Israel launched its largest military operation on the Jenin refugee camp in recent years. Ten people have already lost their lives. HLN was able to talk to Mustafa Sheti, director of The Freedom Theater that was partly destroyed in the attack. “History repeats itself: if nothing changes, I fear that the children who see this happening today will take up arms themselves in 20 years”
“Last night we were startled by rocket attacks. I myself live three kilometers outside the camp, but the theater of which I am director is located right in the center. The doors of the theater have been completely blown away,” Sheti tells our editors. “The Israeli army has surrounded the camp and is gradually closing the circle until they reach the core. In this way they try to arrest Palestinians they suspect of membership in terrorist organizations,” he continues.
Freedom Theatre
The Freedom Theater was founded by Jewish-Israeli human rights activist Arna Mer-Khamis. She wanted to give Palestinian children a place where they could relax with theater. The theater was also destroyed in the previous major military operation in 2002. “History repeats itself almost identically,” says Sheti. “But also this time we do not intend to let go of the theatre. If possible, we will rebuild it tomorrow.”
New Generation
The theater that was destroyed is not the only parallel Sheti sees with the 2002 military operation. “The children who witnessed the operation are today fighting the Israeli soldiers in the streets of Jenin. If nothing changes, I fear that the children who see this happening today will take up arms themselves in 20 years,” he says.
Anti-terror campaign
Israel itself talks about an anti-terror campaign with which it mainly wants to target the armed movements in the area. According to Israel, various members of organizations such as Hamas, Fattah and Islamic Jihad are entrenched in the camp.
“Israel communicated earlier that they want to catch 300 terrorists, but it is not clear to us whether they want to kill them or arrest them,” Sheti said. “We also have no idea how long this operation will take.”
In the meantime, some 3,000 Palestinians have left the refugee camp in Jenin. Israel also called on Palestinian citizens to leave Jenin, but according to Sheti, some 12,000 will remain in place. When asked why they do that, he replies: “Out of dignity. Seventy years ago we were once evicted from our homes. Now we’re not going anywhere.”
(Re) watch also: What is the basis of the conflict in Israel?
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