CPTnet
August 31, 2001
HEBRON: CPT Calls for end to verbal and physical attacks on TIPH

In the last two weeks, members of the Temporary International Presence in
Hebron (TIPH) have suffered both from physical attacks by settlers in
Hebron and from a deliberate misinformation campaign waged against them by
senior Israeli army officials and the Hebron settlers.

On August 9, the day of the horrific bombing that killed 15 people at the
Sbarro pizza restaurant in Jerusalem, Israel radio quoted senior Israeli
army officers as saying that TIPH had supplied sensitive information to the
Tanzim, a militant branch of the Fatah party. Although Brigadier General
Amos Gilad, coordinator of government activities in the Occupied
Territories, said on August 13 that these charges were false, Israeli
settlers continue to physically attack TIPH members when they come into H-2.

Last week, members of the Hebron team heard that TIPH members had not been
able to go out on patrol, because they only had two cars that settlers had
not damaged, and they were saving those two for emergencies.

  A settler spokesperson said this week on Israel Channel 1 that while he
does not have anything to do with the attacks on TIPH, he supports
them. Because the Israeli authorities are evidently condoning these acts
of hostility against TIPH, the organization has made the decision not to
send patrols into H-2 until further notice.

Those of us who have worked in Hebron since 1995 saw a big decrease in the
amount of harassment that Palestinians experienced at checkpoints after
TIPH resumed its mandate in 1996. (TIPH began its mandate in Hebron in 1994
after Israeli settler Baruch Goldstein massacred 29 people in the Il
Ibrahimi Mosque. Israel discontinued the presence several months later.)
We know that many of the TIPH workers came to Hebron with altruistic
motives, wanting to be part of an effort that made both Israelis and
Palestinians feel more secure.

We have ourselves been the targets of disinformation campaigns by the
Hebron settlers. At various times in the last six years we have been
accused of raising money for Hamas, making bombs for Hamas, shielding
Palestinians who stab settlers, taking part in violent demonstrations,
etc. We have been fortunate to have Israeli, Palestinian and international
friends who encouraged us to continue our work in spite of the lies
circulated about us.

TIPH, because its mandate forces it to work under the restrictions of the
Israeli Occupation authorities, has not been able to develop the close
working relationships with Israelis and Palestinians that CPT has
developed. We are therefore taking it upon ourselves to say we support
TIPH's efforts in Hebron, and that the Israeli authorities should ensure
they can safely carry out their mandate: documenting violence committed by
both Israelis and Palestinians in Hebron.