Imagine If Your House Was Demolished Nine Times !

[Eva Libre]

The Jordan Valley. One of the most beautiful places of the West Bank, except for the people who live in it. Israeli occupation forces have imposed harsh restrictions on building and movement. Inhabitants have become hunted and spooked on their own lands.

For generations, long before the 1967 war that led to the occupation of the West Bank, the Bedouins let their sheep graze on their land, in the north of the Jordan Valley. These shepherds are very poor and have almost no food. But they do not complain, since this has always been the nature of their lives as shepherds in the Jordan Valley. They only want one thing: to be left alone. This desire was a reality for many decades. Under the British mandate in the 1940s, their fields were designated as an agricultural zone. According to these orders,

residents are permitted to remain in the area, and expulsion orders cannot change their status. But since the area fell under the occupation of Israel, the inhabitants of the Jordan Valley have been frightened away.

The difficulties for the inhabitants began in the 1970s, when the village was declared a closed Israeli military zone. Some years later the Jewish settlements of Ro’i and Beka’ot were founded in the east of their land. Since then, Israel and the settlers have pressured the residents to abandon their land. Harassment and house demolitions have become part of the Bedouins’ lives. “With their cars they destroy our farms, with their guns they kill our animals and with their bulldozers they demolish our houses”, explains Abu Sakri of the struggling life in the once peaceful village of Al-Hadidiyeh. Abu’s ancestors lived for centuries on the fields. “To tease us, the settlers call whenever they prefer the Israeli army or the police. Then, they take our tractors away, transport our sons to the checkpoints, confiscate our water tanks and give us fines.”
For more information see;

http://www.palestinemonitor.org/spip/spip.php?article1356

Netanyahu divulged his dastardly plan: He told his hosts he would proclaim the entire Jordan Valley a "designated military site."

"The tents are one thing, but why the water tanks? Sometimes they empty them of water. What will the children drink? And why do they destroy the taboun ovens? Do they want us to die of hunger and thirst? Is that what they really want?” Basharat

Testimonies from the occupied Jordan Valley: Al-Hadidiya

- Qais Yousef -

A Palestinian from Al-Hadidiya in the occupied Jordan Valley. The Israeli government is making the lives of the Palestinian residents of the Jordan Valley difficult, driving them out of their homes, with the aim of evacuating the valley of Israeli settlements.
Editing: Hadass Shuve

Twilight Zone / Gestures to the Palestinians

While the prime minister is dispensing promises about easing restrictions in the territories, Israel is expelling hundreds of shepherds from the Jordan Valley

Which is crueler? Expelling an urban family from its home in Jerusalem's Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, or bulldozing a meager tent encampment of shepherds living on private Jordan Valley land they leased, destroying their water tanks, their tents and their sheep pens, and expelling families with many children from the land on which they live? It's hard to say. But while the Sheikh Jarrah expulsions are attracting interest in Israel and elsewhere, hardly anyone notices or protests what's going on in the Jordan Valley.

	Shepherd Abdel Razeq Bani Awda (right) and one of his sons. In winter, they’ll have to leave here too.
	Photo by: Limor Edrey

There, far from view, Israel has been trying for several years to methodically remove Palestinian inhabitants from wide swaths of land. And in a week when the prime minister was making more promises about a "package of gestures" to the Palestinians, in order to curry favor in Washington, the Civil Administration bulldozers brutally destroyed several more encampments, leaving dozens of residents helpless and destitute under the open sky. But the Jordan Valley is far from the public eye and the public heart, and there Israel can do as it pleases.

One look at the landscape tells the whole story: The settlement of Beka'ot, with its lush greenery and plentiful electricity and water at one end of the magnificent valley, and the ruins of the meager shepherd encampments at the other end, with no electricity, no water, no nothing. One picture is worth a thousand words. It's a far cry from the words of the old propagandistic song once sung by the Central Command musical troupe, about the little settlement in the Valley that "guarded the line, called out for peace and served up hope in the form of colorful flowers." Calls for peace? Gestures of hope? Go ask the neighbors about that.

This week, Dafna Banai, an activist from Machsom Watch, described the most recent expulsions: 15 families were expelled from their encampments on July 1; the week before, another 16 families received demolition and evacuation orders. For more than a year, the entire valley has been strewn with dozens of cement blocks preventing entry and warning of "firing zones" wherever Palestinians live. Israel already has enclosed all the territory west of Highway 90 with impassable ditches, and residents can exit only twice a week, when Israel opens the locked gates on the roads.

Israel declares huge amounts of private Palestinian land as firing zones and expels the residents under the false and self-righteous guise of concern for their welfare, lest they be harmed by the military training; but these firing zones are always to be found solely on Palestinian land, and never on settlement land. Have you ever heard of any settlers being expelled from their homes because their settlement was declared part of a firing zone? But against these wretched shepherds in the Jordan Valley, anything goes. This is Israeli justice, this is equality as practiced by the Israel Defense Forces.

Perhaps the explanation for this appalling expulsion policy can be found in comments by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicized last Friday on Channel 10. During a condolence visit to the home of a settler family in 2001, Netanyahu divulged his dastardly plan: He told his hosts he would proclaim the entire Jordan Valley a "designated military site."

This is how the prime minister thought to mock the Americans at the time, so they would let Israel do as it pleases in the Jordan Valley. Now he is prime minister again, and his trick is working splendidly. A Jordan Valley cleansed of Palestinians will one day be more easily annexed to Israel.

The Civil Administration, naturally, attempts to deceive, dissemble and disregard all this. What connection could it possibly have with acts of systematic expulsion? After all, it is simply concerned with the welfare of the residents and the preservation of law and order. If an expulsion is taking place, the administration is not the one making the decisions; it's just acting as a contractor.

In any event, what's going on here is "self-evacuation," as the spokesman put it, and "abandoned structures."

"This is a matter of tin structures and tents, which were set up recently, without the necessary permits, in firing zones, endangering the inhabitants' lives," the spokesman said. "Most of the structures under discussion were abandoned independently by their residents, and a few were destroyed. Most of the people who built these structures own permanent homes in the valley, and most of the structures were already abandoned on the day they were destroyed."

Owners of permanent homes? Have you heard of settlers being evacuated because they have another house in Petah Tikva?

On second thought: The expulsion in the Jordan Valley is worse than that of Sheikh Jarrah. It is more systematic, more large-scale, and it's being committed against a weaker population. But the demonstrators won't come here. It's too far away.

The most closed open area

In an empty room that serves as the headquarters of a remote village council, local activists elaborate on their fears: Israel is seeking to expel all the area's shepherds to here. Two big spiders silently spin their web on the ceiling. In the past month, dozens of families have received demolition and evacuation orders, all in accordance with the law, of course, the law of the occupation.

The elderly Abdel Rahim Basharat says it's not a village, it's a prison.

"If you close off the shepherds from every direction, to them it's a jail, because their lives are tied to the land. If they are made to move to this village, they'll have to sell their flocks, their only source of income. Taking our lands from us is the same as taking our lives."

Basharat has a question: "Does Area C mean evacuation and expulsion?"

And what will you tell him? What can one tell him?

And he has another question: "Why don't you ask about the water problem?"

Ataf Abu al-Rub, the B'Tselem investigator in the area, explains: "Sometimes these shepherds hear water trickling through the pipes that pass through their fields on the way to settlements, but they are forbidden to use it. Sometimes they hear the crackle of electricity in the high-tension wires, but the electricity is meant only for the settlers."

Al-Rub says this is the most closed open area in the world. Four families have already left for the village, after the encampments were repeatedly destroyed and they tired of hopeless battle. The rest are persisting in a desperate fight for survival. We go out to see, driving past harvested wheat fields on our way to the sites of destruction.

Abdel Razeq Bani Awda's family already has erected a new encampment. On July 1, the previous one was destroyed, and its ruins lie on the opposite hillside. They'd lived there for 15 years, on private land that belongs to a resident of Tubas who leased it to them. They have documents to prove it. Now they are stuck in the middle of a wheat field; when winter and planting times comes around, they'll have to leave here, too. This is the fifth place they've moved to in the past few years, since Israel began implementing its policy of evacuation and expulsion. Two families - a father and son and their children, and 160 sheep, their only source of income. The sheep are now crowded into new pens, seeking shelter from the heat.

What will the children eat?

The road is too treacherous for our car, as we make our way up the hill from the ruins of their recently destroyed camp. Hardly anything is left of it. Strewn about the ground are some wrecked tent stakes, a spoon, a rusty kettle, a blackened coffee pot, a spilled container of tehina and a broken-down refrigerator. Remnants of a meager life. Basharat asks why Israel is also destroying the water tanks.

"The tents are one thing, but why the water tanks? Sometimes they empty them of water. What will the children drink? And why do they always come when times are the toughest, or in the middle of summer, when the heat is terrible, or during the rains, when there is no other shelter? It's not by coincidence. And why do they destroy the taboun ovens? They know it takes four to five days to build a new taboun, and in the meantime we have no bread. Do they want us to die of hunger and thirst? Is that what they really want? Our children know the Israeli army is the one doing this. And what do they expect them to remember when they grow up?"

Basharat's questions go unanswered, echoing through the valley. We sit beneath the remnants of a tin shack that wasn't thoroughly destroyed. An old refrigerator door serves as a bench, until it, too, collapses beneath us. The Bani Awda family will return here in the winter. They have no other choice. They have already re-erected one tent. Across the way, Beka'ot is blooming; there is a spa there.

On the western part of the hillside is another ruined encampment. This is where Hassan Bani Awda's family lived before they migrated eastward. Another encampment, closer to Beka'ot, is still standing. Nine times this family has had its home destroyed. We sit in silence and gaze out at the valley. It could be so beautiful, if not for the ugliness of the expulsion. We make our way to the next encampment.

An old wooden chair has an old sticker attached to it: "Israel is Strong with Shimon Peres." Israel is also strong with Benjamin Netanyahu, especially in dealing with the weak: Mohammed Bani Awda and his 11 children are also living under the threat of expulsion. He has 270 sheep and a combine that belongs to the landowner from Tubas. This family already has been forced to move four times. Now they've been instructed to tear down just the storehouse for the sheep's food. Is Mohammed afraid? He says: "They're going step-by-step. They started in the east and when they finish clearing out there they'll come here too. We'll be the next stage."

The two shepherds, Basharat and Bani Awda, consult with one another. What to do? Bani Awda suggests appealing to the High Court, and Basharat says there's no point.

"There's no point appealing to Israeli law and justice. They'll declare the whole Jordan Valley a military zone and that will be the end of the story."

Mohammed's son Jihad, a 19-year-old shepherd, wears a New York baseball cap. He says he dreams of going there one day, but all of us in the tent knew it will never happen. It's unlikely that he'll every get as far as Jerusalem.

[Béatrice LATEUR LACROIX]

Happy to know My Care 2 is in touch with us. The actions of My care 2 are many and very efficient !
Great !

Love and Peace for all Beings.

[Qais M. Yousef]

Irit, Thanks for the explanation about the Picture, and thanks for your understanding, I meant by sharing it That peoples should not judge to all the Jews as a "not good people". I meant by sharing it, that most of the Jews around the world are against the injustice, and always say "Not in our name" Please accept my apologize.

Remember, just as there is nothing Muslim about terrorism and nothing Christian about genocide, there is also nothing Jewish about colonialism. All religions and peoples should, first and foremost, stand against all crimes carried out in their name.

I visited the two sites that you cited, That was amazing, inn this way we will see the peace sooner, I have read some articles about Jews and Arabs work together to improve the peace, I've read about Jews and Arabs creating a football teams, museums, songs. and I appreciate that, and hope if I can be member of one of those groups.

I love the Jewish and Israelis who are pro-peace and work together with the Arabs, Muslims and Christians to stop the Massacres, the apartheid, razing the lands and the occupation, and put their hands together to achieve the peace on each side and the recognition of each side to live in their State in safe and peace, to love each other, to respect each other to help the world together, AND I AM WITH THEM.

Peace for your soul MY COUSIN Irit,
Peace for your soul Eva
Peace for your soul my friends
Peace for the souls of those innocents in the Jordan Valley.

Qais

[Irit Hakim-Keller]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-Zionism
I think this is the right place to read about the Zionism today - or, as it is called now - Post Zionism.
I have found it only this morning, while was insisting to find answers to many questions I myself have....I hope the Wikipedia is accurate.

[Irit Hakim-Keller]

David, Thank you so much. I confess - I am in tears...
much love to you and hugs
Irit

[David Gould]

It is good to know that we people from Care2 are now spreading out across the world. I remember joinining that site...I am still a member...because I wanted to make a difference. Through that site I first had contact with Muslims and found that they were like ourselves a peace-loving group. After 7/7 when my step-daughter was killed in London I saw a whole sector of the community here in Britain demonised and condemned...I joined Care2 because of a Muslim who told me that their religion was about beauty and love...

I have travelled far in these five years and found friends all round the world who yearn for peace, who dream of peace, who image a world at peace and who in the face of all the propaganda refuse to believe the worst of anyone or of any people, sect or religion. I am now the chairman of our local Multicultural group who are trying to further the cause of ethnic minorities within our community. I work with a multi ethnic and multi faith group bringing love and connection between diverse people...when I was four I gave up having enemies and since then everyone has been an ally...even if they do not yet know it...only love can conquer all ills in this world, only love can spread respect and acceptance, only love can show that we are all born equally on this planet and it is only love that will heal all rifts we have...and it is only love that can light the candle of hope for a future without strife and war, without hunger and desease, without poverty and prejudice.

The last five years I have come to realise how much I love my fellow humankind and how much I long for all barriers between people to become obsolete. I take off my hat to Irit and others living in the middle of the muddle...it must be so hard to be able to maintain balance and a clear view...the fact that you do shows how strong you are and how powerful a force peace is in this world...It is so hard for some of us who live a life of tranquillity to sence what it is like to be where you are...thank you for telling us...we only have people like The Jewish Voice for Peace to tell us what it is like so your witness is very valauble and helps us to see things as they are for you.

We are the Peace

Without words the world is dumb
without hope the world is numb
we have words
we have hope
We are the Peace to come.

David © 2nd January 2010

[Irit Hakim-Keller]

Welcome !!!! I am happy we have MyCare 2 present here. I appreciate the site very much.:)

[Eva Libre]

Qais M. Yousef, is the original publisher of this article. I thank him for his kind permission to publish the article here.

Qais comes from My Care2, and since yesterday, he is a member of our group.

Welcome, on "Peace for the Soul" Qais!

[Irit Hakim-Keller]

Thank you Eva for your supporting comment. As you - I hope to be here when peace comes.
I do believe it will!!!! So much has been done , by so many people. Qais had posted links of two organizations. B'Tslem is a guard dog - by the positive meaning of the term. Nion is a Canadian org. I have some problematics (?) with those who are living so far away from here and from the real life here, and tell us what and how to do. Perhaps I am not quite right with this feeling of mine...but that is how I feel.

I'm adding 2 more, http://cfpeace.org/ and http://ipcricontact.peacechannels.org/
I would sugest eny peace maker to go in these site to read what Israelis and Palestinians are doing TOGETHER to achieve peace in their life.

As for the term Zionism - I am sorry that this term had become a negative meaning for Jews who love Israel. Pls, read about it in Wikipedia. I am not identify myself as a Zionist, I truly honestly do not know anymore what it means, but it is NOT what people say about it. I do love Israel and my people. I care for them. I want Israel to be a better place to live in, for every Jew in the world. AND - at the very same way - I want the Palestinian to have their own state - next to mine. There is enough place here for two states. All we have to do now is keep doing things TOGETHER for this purpose. This what we - I and my friends in the 2 orgs. their addresses I have given above, are doing.

Qais, thank you for your comment, and for your warm words.
As for the pic you posted here - believe me there are much better once....:):) this one is of an ultra-orthodox man, who hate Israel as a secular state. He has nothing with peace. (Well, I can't be sure about the specific person in the pic, though,. but that is about them as a group among the other religious groups on Israel)

I am not sure I have expressed my self very well,( Englishhhhh), but I hope you got the point.

Shalom - Salaam- peace upon the world!!!

[Qais M. Yousef]

Thank you Eva so much for Sharing,
Irit, Thank you for standing against the Racist and injustice I can see the Peace from your words, and yes David, there are many Israelis and Jewish against the movements of the Zionism, i.e. "Not in Our Name (NION): Jewish voices opposing Zionism"
http://www.nion.ca/

And as cited above "B'Tselem : The Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories"
http://www.btselem.org/English/index.asp

And every day there are many Israelis and Jewish shout; "Not in our name", no human being accept the injustice, the apartheid, the massacres. all the humans love the Peace and harmony, and want to live in safe and peace.

All of us love the peace and hate the wars, the crimes and conflicts.
I'm so happy of your comment, that every comment contain "Love and Peace" I can see that every one commented here is a pro-peace person, love the peace and want the spreading of the peace.

I want to share a picture with you, which says that not all the Jewish agree with the Zionism.

Peace for the souls of those innocents in the Jordan Valley.
Peace for your soul my friends.

[Eva Libre]

Thank you for your very understandable words of frustration and sadness about the situation in your home Irit. It is also gratifying to know Israelis who suffer under the situation that do not agree with the policies of their government, and critically deal with it. Thank you for your open words for an incredible situation. May the day come when all Israelis and Palestinians can live together in peace. May the days coming as long as I'm still alive.