The persistent struggle of the Bil'in villagers against the Separation Wall/Fence being erected on their land is increasingly getting the attention and involvement of the Israeli mainstream. In August and September, the army made a concerted effort to break the protests by force, and make of Bil'in an intimidating "example" to other villagers contemplating resistance to decrees and oppressive measures.

By Sherri Muzher

It's said that "home is where the heart is". It's also been said that "money makes the world go round". For Caterpillar shareholders, the latter truism has taken precedence as shareholders voted on April 13 against a resolution that would have directed the heavy equipment manufacturer to investigate the use of its bulldozers by the Israeli army to demolish Palestinian homes.

The resolution, which was voted down 97 per cent to three per cent, had been introduced by four Roman Catholic orders of nuns and the organisation Jewish Voice for Peace. Furthermore, groups from all over the world demonstrated to protest Caterpillar sales of home-crushing bulldozers to Israel. But none of that mattered as hopes were dashed that the shareholders would send a message that using Caterpillar equipment to abuse human rights is unacceptable.

Strangely, a visitor to Caterpillar's website is told: "Our goal is to be recognised as a profitable, innovative, well-managed industry leader with a strong focus on social responsibility and sustaining the environment."

Among Caterpillar's accomplishments have been the preservation of rainforests. Sadly, its concern for saving rainforests does not translate into concern for the one million plus olive trees Israeli troops and settlers using Caterpillar equipment have uprooted during the current Intifada. This is in addition to the thousands of Palestinian houses demolished.

By Jeff Halper

The Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions, together with the entire Israeli peace and human rights movement, mourns the death in Gaza of Rachel Corrie and extends its condolences to her family, friends and comrades in the International Solidarity Movement.

Rachel was not the first person killed as a result of Israel's cruel policy of house demolitions. Less than two weeks ago Nuha Makadma Sweidan and her unborn child were also killed in Gaza when Israeli army sappers "accidentally" demolished their home when they blew up another home nearby. A few weeks before that an elderly woman and a disabled man died under the rubble of their Gazan homes when the soldiers "failed to notice" them. These were no mere accidents. Israel routinely demolishes Palestinian houses on top of all the families' possessions, and in their haste do not bother to follow prosaic rules of "safety."

by: Dr. Jeff Halper

At this very moment (Friday, May 14), Israel army bulldozers are razing dozens of homes in the Rafah refugee camp in retaliation for the deaths of five Israeli soldiers. Prime Minister Sharon and Defense Minister Mofaz last night authorized the army to demolish hundreds of Palestinian houses at Rafah, on the Gaza Strip's border with Egypt, so as to create a "sterile" zone hundreds of meters wide. This, in addition to dozens of homes demolished or threatened with demolition in the Zeidun refugee camp in Gaza City. According to witnesses, panic-stricken residents are grabbing whatever belongings they can carry and are fleeing, some waving white flags at approaching Israeli forces.

Report by Bill Dienst , M.D.

Rafah, Gaza Strip, Palestine 11/16/03

We arrive at a scene of destruction that defies words. Eight hours ago, Israeli tanks were here searching for a Hamas activist, according to local witnesses. Their accounts are being translated on site from Arabic into English by Mrs. Ola Nijim, who works for the Union of Health Workers Committee, a non governmental organization that provides various health services here in the Gaza Strip.