AL-KHALIL (HEBRON): Shepherd made homeless, livelihood threatened, son in prison

On Monday 11 October, at 8.00 a.m. the Israeli military
arrived at the home of Noah al-Rajabi in Bani Naim without warning and
destroyed the family’s water cistern, tent, and a small wooden structure family
members used for cooking and storage.

Al-Rajabi told CPTers, who visited after the incident, that soldiers kicked and
beat some of the animals and that one pregnant ewe aborted.  When his fourteen-year-old son objected
to their actions, soldiers arrested him, accusing him of “obstructing the
military” and scratching a soldier’s face. 

Ten weeks earlier, the Israeli military demolished al-Rajabi’s
house.  His wife and the younger of
his seven children now live in two rented rooms in Hebron.  Al-Rajabi and his oldest son remained in
a tent supplied by the Red Cross, so that they could continue working with his
flock.

CPTers met al-Rajabi in Hebron on 12 October.  He did not know where his son was being held, or where he
could get water for his animals.  They accompanied him to three Israeli police stations.  The only information Israeli police gave
them was that his son was being held in Ofer military prison.  They
refused to accept a complaint against the Israeli soldiers for their behaviour.

CPTers also visited Al-Rajabi’s rented accommodation in Hebron where they met his
wife and some of his other children.  “Please bring my son home,” his wife pleaded with them.

  Al-Rajabi’s brother has been watching his sheep and goats, and has moved them to
another hillside where there is water.  Agencies in Hebron are trying to reconnect Noah’s water
supply, but the cistern will have to be rebuilt, and will run the risk of
demolition in the future.

  For further information on the imprisonment of Palestinian minors by the
Israeli military, please refer to the annual reports of Defence for Children
International (Palestine)