PRESS RELEASE AUGUST 26 2015

The wave of Palestinian house demolitions in the West Bank indicates a failure of the new planning outline in Area C and the pursuit of demolitions instead     

On Sunday Aug 23, 2015, Rabbis for Human Rights sent a letter to the Minister of Defense warning against the widespread wave of Palestinian home demolitions in Area C, which is contrary to the defense establishment’s statements that it allows and is even improving Palestinian development in Area C. The organization, which fought for planning rights for Palestinians, asserts that while the State continues to refuse to make the necessary changes in the planning system, it has stepped up its demolition activity.

Download as pdf

Original Hebrew letter

RELATED:

Report by our colleagues at B’Tselem of recent wave of demolitions

Condemnation of recent demolitions by various NGOS and international bodies 

Recent demolition at A-Zaim near E1

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Among the many topics discussed in last week’s Torah portion (Ki Teitzei), the olive harvest is mentioned (Deut. 24:20)!  This year, Rabbi Ascherman, president and senior rabbi of RHR,  is again assuming personal responsibility for RHR’s accompaniment of farmers during the  harvest, and we need you in the field! Please help us update our volunteer lists by contacting our office and providing your email and phone number/s: 02-6482757, info@rhr.israel.net. REGISTER ONLINE

The Dialogue of the Grooves

With the help of our dedicated volunteers, Rabbis for Human Rights has succeeded in changing the lives of Palestinian landowners throughout the occupied territories for more than a decade.   A major component of improving the reality on the ground for these landowners is RHR’s yearly olive harvest campaign. During the fall and winter months, hundreds of local and international volunteers work side-by-side in solidarity with Palestinian farmers to safely harvest olives in high-risk areas where farmers are either threatened by attacks or intimidation tactics by radical Jews, or are in danger of having their land taken-over by settlements.  Our presence discourages radical settlers from making trouble, allowing farmers to complete their work in peace,  while also showing them a new and different face of Judaism – one that is compassionate and committed to brotherhood and human rights. For many Israelis, the olive harvest provides an opportunity to meet and get to know Palestinians. Over the years, we have harvested countless olives in solidarity with communities who have suffered damage and loss by radical Jews.

Last fall, RHR brought approximately 165 volunteers to harvest olives in twelve Palestinian villages located throughout the Occupied Territories on fifteen coordinated work days. Volunteers included young people, students, the elderly, rabbinical students, RHR staff and member rabbis, as well as a handful of groups.

Background on the Olive Harvest

Olives and olive trees carry crucial cultural, social, and economic significance in Palestinian society. With the trees’ deep roots and ability to survive harsh winters and dry summers, it represents connection to the land, hope, and resilience.

Ancient trees are often passed down through generations of Palestinian farmers and immense cultural importance is put on the labour around the trees’ life-cycle. This is especially true of the festive harvest season, when families and villages gather together to harvest the fruit.

Economically, olive production constitutes almost a quarter of all Palestinian agricultural income. The olive oil industry alone garners, on average, USD 5.4 million annually and over half of the cultivated land in the West Bank and Gaza is used to grow olive trees.

Tragically, right-wing extremists are all too aware of this. The trees therefore have become a prime target of attacks. Every year, thousands are burned, uprooted and brutally sawed. In early January of 2015, an estimated 5,000 olive saplings were uprooted between the Palestinian village of Turmus Ayya and the illegal outpost Adei Ad, while at least fifty mature trees were felled in the Palestinian village Yassuf. Trees were also reportedly destroyed in Safa, Ayad and Burin. Unfortunately, these crimes, as many others before them, almost always go unpunished.

• REGISTER ONLINE

TO SIGN UP TO HARVEST WITH US, CONTACT OUR OFFICE AT 02 648 2757 OR INFO@RHR.ISRAEL.NET

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Even in terms of the West Bank, the living situation of the clan of Obyait is a particularly difficult one.

According to Ali Obyait, 48, the head of one of the families whose tents were destroyed August 18 2015, they are refugees from the Negev who were expelled in 1948 to lands surrounding Bethlehem. However, in 1980, they were expelled again, this time to Al Malich in the northern Jordan Valley, so that the settlement of Maale Amos could be built. They finally settled in lands adjacent to the village of Fasayil after having to leave Al Malich because the land was made into a live firing zone for the Israeli army to practice. Now nearby Fasayil and without any land of their own, the family has had to settle on open land that does not belong to any individuals but is considered state lands. Therefore, they face demolitions. Of course, the state almost never considers the option of allocating state lands to Palestinians. 

The tents of Ali, his granddaughter aged 14 months and 22 members of his family are among the 31 residential structures and 26 other buildings destroyed by Israeli authorities in a recent wave of home demolitions during a record breaking heat wave since August 5 2015, reported by B’Tselem. Many of the buildings demolished are in the Maale Adumim/EI area.

14 month old baby crawls amidst the rubble of demolitions nearby Palestinian village of Fasayil during a heat wave reaching temperatures over 41 C

Photo: Pat Westwater-Jong

destroyed water receptacle

More from B’Tselem on the recent wave of demolitions

RHR’s letter to the defense minister condemning the recent wave of demolitions 

View additional photos

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A video showing the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Occupied Territories (COGAT) speaking on Susiya demonstrates that the residents of Susiya still very much face the threat of forced displacement, despite the demolitions not occurring this summer and a postponement of their High Court hearing.

Susya residents agreed to postpone the scheduled August 8th High Court hearing in order to allow more time to come to agreement. However, this recording of the Coordinator of Government Activities in the (Occupied) Territories in the Knesset on August 11th (Hebrew with English subtitles) is not in the spirit of a possible agreement- an agreement cannot move residents to the lands of other Palestinians, and must allow them to guard their lands 24/7.

Click here to learn more about the struggle of Susiya against forced demolition

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It appears that the incident we reported on in the middle of August was a Jewish terrorist attack which luckily did not end in the burning of another Palestinian family.

Burned tent in Ein Samia. Photo by Zakaria Sadah, Rabbis for Human Rights

If the assessment of the Jerusalem District Court is correct, which led to an indictment of two Jewish youths from the Baladim outpost,  then there is a suspicion that they are the ones who set fire to the tent in Ein  Samia. It was a miracle that the family slept elsewhere on the night of the arson, and hence noone was injured. The fact that the arson took place shortly after another arson that resulted in serious harm and the death of an infant in the Dawabshe family in the nearby village of Duma, tells us that it is unlikely the arsonists in Ein Samia were not aware of the possibility that their actions might lead to death.

RELATED:

Jerusalem Post: Two Israelis Charged with Torching Bedouin Tent in Suspected ‘Price Tag’ Incident

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On Sunday, September 20th Rabbis for Human Rights in cooperation with its interreligious and education departments held a special interfaith event at the Sheba Tel Hashomer hospital.

In the face of rising fundamentalism and a summer rocked by violence and murders, the event promoted a tolerant dialogue among religions and groups that live in the country. 

Teachings were by Rabbi Gilad Kariv, Sheikh, Sheikh Ghassan Manasra and Bishop William Shomali, Patriarch of Jerusalem. Prayers for the healing of Ahmed Dawabshe, all of the vicitims of violence in our society and for the healing of our society in general were led by Rabbi David Rosen, Father Daniel Aqleh, and Imam Ahmed Yunes.

Prayer for healing

Prayer for all human beings

Sheikh Ghassan Manasra

Rabbi Gilad Kariv

The evening was facilitated by Leah Shakdiel. The uncle of Ahmed Dawabshe, who is still hospitilized at Sheba after a horrific arson attack which took the lives of his brother, mother and father, also participated.

The Rabbi Gilad Kariv: Those who commit “price tag” attacks, do so as a Jewish act just as we are doing a Jewish act here. In Jewish writings, it is possible to find the most humanistic ideas side by side to very dark ideas. These are two sides to Judaism and until we understand this, we won’t be able to fight for the leading face of Judaism. It’s not that those who do hate crimes are a distortion of Judaism and that we are the true Judaism – rather, it is the struggle between two possible Judaisms.

RHR also calls upon the public to teach and discuss RHR’s ready lesson on this topic during Aseret Yamei T’shuva (10 Days of Repentance) in synagogues, community centers, home gatherings and/or any other appropriate forum. Please send pictures and reports to ravarik@rhr.israel.net. The lesson can be downloaded here 

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On Sunday, September 20 2015, Rabbis for Human Rights held an interfaith prayer and study session during the 10 Days of Repentance leading up to Yom Kippur. Below please find the prayers we used, and feel free to use them yourself.

In the face of rising fundamentalism and a summer rocked by violence and murders, the event promoted a tolerant dialogue among religions and groups that live in the country. 

Teachings were by Rabbi Gilad Kariv, Sheikh, Sheikh Ghassan Manasra and Bishop William Shomali, Patriarch of Jerusalem. Prayers for the healing of Ahmed Dawabshe, all of the vicitims of violence in our society and for the healing of our society in general were led by Rabbi David Rosen, Father Daniel Aqleh, and Imam Ahmed Yunes.

The evening was facilitated by Leah Shakdiel. The uncle of Ahmed Dawabshe, who is still hospitilized at Sheba after a horrific arson attack which took the lives of his brother, mother and father, also participated.

Below please find the prayers used during the event:

PRAYER FOR HEALING

By Rabbi Arik Ascherman

May the one who blessed our common ancestor Abraham bless our Jewish, Muslim and Christian communities in the Holy Land. May the Holy One of Blessing bless them with healing of body and healing of spirit, and healing from the scourge of hatred of the other that plagues us all, along with those afflicted with hatred throughout the world. May this happen speedily in our day, and let us say, Amen.

Download as word doc (Hebrew, English, Arabic)

Download as pdf

A PRAYER FOR ALL HUMAN BEINGS

By Rabbi Nava Hefetz

Creator of All, King of peace

Bless all who come into the world with physical health,

Health of the soul and health of spirit.

It is You who created us in Your image,

With love You blew into us Your spirit.

Give us the wisdom to defeat violence from the earth which

You created. Strengthen our hearts,

Protect us and save us.

Plant love in our hearts for people as people.

Male and Female You created

You are abounding in compassion and kindness

Make peace on earth and create happiness for all its people

Let it be according to the verse:

Nation will not lift up swords against nation, nor they will they learn war any longer.

Amen and so it shall be

Download as word doc

Download as pdf

Hebrew and Arabic version here

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On September 22 2015, California Senator Dianne Feinstein graciously received representatives from the villages of Susya and Um El Hiran – both under the immediate threat of demolition by the state of Israel. In July of this year, Senator Feinstein sent a letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asking him to halt any demolition orders for the village of Susya.

Below is what our partners in the Rebuilding Alliance , who brought the children and their parents to Senator Feinstein, said about the day:

“Please follow @SenFeinstein today as Senator Dianne Feinstein will make a public statement of what she said in our meeting. The Senator will also be posting a photo of our Susiya and Umm Al Kheir children sitting in her own desk chair! That’s where our meeting began!

The questions she asked, the statements she made, filled my eyes fill with tears. Rebuilding Alliance had brought three children and their parents to Washington DC for International Peace Day on Sep. 21st because their villages are facing imminent demolition. I brought an Israeli member of Villages Group too, their long-time friend. I knew we somehow had to make this happen, now, and there was no safety net for them (or for us … Rebuilding Alliance does not have deep pockets). Our meeting with Senator Feinstein mattered.

Senator Feinstein spent more than an hour with us, she did not rush. Right from the start, she was very clear that she would do everything she can to keep Susiya, Umm al Kheir and the other Palestinian village standing.

Fatma Nawaja, head of the Rural Women’s Association and a mother from Susiya, told her story in her own words, explaining how forced expulsion decimated their neighborhood of 100 families, and of the pain that still remains, even as internationals came to stay with them these summer months when demolition was imminent. Aysar, her nephew who is 14 years old, read the speech he carefully wrote describing what peace means to him and what it looks like. Fatma’s little boy, Hammoudy, presented Pinwheels for Peace to Senator Feinstein, tasted some candy, and fell completely asleep!

David Massey from Villages Group spoke about what this friendship with the people of Susiya and Umm al Kheir means to him … and in this particular meeting, somehow Eid Hthaleen did not speak but I think that was because his wife Naima was so very eloquent.

What Naima found words to say was something close to her heart. She told of that call to come home, bulldozers on their way, her racing home … past the destruction of the new mother’s house flattened, now in the sun with her newborn, both crying. Then running to her own mother’s home … her mother who was caring for her two little preschoolers… but no home left .. only to see Lin, my little daughter, passed out on the ground, wet from urine, in utter terror. It would take months for Lin to come back to herself. Naima asked Senator Feinstein to do all she can to make this stop.
Eid and Naima’s daughter, Sadin is only seven. Sadin held up her Pinwheel for Peace and said Salam Alaykum. She explained that to her, peace means being secure and safe. Sadin said that peace means your family stays all together and that your grandparents are ok, not hurt by settlers. In our briefing on Monday, Sadin added that peace means ‘Hurriya’ — Freedom.

Here are my favorite photos are of the Honorable Senator Grandmother with these remarkable children and moms!

Many next steps will come out of this meeting. Senator Feinstein would like to do a follow-up Dear Colleagues letter to Mr. Netanyahu to be cosigned by other senators — she asks our help to get signatories from both sides of the aisle. We are trying to find a way to extend the families’ stay another week because Sen. Feinstein will like to sponsor a Senate briefing about Susiya, Umm Al Kheir and Palestinian planning rights.”

Follow the Rebuilding Alliance on Facebook

Learn more about the struggle of Susya against forced displacement

This week, I met with Palestinians from Susiya and Um Al Kheir, villages in the West Bank facing demolition. pic.twitter.com/S1Ac9Sqr2y

— Sen Dianne Feinstein (@SenFeinstein) September 25, 2015

Plain and simple: Israel should not destroy these Palestinians’ homes. It will only inflame an already difficult situation.

— Sen Dianne Feinstein (@SenFeinstein) September 25, 2015

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Rabbis For Human Rights condemns the murders of Eitam and Naama Henkin Thursday (October 1 2015) evening, and the additional murders of two Israelis in the Old City today, Saturday October 3rd.   We pray for the quick recovery of those injured in the Old City stabbing today, and for the loved ones of the dead.

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PRESS RELEASE | OCTOBER 4 2015

Series of violent incidents against Palestinians in the southern West Bank follows recent bloody events.

South Hebron Hills village of Bir El Id: Security forces apparently blocked the access road with rocks at the initiative of Israeli extremists.

Palestinian village of Carmel:  Reports claim  a group of Israelis, apparently settlers, entered the area of a local pool, escaping the guard.

Abu Kavita, near the Yatir checkpoint: Israelis threw rocks at the enclosure and broke two solar panels used to generate electricity to the village, as it is not connected to the electricity grid.

Gush Etzion, between Elazar and Alon Shvut valley near “Derech Ha’avot”: Broken bottles and flammable materials were found inside a house, empty at the time, whose door was discovered to have been broken. It is suspected that this was a failed attempt to ignite the home using Molotov cocktails and/or flammable materials. Apparently the criminals fled the scene for unknown reasons before managing to set it on fire. However, they did successfully damage agricultural infrastructure and uprooted about 45 trees and shrubs on land belonging to a Palestinian resident of Artas village. The report includes the uprooting of vines and mulberry trees and the destroying of tomato plants. This area has a history of attempted take-overs by extremist settlers.

The above reports include some of the many incidents occurring in the West Bank. We will continue to report additional incidents as quickly as possible.

The gravest incidents have been a part of a series of bloody murders by Palestinians against Israeli Jews. All of these incidents are part of a dangerous cycle of violence in which innocent people pay the price for acts committed by extremists. Expanding the circle of hostility is not only a violation of human rights and morally bankrupt, but it also endangers us all.

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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED THIS WEEK FOR THE OLIVE HARVEST IN THE OCCUPIED TERRITORIES!

We need folks to sign up to join us for the harvest THIS WEEK! For those of you who have already signed up, now is the time for you to work with our office to specify a date. After starting last week (Oct 7th), we are pleased to report that the days have been quiet and successful, full of new friends, hard work, goodwill and solidarity.

Please email info@rhr.israel.net or call 02 678 3876 to sign up. Dates are available Sunday – Friday until Nov 6th. Fridays are shorter days due to Shabbat.

SECURITY UPDATE

Things in the territories are changing frequently because of the tense situation. We are in touch with both Palestinians and security forces in order to know where the harvest is taking place, where we are needed, and to know that we aren’t taking undo risk. We will be in touch those who have signed up the afternoon before in order to reconfirm with them.

WHAT TO BRING

Please bring protection from the sun (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen), plenty of water and a bagged lunch. Be sure to wear comfortable, closed toe shoes. We also request that you dress modestly and according to traditional Palestinian social norms (no shorts, exposed arms). Finally, please bring passports and/or ID cards.

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BREAKING: Initial Palestinian reports – Extremist settlers attack and injure Palestinian and International Activist near Huwara

According to Palestinians, the attack occurred on agricultural land between Huwara and Burin. It appears that a security coordinator from a nearby settlement (Har Bracha or Yitzar) was present at the incident and fired in the air and set fire to the field. Two were injured, a Palestinian and an international and their condition is not presently known. Police arrested four Israelis at the incident.

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From Rabbi Ascherman, October 13 2015:

For years RHR has been talking to the DCO (of the Israeli Civil Administration) about cows from the outposts connected to the Itamar settlement in the Palestinian olive groves below, eating the produce. We saw this again over the last few days while accompanying the olive harvest. But this time I saw something I have never seen. The settler atv is accompanying the cows back to the outposts, followed by the army. Are they protecting the tresspassers, or expelling them? What do you think?

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PRESS RELEASE | OCTOBER 20 2015
Despite real-time reports and documentation, police fail to stop thieves in Palestinian olive groves

In a pattern that continues each year at the start of the harvest, we have once again witnessed thefts of olives from Palestinian groves. As has occurred previously, once again this is accompanied by the unwillingness of the security forces to take action despite photos taken of the criminals, the crimes taking place in broad daylight, and reports filed in real time.

On Sunday, October 18 2015, thieves were spotted on land belonging to a Palestinian family from the village Al Janeena, located nearby the outpost Zayit Ra’anan. The theft was reported to police as it was occurring in real time yet no arrests were made. It is important to note that these thefts occur as a result of the military’s refusal to permit Palestinians to enter their own land – as this was an area which requires prior approval and coordination for entry. Because of this policy, Israeli extremists can easily enter the land and steal off of it. In addition, on Friday, two days prior, a theft occurred on the same site, compelling members of Rabbis for Human Rights to inform the police that the thieves might return. Unfortunately, despite the preventative measures taken, the authorities were still unable to take basic action to prevent the crime from occurring again.

Please note that Palestinian farmers in these areas have no way of protecting their property – their access to their groves is usually blocked by military orders, they face threats and violence at the hands of neighbouring Israeli extremists, and they are, of course, forbidden from carrying any weapons for use of protecting their private agricultural property. Contrary to Israeli citizens, including armed settlers, the safety of them and their property is totally dependent on Israeli security forces. This is another example of how the security forces compromise the rights of those living under their military rule.

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On Friday October 23 2015, Rabbi Ascherman was attacked by an extremist armed with a knife near the outposts of the Itamar settlement. Baruch HaShem, Rabbi Ascherman is OK. Please see below for an explanation and a video of the incident.

Testimony of Rabbi Arik Ascherman, attacked by Jewish extremist armed with a knife

On Friday, October 23rd, RHR and the Israeli army arranged for Palestinian farmers to harvest their olives in a grove just below the unrecognized outposts belonging to the Itamar settlement. RHR volunteers were not present with the harvesters, at the request of the army. Surprisingly, the army demanded that the pickers leave unusually early – even for a Friday – at 12:30,  and the harvesters left the area. Palestinians and RHR staff then spotted Israelis stealing from the very same olive grove  and they informed the security forces. The DCO  (Army liason unit that coordinates the harvest) soon arrived and took ID information from the thieves. In a nearby wadi, other Israelis set Palestinian olive trees on fire. Because the security forces didn’t answer, Rabbi Arik Ascherman went up to try to film the fire and the perpetrators.

While focused on the Israelis still far away, he failed to notice an additional masked Israeli who surprised him from the side. He began throwing rocks at Rabbi Ascherman, and threatened him with a knife. Rabbi Ascherman tried to back away, while facing his attacker and trying to protect a journalist who had come up with him. However, the attacker was kicking him and swinging the knife at Rabbi Ascherman as he was backing down the steep hill. Rabbi Ascherman lost his balance. Realizing that the attacker could at that point easily crush his skull with a rock or stab him, Rabbi Ascherman decided that he had no choice but to grab the leg of his attacker.

At that point, the attacker positioned himself on Rabbi Ascherman’s back, and could have easily stabbed him. He chose not to do so, and instead ran away.

Rabbi Ascherman said that he and a number of activists who had come remained on the hill so that the Israelis would also stay, and the security forces would have a chance to apprehend them.. However, the security forces didn’t arrive until after a army jeep arrived below, causing the Israelis to run away.

Video filmed by Zakariah Sadah of Rabbis for Human Rights

Related media

972 Magazine: WATCH: Jewish extremist tries to stab “rabbi for human rights’

Haaretz: Masked Jewish man attacks head of Rabbis for Human Rights

Huffington Post: Suspected Jewish extremist attacks human rights rabbi on video

Times of Israel: WATCH: Jewish extremist attacks Israeli activist with knife

More about RHR’s annual Palestinian olive harvest

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Rabbinical, cantorial, and Jewish education students – Join Rabbis for Human Rights THIS Friday, October 30th, for a special opportunity to harvest olives alongside Palestinians in the Occupied Territories!

We will be harvesting with a welcoming Palestinian community, far from any Israeli settlements. We therefore do not anticipate any security issues. Please note, that will this program is specifically designed for rabbinical, cantorial and education students, ALL are welcome to join. We will depart from Liberty Bell Park at 8am and return by 2pm.

If this day is not good for you, we will be going out most day (Sunday-Friday) until November 6th. You are welcome to join us any of those days instead or as well.

To register for Friday or any other day: info@rhr.israel.net or call 02 648 2757

Question? Contact Rabbi Ascherman at 050 560 7034 or ravarik@rhr.israel.net

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Photo for demonstrative purposes only

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On October 26th 2015, Rabbi Ascherman was interviewed by Amy Goodman of Democracy Now! following the release of a video of him being attacked by an Israeli extremist which went viral. Unfortunately, the satellite feed cut out midway through the interview.

Please click here to read the transcript of the interview.

More on the attack, including photos

Note: Rabbi Ascherman is NOT a co-founder of RHR. He joined five years after it was founded.

“Amy Goodman in 2010″ by ChrisEaves.com – Amy Goodman. Licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Commons

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Youtube has removed the video of Rabbi Ascherman’s attack from where it was originally posted with the claim that it was “designed to harass, bully or threaten.” It had received over 150,000 views. Of course this is entirely false, and is most likely the result of a deliberate efforts by others to cover up the truth. We are appealing the removal.

However, the video can still be viewed here

Full account of the incident with additional photos

Click for a listing of the many media articles featuring the incident

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On Friday October 30th, rabbinical, cantorial, and other international students spending the year in Israel participated in the Palestinian olive harvest with RHR in the village of Burin. 

Students harvested olives side-by-side with Palestinian farmers, enjoyed a meal together, visited an olive press, and learned about threats the farmers face from Jewish extremists, and what RHR does to help.

Thank you to all who came out! It was a wonderful day.

Our next program for rabbinical and other international students will be on December 17th, with Rabbi Idit Lev on social justice and poverty in Israel.

ps – If you were with us on Friday, we would love to hear your reflections and thoughts on the day! You can send them to Rabbi Ascherman at ravarik@israel.net.il and we will be happy to publish them on our website and other social media forums (or link to them if you have a blog)

Join the harvest!

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