Volunteers Provide 24/7 Support to Palestinians Amidst West Bank Displacement Fears
Translated & summarized from Al-Shams by baba
Fida Tabouni of the New Israel Fund reported that volunteers are providing 24/7 support to Palestinian families in the West Bank to prevent displacement amid rising attacks. Over 25 organizations and hundreds of volunteers are involved, with more expected for the olive harvest. Tabouni criticized authorities for failing to protect Palestinians and highlighted efforts to ensure election integrity and combat fake news. The work aims to defend rights and promote equality and justice for all.
The story in 7 lines · by baba
- Volunteers are offering 24/7 support to Palestinian families in the West Bank to prevent displacement and home demolitions.
- Fida Tabouni of the New Israel Fund warned of escalating attacks and restrictions on Palestinian access to land and services.
- Over 25 organizations and hundreds of volunteers are collaborating, with an expected 300+ for the olive harvest.
- Foreign volunteers have faced displacement while assisting during the olive harvest season.
- Efforts include legal complaints, public opinion influence, and ensuring election integrity for Palestinian voters.
- Tabouni stated authorities are failing to protect Palestinians, linking West Bank issues to broader occupation and repression.
- The work aims to defend rights, improve security, and promote equality and justice for all residents.
Fida Tabouni, Programs Director at the New Israel Fund, has warned of escalating attacks, displacement, and home demolitions in the West Bank. She stated that volunteers from numerous organizations are actively supporting Palestinian families, helping them access their lands, homes, and vital facilities despite facing restrictions. Tabouni highlighted that hundreds of attacks can occur in a short period, and Palestinians struggle to reach their land, hospitals, and workplaces due to road closures that isolate villages and residents from their land.
Tabouni explained that the field work involves accompanying Palestinian families to help them remain on their land and in their homes. Some volunteers are present around the clock to provide support to families facing attacks and restrictions. The New Israel Fund collaborates with over 25 organizations and hundreds of volunteers. During the olive harvest season, more than 300 volunteers are expected to assist Palestinian farmers.
She noted that foreign volunteers have faced displacement while attempting to help during the olive harvest. Beyond field presence, efforts include filing legal complaints and petitions, and influencing public opinion in Israel and abroad. Tabouni assessed that authorities are failing to protect Palestinians from attacks, attributing the core issue to the ongoing occupation, repression, and displacement, which extends beyond volunteer access challenges.
Documenting attacks with cameras has helped raise awareness among the Israeli public and international bodies, leading to shifts in European attitudes towards settlements, though policy changes remain distant. Tabouni also discussed the fund's work with civil society to ensure election integrity, focusing on voter access, combating fake news, and ensuring citizens can vote without fear. This includes legal action, such as a petition to prevent armed observers in polling stations, which was unsuccessful.
Tabouni emphasized that ensuring electoral rights is a continuous effort involving civil society and activists over years, providing legal, psychological, and field support. She linked attacks in the West Bank to the challenges faced by Palestinians within Israel, stressing that policy changes alongside popular and legal actions are necessary. The goal is to guarantee every citizen's right to vote without intimidation or misinformation, with civil society efforts intensifying during elections and the olive harvest season due to the difficulties faced by farmers. The work, she concluded, is part of broader efforts to defend rights and improve security, safety, equality, and justice, enabling everyone to live with dignity.
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