On February 4, we received a phone call that a house was being demolished in
the Beqa'a valley, just east of Hebron.
five of us quickly took a taxi to the site, but the home was already
demolished and the bulldozer gone when we arrived.

A group of women sat in front of the ruins and a group of men sat on top of
the collapsed roof. I sat with them on that roof for most of the day. It
felt like a funeral. Everyone was in mourning. I sensed we were on holy
ground.

Many thoughts went through my mind as we sat there in silence. How can
people be so cruel as to demolish someone's home? Lots of feelings of anger
and disgust welled up in me.

Fayez and Hudda Jabber are a young couple starting a new home. Their dreams
and hard work were smashed, but they told us they will rebuild. They will
not give up. I picked up an olive branch, a symbol of peace and hope, that
had been broken off a tree by the bulldozer.

The family explained to us that they have documents for their
land, dating back to the Ottoman period, and from the British period. This
was the fourth time this family has had a home demolished. The first was in
l982,then 89, then 96, and now. ten other homes within eyesight have been
demolished, and 52 more have demolition orders. Some of their land has been
confiscated and more is threatened.

The Israeli settlements of Kiriat Arba and Givat Harsina on
either side of their land want to expand. The goal is to remove the
Palestinians from this area. I call it ethnic cleansing.

On Saturday, a group of Israelis from ICAHD came down from Tel Aviv to visit
the Jabber family. These Israelis came to apologize for what their country
had done to this family and offer support in rebuilding. I felt overwhelmed
with joy as I watched Palestinians and Israelis hugging and kissing each
other. This is peace and it is possible. I have seen it.

The ICAHD people have organized an international campaign to stop these home
demolitions and land confiscations. It appears that we are at the beginning
of a new wave of demolitions and confiscations after the Wye agreement and
before the new Israeli elections this spring. Our team
has already sent out action alerts asking people to contact US
officials and Israeli embassies to demand an end to this nightmare.
We are now making plans for this campaign. The Israelis hope to mobilize
the American Jewish community and we are being asked to mobilize the churches
in America. No, I have not had time to go to the beach.

People can contact the Israeli embassy at 35l4 International
drive, NW, Washington, D.C. 20008. E-mail- ask@israelemb.org, or fax
202-364-5423.