Walking the Way

Walking the Way

January 2003

On January 18 the Israeli army shot and killed Abdelfatha Mansour, age 35, as he tried to repair the water tank on the roof of his home which had been used by the Israeli army for target practice. Nine days later, on January 27, the Israel Defense Force (IDF) sent in bulldozers and destroyed the family’s home. Not only had the IDF left seven children fatherless, but they are now homeless as well.

The city of Rafah, located in the southern end of the Gaza Strip, is just one of many towns recently hard-hit by the Israeli bulldozers. In Rafah alone the IDF has destroyed over 350 homes and severely damaged another 500 in order to make room for a huge wall that will separate the Gaza Strip from Egypt. Construction of this wall began in October 2002.

Since Gaza was turned over to the Palestinian Authority as part of the Oslo agreements, Israel’s only rationale for the construction of this wall is to provide "security" for the illegal Israeli settlements that remain inside Gaza. The total population of all the Israeli settlements inside Gaza is 3000 while the Palestinian population in Gaza is over 1.2 million. Despite the enormous difference in the population ratio, Israel justifies the wanton destruction of Palestinian homes, leaving thousands of children homeless, as a matter of "security".

Imagine the world’s outcry if the United States decided to construct a wall between France and Spain in order to provide "security" for 3000 US citizens living in Paris. Where is the world’s outcry against a nation that is creating orphans who are forced to live in the streets, all in the name of "Security"?

Ideas for Advocacy

Hold a demonstration calling for an end to the illegal occupation of the West Bank and Gaza.

Write to your elected officials calling for sanctions against the government of Israel for violations of United Nations Resolutions and International Law.

Provide financial assistance for families who have been made homeless by the Israeli government.

Enroll your church or organization in The Campaign for Secure Dwellings. www.prairienet.org/cpt/campaign.php

Thoughts and Prayers for Peace

"Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me."

Matt: 25: 35-36 NRSV

"Article 25. (1) Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing, and medical care…"

Universal Declaration of Human Rights proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly, 1948

This insert is brought to you by Sabeel, a grassroots ecumenical Christian organization that works for peace and justice in Israel/Palestine. For more information see our website: www.sabeel.org