House demolition in East Jerusalem
Hundreds of Israeli troops and border police stormed the Wadi al-Hummus area of Sur Bahir (East Jerusalem) in the early hours of July 22nd and began forcibly evicting Palestinian families from their homes in preparation for the demolition of 11 buildings in the area. I have watched several videos of the event and talked with four British activists injured by border police during that morning. I have agonised over the story of Ishmael and his family, told by an Israeli activist as she watched the demolitions at first hand and stood in close solidarity with Ishmael and his family.
His sense of shock and disbelief as he waited for it to happen; his repeated whispers of hope that it wouldn’t happen after all. He and the family had chosen the colours of the decor so carefully – the bright pink kitchen cabinets; all had been so clearly done with love and care and with bright hope for the future, as is the case for any of us, looking forward to moving into a beautiful new home. In the worst picture I saw of this event, soldiers were laughing and clapping each other on the back, as they watched the building they had just dynamited collapse. Many other onlookers stood around clapping too.
View all →