CPTnet
3 June 2012
PALESTINE:  Rebuilding attempts halted by Israeli military might

On 2 June, Israeli military officials stymied an attempt by Palestinian and international volunteers to build a house in Um Fagarah near Hebron on the West Bank. The people of the village have been living in tents ever since 24 November 2011, when the Israeli military carried out government orders to demolish the villagers' homes and their mosque.

Volunteer builders from four international organizations arrived with building materials, only to find the village surrounded by military trucks and soldiers. Facing arrest, and the prospect of immediate demolition of what they would build, the team did not bring the bricks into the village, but postponed their efforts to another day.

The volunteers, from Christian Peacemakers Teams (CPT), Project Dove, the Alternative Information Center (AIC) and the International Solidarity Movement (ISM), spent their time instead moving stones from the demolished homes and listening to the displaced villagers’ stories of life since the demolitions. The villagers expressed a determination to stay on the land, which they have owned since the days of the Ottoman Empire.

In 2011, Israel demolished 222 homes and 400 other livelihood-related structures, displacing 1094 people, according to the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions.