Statement from the family of Rachel Corrie
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- Written by Cindy and Craig Corrie on behalf of our family Cindy and Craig Corrie on behalf of our family
- Published: 16 March 2009 16 March 2009
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We thank all who continue to remember Rachel and those who, on this sixth anniversary of her stand in Gaza, renew their own commitments to human rights, justice and peace in the Middle East. The tributes and actions in her memory are a source of inspiration to us and to others. {mosimage}
Friday, March 13th, we learned of the tragic injury to American activist Tristan Anderson. Tristan was shot in the head with a tear-gas canister in Ni’lin Village in the West Bank when Israeli forces attacked a demonstration opposing the construction of the annexation wall through the village’s land. On the same day, a Ni’lin resident was, also, shot in the leg with live ammunition. Four residents of Ni’lin have been killed in the past eight months as villagers and their supporters have courageously demonstrated against the Apartheid Wall deemed illegal by the International Court of Justice – a wall that will ultimately absorb one-quarter of the village’s remaining land. Those who have died are a ten-year-old child Ahmed Mousa, shot in the forehead with live ammunition on July 29, 2008; Yousef Amira (17) shot with rubber-coated steel bullets on July 30, 2008; Arafat Rateb Khawaje (22) and Mohammed Khawaje (20), both shot and killed with live ammunition on December 28, 2008. On this anniversary, Rachel would want us all to hold Tristan Anderson and his family and these Palestinians and their families in our thoughts and prayers, and we ask everyone to do so.
We are writing this message from Cairo where we returned after a visit to Gaza with the Code Pink Delegation from the United States. Fifty-eight women and men successfully passed through Rafah Crossing on Saturday, March 7th to challenge the border closures and siege and to celebrate International Women’s Day with the strong and courageous women of Gaza. Rachel would be very happy that our spirited delegation made this journey. North to south throughout the Strip, we witnessed the sweeping destruction of neighborhoods, municipal buildings, police stations, mosques, and schools – casualties of the Israeli military assaults in December and January. When we asked about the personal impact of the attacks on those we met, we heard repeatedly of the loss of mothers, fathers, children, cousins, and friends. The Palestinian Center for Human Rights reports 1434 Palestinian dead and over 5000 injured, among them 288 children and 121 women.
We walked through the farming village of Khoza in the South where fifty homes were destroyed during the land invasion. A young boy scrambled through a hole in the rubble to show us the basement he and his family crouched in as a bulldozer crushed their house upon them. We heard of Rafiya who lead the frightened women and children of this neighborhood away from threatening Israeli military bulldozers, only to be struck down and killed by an Israeli soldier’s sniper fire as she walked in the street carrying her white flag.
Repeatedly, we were told by Palestinians, and by the internationals on the ground supporting them, that there is no ceasefire. Indeed, bomb blasts from the border area punctuated our conversations as we arrived and departed Gaza. On our last night, we sat by a fire in the moonlight in the remains of a friend’s farmyard and listened to him tell of how the Israeli military destroyed his home in 2004, and of how this second home was shattered on February 6th. This time, it was Israeli rockets from Apache helicopters that struck the house, a stand of wheat remained and rustled soothingly in the breeze as we talked, but our attention shifted quickly when F-16s streaked high across the night sky. and our friend explained that if the planes tipped to the side, they would strike. Everywhere, the psychological costs of the recent and ongoing attacks for all Gazans, but especially for the children, were sadly apparent. It is not only those who suffer the greatest losses that carry the scars of all that has happened. It is those, too, who witnessed from their school bodies flying in the air when police cadets were bombed across the street and those who felt and heard the terrifying blasts of missiles falling near their own homes. It is the children who each day must walk past the unexplainable and inhumane destruction that has occurred.
In Rachel’s case, though a thorough, credible and transparent investigation was promised by the Israeli Government, after six years, the position of the U.S. Government remains that such an investigation has not taken place. In March 2008, Michele Bernier-Toff, Managing Director of the Office of Overseas Citizen Services at the Department of State wrote, “We have consistently requested that the Government of Israel conduct a full and transparent investigation into Rachel’s death. Our requests have gone unanswered or ignored.” Now, the attacks on all the people of Gaza and the recent one on Tristan Anderson in Ni’lin cry out for investigation and accountability. We call on President Obama, Secretary of State Clinton, and members of Congress to act with fortitude and courage to ensure that the atrocities that have occurred are addressed by the Israeli Government and through relevant international and U.S. law. We ask them to act immediately and persistently to stop the impunity enjoyed by the Israeli military, not to encourage it.
Despite the pain, we have once again felt privileged to enter briefly into the lives of Rachel’s Palestinian friends in Gaza. We are moved by their resilience and heartened by their song, dance, and laughter amidst the tears. Rachel wrote in 2003, “I am nevertheless amazed at their strength in being able to defend such a large degree of their humanity – laughter, generosity, family time – against the incredible horror occurring in their lives … I am also discovering a degree of strength and of the basic ability for humans to remain human in the direst of circumstances … I think the word is dignity.” On this sixth anniversary of Rachel’s killing, we echo her sentiments.
Sincerely,
Cindy and Craig Corrie on behalf of our family
Statement by family of Tristan Anderson who was critically injured March 13th
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- Written by Anderson Family Anderson Family
- Published: 16 March 2009 16 March 2009
- Hits: 2974 2974
15 March: The Anderson family posted the following statement on indybay.org:
We are deeply grateful for the love and support pouring in from Tristan’s friends and fellow activists around the world. It is moving to see how many people care for Tristan and are moved by his work championing social justice issues. We are proud of Tristan’s fierce courage, adventurous spirit, and his many travels to all corners of the globe.
Tristan’s girlfriend, Gaby, who has been tirelessly by his side, reports that he is doing much better. When the doctor asked him to put up two fingers he did so. Tristan recognizes Gaby and can squeeze her fingers in answer to different questions. He’s started his moving toes and his torso around a bit. This is welcome and wonderful news! We understand things can go up and down, however we are deeply hopeful that Tristan will recover. We are looking forward to when he is stable enough that he can return home to the care and comfort of his family and community.
In the meantime, we are deeply appreciative of the excellent care he’s receiving, the amazing support that Gaby and his friends are providing, and the thoughts and prayers of those around the world who are holding him in their hearts and minds. It matters tremendously as we all hold faith for Tristan to recover and return home.
Again, we are so very grateful for the outpouring of love and support for Tristan and our family.
Netanyahu adds rightwing party to Israeli coalition, open racist Lieberman could be foreign minister
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- Written by Associated Press Associated Press
- Published: 16 March 2009 16 March 2009
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Yisrael Beitenu party leader Avigdor Lieberman could be appointed foreign minister after deal with Likud
Israel's prime minister-designate Binyamin Netanyahu's Likud party has today agreed a coalition agreement with the rightwing Yisrael Beitenu party, whose leader, Avigdor Lieberman, could now become foreign minister.
Lieberman has been accused of racism for proposing that Israel's Arab citizens sign loyalty oaths or lose their citizenship. Although that plan is unlikely to be implemented, his designation as foreign minister could harm Israel's international ties.
It would be seen in Europe as a setback to Middle East peace efforts. The EU has urged Netanyahu to form a government that embraces the long-standing goal of an independent Palestinian state living side by side with Israel.
"Let me say very clearly that the way the European Union will relate to an [Israeli] government that is not committed to a two-state solution will be very, very different," Javier Solana, the EU's foreign and security affairs chief, said yesterday.
Lieberman recently said he supported Palestinian statehood, but he insists such a state should include territory inside Israel containing heavily populated Arab areas – a plan that could strip hundreds of thousands of Arabs of their Israeli citizenship.
Likud party spokeswoman, Dina Libster, said the coalition agreement with the Yisrael Beitenu party included a provision that both sides were prepared to form a government that would include moderate partners, such as the Kadima party of the current foreign minister, Tzipi Livni.
That wording leaves open the possibility that Livni might retain her job if she were to join such an alliance. Israel's media reported over the weekend that Netanyahu had resumed overtures to recruit Livni.
The agreement with Beitenu is Netanyahu's first step towards setting up a coalition of hawkish and Orthodox Jewish parties.
The government taking shape would take a harder line on Palestinian and Arab issues than the outgoing administration of prime minister Ehud Olmert.
Netanyahu has criticised last year's US-sponsored peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians, aimed at partitioning the land and establishing a Palestinian state.
The talks made little progress and Olmert yesterday blamed the weak Palestinian government for the failure. In turn, Palestinian negotiators blamed Israel, citing expansion of West Bank settlements and hundreds of roadblocks in the West Bank.
Netanyahu plans to focus on efforts to bolster the Palestinian economy, leaving issues such as borders, sovereignty and Israeli settlements for a later stage.
In defiance of Israeli commitments to international plans, Netanyahu favours expanding Israel's West Bank Jewish settlements to allow for "natural growth," accommodating the growing families in the communities.
Palestinians reject that approach and have the backing of Barack Obama's US administration. In a recent visit, the secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, said the goal of negotiations must be the creation of a Palestinian state living next to Israel in peace.
Netanyahu still needs to add several other parties to reach a majority in the 120-member parliament. In the election last month, Likud won 27 seats; Yisrael Beitenu adds another 15.
Kadima won 28 seats, but Netanyahu was chosen to form a government because a majority of members of parliament said they favoured him over Livni as premier.
Netanyahu's negotiators will meet today with a team from Shas, an ultra-Orthodox Jewish party with 11 seats in the parliament. If Kadima stays outside, Netanyahu is expected to try to bring in smaller hardline parties such as Jewish Home, National Union and United Torah Judaism, giving him a majority of 65.
But several of the parties have conflicting claims and agendas, and getting all of them to agree to back Likud is not assured.
American citizen critically injured after being shot in the head by Israeli forces in Ni’lin
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- Written by ISM ISM
- Published: 14 March 2009 14 March 2009
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American citizen critically injured after being shot in the head by Israeli forces in Ni’lin
Updates below Press Release
For Immediate Release
13th Friday 2009, Ni’lin Village: An American citizen has been critically injured in the village of Ni’lin after Israeli forces shot him in the head with a tear-gas canister.
Tristan Anderson from California USA, 37 years old, has been taken to Israeli hospital Tel Hashomer, near Tel Aviv. Anderson is unconscious and has been bleeding heavily from the nose and mouth. He sustained a large hole in his forehead where he was struck by the canister. He is currently being operated on.
Tristan was shot by the new tear-gas canisters that can be shot up to 500m. I ran over as I saw someone had been shot, while the Israeli forces continued to fire tear-gas at us. When an ambulance came, the Israeli soldiers refused to allow the ambulance through the checkpoint just outside the village. After 5 minutes of arguing with the soldiers, the ambulance passed.
– Teah Lunqvist (Sweden) - International Solidarity Movement
The Israeli army began using to use a high velocity tear gas canister in December 2008. The black canister, labeled in Hebrew as “40mm bullet special/long range,” can shoot over 400 meters. The gas canister does not make a noise when fired or emit a smoke tail. A combination of the canister’s high velocity and silence is extremely dangerous and has caused numerous injuries, including a Palestinian male whose leg was broken in January 2009.
Please Contact:
Adam Taylor (English), ISM Media Office +972 8503948
Sasha Solanas (English), ISM Media Office - +972 549032981
Woody Berch (English), at Tel Hashomer hospital +972 548053082
Tristan Anderson
Tristan Anderson was shot as Israeli forces attacked a demonstration against the construction of the annexation wall through the village of Ni’lin’s land. Another resident from Ni’lin was shot in the leg with live ammunition.
Four Ni’lin residents have been killed during demonstrations against the confiscation of their land.
Ahmed Mousa (10) was shot in the forehead with live ammunition on 29th July 2008. The following day, Yousef Amira (17) was shot twice with rubber-coated steel bullets, leaving him brain dead. He died a week later on 4 August 2008. Arafat Rateb Khawaje (22), was the third Ni’lin resident to be killed by Israeli forces. He was shot in the back with live ammunition on 28 December 2008. That same day, Mohammed Khawaje (20), was shot in the head with live ammunition, leaving him brain dead. He died three days in a Ramallah hospital.
Residents in the village of Ni’lin have been demonstrating against the construction of the Apartheid Wall, deemed illegal by the International Court of Justice in 2004. Ni’lin will lose approximately 2500 dunums of agricultural land when the construction of the Wall is completed. Ni’lin was 57,000 dunums in 1948, reduced to 33,000 dunums in 1967, currently is 10,000 dunums and will be 7,500 dunums after the construction of the Wall.
Updates:
Orly Levi, a spokeswoman at the Tel Hashomer hospital, tells Ha’aretz:
He’s in critical condition, anesthetized and on a ventilator and undergoing imaging tests,” She described Anderson’s condition as life-threatening.
Israeli activist Jonathan Pollack told Ynet:
… the firing incident took place inside the village and not next to the fence. There were clashes in the earlier hours, but he wasn’t part of them. He didn’t throw stones and wasn’t standing next to the stone throwers.
There was really no reason to fire at them. The Dutch girl standing next to him was not hurt. It only injured him, like a bullet.
13 March: Anarchists Against the Wall reports on Tristan’s condition (volunteers with AWALLS were present when Tristan was injured and have been at the hospital to oversee his treatment):
The impact of the projectile caused numerous condensed fractures to Anderson’s forehead and right eye socket. During the operation part of his right frontal lobe had to be removed, as it was penetrated by bone fragments. A brain fluid leakage was sealed using a tendon from his thigh, and both his right eye and skin suffered extensive damage. The long term scope of all of Tristan’s injuries is yet unknown.
Israeli and Palestinian groups accept rights medal
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- Written by AP AP
- Published: 13 March 2009 13 March 2009
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THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — A prestigious Dutch human rights award was presented Friday to two groups from Israel and the Palestinian territories even though the director of the Palestinian organization was banned from attending the ceremony.
The Geuzenpenning medal has been presented to Palestinian group al-Haq and Israeli organization B'Tselem at a ceremony in the southern Dutch city of Vlaardingen.
The foundation that makes the annual award praised both groups for their "independent and critical" monitoring of rights abuses in the occupied territories.
The director of al-Haq, Shawan Jabarin, was not able to attend the presentation because Israel refused to lift a travel ban it imposed on him.
Hans Mathijssen, who helped organize the ceremony, said Jabarin was able to watch live through a computer link with Ramallah.
"So, Mr. Jabarin was virtually present at the ceremony," Mathijssen said.
Israel's Supreme Court ruled Tuesday there was evidence Jabarin is involved with terror groups. Jabarin denies the accusation and the organization that presents the medal condemned the decision.
Geuzen Resistance Foundation spokeswoman Edith Kwakernaak said Tuesday the organization was "shocked and disappointed" at the court's decision.
Dutch Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen also expressed his disappointment after lobbying unsuccessfully for Jabarin to be allowed to travel to the Netherlands.
The prize recognizes human rights works and is awarded by a foundation named for a Dutch World War II resistance movement.
Previous winners include kidnapped Colombian presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt and watchdog groups Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.