A campaign tour by the Independent Palestine coalition in Hebron’s Old City was brought to a forcible close today when Israeli soldiers refused to allow Dr. Mustafa Barghouthi, head of the coalition, other Independent Palestine candidates and council members, including Kamal Hassouneh, Fares Mjahed, Mazen Abu Shamsiyyeh, Yousef Tmezi, and Zidan Jabali, and supporters, from entering part of the Old City adjacent to the Ibrahimi mosque.
The candidates had completed Friday prayers, and were attempting to reach scores of Palestinians living trapped between illegal Israeli settlements and Israeli military checkpoints, when they were stopped by the Israeli army.
Dr. Barghouthi attempted to negotiate with and engage soldiers in dialogue to facilitate the group’s passage, but to no avail. Soldiers manhandled the candidates and forcibly separated and escorted the group from the area.
In a press conference held outside the Ibrahimi mosque, Dr. Barghouthi warned that denying freedom of movement to both candidates and voters posed a serious risk to the ability to carry out free and fair elections.
He stated that such measures represented Israeli interference in the Legislative elections process, and that, in wider terms, they constituted an attempt by Israel to hinder the democratic process in Palestine.
Dr. Barghouthi called on the international community to take immediate action to ensure freedom of movement for all Palestinians during Legislative elections, adding that he would not allow movement restrictions to disrupt the Independent Palestine election campaign.
During the tour, candidates witnessed first-hand the harsh realities facing residents of the “H2” zone, which is perforated by five illegal Jewish settlements and which remains under Israeli control as a result. Wire netting hanging above the Old City’s winding streets sagged with rocks and garbage thrown at Palestinians by settlers occupying houses above, harassment that goes unchecked by the Israeli military.
Dr. Barghouthi met with business owners, shoppers and worshippers during the tour, and was told of the economic suffering Hebron residents have endured as a direct result of Israeli-imposed closures and curfews in the city. Once one of the main economic centres of the West Bank, Hebron’s H2 zone is now a ghost town. The extended periods of curfew have decimated the economy resulting in the closure of 2,500 small businesses in the Old City and the adjacent economic zone, and a 68 percent drop in employment since 2000.
Local Independent Palestine candidate, Kamal Hassouneh, added that high taxes imposed by the Palestinian Authority on businesses and on exports had done little to support economic regeneration in the city, and stressed the urgent need for more equitable economic programs and development policies.
Dr. Barghouthi ended the press conference by emphasizing the need for a sea change in government policies if the real needs of ordinary Palestinians are to be met, adding that such a change can only be brought about through democratic, timely Legislative elections.
Contact:
Ms. Diala Ghassan
Press Officer (Arabic and English)
Tel: 0599-674411
E-mail: