The Olive Tree Movement

Physicians for Human Rights-Israel

Protest, Solidarity and Aid Convoy for the Residents of Gaza

Friday, 16th of January

As medical professionals responsible for the health and safety of all people, Jews and Arabs, we cannot remain silent in the face of the horrors occurring before our eyes:

On Friday, 16th of January, we will set out together, members, volunteers and supporters of Physicians for Human Rights-Israel, to accompany a convoy of food and medical supplies for the residents of the Gaza Strip.

Together, Arabs and Jews, we will express solidarity with the residents of Gaza and the south of Israel, and call:

Grieve together & reject the massive killing of civilians

The current warfare in the Gaza area features terrible, rampant violence: thus far, more than 870 Palestinian deaths and more than 10 Israeli deaths, with thousands of wounded – most of them civilians and children. The overwhelming force used by the Israeli army against a civilian population and the scope of the killing are intolerable.

This demands protest by Jews and Palestinians: We must protest the slaughter in Gaza and southern Israel, the choice to opt for brute force and violence instead of negotiations, the disdain for the sacredness of human life, the loss of faith in dialogue rather than violence to resolve conflict. Beyond protest, we need to mourn what has died on our side and within each of us; we need a way to open ourselves willingly to the pain and grief of the other side, and for both sides to express their shared sadness at the hopes and dreams that this terrible war has destroyed.

You are invited to join us for a Silent Peace Walk on Friday, January 9, In Tel Aviv

The silent walk is a call from the heart of individuals, Jewish and Arab, for non-violence and for bringing back trust and sanity into our lives.

We call for Opening of the Heart, and for Creating a Change in Reality, even in the presence of fear, war and distress.

Come let us bring to the streets a message of humaneness, empathy and compassion towards the pain on both sides, towards anyone aspiring to end the cycle of violence, towards the ability to see beyond the immediate need for defense, so that we can continue to live side by side, also the day after the war. Let us remember that we are all human beings that deserve the right to live, dignity, compassion and humane care.

On Saturday January 26

nobody stays home-

End the Siege!

Relief convoy to our neighbors in Gaza

Does it help the children of Sderot when we force the children of Gaza to drink polluted water? It seems the government of Israel thinks so (if they think).

Gaza is under siege! Hundreds of commodities needed for the maintaining daily life are not allowed into the Strip, by order of the Government of Israel. Even the entry of water filters - vital for purifying the water drawn from Gazan wells, which are heavily polluted by brine, oil and sewage - is prevented for more than half a year already. The Israeli communications media don’t succeed (and not always even try) to convey to the public a real impression of how severe is the situation. But anyone who talked to Gazans in the past months understands that the situation has long since developed into a regional disaster, which puts us, too, in danger.

Memorial demonstration in memory of Abir Aramin

Tomorrow, Sunday January 20th, students of all 3 schools in Anata will hold a memorial demonstration for 10 year old Abir Aramin. Abir was shot by a border police officer on Tuesday morning outside of school. On Thursday evening Abir died from her injuries and was buried in East Jerusalem on Friday afternoon.

Abir's schoolmates and the students of the 2 other schools in Anata wish to conduct a memorial demonstration on Sunday. The demonstration will start at the Anata Girls School at 10:30. Anata residents and students have invited the Israeli and international peace activists to participate in the demonstration.