Yesterday CPTers in Hebron attempted to block the demolition of
threeconcrete rainwater cisterns in the Beqa'a valley just east of Hebron.
Families in this area do not have wells: those not connected to water mains
meet their needs with rainwater cisterns. Because this has been a drought
year, the cisterns were all empty. One of these was at the home of Ismael
and Fatmi Jabber, a partner family in the Campaign for Secure Dwellings.

Two weeks ago CPT asked CPTnet participants to contact the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs (Canada) or the State Department (US) and ambassadors to
Israel about the land confiscation in progress in Beqa'a valley. These
responses did get through to the Canadian and US Embassies, who are
monitoring the situation.

Yesterday's destruction of cisterns represents a continuation by the
Netanyahu administration of policies rejected by the Israeli electorate this
week. Because this is a "lame duck" administration, we can now appeal to
the Prime Minister-elect Ehud Barak to join in calling for an immediate halt
to home demolitions and land confiscations.

PLEASE SEND FAXES AND LETTERS to Ehud Barak, with copies to the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs or the State Department and to Benjamin Netanyahu (addresses
below). In your letter to Barak, include these points:

1. Congratulate him on his mandate to end the policies of destruction,
and to build peace.

2. Remind him that the destruction is continuing, making his job harder.
Ask him to issue an immediate public call for a halt to home demolitions and
land confiscation until he takes office.

Send the copies of your fax or letter with short cover letters. In
addressing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the State Department, ask them
to encourage Barak in this direction, and also to issue their own public
call for an immediate halt to the demolitions. In addressing Benjamin
Netanyahu, ask him to conclude his term with dignity, and not with petty
power plays: urge him to publicly declare a moratorium on demolitions for
the remainder of his administration.

In attempting to intervene to prevent the demolition of the cisterns CPTers
Jamey Bouwmeester and Dianne Roe and neighboring Palestinians were pushed
around, and CPT's digital camera was irreparably damaged. An Israeli
co-worker, Jeff Halper of ICAHD was arrested. Faxes and letters to Barak
now will be a direct support to all of them in their work. Any group
interested in making a donation to replace the digital camera should contact
CPT. As always, the Chicago office is glad to see copies of the letters or
faxes sent by CPTnet participants.

People wishing to send money to buy materials for rebuilding efforts may
make checks out to the Israeli Committee Against Home Demolitions, with a
note telling ICAHD that the money should be used in that way. Send checks
to Jeff Halper/Rehov Tiveria 37 /Jerusalem, Israel

Addresses listed below:
In Canada:
Prime Minister-elect Ehud Barak
c/o Embassy of Israel
50 O'Connor Street #1005
Ottawa, ONT K1P 6L2
Fax: 613-237-8865

(Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, same address)

Hon. Lloyd Axworthy, Minister of Foreign Affairs
House of Commons
Ottowa ONT K1A 0A6
Fax: 613-996-3443

In the US:
Prime Minister-elect Ehud Barak
c/o Embassy of Israel
3414 International Drive NW
Washington, DC 20008
Fax: 202-364-5423

(Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, same address)

Secretary of State Madeleine Albright
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20520
Fax: 202-736-4461