Israeli Police Harasses Widow

This morning, Israeli Police forces detained Tehilla Zolden for allegedly spending this past Rosh HaShana (7 months ago) with her family at the ruins of the destroyed Chomesh settlement in the Shomron Mountains.

Since the police could not detain and question Tehilla's husband, Ido, who was murdered by PA policemen in a drive-by terror attack this past November, the Israeli police detained her instead.

Why the police insist on harassing a widow and detaining her is beyond me, considering that Israel's courts have specifically ruled that there it is not illegal to go to Chomesh. (Hebrew link here)

From Wikipedia's Chomesh entry.

In August 2007, an Israeli court ruled that it was not illegal entering the ruins of Homesh.

Justice David Gadol ruled that the Disengagement Law, on which the state bases its prohibition on entering the ruins of Homesh was legislated is not to be utilized for different purposes after that event. The judge also ruled that the government has not relinquished Homesh to another sovereignty and that its status and access roads remain Area 'C' which is in full control of Israel and with no restrictions on Israeli traffic, "After the evacuation of Homesh, Ganim and Kadim, unlike the evacuation of the Gaza Strip settlements, as far as I know, the areas were not transferred to what is known as the Palestinian Authority. As I recall, there were pictures of Palestinians from the area looting the property that was left behind by the evacuating forces. For this reason it is important to legally define whether this territory has area C status," Justice David Gadol stated, according to Haaretz. ^[2]

Why deal with Palestinian terror when it's so much easier to targets widows and orphans?

Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael טובה הארץ מאד מאד

Quick! Trash the place before the cops show up.

On second thought, we're the cops.

Doh!

Today at 12:49 PM:

IDF forces evacuated several dozens of settlers who arrived at the former West Bank settlement of Homesh, Sunday.

One man was detained for questioning. IDF sources told Ynet that the tents erected by the settlers will be destroyed.

And at 1:48 PM:

Juvenile court judge states Disengagement Law no longer valid, and therefore prohibition on visiting former settlement is null

"The penal chapter of the Disengagement Law has completed its role, and therefore suspects cannot be brought before a court based on it," Judge David Gadol of the Juvenile Court in Kfar Saba ruled recently.

Gadol, who presided in a hearing on the remand extension of a teenage girl who was arrested after visiting the evacuated settlement of Homesh, said that the girl did not commit a criminal offense because the law in question – which bars Israelis from visiting the former settlement - was no longer valid.

As Ehud Olmert always says, Never let the law get in the way of a good eviction.

Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael

Why I'm not going to Chomesh today.

Chomesh Water Tower (pic from NY Times)

Today, atop the ruins of Chomesh, a "Disengagement" destroyed settlement -- thousands will commemorate Israel's victory in 1967.

If you think it's a strange way to commemorate Israel's victory in 1967, by congregating at the ruins of a settlement then you aren't alone.

Not only is the situation itself bizarre, but so is the timing. With less than 2 weeks before school is out, now is the worst time to "ask" for teenagers to leave school to attend. Couldn't the organizers have waited two more weeks?

This isn't at all like the previous marches, in which thousands of people hiked through fields and roads to arrive at Chomesh and braved the bitter winter cold to stay overnight.

This "commemoration" is "easy".

Just drive your car to Shavei Shomron, and a bus will drive you straight to Chomesh. In fact, it's all coordinated with the police, IDF and government! You'll only see smiling policemen today; none of the brutal black uniformed Yassam shock troops.

Worried over losing their following, the YESHA Council (Moetzet Yesha) has been searching for ways to regain the "Orange" camp's trust, having adopted an ultra pacifist mentality during the Disengagement. Realizing that past successful marches to Chomesh (organized by the "Chomesh First" group) brought huge crowds...Moetzet Yesha decided to make it "easy."

By coordinating everything with the government in advance, there will be only smiles today at Chomesh.

If you wonder WHY the government wants to bother helping Moetzet Yesha in the first place, the answer was provided last night on IDF radio at 9:00 PM. The government announced that it was supporting the rally to STRENGTHEN Moetzet Yesha against the "radical right wing". The government wants to marginalize the "Chomesh First" group, since they have the best chances of actually resettling Chomesh.

The government wants no such thing and neither does Moetzet Yesha.

After the rally today, Moetzet Yesha organizers will probably even help the police identify potential "troublemakers" who have any seditious ideas of wanting to actually...remain and rebuild.

Moetzet Yesha is an organization that has long outlived it's usefulness. While they may be great at fundraising for an elite group of settlements, they are far from a unified voice that represents the settlers. Backdoor politics and the "old boys club" are its reality, and while they created a facade of "a new, elected Moetzet Yesha" -- in reality, only some were elected, while many remain to ensure that it's business as usual.

Many of the newcomers have already resigned or distanced themselves, disgusted at Motzet Yesha's behaviour of unilaterally deciding on questionable actions.

I'm not going to Chomesh today, since I don't think Moetzet Yesha deserves my support, and they definitely don't represent me.

While I totally support the rebuilding of Chomesh, today is just a sham and will do nothing to further Chomesh's rebirth.

Actually, I'm afraid it will accomplish more of the opposite.

Reference Material for those of you who are interested:

YNET: Hundreds of rightists arrive at evacuated West Bank settlement
Link in Hebrew, including radio broadcast that confirms what I wrote above.







Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael

Leaving Chomesh...L'ehitraot, not goodbye.

Israelis don't say "goodbye" but rather "lehitraot", "meaning see you again." (OK, there are Israelis who use the slang word "bye", but that's not Hebrew).

I had SMS exchanges last night with people in and around Chomesh about what time the forced evacuation was to take place. We decided it would be in the early daylight hours of the morning...and the text message I received "Pinuy [evacuation] is NOW!" came at 6:38 AM.

Everyone knew this was coming, yet no one regretted going to Chomesh, even if it was only for a few precious days.

Unfortunately, the Israeli police came armed and wearing their black riot uniforms, which was totally unnecessary, and totally provocative, yet we have no expectations for sensitivity from the Israeli government, which brutally bashed heads at Amona, and STILL has not provided ANY long-term solutions for the Gush Katif refugees.

About 100 were arrested for no reason at all, and the vast majority of the re-settlers went quietly...the police dropped them off at neighboring yishuvim (settlements), and I drove 7 of them home.

I dropped off a family of 3 at Givat Assaf, an outpost between Beit-El and Ofra. The young family with their infant daughter had spent the last 2 days in Chomesh. While the husband slept most of the ride, the wife spoke quietly to their 11 month old daughter, who was exceptionally well-behaved and content, strapped into a car seat in my van.

This family had lived in Gush Katif...in Shirat HaYam, and were evicted during the Disengagement by the Israeli government. They were thrilled to take part in the "Chomesh First" campaign even though they knew the odds of being able to remain were a million to one.

And they would and will be ready to do this again.

Only having my cellphone camera, I took some pictures of them walking up to their caravan, and of the "Givat Assaf" outpost.

They were far from defeated, and were in good spirits.

We shall overcome, and return, and rebuild.

Lehitraot Chomesh...we'll be seeing you again soon.

Givat Assaf

Hmmm...that sort of looks like my banner...doesn't it?








Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael

Like it or not...we will keep returning.

Great Return to Chomesh picture roundup on HNN. (hat-tip ASJ)

The NY Times had the following to say:

The reoccupation, even temporarily, of a destroyed Jewish settlement deep in the West Bank, near Jenin, is an open challenge to a weak Israeli government. How it plays out will be viewed by Palestinians as a sign of whether Israel intends to keep its pledges, or whether settlement activity will continue to proceed unhindered, despite Israel’s promises to halt it.

“We are not here to cry,” said Batya Danziger, 16, one of the many teenagers who took part in the effort to reach the now desolate Homesh. “We are here to live and build it back up again.”

“Hooray, a house!” her friends shouted out in delight as they used palm fronds to fasten a lean-to against one of the few remaining stone walls.

Despite initial warnings to participants that their attempts to reach Homesh would be considered illegal, the government did not order security forces to stop the group from making its way there by foot. Instead, the forces provided security for a six-mile stretch of winding road on which the activists made their way to the site.

Parents held the hands of preschoolers, young people banged on drums and some pushed strollers piled high with sleeping bags, tents, bottled water and canned tuna as part of a campaign the organizers called Homesh Is the Beginning.

Yes, this is just the beginning. We will keep returning...and to Gush Katif as well.

Who would have thought it would have been this quick? Limor Har-Melech, the widow of Shuly Har-Melech who was murdered by a Palestinian terrorists on his way home to Chomesh, remarried, and today is the brit of her newborn son...in CHOMESH.

The Arabs...and even some Jews may not want us here, but we will keep returning.

Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael

Pictures from Homesh, תובב"א

Pictures from Chomesh, a preliminary batch, courtesy of A7.













Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael

Liveblogging the March to Chomesh!

7:19 AM Too exhausted to think. Very long night...as I provided medical support to the IDF and Chomesh marchers/settlers. Will update later.

8:44 PM What am I bringing to Chomesh?

Camera. Check.
VideoCamera Check.
Hot Tea for Elchonon. Check.
Blanket and inhaler for neighbor. Check.

Warm clothes for me...check. Off to bed. Getting up at 11:50 PM...

7:45 PM OK everyone - expect a full report in the AM...with pictures. I've gotten official clearance to go. Bye!

5:57 PM UPDATE: Having gotten a few phone calls about this post, here is a clarification!!!!

I, Jameel, am not (yet) in Chomesh...this is being relayed via SMS and phone calls by friends who are there now. I'm sick...but may go this evening in any event. We'll see.

Over 5000 people reported there so far! Galei Tzahal reports that an Israeli flag was burned there. However, from eyewitness reports, Israeli flags are being WAVED there....(and A7 has it as well).

Will update soon.

--Jameel.


4:08 PM Chomesh! I'm crying, cut, burned and bruised. I made it! (I can barely type this in...)

3:52 PM Just got a call from a neighbor. He's at Shavei Shomron and starting his march now. I told him to take pictures, and he got so upset for forgetting his camera, that he wanted to hang up! Luckily, Elchonon is taking lots of pictures as I remind him every few minutes.

Other reports indicate over 20 buses of people have arrived so far, over 1000 people there, over 1000 on their way, with more arriving at the Shavei Shomron "springboard" from all over the country...details coming within the hour.

3:47 PM We are walking straight up the mountain...Chomesh is in clear view.

3:41 PM "We are walking up the mountain...15 minutes left. The [people pushing] strollers stayed on the road [on their march]. Guys and Donkeys are [going up the mountain, not on the main road], carrying rubber pipes and canvas [for tents]."

3:35 PM Elchonon reports that he has 3 kilometers left till he reaches Chomesh. He estimates that almost half the people marching are chilonim (secular) Israelies. He just passed a 70 year woman who is walking as well.

IDF jeeps pass by in both directions, keeping watch on the marchers, securing the road.

3:15 PM Marching on the road to Chomesh, Elchonon has just passed ad abandoned gas station. I remember this gas station clearly from the times I used to drive to Chomesh.

Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael

Chomesh, First!

Hearing Yedidya Lerner's voice on IDF Radio today after the 12:00 PM news was the most uplifting and exhilarating message I could have asked for.

Not many people know Yedidya Lerner, but he used to live in Chomesh. In the days leading up to the destruction of Chomesh in the Disengagement, I lived on Yedidya's front lawn in a tent, along with 12 other tents. We had shifts to help out in the Lerner's home; washing dishes, cleaning the toilets and washing the floor) as dozens of people camped out on their front lawn.

I remember connecting my laptop to their phone line and gained meager dial-up access to read about the Disenagegment on other blogs...and how infuriated I was at the general apathy (to outright support) for the Disengagement. If anything caused me to start blogging; it was there and then.

Today, a year and half later, I heard Yedidya's voice on the radio. He had already made it back to Chomesh, to the ruins of his home on the hill. He said very clearly that he would not confront the IDF, and that he was hopeful for the long run that eventually, he would rebuild his home in Chomesh. He had already visited Chomesh this past Chanuka, and was back now. He said, "maybe we'll be removed from here tonight or tomorrow, but we will keep returning, and will rebuild."

As I type this, I keep getting SMS messages from my blog-friend Elchonon, who is updating me minute by minute of his progress.

Starting the "march" from the closest settlement to Chomesh, Shavei Shomron, he reports that hundreds and hundreds of people are marching towards Chomesh...families pushing strollers with babies...teenagers with backpacks and sleeping bags, old and young wearing orange streamers and shirts that say, "Chomesh First" (A take-off of the Failed Oslo Accord plan, "Jericho and Gaza First"), as they hope that this march will be the awakening to restart the settlement in Chomesh.

As Yedidya Lerner stated; we aren't fooling ourselves, and we may not make it this time...but we will keep coming back.

Perseverance is the key.


More details to be posted as they come in. Please Note: The IDF is securing the road to Chomesh from Shavei Shomron, and there is no confrontation between the marchers and IDF forces. Which is exactly how it should be.

Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael

Re-Settling Chomesh?

For those of you who don't know, the Shomron has been buzzing the past few weeks about the upcoming resettlement march to Chomesh.

Chomesh, one of the 4 Shomron settlements forcibly evacuated and destroyed by the Disengagement is now on the drawing board for resettlement. Obviously, not by the Israeli government, but by grassroot Israelis who want to rebuild Chomesh. The IDF is in Chomesh routinely these days, as the IDF knows it's suicide for Israel at present to abandon Chomesh to the Palestinians.

Taking this cue from the IDF, many are hopeful that tomorrow (Monday) will be the start of a new campaign to rebuild the ruined yishuv.

I spent a few days there before it's destruction 2 summers ago, living in a tent with some of my kids, so I'm very familiar with it (it's not that far from the Muqata either).

In order to prevent people from trying to reach Chomesh "through all available means" (read: going through dangerous Arab villages), it appears the IDF is going to allow an organized march to Chomesh from the nearby Shavei Shomron settlement, to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the marchers.

That means the standoff will not be on the way to Chomesh, but at Chomesh itself.

I certainly hope there won't be a repeat of Amona, where intentional police brutality shattered the bones and skulls of many...and I hope the Chomesh resettlers will continue to use passive disobedience (if challenged) to accomplish the resettlement goals.

The JPost talks about it here, but I'll have the full story on my blog tomorrow.






Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael