Gaza trauma, disgraceful behaviour in Parliament & from Welby

Photo: A Palestinian woman sits in front of the damaged entrance to Al-Aqsa University in Khan Younis southern Gaza Srip. January 26, 2024. (Atia Mohammed/Flash90) - 972 magazine. Newsletter - February 2024 * ICAHD UK’s Webinar with Gaza Focus * Our Presence at the National March * Keep Insisting on an Immediate Ceasefire * Fakhri’s Home Demolished * Palestinians Call for Our Visits * Rev Isaac Speaks Truth to Power * Sue Ball Commends ICAHD & the Tours * Mark the Dates for Your Diary

ICAHD UK Webinar Recording

Attending to the Mental Health Needs in the Midst of a Genocide: What is Possible? Photo: Child in Gaza - Palestine Trauma Centre

This webinar focussed on the importance of speaking about Palestinian mental health when Israel seeks to debilitate the whole of Palestinian society.

Trauma is not new to Palestinians who have been experiencing it for the last 75 years. However, Israel’s war on Gaza that began in October 2023 has thrust the population into a living hell due to the ongoing assault as their homes and with the whole of their vital infrastructure annihilated, leaving no safe space for any Gazans. In addition, Palestinians everywhere are being affected as their people group is on the receiving end of Israel’s barbaric genocide policies.

The webinar featured the work of mental health organisations working within Gaza, the West Bank and with Palestinians in the diaspora. Once again, the audience was full of gratitude for this informative and emotional webinar provided by ICAHD UK.

Speakers included: Samah Jabr - Chair of the Mental Health Unit at the Palestinian Ministry of Health Lama Khouri - Global Palestine Mental Health Network David Harrold - Chair of Trustees of Gaza Trauma Centre Gwyn Daniel - UK Palestine Mental Health Network Martin Kemp - UK Palestine Mental Health Network

Photo: ICAHD UK in Jewish bloc - 17th February - Stephen Sizer

ICAHD UK supporters were amongst the 250,000 people on the streets of London on 17^th February for the latest demonstration in support of Palestine. A wide variety of creativity was on display in the posters created that called for an immediate ceasefire and an end to Israel’s genocide. A small sample can be seen from the photos we have posted to the website.

Scenes from the march that brought together people of all ages and from a wide variety of backgrounds, were captured in the three short video clips can be found on our website . You will also find some brief interviews that were recorded. Clare Short, former MP, talked about how being on the march does her heart good. She feels that Israel is now more exposed than ever. Solicitor Daniel Machover said that international law will only win out if combined with massive political pressure. Pamela Blakelock highlighted that this is a defining moment in world history and Jews have a huge responsibility to say, “not in my name”.

The next national march is scheduled for Saturday, 9th March. Check our website for details nearer the time. Join ICAHD UK and be part of mobilization for political change. Help end the need for continued humanitarian aid to be poured into Palestine so its people can live in freedom and thrive in a democratic society Insist on an Immediate Ceasefire Photo: Palestine rally outside Houses of Parliament, 21st February 2024 - J. O'Malley

Weeks ago, polls showed that 71% of UK civil society called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza yet our government still has not listened to the people. The debate in the House of Commons on Wednesday, 21^st February, was a disgraceful fiasco with no meaningful result. Therefore, by the day Gazans continue to be killed (now nearlu 30,000, the majority being women and children) and more infrastructure flattened. The few hospitals remaining function with extremely limited services and are not capable of providing adequate treatment for the nearly 70,000 who have been injured and with no medicine for patients with critical, life-threatening conditions. In addition, we know that Israel’s manipulated humanitarian disaster is causing people to starve and die of diseases that are rapidly spreading.

It is vital that we continue to lobby our MPs. We know that some of our members are writing daily due to the urgency of this issue and none of us should give up until our MP relents and has the courage to take a moral stand and call for an immediate ceasefire. In addition, the UK has an obligation to comply with the provisional measures ordered by the International Court of Justice following its decision on the evidence for “plausible” genocide being committed by Israel in the case brought by the South African delegation in January.

Please show your commitment to these fundamental principles by signing EDM 377 ‘International Court of Justice Ruling on Gaza and the UK’s duties under the Genocide Convention’ . Fakhri's Home Demolished

Photo: Fakhri Abu Diab stands in the ruins of demolised home. 14th February 2024 - Noushin Framke

From now on, St Valentine’s Day will signify a black day in the life of the Fakhri Abu Diab family because this year on the 14^th of February, they were woken up by sounds of the police and a jack hammer outside the door of their home in Silwan, located directly below Jerusalem’s Old City. As soon as Jeff Halper, Director, ICAHD, got the news, he jumped into his car and rushed to the scene to stand with Fakhri. Other Israeli Jews who condemn Israel’s demolition policy, were also present but they could do nothing to prevent the demolition.

Fakhri is well known throughout East Jerusalem as one of the leaders representing the Palestinians who are threatened with home demolitions. He has also been present at demonstrations in Sheikh Jarrah during protests concerning the illegal Jewish settlers who sought to evict Palestinians from their homes. Over the years some of our study tour delegations have met with Fakhri at his home so this news is especially poignant.

After seeing Fakhri and capturing a short video clip, Jeff returned home and posted this article which is found on our website. Palestinians Want Our Visits Photo: Entrance to Hebron's Old City - Stephen Sizer

The ICAHD recommended issue-based study tours to Palestine/Israel will resume 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. Rev Isaac Speaks Truth to Power Photo: Rev Dr Munther Isaac speking at London demonstration, 17th February - screen shot

During the last week, Rev Dr Munther Isaac, pastor of the Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem, visited England where he spoke to Parliamentarians, church leaders, academics, NGOs and thousands of others. Watch his powerful speech at the London march on 17^th Feb and the crowd’s enthusiastic response to his call for true peacemakers and justice seekers and for the conscious of world leaders to be awakened to stop the genocide.

Because Jeremy Corbyn MP, former Labour party leader, also spoke at the rally, Archbishop Justin Welby refused to meet with Rev Isaac on grounds that it would cause problems with the Jewish community at a time when antisemitism is rising. We conclude that Welby deems Munther Isaac the wrong kind of Christian just as he refused to meet with ICAHD’s Jeff Halper, the wrong kind of Jew. No wonder vigils are being held outside of Westminster Abbey on Tuesday afternoons as the Archbishop is called to account. Welby insists on taking a neutral position on Palestine/Israel yet says that Israel has the right to defend itself while not denouncing the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians and the apartheid system that they live under. Palestinian Christians feel betrayed. Sue Ball Commends ICAHD & the Tours Photo: Sue Ball at London march - November 2023

Member of ICAHD UK, Sue Ball, supports us in a variety of ways including her regular participation in the London marches and now also at the vigils at Westminster Abbey. Sue was captured on camera on 3^rd February as she speaks about ICAHD as a political organisation with a genuine Jewish voice on the ground and how the people from the study tours learn from that experience and become a community.

Saturday, 24th February - UK Palestine Mental Health Network Cafe Palestina - 4.00-6pm (UK time) - Honouring the work of mental health professionals in Gaza. Info here .

Saturday, 9th March - National March for Palestine - London - Details to be announced nearer the time.

6 – 16 May – ICAHD Recommended Study Tour to Palestine/Israel. Details here .

Saturday, 19th October 2024 – 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. Details here . Many thanks for your ongong support. If you're not already a member of ICAHD UK, please join usor make a donation to enable our campaign to spread at this critical time in history.

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