The Hebron-based Youth Against Settlements has launched its 8th Annual Open Shuhada Street Campaign, which runs February 19-27, 2017.
Shuhada Street, once the main thoroughfare in Hebron has been almost entirely closed to Palestinians since 1994 when American-born Israeli settler Baruch Goldstein opened fire in the Ibrahimi mosque killing 29 in worship and wounding over 100 more.
While Israeli settlers roam freely on the streets and carry arms, Palestinians homes and shops are sealed shut and families must pass through checkpoints to reach their homes. Roads in Hebron are divided in half, one side for Jews, and one side for Muslims, and Palestinians face physical daily attacks by ideologically extreme and violent settlers and soldiers.
The Open Shuhada Street Campaign takes place in Hebron and around the world annually the week of February 25th in commemoration of the anniversary of the Ibrahimi massacre. In Hebron the campaign consists of a week of events culminating in a march that attempts to go down Shuhada Street. Internationally, the 2017 campaign will focus on stopping global financier Goldman Sachs from funneling money to the Hebron Fund.
What you can do to help Open Shuhada Street
Join the international Thunderclap taking place on Friday, February 24.
Sign and share the petition calling on Goldman Sachs to stop funding settlers in Hebron.
Sign and share the petition calling on UN Secretary General António Guterres and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad to pressure Israel to open Shuhada Street.
Like and share posts from the Youth Against Settlements Facebook page to let your social media networks know about what is happening in Hebron.
Follow Youth Against Settlements on Twitter and retweet their posts throughout the campaign using the hashtag #openshuhadast
Share information specifically about the baseless charges against Youth Against Settlements human rights defender Issa Amro. Read about Issa’s case from Amnesty International here and here, and on the Electronic Intifada. Tag @issaamro and use the hashtag #IssaAmro
Plan an action in your city! For campaign materials and additional information, visit the 8th Annual International Open Shuhada Street Campaign page
Additional background information
Read the Mondoweiss article, Why you should join the 8th annual International Open Shuhada Street Campaign
Read the New York Times op-ed, Who’s Afraid of Nonviolence?
Read the Electronic Intifada article, Israel indicts “Palestinian Gandhi” and view the photo essay, Israel’s war on nonviolent resistance in Hebron