On
Saturday, February 26, 2005, the residents of Khirbat Gawawis in South
Hebron finally returned to their
homes, accompanied by members of Ta'ayush,
CPT and Operation Dove.
About a year ago, the village was invaded by a group of settlers,
headed by
Itamar Cohen of Susya settlement. The South Hebron committee within
Ta'ayush
decided, together with the Palestinian residents of the village, that
they'll do all in their power to expel the intruders and help the
Palestinians return to their homes. Only after repeated attempts to put
pressure on the Israeli authorities, the army has decided (approx. 3
months
ago) to expel the settlers from the place.
Still, The army and civil administration did not permit the Palestinian
residents to return to their homes. The area was declared a closed
military
zone, where no one is allowed in, and 3 caves were blocked with big
rocks by
heavy machinery.
Following lawyer Shlomo Lecker's threat to appeal the the supreme court
of
justice, the state answered last Thursday that there is nothing that
prevents the Palestinians form going back to their homes anymore. This
Saturday, the residents of Gawawis, accompanied by Israeli and
international peace activists, started cleaning, clearing and preparing
the
caves for the coming back of the families.
A group of Gawawis residents already returned in order to maintain
presence
in the village, and we are determined to try and assist them in order
to
help them hold on to their lands.
To make contact with the South Hebron Committee, please contact Ezra:
050-5515751.