Friends,

This is primarily a "good news" letter, but first a warning:

Home demolitions are continuing and have even been stepped up recently. So be prepared for requests in the coming days to voice your protest.

The good news is: YOUR MESSAGES HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE!

In recent days, I spent time compiling information to determine the efficacy of our combined protest. While a cause-effect relationship is virtually impossible to prove, we have very strong evidence that our (your and our) campaign against Palestinian home demolitions is effective. Read on:

In the summer of 1998 --
1. One of the four e-mail responders at the State Department told me personally that Madeline Albright receives more e-mail about home demolitions than about any other issue related to the Middle East. We assume this is also true of Bill Clinton's office.
2. Clinton thought the issue of home demolitions so important that he included it in his list of demands about peace in the Middle East that he threatened to reveal if Netanyahu would continue his intransigence on the Oslo Accords. The information about inclusion of this issue is taken from a range of media reports to that effect, clearly leaks by Clinton's office. Indeed, Clinton's office had to leak the contents of the plan for his threats to be taken seriously.
3. In a private meeting with members of the Israel Coalition Against Home Demolitions, Avigdor Kahalani, our Minister of Internal Security, complained about receiving "too much" mail about home demolitions. A senior official from the Israeli "Civil" Administration (those who issue and implement demolition orders) voiced the same complaint.
4. In late August 1998, the "Civil" Administration announced that 2,000 homes would be taken off the hit list, with some exceptions. This number was later reduced to 700, but it still means that tragedy has been averted for 700 families.

In more recent days...
1. A US State Department official told us that the Department is furious over Israeli demolitions of Palestinian homes. She described the State Department as "more agitated and angered about this issue than I have seen them about any other issue" and reported that they have demanded close monitoring of the situation from the staff in Israel.
2. A high-level officer in the US Consulate in Jerusalem has asked to be present at an upcoming hearing at the "Civil" Administration about a home which has appealed its demolition order.
3. The European Delegation in Israel -- the body which officially represents the European Union in this country -- has asked us to tell them of any demolitions that are scheduled, so it can observe them. (If only the "Civil" Administration would let us -- and the family -- know in advance...)
4. The European Delegation in Israel had Jeff Halper, coordinator of the Coalition Against Home Demolitions, lecture all its staff members in Jerusalem about the issue of demolitions.
5. The count of homes destroyed has dropped from a total of 233 homes in 1997 to a total of 147 homes in 1998. Although we may lose a battle over any one house, many other homes may be saved by the struggle, as officials are reluctant to evoke further public wrath. In recent weeks, however, the pace has increased, but that's why we're launching a major campaign next weekend (stay tuned).
6. This very week, two homes in the village of Jabel Mukkaber, on the verge of demolition, were granted a stay order, thanks to a lawyer brought in by the Coalition who managed to obtain a postponement, which he believes can be extended until the order is canceled. Unfortunately, 40 (!) homes in this pastoral village alone are under threat. The Coalition arranged for a meeting this week of all the villagers with a lawyer from the Association for Civil Rights (Israel's ACLU). Also, a representative from the European Delegation has asked to be present.

Much is left to do, but concrete progress has been made. This is the result of the cumulative work done by all of us -- the e-mail letters, faxes, articles in newspapers, letters to the editor, personal lobbying, even talking about it with friends. There is no question in my mind:

WE -- in Israel, Europe, and North America -- have TOGETHER been EFFECTIVE.

And one related case that also belongs in the Book of Effective Action: Many members of the Jahalin Bedouin tribe have just signed a compromise agreement with the Israeli authorities that will grant them land in a more reasonable area than the garbage dumping grounds where they were violently transferred last year, and will receive some compensation for rebuilding their encampment. The agreement is far from perfect, but is an important and positive precedent. This was also the result of citizens' action advocacy -- the Rabbis for Human Rights, Bat Shalom, several politicians, the good lawyer Shlomo Lekker, and all your letters!

So to quote my favorite quote again: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead

Thanks for all your help,

Gila