Israeli water policy is diabolical: the water table beneath the West Bank is being siphoned off by Israel and rationed to Palestinian farmers, sold at exorbitant prices; Israeli soldiers destroy water pipes and greenhouses; Israel walls off the Jordan River itself from Palestinian use; and water is piped away from refugee camps into illegal settlements.
Amid all this injustice, Palestinians carry on with patience and dignity. To exist is to resist.
Evacuation is another form of Jewish Israeli privilege, based on the myth of vulnerability (Israel’s borders are secure) and existential threat (Israel has one of the most powerful armies in the world, and is in no danger of annihilation).
While serving in IDF during 1st Intifada, mayoral candidate Raz Sagi shot & killed a fleeing Palestinian teen. Sagi was sentenced to 3 mo community service, pardoned, then promoted.
Overnight on August 8-9, Israeli warplanes bombed the Water and Sanitation system for al-Mughraqa City in Gaza.
In recent weeks, Israel has targeted unarmed protesters, medics, journalists, & children, but also symbols of Palestinian art and culture, incl. 5-story Al-Meshal Cultural Center.
Though in the past 4 months Israel has killed over 160 Palestinians & Hamas has killed 2 Israelis, Israel felt it was time for an all-out airstrike against Gaza. At least 140 bombs were dropped, killing a pregnant mother, 23, and her 18 month old daughter…
The Israeli newspaper Ha’aretz reports: “Newly published letters show that the desire to ‘score a PR victory’ – not empathy – was key in the decision to offer help to victims of the massacres”
Water and freedom are commodities that Palestinians are sorely lacking. Israel is building barricades in the sea, shooting at fishermen, and denying access to fresh water.
Israel’s government is withholding medical exit permits from Gazans as a bargaining chip to get IDF soldier Hadar Goldin’s remains back from Hamas.
Divinia Levrini describes how flotilla activists were treated in prison: withholding of medical treatment, beatings, “mind games,” strip searching, theft, & death threats.