Category: West Bank

Former Israeli Soldier Admits: You Can’t be a Moral Occupier

Breaking the Silence is an Israeli organization made up of former soldiers. They share similar stories. The majority did their tour of duty in the Occupied Territory (the West Bank). Upon reflecting on their behavior when they wore the uniform; after thinking about the ways they treated Palestinians, all develop a guilty conscience. In order to ‘atone’ for their sins, and to educate the Israeli public about the evils of occupation, they tell their stories

Below is one recent example dealing with Gaza:

My Friend, Munther Amira, Has Been Released from Prison

I know that my friend, Munther Amira, thanks you for your prayers on his behalf. He was finally released from an Israeli prison on Friday, having lost over 73 pounds in body weight.

Below I have included several pieces of information describing Munther’s abuse while in prison. The first is a news interview available on YouTube. The second is a statement issued by Munther himself where he again describes the torture, beatings and sexual abuse he endured at the hands of his Israeli jailers.

The video my only be viewed  on the YouTube webpage. To do this, copy the url that appears INBETWEEN the quotation marks below. Paste that address (minus the quotation marks) into your computer’s web browser and press enter. It will take you to the video of Munther’s interview which you can then watch for yourself.

“https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1dZhYTWDus&rco=1”

Below is Munther’s personal statement describing his prison experience. He was held for 2 1/2 months without charge. No trial. And no explanation as to why he was finally released.

His family and friends simply thank God that he is back home with family and friends.

From the Cemetery of the Living: A Plea for the Rights of Palestinian Detainees Statement by the
freed Palestinian detainee, Munther Amira
8 March 2024

With a heart heavy yet buoyant with gratitude, I reach out to you through these words, a testament to the resilience of the human spirit against oppression. Your steadfast commitment, vocal advocacy, and
unwavering support have been the lifeline for those of us who have endured the shadows of incarceration under the Israeli occupation. Today, I stand as a voice for the voiceless, a beacon for the countless souls still languishing in what can only be described as living tombs, to express our profound thanks and to bear witness to the atrocities that bespeak a grave humanitarian crisis.

The conditions under which Palestinian detainees live are a stark violation of every tenet of humanity and dignity. Subjected to extreme forms of torture, degrading treatment, and deliberate deprivation of basic
needs, including food and medical care, Palestinian detainees are living through what can only be described as a systemic campaign of dehumanization. The Israeli occupation, through its policy of mass
arbitrary detention, aims not just to suppress Palestinian voices but to erase their existence, their rights, and their struggle for freedom and self-determination.

In the broader context of the ongoing genocide against Gaza and the catastrophic impact on the Palestinian population, the situation of detainees becomes even more harrowing. This genocide against
the Palestinian people casts a long shadow over the fate of those behind bars. The link between the mass arbitrary detentions and the wider war against Palestine is unmistakable and intentional, designed to break
the will of the people and to quash any form of resistance against the occupation.

My personal ordeal, characterized by severe mistreatment, deprivation of medical care, and exposure to torture and sexual violence, mirrors the unfathomable suffering of many. These prisons, akin to graveyards for the living, stand as stark symbols of a settler colonial regime that seeks to erase our identity, our dignity, and our very existence. The draconian measures imposed upon us—ranging from the denial of familial and legal connections to the restriction of basic human necessities and freedoms—underscore a systematic campaign to dehumanize and demoralize.

This policy of widespread and systematic abuse is not merely an affront to Palestinian dignity but constitutes a blatant violation of international humanitarian law, including the Geneva Conventions. The complicity of the Israeli judicial system, with its alarmingly high conviction rates for Palestinians and the virtual impunity granted to perpetrators of crimes against Palestinians, underscores a judicial apparatus that functions as an instrument of occupation.

I cannot express enough gratitude to the countless individuals, organizations, and the vast sea of humanity who have taken to the streets in solidarity, raising their voices high to demand justice for Palestine and
calling for a ceasefire. Your impassioned pressure and relentless pursuit of justice have not only contributed to my release but also continue to shine a light on the ongoing struggle for the freedom of all Palestinian detainees. Your unwavering support is a powerful testament to the strength of collective action and the indomitable spirit of global solidarity.

The international community must recognize that the plight of Palestinian detainees is not an isolated issue but a reflection of the systemic violence and oppression perpetrated by the Israeli occupation. The widespread and systematic violations of their rights, including through the use of torture, inhumane and degrading treatment, and the forcible transfer of detainees to jails within Israel, constitute grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions and amount to war crimes under international law.

The silence and inaction of the international community in the face of these atrocities only serve to embolden the perpetrators and perpetuate the violence and suffering. It is incumbent upon all states, in line with their legal obligations under international law, to take immediate and decisive action to protect the rights of Palestinian detainees. This includes holding the Israeli occupation accountable for its actions, demanding the immediate release of all arbitrarily detained Palestinians, and ensuring that those responsible for such egregious violations are brought to justice.

Moreover, the international community must work tirelessly to address the root causes of the settler colonial regime, advocating for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination. This includes acknowledging and addressing the illegal occupation of Palestinian territory.

As a freed detainee, I have witnessed firsthand the unimaginable horrors faced by my fellow Palestinians behind bars. The scars of torture, the pain of separation from loved ones, and the constant fear of death are experiences that no human being should ever have to endure. Yet, despite these atrocities, the spirit of the Palestinian people remains unbroken, their resolve unwavering.

In solidarity with those who continue to suffer in silence, I urge you to lend your voice to this cause, to stand up for justice, and to join us in the fight for the freedom and dignity of all Palestinian detainees.

Together, we can shed light on the darkness of their existence and pave the way for a future where human rights are not just a privilege for the few but a fundamental right for all.

Munther Amira
Aida Refugee Camp,
Beitlahem, Palestine

Now, I ask you to continue to pray for my friend Anas abu Srour who continues to be held in prison without charge. His family has heard nothing about his eventual release.

Anas has yet to see his newborn daughter.

The Gray Zone: Life in Jerusalem Under Israel’s Military Dictatorship

The video speaks for itself.

I have shopped and eaten at the Educational Bookshop many times. It is generally the first place I visit when in Jerusalem.

Listen to the Christmas Message that Every American Christian Should Hear

The Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac is the pastor of the Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Christmas church. He is also a professor at Bethlehem Bible College.

This Christmas Eve, he delivered a power prophetic, gospel-inspired message directed at the western Christian church.

As the Gaza Strip is demolished, its people massacred, and ethnic cleansing continues unabated throughout the West Bank, far too many US evangelicals approve of Israel’s genocide in Gaza.

As pastor Isaac says, “Silence is complicity.” Yes, too many remain silent, but even more damnable are the “Christian” voices raised in support of Israel’s war against Gaza because, some how or another, this slaughter is preparing the way for the return of Christ.

There are three things that I know with certainty about following Jesus. Walking with Christ never requires us to sanction, much less to embrace, ignorance, prejudice or bloodshed.

Those now approving of Israel’s genocide are committing all three of these inexcusable sins.

The following clip of Rev. Isaac’s message is 17 minutes long. Please take the time to listen to it in full. We all need to listen, lament, repent, and become activists for peace and justice in the name of Jesus Christ. We can begin by calling for a ceasefire in Gaza:

The following clip is a 12 minute interview with pastor Isaac broadcast by Democracy Now. Listen to him explain how the Palestinian people feel abandoned by the world, the Palestinian church abandoned by their western brothers and sisters. Remember — Gazan churches are being bombed; Gazan Christians are being murdered along with everyone else.

Have we no compassion for the Arabic-speaking family of God trambling in terror, huddled in the ruins of bombed out churches, desperately praying for God’s deliverance?

 

 

 

Meet My Palestinian Family as They Gather Together Following the Attack on Their Homes

Our friend, Layla, is a journalist working for the online news magazine, Mondoweiss. She filmed some members of the Amira and Al Azzah families after the Israeli soldiers, who had physically attacked them all, had finally left with Munther laying in the back of their truck.

This is our extended family in the West Bank. I admire their fortitude and resilience. I wish I was with them right now.

 

Munther Amira, Another Friend, is Kidnapped by Israeli Soldiers

Yesterday, I received the following message explaining the “arrest” (Israeli arrests are more like kidnappings) of my dear friend Munther Amira.

Munther is a well-known community leader who is committed to non-violence. I have watched him in action, working to defuse tense situations where Israeli soldiers were working to foment violence.

This is not the first time Munther has been arrested. He is a regular target of Israeli violence. If you are a praying person, I ask you to please pray for Munther’s release and safety.

Here is the notice from the Aida Youth Center about Munther’s arrest, (All emphasis is mine):

The Israeli occupation forces have arrested activist Munther Amira from his home in the Aida refugee camp. Munther is the the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Aida Youth Center. He is also an activist with the Popular Struggle Coordination Committee (PSCC), a collection of grassroots activist in the West Bank.

Munther was violently arrested from his home around 3 in the morning. Israeli soldiers broke down the door of Munther’s mother’s home and violently beat up Munther’s younger brother Kareem for more than 15 minutes. They then broke into Munther’s house and began beating him while they locked his wife and children in a bedroom. They tied up Munther’s sons, and took a knife and slashed the t shirt of Munther’s youngest teenage son, because it had a map of Palestine on it.

They then dragged Munther out of his home, tied him up, blindfolded him and left him in the street for over an hour.

Israeli forces screamed at and shot live ammunition towards a young boy who was watching the arrest from the window of his house. Israeli forces also prevented ambulances from entering the camp to treat Munther’s brother Kareem who was badly injured.

After more than an hour, the soldiers abducted Munther and took him into the military base.

Munther’s brother Kareem is now in the hospital.

Munther is a prisoner of conscience. This is not the first time he has been targeted for his activism. In 2017 he was arrested for participating in a peaceful demonstration demanding the release of then child prisoner Ahed Tamimi. Munther was sentenced to 6 months in prison for “disturbing public order” and “participating in a protest without a permit”.

We demand the immediate release of both our colleagues Munther Amira and Anas Abu Srour from their illegal detention.

Please raise your voice to put as much pressure as we can in the media to #FreeMuntherAmira and #FreeAnasAbuSrour

The Case of My Friend, Anas, Is Brought Up on the Floor of the UK House of Commons

Anas’ illegal arrest and imprisonment is receiving international attention. Please continue to pray that he will be released and allowed to return home to his family. (For previous posts about Anas, see here and here.)

 

 

Update on My Friend, Anas, Who is Now Part of Israel’s Invisible Hostage Exchange

Not long ago I wrote about my young Palestinian friend, Anas, who had been arrested by the Israeli army.

A few days ago, Anas’ wife and family received news from the local, West Bank military authority telling them about his situation.

Anas was being held in an Israeli prison under the conditions called “administrative detention.” That is, he was not charged with any crime. There are no plans for a trial date. He was simply being held for six months in a military prison.

(There is no “civil jurisdiction” for Palestinians in the West Bank because they live under military occupation. Military rule is all they know.)

At the end of that six month period, Anas may be imprisoned for another six months — again without any criminal charges, trial, or recourse to a defense attorney.

But then, as a friend of mine who is a Palestinian defense attorney once said, “Without charges, evidence, or a trial date, there is nothing for a defense attorney to do within the military prison system.”

This unjust process of administrative detention may be repeated indefinitely.

During its recent ceasefire negotiations with Hamas, Israel released a number of Palestinian prisoners, mainly women and children, in exchange for Israeli hostages.

These were the visible prisoner swaps shown to us in public.

Anas is now a part of the other invisible prisoner swap taking place in the West Bank, often under the cover of darkness.

For every Palestinian prisoner released in a publicized, photographed hostage exchange, Israel is busy kidnapping and detaining many more Palestinian hostages whose stories will never be told on CNN or MSNBC.

Israel is busy ensuring that none of its dark, cold prison cells will remain empty.

This new generation of prisoners, like Anas, are also hostages; additional bargaining chips held indefinitely in brutal military prison conditions for whatever inhumane games Israel decides to play with their lives in the months to come.

If you are a praying person, please pray for my friend Anas, as well as the many other Palestinian hostages now held in Israeli prisons whose only crime is being Palestinian.

Israeli Soldiers Shoot and Kill Two Children in Jenin

Jenin is a city with a large refugee camp located in the northern part of the West Bank. Watch the video and note the way “the most moral army in the world” treats Palestinian children.

“https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mh6eJHBkVEk”

If the embedded link in blocked, then copy the address without the quotation marks and watch on your computer.

Former Israeli Minister Calls for Gaza’s Ethnic Cleansing on Israeli TV

Khan Younis is a city in Southern Gaza. This former member of the Israeli Knesset is openly calling for the ethnic cleansing of Gaza on Israeli national news.