Help resist home demolitions in Um al-Khair

Update | June 23, 2019

The legal mediation process that community was anticipating changed with the additional requirement of securing a civil engineer to draft a special zoning and development plan of the village to be submitted to the Israeli Civil Administration. The additional fees of the engineer, coupled with unanticipated administration fees connected to the process, brought about an additional ₪17,700 or $4,912 in unexpected costs. The Palestinian Authority stepped in and subsidized a big portion of the costs. The submission of this zoning and planning framework by the community has the potential to freeze the current demolitions under a decision is made on accepting the proposal for community development. While the community is able to cover the costs of the additional legal and transportation fees associated with the process, the additional cost of the engineer and application fees is beyond their means. We are asking for an additional $1,382 in support to continue the litigation process

June 22, 2019

With the rejection of petitions in the Israeli legal system, there is a renewed threat of the demolition of 45 homes and structures in the community of Um al-Khair. While there is some potential of legal mediation between the village of Um al-Khair and the Civil Administration, with the far-right Israeli NGO Regavim pushing to have this community expelled from their lands, there is a real possibility that their homes will be demolished before the community has a chance to work through their legal remedies. 

As a result, the Good Shepherd Collective has been working to build an international encampment to act as a protective presence, a deterrent that has proven effective in communities like Khan al-Ahmar. However, in doing so, there are the costs of transportation, food, and ongoing legal assistance for activists willing to risk arrest. 

While the situation remains extremely fluid, during this initial stage the Good Shepherd Collective in coordination with the community of Um al-Khair is planning to have an international presence for the next two weeks in the village. We are making an appeal to our base for material support with a fundraising goal of $1,800 to cover operational costs.

Payments are processed through our 501 (c) 3 fiscal sponsor, the Alliance for Global Justice EIN 52- 2094677.