CPTnet
27 September 2006

AT-TUWANI: Israeli settlers attack Susiya elder while soldier stands by

On Monday, 18 September 2006 at 5:20 p.m., Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT)
and Operation Dove received a call that Israeli settlers attacked an elderly
man from Susiya, a nearby Palestinian village.

The village lies between the Israeli settlement of Susya, an outpost (on the
site of an ancient synagogue) and an Israeli military base. The Palestinian
village has some remaining fifty residents living in tents scattered over
several hills. Israeli settlers have frequently attacked them.

CPTer Joel Gulledge traveled there with a translator and two members of the
Israeli group Ta'ayush to take the testimony of the man attacked.

Khalil Nawaja, in his 70s, was not far from the tent when a group of seven
settlers with their faces covered attacked him with sticks and pipes. An
Israeli soldier was escorting the settlers and did nothing to stop the
attack. Villagers called the Israeli police, but could not get a response.
They then called Ezra Nawi of Ta'ayush who was able to get through to the
police on their behalf and ask for an investigation.

The police were present and taking a report when Gulledge arrived at 6:00
p.m. Israeli soldiers came thirty minutes later. The distance from the
military checkpoint to this area is between 300-400 meters.

Some of the soldiers were upset that Gulledge was filming, and talked
amongst themselves about stopping him. Nawi asked the soldiers to open the
gate to the old Palestinian road to allow the man to take a shorter route to
the hospital. The soldiers refused and Nawi opened the gate for the
ambulance himself.

The Red Crescent arrived to check on the injured man. He suffered blows to
his leg, arm, hand, and upper body. After wrapping his right forearm,
wrist, and hand, health workers lifted and carried him by ambulance to Yatta
for further examination.