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Sheep of Aqaba
Letter to the Israeli authorities
Dear Sir
I know that you have been in receipt of letters protesting the treatment of the residents and sheep farmers in Aqaba. Obviously, it’s good to know that these letters have some effect – I understand that you have returned a herd of confiscated sheep.
As you must know, Aqaba is a place where there has never been any outbreak of violence - neither during the present nor the previous Intifada. Please can you therefore explain why it is in Aqaba that the Israeli military units in recent weeks resorted to violent harassment against the village's shepherds? What threat did the sheep present to the Israeli Army?
More seriously, the Israeli Army has detained and beaten shepherds as well as confiscation of their identity documents set ton fire grazing grounds in the mountains around Aqaba. It is incumbent on you to ensure that Israel’s military authorities must find and punish the soldiers who had humiliated, beaten up and detained in harsh conditions the 16-year old Muhammad Dabak, whose sole crime was asking for the release of the sheep. soldiers have now prevented the shepherds from feeding and tending to the sheep, an apparent act of malice which can only compound the original offence.
As the authority over an occupied population it is up to you to investigate the arbitrary cruelty of your soldiers and correct such things when you are informed about them. The international community holds you responsible. Hurling accusations of terrorism can provide no excuse for what is done to innocent people who are completely in your power.
Yours sincerely
Dan Judelson
Acting Secretary
European Jews for a Just Peace
November 4, 2005
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