About Open Shuhada Street

"Open Shuhada Street" is a South African based initiative to raise awareness about the lack of freedom of movement in Hebron and how this issue is a reflection of the greater injustice of the ongoing occupation of the Palestinian territories. This website was started by a group of activists in South Africa with the intention of promoting human rights in Israel-Palestine by creating an space where people can engage with these issues by sharing information and participating in solidarity campaigns. The February 25th campaign organizers will be sharing the "Open Shuhada Street" website until the end of the campaign. All information about the campaign can be found on the homepage and under the "campaign" tab. All other information featured on this website can be attributed to the South African "Open Shuhada Street" group and may or may not be directly related to the February 25th campaign.

The February 25th Campaign is sponsored by: 

Youth Against Settlements- a Palestinian organization based in Hebron (http://www.youthagainstsettlements.org/)

Ta'ayush-a joint Israeli-Palestinian nonviolent direct action organization (www.taayush.org)

Open Shuhada Street- South African initiative

The Shministim Letter- Israeli high school graduates who refuse military service (http://www.shministim.com/)

Israeli Social TV- Independent media initiative promoting human rights and activism in Israel (www.tv.social.org.il)

What we stand for

We campaign for full civil rights for all Israelis and Palestinians and an end to the Occupation. We recognise that it is Palestinians whose civil rights have been abrogated most, particularly in the West Bank and Gaza. Our organisation unites people from different backgrounds with a wide range of political and religious affiliations.

These are our principles:

1. We recognise the inherent dignity and the equal and inalienable rights of all people in Israel and Palestine.
2. We respect the right to life of Israelis and Palestinians. Therefore we reject violence, other than self-defence where absolutely necessary. We reject violent attacks irrespective of who carries them out.
3. We will engage in and support only non-violent forms of political action.
4. All people of the Middle East deserve the right to democratic participation and equality regardless of religion, ethnicity, culture, national origin, language, race, sex, gender, sexual orientation, or other status.
5. The resolution of the conflict in Israel and Palestine should conform to international law and be concluded through negotiations involving all parties, under the auspices of independent mediation. An acceptable solution will safeguard and advance the rights of all people in the region, and will promote peace.
6. We are a non-sectarian movement. We welcome both Jews and Muslims as well as people of all faiths and none.
7. We expose and vigorously counter anti-semitism and Islamophobia.

Who we are

Open Shuhada Street was started by a group of about 30 people on 28 January 2009 in Cape Town. Doron Isaacs, Rahma Mohamed, Rashaad Fortune and Nathan Geffen organised the first meeting. In time, we will develop a proper organisational structure.