InI Needs Your Support!
Vermonters for a Just Peace in Palestine/Israel
www.vtjp.org/
For those interested in keeping up with events in Palestine/Israel, there is no better digest than VTJP.
News
International Middle East Media Center
Six
Palestinians Wounded By Settlers Near Nablus
IMEMC 28 Oct 2009 -
A group of fundamental Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian villagers
of the Qaryout village, near the northern West Bank city of Nablus, and
wounded six of them. The residents were picking their olive trees in
the area.
Israeli
Authorities Demolished Nine Homes In Jerusalem
IMEMC 28 Oct 2009 -
Local sources in Jerusalem reported Tuesday that bulldozers of the
Jerusalem municipality demolished nine Palestinian homes in East
Jerusalem after claiming they were built without construction permits.
Israeli
government confirms recent increase in settlement expansion
IMEMC 26 Oct 2009 -
A senior official with the Israeli Defense Department confirmed to
Israeli reporters that extensive settlement construction is being
carried out in at least 11 Israeli settlements.
Troops
Kidnap Six Palestinians In The West Bank
IMEMC 26 Oct 2009 -
Israeli soldiers kidnapped on Monday at dawn six Palestinians in
different parts of the occupied West Bank. Six Palestinians were
kidnapped Sunday.
US
State Dept spokesman misrepresents Goldstone Report
IMEMC 26 Oct 2009 -
In a press briefing at the US Department of State Friday, spokesperson
Ian Kelly told reporters that the US government had a problem with the
UN Human Rights Commission Report authored by Richard Goldstone
because, according to Kelly, the report gives "?a one-sided mandate to
look into the Israeli side of it only, without giving an opportunity to
the authorities themselves to look into it".
Soldiers
Detain 3 Palestinians And Five Israeli Activists In Hebron
IMEMC 25 Oct 2009 -
Israeli soldiers detained on Sunday three Palestinians and five Israeli
peace activists during a peaceful protest in support of local farmers
who are subjected to constant attacks and violations by the Israeli
settlers in the Hebron area.
Save
the Children: Israeli policies displacing children in rural areas
10/27/2009 -
Bethlehem - Ma'an - Intolerable living conditions in the West Bank and
Gaza are driving families to abandon their land and homes, displacing
children and resulting in low-quality living situations, a Save the
Children UK report warned Tuesday. The report warned of the danger of
children being driven from their homes, over and above their usual
warning of the detrimental effects of home demolitions on children and
families. The report found families in areas including most of the
rural West Bank and the Gaza border area suffer from daily shortages of
food and water, high unemployment, financial insecurity, family
separation with relatives working and living in cities where they can
find work, and children unable to go to school because of travel
difficulties or the necessity that they work agricultural land or herd
animals as heads of households are away.
Amnesty:
Israel denying Palestinians’ water rights
10/27/2009 -
Bethlehem - Ma'an/Agencies - Israel is denying Palestinians the right
to sufficient water through discriminatory policies, the human rights
group Amnesty International said in a report released on Tuesday.
"Israel allows the Palestinians access to only a fraction of the shared
water resources, which lie mostly in the occupied West Bank, while the
unlawful Israeli settlements there receive virtually unlimited
supplies," said Donatella Rovera, Amnesty's researcher on Israel and
the Palestinian territories in a statement. "In Gaza the Israeli
blockade has made an already dire situation worse," she added. Amnesty
said Israel uses more than 80% of the water from the Mountain Aquifer,
the main source of underground water in Israel and Palestinian
territory. Israel also takes for itself all the water available from
the Jordan River, according to the report. -- Links: AI:
Israel rations Palestinians to trickle of water
Israel’s
desert prison inmates face night raids, solitary confinement
10/27/2009 - Gaza -
Ma'an - Sixty five of the 750 Palestinians detained in Israel's Nafha,
or Negev, prison are in solitary confinement, lawyer with the Detainees
Society Ala Abu Sitteh reported Tuesday following a visit to the
facility. Abu Sitteh met with five prisoners during his visit, and was
updated on the situation in the desert tent city for mostly Palestinian
prisoners of Israel. A central concern of the prisoners, he said, was
the absence of progress on the issue of a prisoner swap. Bilateral
talks between Israel and Gaza factions holding an Israeli soldier
captive failed, as Egyptian mediators were unable to secure the release
of top priority prisoners Israel insisted would remain in detention.
Prisoners also complained about incessant night raids on tents and
cells under the pretext that prisoners had smuggled in mobile phones,
which the inmates called provocative.
Rights
groups urge unity before elections
10/27/2009 -
Bethlehem - Ma'an - Two prominent Palestinian human rights
organizations came out against President Mahmoud Abbas' decree for
elections in January this week. The Palestinian Center for Human Rights
(PCHR) and the Al-Mezan Center for Human rights, both based in Gaza,
said that elections are neither possible nor desirable in the absence
of a national unity agreement. "The ongoing crisis in the PNA is purely
political and not legal or constitutional. The only solution is
continuing the comprehensive national dialogue," said PCHR in a
statement. "The debate over the constitutionality of the decree does
not cope with the essence of the conflict and its very political
nature. " PCHR said elections "are not possible without reaching a
comprehensive national reconciliation that can end fragmentation and
restore the dignity of the legislative, executive and judicial
institutions of the Palestinian government. "
Nine
injured as settlers rampage through olive harvest
10/27/2009 - Nablus
- Ma'an - Nine Palestinians were injured and one was detained on
Tuesday when dozens of Israeli settlers attacked farmers were
harvesting olives in the West Bank village of Qaryout, south of Nablus,
according to witnesses, local officials, and medics. According to
sources in the village, the incident began when dozens of Israeli
settlers assaulted farmers working near the Israeli settlement of
Shavout Rachel. After the initial attack, both soldiers and settlers
stormed the village, clashing with Palestinian residents who defended
the area by throwing stones at the marauding groups. Soldiers fired
bullets and tear gas, residents said. Medics identified some of the
injured people as: 21-year-old Isra' Badawi, who was hit in the eye;
50-year-old Hani Kassab, the village council's accountant; 30-year-old
Jawad Badawi; 70-year-old Muhammad Muqbil; 46-year-old Abdullah Badawi;
and 31-year-old Mu'taz Ghassan.
Tunnel-smuggling
gangs drive Egyptian to Israel in search of job
10/27/2009 -
Al-Arish - Ma'an - An Egyptian was detained along with five African
migrants allegedly trying to sneak into Israel on Monday, and
reportedly told police he had been driven to flee by aggressive tactics
of Sinai tunnel smuggling gangs. The six men were arrested just south
of the Kerem Shalom crossing, itself only four kilometers from the
Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza. Under interrogation, Egyptian
police said, the detainee said he had been involved in the Gaza-Egypt
tunnel smuggling industry and borrowed money for products he was
eventually unable to pay back. He showed police scars, saying they were
burns from the smuggling gangs after he revealed he could not repay the
debt. Police also said the man may suffer from a psychiatric condition.
The arrest of an Egyptian national at the Israeli border marks a
diversification of those attempting to enter the country.
Two
Gaza crossings open
10/27/2009 - Gaza -
Ma'an - Israeli authorities decided to open the Kerem Shalom and Karni
crossings into thebesieged Gaza Strip on Tuesday, according to
Palestinian border official Raed Fattouh. The Nahal Oz crossing will
remain closed, Fattouh added. Between 86-96 trucks loaded with
humanitarian aid will pass thorough Kerem Shalom on Tuesday, he said.
About 106 truckloads of wheat and animal feed are expected to be
shipped through the Karni crossing, Fattouh added. As usual, no exports
were allowed. [end]
Soldiers
injured as Israeli forces demolish Jerusalem homes
10/27/2009 -
Jerusalem - Ma'an - Two Israeli soldiers were injured in a
rock-throwing incident as they participated in a home demolition on
Tuesday morning in occupied East Jerusalem. According to local sources,
Israeli military forces and a demolition crew from the Jerusalem
Municipality entered the East Jerusalem village of Sur Bahir, south of
the Old City, and destroyed the two-story house of Nimir Ali Nimir. The
300 square meter house was home to 11 people. Outraged at the
destruction of the house, stone-throwing Palestinian demonstrators
confronted the Israeli officers, mildly injuring two. Israeli
authorities said that the house was built with out a construction
permit from the Israeli-controlled municipality. Palestinian residents
of Jerusalem say the permits are nearly impossible to obtain.
Meanwhile, in the in As-Salam neighborhood in East Jerusalem,
bulldozers demolished a. . .
Israeli
forces seize seven Palestinians in two cross-border raids
10/27/2009 -
Jerusalem - Ma'an - Israeli forces seized seven Palestinian in two
overnight cross-border raids in the West Bank, witnesses and
Palestinian police said on Tuesday. Witnesses reported that seven
Israeli military vehicles entered the village of Beit Duqqu, southwest
of Ramallah, and invaded raided houses. There, soldiers detained Amjad
Basem Husein, 18, Fadel Yasin Rayyan, 27, Bader Na'im Bader, 18, and
Bashir Jamal Marar 18, according to witnesses. In the city of
Qalqiliya, soldiers seized Majed Abu Khadija from his home. In the
nearby village of Azzun, soldiers raided a house owned by Hisham
Mustapha Idwan and seized his son, Mamoun Idwan, 23. They also raided a
house owned by Wasfy Ali Hussein and detained his son Ihab Hussein, 20.
Gaza
man arrested attempting to enter Israel from Egypt
10/27/2009 -
Al-Arish - Ma'an - Egyptian security forces said on Tuesday that they
seized a Palestinian man from Gaza attempting to enter Israel through
their territory, in the first such incident in memory. A security
source said border guards arrested the man when he was spotted on the
border about 1,000 meters south of the Kerem Shalom crossing point,
where Israel's, Gaza's, and Egypt's borders meet. The source said that
he told security officers that he was a Fatah member who fled Gaza
after Hamas' June 2007 takeover of the territory. He planned to travel
to the Israeli city of Beersheba and then on to the West Bank, the
source added. Palestinian security sources confirmed the story, saying
that he paid smugglers 2,000 US dollars to help him cross the border
into Israel.
Dry
water holes versus green gardens
10/27/2009 - South
Mount Hebron/Tel Aviv - IRIN - It's a hot September day in the desert
hills of South Mount Hebron in the West Bank, an hour's drive south of
Jerusalem. A small convoy of four water tankers makes its way along an
unpaved road to deliver water - purchased by a group of Israeli and
Palestinian NGOs - to Bedouin Palestinians living in small communities
in the hills. Severe drought has left traditional water holes dry or
depleted, and the absence of any water infrastructure means the local
Bedouin/Palestinian villagers consume extremely small quantities of
water - some 15 liters per person per day, according to activists,
Bedouins and provisional Israeli government data, compared to 240-280
litres per person per day in Israel, according to the Israeli water
authority in 2008. Water from local Palestinian suppliers in the nearby
Palestinian towns of Yata and Hebron can cost 50 NIS (US$13) per cubic
meter.
Israeli
forces detain four minors, three young men in WB raids
10/27/2009 -
Qalqiliya - Ma'an - At least seven Palestinians were detained by
Israeli forces in the West Bank on Tuesday, officials in the
Palestinian police confirmed. Three of the seven were detained from the
Qalqiliya-area Tuesday afternoon, and two homes were raided during the
seizures. Forces raided the town of Azzun and searched the home of
Hisham Mustafa Adwan, detaining his 23-year-old son Ma'moun. The home
of Wasfi Ali Hussein was also raided, and hos 20-year-old son Ihab was
also detained. From Qalqiliya city center forces took Majid Abu
Khadija. In Hebron four teenagers were detaiend during a search
operation in the Al-Aroub Refugee Camp. The raid started at dawn
Tuesday morning and lasted hours. Local sources said that the Israeli
forces arrested students Yousif Muhammad Issa Abu Afifa, 14, Jihad
Jamal Al-Jundi, 15, Ameer Abdul Gaffar Al-Hamouz, 13, and Muhammad
Khaled Ash-Sharif, 17.
Lebanese
rocket lands in Israel’s north hours after Barak visit
10/27/2009 -
Bethlehem - Ma'an - A Katusha rocket was launched from southern Lebanon
toward Kiryat Shimona in Israel's Galilee region and Israeli forces
fired artillery rounds at the area of the launch on Tuesday night,
Lebanese security forces announced and Israeli sources confirmed. There
were no injuries or damages were reported. It is the second time an
explosive device has been launched from southern Lebanon toward Israel
in two months and the second time Israeli forces have fired on the
area. Officials in Lebanon said the projectile was fired from the Houla
area in the south of the country, while Israeli sources said crews
identified the landing site and noted specialists were dispatched to
"examine the components" of the device. Israeli officials were
particularly concerned over the Tuesday incident, since it came only
hours after Israeli Army Minister Ehud Barak toured the area. . .
Israeli
group plans mass prayer rally in Bethlehem
10/27/2009 -
Bethlehem - Ma'an - An Israeli organization says it expects 100,000
people to descend on the tomb of the biblical matriarch Rachel in the
West Bank city of Bethlehem on Thursday to pray for an Israeli soldier
held by Palestinian fighters in Gaza. The participating Israelis are
expected to pray for Gilad Shalit, who was captured by Palestinian
fighters in 2006. In a statement the Project Kever Rachel organization
said it also expects members of Shalit's family to attend the ceremony.
"For generations Rachel has prayed for her children to return home
safely, and we hope that this year our prayers will be answered and
Gilad will return home to his family," said Rabbi Yosef Schwinger,
Director of Israel's Holy Sites Authority, as quoted by the statement.
Rachel's tomb is surrounded by Israel's concrete separation wall, which
zig-zags through the city of Bethlehem.
Report:
Bahrain to penalize officials in contact with Israel
10/27/2009 -
Bethlehem - Ma'an - Legislation was passed Tuesday in Bahrain that will
see state officials in contact with Israel and its agents penalized
with fines or prison terms of up to five years, Reuters reported. "The
motivation is that steps are being taken by certain countries to allow
certain talks to be held with Israeli officials. Israeli delegates have
managed to participate in events in Arab countries with no treaties
with Israel" member of parliament behind the bill Jalal Fairooz from
the Shi'ite Al-Wefaq bloc was quoted as saying. The legislation must
pass an upper house and then be approved by the royal family before it
becomes law. The move would fly in the face of recent calls from the
United States for states to work at normalizing ties with Israel, and
will in fact complicate efforts by some leaders in the Gulf states to
promote a peace agreement, analysts say.
Israeli
task force to formulate Goldstone counterattack, PR strategy
10/27/2009 -
Bethlehem - Ma'an/Agencies - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
initiated the creation of a task force with the mandate of accruing
suggestions for countermeasures against the UN-mandated Goldstone
report and its allegations of war crimes committed by Israeli forces,
media sources reported Tuesday. The announcement follows comments from
several Hamas leaders welcoming both independent and International
Criminal Court investigations into the conduct of Gaza factions during
Israel's Operation Cast Lead. The Israeli task force,coordinated by
Minister Yaakov Neeman at Netanyahu's request, in contrast, will offer
recommendations for legal and diplomatic action for Israel to stifle
attempts to investigate allegations of war crimes. The team of
professionals is also expected to put together public relations
strategies to mitigate international attention to the 1,400
Palestinians killed. . .
'Learning
from Amman': An urban planning seminar in Ramallah
10/27/2009 -
Bethlehem - Ma'an - "Learning from Amman" was the title of an urban
planning seminar held last week in the the West Bank city of Ramallah
and sponsored by the Palestine Investment Fund. The Palestinian
development group contacted the Amman Institute and the Amman
Experience for a seminar in best practices, and methodology in urban
planning as well as the presentation of specific case studies, and
affordable housing projects. There were 80 Palestinian architects and
urban planners at the workshops. The event was planned following the
unveiling of the Metropolitan Growth Plan for Amman, which won awards
internationally. The plan was developed by Gerry Post and John Van
Nostrand in cooperation with Amman Mayor Omar Maani. Former Minister of
Public Works and Housing turned Palestine InvestmentFund official Samih
Al-Abed, said there were talks about establishing an office in
Palestine. . .
Three
Hebron food factories shut down; goods recalled
10/27/2009 - Hebron
- Ma'an - The Palestinian Authority sealed three food producing
factories in the southern West Bank city of Hebron on Monday after
Ministry of Health and customs officials determined the facilities did
not meet code. Two factories were unlicensed and sold goods without
quality testing, and the third was found to be using spoiled
ingredients. All factory owners were ordered to recall all their goods
from local shops, officials said. [end]
PA
buys million H1N1 vaccines from UK firm
10/27/2009 - Nablus
- Ma'an - The Palestinian Ministry of Health in the West Bank signed a
deal on Monday with UK-based pharmaceutical company Galaxo Smith Klein
to purchase one million doses of H1N1 vaccine. According to Health
Minister Fathi Abu Moghli, the vaccines will be delivered in December.
Twenty thousand vaccines will be provided to the Ministry of Health
before the Hajj season to ensure that all pilgrims making the journey
to Mecca are vaccinated beforehand. The director of information and
public relations for ministry, Dr Omar An-Nasr said that Hajj pilgrims
from the Gaza Strip will also receive the vaccines. Millions of Muslims
participate in the once-in-a-lifetime Hajj to Mecca each year. The
outbreak of H1N1, known as swine flu, earlier this year raised concerns
that the virus could spread during the pilgrimage.
Ramallah
government swears in new cabinet secretary
10/27/2009 -
Ramallah - Ma'an - Na'im Abu Al-Hummus was sworn in as the secretary
general of the cabinet in the Ramallah-based government on Tuesday,
after a cabinet shuffle resulting from a politicized resignation. Abu
Al-Hummus replaces Hassan Abu Libda, who was appointed minister of
national economy, who in turn replaced Bassem Khoury, who resigned
citing the government's handling of the UN-mandated Goldstone report
that accuses Israel of war crimes in Gaza. Abu Libda welcomed his
successor wishing him good luck in his new position, Abu Libda
applauding Al-Hummus for his accomplishments even before the
establishment of the Palestinian Authority following the Oslo Accords.
Abu Al-Hummus recieved his PhD in education from the University San
Francisco in 1985, and later chaired the departments of education and
psychology at An-Najah National University in Nablus.
Fatah
leader: Abbas will not run in elections unless asked
10/27/2009 - Gaza -
Ma'an - Palestinian President will not run for office in the 24 January
elections, a Fatah leader announced on Tuesday. Fatah leader Abdullah
Abu Samhadaneh issued a statement saying Abbas "is eager to rest from
this long and arduous trip, which began with the revolution and
continues to this day," as part of a paper urging Hamas to sign the
Egyptian unity proposal so unified elections can go forward. He also
noted, however, that if Abbas is "instructed by the command
[Palestinian leaders] he will accept the commission. "Abu Samhadaneh
said Hamas has enough time to sign the agreement, presumably ahead of
elections called for by Palestinian President and Fatah leader Mahmoud
Abbas. The official accused "regional sides" of thwarting unity. "Even
though [the Egyptian proposal] is unjust, [Fatah] accepted to sign it
to pave the way for the restoration of cohesion. . . "
PA
police seize group forging Israeli cheques
10/27/2009 - Nablus
- Ma'an - The Palestinian preventive security service arrested a key
members in a fraud and forgery scam ring, seizing forged Israeli
checks, passports, credit card transactions, and other official
documents. The eight arrests, made in in Nablus on Tuesday, were
simultaneous, according to police, and shut down the fraud circle.
Police also seized computers, cameras and stamps believed to have been
used in the forging process, they said. All eight confessed to crimes
under questioning, police said, and were transferred to the general
prosecution to complete the legal proceedings against them. [end]
Gaza
on Air: War film selected for Dubai film festival
10/27/2009 - Gaza -
Ma'an - A Palestinian-French film titled "Gaza on Air," shot during and
after Israel's winter military offensive, has been selected for the
sixth Dubai International Film Festival in December. The film is
expected to be completed in mid November in three versions: Arabic,
French, and English. It will be launched on seven French television
stations in seven cities and on other international stations
commemorating the first anniversary of the war on Gaza in December. The
movie was filmed on location in Gaza and now being edited in Paris. The
film was produced and directed by Atif Issa of the Palestinian Media
Group and Samir Abdullah, from a French production company.
PSE
drops: Al-Quds Index down 0.28% on Tuesday
10/27/2009 -
Bethlehem - Ma'an - Stocks on the Palestine Securities Exchange fell on
Tuesday. The Al-Quds Index closed at 501. 85, a decrease of 1. 43
points, or 0. 28%. Trading volume reached 494,591 shares traded for a
total value of 893,912. 95 US dollars, over the course of 328 trades.
The shares of 18 companies were traded. The shares prices of six
companies rose, while those of eight declined. The top five gainers
were PIIC by 3. 13%, QUDS by 2. 50%, UCI by 1. 67%, AIG by 1. 27%, BPC
by 1. 08% The top five losers were NSC by 3. 64%, JCC by 3. 08%, AIB by
1. 59%, ISBK by 1. 32%, and GMC by 1. 22%. [end]
Ha'aretz 27 Oct 2009 - IDF fires artillery round in response to attack; nine Katyushas have hit Galilee since 2006 Second Lebanon War.
VIDEO / Settlers clash with Palestinian 'security threat' olive growers
Ha'aretz 27 Oct 2009 - Settlers reportedly uproot dozens of Palestinian olive trees; IDF lets settlers protest inside Palestinian village.
IDF Chief: Israeli inquiry into Gaza war proper response to Goldstone
Ha'aretz 27 Oct 2009 - Gabi Ashkenazi said Israel can't let anyone control its future, in his first visit to Germany as Chief of Staff.
Peres: Unlike Hamas, Israel protects its children
Ha'aretz 27 Oct 2009 - President tells schoolchildren that Israel doing everything possible to bring Gilad Shalit back home.
Israel to set up team to review Gaza war probe
Ha'aretz 27 Oct 2009 - Netanyahu stresses that team will recommend course of action, IDF troops won't be investigated.
Hamas: War will settle Jerusalem dispute, not talks
Ha'aretz 27 Oct 2009 - Jordan to Israel: Temple Mount violence derails peace efforts; Arab MK: Israel letting extremists desecrate Al-Aqsa.
IDF troops who waved pro-settler banner expelled from brigade
Ha'aretz 27 Oct 2009 - Offending troops also given 20 days in military prison after holding banner at IDF swearing-in ceremony.
Israel Police battle Arab rioters on Temple Mount; PA official arrested
Ha'aretz 27 Oct 2009 - Abbas aide among 15 arrested by Jerusalem police in fresh unrest; three cops wounded.
Palestinian woman stabs Israeli guard at West Bank checkpoint
Ha'aretz 27 Oct 2009 - Guard taken to hospital in moderate condition; Jerusalem police detain 21-year-old assailant for questioning.
IDF soldier hospitalized after beating by officer
Ha'aretz 27 Oct 2009 - Golani platoon commander caused soldier internal bleeding; officer dismissed from post.
Is Taliban helping Gaza militants make deadlier roadside bombs?
Ha'aretz 27 Oct 2009 - IDF tests find that bombs deployed on security fence are similar to those used against U.S. in Afghanistan, Iraq.
'Netanyahu didn't mean he backed Israel probe of Gaza war'
Ha'aretz 27 Oct 2009 - PM's bureau issues statement to clarify comments Netanyahu made in interview with Washington Post.
Ministers to discuss bill to give IDF vets more benefits
Ha'aretz 27 Oct 2009 - Benefits would include money towards education and a discount on mortgage of first apartment.
IDF threatens to dismiss 'disgraceful' pro-settler troops
Ha'aretz 27 Oct 2009 - Group of Kfir Brigade soldiers waved anti-disengagement placards during graduation march in Jerusalem.
Palestinian leaders urge Gaza militants to kidnap more IDF troops
Ha'aretz 27 Oct 2009 - Hamas says release of two Syrian Druze prisoners from Israeli prison last week was part of Shalit film deal.
U.S.: IDF defense drill helping craft Europe missile shield
Ha'aretz 27 Oct 2009 - U.S. and Israel launched joint drill as world powers try to persuade Iran to curb uranium enrichment.
'Hamas holding intensive negotiations over Shalit'
Ha'aretz 27 Oct 2009 - Senior Hamas official quoted by Israel Radio as saying negotiators studying remaining issues.
[uruknet.info]
Palestinian villager stands up to Israeli settlement, repairs damaged
trees, continues olive harvest
Uruknet October 27,
2009 - Palestinian farmer Abdel Asaus has become a model of
steadfastness standing in front of Bracha Settlement. His home is in
the southern Nablus village of Burin, nearby the confiscated West Bank
land on which the Israeli settlement of Bracha was built. Repeated
attacks by the settlers darken the area, but Asaus is continuing to
grow his...
[uruknet.info]
Depraved Indifference: Drone Wars, Whack Jobs and Imperial Terror
Uruknet October 27,
2009 -...What is astonishing about this is that the interview doesn't
end there, in a roar of outrage from Mayer and her interviewer:
"They've killed hundreds of civilians!" Hundreds of Pakistani
civilians, men, women and children with no involvement whatsoever in
war or terrorism; just ordinary people living their lives as best they
can -- just like your...
[uruknet.info]
35% of East Jerusalem expropriated - study
Uruknet October 27,
2009 - Israel has expropriated some 35 per cent of East Jerusalem's
territory, over 24,000 dunums of land, from its Palestinian owners
despite the fact that in 20 years the majority of Jerusalem's
population will be Palestinians, a study said. According to the study,
compiled by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, Palestinians currently make
up 35 per cent of...
[uruknet.info]
Israeli banks entrenched in settlement building
Uruknet October 27,
2009 - Several Western pension funds and financial managers hold shares
in two Israeli banks: Bank Hapoalim and Bank Leumi. Both banks operate
in and offer loans to finance illegal settlement activities in the
occupied Palestinian and Syrian territories. Bank Hapoalim, Israel's
largest bank, was established in 1921 by the Israeli trade union
Histadrut and the World Zionist...
[uruknet.info]
Gaza thirsts as sewage crisis mounts
Uruknet October 27,
2009 - Gaza's aquifer and only natural freshwater source is "in danger
of collapse," the UN is warning. Engineers have long been battling to
keep the densely populated strip's water and sewage system limping
along. But in September the UN Environment Programme warned that damage
to the underground aquifer - due to the Israeli and Egyptian blockade,
conflict,...
[uruknet.info]
Israelis Targeting Grassroots Activists
Uruknet October 27,
2009 - Israeli authorities are increasingly targeting and intimidating
non-violent Palestinian grassroots activists involved in
anti-occupation activities who are drawing increased support from the
international community. Several weeks ago masked Israeli soldiers
stormed the home of Ehab Jallad from The Jerusalem Popular Committee
for the Celebration of Jerusalem as the Capital of Arab Culture for
2009. "Around 3am...
[uruknet.info]
Ehud Olmert could face war crimes arrest if he visits UK
Uruknet October 27,
2009 - Ehud Olmert, Israel's prime minister during the Gaza war, would
probably face arrest on war crimes charges if he visited Britain,
according to a UK lawyer who is working to expand the application of
"universal jurisdiction" for offences involving serious human rights
abuses committed anywhere in the world. Neither Olmert nor Tzipi Livni,
the foreign minister...
[uruknet.info]
Emergency! Congress Debates Burying the Goldstone Report!
Uruknet October 27,
2009 - The US Congress is a considering a bipartisan resolution which
would officially reject the findings of Judge Goldstone's report on the
Gaza war and call on President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton to
use the US veto to prevent a vote on the report in the United Nations
Security Council. A vote on the bill,...
[uruknet.info]
Lawyers in EU draw up list of alleged IDF war criminals
Uruknet October 27,
2009 - Human rights lawyers and pro-Palestinian activists in a number
of European countries hold lists with names of Israel Defense Forces
soldiers allegedly linked to war crimes committed during Operation Cast
Lead in the Gaza Strip. Existing legislation enables arrest warrants to
be issued against these officers if they enter those countries. Lawyers
in Britain and other...
[uruknet.info]
Save the Children: Israeli policies displacing children in rural areas
Uruknet October 27,
2009 - Intolerable living conditions in the West Bank and Gaza are
driving families to abandon their land and homes, displacing children
and resulting in low-quality living situations, a Save the Children UK
report warned Tuesday. The report warned of the danger of children
being driven from their homes, over and above their usual warning of
the detrimental...
[uruknet.info]
Video: Israel rations Palestinians to trickle of water
Uruknet October 27,
2009 - ...In a new extensive report, Amnesty International revealed the
extent to which Israel's discriminatory water policies and practices
are denying Palestinians their right to access to water. Israel uses
more than 80 per cent of the water from the Mountain Aquifer, the main
source of underground water in Israel and the OPT, while restricting
Palestinian access...
[uruknet.info]
Palestinian Election; Weapon Against the People
Uruknet October 27,
2009 - Election is a political tool that helps people to democratically
elect their political representatives. Like any tool the benefits of
election are determined by its use. Lately election has been employed
to oppress people rather than serving them. Palestinian election is
such a clear example. We have seen elections being manipulated to
install and impose in...
Gaza, October 27, 2009, (Pal Telegraph) - Abu Atallah got addicted to painkillers after his house was destroyed and his 12-year-old daughter was killed in Israel's bombardment of the Gaza Strip at the turn of the year.
Amnesty International: Israel is Blocking Palestinian Water
West Bank, October 27, 2009, (Pal Telegraph) - Israel is denying Palestinians access to even the basic minimum of clean, safe water, Amnesty International says.
Abbas to Obama: I Quit
West Bank, October 27, 2009, (Pal Telegraph) - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas told U.S. President Barack Obama that he intends to resign his post, Channel 10 television reported on Monday.
Maysoon Zayid Helps Palestinian Kids Through Comedy
Bethlehem, October 27, 2009, (Pal Telegraph) - "I am officially the most oppressed person in the world," Maysoon Zayid recently told an audience in California. "I'm a Palestinian Muslim with cerebral palsy."
EU Lawyers Hold Lists of IDF Officers Suspected of War Crimes in Gaza
UK, October 27, 2009, (Pal Telegraph) - Human rights lawyers and pro-Palestinian activists in a number of European countries hold lists with names of Israel Defense Forces soldiers allegedly linked to war crimes committed during Operation Cast Lead in the Gaza Strip....
The National 27 Oct 2009 - Israeli military officers who took part in Israel's incursion of the Gaza Strip last winter may need to think twice before travelling to Europe.
Israel rejects calls to stop spying
The National 27 Oct 2009 - The UN Security Council was expected to discuss a report on efforts to disarm all of Lebanon's non-state actors yesterday even as an Israeli representative told UN officials that Israel would continue espionage activities in violation of a UN-monitored ceasefire.
Palestinians work to defend Al Aqsa
The National 26 Oct 2009 - Recent unrest at the Al Aqsa mosque, in the old city of Jerusalem, follows rumours of a planned attack at the holy site.
AlJazeera 27 Oct 2009 - Iranian president thanks Turkish PM as he arrives for bilateral talks.
Israel 'cutting Palestinian water'
AlJazeera 27 Oct 2009 - Amnesty report says Israel restricting Palestinian access to scarce water supplies.
Rocket hits Israel from Lebanon
AlJazeera 27 Oct 2009 - No reported casualties as Israel returns fire with eight rockets into southern Lebanon.
Israel 'to review' own Gaza probe
AlJazeera 26 Oct 2009 - Internal inquiries that cleared military of wrongdoing to be reportedly reviewed.
Alternative Information Center
Amnesty International: Troubled Waters - Palestinians Denied Fair Access to WaterAlternative Information Center 27 Oct 2009 - Amnesty International has accused Israel of denying Palestinians the right to access adequate water by maintaining total control over the shared water resources and pursuing discriminatory policies. These unreasonably restrict the availability of water in the...
Audio for United in Struggle Against Israeli Colonialism, Occupation and Racism Seminar
Alternative Information Center 26 Oct 2009 - Day One, Saturday 24 October 2009 : Introduction
PNN 27 Oct 2009 - Gaza / PNN – Members of the European delegation accompanying the aid convoy “Miles of Smiles” appealed today to Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. The convoy includes more than 100 trucks and ambulances loaded with wheelchairs and medical supplies for the besieged Gaza Strip, however the Egyptians will not allow it out of Port Said.“Miles of Smiles” arrived off the coast days ago with...
Consecutive decline in heat during next three days, strong chance of rain and thunderstorms
PNN 27 Oct 2009 - Bethlehem / PNN – On Tuesday night warm air and overcast skies are forecast to prevail in the central regions with a chance of light showers in the northeast. By Wednesday, however, warm air will give way to a significant decrease in temperatures.Rain in the north, accompanied by strong thunderstorms, is expected under partly cloudy skies.Thursday skies are forecast to be partly cloudy...
PLO factions considering running on single ticket after Abbas announces he won't seek re-election
PNN 27 Oct 2009 - Jerusalem / PNN - President Mahmoud Abbas announced that he will not run for a second term in the January elections. Already a year past due with his official term actually having ended in January 2009, Abbas issued a decree Saturday calling for both presidential and legislative elections on 24 January 2010.The news was reported by the Al Hayat daily newspaper today, sourced...
First court hearing for Dyer family defending their right to ownership of Sheikh Jarrah home
PNN 26 Oct 2009 - Jerusalem / PNN – The family of Mohamed Dyer from the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood is being represented in court today by Hosni Abu Hussein. The legal case being heard in the Israeli Magistrate’s Court on Jaffa Street near Mount Scopus involves 42 people.Dyer’s family is large, and they are just one of many who face forced eviction at the hands of the occupying...
Human rights organization issues condemnation of Israeli raid on Al Aqsa Mosque
PNN 26 Oct 2009 - The Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) strongly condemns the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) raid of the al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem on Sunday morning, 25 October 2009, and their use of excessive force against Palestinian civilians who attempted to stop the raid. The raid and related incidents followed a call by extremist Jewish groups, particularly the Organization for Human Rights...
Ministry of Health to procure one million does of vaccine against swine flu beginning in December
PNN 26 Oct 2009 - Ramallah / PNN - The Minister of Health in the Palestinian Authority, Dr. Fathi Abu Maghli, announced that a new agreement will have enough swine flu vaccine coming in for a major outbreak. Speaking in the West Bank city of Ramallah, the health minister said that an agreement was reached with the global pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline headquartered in the United Kingdom.One million doses...
Border fence installed hemming in northwestern West Bank town of Azzun
PNN 26 Oct 2009 - Ramallah / PNN – Twenty-four kilometers south of Tulkarem in the West Bank is the town of Azzun. Israeli forces are involved in extending a patrolled fence from the northern entrance toward the settlement of Ma’ale Shomron. The fence is still being installed as of the writing of this report.In the central West Bank’s Bethlehem, Israeli forces invaded last night both the city...
Jeruslalem Post 27 Oct 2009 - Mitchell to join US secretary of state during tour which includes dialogue with numerous Arab foreign ministers; Netanyahu to visit US one week later.
Bahrain bans citizens from contact with Israelis
Jeruslalem Post 27 Oct 2009 - Parliament approves legislation making "communications" or "official talks" with Jerusalem illegal.
Israelis at the forefront of the green industry
Jeruslalem Post 27 Oct 2009 - What is Israel's role in the global fight to tackle climate change?
Multi-denominational LA rabbis find their unity - in Israel
Jeruslalem Post 27 Oct 2009 - "At the end of the day, the Shema is the Shema," says Reform rabbi.
5 east J'lem homes demolished
Jeruslalem Post 27 Oct 2009 -
Stalemate between Palestiniansand IDF threatens olive harvest
Jeruslalem Post 27 Oct 2009 - 'Farmers can't get permits to cross security barrier near Har Adar.'
Barak takes the blame for Paris mishap
Jeruslalem Post 27 Oct 2009 - Defense minister: We've drawn conclusion from Air Show incident; in North, says Israel ready for "test."
The Met returns Egyptian artifact
Jeruslalem Post 27 Oct 2009 - Egypt's antiquities department says ancient pharoanic shrine was purchased from a collector.
'Zionist regime a threat to all nations'
Jeruslalem Post 27 Oct 2009 - Ahmadinejad welcomes Erdogan, says Teheran will persist in nuke program; Iran respond to deal on Fri.
IRIN SOUTH MOUNT HEBRON/TEL AVIV Tuesday, October 27, 2009 (IRIN) - It's a hot September day in the desert hills of South Mount Hebron in the West Bank, an hour’s drive south of Jerusalem. A small convoy of four water tankers makes its way along an unpaved road to deliver water...
EGYPT: Pig cull hits livelihoods
IRIN CAIRO Monday, October 26, 2009 (IRIN) - The Egyptian government's May 2009 decision to cull the country's entire pig population - ostensibly to stem the spread of H1N1 influenza - has hit the livelihoods of 70,000 former pig farmers and unofficial rubbish collectors and their families in the Cairo area,...
EGYPT: Abdullah Kahiya, "Cairo is better than Mogadishu, but life is still hard"
IRIN CAIRO Sunday, October 25, 2009 (IRIN) - In the third of a series of interviews with refugees living in Cairo, IRIN spoke to Abdullah Bare Kahiya, 31, about why he left home, and the prospects he has in this host country.
IPS WASHINGTON, Oct 23 (IPS) - The Barack Obama administration claims that construction of a second Iranian uranium enrichment facility at Qom began before Tehran's decision to withdraw from a previous agreement to inform the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in advance of such construction. But the November 2007 U.S. intelligence...
MIDEAST: Israelis Targeting Grassroots Activists
IPS EAST JERUSALEM, Oct 27 (IPS) - Israeli authorities are increasingly targeting and intimidating non-violent Palestinian grassroots activists involved in anti-occupation activities who are drawing increased support from the international community.
Stop The Wall 27 Oct 2009 - More than 150 people attended the weekly demo against the Apartheid Wall. Protestors held signs with the names of the five Nil’in prisoners, and others called for the freedom of the 11,000 other Palestinians held in Israeli jails. Youth marched with their hands tied, imitating the means soldiers use when they arrest Palestinians. Soldiers constantly tried to capture protestors, and jeep mounted launchers showered the area with gas. Soldiers also targeted medical teams, firing tear gas directly at them. [
Ni’lin demands Palestinian unity
Stop The Wall 27 Oct 2009 - Six people were injured, including one young man who was shot in the jaw with a rubber coated steel bullet, when more than 200 demonstrators attended the weekly demonstration against the Apartheid Wall in Ni’lin yesterday. This week the demonstration was calling for Palestinian unity, and the protestors demanded a stop to all factional rivalry and unification against the occupation. ‘The Palestinian people are one, the Palestinian people all live under occupation and we can only overcome if we stand strong as one! [
PCHR
PCHR IOF used force against peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders to protest the construction of the Annexation Wall in the West Bank.
International Solidarity Movement
Israel rations Palestinians to trickle of water10/27/2009 - International Solidarity Movement - Amnesty International - Amnesty International has accused Israel of denying Palestinians the right to access adequate water by maintaining total control over the shared water resources and pursuing discriminatory policies. These unreasonably restrict the availability of water in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT) and prevent the Palestinians developing an effective water infrastructure there. "Israel allows the Palestinians access to only a fraction of the shared water resources, which lie mostly in the occupied West Bank, while the unlawful Israeli settlements there receive virtually unlimited supplies. In Gaza the Israeli blockade has made an already dire situation worse," said Donatella Rovera, Amnesty International's researcher on Israel and the OPT. -- Links: AI: Israel rations Palestinians to trickle of water
EU lawyers draw up list of IDF officers suspected of Gaza war crimes
10/27/2009 - International Solidarity Movement - Ha'aretz - Human rights lawyers and pro-Palestinian activists in a number of European countries hold lists with names of Israel Defense Forces soldiers allegedly linked to war crimes committed during Operation Cast Lead in the Gaza Strip. Existing legislation enables arrest warrants to be issued against these officers if they enter those countries. Lawyers in Britain and other European countries have been collecting testimonies of Palestinians and other data from Gaza since January, which they maintain proves that war crimes were committed by the IDF during the offensive. The evidence is linked to IDF officers holding ranks of battalion commander and higher, who were in command during various stages of Cast Lead. The other nations who have lawyers collecting information on the matter include the Netherlands, Spain, Belgium and Norway, whose laws, as well as Britain's, allow the issuance of arrest warrants against foreign citizens suspected of war crimes.
Israeli military negligence again exposes young Palestinian children to threat of attack from Israeli settlers
10/27/2009 - International Solidarity Movement - Christian Peacemakers Team (CPT) - TUBA - On Tuesday 27 October 2009, Palestinian school children from the villages of Tuba and Maghayir Al Abeed did not attend school in At-Tuwani due to threat of violence from Israeli settlers from the Israeli settlement of Ma'on and the illegal Israeli outpost of Havat Ma'on. Internationals from Christian Peacemaker Teams and Operation Dove made repeated calls to the Israeli military, who were mandated by the Israeli Knesset to escort the children from Tuba and Maghayir Al Abeed to the area school in At-Tuwani. After waiting forty five minutes for the Israeli military to arrive, the children and the internationals began walking a longer route to school at 8:15 am, fifteen minutes after the start of the school day. However, four adult Israeli settlers, one masked and armed with a slingshot, in addition to settlers in a pickup truck, blocked their way. -- Links: Report on school escort 2007-2008: “A Dangerous Journey” (PDF)
Avi Issacharoff / Obama demands may leave Abbas feeling betrayed
Ha'aretz 27 Oct 2009 - U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will arrive on Sunday for a visit to Israel and the Palestinian Authority during which she will meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and PA President Mahmoud Abbas. George Mitchell, the U.S. Middle East envoy, will be in Israel Thursday to lay the groundwork for the secretary of state's visit. Clinton and Mitchell will attempt to persuade Abbas to reopen negotiations with Israel on a final peace agreement. ...
Israeli mogul Gaydamak sentenced to jail in France for gun-running
Ha'aretz 27 Oct 2009 - A French court on Tuesday sentenced Russian-born Israeli mogul Arcadi Gaydamak, who is also a French citizen, to six years in prison and a five million euro fine for his role in illegal arms deals in the 1990s. ...
U.S. leaning toward indirect Mideast peace talks
Ha'aretz 27 Oct 2009 - U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will arrive Israel on Saturday night, for her first official visit since Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government was sworn in. ...
Top Obama aide: U.S. commitment to Israel is not a slogan
Ha'aretz 27 Oct 2009 - U.S. National Security Adviser General James Jones told participants at the J Street conference on Tuesday that the Obama administration believes "without equivocation" that "Israeli security and peace are inseparable." ...
Deputy FM Ayalon won't cut U.K. trip short, despite arrest threat
Ha'aretz 27 Oct 2009 - Deputy Foreign Minister Daniel Ayalon will not shorten his visit to Britain despite efforts by pro-Palestinian organizations to petition for his arrest there, Army Radio reported on Tuesday. ...
The Guardian 27 Oct 2009 - Prosecution of Israelis likely, says solicitor Lawyers working on use of universal jurisdiction Ehud Olmert, Israel's prime minister during the Gaza war, would probably face arrest on war crimes charges if he visited Britain, according to...
Turkey leads the Muslim world | Stephen Kinzer
The Guardian 27 Oct 2009 - Ankara has healed relations with and between its neighbours. But it cannot bring itself to be diplomatic with Israel This week's visit to Iran by the Turkish prime minister, Recep Tayyip Erdoan, is to be warmly...
The disabled Palestinian standup helping refugees find their funny side
The Guardian 26 Oct 2009 - Maysoon Zayid helps disabled West Bank refugees become standup comics. It's not as crazy as it sounds, she says the saddest stories are often the funniest " I am officially the most oppressed person in the world,"...
Poll | Roadmap or roadblock?
The Guardian 26 Oct 2009 - The new "pro-Israel, pro-peace" lobby J Street is holding its first conference in Washington, but critics accuse it of being hostile to Israel. Is J Street helping or hurting the peace movement?
West Bank land belongs to Jews, says Israeli army judge
The Guardian 26 Oct 2009 - Settlements lawyer reveals core beliefs Peace with Palestinians 'goes against nature' Major Adrian Agassi did not make the connection between the Bible, the land and the Jews when, fresh out of university, he left England for...
Violent clashes in Jerusalem
The Guardian 26 Oct 2009 - 25 October 2009: Violence erupted in Jerusalem between Israeli police and Palestinians in and around the holy site known to Muslims as the al-Haram al-Sharif (the Noble Sanctuary) and Jews as the Temple Mount
J Street's 'pro-Israel' stance is phoney | Isi Leibler
The Guardian 26 Oct 2009 - This lobby group reminds me of the Jewish communists who defended Stalin's antisemitism in the guise of a peace campaign Antony Lerman falsely accuses me of calling for the "excommunication" of liberal lobby group J Street...
Palestinians clash with Israeli troops at al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem
The Guardian 25 Oct 2009 - Demonstrations at holy shrine erupt into violence as youths fight battles with riot police Israeli riot police firing stun grenades and crowds of young Palestinians throwing stones clashed in the compound around the al-Aqsa mosque in...
Ha'aretz 27 Oct 2009 - Defense Minister Ehud Barak responded for the first time on Tuesday to the State Comptroller report on Barak's exaggerated expenses in the Paris Air Show. ...
Israel forms task force to counter Goldstone Gaza report
Ha'aretz 27 Oct 2009 - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday approved the creation of a task force of professionals who will present a series of recommendations for countering the Goldstone report and its implications. ...
Rights group: Israel exploits and cheats foreign workers
Ha'aretz 27 Oct 2009 - About 30,000 migrant workers hired by farms in Israel pay thousands of dollars to middlemen for their jobs but earn less than the minimum wage and are cheated out of overtime, according to an Israeli rights group report. ...
Panel: Segregation of sexes on Haredi buses is illegal
Ha'aretz 27 Oct 2009 - The segregation of men and women passengers on buses is illegal - even if the passengers themselves decide to travel so, a panel has said in a petition the state prosecution relayed to the High Court on Tuesday. ...
Israel must outlaw seditious Islamic Movement
Ha'aretz 27 Oct 2009 - The recent riots on the Temple Mount instigated by the Islamic Movement force us again to turn our attention to the Israeli Arab community. How many times does it need to be said that the most important challenge facing Israel is the integration of Israel's Arab citizens into Israeli society? That the government needs to place priority on providing a climate where Israel's Arab citizens enjoy not only equal rights, but also equal opportunities, and share equally with the Jewish citizens of Israel the obligations of citizenship. In other words, that they feel at home in Israel. How often does it need to be repeated that a large minority community that feels alienated from the country it lives in is dangerous to all concerned? ...
Relief Web 27 Oct 2009 - Source: Common Ground News Service
Rapport de la Cour pénale internationale pour 2008/09 (A/64/356)
Relief Web 27 Oct 2009 - Source: UN General Assembly
Report of the International Criminal Court to the United Nations for 2008/09 (A/64/356)
Relief Web 27 Oct 2009 - Source: UN General Assembly
OPT: Assembly's Economic Committee is told of harsh conditions persisting in Occupied Territories because of Israeli actions
Relief Web 27 Oct 2009 - Source: UN General Assembly
UN calls on Israel to halt demolition of Palestinian homes
Relief Web 27 Oct 2009 - Source: UN News Service
Israel demolishes Palestinian houses in east Jerusalem
Relief Web 27 Oct 2009 - Source: Agence France-Presse
YNet News 27 Oct 2009 - Elior Chen, suspected of ordering his followers to abuse children, to land in Israel on Wednesday afternoon after being extradited from Brazil. Upon boarding plane he shouts, 'This is illegal'
MK wants moment of silence for Kfar Kassem victims
YNet News 27 Oct 2009 - United Arab List-Ta'al Chairman Ibrahim Sarsur plans to read out names of 49 victims of 1956 massacre at Knesset. In letter sent to MKs he urges Israel to take responsibility for act. 'Recognition would help heal the wound,' he says
'Katyusha a provocation against Barak'
YNet News 27 Oct 2009 - Residents living near northern border used to occasional rocket fire from Lebanon, but head of Mevoot Hermon Regional Council links Tuesday's incident to defense minister's visit. Other council heads call on government not to cut northern communities' budgets
Top US official: Our support of Israel not just a slogan
YNet News 27 Oct 2009 - National Security Advisor Jim Jones gives keynote speech at J Street conference, reiterates US commitment to Israel's security, says will not let Iran evade decision on uranium, encourages talks between Israel and Palestinians
Report: Sudan allows citizens to visit Israel
YNet News 27 Oct 2009 - Sudanese government removes passport stamp reading that it is valid for 'All Countries Except Israel' in what is said to be a technical procedure. Foreign Ministry: It's too early to celebrate, as Sudan remains one of most hostile countries towards Israel
Clinton to visit Israel on Saturday evening
YNet News 27 Oct 2009 - US secretary of state to arrive in Israel after meeting with Arab officials in Morocco in bid to advance peace talks. US special Mideast envoy George Mitchell will set ground for Clinton's visit arriving day earlier
Daily Star 27 Oct 2009 Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas told US President Barack Obama he would not run for re-election unless Israel dropped its refusal to freeze settlements, Palestinian officials said on Tuesday. "[Abbas] told him that he would not be a candidate in the presidential election [in January] unless Israel abided by the peace requirement," said.
Turkey lauds Iran's positive approach to nuclear talks
Daily Star 27 Oct 2009 Turkey backed Iran's "positive" approach to nuclear negotiations with world powers during a visit by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday that may point to a shift in the emphasis of Turkish foreign policy. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad praised Erdogan for his "clear stance against" Israel, Iran's official media said.
Iraqi parties lash out at security forces for allowing latest Baghdad bombings
Daily Star 27 Oct 2009 Politicians blamed the security forces on Tuesday for Iraq's bloodiest bombing in two years, and an Al-Qaeda-linked group claimed responsibility for the attack in which 155 people were killed. Two high-profile attacks in the last two months have raised doubts about the ability of Iraq's nascent security apparatus to ensure the nation's safety after US soldiers pulled out of major cities ahead of a full withdrawal in 2011.
Yemen sentences four Shiite rebels to death
Daily Star 27 Oct 2009 A Yemeni court sentenced to death four men involved in a Shiite rebellion in its northern provinces bordering Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, while Iran denied a Yemeni claim to have seized a ship with arms for the rebels. On Monday, Yemen said it had impounded a vessel carrying weapons destined for the rebels of the Zaydi Shiite sect and detained its Iranian crew at the Red Sea port of Medi, in Haja Province bordering the area of conflict.
Israel demolishes Palestinian houses in occupied East Jerusalem
Daily Star 27 Oct 2009 Israel on Tuesday razed five Palestinian houses in occupied East Jerusalem, defying international calls to halt the demolitions in the disputed city, the municipality said. The Jerusalem municipality demolished houses and structures built without permits in the neighborhoods of Shuafat, Zur Baher, Silwan and Jabel Mukabar, municipality spokesman Gidi Schmerling told AFP.
Iran wants big changes to nuclear agreement with world powers
Daily Star 27 Oct 2009 Iran wants major amendments within the framework of a UN nuclear fuel deal which it says it broadly accepts, a move that could unravel the plan and expose Tehran to the threat of harsher sanctions. The European Union's foreign policy chief said on Tuesday there was no need to rework the UN draft and he and France's foreign minister suggested Tehran would expose itself to tougher.
Besieged Gazans turn to painkillers for respite
Daily Star 27 Oct 2009 Abu Atallah got hooked on painkillers after his house was destroyed and his 12-year-old daughter was killed by Israel's bombardment of the Gaza Strip at the turn of the year. "I'm not an addict," said the 39-year-old father of five, who now lives in a cramped rented apartment in Gaza City, his home still in ruins.
Palestinian Information Center
Mansi deplores Israel for demolishing homes in JerusalemPIC 27 Oct 2009 - Palestinian minister of public works and housing Dr. Yousif Al-Mansi strongly denounced the Israeli occupation authorities (IOA) for continuing to demolish Palestinian homes in occupied Jerusalem.
Qassam: Attempts to capture more Israeli soldiers will continue
PIC 27 Oct 2009 - The Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of the Hamas Movement, renewed insistence on capturing more Israeli soldiers to exchange them for Palestinian detainees in Israeli occupation jails.
Save the children: Tens of thousands of Palestinian families will be homeless
PIC 27 Oct 2009 - A study prepared by save the children revealed that tens of thousands of Palestinian families including children in the occupied Palestinian lands are threatened with displacement.
Hamas asks factions to denounce Abbas practices, refuses his election committee
PIC 27 Oct 2009 - Hamas has condemned the continued persecution of resistance supporters in the West Bank topped by those affiliated with Hamas and Islamic Jihad on the part of Mahmoud Abbas's militias.
Jawhari: Abbas’s political goals go against the higher Palestinian interest
PIC 27 Oct 2009 - Palestinian political analyst Shaker Al-Jawhari stated that the political interest which Mahmoud Abbas want to achieve for himself through the elections conflicts with the higher Palestinian interest.
Abu Halabiya: The PA must stop playing with the fate of Jerusalem
PIC 27 Oct 2009 - MP Ahmed Abu Halabiya stated that the Palestinian Authority must stop tampering with the fate of Jerusalem and the Aqsa Mosque and end its frivolous negotiations with the Israeli occupation.
IOF troops enter northern Gaza, detain minor in Jericho
PIC 27 Oct 2009 - Israeli occupation forces (IOF) advanced into areas in northern Gaza Strip on Tuesday amidst indiscriminate shooting and air cover, eyewitnesses reported.
Israeli TV: Abbas to resign soon
PIC 27 Oct 2009 - Mahmoud Abbas, the PA chief whose term in office expired last January, has told American president Barack Obama that he would resign his post soon, the Israeli 10th TV channel reported on Monday.
Israeli court orders Palestinian citizen to evacuate his home by mid November
PIC 27 Oct 2009 - The Israeli central court in occupied Jerusalem has ordered Abdul Moti Abu Qutaish to evacuate his home in Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood by mid November 2009, local sources reported on Monday.
Hayya: Egypt should take seriously Hamas remarks on its reconciliation paper
PIC 27 Oct 2009 - Dr. Khalil Al-Hayya ruled out that Egypt would end its mediation in the inter-Palestinian reconciliation, stressing that it should take seriously his Movement’s remarks on the amended paper.
LA Times 28 Oct 2009 - Tehran will ask this week for 'important adjustments' to the proposal by the West that Iran send most of its uranium stockpile abroad for enrichment and eventual return, state-owned TV says. Iran will seek to amend a proposed deal it reached with the U.S. and other major powers to ship the bulk of its nuclear material overseas, state television reported Tuesday.
Israeli police, Palestinian protesters clash
LA Times 26 Oct 2009 - The rioting is said to have erupted over the presence of a group of Jewish settlers at the Al Aqsa mosque compound, but Israel says no Jewish civilians had entered the area at the time. Israeli police stormed the grounds of Al Aqsa mosque Sunday, using clubs and stun grenades to subdue hundreds of stone-throwing Palestinians in the worst clashes in a month of unrest in and around Jerusalem's Old City.
New York Times 26 Oct 2009 - Twenty-six people were hurt at the Temple Mount compound in the latest sign of tension in Jerusalem.
Alternative Information Center - 27 Oct 2009 - Amnesty International has accused Israel of denying Palestinians the right to access adequate water by maintaining total control over the shared water resources and pursuing discriminatory policies. These unreasonably restrict the availability of water in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT) and prevent the Palestinians developing an...
Audio for United in Struggle Against Israeli Colonialism, Occupation and Racism Seminar
Alternative Information Center - 26 Oct 2009 - Day One, Saturday 24 October 2009 : Introduction
Israel, we have a democracy problem
Mondoweiss - 27 Oct 2009 - I’ll be joining Phil in posting some thoughts from J Street soon, but in the meantime a friend sends: State’s International Religious Freedom Report 2009 doesn’t say it that way, but if you skim the report and do the math you’ll see there are more Palestinians...
Impressions from the 1st full day at J Street conference
Mondoweiss - 27 Oct 2009 - Apologies to readers for being AWOL. We’re at the J Street policy conference and it’s an exciting and historic event, as one of the panelists said tonight. There have been a lot of organizing conversations going on in the corners, about BDS and Jewish identity and...
Off to J Street
Mondoweiss - 25 Oct 2009 - Phil and I are on our way to Washington DC for J Street’s first national conference . We’ll be reporting from the conference on the site and over twitter , so be sure to follow along. Related posts: Follow Mondoweiss from AIPAC on Twitter You have questions, they...
Articles
Fearsome Words?
Michael Neumann, CounterPunch 10/14/2009
A Suppressed Talk on the Israel/Palestine Conflict
In April of this year I was invited by the Canada-Palestine Parliamentary Association to speak at one of their meetings. The meeting was to have taken place in the Parliament building in Ottawa, where I have spoken previously without incident. John Ivison, in the National Post newspaper, published a not particularly vicious or unbalanced attack on me, deploring the invitation. After this, without any contact with me and without seeing the content of my talk, the meeting was ’postponed’. It is now clear that the postponement was permanent.
This might seem spineless, but it involved more than the National Post article.
Ivison reports that Alykhan Velshi, director of communications for Immigration Minister, Jason Kenney, had the following to say:
"In a free country like Canada, Mr. Neumann has the right to air his noxious views. The corollary, of course, is that we can and must criticize them. Neumann’s farrago of cant, conspiracy theory and hate are completely repugnant to our government, and we make no apology for saying so."
Bob Rae (former Ontario premier, former head of the New Democratic Party, now a high-ranking Liberal Party leader) is reported to have been ’"surprised and disappointed" that the parliamentary group thought Mr. Neumann had something positive to contribute’.
Here is the alleged farago of cant, conspiracy theory and hate - unaltered since before the attacks. Readers may judge for themselves whether the allegations have merit.... more.. e-mail
From Kalashnikovs to knafa
Jesse Aizenstat, Ma’an News Agency 10/27/2009
An alarming amount of coverage in the international press seems to have come down with a case of "occupation isn’t so bad" syndrome.
Nablus is alive again. In just two years, its casbah has gone from militants wielding kalashnikovs to baking the largest plate of knafa on record. One can feel its bustling culture through the ancient walls of its narrow souk.
"You just wouldn’t recognize it today," says Alaa Abu Dheer, the public relations director at An-Najah National University.
"You can see the progress; many in former military groups are now working as police officers, the Israeli raids are down to few a month, Palestinians from Israel come on Saturdays to boost our economy with shopping," he adds.
All of this is true. Perhaps even more. But Abu Dheer understands - like everyone seems to in Nablus - the vulnerability of this progress. The full reopening of the Huwwara checkpoint, he says, is the best example of how the occupation could again cripple the city.
Probably overnight.
Indeed, just because a few checkpoints were relaxed, shopping is up, and the awe-inspiring new downtown cinema offers a glimpse of normalcy doesn’t mean Nablus has escaped the occupation. Its recent improvements should fool no one, yet they continue to. more.. e-mail
Electronic Intifada
Israeli minister's speech disrupted at London university
Electronic Intifada: 27 Oct 2009 - Students protested and disrupted a lecture on Monday at the London School of Economics (LSE) by Daniel Ayalon, the controversial Deputy Foreign Minister of Israel. More than 50 students and activists greeted Ayalon outside of the lecture on LSE's campus with placards and banners, while inside audience members heckled the controversial minister as a "racist" and "murderer" in relation to the illegal occupation and violence carried out by the Israeli state.
Israeli banks entrenched in settlement building
Electronic Intifada: 27 Oct 2009 - Several Western pension funds and financial managers hold shares in two Israeli banks: Bank Hapoalim and Bank Leumi. Both banks operate in and offer loans to finance illegal settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian and Syrian territories. Adri Nieuwhof reports for The Electronic Intifada.
Book review: How aid hurt Palestine
Electronic Intifada: 26 Oct 2009 - International relations specialist Anne Le More's first monograph, International Assistance to the Palestinians after Oslo , the first in Routledge's Studies on the Arab-Israeli Conflict series, provides an important critique of the belief that reconstruction, development and humanitarian aid form essential counterparts to political processes aimed at resolving longstanding violent conflicts. Ali Abunimah reviews.
What does China's ascendance mean for Palestine?
Electronic Intifada: 26 Oct 2009 - George Habash, the late leader of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), called China Palestine's "best friend." Indeed, he was on an official PFLP visit to China when the conflict between Palestinian forces and the Hashemite Kingdom erupted in Jordan in 1970, the events later known as "Black September." However, if there are actors today hoping that China might offer an alternative to US hegemony and pushing the international community into a more just position on Palestine, it is not likely to happen soon -- if ever. Sarah Irving analyzes for The Electronic Intifada.
Palestine Chronicle
'Where
Have All the Friendships Gone…'
26 Oct 2009 - By Uri
Avnery - Israel According a Chinese saying, if someone in the street
tells you that you are drunk, you can laugh. If a second person tells
you that you are drunk, start to think about it. If a third one tells
you the same, go home and sleep it off. Our political and military
leadership has already encountered the third, fourth and fifth person.
All of them say that they must investigate what happened in the “Molten
Lead” operation. They have three options: - to conduct a real
investigation. - to ignore the demand and proceed as if nothing has
happened. - to conduct a sham inquiry. It is easy to dismiss the first
option: it has not the slightest chance of being adopted. Except for
the usual suspects (including myself) who demanded an investigation
long before anyone in Israel had heard of a judge called Goldstone,
nobody supports it. Among all the members of our political, military
and media establishments who are now suggesting an “inquiry”, there is
no one – literally not one – who means by that a real investigation.
The aim is to deceive the Goyim and get them to shut up. Actually,
Israeli law lays down clear guidelines for such investigations. The
government decides to set up a commission of investigation. The
president of the Supreme Court then appoints the members of the
commission. The commission can compel witnesses to testify. Anybody who
may be damaged by its conclusions must be warned and...
A
Rare Victory for Lebanon's Palestinians
26 Oct 2009 - By
Franklin Lamb - Lebanon Known simply as the 'General' Michel Naim Aoun
was born in a peaceful mixed Christian-Shia area of Haret Hreik, now a
core Hezbollah area. He rose from poverty to become the head of
Lebanon’s newly created Eighth army following the September 1983 battle
of Souq el Gharb against Palestinian and Druze forces. Six years later
he served a forcibly truncated term as President of Lebanon. Since
returning from a self imposed 15 year exile in France in 2005, he is
widely believed to intend to gain that office. A current outspoken
member of Lebanon’s parliament, Aoun has many supporters and detractors
being variously referred to a brilliant, cunning, honest, corrupt,
obstructionist, mercurial, mentally ill, Napoleonic, and Hezbollah’s
most important political ally. The past couple of months have seen the
General’s popular support shrink a bit and one of his recent antics led
to Hezbollah signal its concern since the leaders of the Resistance
were reeiving political heat they did not need nor felt they deserved.
This current problem began on August 13, 2009 when the key Hezbollah
ally and ambitious leader of the Free Patriotic Movement sought and was
immediately granted from Lebanon’s highest administrative Court, the
Shura Council, an injunction freezing any and all reconstruction of
Nahr al Bared (Arabic: Cold River) Palestinian Refugees camp which had
been destroyed two years ago in a three month battle between the
salafist group Fatah al Islam and the Lebanese army. The renewable
injunction was initially for...