26th May, 2003
House Demolished in Beit Hanina, East Jerusalem - Activists Arrested

Fred Schlomka: Roughly three emotive hours after the Israeli army and police took their positions, I saw the last Israeli soldier leave the site of today's home demolition in Beit Hanina, mocking the suffering of the newly homeless Maswadeh family with a cold imitation of the crying women. What remained were a few activists, newly homeless family members, a large pile of their personal belongings, and an even larger pile of rubble.

Over the past week, the army and/or police have been to the Maswadeh home three times: once to take measurements of the house, another to plan security arrangements for the demolition, and a third visit yesterday to inform the family of the pending demolition. So when the 50-plus soldiers and police arrived with their heavy machinery, they found a driveway blocked by four vehicles, they encountered local and international reporters and photographers, and they were forced to take notice of seven non-violent activists stationed both inside and on the roof of the home. Ultimately, these factors failed to prevent the demolition but were able to impede the cold efficiency of the destructive process. In so doing, it was again made clear to the Israeli military that this behavior will not go unnoticed, and that it will be challenged.

Rabbi Arik Asherman and two other activists were dragged off the roof and handled roughly when the police moved in to secure the house for demolition. Journalists were prevented from approaching and documenting as the 3 activists were roughed up on their way to the police vehicle. The activists were released several hours later.

The timing of today's demolition is critically symbolic, occurring within one short day of the Israeli cabinet's official approval of the Road Map. Phase I of this peace initiative requires the Government of Israel to end, among other things, all actions "undermining trust, including attacks in civilian areas, and confiscation/demolition of Palestinian homes/property." Thus today's demolition is an immediate and egregious violation by Israel of the letter and spirit of the Road Map to which it is now an official party. Any peace initiative comprised of such empty promises and statements that leave intact the violent facts of Israeli occupation will not be able to bring peace.