To: orscpdelegation@lists.riseup.net
From: orscpdelegates@riseup.net
Date: Wed, 19 May 2004 09:01:23 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Rafah Update: The Situation from Bad to Worse

Rafah Update: The Situation from Bad to Worse

We have been in constant contact with our friend Fida in Rafah. We have also been watching al-Jazeera at our hostel. The sights and sounds are horrific. The numbers are so high of dead and injured at this point that it almost seems pointless to count. But for the sake of Fida's hard/life-risking work we will report her news. She reports that at least 46 are dead, and over 160 injured in the past two days. At least 200 homes have been demolished in this incursion, 150,000 people are homeless. The military has not left Rafah. They are still in the Tel al-Sultan neighborhood (4 days now) and are still in the Canada area, and have begun in the al-Brazil neighborhood. Will they destroy the entire town of Rafah???

As if all this wasn't enough, the horror gets worse. In Tel al-Sultan, the military told a family to evacuate their house and upon exit the military killed the entire family. Also, the military has shot some people in the streets and will not allow anyone to help them (not family, not ambulances, not the UN, no one). They bleed to death in the streets. We see this on TV. It is no lie. More points to consider, where are these supposed tunnels? If there were tunnels, do you think they would come from all these houses?? The military makes no discrimination in its destruction so it is obvious that this is not about any sort of strategic operation. Furthermore, demolishing a home (with or without a tunnel) is collective punishment. These crimes against humanity are 100% against international law. When will the world wake up? When will states be accountable to the treaties, conventions, etc. that they sign? When will the Fourth Geneva Convention be respected? Siouxzie is seriously considering studying International Law when she gets home. We feel so powerless, but maybe if Siouxzie is in an international court we will feel better.

Last, but not least, Fida reminds us (as does everyone we've met here) that Palestinians are not terrorists. They deserve to live in homes and in peace just like anyone else in the world. Every Palestinian we've met can discern between Israelis and their government. They do the same for Americans and our horrible government. Why can't Americans do this for the Palestinians or the Iraqis or the Columbians and so on and so forth? We might move to Canada when we get home. Keep up the good work! Let's stop this destruction and hate! More numbers below ñ keep calling!

Peace, Salaam, Shalom,
Siouxzie and Trent

State Department (Colin Powell): 1-202-647-6575

White House: 1-202-456-1111

Israel Embassy: 1-202-364-5500 (hit "9" when the menu starts--for the ambassador's office)

Bill Frist (Majority Leader of Senate): 1-202-224-3344

Dennis Hastert (Speaker of the House): 1-202-225-0600

Brian Baird: 1-202-225-3536--ask for Marion Rasmussen or anyone who is dealing with Middle East affairs

Cantwell: 1-202-224-9314--ask for Paul Thaynes Cantwell's office number is 1-202-224-3441

Murray: 1-202-224-2621--ask for Nathan Hambley

visitors since July 13, 2003

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