Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Ethnic cleansing in the neguev- 1 village erased / Nettoyage ethnique dans le desert du Neguv- un village detruit




(c) Oren Ziv/ Activestills.org, 27 July 2010


Rumours of displacement plans for the Bedouin of the Negev desert

The demolition of 45 houses in the Bedouin village of Araqib in the Negev desert on Tuesday is seen as a trial run for further demolitions and expulsions
By JNews
Wednesday, 28 July, 2010 - 14:30
London, UK
Source:
RCUV, Bimkom, other

The destruction of Araqib, yesteday
The demolition of more than 40 houses in the unrecognized Bedouin village of Araqib in the Negev desert on Tuesday has triggered fears for the future of other Bedouin communities, who see Araqib as a test case in the long-standing struggle against Israeli government attempts to ‘judaise’ the Negev.

The inhabitants of Araqib are in the midst of a legal struggle for the recognition of their ownership of their land, which they claim they held for generations until the state redefined it as a military zone in 1951.

Their struggle was prompted by works begun by the Jewish National Fund (JNF) to plant forests on the land and on this issue they won a temporary victory, when the Israeli High Court of Justice conceded that government plans for the region did not officially allocate these lands to forestation.

But the chances of long-term success in their ownership claim look slim.

Bedouin hopes generally were raised when a government-appointed Commission headed by Justice Eliezer Goldberg was appointed in 2007 to look into their case.

In 2008 the Goldberg Commission recommended mechanisms for the recognition of a majority of Bedouin villages - not including Araqib - by the state. The Commission submitted its recommendations to Ehud Prawer, head of the Policy Planning Division of the Prime Minister’s Office, and the latter has reportedly written an operative plan of action based partly on a watered-down version of these recommendations, and submitted it to Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu for approval.

According to sources in the Israeli government who wish to remain anonymous, Prawer’s plan involves partial recognition of some of the 45 villages defined as ‘unrecognized’ – and mass eviction of the remainder to government-designated townships in the north of the Negev desert.

Hints of this plan emerged following an official appeal submitted by the Regional Council for the Unrecognized Villages (RCUV), a Bedouin NGO, and several other rights groups, to the Beersheba Planning Authority, in response to a new development plan proposed for the Beersheba region, including the Bedouin villages within it. The appeal resulted in recommendations being adopted last Tuesday (20 Jul 2010) according to which up to 25 of the unrecognized villages would be partly or fully recognized by the state.

These recommendations represent a landmark decision, despite the fact that in some cases they propose inappropriate removal and transfer of populations among the villages in order to align them with other state development plans, such as roads. The recommendations ignore the historical bond between the local inhabitants and their specific plots of land, and rights groups have responded by saying that many of the recommendations may be doomed to failure if the local population is not fully included in the planning process.

More significantly, activists speaking to government authorities have concluded that any villages not included in the definitive plan for the future of the Bedouin – about 20 villages – will be evacuated, destroyed and their lands transferred to state hands for development of Jewish towns, roads and farms.

Their residents will be required by law enforcement authorities to move to government-designated townships in the northern Negev, such as Laqiya or Hura, despite severe housing shortage and long waiting- lists in both townships. If such a plan were put into practice it could affect tens of thousands of Bedouin currently living in unrecognized villages.

The same activists claim that the recent demolition actions at Araqib and in another community, Tawil Abu Jarwal - both of which are excluded from recognition under the new development plan - are trial runs in which Israeli special police forces [YASAM] and other officials are attempting to gauge expected responses by Bedouin communities to mass evictions, and the likelihood of resistance.

Bedouin inhabitants at Araqib and other community leaders have made clear that they will insist on their right to remain on their lands and have already announced plans to rebuild any demolished structures.

Israeli press items in recent weeks, notably in the right-wing daily ‘Maariv,’ as well as in the liberal daily ‘Ha’aretz’ have focused on the Bedouin community as law-breakers and described their claims to the land as fraudulent. Activists see this negative coverage as initiated by the Israeli government in preparation for the displacement plan.

The Unrecognized Villages

About 150,000 Bedouin live in the Negev Desert.

The Bedouin have lived and travelled in the region since long before the establishment of the State of Israel, engaging in grazing, cattle breeding and land husbandry throughout the the Negev and the Sinai deserts.

In 1948 the majority of Bedouin were expelled from the Negev Desert to the Egyptian Sinai. Those who remained within Israel were granted full Israeli citizenship.

However, in the years following the establishment of the State, the Bedouin were limited to a certain part of the northern Negev region [termed ‘Syag’], and some of their lands were redefined as military zones or as state lands for future development or for non-rural uses.

Some of their villages were recognized by the state, but about half, defined by the state as a ‘diaspora,’ were neither recognized nor marked on the map, and their residents were required to move away from their lands to townships built for them. Most residents refused, saying that there were no employment opportunities in the designated townships, and that their own traditional way of life would be lost.

As a form of pressure, the government and courts have consistently refused to connect the ‘unrecognized’ villages to drinkable water, sewage treatment and disposal services, electricity, roads and other essential public services such as adequate primary healthcare.

More than 80,000 Bedouin live in unrecognized villages today, and the dire circumstances of their lives are demonstrated by the fact that infant mortality rates among the Bedouin are five times as high as that of the average Jewish rates – a gap only partly explained by congenital defects as a result of consanguinity, and clearly connected to degraded sanitary conditions and an environment hazardous to health.

Since the 1990s an array of Bedouin and human-rights groups have waged a determined battle in the courts and in the parliament for recognition of their rights, with partial success. At the same time, Jewish farmers were granted rights by the state to purchase and control lands that overlapped with those of the Bedouin.

Authorities charged with government policies regarding the Bedouin include the Negev Department of the Ministry of Interior, the ‘Green Brigade’ of the Israel Lands Authority (ILA), and a new authority for Bedouin affairs within the Ministry of Construction and Housing.


Un village bédouin rasé par Israel
28/07/2010
Ce mardi, Israel a rasé un autre village bédouin dans le Néguev.


Malgré ses 45 habitations et ses 300 occupants, le village n’était pas reconnu par l’Etat hébreux.
Les habitants d’ Al-Arakib ont bénéficié du soutien de nombreux activistes israéliens de gauche pendant la manifestation qui visait à dénoncer cette démolition.
Ils ont même allumé des feux pour repousser l’arrivée des bulldozers.
Armés de mégaphones, les 1300 policiers présents sur le site ont tenté de disperser la foule en lançant des slogans offensifs.

L’ordre d’évacuation avait été donné le 15 juin dernier.
Même si la sonnette d’alarme avait été tirée, les habitants ne pensaient pas que le gouvernement israélien passerait à l’acte.
Et pourtant, ce mardi à 5h30 du matin, cinq bulldozers et des brigades de police ont fait irruption dans le village.
Ils ont tout d’abord détruit les groupes électrogènes avant d’évacuer les résidents et de s’attaquer aux habitations, sans leur laisser le temps de réunir leurs biens.
Face à la violence de l’action, les troupeaux se sont dispersés.

Shlomo Tziser, un des responsables du projet de démolition, n’a affiché aucune empathie face aux dommages causés à ces habitants.
Il a précisé que tous possédaient des maisons dans des villes comme Rahat et Kfar Kassem.
Certains israéliens ont, eux, haussé la voix, comme cet activiste de gauche Ezra Nawi : « C’est une injustice historique qui a lieu aujourd’hui. Les personnes qui vivaient ici reconnaissent l’Etat d’Israel et ils sont aujourd’hui rejetés par ce même gouvernement qui vient les priver d’un des droits les plus fondamentaux, celui de bénéficier d’un toît. Ces gens vont devoir maintenant vivre dans le désert sans le moindre abri. »

Selon Noach, un autre activiste israélien, certains vont même devoir élire résidence dans un cimetière avant de recevoir une quelconque aide .

Monday, July 19, 2010

Voices beyond walls workshop in Al Aroub 18.07.2010







(c) Anne Paq/Activestills.org, Voices beyond walls Workshop, Al Aroub camp, 18.07.2010

1- Review of the shots
2- review of the shots in editing room.
3, 4 and 5- finishing shooting scenes.

Saturday, July 17, 2010

you cannot even enjoy a cappucino in peace / On ne peut meme pas boire un cappucino en paix, Jerusalem, 17.07.2010







(c) Anne Paq/Activestills.org, East Jerusalem, 17.07.2010

Today was supposed to be a day off...so I decided to head to Jerusalem, and enjoy a cappucino at the great Educational bookshop in saladin street. It was so nice, until we heard some Hebrew shouting and singing. as I watched through the window, I saw a large group of Jewish extremists marching. We are in the middle of east Jerusalem, in one of the most famous street for shopping for Palestinians.
I rushed after them, they clearly wanted to go in the direction of Sheikh Jarrah, but police prevented them. They were aggressive and arrogant, they acted as Jerusalem was theirs. As they were walking away, I noticed that some of them were heavily armed.
No really...you cannot even enjoy a cappucino in peace in this place.

Aujourd'hui était censé être une journée de congé ... j'ai donc décidé d'aller à Jérusalem, et de deguster'un cappucino à la librairie Educationnal bookshop dans la rue Saladin. C'etait un plaisir simple mais tellement délicieux... jusqu'au moment ou nous avons entendu des cris et les chants en hébreu. J'ai regardé par la fenêtre un grand groupe d'extrémistes juifs marchant d'une maniere tres arrogante. Nous sommes au milieu de Jérusalem-Est, dans une des rues les plus commerçantes pour les Palestiniens.
Je me suis précipité après eux, ils voulaient clairement aller dans la direction de Sheikh Jarrah, mais la police est intervenue. Ils étaient agressifs et arrogants, ils ont agi comme si Jérusalem était la leur. Alors qu' ils s'éloignaient, j'ai remarqué que certains d'entre eux étaient lourdement armés.
Non vraiment ...il n'est pas possible ici même de boire un cappucino en paix .

demo against the Wall in Al Masara / Manif contre le Mur a Al Masara, 16.07.2010







(c) Anne Paq/Activestills.org, 16.07.2010

A group of Palestinians, internationals and Israelis demonstrate against the building of the Wall in Al Masara on 16.07.2010. The demonstrators walk holding arms towards the lands that are now out of reach because of the Wall. A sign and a mock La Bastille tower were carried, making reference to the French national day, the 14th of July which celebrates a turning point in the French revolution and the fall of the French monarchy.
Demonstrators were stopped by Israeli soldiers who threw directly at them tear gas and concussion grenades. They also detained a Palestinian and threatened him before letting him go.

Plusieurs manifestations contre le Mur bloquées par l’armée israélienne
Ecrit par PNN
17/07/2010
Bethléem – PNN – Des manifestations contre le mur ont été rapportées ce vendredi dans des villages du centre et du sud de la Cisjordanie.

Les villages de Bil’in, Nil’in et Nabi Sameh, au centre de la Cisjordanie, ont été les théâtres de manifestations contre le mur. Dans le sud de la Cisjordanie, il s’agissait des villages de Wadi Rahal, Ertass et Al Ma’ssra.

Les manifestations ont débuté vendredi peu après les prières de midi, se dirigeant vers le Mur construit par Israël. Des sympathisants israéliens et internationaux se sont joints aux villageois.

Les troupes israéliennes ont fait usage de gaz lacrymogènes, de grenades assourdissantes, de balles en métal enrobées de caoutchouc afin de mettre fin aux manifestations. De nombreux civils ont été traités à Bil’in et à Nil’in pour les effets de l’inhalation de gaz.

La manifestation s’est terminée pacifiquement à Wadi Rahal, après que les soldats israéliens aient interdit l’accès au site de construction du mur. En revanche, dans le proche village d’Al Ma’ssra, les troupes ont eu recours aux gaz lacrymogènes pour mettre fin à la manifestation. Un organisateur local d’Al Ma’ssara a été arrêté puis relâché une demi-heure plus tard.

demo against the Wall in Al Masara / Manif contre le Mur a Al Masara, 16.07.2010







(c) Anne Paq/Activestills.org, 16.07.2010

Voices beyond walls workshop in Al Aroub 15.07.2010







(c) Anne Paq/Activestills.org, al aroub camp, 15.07.2010


shooting day for the kids. jour de tournage pour les jeunes.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

demolition of home in Beit Hanina, Jerusalem, 13.07.2010







(c) Anne Paq/Activestills.org, Jerusalem, 13.07.2010


The home of Al Sharabi family was demolished by Israeli authorities in Beit Hanina, on 13,07.2010. It was the home for a family of 6, including a two-months baby. The foundations of the house were already demolished 5 years ago.


La maison de la famille Al Sharabi a été démolie par les autorités israéliennes à Beit Hanina, au 13,07.2010. C'était la maison pour une famille de 6, y compris un bébé de deux mois. Les fondations de la maison avaient déjà ete démolies il ya 5 ans.

demolition of home in Jabal Mukaber, Jerusalem, 13.07.2010




(c) Anne Paq/Activestills.org, Jerusalem, 13.07.2010

The home of Musa Mashari was demolished by Israeli authorities in Jabal Mukaber, on 13,07.2010. It was the home for six persons. The Israeli bulldozer demolished also the stairs of access to the land, the water system, as well as electricity cables.
The small house was built in 2000.


Le domicile de Musa Mashari a été démoli par les autorités israéliennes à Jabal Mukaber, le 13,07.2010. La maison etait habitee par six personnes. Le bulldozer israéliens a démoli également l'escalier d'accès au terrain, le systeme d'eau , ainsi que les câbles électriques.
La petite maison a été construite en 2000.

World Cup final, Bethlehem







(c) Anne Paq/Activestills.org, 13.07.2010

1 and 2- World Cup final screened on the Wall
3- Deheishe refugee camp
4 and 5- Al Quch, Bethlehem

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Demonstration in Beit Jala / Manifestation a Beit Jala,11.07.2010




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(c) Anne Paq/Activestills.org, Beit Jala, 11.07.2010

A group of Palestinians, internationals and Israelis demonstrate against the construction of the Wall in Beit Jala, on 11.07.2010. The Israeli soldiers blocked their march by closing the road with barbwire. Just after a few minutes, the Israeli soldiers threw directly concussion grenades on the crowd with no apparent reasons. Israeli soldiers were also seen on top of buildings.

Un groupe de Palestiniens, internationaux et israéliens manifestent contre la construction du mur à Beit Jala, le 11.07.2010. Les soldats israéliens ont bloqué leur route avec des barbelés. Juste après quelques minutes, les soldats israéliens ont jeté des grenades à concussion directement sur la foule sans raisons apparentes. Les soldats israéliens ont également été vus sur le toit de bâtiments.

Saturday, July 10, 2010

A cool short made by the trainers for the Voices Beyond Walls workshop in Gaza / un coirt metrage realise par les animateurs de Gaza de VBW



A video short produced by youth as part of a Digital Media and Storytelling Training of Trainers course conducted by Voices Beyond Walls in Gaza City, June 28-30, 2010. Participants were asked to shoot and edit a creative "1-minute" video short at the end of the course. This was one of the most creative ones produced.

The short video depicts a day in the life of a street pole in Gaza City, with the hilarious and touching moments with various pedestrians encountering it.

Copyright Voices Beyond Walls 2010

Project Website: http://www.voicesbeyondwalls.org

Voices beyond walls 2010 Workshop, Al Aroub, Day 5







(c) Anne Paq/Activetills.org, Al Aroub camp, 08.07.2010

Beginning of the 2010 Voices Beyond Walls workshop/ Debut des ateliers 2010 de Voices Beyond Walls







(c) Anne Paq/Activestills.org, Al Aroub Center, Day 1 Re-imagining project, 04.07.2010