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The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil,    but because of the people who don't do anything about it

Occupation magazine - Life under occupation Home page  back Print  Send To friend Settlers use Molotov cocktails on Palestinian family house On the outskirts of the village of Asira is a fine new house – a work in progress. Jamal and Nahla Ahmad have saved up to build it for their young family, Ayman, Mohammed, Malak and Zena . Jamal belongs to the village. Nahla’s family are in Jordan. Now she is working hard at making a home here. Although the upper floor is unfinished, and much of the garden is a building site, she has planted flowering shrubs and a vine, and has plans for fruit trees. From the terrace you can see the village below, and there is a breathtaking view north and westwards, towards the invisible Green Line. Far away you can see Tel Aviv. But on the hill behind their house a row of red-roofed houses marks the edge of the illegal settlement of Yizhar. In the last few months the settlers have come down the hill, and attacked the Ahmad family home: breaking windows, trying to wrench out safety grills, lighting a fire on the front steps, with the family inside the house. They have used Molotov cocktails and CS gas; they shout threats and they mark their territory with graffiti stars of David. Jamal is a driver and is often away from home. Nahla and the children are afraid. Now the family have stopped work on the inside of their home to build a high wall all round it. Nahla says ‘Know the neighbour before you build the house.’ Links to the latest articles in this section Occupation forces injure mourners following funeral of slain infant Mohammad Tamimi Nabi Saleh village assaulted - toddler shot in the head died in hospital Palestinians in the snow: thrown from home into the snow, throw snowballs and get arrested