THOU SHALT NOT STEAL
Why this case is important:
- It unambiguously illustrates the outrageous way in which the property of Palestinians in East Jerusalem is stolen by "settlers" in collusion with Israeli authorities. This is a case to rally around, to stop further ethnic cleansing of East Jerusalem. More analysis here.
- If this attack could be reversed, the homes of the other 23 families in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood might also be saved, affecting the lives of some 500 Palestinians.
- This case puts a personal, human face on the wanton theft of Palestinian land and homes in East Jerusalem and all Palestine.
Al-Kurd Family Evicted
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The eviction and dispossession of the al-Kurd family from their home in East Jerusalem on Nov. 9, 2008, demonstrates the methods Israelis are using to ethnically cleanse the city and steal the property of Palestinians. We invite you to study this case, and then we ask you to take action.
It is too late for Mohammed. The stress of the eviction proved too much for him, and on Nov. 23 he died of a heart attack. However, it is not to late to help Fawzia and her children return to their rightful home--and the neighborhood for which they have fought so valiantly and so long. A "protest tent" has been set upon private land nearby, and Fawzia is staying there, despite efforts by the Israeli army to drive her out through fines and periodic destruction of this canvas shelter.
Please add your voice to hers, and together we can save this home.
The doorway to the al-Kurd family's home. Two-thirds of their home was taken from them in 1999 by Israeli officials, using the excuse that the family had made improvements to the house without having a permit. That part of the house was subsequently taken over by settlers, who were given the key by Israeli authorities.
The doorway on the left has been used by these squatter settler families since 2001, while the doorway on the right leads into the part of the house that Fawzia and Mohammed al-Kurd continued to live in until their recent eviction.
Israeli police evict 57-year-old Fawzia and 61-year-old husband Mohammed, seriously ill with diabetes and heart problems. He died of a heart attack two weeks later, on Nov. 23.
Fawzia al-Kurd
Israelis Steal Another
Palestinian Home
Head of Family Dies of Heart Attack
Following Eviction
Following Eviction
Help us reverse this grave injustice. Read about the case and then--please
Tent where Fawzia has been living since her eviction from her home. Israeli bull-dozers have demolished it three times, and the Israeli government has imposed daily fines on Fawzia. The tent is located on private land that the al-Kurd family has leased.
Read this:
The Struggle is Not Over: Remembering Mohammed al-Kurd
by Pam Rasmussen
PeaceAction Montgomery