|
Exclusive:
Live Report from Ramallah: How “Our Allies” Treat Us
 |
| Israeli
soldiers attack Ramallah |
By
Maha Sbitani, an American living next door to Arafat’s compound in
Ramallah.
RAMALLAH,
March 30 (IslamOnline) – Today at 5:00 a.m. I was awaked by what
sounded like huge trucks. When I looked out the window I saw several
tanks. A half hour later, the Israeli soldiers rang the bell.
We did not answer. Then I heard them coming up the steps (obviously
broke in the main door). They pounded on the door to the
house, and my husband opened the door to find endless huge guns
pointed at us. They pushed the door open and distributed
themselves throughout the house and office.
Over
50 heavily armed soldiers were now in the office and home (which are
adjacent). We asked what they wanted and they told us to shut
up and sit down. I explained that I was American, they said
that they did not care what I was. I insisted that they leave
the house and told them as an American, I protest to what they are
doing. They said “this in no worse than what your
country is doing in Afghanistan”.
I
told them to use the steps and the roof if they insist on staying
and to get out of the house and office. They said, “shut up
and sit down, we do what we want wherever we want.”
I
got my passport out and asked for the commanding officer.
The
officer said that they are thinking about leaving. I asked when and
he said soon. They started to rip the curtains and break
things. I asked them not to do that and gave them an ashtray to put
their cigarettes out in instead of the floor. One took the
ashtray from me and threw it in the hallway. At that
point, I realized they are out of control. I went to the phone
to call the American Counsel. Three soldiers attacked me, one
pushing, one twisting my arm and the other taking the phone away
from me.
I
went to the office to get my computer and they kept on pushing me,
poking me with the guns and telling me to get back in the house. I
started screaming, “I cannot believe you are doing this, don't you
realize I am American?!” The commanding officer asked them to
leave me alone and gave permission for me to get my laptop.
They started laughing and calling me [U.S. President George W.]
Bush.
 |
| Israeli
soldiers are out of control: Eyewitness |
As
I was getting my laptop I heard crashing noise, I ran to the house
and found my husband on the floor with 3 guns pointed at him. I
screamed for the commanding officer that came and pushed them away.
They were everywhere and doing what they felt like doing - including
urinating on the floor.
I
went to the kitchen to get coffee and found olive oil spilled all
over the place. They were just being vulgar and uncivilized
and became extremely annoyed when I complained about the barbaric
behavior.
The
commanding officer took me in my bedroom where 4 soldiers were
sitting and asked me about some buildings. I told him that
most of the houses around us are full of children. One said,
“Area A has no children.”
I
kept on trying to make phone calls from different phones only to get
more physically abused and have the phone taken away from me,
immediately taking the battery out. Then I asked to go to the
bathroom and had a mobile in my robe pocket. I called some
officials while the soldiers broke in the bathroom and tried to take
the phone. Within a half hour, they got a phone order to clear
out of the house and office - leaving the places in shambles.
As
soon as they left I tried to talk to the Counsel General, his mobile
was picked up by voice mail and I left a message informing him of
what has taken place. I also called his office and insisted
that I talk to him personally. They put me on the phone with
the American Citizens Services section Ms. Victoria Coffineau (Chief
of section). She told me I was one of dozens of American
citizens making such complaints. The details of the disturbing
phone call and response will follow soon to help other Americans in
understanding what our offices abroad are about and what we
actually get for our tax dollars. And how we allow ourselves
to be treated by so called “allies”.
That
number of tanks is growing by the second. I have to get the
message to you while I can. I will try to write later.
They are trying to kill [Palestinian leader] Yasser Arafat. I
can see it from my window. I will try to send the film clips
that I have been able to capture.
God
help the innocent. And help Americans in seeing the truth.
|
