The Institute for Middle East Understanding

Analysis
The curse of the Nablus dream house
BBC, Mar 24, 2008

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Israeli soldiers take position during an incursion into the Old City of Nablus. (Rami Swidan, Maan Images)
Six years ago, Abdul-Latif Nasif and his two brothers built their family home on one of the hills over-looking the West Bank city of Nablus.

It has spectacular views over the city and surrounding area - but that has been its curse.

"This just isn't my home any more," says the 47-year-old Palestinian bank manager, "it might as well belong to the Israeli army."

Less than a month after it was finished, Mr Nasif says Israeli troops banged on the door and came in with dogs and guns, telling all his family to gather in one room.

He says they took control of the upper storeys of the house and used it as a base and observation post as the army invaded Nablus.

"They stuck maps on the wall in my living room and brought computers to make the room like a control room." They stayed for over a month.

Mr Nasif says there was huge relief in his family when the army finally left, but the joy was short-lived.

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Over the last six years, the Israeli army has made frequent incursions into the city, to arrest and kill militants.

When it does, the soldiers often return to bang on Mr Nasif's door.

"They come any time they want, in the morning, or in the middle of the night. It scares us." says Mr Nasif. "Sometimes they stay for a night, sometimes for weeks."

"They use anything they want. They have used my bed, my children's beds, the bathrooms, the gas, electricity - everything."

On one occasion, the soldiers took photographs of themselves camped in Mr Nasif's living room and sent the pictures to an Israeli magazine.

When they next raided Nablus, they gave Mr Nasif a copy of the magazine.

To read the full article please visit BBC News.

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This page was printed out from the website of the Institute for Middle East Understanding (IMEU) found at www.imeu.net. The IMEU provides journalists with quick access to information about Palestine and the Palestinians, as well as expert sources, both in the U.S. and the Middle East.