occasion to meet such enthusiastic people… so many thanks for the extremely stimulating and challenging day.” – Bridget H

“You all made me feel very welcome, I thoroughly enjoyed meeting everyone and thought the conference was very enlightening. And very well organised!” – Kerry G

“The morning talks which I heard were tremendously motivating. I find it so energising that organisations can punch above their weight with the involvement of passionate people” – Heather M

“I met old friends, made new ones, loved the dinner beforehand and thought the day was entirely worthwhile. Well done to all who worked so hard behind the scenes in preparation!” – Annie O

You will find the flyer here and we invite you to book your place to join us.

Nakba Day Remembered

------------------------------------------------------------ to hear Khalil Al-Amour bringing first hand experience of working with unrecognised villages such as Umm al Hiran, and the experience of their bedouin peoples, in an ongoing campaign for their land rights.

Our thoughts for the Nakba are with Palestinians everywhere, from the 7 million refugees (http://www.badil.org/en/press-releases/149-2015/4408-pren0103201506 ) around the world still fighting for their ‘right of return’; to the Palestinian citizens in Israel who have separate legal rights and fewer human rights than their Israeli neighbours; and not forgetting those who choose to remain in Palestine despite lack of access to basic facilities , including health services and sanitation, education, and housing permits.

- Photo from April 27th demolition in Al Jiftlik Abu Al Ajaj. Credit: OCHA . Demolitions Continue

Throughout ICAHD’s 18 year history we have known and highlighted many instances where Israel has fined Palestinians with the cost of demolishing their own homes, yet we see this cruel rationale twisted to a new and astonishing depth, with Al-Araqib (who we highlighted in our last newsletter being served a bill for $500,000 (USD) for the cost of demolishing their village. Al-Araqib has been demolished 83 times, most recently only last monthand each time these villagers try to rebuild their lives and homes from the remains. This case goes to the courts later this year in September, and we will continue to update you as this campaign progresses.

Palestinian legal team Adalah have written a clear and timely response to Israel’s report on the housing crisis in Israel, which emphatically argues that the “housing shortage in Arab communities is not the result of the "failures" or "deficiencies" that the Comptroller identifies with respect to the housing crisis in Jewish Israeli communities, but rather is the result of deliberate, consistent, and systematic government policy that places obstacles before Arab citizens.” As The Association for Civil Rights in Israel have recently concluded, approximately 20,000 homes lack a permitin East Jerusalem alone, therefore these problems can only be expected to escalate unless reform is made. Khalil Al-Amour will be representing Adalahat our conference on Sat 30th May – come and hear his direct experience of the current situation.

And in the West Bank, the entire village of Susiya is another that is slated for demolition (http://rt.com/news/255933-israel-court-demolition-village/ ) , despite having been campaigning for their land permits to be authorized for 30 years. This has now been taken to the International Criminal Court and we await the verdict.

- Ethiopean Israeli's protesting against police brutality earlier this month. Source; Active Stills .

Other Recent News

And of course it is not only Palestinians that are treated as second class citizens of Israel, as we have seen most recently with the Ethiopean Israeli’s rising up in protest about the discrimination that they experience. ICAHD has always called for human rights to be respected for all people groups in Israel/Palestine. Over the years we've witnessed (and highlighted) the deepening racist and apartheid policies implemented by the Israeli government.

And don't miss Amira Hass' latest article in which she writes"The justices have parroted what the state has been screaming all along: It’s my right to dispossess, my right to expel, my right to demolish and crowd people into pens. I have demolished and will continue to do so. I have expelled and will continue to expel." This is exactly why ICAHD is launching the 'Judaizing Palestine' campaign that is being profiled at the ICAHD UK conference of the same name on 30th May. Come along to hear Israeli Jeff Halper, and Palestinian Khalil Al-Amour, who is from the Negev.

In international news, we welcome whistleblower Eran Efrati, who has joined as Executive Director of ICAHD USA – formerly an IDF soldier who then helped to form ‘Breaking the Silence’ and went on to work with ICAHD in Jerusalem. In announcing his new position, he states: "History is knocking on our door and we better rise up and answer the call. Our life depends on it. I am honored to struggle alongside you." In this short film clip , Eran powerfully exposes Maryland police training in Israel. He warns US citizens that they will become "Palestinians" - they will become the enemy. Since this talk given in 2014, Eran has collected hundred of documents from police archives in the US and Israel on their joint training. And with the recent events in Baltimore, Maryland, we've seen an outworking of what Eran predicted would happen.

- The Forcible Displacement of Palestinian Arab Citizens of Israel. Credit: Galai / Negev Coexistence Forum for Civil Equality, with thanks to LPHR .

More events coming up

Mon 1^st June, London | The Forcible Displacement of Palestinian Arab Bedouin citizens of Israel: 6.30pm – 8pm As well as speaking to members of parliament, a meeting has been called by the Lawyers for Palestinian Human Rights at the Garden Court Chambers in London in order for both Jeff Halper and Khalil Al-Amour to speak on 'The Forcible Displacement of Palestinian Arab Bedouin citizens of Israel'. See flyer here. & Book your tickets here. Sat 13^th June, Manchester | Campaigning for a Military Embargo on Israel: 10.30am – 5pm

- As ever, many thanks for your continued support, from all at ICAHD UK...

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