Four Israeli settlers were killed yesterday in an attack in the West Bank for which Hamas has claimed responsibility. We at the Rebuilding Alliance mourn the loss of these lives and all lives lost in this conflict. We condemn violence as a tool for political change, or as a tool for anything. We honor all [...]
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There is good news in the civil case of Abir Aramin, a little girl killed in 2007 by an Israeli soldier’s rubber-coated steel bullet just outside her school. On Monday, Aug. 16th, Judge Irit Efal-Gabai issued her ruling on behalf of Israel’s Civil Court. Her decision holds the State of Israel responsible for killing Abir Aramin and orders the State to pay compensation. At the end of this month, by order of the Israeli High Court, the Jerusalem Prosecutor’s Office must present the results of its criminal investigation. Indictments may follow. It has been hard to keep up with the current pace of demolitions in the West Bank and Negev, and to sort through the stories. Working in the office here, my thoughts go to the families who lost their homes, sometimes for the second time in Al Farisiya (Jordan River Valley), and the third [...] Rebuilding Alliance, Free Gaza Movement Urge Open Trade and Aid July 23, 2010, San Mateo CA – Nearly a month and a half after the Irish ship, the MV Rachel Corrie, was forceably rerouted and impounded by the Israeli Navy, the office of the United Nations Special Co-ordinator for the Middle East (UNSCO) has promised to deliver the full humanitarian aid cargo to U.N. agencies in Gaza. The Rebuilding Alliance, one of the only U.S. organizations to place humanitarian relief cargo on the “Freedom Flotilla” to Gaza, is hopeful that the backpacks, sports equipment, and building materials donated by hundreds of Americans will soon reach the Gaza non-governmental organizations (NGO’s) for which they were intended. –An article by Rebuilding Alliance volunteer Kate Gould Street in front of Al Basma Club in downtown Gaza City “You know, all Palestinians are disabled,” Eid Shaqura told me as soon as I arrived at the Al Basma Club for the Disabled. All the Dear Friends, “You are a beacon to us all” – that is what Roger Waters of Pink Floyd said in his message of solidarity with the Gaza Freedom March. He made me think about the many colleagues in Gaza and in Israel who are my beacons — so I picked-up the phone to ask their thoughts about the march, the New Year, and how they hold on to hope. The candlelight vigil for Gaza in San Francisco’s Union Sqare on Sunday, Dec. 28th, 2009Here are comments from just a few of my “beacons”: Dr. Eyad El Sarraj in Gaza City, Eric Yellin in S’derot, Dr. Samir Nasrallah in Rafah, Shmuel Groag in Jerusalem, Adnan in Rafah, Khaled Nasrallah in Rafah, and Roni Segoly in hmm, West Jerusalem and Bassam Aramin in East Jerusalem. I enclose the English translation of a speech given by Israeli human rights attorney Michael Sfard to Combatants for Peace last week, entitled, Truth Cast in Lead, and close the newsletter with Bassam Aramin’s short holiday message. As thousands take to the streets in solidarity marches around the world today, may their words warm your heart, provide insight, and give you encouragement. In rebuilding peace, I am writing to ask you to email a letter to your Senators and Reprentative, then call the senior staff for foreign policy at your senators and representatives offices in Washington DC regarding new demolition orders in Al Aqaba village and throughout Area C. You can find the email addresses and phone numbers at www.House.gov (enter your zip code) and www.Senate.gov (enter your state). I’ve included a template letter below – please email or fax it. Why contact Congress now? The Jerusalem Legal Aid and Human Rights Center (JLAC) reports that since August 2009, the Israeli Army through its Civil Administration has issued orders for the demolition of 50 entire Palestinian neighborhoods. On Nov. 24, 2009, the Israeli Army stormed Al Aqaba village to issue new orders threatening 7 more families with the forced evacuation of their homes, animal shelters, and demolition of their new road. Al Aqaba residents are ordered to appear in hearings before the Inspection Subcommittee of the Israeli Army on December 10th and Dec. 17th at the Israeli Army’s Civil Administration offices within the Israeli settlement of Beit El. On Wednesday, Oct. 14th, the Israeli High Court of Justice heard arguments in an appeal to reopen the investigation in the killing of Abir Aramin. The court did not make a final ruling but instead, as stated in the Jerusalem Post, “The court gave the state 14 days to present it with materials from the investigation and documentation of official police communications from that day.” The court will receive the materials this Wednesday, Oct. 28th. Upon their review, the court will either acknowledge that Yesh Din Attorney Michael Sfard’s arguments are correct and order the state to indict the Border Policemen, order a re-opening of the investigation, or dismiss the petition depite 14 eye-witnesses and independent autopsy. The Rachel Corrie Ramadan Soccer Tournament is now underway in Rafah, Gaza, on a field cleared from the rubble of demolished homes –and I need your help to pay freight for a shipment of 16 big boxes of gently worn sports shoes. Overall, I am proud to tell you that your past contributions arrived in time and we [...] “Strategy- Soccer. Goal- Open Blockade of Gaza”
Dear The Rachel Corrie Ramadan Soccer Tournament is now underway in Rafah, Gaza, on a field cleared from the rubble of demolished homes –and I need your help to pay freight for a shipment of 16 big boxes of gently worn sports shoes. Overall, I [...] |
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The Rebuilding Alliance, 178 South Boulevard, San Mateo, CA 94402 Phone: (650) 325-4663, Fax:(650) 325-4667, Email: Contact@RebuildingAlliance.org A registered 501(c)3 non-profit EIN Tax ID: 56-2392452 Copyright © 2009 Rebuilding Alliance - All Rights Reserved Powered by WordPress & the Atahualpa WP Theme by BytesForAll. Now with Tutorials & Support |
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