NEWS FROM SAOIRSE (freedom). The Voice of the Irish Republican Movement. Republican Sinn Féin http://rsf.ie 223 Parnell Street, Dublin 1 229 Falls Road, Belfast

NOVEMBER 1 2002: Jenin Refugee Camp. This is the eighth day of the most recent Israeli Army incursion. There is a 24-hour curfew enforced by foot soldiers, snipers, jeeps, APC's and F16 fighter jets circling overhead. The Israeli army's stated reason for this re-invasion is both the response to a suicide bombing and an effort to arrest 21 wanted fighters.

However, the people targeted are the civilian population of Jenin city and camp. The 18 people wounded have all been under 18, including a boy 13 shot by a sniper. A 27-year-old was shot in the heart as he looked out the window.

The Israeli army is intent on doing material damage in the form of home demolitions and house to house searches doing as much destruction and degradation as possible — 15 homes have been blown up in the past two days.

About 200 prisoners, including two 13-year-olds, are being held in local military bases. Prisoners are being stripped, beaten, held in filthy conditions and released often blindfolded and handcuffed without ID.

For two days prior to this invasion, Israeli patrols in Jenin were leafleting streets demanding that all foreigners leave. International presence here in an illegally closed military zone is in direct confrontation with the demands of the Israeli army. As a result, foreigners have been threatened with arrest, shot at and physically abused.

International organisations and foreign media are not present in this closed military zone. During this week four Red Crescent medics, two local UN workers and the driver of the water truck for the camp were arrested.

Much of the responsibility for providing water, bread and medicines for the people of Jenin city and camp is falling on the shoulders of a very small group of international and Palestinian volunteers with very limited resources.

As well as trying to provide material support, the same group is attempting to confront the illegality of the Israeli Army's actions by trying to get between and witness the intense savagery of the Israeli army and the Palestine's who are suffering as a result of this.

In this situation getting basic food supplies and medicines is proving very difficult, with little or no international support.

For the past days I have been working with Caoimhe Butterly (from Cork) who has been in Palestine for 10 months and based permanently in Jenin. The spirit of resistance is unquenchable in Jenin, despite the Army's efforts to break the people.

Caoimhe works endlessly, trying to bring some security and sustenance to the people in extremely violent and threatening conditions.

If you, your colleagues or friends can give any financial support to help Caoimhe continue her vital work, even a small donation to help keep in phone contact, it would be very appreciated.

Please keep Jenin in the news. Arbitrary arrests, house demolitions and assassinations continue, undocumented.

— In solidarity, Mary Kelly
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Web layout by SAOIRSE -- Irish Freedom November 9, 2002  Send links, events notifications, articles, comments etc, to the editor at: saoirse@iol.ie.