More Terror in the Occupied Territories

I apologise for posting this bulletin from the Palestine Solidarity Campaign a little late. It's still relevant today. As always, I urge readers to contemplate joining the PSC and assisting their work.

Dear friends,

Threats of violence, killing and the expansion of illegal and harmful settlements have shaped the news from Palestine this week.  All of this reminds us why we need to step up our campaigns and stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Palestine.

There have been alarming developments with Israel's expansionist and destructive settlement policy this week. Vowing to accelerate the construction (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20160902-israeli-housing-minister-vows-accelerated-construction-in-key-west-bank-settlement/) of housing units in a key West Bank settlement, Israel's Housing Minister told residents plans were in place for a 'construction bonanza' in the settlement of Ma’ale Adumim.

On top of that, 464 settlement houses in the West Bank were approved (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-37235922) , sparking criticism from the UN and senior US officials who stated that this move "fundamentally undermines the prospects for a two-state solution and risks entrenching a one-state reality of perpetual occupation and conflict".

As Israel continues to flout international law and build its settlements at a disturbing rate, the international community seems set on just responding with statements. This is not good enough, so we are building a campaign to take action.

PSC will be launching our campaign against UK complicity in Israel’s illegal settlements and home demolitions. Look out for further information in our emails and on our website in the coming weeks about how you can get involved.

Earlier this week the family of Mustafa Nimir (http://www.maannews.com/Content.aspx?id=772996)  a 27-year-old father from Shufat Refugee Camp, received the devastating news that he had been shot, and killed by Israeli forces.
Mustafa had been returning home after going out to buy groceries with his brother-in-law, who was also injured when their car was 'showered with gunfire' by Israeli forces. Initially claiming that Mustafa had attempted to run over an Israeli policeman, Israeli forces later admitted that this was not the case, and that Mustafa's death was an 'accident'.

After leading regular raids on Al-Duheisha camp, an Israeli commander known as 'Captain Nidal' has threatened to make "all of the youth in the camp disabled" (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20160826-israeli-army-commander-i-will-make-all-the-youth-of-al-duheisha-camp-disabled/) and made statements including: "I will have all of you walking with crutches and in wheelchairs,".

Highlighting the seriousness of the threat, 30 Palestinians have been shot in the camp with live ammunition since the beginning of the year, the majority in their legs and knees.


** Round up of other news this week:
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* Nora Barrows-Friedman reports on Why Israel’s actions can be called genocide (https://electronicintifada.net/blogs/nora-barrows-friedman/why-israels-actions-can-be-called-genocide)
* Brian Eno has refused a state-funded Israeli dance company permission to use his music (https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/sep/07/brian-eno-israeli-dance-company-batsheva-use-music)
* At least 19 Palestinians have been detained in overnight raids in the West Bank on Thursday (https://www.maannews.com/Content.aspx?id=773048)
* Ben White discusses a court case against the Jewish National Fund for their role in land theft (https://benwhite.org.uk/2016/09/05/court-case-challenges-role-jewish-national-fund-plays-in-israeli-land-theft/)
* PEN International (https://www.facebook.com/peninternational/) : Palestinian poet Dareen Tatour, held under house arrest by Israeli authorities over a poem she wrote, should be released immediately (http://www.pen-international.org/newsitems/israel-all-charges-against-poet-dareen-tatour-must-be-dropped/) .
* Two young Palestinians shot with live fire and injured on Monday in West Bank village of Sabastiya. (http://www.maannews.com/Content.aspx?id=773003)