As part of Israel’s openly-declared policy of causing "heavy casualties" to Palestinians,* Israeli troops attacked

Deheisheh refugee camp, near Bethlehem, in an assault that lasted several days.

IBDAA CHILDREN’S CENTER RANSACKED BY ISRAELI TROOPS

URGENT APPEAL FOR THE CHILDREN OF DEHEISHEH REFUGEE CAMP

As part of Israel’s openly-declared policy of causing "heavy casualties" to Palestinians,* Israeli troops attacked
Deheisheh refugee camp, near Bethlehem, in an assault that lasted several days.

Several members of the community were killed by soldiers and several children critically injured.Families were terrorized by machine-gun fire, tanks and US-made attack helicopters.
Over 600 boys and men were arbitrarily rounded up and held, bound and blindfolded, for more than 20hours before being released without charges.Soldiers denied urgent medical care to wounded people.Soldiers demolished 5 homes and badly damaged many others.

Among the buildings attacked by soldiers was the Ibdaa Children’s Center, an organization dedicated to peace, human rights and youth leadership development and a partner organization of MADRE. Ibdaa’s computer and Internet center, children’s library, kindergarten and guesthouse were ransacked and badly damaged by soldiers.

Ibdaa is a critical resource in this impoverished community, which relies on the trauma counseling, community development projects and women’s health programs provided by the center. All of Ibdaa’s programs promote human rights, democratic process and gender equality, empowering Palestinian youth to respond powerfully and constructively to the violence that permeates their lives. In the wake of Sharon’s assault, Ibdaa’s programs are more urgently-needed than ever.

Ibdaa embodies the hope that a generation scarred by war will be able to build a peaceful, progressive society. We must not allow this hope to be demolished by Sharon’s army. Let’s rebuild Ibdaa. Let’s end the occupation- now.

*"Only after [the Palestinians] are beaten will we be able to conduct talks… We have to cause them heavy casualties." (Israeli Prime Minister Sharon, Israeli nightly news, 3/4/02)

Please print out this page to send a contribution to to MADRE’s Ibdaa rebuilding fund.

THE BEST WEAPON AGAINST SHARON’S

POLICY OF VIOLENCE IS TO PROMOTE A

CULTURE OF PEACE IN PALESTINE.

Yes! I want to promote a culture of peace in Palestine by making a tax-deductible contribution to MADRE’s Ibdaa rebuilding fund.

Enclosed is my tax-deductible contribution of $_______ (Make checks payable to MADRE)

Please charge my: Visa _______ Mastercard ________

for the amount $ ________

Name ___________________________________________________

Account # _______________________________

Exp. Date _____________

Signature ________________________________________________

MADRE is a registered tax-exempt charitable organization. All contributions to MADRE are fully tax-deductible.

MADRE,

121 W.27th St., #301,

NY, NY 10001

www.madre.org