Thursday, June 9th 2015,  an exhibition of sculptures by Palestinian Bedouin artist Eid Hadaleen of the village Umm al Khair, just adjacent to the Carmel settlement, will open at Minshar college in South Tel Aviv.

The exhibition opens at  7:30 in the Minshar gallery. Gallery hours: 11am-7pm, Sunday- Thursday.

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In an act of solidarity with the Palestinian village of Susya, currently under immediate threat of demolition by the state, all 28 EU member states with Jerusalem consulates sent representatives to the village on Sunday, June 7 2015.

Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah (center-right) and EU Head of Mission to Palestine John Gatt-Rutter (center-left) visit the West Bank village Susya, which is slated for demolition. (photo: Michael Schaeffer Omer-Man via 972 magazine)

John Gatt Rutter, EU Representative to the Occupied Territories, gave the following statement:

We very much hope this doesn’t go ahead, but rather that these communities are given the possibility  to develop their economies, to develop their existence….What I would like to see is a much more efficient planning and permitting regime through which these communities are given…permits to develop, to build their infrastructure.

Related media:

972 Magazine: Diplomats, activists rally to save Palestinian village from “forced transfer”

The Telegraph: EU diplomats unite in support of demolition-threatened Palestinian village

The Jerusalem Post: EU official to Israel: Don’t demolish unauthorized Palestinian village

Background and details on the story of Susya and its struggle against forced displacement

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Two rainwater cisterns have been destroyed today, leaving a West Bank village without drinking water.

“CatD9T” by Shaun Greiner – CAT D9T. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons -

Two days after the High Court of Justice ruled to uphold the military planning system operating in Area C of the West Bank, Palestinians are left without water after the army demolished their two water cisterns. The demolition occurred in Wadi Fukin, west of Bethlehem, where the village relies mainly on agriculture for subsistence and is largely without water infrastructure. Two rainwater collecting cisterns were also essential for irrigation and watering animals. Wadi Fukin is in Area C, where Israel is fully responsible for all aspects of civilian life.

This is an example of the problematic nature of the current military planning system, which lacks representation of Palestinian residents. Two days ago, the High Court rejected a petition which sought to avoid situations such as this by restoring planning powers to the Palestinians. Restoring planning rights to Palestinians would address the lack of infrastructure in Palestinian villages, the blocking of local initiatives for infrastructure development and would effectively end the demolition of hundreds of homes and buildings a year due to the inability to obtain building permits.

The post West Bank village left without drinking water appeared first on Rabbis for Human Rights.

For a number of years, RHR has run a successful summer camp for Jahalin Bedouin children living in the Jabal community next to Azaria near Ma’ale Adumim. The Jahalin live in a high level poverty, and are among the most underprivileged and neglected segment within Palestinian society itself. Unemployment is extremely high, as is illiteracy.  Half of the residents of the Jabal are children and young people who simply have no enrichment options, especially in the summer. Our summer camp offers the children arts and crafts activities, music, drama, sports, and games.

Following is an update from Rabbi Yehiel Grenimann on the camp this summer:

These past two weeks on the Jahalin Bedouin Jabel,  Ibtisam [a local Bedouin woman employed by RHR to coordinate education for children in her community] has, with our help, been running the summer camp for school age kids once again. Attendance increased this year and we have had more boys than in past years (about 40 boys in addition to the usual crowd – between 50 and 60 – of girls). There are seven volunteers and two group leaders from a Canadian organization called  Operation Groundswell who have been helping out in various ways, as have some  other volunteers. Photos below  show the volunteers preparing food and drink for the camp, as well as fencing and clearing out a yard for tree-planting (16 trees will be planted)  and future use by the children as a play area.

Learn more about our work with the Jahalin Bedouin

The post Photos: Summer camp for the Jahalin Bedouin children appeared first on Rabbis for Human Rights.

On April 22 2015, senior RHR staff member Rabbi Yehiel Grenimann visited the Belgian Parliament with Dr. Amro of Birzeit University,  where they were hosted by the chair of their Middle east parliamentary committee, Deputee Federale, Gwenaelle Grovonius. The men met with pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli lobbies for a lively discussion. All were very appreciative of the information shared by Rabbi Grenimann and Dr Amro “from the ground.”

The post Photos: Rabbi Yehiel Grenimann visits Belgian Parliament appeared first on Rabbis for Human Rights.

Fawzi’s harvest with the proximity of the the outpost Esh Kodesh visible in background

RHR field worker Zakaria Sadah

Settler with the army and police

The post Despite settler’s provocations, Palestinian farmer successfully harvests appeared first on Rabbis for Human Rights.

English speakers  visting Israel this summer are invited to join RHR’s English language tours created for Hartman rabbinic seminar participants to visit the village of Susya and Umm el Hiran, both under the immediate threat of demolition of Israeli authorities. These tours have been created for Hartman participants, but we are opening them to the wider English speaking public.  For those interested, it is also possible to arrange tours by appointment.  See below for details.

The village of Susya is an “unrecognized” Palestinian village in the South Hebron Hills. Um el Hiran is an “unrecognized” Israeli Bedouin village in the Negev. They have at least one thing in common – both are in immediate danger of being totally destroyed. The Israeli government has approved plans to replace Bedouin “Um el Hiran” with Jewish “Hiran.”

What would be the just and righteous way to treat these non-Jews living in our midst?

Are they “gerim” or “re’im” or “oyvim?”

How do the Israeli legal system and the Israeli people treat each of them?

Why is the U.S. State Department receiving calls from Congress people about Susya, and why have the RA, CCAR/URJ/RAC, Ohala, RRA and 65 British rabbis ranging from Orthodox to Masorti to Reform and Liberal urged Israel to resolve outstanding Bedouin issues through genuine dialogue with the Bedouin leadership?

FRIDAY JULY 3  12:45-5pm
FRIDAY JULY 10 8:30am -2pm
(or by appointment)

Tours depart and return to the Shalom Hartman Institute (11 Gedalyahu Alon Street, Jerusalem)

RSVP: RHR offices at 02-648-2757 or info@rhr.israel.net or call Rabbi Ascherman at 050-560-7034

 More information on the threat to Susya

More information on the threat to Umm el Hiran

download PDF

The post A Tale of Two Villages: English language tours to Susya & Umm el Hiran appeared first on Rabbis for Human Rights.

PRESS RELEASE | JULY 24 2015

The report of the United Nation’s Human Rights Council on the warfare during Operation Protective Edge is a reminder of the opportunity missed by the Israeli governments – the absence of an independent Israeli investigations committee.   An independent investigation committee – transparent, critical and willing to take risks-  tasked with examining  if and when we  failed in to meet our own moral standards during the fighting this past summer would have helped us improve our own moral character. Unfortunately,  we are unable to see in Israel’s Foreign Ministry’s report on the fighting a product of such an investigation.  

Israeli artillery attacking Gaza, Israel-Gaza Border, 21.7.2014 PHOTO: Yotam Ronen/Activestills.org

Attempts by the Israeli officials to present the combat policies during Protective Edge as spotless will not succeed. The issue at hand is not related merely to the level of the individual soldier, and cannot be attempts to shift all the responsibility onto one specific soldier.  Certain efforts in Israel to present all aspects of the fighting in Protective Edge as a consequence of “ no choice” will also not sway the international community.  Even in cases where there was tension between protecting the life of non-combatant Gazans and risking our soldiers, we must use proportionality, as the IDF has done in the past; areas like these require thorough examination, and not simply slogan waving and shouting.

We nevertheless call on the international community to judge Israel’s fighting in Gaza according to the transparent international standards that govern the conduct of armies fighting in high-density areas.

Israel has a right to defend its citizens, but even just wars should be bound by moral red lines and we should discuss them and their application in practice.

“Thus blood of the innocent will not be shed, bringing bloodguilt upon you in the land that the Lord your God is allotting to you” (Numbers 19:10).

Read RHR posts and reflections during the 2014 war in Gaza

The post RHR Response to the UN’s Report on Operation Protective Edge appeared first on Rabbis for Human Rights.

The Palestinian village of Susya, legally represented by RHR,  is currently under immediate threat of demolition. The Van Leer Jerusalem Institute will be hosting a discussion on the political, historical, international and legal aspects of Susya’s case featuring RHR lead lawyer Quamar Mishriqi Asad. 

Susya: Local or a national issue?

June 29th, 18:30-21:00

Van Leer Jerusalem Institute (43 Jabotinsky Street, Jerusalem)

Free admission with simultaneous English translation

Additional information can be found here

The post June 29 conference: Susya – Local or national issue? appeared first on Rabbis for Human Rights.

A new podcast from Partners for Progressive Israel details the history and legal background of Susiya, a South Hebron Hills village, represented by RHR’s legal team, currently under imminent threat of demolition. The podcast features an interview with Jerusalem based artist and activist, Robin Levy.

Please listen here

The podcast was put together by Nicole Cooper, a participant of Achvat Amim, a five month Jerusalem based volunteer program working closely with RHR. Achvat Amim aims to build Jewish identity while learning about human rights work in the region through firsthand, on the ground experience. 

An additional podcast focusing on a recent action weekend in the South Hebron Hills,  featuring interviews with participants can be heard here. Please note the opinions expressed represent those of the individuals  interviewed, and not necessarily those of RHR.

Click here to learn more about the struggle of Susya against forced displacement

The post PODCAST ON SUSIYA: A village under imminent threat of demolition appeared first on Rabbis for Human Rights.

Israeli West Bank barrier – North of Meitar, near the southwest corner of the West Bank, in 2006. cc-wikipedia, public domain

The post Press Release: State refuses to mend breach in security barrier when risk is to Palestinians appeared first on Rabbis for Human Rights.

Yesterday marked the 17th of the Hebrew month of Tammuz (technically, it was the 18th, due to the 17th falling on Shabbat), a Jewish fast day commemorating the breach in the walls of Jerusalem leading up to the destruction of the Second Temple, and the beginning of a three week mourning period ending with Tisha B’Av (9th of the month of Av).  It is also traditionally said to be the date of a number of other calamities that befell the Jewish people over the year. Last year, the 17th of Tammuz and the mourning period that follows it coincided with much of the fighting in Gaza during Operation Protective Edge.

Rabbi Yehiel Grenimann, senior staff of RHR, reflects on the events of last summer after having concluded the fast.

A year ago my wife and I were planning a trip to Eastern Europe. I wanted to visit Poland and White Russia where my late parents were from. But our plans changed and last summer turned into something of a nightmare. First, the kidnapping of three young Israelis, then,  the  worry about their fate, the discovery of their bodies  and the realization that they had been murdered, the murder in Shuafat, the outburst of hatred in the streets of Jerusalem, the missiles  in the south from Gaza,  the war, our son’s call up to miluim in Gaza, the worry and sleepless nights, the horrific pictures of the bombing of Gaza.

We cancelled our trip and stayed in the country. We prayed for the souls of those lost in the terrible and senseless wave of violence, and for the safe return of our son. Between delving into the sad past of my family in Poland, visiting the places of death of millions and being here when we were needed,  we chose the latter. To us an obvious choice.

A year has passed. Gaza has still not been rebuilt, those lost are still gone, the many civilians and the militants killed in Gaza have been buried as have the Israeli soldiers and civilians lost, the maimed are still lacking limbs, some of the wounded have healed or are slowly healing, though many of the traumatized will never fully know peace or sanity again.

My G-d, how can all this craziness of hatred and bigotry be overcome! It still lurks in our midst ready to explode again, the psychological sores inflicted then are infected with this hatred, and those wanting more terror and death await the opportunity to reignite them. The cynics play politics with our fears and hopes but the embers of hatred are still hot, the ongoing injustice and hopelessness sets off sparks of renewed violence, and some people are again murdered or maimed by desperate young terrorists.

In this period of mourning between 17 of Tammuz and the 9th of Av in which the results of ancient hatred, the craziness of the zealots and their messianic dreams are remembered, and we are once again told to beware of baseless hatred (“Sinat Hinam”), let us renew our commitment to sanity and peace, and understand that the Divine G-d we Jews, Christians and Moslems worship is a G-d of Mercy and compassion for whom acts of loving-kindness and the pursuit of justice are much more precious and valued than any kind of supposed superiority built on repression of others or fundamentalist triumphalism.

Either we live together here or we continue as we have these past many summers dancing on in our crazy dance towards death and destruction.

G-d, help us choose life!

Additional writings and reflections from RHR rabbis for staff during the 2014 Gaza war

The post One year after Gaza: A Thought/Prayer after the Fast of 17 Tammuz appeared first on Rabbis for Human Rights.

The army came to Susya on Sunday, July 12th,  and announced that there will be demolitions after Id El-Fitr (July 20th) and before the August 3rd court hearing. NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT! Look below for what you can do.

DEMONSTRATION IN SUSYA THIS FRIDAY (JULY 24).

* Buses are leaving from Liberty Bell Park in Jerusalem at 12pm, and from Arlozorov Station in Tel Aviv at 11:30am, and will return before Shabbat*

Additional information

OTHER CRITICAL WAYS YOU CAN HELP:

1. Volunteer as part of the constant presence in the village should demolitions occur.  This is first and foremost to be with the people of Susya in case of demolition, and also to document it. Shifts are from the evening until the mid morning. This is the single most important thing you can do.

SIGN UP HERE

2. Run down to Susya on short notice if necessary. We want to know who has a car, and whether they want to receive notifications by sms, whatsapp, etc.

SIGN UP HERE

3.  Join us at the High Court on August 3rd for Susya’s hearing. 

4. Share and post about Susya on social media using the hashtag #SaveSusiya

FRIENDS ABROAD

5. Contact your elected officials and ours!

* If you are in the USA, contact your congressperson here

*Sign an urgent letter to Secretary of State of John Kerry here

* Contact your local Israeli embassy. Please look here for a listing of them.

Please, let’s not let this happen again!

Details about the threat of forced displacement for the Palestinian village of Susya

The post Susya needs you now! Demolitions expected between July 20th and August 3 appeared first on Rabbis for Human Rights.

An estimated 145 saplings have been uprooted or snapped in half over the last week in Turmus Ayya near the outpost Adei Ad. This is the same location where at least 1,000 saplings were destroyed in January of this year. 

Locals report seeing Israeli youth around the ages of 15-25 in the area daily. By the time the police arrive, if they arrive, the youth are gone.

The post Olive saplings destroyed in Palestinian village Turmus Ayya near outpost Adei Ad appeared first on Rabbis for Human Rights.

Over 200 prominent Israelis, including novelists David Grossman, A.B. Yehoshua, and Etgar Keret, sign a public statement published in the Israeli newspaper Haaretz (July 20th) against the demolition of Susya!

From the NGO B’Tselem

Over 200 women and men from a wide variety of fields – including arts and culture, education, academia and law, to name but a few – signed a public statement we [B'tselem] ran in this morning’s edition of Israeli Hebrew daily Haaretz. They are saying “No!” in a loud and clear voice, speaking out against the planned demolition and effective expulsion of the residents of Khirbet Susiya, a small Palestinian village in in the South Hebron Hills. Below is a translation of the Hebrew text:

NO to Expulsion:
The Israeli Civil Administration and military informed the residents of Khirbet Susiya that they plan to demolish half their village this week, effectively expelling the villagers from their land.

The planned demolition and expulsion are cruel, immoral and unlawful.
Implementation would be both shameful and heartbreaking.

Learn more about the plight of Susya

Crucial ways you can help fight the demolition 

The post 200 prominent Israelis sign statement in support of Susya appeared first on Rabbis for Human Rights.

Rabbi Arik Ascherman, senior rabbi and president of RHR, interviewed on DW news on West Bank demolitions and Susya

Related

Media round-up of recent press on Susya

ACT NOW: How to help fight the demolitions of Susya

More information on the struggle to save Susya

The post LISTEN: Rabbi Ascherman interviewed by Deutsche Welle News on Susya appeared first on Rabbis for Human Rights.

There are signs that the pressure being applied on Israel to not demolish Susya is having an effect. We are asking our friends and supporters abroad to please contact the Israel embassy near them, and politely but firmly and passionately ask that justice be done for the residents of Susya. Following is a sample letter that can be sent. Please look here for a list of local embassies. Please keep contacting your elected officials as well. 

Here is a draft letter including the basic facts about Susya.  You can personalize this by writing of your feelings and ethical values.

Dear ________,

We are writing to express our extreme concern and distress that Israel is poised to demolish the S. Hebron Hills village of Susya.  The residents of Susya were expelled from their homes in 1948 and 1986. Now, a third generation seems about to suffer the same fate.

The  question regarding Palestinian Susya is not one of land ownership, but the fact that Palestinians have no planning and zoning authority for their lands and communities in Area C.  Your government’s claim that there never was a Palestinian village is contradicted by testimony from your own officials. In 1982, government lawyer Plia Albeck, openly sympathetic to the settlement movement,  wrote of the existence of the village, and that they owned 750 acres of surrounding lands.  Also in 1982 the settlement of Susya was established nearby. They were expelled from their homes in 1986 when their village was made into an archeological site because of an ancient synagogue located in the village. In other locations, residents have not been expelled when a specific structure is declared an archeological site. The residents moved into caves on their farmlands.  Although the Israeli High Court returned the residents to their homes after an expulsion in 2001, the Israeli army had  demolished their caves, filled in many of their water cisterns and denied access to others.  They couldn’t repair their caves.

The Israeli army’s Civil Administration makes planning decisions for Palestinians without Palestinians having any authority regarding the future of their communites.  It rarely approves building plans initiated by Palestinians. They had no real chance to build legally.

In 2011 settlers and Regavim appealed to the Israeli High Court, asking the Court to require the army to carry out extant demolition orders against the village.  However, the village was given a chance to one more time try to legalize their community by submitting a master building plan to the Civil Adminstration of the army. The plan was cynically rejected on the ground that it would be unfair to force the residents to live in an isolated community lacking infrastructure. The fact is that elctricity lines and water mains pass by the village, were the residents allowed to benefit from them.  A settler representative at the hearing to evaluate the plan gave another reason.  He stated that the hearing was a farce because the committee couldn’t possibly allow a Palestinian village so close to the Susya settlement.

Rabbis For Human Rights is representing Susya in an appeal of the rejection of the master paln. That appeal is scheduled to be heard on August 3^rd.

However, top army officers arrived in Susya on July 12^th to announce that demolitions would be carried out before the August 3^rd hearing because of settler pressure.

Your government’s actions do not reflect a desire to treat Palestinians justly and fairly.  Please accept Susya’s professional master plan proposal, and please change the planning system to allow Palestinians true authority over planning their Area C communities.

Sincerely,

__________

Additional information on what you can do to save Susya!

The post Friends abroad: Tell the Israeli embassy near you to save Susya! appeared first on Rabbis for Human Rights.

On Friday July 24 2015, nine buses full of Israelis, internationals, and activists  arrived in the small Palestinian village of Susya in order to show support to the village currently under immediate threat of demolition. The demonstration was one of the largest joint protests in recent history in the Occupied Territories, and was organised by Rabbis for Human Rights along with Israeli NGOs B’Tselem, Combatants for Peace, and Ta’ayush. 

A number of rabbis also joined the protest including RHR’s Rabbis Arik Ascherman, president and senior rabbi of RHR,  and Idit Lev, director of RHR’s social justice in Israel department. Also present was rabbinical student Yael Vargan, RHR advisory board member Rabbi Michael Marmur, British Rabbi Danny Smith and Rabbi Amita Jarmon.

Rabbi Idit Lev (left) and rabbinical student Yael Vargan

“selfie” by Rabbi Arik Ascherman, president and senior rabbi of RHR

British rabbi Danny Smith

RHR advisory committee member Rabbi Michael Murmur (right)

Banner reads “Susya will remain Palestinian”

 More on the July 24th protest:  

Hundreds protest forced transfer, destruction of Palestinian village Susya, Michael Schaeffer Omer-Man, July 24 2015, 972 Magazine

A traffic jam in the middle of the desert, Adam Keller blog “Crazy Country,” July 25 2015

Additional photos here

More on the struggle to save Susya:

How you can help

Background on Susya

Media round-up

The post Rabbis join hundreds protesting in solidarity with Susya! appeared first on Rabbis for Human Rights.

Tisha b’Av is a fast day in Judaism commemorating many tragedies that have befallen the Jewish people – most notably the loss of the First and Second Temples. It is a tragic day and one spent in mourning by Jews throughout the world.

This Tisha b’Av Rabbi Ascherman, president and senior rabbi of RHR, choose to mourn  amidst the threatened demolitions of both Susya and the Israeli-Bedouin village of Umm al Hiran,  the ruins of the village Atir, and the on-going destruction of Al Arakib. Following is a short narrative of his journey followed by photos.  To read about why Rabbi Ascherman choose to commemorate this important Jewish holiday in this way, please read here. 

Between destruction and hope: A Tisha b’Av journey in photos

By Rabbi Ascherman

As I have already written, there are those who get quite angry at the idea of remembering the destructions or potential destructions of others in the context of Tisha B’Av. I believe that is the essence of the commandment to remember that we were strangers in the land of Egypt. The hope comes from belief in God and from our commitment.

Putting on tefillin for minkha on Tisha B’Av, although we didn’t wear them in the morning, they symbolize the transition from mourning to hope.

Weekly vigil with the residents of Israeli-Bedouin village of Al Arakib. Although their village has been destroyed 85 times, they haven’t given up.

Reading the Book of Lamentations where El-Araqib once stood.

Standing before Umm al Hiran, an Israeli-Bedouin village whose residents currently live under the looming threat of demolition.

Standing amid the rubble that is all that is left of this section of the unrecognised Bedouin-Israeli village of Atir. Two families had their homes demolished. The rest did “self demolition” to avoid getting a bill from the State for the “service” of demolishing their homes.

Talking theology in Susya during the final hour of the fast, when we move to hope.

Breaking the fast in Susya

More information:

Additional information on the struggle of Susya against forced displacement

How you can help Susya

Additional information on the plans to demolish Umm el Hiran

The post Between destruction and hope: Rabbi Ascherman’s 5775 Tisha b’Av journey appeared first on Rabbis for Human Rights.

Over 40 British rabbis signed a letter addressed to Daniel Taub, Israel’s Ambassador to the UK, requesting a halt to the impending demolitions in Susya.

Special thanks to Sylvia Rothschild of British Friends of Rabbis for Human Rights for coordinating the letter. Please find the text of the letter below or on the British Friends of Rabbis for Human Rights website. 

“Ambassador Daniel Taub” by Public1london – Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ambassador_Daniel_Taub.jpg#/media/File:Ambassador_Daniel_Taub.jpg

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