Dozens of Israeli peace activists arrested
-23/05/05
Christian peacemakers in Israel have reported that thirty-two peace activists have been arrested while attempting to visit Palestinians on Tel Rumeida.
Over forty Israelis from Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, members of Ta’ayush and other organizations, attempted a solidarity visit with Palestinian families living near the Israeli settlement of Tel Rumeida.
Soldiers however chased and arrested thirty-two of the peace activists in different areas of the Palestinian-controlled area of Hebron, reports Christian Peacemaker Teams, who are based in Israel.
Ten activists were reportedly able to reach and visit two families who live next to the settlement. The ten hid in Palestinian homes and alleyways and were able to enter Tel Rumeida with the assistance of Palestinian bystanders.
Armed Israeli settlers blocked the exit of one of the Palestinian homes, forcing activists to leave by a different route.
Eldad Kisch, an Israeli activist said; “The IDF is completely subservient to Hebron settlers. Why do they try to prevent peace? How can the army be so afraid of a few Israelis having tea and talking with a few Palestinians in their homes? What happened today was a bloody shame.”
Soldiers detained Hani Abu Haikel, a Palestinian resident of Tel Rumeida, as he tried to protect his children from settlers. A dozen settlers had attacked the Abu Haikel home, and moved closer as they stoned and broke windows where the room where the children were hiding. Israeli soldiers reportedly did nothing.
Abu Haikel rushed to protect his children and was subsequently blindfolded and detained by soldiers while his children cried. The soldiers later released him.
Settlers also stoned international observers, including members of Christian Peacemaker Teams, while they were on their
way to visit the Abu Haikel home.