FAUDA #3
Ramadan: A New Season of Fighting

RAMADAN IS THE MONTH OF JIHAD AND DEFENDING THE HOMELAND

Little by little, we are approaching the days full of passion and the heat of Ramadan. Perhaps the readers of this issue of the FAUDA Movement magazine do not have a correct understanding of Ramadan as one of the holiest months for Muslims. The month of Ramadan, in which Muslims fast and increase their spiritual connection with Allah, is different for us from other months of the year. In the holy month of Ramadan in Palestine, we are not only engaged in fasting and praying, but every year, a glorious and epic jihad takes place in this dear month. For us, Ramadan is the month of jihad, struggle and resistance against God’s enemies. Our enemies are those who hold the shameful belief in Zionism, who brutally oppress our people while we are in our era of flourishing human morality, they are the true enemies of God on earth.

Ramadan is very important for us in two ways. First, from the point of view of social solidarity of Palestinian revolutionary youths, who in the month of Ramadan bring themselves from far and near cities to Al-Aqsa Mosque to form a huge community to defend Islamic holy places. The revolution is alive with its roaring crowd and the driving force of this roaring crowd in Palestine is Quds (Jerusalem). It is the wish of many anarchist revolutionaries all over Palestine to gather in the strong ranks of revolutionary youth in Al-Aqsa Mosque. In the second and more importantly, the Zionist antiapartheid
revolutionary activities reach their peak this month. The collective uproar throughout the cities and regions of Palestine in this month is the promise of a new Intifada, which strikes terror into the hearts of the Zionists and brings us one step closer to the cause of a free Palestine. This year, with the anger and rage that we have because of the war in Gaza and the loss of our brothers and sisters, the month of Ramadan will definitely be different and more passionate, and freedom lovers around the world will be happy with this news.

RIPE FOR EXPLOSION

Tensions on the ground in the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territory are heading towards a large-scale eruption this Ramadan, analysts expect, as residents of the besieged Gaza Strip fear yet another war. We are moving gradually towards an escalation – the conditions are ripe for an explosion. Last year, escalating tensions around the expulsion of Palestinian families from their homes in Jerusalem were the catalyst for widespread Palestinian protests across Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. Raids of Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli security forces during the holy month of Ramadan heightened tensions further and, four days later, an 11-day Israeli assault on Gaza began, ostensibly in response to rockets fired by Hamas towards Israel. Since then, several developments have increased the likelihood of another Palestinian confrontation with Israel.

The escalation may come from different places, including but not necessarily from Jerusalem. It could be a wide confrontation in [the West Bank city of] Jenin because they [Israel] are planning to get revenge against the city, or against other armed operations that may take place. Since 3 months ago, a sharp increase in attacks or “armed operations” by Palestinian anarchist and revolutionary youth inside Israel has led to killing 14 Zionist, including three police officers. Meanwhile, 36 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces since January, according to the Palestinian health ministry, including two on Thursday in the northern occupied West Bank town of Jenin, where the assailants in attacks that took place in Israel’s Tel Aviv and the nearby town of Bnei Brak were from. A 14-year-old boy and a lawyer were among three Palestinians killed in the West Bank last week. Jenin has emerged as a flashpoint in the recent violence. Armed confrontations between Palestinian fighters and Israeli forces there in recent days come amid increased Israeli army raids, arrests and targeted assassinations. Fears are growing of a possible large-scale Israeli invasion of Jenin’s refugee camp, where the armed wings of the Palestinian revolutionary youth. On the other hand, Hamas will not stand idly by if Israeli settlers continue storming the Al-Aqsa Mosque and Hamas backs Palestinian armed groups in Jenin. The resistance in Jenin is part of us; we will not allow harm to our people. Hamas called for a “general mobilisation” to defend against Israeli incursions into the West Bank and the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Tensions have also increased in occupied East Jerusalem, where Israeli forces have carried out nightly assaults and arrests of Palestinians, and Israeli settlers have entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque Compound, despite restrictions. In Jerusalem’s Old City, recent calls by Israeli settler groups to raid the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and perform the Passover sacrifice there on February 15 are seen by many Palestinians as evidence of further Israeli attempts to change the holy site’s sensitive status quo. If such a sacrifice were held at the compound, which would be the first time it has been performed since ancient times, it would “cause an explosion. The Israeli prime minister’s office has denied that any Passover sacrifice will take place at Al Aqsa. At the Old City’s Damascus Gate plaza, Israeli forces, including undercover units, have been assaulting and arresting Palestinian residents on a daily basis. The Israeli government is now in a weak position and its coalition might not endure, Israel will try to show its citizens that it can bring them security, particularly individual security, so that Israelis can go wherever they want, whenever they want, without feeling fear, as they have lost this feeling. Last year in Ramadan, From the very first day at the Damascus Gate, they have beaten residents, provoked them, arrested and humiliated them. They [Israel] want to continue with their policies and the steps they’re taking, but they do not want any kind of response from Palestinians. Residents of the Gaza Strip say that, regardless of where any potential confrontations take place, they believe they will be the ones to pay the heaviest price. Ramadan has repeatedly been accompanied by war in Gaza, where the two main Palestinian armed resistance movements, Hamas and PIJ, are based. Out of Israel’s four wars on the Gaza Strip, two have erupted in the holy month. During Israel’s bombardment in May 2021, at least 260 Palestinians were killed, including 39 women and 67 children, and more than 1,900 people were wounded. Some 1,800 residential units were demolished, and at least 14,300 others were badly damaged. An upcoming war would be “nothing new for the people of Gaza”.

During Ramadan last year, as Palestinians gathered to break the fast and celebrate the holy month, Damascus Gate once again became the center of Israeli violence against Palestinians. Damascus Gate, one of the main entrances to Jerusalem’s Old City, is often a place of gathering and celebration for Muslims breaking their fast during the holy month of Ramadan. But for the fifth night in a row, the ancient landmark marred with violence as Israeli forces lead a brutal crackdown against Palestinians. Since the recent string of attacks against Israelis by Palestinians in cities across Israel, Israeli authorities and settlers have launched a new wave of aggression in retaliation against Palestinians. Israeli forces dressed in riot gear and using rubber-coated steel bullets and stun grenades have violently broken up Ramadan celebrations and enacted a mass arrest campaign. The army has also increased its use of flying checkpoints throughout the occupied West Bank (temporary, makeshift barriers) further restricting Palestinian movement, which is already severely limited. Israeli settlers have led a spate of so-called revenge attacks against Palestinians in the West Bank — elevating tensions in an already sensitive area. They’ve held marches chanting “Death to Arabs”, hurled stones, set cars ablaze, uprooted hundreds of olive trees, and vandalised property with graffiti in recent weeks. In the Naqab Desert in southern Israel, vigilante groups have formed and reports have also emerged of armed militias training to protect settlers in the flashpoint Jerusalem neighbourhood of Sheikh Jarrah.

What is different here is violent Palestinians are held accountable, but Israeli settlers and army violence have full impunity. statements and actions by Israeli politicians, settlers and soldiers have fanned the flames of violence. But beyond a few provocative displays, the prime culprit of ongoing bloodshed is Israel’s occupation of Palestine. For Palestinians, it is the occupation that necessitates Palestinians’ violent resistance. Palestinians are in defence, The Israeli army, settlers and the occupation are the main source of violence. They are the ones who do violence and who really make Palestinians violent. In addition to increased arrests and attacks, Israeli authorities are cracking down economically on Palestinians. Israeli municipalities have suspended construction and gardening labour, vocations mostly done by Palestinians. Some settlements announced they wouldn’t allow Palestinian workers in to do their jobs. Last week, the Israeli security cabinet decided to revoke the work permits of Palestinians related to the perpetrators of attacks against Israelis and pushed forward a plan to rebuild the wall separating the West Bank and Israel. Palestinians with permits who are let into Israel, however, are not exempt from Israel’s heightened repressive measures. one of the FAUDA comrades, who works in the illegal Israeli settlement of Beit El, said he’s experienced more stringent security procedures when entering. Economic retaliation in the form of limiting Palestinians’ access to work constitutes a form of collective punishment, but remains a common tactic used by Israeli authorities. “We’ve faced a few incidents where settlers would throw stones at our cars on our way home, So, we’re all having this feeling of fear and discomfort, but at the end of the day, this is what we do to put food on the table, and there’s nothing we can do about it. This is our only source of income” comrade said.

PROBLEMS IN GAZA DURING RAMADAN

A MONTH OF PEACE IS IT IS NOT, FOR THOSE WHO LIVE IN GAZA

For Muslims all over the World, Ramadan is a month of prayer, contemplation, kindness and charity. This applies to Palestinians all over historic Palestine. Many more try to attend prayers in mosques, especially prayers unique to Ramadan, the Taraweeh. And in this Gaza is no exception, despite the blockade Israel imposed on it which is now running into its 18^th year while all of the Gaza strip is under attack. The reality is that Gaza is in fact barely liveable with little sign that the situation will improve, unless the world pressures Israel to end the blockade. However, this is not the end of the suffering. Israel regularly resorts to force to remind the Palestinians that while it claims to have its ended its occupation in 2005, it claims the skies in addition to the land and sea along the strip. Ramadan does not necessarily bring reprieve to Gaza, as the world witnessed a few days ago. While there was some debate amongst Palestinians about whether that form of support was appropriate, Israel responded with force. It claimed to have targeted ‘Hamas military sites’ training camps, though it is not clear what that means. However, that response was not the first time Israel had hit Gaza in the holy month. This was a noisy violent bombardment, which if experienced by any other people would be a most terrifying experience. The constant noise of drones over the skies of Gaza and the sudden booms would terrify adults in other circumstances, let alone children. While Israel can hit Gaza at will, it has form in targeting Gaza during Ramadan. In 2019, the first day of Ramadan brought grim scenes of Palestinians in Gaza burying 21 of their relatives after earlier bombardment by Israel. More Palestinians would die in Ramadan. Last year and on The last Friday of Ramadan saw four more Palestinians die and 600 injuries. Another deadly Ramadan month.

In 2014, Israel’s war on Gaza was at its height in Ramadan and during Eid ul Fitr. Palestinian Christians welcomed Muslims with open arms and opened their churches for them to pray in safety as they feared mosques would be targeted by Israel as they had been since the start of the war, as Israel claimed they were used for weapons storage. The 53-day long war was extremely costly to Palestinians in Gaza, resulting in some 2,200 deaths, over 10,000 injured and the destruction of more than 10,000 homes and damage to tens of thousands. This year there are the same problems with much more force. The humanitarian situation in the south of the Gaza Strip is deplorable and there are whispers of an Israeli attack on the city of Rafah. Most of the hospitals in Gaza have been completely destroyed and only a few hospitals that are full of capacity are left. Every day, the number of martyrs and injured is increasing, and a difficult month of Ramadan is waiting for all of us.

While every Ramadan and Easter brings challenges to Palestinians trying to access their holy sites in Jerusalem, it is nothing like being bombed or shot by Israeli forces in Gaza. Israel’s claim that it has respect for all religions appears to stop at Palestinians trying to access their holy sites while Jewish Israelis do not face any challenges accessing the sites.

Israel’s cruelty leaves Gaza on tenterhooks every Ramadan wondering whether or when the drone flights will intensify, meaning there is no peace for them in the month of peace.

IFTAR IN AL-AQSA

FOR THE NEEDY

In Palestine, access to food is scarce, largely due to poverty rather than a shortage of food. This means that nourishing food is simply not accessible to many people living in the area – 1.6 million Palestinians struggle to obtain the sustenance they need on a daily basis due to low wages and high prices. Last year, food insecurity affected 34% of Palestinian households, an increase of 27% on the previous year. During Ramadan, hundreds of thousands visit Al-Aqsa mosque to pray and perform qiyam. For the past 4 years, we have not been able to do this alone, and hence with your help, we are aiming to provide iftar and suhoor meals to many visitors of Al-Aqsa mosque and provide work to thousands of unemployed Palestinians by supporting local businesses in Al-Quds and encourage more to visit Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Donate now to help preserve, support and sustain the communities which protect and keep this masjid filled with the daily recitation of the Holy Qur’an. Your donation will help bring thousands of worshippers come together to perform a khatam of the Holy Qur’an in the blessed masjid. Each khatam is offered with a duaa to keep Al- Aqsa safe. Our Waqf will also help support local communities in accessing Zakat funds for their homes, livelihoods and futures.It is one of the greatest Ramadan projects as it is implemented in the squares of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and in the alleys of Al-Quds and its ancient homes.

Masjid Al Aqsa is at the heart of every Muslim. It represents a deep-rooted connection and importance to Muslims everywhere. It is the third holiest site for Muslims after the sacred mosques in Makkah and Madinah. The destination and ascension of our Prophet’s (pbuh) Night Journey, Al Isra W’al Miraj. Sadly, since 2014, Masjid Al-Aqsa and the communities entrusted with looking after it have become increasingly vulnerable and at huge risk. As well as increased raids and attacks, these communities are facing increased hardships with the cost of daily living and need your on-going support. Donate now to help preserve, support and sustain the communities which protect and keep this masjid filled with the daily recitation of the Holy Qur’an. Your donation will help bring thousands of worshippers come together to perform a khatam of the Holy Qur’an in the blessed masjid. Each khatam is offered with a duaa to keep Al- Aqsa safe. Our Waqf will also help support local communities in accessing Zakat funds for their homes, livelihoods and futures.

Generous reader and dear comrade, we invite you to donate to anarchism movement. Give today and help those in need during the month of blessings! Every Ramadan, the Palestinian Anarchist Movement is organizing daily Iftar and Suhoor meals so that those in need can both open and close their fast with nutritious food.

FAUDA WILL BE MORE ACTIVE IN RAMADAN

• Distributing Iftar

Every day, our youths distribute food and water to the fasting people in Al-Aqsa Mosque and other neighborhoods in the West Bank.

• Operations

During the month of Ramadan, we see intense clashes between anarchist youths and their operations against the Zionist military forces.

• Defense of al-Aqsa

With the merciless attack of the Zionists on the innocent people in Al-Aqsa Mosque, our youths are present in this holy place at all hours of the day and night and defend the people.

• Defense of neighborhoods

The FAUDA movement has organized several groups to defend the neighborhoods and counter the attacks of the Zionist military to help the Palestinian Moqavamah.

WHAT IS MY DUTY IN THIS WAR?

1. Donations: I am not in Palestine but I can help them with financial donations

2. Social Media: I must be a missionary of Palestinian anarchism and their revolutionary movement on social networks

3. Publication of Publications: I can help spread the thought of anarchists by printing and publishing FAUDA publications among anarchists

4. Protest: I have to show my support for the oppressed Palestinian people by participating in the protests

5. Prayer: I ask God to destroy the State of Israel as soon as possible so that the Palestinian people can be freed

What you give today makes a difference to someone’s life.

Ramadan is the month of movement, effort and struggle. Remember “hands that work are holier than lips that pray.”