To: orscpdelegation@lists.riseup.net
From: orscpdelegates@riseup.net
Date: Mon, 24 May 2004 05:48:45 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Update 3 from Israel & Palestine

Update 3 from Israel & Palestine

We have been very active on this side of the globe in trying to stop the destruction of Rafah. The first protest we attended (5/19) was outside Sufa checkpoint (the southernmost checkpoint in the Gaza Strip). This checkpoint leads to settler bypass roads and is only traversed by settlers and the military. The first day there were about 35 people who attended. We held signs, took pictures of the soldiers and settlers, and the Israeli activists engaged in many difficult discussions (in Hebrew) with irate and irrational settlers.

The second protest (5/21) we went to was at Kissufim checkpoint. This is the checkpoint north of Sufa and again, only for settlers and military. This time there was 1,000+ people who attended (12 packed buses from all over Israel)! We marched to a military installation, where Caterpillar bulldozers, tanks and other military vehicles were stationed. This time, not only the military was present, but also the border police, municipal police, and swat team. We first arrived to the military installation, about 100 meters before the checkpoint. Trent and I were able to sneak into the parking area where many Caterpillar D-9 bulldozers were parked. The D-9 was the same type of bulldozer that ran over Rachel. We took many pictures and video footage. After about 15 minutes we eventually broke down in tears after placing our bodies in front of the bulldozer blade and confirming what we have known all along; the driver of that bulldozer did see Rachel. There are many windows and video cameras to view objects and people that may surround the machine. If you take one step back from the blade (2-3 ft.) you can make eye contact with the driver.

When we returned to the protest we heard several speakers, including Tom Hurndall's mother (Tom was the British activist that was shot by the military shortly after Rachel was killed). We talked to her briefly and she was enthused about the sister city project between Olympia and Rafah. We could not speak to her long because the protesters stormed the checkpoint and took it over. We ran ahead to join. Trent moved to the top of hills and kept his camera rolling the whole time. Siouxzie joined the crowd that was blocking vehicles from entering the checkpoint. Several Israeli protesters got beat up and detained by the border police. Siouxzie got pushed around a lot by the police but managed to avoid getting beaten and arrested. Later, Siouxzie climbed on top of a monstrous D-9 and made the eternal peace sign with her fingers. The protesters loved this and cheered. But the border police did not and immediately ran after her. She formed the 2 minute affinity group with a lovely Israeli man and ran back into the crowd. Trent's diplomatic skills were at his best throughout the entire protest. He continually talked to the soldiers and police. They would try to ignore him and even turn their backs to him, but within a couple minutes they always turned back around to talk to him. Not shouting and yelling, but engaging in short conversations. By the end of the protest, all those who were detained were released and both of us managed to avoid getting beaten up and arrested. There were also Gush Shalom (Israeli Peace Bloc) stickers and terrorist (written in Hebrew) all over the bulldozers.

Yesterday, there was a small demo at Zion square in West Jerusalem. It started silent, with people just holding signs. Some people walking by got very aggressive and there was fear of serious violence against the protesters. Some of these violent people even threw off the kippahs of the protesters. Eventually their signs were torn up and the police came to break it up. Overall, the general mood of the public was encouraging of free speech (no matter what the topic), but also acknowledged the immense emotions in this place.

As we said in our last update, we have met awesome Israeli activists this way. Any of you who had doubts about Israelis, we have stories that will surely change your minds.

We will be sending another update, as this one is long already, but we have been doing so much that it is hard to get it all down in a concise fashion.

Peace, Salaam, Shalom
Siouxzie & Trent

visitors since July 13, 2003

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