Second Half of Feb.2010 Update
(Feb. 16-28)
General Situation in Hebron:
Due to the announcement of Netanyahu on Feb. 22 that the Ibrahimi mosque would henceforth be considered a Jewish historical site, Palestinians were very skeptical and restless. Everyone wondered what action would follow by both the Israeli military and government. Acts of Palestinian nonviolent solidarity followed.
The military continued to harass the young men (shabab) daily on their military patrols which happened frequently in the Old City. The Hebron team continued to host delegations from many countries. There was also a strong collaborative effort with EAPPI to share personnel and knowledge a number of times through this month.
Military Actions at Checkpoints
Feb. 17
The Mosque checkpoint only allowed one child at a time to go through the turnstiles. Each child’s backpack was checked. Two teenagers gave up in frustration, and probably missed a day of school.
Feb. 18
One soldier experienced a lot of frustration at the Mosque turnstiles. He yelled at the Palestinians who were setting off the alarm with their cell phones, etc. He insisted that young men go through repeatedly until there were no more beepings. He spoke to CPTers after the crush was over and said there had been huge numbers going through and he couldn’t keep up with what he was expected to do.
Feb. 19
More chaos at the turnstile as the Palestinians were trying to go through for Mosque Prayer, only one at a time. A group of waiting Palestinians began to sing: “Allah akhbar.” Very soon after this (perhaps after some negotiation with a Palestinian) the men began to file through swiftly.
Feb. 22
With the announcement of Netanyahu about the Ibrahimi Mosque now being a Jewish Historical Jewish Site, much unrest followed on the streets in Hebron. Trouble brewed by the Qitoun and Beit Romano checkpoints. Rocks thrown by Palestinians were responded to with canisters of tear gas and percussion grenades by the military.
Feb. 26
Young men (shabab)_ especially in various parts of Hebron started to wage battles in their areas, in response to Netanyahu’s announcement. The military responded usually with tear gas.
Feb. 25
At the mosque there was a press conference. A member of the Palestinian Authority came down the hill to Shuhada St. Today the Palestinians had planned a counter demonstration on Shuhada St. to reopen it to the Palestinians.
Then it happened. Flags were waved as the people participating in the Action came down from Tel Rumeida. The Israeli military blocked the road. Mustafa Barghouti was in the front line of the demonstrators. There were people from all parts of the West Bank and also Israeli and International activists. The military almost immediately shot off tear gas. They did this repeatedly and also shot percussion grenade attacks. The Palestinians did absolutely no violence in response. One Palestinian woman was overcome by gas and one man was taken away in an ambulance. Jack spoke to the military after the demonstration: “This is not right. This has been a non-violent demonstration and you have replied with tear gas. This is not right.”
Actions of Palestinian Solidarity
Feb. 18
Planning meetings for the” Open Shuhada St. Action” began. CPTers attended with the organizers and they were assigned several tasks in preparation for the action.
Feb. 23
Leyla, CPT’s friend in the Women’s Cooperative in the Old City called to say that her son Akram and 4 other friends had been arrested. She had sent him to buy bread. The military accused him of throwing a stone.
Partnerships with Palestinians
Feb. 20
Imad G. Tomazy, a coordinator of social work care and practice of Hebron University, invited CPTers to attend a women’s group working on nonviolent strategies. Gainey and Chiba attended and decided this would be a good regular meeting for CPTers to attend when possible.
Feb. 26
The Grand Mullah asked all the people to worship in Hebron at the Ibrahimi Mosque to show they claimed this Mosque. In response, the Palestine National Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad came to worship today.
Settler Activity
Feb. 24
On the regular school patrol at Al Bweireh, four male teenage settlers passed CPTers on the path, two of whom took photos of the CPTers and one settler spat in the direction of the CPTers. Another responded to their greeting of “Shalom” with “Jesus pig.”
Feb. 20
On this Saturday and every Saturday of Feb. there was a settler tour through the Old City. The tours are led by a local settler, usually from Kiryat Arba.
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