After the Demolition: Update on Al Arakib 24 June 2014

On Thursday, June 12th, the authorities once again destroyed the Bedouin village Al Arakib in the Negev. Nearly everything in the village and in the cemetery was destroyed, excluding the caves. Nevertheless, the villagers remained steadfast in their determination and immediately began to rebuild. A week and a half later Rabbi Arik Ascherman, who was arrested, beaten and detained while peacefully protesting the destruction, gives an update on the situation.

Twice since June 12th, the authorities have returned and demolished/removed anything the residents had since constructed or erected. Additionally, there is a nearly continuous police presence; if somebody goes out in the middle of the night to relieve themselves, s/he is followed with bright lights.

Sheikh Sayakh angrily called to complain when police cars were racing by, stirring up huge clouds of dust, feeling this qualified as intentional harassment of those who stubbornly refuse to abandon their land.

The ten days the state was given to respond to the petition questioning whether the coordinates of the 2010 orders included the cemetery area, should have ended yesterday but it is not unusual for the state to drag out answering petitions. Afterwards, we will see whether the judge sets a date for a hearing, or simply makes a decision. We are also waiting for an answer to a new request for a restraining order, claiming that the cancellation of the order (that allowed the demolition to take place) was illegal because there was nobody present on behalf of Al-Arakib.

It is quite amazing to witness the spirit of the residents of El-Araqib for not giving up, and quite awful to behold what they have been reduced to.

Sign the petition demanding a stop to the destruction of Al Arakib –>http://bit.ly/1tVkgPw

http://rhr.org.il/eng/2014/06/after-the-demolition-update-on-al-arakib/



Despite upwards of 65 demolitions, Al Arakib continues to hold on