Monthly Archives: June 2010

Beyond the Flotilla, the Crackdown Continues

Posted on June 3, 2010 | 23 Comments

From a piece I’ve just posted in the Huffington Post:

As I read the myriad of reactions to the Gaza Freedom Flotilla tragedy last Sunday, I’m struck by one recurring theme: the sense of astonishment that these activists responded to the Israeli Navy with violence.

In other words, they didn’t act according to the script. They didn’t behave like proper practitioners of civil disobedience. The implication: if they had responded like the non-violent activists they were purported to be, this whole tragedy could well have been avoided.

There’s only problem with this calculus: non-violent Palestinian protests have actually been ongoing throughout the Occupied Territories for years – and the Israeli military has been responding to them with much the same kind of brutality that was used against the passengers of the Mavi Marmara.

Click here to read the article.

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Posted in Gaza, Human Rights, Israel, Nonviolence, Palestine

Tent of Nations Update: Appeal Refused

Posted on June 1, 2010 | Leave a comment

Friends of Tent of Nations has just released this statement from Daoud Nassar. The situation on the Nassar family farm is growing dire.  Please sign the petition, if you haven’t already.

We pray for better news in five days time…

Dear Friends of Tent of Nations all over the world,

Two hours ago, I received a phone call from our Lawyers Mr. Sani Khoury and Mr. Jonathan Kuttab. they received a Fax from the Israeli Military Authority  says that our Appeal against the demolishing orders of our renovations has been refused . They wanted to come today to demolish the renovations, but they gave us  “because of their generosity” another five days time, before coming to demolish those renovations. What can we do with five days time?!

At this moment, we have two options: the first one is to accept the situation as it is and just wait for the Israeli Military to come and destroy the place OR to continue the legal battle by bringing this case in front of the Supreme Court in Israel which might rule to freeze the demolishing orders until it takes a decision. Usually court cases like this will take a year or two, if the Supreme Court decides to freeze the demolishing orders.

Bringing this case to the Supreme Court will cost us a lot of money and this will increase our financial burden.We are defending our land from being confiscated for more than twenty years, we paid a lot for legal expenses, BUT without getting tired.

We are people who believe in Justice, we will continue our just struggle and will bring this case in front of the Israeli Supreme Court challenging the injustice we are facing. In the meanwhile we ask you to keep us in your prayers, to keep writing advocacy letters and to inform as many people as you can about our story.

I am sure that our efforts together will make a difference. Thank you so much for this support and solidarity.

“But those who wait on the LORD, shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31).

Please find below the letter I received today from our Lawyer Mr. Sani Khoury.

Blessings and Salaam,

Daoud

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Posted in Coexistence, Human Rights, Israel, Nonviolence, Palestine, Peace