by Adam Shapiro
The long-chanted mantra of the Israeli defense establishment and the
right-wing in Israel has been that the Arabs are seeking to destroy the
Jewish state and to drive its inhabitants into the sea. Well, it seems
that
this is truly a case of the kettle calling the pot black.
Less than one week ago, the Israeli Army carried out its most extensive
destruction of civilian homes since the Intifada began, when it
destroyed 58
homes in the Rafah Refugee Camp in southern Gaza, leaving over 700
people
homeless. Now, just a few days later, and during a debate raging among
Israeli politicians and calls for an investigation into the Rafah
incident
by Sharon's war cabinet, the Jerusalem Mayor has decided to push
forward,
with new zeal, his own home demolition project and ordered the
destruction
of 13 homes in Issawiya – a poor Arab neighborhood of Jerusalem. It is
no
secret that Mayor Olmert's plan is to rid the holy city of its
Palestinian
residents and any symbols of Palestinian cultural or national identity
in
Jerusalem, as home demolitions have become a monthly occurrence in the
city.
Usually at least 5 homes are destroyed at one time, though last summer
there were 21 homes destroyed in one day. While this process is slower
and
more methodical, one cannot help but be reminded of Kristalnacht during
World War II, when the Nazi government sought to erase all symbols and
elements of Jewish culture and religion from Berlin.
Israeli policy is coordinated carefully, and it is this meticulous evil,
which must be understood properly to fully appreciate the depths in
which
Sharon's government operates. The peace process fell apart for numerous
reasons, but one issue that was clearly a thorn in Israel's side was
that of
the refugees. Now, and since the beginning of the Intifada, caught up
in
the general violence and state terrorism perpetrated by the Israeli
occupation forces and settlers, is the unannounced policy of targeting
the
refugees. While launching attacks against camps in Jordan, Lebanon and
Syria is beyond the radar screen for Israel's politicians and generals
(often the same), those refugees who are displaced in the West Bank and
Gaza
are easy targets for tanks, helicopters and bulldozers.
The homes destroyed in Rafah earlier this week were all located in the
Rafah
Refugee Camp – a poor, destitute place barely serviced by UNRWA (the UN
agency responsible for providing services to Palestinian refugees) and
where
ongoing Israeli incursions, sniping and destruction takes place. This
is
not the first time homes in Rafah have been destroyed; it is just the
largest operation to date. Earlier this summer, Mayor Olmert carried
out
similar destruction policies in the Shuafat Refugee Camp in Jerusalem.
And,
like its cousin in Rafah, the Jenin Refugee Camp has been hit
continuously
throughout the Intifada by tanks, helicopters and bulldozers. To date,
none
of these homes have been rebuilt, as the people have neither the money
nor
the resources to rebuild. They are left to live in tents or with other
family members, exacerbating housing shortages and the services
available
for refugees and Palestinian people in general.
The excuse, of course, is defense – unnamed, unseen snipers using homes
to
shoot from. From personal experience I can attest that the Israeli army
has
a slew of high-tech video cameras at its disposal. How about some
evidence?
Even the United States felt somewhat compelled to show its evidence
concerning Osama Bin Laden to its allies. And Israel is demanding
President
Arafat to hold accountable those responsible for the arms ship. What
about
some accountability for Israel?
Or is it that the world is simply willing to ignore the solution to the
Palestinian refugee problem that Israel is making happen on the ground –
or
rather, throwing them into the sea.
Adam Shapiro is an organizer with the International Solidarity Movement
and
resides in Ramallah, Palestine.
