Memorandum submitted by Maureen Jack,
Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT)
ENQUIRY: DEVELOPMENT
ASSISTANCE AND
THE OCCUPIED
PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES
1. I am a member of Christian Peacemaker
Teams (CPT) and write on their behalf in response to your enquiry.
CPT has had a continuous presence in the city of Hebron since
1995 and (together with an Italian group Operation Dove) in the
village of At-Tuwani (in the hills south of Yatta) since 2004.
Our teams live in local communities. The majority of our work
is violence-reduction accompaniment work, being with people in
situations where there is likely to be trouble. In addition, we
document and write reports on the situation and also give tours
to interested individuals and groups. We would make the following
comments.
2. LACK OF
FUNDING TO
THE PA
2.1 Effect on education
In both Hebron and At-Tuwani PA employees such
as teachers have not been paid since January 2006. In both places
children are missing school because the teachers have gone on
strike because of their lack of pay.
2.2 Effect on healthcare
We have had direct testimony from people affected
by medical shortages in PA hospitals and clinics because of lack
of funds and resources. There is a lack of appropriate medication
in hospitals and clinics. Someone to whom a colleague spoke has
incurred significant expense because the PA hospital did not have
the resources to perform essential surgery and so the surgery
was performed in a private hospital. A young child from At-Tuwani
has been unable to have ear surgery because the staff at the hospital
in Hebron are now on strike because they have not been paid.
3. EFFECTS OF
FINANCIAL OBSTACLES
In At-Tuwani in the spring there was a shortage
of gas and diesel. Well-wishers from overseas had wished to make
a donation to a women's cooperative in the area but obstacles
were placed in the way of transferring this money to the bank
in Hebron.
4. IMPACT OF
THE SEPARATION
BARRIER AND
OTHER CONTROLS
4.1 Hebron
The separation barrier does not come into Hebron.
Despite this, however, there is a real walling-off of the Old
City (H2 as it is known). There are checkpoints, permanently locked
gates, and gates that the Israeli military can lock at will; all
this has had a devastating effect on the economy of that part
of Hebron and has led to the closure of many businesses and significant
depopulation. Restrictions on movement cause significant difficulties
for children (and teachers) in making their way to and from school,
particularly on Jewish holy days and holidays. There is a soup
kitchen in the Old City to which access is also often difficult
and sometimes impossible.
4.2 At-Tuwani
The separation barrier does not come near At-Tuwani.
However, the Israelis have built an 80cm high wall along the north
(Yatta) side of bypass road 317. At the time of writing there
is a gap in this wall across from the entrance to At-Tuwani through
which a vehicle can pass. However, in July this gap was closed
by concrete blocks; although it has recently been reopened there
is no guarantee that this access will continue. Access from At-Tuwani
and the surrounding area across this road to Yatta is essential
for employment, education, access to medical attention, and so
on. Palestinians are often arrested and fined for driving on bypass
road 317 and are randomly stopped from crossing the road in a
vehicle. On Christmas Day, for instance, a man from Mufagara came
to cross the road in his tractor, bringing his young child home
from hospital; Israeli soldiers stopped him and he was obliged
to carry the child the two miles home.
5. SETTLER ATTACKS
Access to primary school in At-Tuwani is highly
problematic for young children from communities such as Tuba.
Harassment and attacks by Israeli settlers from the illegal outpost
of Havat Ma'on are frequent and the Israeli military and police
seem to lack either the motivation or the authority to secure
the children's safe and prompt access to and from school.
6. OTHER INFORMATION
You will no doubt be aware of the reports of
the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in the
region. There is some excellent information available on their
website at www.humanitarianinfo.org.opt. I would particularly
draw your attention to their report of 19 April 2006 "Assessment
of future humanitarian risks in Occupied Palestinian Territory",
which included the following comment: "Under the Fourth Geneva
Conventions, Israel as the occupying power bears the responsibility
for the welfare of the Palestinian population. In recent years,
international donors and the Palestinian Authority have in practical
terms taken on this role. If the PA is unable to provide basic
services to the Palestinian population and donors withhold assistance,
the emphasis will shift back to Israel to resume its legal obligation."
I hope that this information is helpful; please feel free to contact
me if there is any other specific information that you require.
Also, if any of the Committee members would like to visit Hebron
or At-Tuwani, my colleagues or I would be only too pleased to
show them around.
October 2006
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