Palestine Video: The unpeaceful history of the 'House of Peace'

Thursday, December 4, 2008

The unpeaceful history of the 'House of Peace' - 4 Dec 2008

The unpeaceful history of the "House of Peace" - 4 Dec 2008:

"Hardline Israeli settlers moved into a house in the heart of the Palestinian city of Hebron in 2007.
They called it the house of peace, but there has been anything but peaceful at this house.
On December 4, Israeli forces stormed the building to remove the settlers.
Al Jazeera's Dorsa Jabbari reports."

Related News:
Settlers Attack Palestinians and Clash With Israeli Military Forces Following Eviction of Settlers from Palestinian Home in Hebron
Source: The Alternative Information Center (AIC)
Date: Dec. 4, 2008

The Israeli military today evicted around 50-60 Jewish settlers from a Palestinian home in Hebron dubbed “The House of Contention,” which they have occupied since 2007. Subsequently, severe clashes erupted between settlers and security forces.

As of 16 November 2008, the Israeli High Court ruled that the settlers are free to leave the house voluntarily within the next 72 hours. However, if the settlers were unwilling to leave of their own accord, it was determined that they would be removed by force. What happened during the past two weeks, and especially during the past two days, was that settlers from outside of Hebron have been gathering to support the nine families living inside the house. The support of additional settlers was done in order to prevent the families’ eviction.

At around 4:00 p.m. today, soldiers arrived to begin removing checkpoints from around the building. Upon arriving, they were confronted by approximately 250 protestors that began to clash with the soldiers. Meanwhile, the main junction near the entrance to Hebron was barricaded by settlers to stop Palestinians from entering the city.

Ahmed Jaradat of the Alternative Information Center reported that some of the settlers began fighting with the soldiers whilst others attacked neighboring Palestinian homes, preventing Palestinian families from entering their homes or crossing streets.

So far, no weapons have been used by the settlers against the Israeli military. It has been reported, however, that the settlers have been assaults Palestinians with rocks. According to sources on the ground, the settlers have bee mainly attacking Palestinians. Moreover, Israeli soldiers have only been intervening intermittently to stop attacks against the Palestinians. According to Jaradat, soldiers also opened fire on Palestinians who started defending themselves against the settlers.

Up to the present, at least 10 Palestinian cars have been attacked and damaged. Houses are being stoned and damaged as well. Settlers have vowed to continue clashing with the military and Palestinians tonight and tomorrow.