There are 2 messages in this issue.

Topics in this digest:

1. ISM Activists to Support Bethlehem Community in Resisting House Demolition
From: "International Solidarity Movement"
2. Israeli Soldiers Murder Palestinian Stone Thrower with Dum Dum Bullet Before Terrorising Residents of Entire Apartment Building
From: "International Solidarity Movement"


________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Message: 1
Date: Thu, 13 Feb 2003 15:07:46 +0200
From: "International Solidarity Movement"
Subject: ISM Activists to Support Bethlehem Community in Resisting House Demolition

ISM Activists to Support Bethlehem Community in Resisting House Demolition

Last night Israeli soldiers broke into a house on the edge of the Aida Refugee Camp, on the outskirts of Bethlehem, terrorising the families who lived in the house, smashing furniture, slashing clothing and generally vandalising everything on which they could lay their hands, while the three families who resided in the building were forced to wait outside in the cold. Then they took the building's measurements and those of an adjoining house lived in by a grandmother. Before they left they informed the residents of the two buildings that they would be back later to finish the job and destroy the houses.

This morning the families are evacuating their remaining belongings from the houses with the help of their neighbours while the community is discussing ways in which the demolition might be resisted. ISM activists in Bethlehem, though thin on the ground, are also mobilising to support the families and at least two activists will stay in the house tonight in solidarity.

Though the soldiers said they would be back to demolish the house, it is by no certain when they will return. Similar threats were made against a house in Dheisha Refugee Camp four months ago but the house has yet to be demolished. This is consistent with the Israeli Army's campaign of psychological warfare against Palestinian civilians: the terror is practiced in a deliberately unpredictable fashion to confuse the people and sap their will to resist.

For further information contact:
a.. Kristen on 059 357 526 or 067 341 268.
=======================================
Michael
ISM Media Coordinator
Beit Sahour
Occupied Palestine
Phone: +972-2-2774602
Cell: +972-67-628439
web:  http://www.palsolidarity.org


[This message contained attachments]



________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Message: 2
Date: Thu, 13 Feb 2003 23:37:20 +0200
From: "International Solidarity Movement"
Subject: Israeli Soldiers Murder Palestinian Stone Thrower with Dum Dum Bullet Before Terrorising Residents of Entire Apartment Building

Israeli Soldiers Murder Palestinian Stone Thrower with Dum Dum Bullet Before Terrorising Residents of Entire Apartment Building

Yesterday ISM Activists based in Nablus witnessed a major operation by Israeli occupation forces against an apartment building in the Al-Ein Refugee Camp. The ISM first became involved in the incident when a family of five requested their assistance in returning to their home in the Refugee Camp and three ISM activists (from the US, Sweden and Israel) attempted to escort the family past the Israeli soldiers before being turned back when a soldier fired a single bullet at point-blank range through the hair of the American activist.

The activists and the family were offered shelter in an apartment which overlooked the assault during which they witnessed the Palestinians of Al-Ein defend their community with stones while the Israeli soldiers fired back with live ammunition. During this confrontation they saw one soldier aim and shoot at a Palestinian stone thrower. The 20 year old victim was killed by a single bullet which hit him in the shoulder causing him major internal injuries and the loss of more than 5 litres of blood. Subsequent medical examination revealed that the bullet was a dum dum bullet (dum dum bullets are bullets that have been tampered with to cause maximum internal injuries by disintegrating within the victim's body and are outlawed under the Geneva Convention).

The attached photo was taken by an ISM activist and shows the soldier who fired the du dum bullet at the young man.

The attack on the apartment commenced at 2 pm when the Hasouna family were hosting an engagement party for their daughter and her fiancé. The surrounding soldiers used a loudspeaker to call upon the family and their guests (including four young children) to vacate the house but when they did so they were immediately fired upon from several directions by the surrounding troops before being allowed to leave the building.

The soldiers then entered the apartment building and forced all its other occupants into its basement. Then they fired rocket propelled grenades into the Hasouna family's apartment while the family waited outside on the street. Then they took the family back into the building and each adult resident of the building was interrogated individually. The interrogations lasted more than five hours and were conducted by a military intelligence officer who told the residents he was happy to continue the interrogations all night since he had nothing else to do.

While the interrogations were being conducted about 20 soldiers entered the Hasouna family's home with dogs and torches (electricity to the apartment had been cut as part of the operation) and systematically vandalised it emptying the cupboards and smashing everything in reach.

The army finally withdrew from the apartment at 9 pm taking with them the man whose engagement party they had interrupted, on suspicion that he was a member of the Palestinian resistance) and another man wanted man who had been living in the building.

For further information contact:
a.. Maria on 059 381 803 or
b.. Linus on 059 350 335
=======================================
Michael
ISM Media Coordinator
Beit Sahour
Occupied Palestine
Phone: +972-2-2774602
Cell: +972-67-628439
web:  http://www.palsolidarity.org