(Note: This was received from some colleagues in Ramallah, who are among the
authors of the appeal.)
APPEAL FOR HELP FROM THE SIEGE OF RAMALLAH
30 March 2002, Easter Weekend
We are members of the international and Palestinian community trapped in
the latest siege of Ramallah.
On early Friday morning, 29 March 2002, Israeli forces re-invaded the
city of Ramallah. The Israeli forces have occupied Ramallah completely
and have established tank positions throughout the city, in all civilian
areas. We can hear explosions, tank shelling and heavy caliber gunfire
throughout the night and day. Israeli snipers are shooting regularly in
civilian neighborhoods at times when they are not under any form of
fire. As we write this, there are US-made Apache attack helicopters
overhead firing on the city. Israeli bulldozers are creating permanent
positions for the tanks in and around private houses. There is the
constant sound of tank movements throughout residential areas.
Israeli forces have attacked the Presidential compound, and are now
holding Palestinian President Yasser Arafat hostage with no electricity,
water or phone lines. Members of President Arafat's bodyguards have been
killed, and others are still injured and being denied medical care.
Conditions in the city are now deteriorating rapidly.
Some of us have had experience in other sieges, in Sarajevo, Dili, and
elsewhere. There is a familiar pattern of emergency rapidly developing.
This is the beginning of a humanitarian crisis. Immediate intervention
is required to prevent a disaster.
No Movement Possible: Inhabitants of the city are under complete curfew.
There is absolutely no freedom of movement, even for ambulances, doctors
or international agencies, such as the International Committee of the
Red Cross (ICRC). There is no medical access. Palestine Red Crescent
medical relief workers have not been permitted to provide medical
services to the local population. Israeli forces are firing on anyone
walking out on the streets.
On Thursday, based on fears of an Israeli re-invasion, more than 500
inhabitants, including foreign nationals, lined up in the mud and rain
at the Qalandiya checkpoint-the only exit point from the city allowed by
Israel-begging Israeli soldiers to allow them to escape. In response,
Israeli soldiers fired over their heads, exacerbating the panic and
causing most to simply return to Ramallah.
Israeli Forces Using Human Shields: Israeli soldiers are occupying an
increasing number of private residences and detaining the residents
collectively in single rooms, with little or no access to telephone
lines, news coverage or even food and water. In some cases, tens of
civilians (including entire families) are being held in one room.
Meanwhile, Israeli occupation soldiers have taken up armed positions in
the houses or apartments of these residents. Civilian detainees include
foreign nationals.
No Access to the City: The ICRC, the UN and other humanitarian agencies
are unable to access the city or to access the civilian detainees and
other prisoners.
Food Resources Limited: There is no food entering Ramallah and no one is
allowed to restock. There will shortly be a food and drinking water
crisis. Some parts of Ramallah are already without water altogether.
Israeli soldiers are also eating the food of residents while taking up
positions in their houses.
Electricity Being Cut: Large parts of Ramallah are without electricity
and heat. The weather has been raining and unseasonably cold - residents
have been struggling to keep warm. The lack of electricity also means
that residents are without television and any news reporting of the
situation outside their homes. Many residents of the city rely on
cellular phones for communication and without electricity they are
unable to recharge their phones. Therefore, the population is being held
in isolation and there is increasing fear and confusion. Also, some
telephone landlines have been cut.
Prisoners Being Taken: Israeli forces are taking Palestinians prisoner,
in the streets and in house-to-house searches. Israeli troops are
calling upon all male residents between the ages of 16 and 40 in some
neighborhoods to "surrender". The wounded are being treated roughly and
being denied medical access. Now, their fate is unknown. There are
reports of summary execution of some prisoners. The ICRC does not have
access to them to ensure adherence to international law, and
specifically the Geneva Conventions.
Gratuitous Vandalism and Destruction: There are on-going spiteful acts
of destruction. Most commonly, Israeli tanks are driving over and
flattening cars whether on the streets or parked on pavements in front
of residences. Personal property inside houses is being destroyed in
house-to-house searches.
We, the besieged people of Ramallah, appeal to all people of good
conscience around the world to mobilize immediately.
We particularly appeal to the people of Israel, in whose name these
actions are being taken, for help. To keep the option of peace alive, we
appeal to you to ask your Government to immediately lift the siege.
We appeal for the safety of all individuals.
We appeal for freedom of movement within the city and outside access to
the city.
We appeal for food, medical supplies and access to medical treatment,
electricity, water, phone lines and other necessary facilities.
We appeal for access of humanitarian agencies, including the ICRC, to
all detainees, prisoners and hostages, including Palestinian President
Yasser Arafat, to ensure their well-being.
WE APPEAL FOR THE SIEGE TO BE LIFTED.
This appeal has been made to you by Palestinians, as well as nationals
of the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Jordan and
other nationalities.
For More Information:
Due to fear of retribution, the names and contact information of those
authoring this appeal have not been included. For their contact
information, please contact Michael (972-52-266-208).
International Committee of the Red Cross: Jer. (972-2) 582-8845, Tel
Aviv (972-3) 524-5286
UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA): (972-2)
589-0401
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