2019-09 Newsletter

• Hebron: Settlers entered the home of the Abu Rajab family, also called the Patriarchs House, adjacent to the Cave of the Patriarchs. The acquisition and ownership of this building is highly questionable while Palestinian families live on either side of the building. The number of roadblocks in the area continues to rise.   Read ▶  
• Encounters in the Negev: Last month MachsomWatch volunteers began visiting the unrecognized Bedouin villages in the Negev with the goal of highlighting these communities and their problems. The visits are conducted jointly with members of the Standing Togethermovement and other peace and human rights activists in the south. Read ▶
• Etzion District Command Office: The DCO has not been able to cope with the hundreds of people who come daily to receive magnetic cards that are now essential for any Palestinian crossing at checkpoints (it turns out even for babies).  People waited for hours outside the office during the scorching summer heat and many had to turn back empty handed.  Read ▶  .
• Jordan Valley Expulsions:  Expulsions of Palestinian residents of the Jordan Valley continue despite protests and tragedies. On July 24, bulldozers arrived to demolish the encampment of the Ka'abana family in Ein Hadidya (previously demolished in May).  While The desperate family, loaded on a tractor pulling a cart, went looking for another place of shelter, an Israeli truck hit the tractor -newborn baby Hanna was killed, her mom Shara critically injured. The father and two additional children were also injured. MachsomWatch volunteers have been following and supporting the family during this tragedy.  Read ▶
• Kfar Kadum: Weekly demonstrations continue in protest of the 2003 closure of the ancient road leading to the city of Nablus. Morad Shatiwi, one of the protest leaders was arrested in August for two weeks upon his return from a visit to Jordan. Military actions during the protests continue to rise, including the use of live firearms. The goal is to eliminate any resistance and protest of the occupation.  Read ▶

We are relieved that the contentious elections are over. As the new government is being formed we hope it will include voices that speak out  for an end to the Occupation!
 

Photo: Patient transferred back-to-back, Tamar Fleishman 

The Right to Health Care Under the Occupation
 

The right to health is a universally declared right.  What happens in the Occupied territories is another matter. Health services for Palestinians remain in a constant state of scarcity.  

To find out what this means continue reading...

Photo: Efrat Sela

To Experience the Sea for One Day
  

Fun days at the seaside for Palestinian children from the West Bank are organized each year by 7 women activists, mostly members of MachsomWatch. These Sea Days provide the children and their mothers a rare opportunity to enjoy time at the beach, which they cannot reach on their own. In 2019 there were 23 Sea Days, attended by more than 1,200 Palestinians from the West Bank, supported by 400 volunteers.

Take a peek behind the scenes – read here...