I love communities. I love to see people living together and being aware of making their living environment better, not only for themselves but for their neighbours.
So after a morning of temple tourism in Jerusalem, it was refreshing to visit the Palestinian community of Silwan.
This is a community in Jerusalem that has been renamed as the City of David by the Israeli authorities. Within this community enough houses have been taken away from Palestinians so as to house about 150 Israelis. The ultimate aim is to get enough Israelis in and enough Palestinians out so that the percent population of Israelis is 85%.
To that aim, the Israelis are attacking the heart of the community, the children.
Many children have been physically and emotionally abused and been taken into custody in prisons run by private security firms such as G4S.
Many children have been physically and emotionally abused and been taken into custody in prisons run by private security firms such as G4S.
Yesterday, as a group we watched a video of kids being run over deliberately by unmarked security forces. I was horrified.
We also learned that the community here has a history of non violence and yet the government is paying for the Israeli settlers to employ armed guards to look after them. As we walked down the streets we saw two come out of their houses and as they walked past they uncovered their guns as a subtle hint that they would use them if needed.
They have been known to kill people and on those occasions there hasn't been a conviction.
We also learned that the community here has a history of non violence and yet the government is paying for the Israeli settlers to employ armed guards to look after them. As we walked down the streets we saw two come out of their houses and as they walked past they uncovered their guns as a subtle hint that they would use them if needed.
They have been known to kill people and on those occasions there hasn't been a conviction.
The community built a community centre once which they used to help children to learn new skills. Sadly this got demolished. I also witnessed their local cemetery being demolished to make way for a new house by the Israelis.
I have lots of stories to tell which I was horrified to hear, but the upshot is that it would seem that the Israelis will stop at nothing to get what they want with no respect for who they displace.
I heard of similar stories about the abuse of a race in the second world war in Germany. Perhaps the Israelis get their inspiration from them?
I would have thought that they would know better.
I would have thought that they would know better.
Find out more about what is happening at www.silwanic.net.
Comments
Post a Comment