Emergency protest to be held in ‘Solidarity With Jenin’

The Hastings and Rye Palestine Solidarity Campaign (HRPSC) will hold an emergency protest this Saturday at 12 noon in Hastings Town Centre in ‘solidarity with the people of Jenin’. Katy Colley writes.

On Monday (3 July), Israeli military forces launched an all-out assault on the densely populated refugee camp in the West Bank from both the air and the ground, killing 11 people including four children and injuring hundreds.

The massive invasion was the largest raid in the West Bank in 20 years and has left the city in ruins and forced thousands to flee their homes for safety.

Residents of the refugee camp, many of whom had been ethnically cleansed from the Galilee in 1948, were left stunned by the sheer scale of the destruction as Israeli bulldozers levelled streets surrounding the camps and vital infrastructure was left in ruins.

Dozens of military vehicles and hundreds of Israeli soldiers poured into the camp in the early hours of Monday morning under cover of drone bombardment.

When the sun rose, it was clear everything had changed – nothing was spared the destruction. Streets, homes, hospitals and mosques were damaged and left in ruins.

As one resident observed, bulldozers ‘turned our streets into crumbs’.

Mustafa Sheta from the Freedom Theatre of Jenin, which came to Hastings to perform in 2015, released a statement, saying that during the ‘tumultuous time it was impossible for the inhabitants of Jenin to sleep, young and old alike.

‘My daughter Salma was terrified by the blaring warning sirens that announced the army’s incursion, her tears flowing uncontrollably. Meanwhile, my son Adam, displayed a mixture of fear and curiosity, trying to comprehend the gravity of the situation.’

He wrote: ‘The morning brought news of a devastating attack on the Freedom Theatre, where a group of families sought refuge amidst the turmoil.’

He went on: ‘The occupation relentlessly tightens its grip on the refugee camp, decimating its infrastructure and obliterating the main roads in the camp. The message is clear – punish the stronghold of popular resistance in Jenin, and project an image of invincibility to Israeli society regarding their military prowess.’

He concluded: ‘However, these actions will only serve to breed a new generation that will carry the torch of resistance.’

Many homes are still without water or power and latest reports estimate that nearly 80 per cent of homes in the camp have been damaged by the raid.

The head of the International Committee of the Red Cross said on Wednesday that the majority of the camp’s residents had been left ‘massively distressed’ by the assault and warned of an ‘alarming humanitarian situation’.

An H&RPSC statement said: ‘We will come together to show our solidarity and support for the people of Jenin. Please join us to make your voice heard and to mark your respect for the victims of this brutal military invasion. If you can, please wear black to honour the dead and grieving.’

 

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