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Voices of Peace
Witness to War -- Notes from Daesha
Refugee Camp
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Daesha Refugee Camp 8:25 p.m., Mar 29
Stuff is very calm and scary here at the same time. it is dark. we are waiting for
israeli attacks here in Daesha camp at any time. a few dozen internationals here..mostly
italians hoping to slow down/descalate the violence..the latest suicide bomber was
from here...the israelis typically respond with considerable, and often indisciminate
attacks on the communities where the bombers are from...just the least of which is
the destruction of all relatives of the bombers homes (and often surrounding homes
in collateral damage...we saw several of those rubble piles here today) they often
follow those directed strikes up with a certain amount of indiscriminate shelling
just to teach the whole poulation of the camp a lesson.
the weather has been stormy so that has probably prevented airstrikes for the past
36 hrs or so. sporadic gunfire in various directions.
Amazing people, amazing dignity and kindness, despite the strain here.
There are several groups in different ares of the west bank on the ground attempting
noviolent support...
regards, kevin s
check out http://www.indymedia.org go to the jeruselum or italy sites for as much update as we can provide
from here...it looks MUCH different here in reality than what is shown on US TV.
also the international solidarity movement..i don't have the link, so do a search
***
Bethlehem, Palestine Friday, 29 March 02
Troops are surrounding Bethelem where
the International Solidarity Movement of 100 is currently stationed. There is no
way in or out. The area and all checkpoints are completely closed. A suicide bomber
detonated inside a West Jerusalem supermarket at noon today. The ensuing Israeli
attack depended on where the suicide bomber was from. She is from Dehesha refugee
camp in Bethlehem. Her video-taped statement was released on Fatah TV around 2pm.
Israeli tanks are rolling into Beit Jala, a town connected to Bethlehem. Thirty-five
Italians are inside Dehesha refugee camp as observers and human shields. They have
been staying at Ibdaa Cultural Center nearby for the past week. The sound of F-16s
is in the air, as is an unseasonable hail and wind storm, which is making conditions
even more chaotic. The ISM will spend the night as human shields at Beit Jala, or
in Ad doha guarding would-be bulldozed homes, or as shields and observers inside
Dehesha. Ramallah is under seige. Two buildings inside Arafat's compound have been
taken over. There are bodies strewn about the compound. There are 60 internationals
inside Ramallah. All power has been cut off, but their hotel runs on a generator
so they may be able to get information out. Some internationals are riding inside
of ambulances, which are being fired upon. There are 10 dead (eight Palestinians
and two international journalists) at Al aqsa in Jerusalem, the scene of now-Prime
Minister Sharon's arrogant visit to the muslim holy site which marked the beginning
of the second Intifada.
Kristen
PLEASE FORWARD TO ANYONE WHO MIGHT BE INTERESTED. THANKS.