Susiya:Palestinian village receiving Australian aid money facing demolition

[Luiz 4,253]

An entire Palestinian village that has received Australian aid money to help improve living conditions is facing demolition by Israeli authorities.

Australian NGO Action Aid has been working in Susiya, about 50 kilometres south of Jerusalem in the Palestinian occupied territories, for the past four years.

It has established programs supporting women, including buying sheep and beehives, and has constructed two buildings that are used as a clinic and a kindergarten.

Village elder Abu Mohamad Nawaja was born and raised in Susiya village.

"Allow me to say thank you to the Australian Government, thanks to the Australian Action Aid," he told the ABC's 7.30 program.

But it may all be for nothing after Israeli authorities determined that planning permission was never given for the village to be built, and have granted a demolition order for the whole of Susiya.

"They will confiscate this land for the settlers, so they can expand their settlements and live comfortably," Abu Mohamad said.

"They want to destroy us, our lives and our kids' lives."

The man leading the campaign to demolish Susiya is Sydney-born man Ari Briggs, who has lived in Israel for the past 22 years.

He is the spokesman for Israel's pro-settler organisation Regavim.

"What you are looking at when you look at Arab Susiya today is just a collection of tents, an encampment that has been set up there," Mr Briggs told 7.30.

"Under no-one's definition could it be called a village."

For Mr Briggs, current events are inextricably linked to what happened thousands of years ago.

"The ancient Jewish community of Susiya, with its ancient synagogue, really ties the Jewish people to the area," he said.

"Just to relate it to Australia, you know Uluru? If graziers came and grazed on Uluru and decided to set up an encampment to be closer to those grazing field, I believe the Anangu tribe would have felt that it was wrong."

He cannot believe the Australian Government is supporting Susiya.

"I have sent information both to the ambassador here in Israel, and to the foreign ministry back in Australia," Mr Briggs said.

"Information that was used in court, information that stood up in court, and we believe these facts are the facts."

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-30/palestinian-susiya-receiving-australian-aid-facing-demolition/6661220

[The Child 18,997]

"They will confiscate this land for the settlers, so they can expand their settlements and live comfortably,"

When people will start to understand, we do not own any land. 

[Didymus 34,380]

This is so sick. The stupid heritage argument again, just unbelievable. I can get just physically angry when I think of all the decades that Israel has broken international law (and their own laws) to expand settlements and none of the international political powers choose to do anything but simply call for a halt that they know will never happen.

And yes, I'm aware that the Israel/Palestine conflict has inflated to international proportions, but it's still just mindbending how normal citizens are the one and only victim of the situation.

[lego 44,165]

 

The pending order to demolish the small Palestinian village of Susiya in the southern Judean Mountains in the occupied West Bank represents the most blatant violation of human rights. The order calls for the forcible removal of several hundred Palestinians who have been living on their land from the time of the Ottoman Empire and still have the ownership deeds to prove their claim. Prime Minister Netanyahu, who never misses an opportunity to remind the world that Israel is a democracy guided by moral principles, seems to care less about displacing Palestinian women and children for the fourth time. His excuse is that this dusty village, established in 1830, is the site of archeological remains both of a 5th century synagogue and a 10th century mosque and it must be preserved. 

The real reason is that Netanyahu is leading a coalition government which is committed to preventing the Palestinians from building anywhere in Area C, which represents 61 percent of the West Bank, and is openly seeking its outright annexation. 

This policy is repeatedly reinforced by the government's refusal to grant building permits to Susiya residents, when at the same time it is providing all the funding for facilities and security to a religious communal Israeli settlement established in 1986 with the same name only a short distance south of Palestinian Susiya.

It is hard to express how outrageous the behavior of Netanyahu's government is when only hours after Israel's High Court of Justice ordered the demolition of two illegally-built structures in the West Bank settlement of Beit El, Netanyahu authorized the immediate construction of 300 units in the same settlement. 

 

In response to the Court ruling, Naftali Bennett, the leader of the ultra-conservative Jewish Home party, said: "This is an unfortunate ruling by the High Court...[that] will bring about a wave of construction across the settlements." Bennett's statement was strongly echoed by Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, no less, who said that while the Court order must be accepted, they will immediately rebuild. "This is the Jewish way--you don't lose hope and you keep building, building, building."

The implications of this inhuman action, should it be carried out, transcends the demolition of one Palestinian village. It points out not only the hypocrisy of Netanyahu and his cohorts, but the moral decadence of a government that seems bent on defying the international community and the basic tenets of civilized behavior.

Susiya is but another example of the Netanyahu government's flagrant and callous disregard of the Palestinians' fundamental right to live with dignity - indeed, I am reminded of a passage in Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath, which, although about a different time and place, speaks directly to what is taking place in the West Bank: "If it was the law they was workin' with, why we could take it. But it ain't the law. They're a-working away at our spirits. They're a-tryin' to make us cringe an' crawl like a whipped b---h. They're tryin' to break us... They're working on our decency."

 

At a time when Israel's image is tarnished, demolishing Palestinian Susiya will only intensify the already massive international condemnation of the Israeli occupation and the Netanyahu government's insatiable thirst for more Palestinian land.

Netanyahu's demagoguery has been time and again put on full display when he talks about a two-state solution, but then continues to expand the settlements by providing them with amenities while at the same time depriving scores of Palestinian villages of their basic need for water and electricity, including Susiya. 

The mere thought of demolishing Susiya, not to speak of actually executing it, will be another nail in the coffin of the Israeli peace process. Netanyahu, more than any other Israeli Prime Minister, will be judged harshly for destroying the prospect for peace bit by bit. 

There is nothing that he can say or do to justify the demolition of Susiya or any other Palestinian village or housing unit built in the West Bank--on their own territory--to accommodate natural growth and enable them to live a life without fear and intimidation. 

The Israelis who support the demolition of this poor village are rendering the most ghastly disservice to Israel's image and its very future as a democratic state, and have become complicit in the despicable act of uprooting law-abiding Palestinians. No Israeli with a conscience should remain silent and allow the Netanyahu government to devour what little the Palestinians have left.

After 47 years of occupation, the time has come for all decent Israelis to think about the future of their country. Where is Israel heading, and for how much longer can the occupation and the injustices continue without jeopardizing Israel's very existence? 

Making the lives of Palestinians unbearable in the hope that they will eventually leave is a pipe dream as the infliction of unforgiving horrible pain on the young and old will only strengthen their resolve to stay. They have the entire international community behind them, and no Israeli force can dislodge them as they would rather die than succumb to tyrannical edicts. 

I applaud the Israelis who joined the Palestinian demonstration against the potential demolition of Susiya on July 24. Hundreds of thousands more should follow in their steps. Indeed, in the final a--lysis, the public, not the government, can shape the country's destiny. 

It is understandable that the Israelis' fatigue with the Palestinian conflict has led to complacency, but this is not a luxury that any Israeli can afford at this juncture.

The Palestinians will not fade away, and only the Israeli public can stop this morally corrupt bunch, the so-called Israeli leaders in the government, from destroying the moral foundations on which Israel was established.

- Alon Ben-Meir Senior Fellow, Center for Global Affairs, NYU

http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/7903762

 

 

 

[TiphEret 1,320]

I am all about both Israeli and Palestinian working this out together but how can you reach justice when one is in power while the other has nothing? And sorry if get warning points but f*ck the settlers. They have no rights to build anything and it's even worse knowing they are displacing an entire village to continue there invasion.

[Melech 9,900]

I am all about both Israeli and Palestinian working this out together but how can you reach justice when one is in power while the other has nothing? And sorry if get warning points but f*ck the settlers. They have no rights to build anything and it's even worse knowing they are displacing an entire village to continue there invasion.

don't blame the individual. Some don't even have another chance because living in settlements is way cheaper than living in the cities of Israel. Things need to be changed because I don't support the settlements either. 

[TiphEret 1,320]

don't blame the individual. Some don't even have another chance because living in settlements is way cheaper than living in the cities of Israel. Things need to be changed because I don't support the settlements either. 

I am sorry but yes on that point I will blame the settlers that already exist and colonise territories and pursue opression while doing that. You know that some settlers near palestinian village are throwing garbage in palestinian streets so the inhabitants have to put fences to protect themselves. They are wasting the taxpayer money because the army have to protect them, they feel entitled and they create conflicts so yes I blame them because they make the situation worse for everyone including israeli.

[Melech 9,900]

I am sorry but yes on that point I will blame the settlers that already exist and colonise territories and pursue opression while doing that. You know that some settlers near palestinian village are throwing garbage in palestinian streets so the inhabitants have to put fences to protect themselves. They are wasting the taxpayer money because the army have to protect them, they feel entitled and they create conflicts so yes I blame them because they make the situation worse for everyone including israeli.

then it's sad that you can't behind see the point why some need to move to settlements. Some settlers are shiit,yes. And I know all that. But a lot don't have any other  opportunity. 

The government need to make living in Israel cheaper. And need to get rid of settlements, but it's not all black and white.

[TiphEret 1,320]

then it's sad that you can't behind see the point why some need to move to settlements. Some settlers are shiit,yes. And I know all that. But a lot don't have any other  opportunity. 

The government need to make living in Israel cheaper. And need to get rid of settlements, but it's not all black and white.

The problem is that while the government is promising to stop settlers to go in Palestinian territories, they allow it, which is openly hypocrites. Come on have you seen the piece of land Palestinian have left? You say settlers have no choice because life in the city is expensive? So hey let's deport more Palestinian because that's really fixing the issue? You will never find in a democratic country a village taken down so another population can live there. And I don't think Israeli are lacking space, they aren't overcrowded otherwise why would they still let Jews from all around the world come to do their aliyah.

[Melech 9,900]

The problem is that while the government is promising to stop settlers to go in Palestinian territories, they allow it, which is openly hypocrites. Come on have you seen the piece of land Palestinian have left? You say settlers have no choice because life in the city is expensive? So hey let's deport more Palestinian because that's really fixing the issue? You will never find in a democratic country a village taken down so another population can live there. And I don't think Israeli are lacking space, they aren't overcrowded otherwise why would they still let Jews from all around the world come to do their aliyah.

I fear you didn't got me. The government is to blame. Not the average Jew who lives in the settlement. I'm not sure but some say that the prices are on purpose that high to make more Jews living in settlements. If anyone is to blame then it is the government, not the average Jew. 

[TiphEret 1,320]

I fear you didn't got me. The government is to blame. Not the average Jew who lives in the settlement. I'm not sure but some say that the prices are on purpose that high to make more Jews living in settlements. If anyone is to blame then it is the government, not the average Jew. 

At the end of the day when the government is making a law, you are free to take advantage of it or not. If people decide to move to settlement, no one is forcing them to do so. They would go to a kibbutz life would be as cheap if not less... 

You can read this article very interesting, there is different sides and stories but the one about Hebron is what i am talking about, even Israeli find this settlers a problem. The rest is also very interesting of course.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/meetthesettlers/chapter2.html

[Melech 9,900]

At the end of the day when the government is making a law, you are free to take advantage of it or not. If people decide to move to settlement, no one is forcing them to do so. They would go to a kibbutz life would be as cheap if not less... 

You can read this article very interesting, there is different sides and stories but the one about Hebron is what i am talking about, even Israeli find this settlers a problem. The rest is also very interesting of course.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/meetthesettlers/chapter2.html

Well you are not always that free though. Lack of money may force you. It's not that all want to go in a kibbutz, especially of all the criticism they get as well..

I get that there are two kind of settlers. I don't want to excuse any far-right settler or settlements in general. I just wanted to say that "fück settlers" is not really the best way to say it

 

[TiphEret 1,320]

Well you are not always that free though. Lack of money may force you. It's not that all want to go in a kibbutz, especially of all the criticism they get as well..

I get that there are two kind of settlers. I don't want to excuse any far-right settler or settlements in general. I just wanted to say that "fück settlers" is not really the best way to say it

 

I am sorry but that's my personal opinion for all the **** I have seen coming from them they are just religious fanatics and if that was done by muslim everybody would call them out. I was on the Palestinian territories with some friends, by the wall to see Banksi's drawing and this woman showed us this hole in the wall where you can Sarah's tomb on the other side, a tomb that is holy in Judaism, Christianism and Islam. When they built the wall they destroyed the houses and shops on the way... There is still tons of rubbles while on the other side you have these settlers that can do whatever they want because the army can't touch them.... I don't know what two kind you are talking about I have only seen one and they are all fanatics.

[Melech 9,900]

I am sorry but that's my personal opinion for all the **** I have seen coming from them they are just religious fanatics and if that was done by muslim everybody would call them out. I was on the Palestinian territories with some friends, by the wall to see Banksi's drawing and this woman showed us this hole in the wall where you can Sarah's tomb on the other side, a tomb that is holy in Judaism, Christianism and Islam. When they built the wall they destroyed the houses and shops on the way... There is still tons of rubbles while on the other side you have these settlers that can do whatever they want because the army can't touch them.... I don't know what two kind you are talking about I have only seen one and they are all fanatics.

Well, then your personal opinion is kinda   Some people including the religious fanatics are shiity, but for example, a two-bedroom in Tel Aviv runs about $400,000, but you can get a place for around $180,000 in the settlement of Modi'in Illit just 25 miles away. Just to take that in consideration. Midi's Illit is a Haredi and religious settlement though. 

 

[TiphEret 1,320]

So unlesd you are one of this fanatic no chance you will get to leave there.  But will stop here if you can't respect my opinion and keep arguing over the fact that it's OK to deport Palestinian so Israeli can have a cheap rent... Hey maybe I should do that !  Rent in Copenhagen is awfully expensive so I should maybe kick out some Berliner and settle there.  What a great idea !  I am sure they wouldn't mind they have the rest of Germany after all... 

Well, then your personal opinion is kinda   Some people including the religious fanatics are shiity, but for example, a two-bedroom in Tel Aviv runs about $400,000, but you can get a place for around $180,000 in the settlement of Modi'in Illit just 25 miles away. Just to take that in consideration. Midi's Illit is a Haredi and religious settlement though.