CPTnet
23 May 2005

HEBRON: Thirty-two Israeli peace activists arrested while attempting to
visit Palestinians on Tel Rumeida

On 21 May 2005, forty-two Israeli peace activists from Tel Aviv and
Jerusalem, members of Ta'ayush and other organizations, attempted a
solidarity visit with Palestinian families living near the Israeli
settlement of Tel Rumeida. Soldiers chased and arrested thirty-two of the
peace activists in different areas of the Palestinian-controlled area of
Hebron, but ten were able to reach and visit with two families who live next
to the settlement. These ten activists hid in Palestinian homes and
alleyways and were able to enter Tel Rumeida with the assistance of
Palestinian bystanders.

 Armed Israeli settlers blocked the exit of one of the Palestinian homes,
forcing activists to leave by a different route. Eldad Kisch, an Israeli
activist said, "The IDF is completely subservient to Hebron settlers. Why
do they try to prevent peace? How can the army be so afraid of a few
Israelis having tea and talking with a few Palestinians in their homes?
What happened today was a bloody shame."

Soldiers detained Hani Abu Haikel, a Palestinian resident of Tel Rumeida, as
he tried to protect his children from settlers. A dozen settlers had
attacked the Abu Haikel home, and moved closer as they stoned and broke
windows where the room where the children were hiding. Israeli soldiers did
nothing. Abu Haikel rushed to protect his children and was subsequently
blindfolded and detained by soldiers while his children cried. The soldiers
later released him. Settlers also stoned international observers,
including members of Christian Peacemaker Teams, while they were on their
way to visit the Abu Haikel home.

To see recent pictures of Tel Rumeida please visit our website at

http://www.cpt.org/gallery/view_album.php?set_albumName=album109