English and Swedish observers, along with local Palestinians, attacked by Hebron settlers

ISM, 13.10.07. On October 4th, 2007, on the final day of the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, international Human Rights Workers (HRWs) were placed throughout the Hebron neighborhood of Tel Rumeida with video cameras. They waited on the side of the road with local villagers as settlers marched provocatively through the Palestinian neighborhood recording the events in case anything were to happen. Settlers frequently harass and attack local Palestinians and the presence of international observers with cameras can be preventative.

It was while two international observers, one from Sweden and one from England, were doing just this, waiting on the side of the road while a rowdy group of settlers marched by, that they were attacked. First a stone was thrown at them, then a bottle of alcohol was thrown at Palestinians across the street. Settlers rushed at the Palestinians, throwing punches until the army intervened and forced the Palestinians
up a nearby street. At the same time a group of eight settlers attacked the HRWs who were busy filming the event, attempting to steal or break the camera.

The two young men from England and Sweden were repeatedly punched in the face and the body until the settlers were finally able to steal the camera. After this the police decided to intervene. A nearby soldier, when questioned as to why he did not help the Palestinians or the HRWs replied, "I'm here only to protect Jews." The camera was found broken in a nearby trashcan but the tape inside was rescued and
the footage is available now.

Recently a news article on Ynet News (http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/ 0,7340,L-3458645,00.html) was written about the attack. The video of the attack can be viewed there, but the beating received by the HRWs must be inferred, as the camera is obscured once the cameraman began receiving blows to his face. In the article Noam Arnon, spokesperson for the Jewish settlement in Hebron's council, alleges that the settlers were provoked into the attack, and that the film was edited for propaganda.

If settlers were provoked, the army or police would have surely arrested the Palestinians involved, that is what they do best, but it is in fact an American settler who was arrested, later to be released with a restraining order. Mr. Arnon must back up his claims that the settlers were provoked. The video released on Ynet News is in fact edited, to exclude the context of the provocative march beforehand and the disruption later as the cameraman is attacked. More footage can be
viewed here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wsVCerwQMU

For more information on the events, or on how to reach the English or Swedish HRW assaulted, please contact the ISM Media Office at:
0542389549
02 2971824
0599943157

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The International Solidarity Movement (ISM) is a Palestinian-led  non-violent resistance movement committed to ending Israel's illegal occupation of Palestinian land.  We call for full compliance with all relevant UN resolutions and international law.

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