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News
International Middle East Media Center
Israel
Slaps Six-month Travel Ban On Palestinian Map Expert
IMEMC
5 Feb 2010 - Saturday February 06, 2010 - 00:59, Citing "security
reasons" -- the ubiquitous and unanswerable catch-all phrase against
which it is almost impossible to mount any defense -- Israel's Ministry
of the Interior has just issued a six-month travel ban on map expert
Khalil Tafakji.
Mizrahi:
“Our Army Can Reach Damascus, Syria Cannot Stop Us”
IMEMC
5 Feb 2010 - Saturday February 06, 2010 - 00:44, Head of the Central
Command at the Israeli Army, Avi Mizrahi, stated that Syria cannot
defeat the Israeli Army, and that the army can reach the Syrian
capital, Damascus, “while Syria will not be able to stop us”.
Irish
Herald: “Four Israelis Who Assassinated Hamas Leader Carried Irish
Passports”
IMEMC
5 Feb 2010 - Friday February 05, 2010 - 22:59, The Irish Herald
reported Friday that members of the hit squad that operated in Dubai
and killed Hamas leader, Mahmoud Al Madbouh, 50, carried Irish
passports.
Two
Injured at the Weekly Anti-Wall Protest in Bil’in Village
IMEMC
5 Feb 2010 - Friday February 05, 2010 - 15:25, Two civilians, one
Palestinian and one international, were injured by Israeli fire when
troops attacked the weekly anti-wall protest at the village of Bil’in,
central West Bank.
Soldiers
Attack Anti-Settlement Construction Protest in Central West Bank
IMEMC
5 Feb 2010 - Friday February 05, 2010 - 14:46, Three Palestinian
villagers were injured when they were fired upon by Israel soldiers, on
Friday, at the village of Nabi Saleh, central West Bank.
Nil’in’s
Weekly Protests Ends After Tear Gas Assault
IMEMC
5 Feb 2010 - Friday February 05, 2010 - 14:39, Local villagers of
Nil’in held their weekly non-violent protest, after Friday prayers,
despite rainfall.
Friday
Protest in al-Ma’sara Ends Peacefully, Without Clashes
IMEMC
5 Feb 2010 - Friday February 05, 2010 - 14:14, The weekly demonstration
against the construction of the annexation wall on Palestinian land,
ended with no clashes with the Israeli military, in the West Bank
village of al-Ma’sara.
Fateh
and Hamas Form Field Committee
IMEMC
5 Feb 2010 - Friday February 05, 2010 - 11:55, The rival Fateh and
Hamas movements managed to form a committee that would be in charge of
discussing field issues that are preventing reconciliation. The
committee was formed after Fateh official Nabil Shaath met on Thursday
with Ismail Haniyya of Hamas and several Hamas leaders in Gaza.
Dubai
Might Issue Arrest Warrant Against Netanyahu
IMEMC
5 Feb 2010 - Friday February 05, 2010 - 08:07, Head of the Police
Department in Dubai, Dhahi Khalfan, stated that an arrest warrant will
be served against Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, should
the investigation reveal that the Israeli Mosad is behind the
assassinating of a Hamas leader at a Dubai Hotel.
Livni
Vows To Visit Britain Despite Arrest Warrant
IMEMC
5 Feb 2010 - Friday February 05, 2010 - 06:15, Israeli Foreign
Minister, opposition leader, Tzipi Livni, vowed to visit Britain soon
even if the country refrains from changing its laws regarding the
arrest and prosecution of leaders accused of committing war crimes.
Official:
Settlers take over 500 dunums of Palestinian village
2/5/2010
- Nablus - Ma'an - Israeli settlers illegally appropriated 500 dunums
of land from Mount Hillah Al-Wusta, in the Palestinian village of
Jalud, south of Nablus on Thursday morning. Ghassan Doughlas, official
responsible for settlement activity in the northern West Bank, said the
settlers took over the land and parked four caravans on the area, he
told Ma'an in an interview. The area is located near the Addy Add
settlement, established several years ago, he said. Abdullah Al-Hajj
Mohammad, head of the Jalud village council, said the mount that was
taken over was a vital part of the village. Settlers, he said, have
seized control of over 16,000 dunums of the villages 20,000 dunums,
establishing the Ady Add, Shilo and the Shavot Rahil settlements. The
Jalud village is home to 500 residents. . . . .
Locals:
Settlers surround Tulkarem area village
2/5/2010
- Tulkarem - Ma'an - Israeli settlers surrounded the village of Kherbet
Al-Hammam, 5 kilometres east of An-Nazlah Ash-Sharqeiyah, north of
Tulkarem, locals reported. Resident Mohammad Al-Jaluli told Ma'an that
"settlers, reinforced by Israeli soldiers, invaded the village on
Wednesday," forcing him to destroya sheep pen, he said. "Some 100
settlers descended from the nearby illegal settlement of Dutan that is
built on the lands of the cities of Tulkarem and Jenin," Al-Jaluli
added. Kherbet Al-Hamam is located between the illegal settlements of
Dutan and Hermish. The village is inhabited by approximately 70
Palestinian residents, who are often prevented from leaving the village
or accessing the well nearby by settlers. . . . .
2
African migrants killed, 1 injured by Egyptian border police
2/5/2010
- Al-Arish - Ma'an - An Eritrean national was shot dead by Egyptian
police 1 kilometre south of the Kerem Shalom crossing on the border
with Israel and Gaza at dawn on Thursday, according to Egyptian
security sources. In a separate incident on Wednesday, two African
migrants were killed and one was injured when Egyptian border police
opened fire at a group of ten migrants attempting to cross the border
into Israel, the sources added. Sources said the group was chased down
3 kilometres from the Kerem Shalom crossing, south of Gaza. One
Eritrean national was injured after being shot in the chest and one
migrant of unknown nationality was killed by a bullet wound to the
back, the sources said. Five Eritrean and three Ethiopian nationals
turned themselves in to Egyptian police following the incident,
according to sources.
Scores
suffer tear-gas inhalation at weekly anti-wall ralles
2/5/2010
- Ramallah - Ma'an - Palestinians and peace activists were prevented
from accessing private and agricultural lands on Friday, when Israeli
forces used tear gas, sound bombs and barbed wire fences to restrict
protesters movement. Popular protests continued in Bil'in, Ni'lin and
Al-Ma'asara on Friday, with increasing international support for the
non-violent resistance activities expressing outrage at Israel's
continued construction of the separation wall and illegal settlements
on Palestinian land. In Bil'in, scores of protesters suffered tear-gas
inhalationas they attempted to access land behind the separation wall.
Residents of Bil'in and international peace activists made way to the
wall's construction site, where Israeli forces were deployed behind
cement blocs and a gate closed off by barbed wire. When those present
tried to access the area behind the wall, Israeli forces. . .
PA
security forces fire warning shots as settlers try to enter Nablus
2/5/2010
- Nablus - Ma'an - Palestinian Authority security forces fired warning
shots in the air after noticing a car of Israeli settlers travelling
through a Palestinian checkpoint over the speed limit near Joseph's
Tomb inside the West Bank city of Nablus, security sources told Ma'an.
"PA security forces were not notified by the Israeli army of any
intention to enter the area where PA forces are deployed and were
surprised to see the car with settlers," the sources said. The driver
was asked to stop the vehicle but did not respond, following which
security forces fired warning shots in the air. The car fled the scene,
the sources said. [end]
Gaza
school children struggling to learn
2/5/2010
- GAZA - IRIN - Nearly half a million children in Gaza returned to
overcrowded and dilapidated schools on 1 February, many attending in a
shift system, with missing textbooks, stationery or uniforms. "I don't
have a school uniform because my Dad doesn't have a job and said he
doesn't have enough money to buy me one," said Mohammed al-Khouli,
nine, at the government-run al-Mu'tasem primary school in Gaza City. "I
have to borrow pens and pencils from other kids in my class because I
don't have any. "Israel's 23-day military offensive on Gaza which ended
on 18 January 2009 had "devastating consequences for the education
system", according to a report by the UN Office for the Coordination of
Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Some 440,000 students attend 640 schools
in Gaza; 383 are government schools, 221 are run by the UN agency for
Palestinian. . .
Gazan
dies of injuries sustained in 2003 Israeli airstrike
2/5/2010
- Gaza - Ma'an - Abdul Rahman Maher Taym, 22, died on Thursday morning
in An-Nusseirat Refugee Camp in Gaza, as a result of injuries he
sustained during an Israeli airstrike in 2003. Mu'awiya Hassanein, head
of ambulance and emergency services in Gaza, said Taym's car was
targeted by two missiles east of the refugee camp in 2003 during an
Israeli airstrike. The second missile destroyed the car, scattering
fragments around the area, he said. Seven people were killed following
the airstrike and 50 others were injured, including 11 teenagers, Taym
and his brother, Hassanein added. Taym was paralyzed as a result, and
was diagnosed with renal failure which led to his death on Thursday. .
. . .
Fuel
crisis sees Gaza crossing open Friday
2/5/2010
- Gaza - Ma'an - Israeli authorities opened the Karem Shalom crossing
on Friday for the transfer of limited amounts of fuel, Palestinian
border crossing official Raed Fattouh said. Though crossings are
scheduled to open every Friday, they have been ordered closed by
Israeli officials since August, decreasing the number of operating days
to 5 per week. Even amid last week's fuel crisis peak, the crossing was
not allowed to remain open. According to Fattouh, 80 tons of domestic
gas will be transferred into the besieged Strip through its southern
border crossing with Israel, as well as 220,000 litres of industrial
diesel for Gaza's power plant will be allowed through. The entry of
vitally needed fuel follows warnings from officials on Thursday that
Gaza's sole power plant will cease all operations late Friday night due
to a lack of fuel.
BU
student recounts forced deportation to Carnegie Endowment in DC
2/5/2010
- Bethlehem - Ma'an - Bethlehem University student Berlanty Azzam,
forcibly removed from the West Bank in October, was hosted via
video-link in Washington on Wednesday by the Carnegie Endowment for
International Peace, where she spoke about the right to education in
Palestine. The event, titled "The Right of Palestinians to Study and
Travel: A Discussion" had Berlanty recount her abrupt seizure, where
she was blindfolded and handcuffed on the road from Ramallah to
Bethlehem, held four hours then ejected into Gaza, where her family
lives. Israeli military personnel said she was living illegally in the
West Bank and 'deported' her to Gaza. Berlanty's story, as one of the
narratives of dozens of BU students from Gaza, was put in context of
the larger Israeli ban on Gaza residents seeking education at
Palestinian universities in the West Bank by Vice President for
Development at BU Brother Jack Curran.
Rights
group outraged at Ban for dragging war crimes issue
2/5/2010
- Jerusalem - Ma'an - UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon said "No
determination can be made on the implementation of the resolution by
the parties concerned," during the meeting of the General Assembly on
Thursday, prompting an outcry from the Palestinian Center for Human
Rights. Ban made the statement, PCHR said, "despite the fact that
Resolution A/Res/61/10 explicitly called for the Secretary-General to
'report on the implementation of the present resolution'. "The
organization, based in Gaza, continued, saying "As representatives of
the victims of the atrocities committed during the Israeli attacks on
Gaza in December 2008 and January 2009, PCHR is shocked and appalled by
this lack of responsibility. " Ban's statements came after Israel, the
Palestinian Authority and the de facto Government in Gaza all handed
over short reports detailing. . . Related: PCHR
Expresses Grave Concern Regarding Credibility of Investigations Carried
Out in Response to Recommendations of the Goldstone Report
Gaza:
16 hurt in gas canister explosion
2/5/2010
- Gaza - Ma'an - Sixteen people were injured when a gas canister
exploded inside a Gaza City factory as cold weather, limited fuel and
an immanent closure of the Gaza Power plant force residents to seek
alternative energy sources. Witnesses said the sound of the explosion
was heard from several kilometers away in residential areas east of the
Shakur Tehina factory, and noted the rapid response of emergency
medical teams to rescue the factory workers. Muawiya Hasanein, director
of ambulance and emergency services in Gaza, said ten were treated for
severe smoke inhalation, while six others suffered mild to moderate
burns. All were treated in the Ash-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, he
said. The explosion is the second in a week, with one dead and five
others injured in an explosion south of Gaza City in the As-Sahaba
neighborhood when a canister exploded in the Al-Ghafri family home.
Man
detained for alleged stabbing attempt
2/5/2010
- Ramallah - Ma'an - Israeli forces detained a Palestinian man at the
Qalandiya checkpoint, north of Jerusalem, for attempting to stab an
Israeli soldier on Friday, military sources reported. The suspect's
relatives told Ma'an that Mahmoud Al-Qatary, 25, was detained for
allegedly holding a knife. Al-Qatary was taken to an unknown location,
his family said. [end]
US
contributes $40 million to UNRWA
2/5/2010
- Jerusalem - Ma'an - At an official signing ceremony in the Dheisheh
Refugee Camp in Bethlehem on Thursday US Consul General Daniel
Rubinstein announced that the US will contribute 40 million US dollars
to UNRWA to support its budget and emergency programs in the West Bank
and Gaza. The contribution will provide critical health, education, and
humanitarian services to 4. 7 million Palestinian refugees across the
region, a statement from the US consulate said. Of this contribution,
30 million US dollars will support UNRWA's core services in Jordan,
Syria, Lebanon, the West Bank, and Gaza. An additional 10 million US
dollars will support UNRWA's emergency appeal for the West Bank and
Gaza, including emergency food assistance, and job creation programs.
The new Commissioner General Filippo Grandi thanked the US Government
for its contribution, saying: "We are very grateful to the United
States government for its generous contribution. "
Netanyahu
calls on gov’t to refrain from Syria remarks
2/5/2010
- Jerusalem - Ma'an/Agencies - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu instructed Cabinet Secretary Tzvi Hauser to call on
government ministers to refrain from making remarks concerning Syria,
Israeli media reported on Friday. The decision followed numerous
hostile comments made by Israeli and Syrian government officials in
recent days, the Israeli daily Yedioth Aharonot reported. Foreign
Minister Avigdol Lieberman responded on Thursday to Syrian remarks that
in the event of a war with Israel, "not only will you lose the war, you
and your family will no longer be in power. "However, Lieberman issued
a joint statement with Netanyahu saying "Israel is seeking peace and
wants to engage in political negotiations with Syria, without
pre-conditions. Nevertheless, Israel will continue to fiercely and
firmly respond to any potential threat," the daily reported.
Mash’al
to visit Russia next week
2/5/2010
- Bethlehem - Ma'an - The Russian government announced on Friday that
senior-most leader of Hamas Khaled Mash'al will visit Russia next week,
a spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry told reporters in Moscow.
Andrei Nstrenko, the spokesman, said "the main issue to be discussed is
how to end Palestinian divisions and how to resume the
Palestinian-Israeli negotiations. "Mash'al last visited Moscow in 2007.
. . . .
Next
investment conference to improve on first attempts
2/5/2010
- Bethlehem - Ma'an - Two years after the 2008 premier Palestine
Investment Conference in Bethlehem, organizers are preparing for a June
conference, which will focus on matching small and medium-sized
businesses with direct investment. Unlike the broad mandate of the
first conference, the 2010 meeting will "be more target specific with a
special focus on investment promotion in SMEs [small and medium sized
businesses]," a statement promoting the conference promised. The 2008
conference saw 1. 4 billion US dollars pledged, but only a fraction of
the initiatives got off the ground. Of the investments pledged, about
550 million US dollars was from major Arab investors for a new West
Bank town and a shopping complex, both of which are awaiting permission
to go ahead from Israeli authorities. The conference was followed up
with a London Investment Conference for Palestinian businesses,. . .
Hamas
submits report on Goldstone investigations to UN
2/5/2010
- Gaza - Ma'an - Five days after Israel and the Palestinian Authority
submitted reports to the UN over progress on internal investigations
into allegations made by the Goldstone report, Hamas officials handed
in a 52-page summary of local proceedings. Delivered to head of the UN
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Gaza Curt Goering
on Wednesday, officials in the de facto government said the document
"contained all the information relating to the implimentation of the
recomendatiods laid out in the Goldstone report. "The Israeli daily
Haaretz said this included a section explaining that the death of three
Israeli civilians from homemade projectile fire were accidents, and the
projectiles were aimed at Israeli military targets. Of the 13 Israeli
deaths during Operation Cast Lead, three were civilian.
Al-Haya:
Changes in coming days toward achieving conciliation
2/5/2010
- Gaza - Ma'an - "There will be changes within the coming days toward
achieving conciliation," said senior Hamas leader Khalil Al-Haya
following a meeting with Fatah Central Committee member Nabil Sha'ath
and de facto Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh on Thursday. At Haniyeh's
home in the Ash-Shati Refugee Camp, Al-Haya revealed that Sha'ath and
the de facto prime minister exchanged documents for review, detailing
the means of overcoming recent impasses reached in the ratification of
the Egyptian document, tipped to end Fatah-Hamas rivalry and restore
national unity. Sha'ath said he considered the meeting a step toward
reviving confidence in both parties, saying, "We did not talk about
details but rather what would create the right atmosphere and what
would bring our people close to unity. " The Fatah leader himself
expressed increased confidence in a unity deal, saying "I am leaving. .
. "
Hamas:
PA security detains 11 supporters
2/5/2010
- Bethlehem - Ma'an - Hamas accused the Palestinian Authority security
forces of detaining 11 of the movement's supporters across the West
Bank in a statement issued on Friday. PA forces detained the Hamas
supporters in Nablus, Ramallah, Tulkarem and Qalqiliya, according to
the statement. The statement identified those detained in Qalqiliya as
Hamam Ash-Shanty, Saher Aby Asab, Shehab Abu Saleh, Muhammad Hamuda,
Maysara Afaneh, Muhammad Swiyani and As'ad Abu Saleh. In Ramallah, the
two detained were identified in the statement as Ahmad Samih Shatat and
Muhammad Shreiteh, while Rasem Saleh and Abdul Rahman Odeh were
detained in Nablus and Tulkarem, respectively, Hamas said. [end]
Sha’ath
leaves Gaza via Erez after talks
2/5/2010
- Gaza - Ma'an - Member of Fatah's Central Committee Nabil Sha'ath left
Gaza via the Erez crossing en route to Ramallah, following a series of
meetings in the besieged costal enclave with Palestinian factional
leaders and independent figures. Before his departure, Sha'ath met with
the Samouni family in the Az-Zeitoun neighborhood, who lost 27 family
members during Israel's Operation Cast Lead last winter. After meeting
with a host of political leaders in Gaza, Sha'ath additionally met with
the Nativity Church deportees. Spokesman for the deportees, Basem
Kan'an, said that Sha'ath was given a letter intended for President
Mahmoud Abbas outlining their cases, as well as those in European, who
have been in exile for the last eight years. Kan'an demanded that the
Nativity Church deportees' case be brought before both Fatah's Central
Committee and Revolutionary Council, and for the. . .
Ha'aretz 6 Feb 2010 - Israel needs money for attack forces, protecting civilians and other measures, not just missile defense.
Dubai: We'll go after Netanyahu if Mossad killed Hamas man
Ha'aretz 6 Feb 2010 - Police chief warns both Mossad and Hamas against conducting covert operations in Dubai.
Robbing Sderot of defense from rockets
Ha'aretz 6 Feb 2010 - Suspicions exist that defense establishment developed Iron Dome to serve moneymaking interests.
IDF officer: I wouldn't live in same country as Goldstone
Ha'aretz 6 Feb 2010 - GOC Central Command Maj. Gen. Mizrahi to yeshiva students: I don't believe a word of Gaza report.
Hamas rejects Goldstone charge of Gaza war crimes
Ha'aretz 6 Feb 2010 - Human Rights Watch: Hamas claim that rocket attacks against Israel are not war crimes is legally wrong.
Israel's southern residents irate over missile defense decision
Ha'aretz 6 Feb 2010 - IDF: No intention at this stage of deploying Iron Dome system to protect Sderot against rocket attacks.
Police destroy third 'barrel bomb' washed ashore south of Tel Aviv
Ha'aretz 6 Feb 2010 - Two barrels found earlier this week were packed with TNT and rigged for detonation by cellphone.
Second Qassam rocket in 24 hours strikes southern Israel
Ha'aretz 6 Feb 2010 - Attack follows calls to expedite deployment of delayed "Iron Dome" defense batteries.
Dubai warns Mossad, Hamas against covert operations
Ha'aretz 6 Feb 2010 - Dubai police chief denies Hamas claim that the assassins entered the country with Israeli delegation.
Peretz to Barak: Deploy anti-missile system near Gaza
Ha'aretz 6 Feb 2010 - Comment by former defense min. comes as IDF says it will only deploy Iron Dome system in IAF bases.
Shalit family: German mediator set to deliver Hamas response
Ha'aretz 6 Feb 2010 - Hamas says mediated talks have been halted due to assassination of Mahmoud al-Mabhouh in Dubai.
IDF officer: Gaza civilians risked to protect Israel troops during war
Ha'aretz 6 Feb 2010 - Officer tells The Independent that the IDF's new policy meant literally zero risk to the soldiers.
Hamas returns Israeli Bedouin who entered Gaza
Ha'aretz 6 Feb 2010 - The reportedly mentally unstable man made previous attempts to illegally cross into Egypt and Jordan.
IAF hits Gaza tunnels in wake of bombing attempt by sea
Ha'aretz 6 Feb 2010 - Palestinians claim responsibility for attempted attack, say more explosive-laden barrels in sea.
Israel fears more explosive-laden barrels in Mediterranean
Ha'aretz 6 Feb 2010 - Following discovery of two explosives in Ashkelon and Ashdod, police scan coast for devices.
IDF arrests two suspects plotting to attack Israel for Hamas
Ha'aretz 6 Feb 2010 - East Jerusalem residents allegedly recruited while living in Jordan and Dubai to attack civilian locations.
VIDEO: Israel's immigration police cracks down on pro-Palestinian foreigners
Ha'aretz 6 Feb 2010 - Newly formed Oz Unit has joined the IDF in at least three arrest raids on foreign activists in recent weeks.
IDF denies disciplining top officers over white phosphorous use in Gaza war
Ha'aretz 6 Feb 2010 - Army denial counters state report into Gaza shelling that found two officers jeopardized civilian lives.
Israel frees detained Lebanese shepherd into UNIFIL hands
Ha'aretz 6 Feb 2010 - Lebanese sources accuse IDF of kidnapping 17-year-old and abusing him; Lebanon MP appeals to army.
IDF arrests Lebanese shepherd carrying army knife near border
Ha'aretz 6 Feb 2010 - Lebanese MP tied to Hezbollah calls on country to deal with incident he says clearly violates UN resolution.
Israel
slaps six-month travel ban on Palestinian map expert
Uruknet
February 5, 2010 - Citing "security reasons" -- the ubiquitous and
unanswerable catch-all phrase against which it is almost impossible to
mount any defense -- Israel's Ministry of the Interior has just issued
a six-month travel ban on map expert Khalil Tafakji. Tafakji, like
almost all other Palestinians in occupied East Jerusalem, is a
"permanent resident," but not a citizen...
NYT's
Israel Editor's Sticky Situation Ethan Bronner's Conflict With
Impartiality
Uruknet
February 5, 2010 - Ethan Bronner is the New York Times Jerusalem bureau
chief. As such, he is the editor responsible for all the news coming
out of Israel-Palestine. It is his job to decide what gets reported and
what doesn’t; what goes in a story and what gets cut. To a considerable
degree, he determines what readers of arguably...
Pressure
continues on Veolia and Alstom to halt light rail project
Uruknet
February 5, 2010 - French transport giants Veolia and Alstom are
involved in the construction and running of a light rail line which
connects West Jerusalem to several illegal settlements in or
surrounding occupied Palestinian East Jerusalem. The light rail project
is part of the "Jerusalem Transportation Master Plan" sponsored by the
Israeli government and the Jerusalem municipality. In reality,...
Fateh
and Hamas Form Field Committee
Uruknet
Friday February 05 - The rival Fateh and Hamas movements managed to
form a committee that would be in charge of discussing field issues
that are preventing reconciliation. The committee was formed after
Fateh official Nabil Shaath met on Thursday with Ismail Haniyya of
Hamas and several Hamas leaders in Gaza. The meeting is the first of
its kind conducted...
Gaza
schoolchildren struggling to learn
Uruknet
February 5, 2010 - Nearly half a million children in Gaza returned to
overcrowded and dilapidated schools on 1 February, many attending in a
shift system, with missing textbooks, stationery or uniforms. "I don’t
have a school uniform because my Dad doesn’t have a job and said he
doesn’t have enough money to buy me one," said Mohammed al-Khouli, a...
Rights
group outraged at Ban for dragging war crimes issue
Uruknet
February 5, 2010 - UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon said "No
determination can be made on the implementation of the resolution by
the parties concerned," during the meeting of the General Assembly on
Thursday, prompting an outcry from the Palestinian Center for Human
Rights. Ban made the statement, PCHR said, "despite the fact that
Resolution A/Res/61/10 explicitly called for the...
Putting
the independence of the British judiciary to the test
Uruknet
February 5, 2010 - In December last year, Westminster magistrates’
court issued an arrest warrant for Israel’s former foreign minister,
Tzipi Livni, under Britain’s universal jurisdiction laws. It was
granted in the wake of conclusions by the United Nations fact-finding
mission on the conflict in Gaza which found evidence that both Israeli
forces and Palestinians committed acts that amount to...
Gazans
Denied Justice as Rights Take a Beating
Uruknet
February 5 2010 - Gazans hoping for a modicum of justice following
Israel’s indiscriminate military assault on the coastal territory
during December 2008 and January 2009 - which left 1,400 Palestinians,
mostly civilians, dead - could be waiting in vain. The Israeli
government has taken the offensive in the propaganda battle and
attacked United Nations-appointed Justice Richard Goldstone’s report
into...
US
intelligence chief claims right to assassinate Americans overseas
Uruknet
February 5, 2010 - US Director of National Intelligence Dennis Blair
said on Wednesday that government agencies have a policy of
assassinating Americans overseas as required by the "war on terror." In
testimony before the House intelligence committee, Blair said the
assassinations would be justified if US citizens were "taking action
that threatens Americans." This is an extremely broad category,...
Video
- MSF: Gaza, One Year On In Gaza, the effects of last years Operation
Cast Lead is still being felt
Uruknet
February 5, 2010 - ...The health care system's ability to function
properly has been weakened considerably. Most medical equipment is
unreliable and the embargo makes it impossible to obtain certain spare
parts. Similarly, medical units also face drug shortages. More than
5,000 people were wounded during the January war. Many are disabled and
the only rehabilitation center in the Gaza...
Video:
Soldiers attack Palestinian Shepherds and Torture Musab Raba'i
Uruknet
February 5, 2010 - On the morning of Thursday 7 January 2010, Israeli
soldiers attacked and injured Palestinian shepherds from the Musa Rabai
family, as they grazed their sheep in Humra valley, near the village of
At-Tuwani in the South Hebron Hills. Five members of the family were
hospitalized. Before leaving the area, the soldiers arrested one of the
shepherds,...
Human
Rights Abuses in Israel and Occupied Palestine
Uruknet
February 5, 2010 - Founded in 1972, the Association for Civil Rights in
Israel (ACRI) is its leading human and civil rights organization
through activities involving litigation, legal advocacy, education, and
public outreach. Each year it publishes an annual report covering
flagrant violations, positive trends, if any, and "significant human
rights-related processes" affecting Israelis and Palestinians. Its
latest December 2009...
Gaza, February 6, 2010 (Pal Telegraph) - Israel, where Hamas suicide bombers have killed hundreds of civilians over two decades, dismissed any apology for the three non-combatants hit by rockets from Gaza in the war as insincere. In a report by a committee set up by Hamas to examine U.N. allegations of war crimes by its fighters, the authors said: "...
US to Israel: Ease Gaza blockade to counter Goldstone charges of war crimes
US, February 4, 2010 (Pal Telegraph; reprinted from Haaretz, by Barak Ravid) - The United States has suggested to Israel that easing the Gaza blockade would help counter the fallout from the Goldstone report on alleged war crimes during Operation Cast Lead a year ago. Judge Richard Goldstone Friday, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is expected to present a...
Report: Israel guilty of defrauding Palestinian workers
Jerusalem, February 4, 2010 (Pal Telegraph; reprinted from The National, by John Cook) - Over the past four decades Israel has defrauded Palestinians working inside Israel of more than US$2 billion (Dh7.4bn) by deducting from their salaries contributions for welfare benefits to which they were never entitled, Israeli economists revealed this week. A Palestinian worker, helping to build Israel's illegal...
Berlusconi fails to notice apartheid wall
Bethlehem, February 4, 2010 (Pal Telegraph) - Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi travelled along the road from Jerusalem to Bethlehem on Wednesday but he said the failed to notice the eight-meter-high Israeli apartheid wall. At a joint news conference with the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, an Italian journalist asked Berlusconi about his impressions of the apartheid wall. "I'm going to...
Erekat says Palestinians should consider declaring Oslo Accords 'null and void'
Israel, February 4, 2010 (Pal Telegraph; reprinted from The Jerusalem Post, by Khaled Abu Toameh) - A paper prepared by chief Palestinian Authority negotiator Saeb Erekat on the status of the peace talks with Israel recommends that the Palestinians consider the possibility of abandoning the two-state solution in favor of a one-state solution if the peace process does not move...
The National 5 Feb 2010 - Israeli supreme court has issued a deadline to open vital route linking Tel Aviv and Jerusalem to West Bank traffic – and time is running out.
UN chief says Gaza conflict evidence incomplete'
The National 5 Feb 2010 - Ban Ki-moon cannot determine whether Israel and the Palestinians have met UN demands to carry out credible investigations of alleged war crimes in the Gaza Strip.
With First Lady's help, Syria wakes up to benefits of volunteerism
The National 5 Feb 2010 - Non-governmental organisations are now playing a much more prominent role in the provision of services in the country.
The Media Line 1 Feb 2010 - Israel's major aerospace manufacturer considers plans to build wind turbines. Israel's prime aircraft manufacturer is contemplating expanding its expertise of military and commercial aircrafts to the development of wind turbines. The Israeli military and civil aviation...
Somalia's Al-Shabab Aligns with Al-Qaeda
The Media Line 1 Feb 2010 - Somalia's Al-Shabab declares a formal allegiance with the global terrorist network Al-Qaeda. Somalia's Islamist Al-Shabab movement plans to become part of the global Al-Qaeda organization in an attempt to boost its standing among potential recruits and...
Israel Disciplines Senior Officers for Gaza Artillery Use
The Media Line 1 Feb 2010 - Experts argue that international law is no longer relevant in Israel's asymmetric conflict with the Palestinians. One year after the Gaza Operation, the Israeli army has reprimanded two senior officers for firing cannons in populated areas....
Israeli Beaches Closed After 2 Explosive Devices Found Offshore
The Media Line 1 Feb 2010 - Israeli security authorities are keeping civilians off the beaches until they are certain no more explosive devices are floating in the waters south of Tel Aviv. Two devices apparently set to explode were discovered on Monday....
Iran Celebrates Ayatollah Khomeini's Triumphant Return 31 Years Ago
The Media Line 1 Feb 2010 - Iran was awash in celebration on Monday, marking 31 years since the late Ayatollah Khomeini returned from exile to lead the revolution that ousted the Shah of Iran. Festivities will continue until February 11th: the anniversary...
‘Abbas Now Offering Resumption of Talks for Temporary Building Freeze
The Media Line 1 Feb 2010 - Palestinian Authority head Mahmoud 'Abbas is apparently tempering his absolute refusal to return to peace talks with Israel unless an absolute freeze in building in areas Israel acquired in the 1967 war is in place. The...
‘Wine Fatwa' Sparks Religious Spat in Morocco
The Media Line 31 Jan 2010 - A Moroccan cleric issues a ban on wine, drawing angry responses from secularists. A Moroccan cleric's religious edict banning the consumption of wine has drawn angry responses from pro-democracy groups, who say religion is being hijacked...
Israel Outlines Energy Goals
The Media Line 31 Jan 2010 - Israel plans to generate 10% of its energy needs from renewable sources by 2020. Israel hopes to have five percent of its energy needs supplied by renewable sources within five years and to double that percentage...
AlJazeera 4 Feb 2010 - Foreign minister tells Damascus to refrain from drawing his country into another war.
UN unsure if Gaza probes set up
AlJazeera 4 Feb 2010 - Ban Ki-moon says not clear independent probes on Gaza war conduct have been carried out.
Iran: Uranium deal close
AlJazeera 5 Feb 2010 - Foreign minister says final deal to send uranium abroad for enrichment is near.
Alternative Information Center
Berlusconi, Israel and the Big BrotherAlternative Information Center 5 Feb 2010 - After the three-day visit of Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi to Israel and a short visit to the Occupied Palestinian Territories, a judgement is due. Berlusconi came with a large Italian ministry delegation (Foreign Minister Franco...
Principles and Mechanisms to Hold Business Accountable for Human Rights Abuses: Potential Avenues to Challenge Corporate Involvement in Israel’s Oppression of the Palestinian People
Alternative Information Center 4 Feb 2010 - About the Working Paper Palestinians would not be a people displaced, dispossessed and oppressed in 2010 if states and the UN had held Israel accountable for its massive violation of international law and the Nakba over...
Arab Population Accuses: Israel Systematically Acting to Impose Violent Confrontation
Alternative Information Center 4 Feb 2010 - T his coming Friday, 5 February 2010, a public campaign will be launched to defend the Arab population under the slogan “Meeting challenges and defending existence.” The campaign is organized by the Public Committee for Defending...
PNN 4 Feb 2010 - THE Israeli movie industry, once a sorry mix of ethnic melodrama and soldier slapstick, has come distinctly into its own in the past decade with a crop of admired writers, directors and actors. For two years now an Israeli film of subtlety and power has made the Oscars’ final five for best foreign picture: “Beaufort” (http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/350383/Beaufort/overview) in 2008 and “Waltz With Bashir”...
Renovated cinema to bring new life to Jenin
PNN 4 Feb 2010 - Standing in the dusty, half-lit lobby of Cinema Jenin with paint splattered builders beavering away all around, it's hard to imagine that this venue was once the place to be on the Jenin social scene.The cinema in the centre of the West Bank city was first opened in 1957. But over the years, Jenin has seen some of the worst violence between...
Israel: Peace talks to resume soon
PNN 4 Feb 2010 - The Israeli prime minister has said he expects peace talks with the Palestinians, which have been stalled for more than a year, to resume in the coming weeks. I have reasons to believe, realistically, that we will resume the peace process with the Palestinians, without prior conditions, in the coming weeks, Binyamin Netanyahu told a conference on security in Herzliya, northern Israel,...
Jeruslalem Post 6 Feb 2010 - EU starts scaling back funds, says it wants PA to find other ways to pay for fuel; PA demanding Hamas pay its share.
‘Mabhouh died after interview'
Jeruslalem Post 6 Feb 2010 - Israel allegedly identified senior Hamas operative on Al-Jazeera.
Egypt foils attack on Jewish grave
Jeruslalem Post 6 Feb 2010 - Prosecutors arrest 25 extremists over terror plot targeting Abuhatzeira’s tomb.
Hizbullah may help Hamas strike abroad
Jeruslalem Post 6 Feb 2010 - Defense officials: Palestinian group doesn't have much overseas experience.
Wooing Damascus to isolate Teheran
Jeruslalem Post 6 Feb 2010 - Analysis: IDF believes in peace with Syria over keeping the Golan Heights.
Ban's report pleases Israel
Jeruslalem Post 5 Feb 2010 - But rights groups say UN chief failed to assess Israeli, Palestinian probes.
'Mabhouh's killers had Irish passports'
Jeruslalem Post 5 Feb 2010 - Irish paper: Authorities check claims by Dubai officials on Hamas man's death.
Middle Israel: Sharonism - status report
Jeruslalem Post 5 Feb 2010 - Legacy that reminded many of de Gaulle increasingly resembles Juan Peron’s.
China urges patience in Iran talks, Russia warns Teheran
Jeruslalem Post 5 Feb 2010 - Chinese FM calls on all parties concerned to "adopt more flexible policy;" Lavrov: UN Security Council will discuss Iranian nuclear program if Iran fails to diplomatically resolve issue.
IPS WASHINGTON, Feb 1 (IPS) - The Jordanian government should halt the arbitrary revocation of nationality from its citizens of Palestinian origin, according to a Human Rights Watch (HRW) report released Monday.
EGYPT: Minimum Wage Not Enough
IPS CAIRO, Feb 4 (IPS) - A stalemate between labour unions and business associations is preventing Egyptian authorities from setting a minimum wage that could improve the lot of millions of citizens living in poverty.
MIDEAST: Raze Illegal Buildings - Unless They Are Jewish
IPS SILWAN, Occupied East Jerusalem, Feb 3 (IPS) - Backed by armed security men, the municipal inspectors race their jeeps through the narrow alleyways and up a hillside crowded with buildings.
Q&A: ''Hamas Accepts Existence of Israel Within 1967 Borders''
IPS RAMALLAH, Jan 29 (IPS) - Palestinian politics are at an impasse. The four-year term of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) ended on Jan. 25 with no new elections planned. Presidential elections, meant to be held last year, were also postponed indefinitely.
PCHR During the reporting period, IOF wounded a Palestinian child in Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron in the West Bank. On 30 January 2010, IOF moved into Beit Ummar village and chased a number of children and boys in “al-Bayad” area.
International Solidarity Movement
Dozens Suffer Tear Gas Inhalation During the Weekly Protest in Bil’in2/5/2010 - International Solidarity Movement - Bil'in Popular Committee Against Wall & Settlements - An EU delegation for monitoring Israeli army violations against protesters, lead by Mr. Thierry Vallat, along with international and Israeli activists joined a demonstration in Bil'in village on Friday. Protesters carrying Palestinian flags and banners called for an end to the Israeli occupation and the release of all Palestinian political prisoners. The protesters marched on the streets of the village chanting slogans and singing national songs. Protesters called for national unity against the Israeli occupation, the release of all prisoners and specifically the release of the Coordinator of the Popular Committee of Bil'in, Abdallah Abu Rahmah, and Bil'in residents Adeeb Abu Rahmah and Ibrahim ‘Amera. When protesters reached the wall, an Israeli army unit was situated behind a block of cement.
Popular resistance expands in An Nabi Salih
2/5/2010 - International Solidarity Movement - 10 people were injured by rubber-coated steel bullets and tear gas cannisters in today's demonstration in An-Nabi Salih village, in the north Ramallah region, against the expansion of the illegal Halamish settlement on to village lands. The storm clouds and cold temperatures did not deter demonstrators, as some 100 locals (approximately a fourth of the village), both male and female, were joined by 20 Israeli and international activists in the village square following the midday prayer. Protesters then marched towards the lands south of the village where stands Halamish settlement, built on the stolen lands of An-Nabi Salih, and where Israeli occupation forces awaited their arrival. Demonstrators chanted songs of protest and carried baby olive trees in the hopes of planting them on the seized land as a peaceful assertion of their rights to be there.
PA Ambassador: International court must rule on Gaza conflict
Ha'aretz 5 Feb 2010 - Riyad Mansour tells journalists that UN Security Council has not carried out its responsibility.
Iran: We're optimistic about nuclear talks
Ha'aretz 5 Feb 2010 - Iran seeks changes to UN plan, but says deal can be reached; China urges patience in nuclear negotiations.
Hamas: We regret harming Israeli civilians in rocket attacks
Ha'aretz 5 Feb 2010 - Despite apology in report on alleged war crimes, Hamas says ready to conduct 'martyrdom operations.'
Turkish girl 'buried alive for talking to boys'
Ha'aretz 5 Feb 2010 - Teenager's father and grandfather arrested over suspected 'honor killing' after police unearth shackled body.
Gilad Shalit campaigners plan new protests to break talks deadlock
Ha'aretz 5 Feb 2010 - Activists announce wave of demonstrations after Hamas declares 'deep freeze' on negotiations to free captured soldier.
Report: Assassins of Hamas official used Irish passports
Ha'aretz 5 Feb 2010 - Mahmoud al-Mabhouh, who reportedly worked to smuggle arms to Gaza, was found dead in a Dubai hotel.
FM on Syria feud: Grave issues in Mideast require a response
Ha'aretz 5 Feb 2010 - Lieberman defends his warning to Syrian President Bashar Assad that drew harsh criticism.
Tension with Syria can turn into war in an instant
Ha'aretz 5 Feb 2010 - A crisis has erupted suddenly between Israel and Syria at a time when the status quo seemed quite stable.
Top Egyptian cleric issues Facebook fatwa
Ha'aretz 5 Feb 2010 - Social networking site 'breaks up families,' says Cairo Sheikh after survey links online surfing to divorce.
British PM 'deeply troubled' by record anti-Semitism in 2009
Ha'aretz 5 Feb 2010 - Community Security Trust records 924 anti-Jewish incidents, more than 50 percent higher than 2006.
'U.S. urges Israel, Syria to curb renewed tensions'
Ha'aretz 5 Feb 2010 - State Department source tells A-Sharq al-Awsat that the U.S. was making efforts to see peace talks resume.
The Jewish dilemma of accepting Evangelical support
Ha'aretz 5 Feb 2010 - 50 million Americans back the Jewish state 100 percent - but with a theological price tag.
Syria is blowing off steam, not rattling sabers
Ha'aretz 5 Feb 2010 - In the absence of U.S. pressure, Assad is in no rush to initiate unconditional negotiations with Israel.
German historians plan reprint of Hitler's 'Mein Kampf'
Ha'aretz 5 Feb 2010 - The anti-Semitic political work first published in 1925, has been banned since World War II.
Nobel Prize laureates back Elie Wiesel anti-Ahmadinejad ad
Ha'aretz 5 Feb 2010 - Full-page ad slams Iran's human rights violations, warns that its nuclear program is a danger to humanity.
The Guardian 5 Feb 2010 - Playwright Amir Nizar Zuabi on how growing up in Galilee after the 1948 conflict inspired his latest theatre piece, I Am Yusuf and This Is My Brother Andrew Dickson Mustafa Khalili Laurence Topham
Christian Aid's anti-Israel blunders | Adam Levick
The Guardian 5 Feb 2010 - By hosting vicious attacks on Israel, Christian Aid is destroying its reputation as a non-partisan charitable organisation Christian Aid, one of the world's largest anti-poverty NGOs, chose 27 January, International Holocaust Remembrance Day, to issue a...
Chilcot will change the way Muslims see the west | Karen Armstrong
The Guardian 5 Feb 2010 - If there is any hint of whitewash in the Iraq inquiry, it will only exacerbate an already inflamed situation As we watch the unfolding drama of the Chilcot inquiry, we should be aware that this is...
Israel's dual reality | Aluf Benn
The Guardian 5 Feb 2010 - Israelis believe in peace, yet the Palestinian issue is met with apathy – except by our leaders, who see it just as a PR problem Israel's image problem abroad is down to one issue: the stark...
Palestine's impossible dream | Yousef Munayyer
The Guardian 4 Feb 2010 - Lavish, unrealistic plans for Palestinian development are a dangerous alternative to the struggle for independence Recently I received a very impressive full-colour booklet printed on expensive paper advertising a development project. The ambitious plan is to...
Ha'aretz 5 Feb 2010 - The broadside campaign by the Im Tirtzu movement against the New Israel Fund caught its president, Professor Naomi Chazan, in New York, where she traveled to chair a meeting of the fund's board of trustees, scheduled months in advance. ...
One year on, most Israelis disapprove of Netanyahu
Ha'aretz 5 Feb 2010 - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is losing altitude, according to the Haaretz-Dialog poll published here. The results show that, for the first time in a year, a majority of the public is dissatisfied with his performance and questions his suitability as prime minister. ...
When did the Israeli right become so McCarthyite?
Ha'aretz 5 Feb 2010 - Human right organizations are a nuisance. The moment the number of one of their PR people appears on my mobile, I groan inwardly. Another alleged case of wrongdoing by IDF soldiers in the West Bank. First, I have to sift through the initial report and decide whether there is any merit in it, which usually means an argument with the aforementioned PR person. ...
Israel may charge cop over death of Palestinian boy
Ha'aretz 5 Feb 2010 - The central district attorney is set to serve an indictment, pending a hearing, against Omri Abo, who was then in the Border Police, on charges of negligent manslaughter in the fatal shooting of 10-year-old Ahmad Musa in the village of Naalin 18 months ago. ...
U.S. firm signs deal to produce Israeli TV shows
Ha'aretz 5 Feb 2010 - The American television industry continues to show interest in original Israeli programming. On Thursday the American firm Electus signed a deal with the Israeli group Abbot Reif Meiri; Electus is to develop Israeli programming in the United States, and the Israeli company will market Electus' content here. Under the terms of the agreement, Electus acquired the game show "Cuckoo's Nest," a cooperative venture of Cellcom and Abbot, which is broadcast on Facebook and to the cellular phone company's subscribers. ...
Relief Web 5 Feb 2010 - Source: Reuters - AlertNet
Follow-up to the report of the United Nations Fact-Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict: Report of the Secretary-General (A/64/651)
Relief Web 5 Feb 2010 - Source: UN General Assembly
PCHR Expresses Grave Concern Regarding Credibility of Investigations Carried Out in Response to Recommendations of the Goldstone Report
Relief Web 5 Feb 2010 - Source: Palestinian Centre for Human Rights
Bomb Detonated near ICRC Convoy in Northern Gaza Strip
Relief Web 5 Feb 2010 - Source: Palestinian Centre for Human Rights
OPT: Gaza schoolchildren struggling to learn
Relief Web 5 Feb 2010 - Source: Integrated Regional Information Networks
Israel to seal settler house in east Jerusalem
Relief Web 5 Feb 2010 - Source: Agence France-Presse
YNet News 5 Feb 2010 - Following Ban's answer to Israeli response to Goldstone report Palestinian ambassador to UN says 'Security Council not showing commitment to handle report', adds Hague ignoring appeals to probe Israel's 'crimes'
Report: Al-Mabhouh killers used Irish passports
YNet News 5 Feb 2010 - Irish Herald reports group of Israelis entered Dubai with Irish papers to assassinate Hamas commander
Russia: Security Council may discuss Iran
YNet News 5 Feb 2010 - Foreign Minister Lavrov says Iran must give Russia 'constructive response' on nuclear program
Fatah official back from Gaza: We paved way to new ties
YNet News 5 Feb 2010 - Nabil Shaath returns from three-day visit to Strip saying talks with Hamas officials centered on 'need to end Palestinian division'
'Ban Ki-moon mirrors our sentiments on Goldstone'
YNet News 5 Feb 2010 - Jerusalem is quick to show satisfaction with document submitted by UN secretary general to UN General Assembly even though it claims conclusions cannot yet be drawn regarding Israel's investigation of Gaza war
Protest outside PM's house: Shalit is also cold
YNet News 5 Feb 2010 - Some 70 protesters for release of captive Israeli soldier gather outside prime minister's residence in Jerusalem with cardboard cutouts of Gilad Shalit and signs that read 'I want a blanket, I am cold'
Report: US urges Syria, Israel to show restraint
YNet News 5 Feb 2010 - Al-Sharq al-Awsat quotes American officials commenting on Israel-Syria crisis, urging both states to renew peace talks and avoid 'hindering' acts
German FM: Iran using tricks on nuclear program
YNet News 5 Feb 2010 - Guido Westerwelle says 'For past two years Iran has repeatedly bluffed and played tricks...international community cannot accept nuclear-armed Iran'
3 Feb 2010 - The report praises the military's investigative and judicial systems, ignoring essential flaws in their operation. To date, only one soldier who participated in Operation Cast Lead has been prosecuted - for stealing a credit card. B'Tselem again urges Isr
Daily Star 6 Feb 2010 Israel's new rocket-interceptor system will not be deployed near the Gaza Strip as expected but kept on standby, possibly to counter attacks from the north by Lebanese Hizbullah should conflict erupt with its backer, Iran. News this week on deployment of "Iron Dome," a short-range system to be ready by June, disappointed Israelis in southern towns
Dubai police may pursue Israel's PM in Hamas killing
Daily Star 6 Feb 2010 Dubai would seek the arrest of Israel's premier if it found evidence intelligence service Mossad was behind the killing of a senior Hamas official, its police chief said in a newspaper on Friday. Hamas has blamed Israel for the killing Mahmoud al-Mabhouh, one of its top military commanders, in a Dubai hotel last month. Israel has declined to comment
Disquiet enables Tehran to crack down on People's Mujahedeen of Iran
Daily Star 6 Feb 2010 An outlawed Iranian group says Iran's government has been taking advantage of the wave of arrests that followed widespread protests across the country to also crack down on their affiliates in Iran, its spokesman said on Friday. "There are more arrests of sympathizers of the People's Mujahedeen of Iran [PMOI] since the beginning of the uprising [in Iran]," the group's spokesman Shahriar Kia told The Daily Star
Senior Fatah official winds up talks with Gaza's Hamas leaders
Daily Star 6 Feb 2010 A senior member of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah party on Friday concluded a rare visit to the Hamas-run Gaza Strip aimed at encouraging reconciliation between the rival factions. "We opened the way for a new relationship based on partnership and trust," said Nabil Shaath, a member of the central committee of the secular Fatah who had been in the coastal enclave since Wednesday
UN Security Council may discuss Iran: Russia's Lavrov
Daily Star 6 Feb 2010 UN Security Council members will discuss Iran if it fails to act constructively in a row over its nuclear work, Russia said Friday, in a signal Moscow may be eyeing a tougher line on the Islamic Republic. Iran faces a possible fourth round of UN Security Council sanctions due to its uranium enrichment work which Western nations believe is designed to develop a nuclear bomb
NATO special forces assault hijacked ship, free crew of 25
Daily Star 6 Feb 2010 NATO special forces stormed a Slovenian cargo ship captured by pirates in the Gulf of Aden Friday, freeing the crew of 25 in an unprecedented operation, a spokesman for the EU's naval force said. The assault and rescue, by Danish NATO forces, was made possible because the crew managed to send out a distress call and secure themselves in a safe room where they couldn't be hit by crossfire or used as human shields
Turkey's balancing act may soon face test on Iran
Daily Star 6 Feb 2010 Even for a country that boasts about being a bridge between East and West, the Middle East and Europe, Turkey's diplomacy this week must have seemed a bit of a perilous balancing act. Underlying unique contacts, Turkish leaders have welcomed Iran's foreign minister as Western powers increased pressure on Tehran over its nuclear plans, hosted a meeting of NATO allies and held talks with US Defense Secretary Robert Gates
Palestinian Information Center
Ma'roof: I was tortured in Egyptian jailsPIC 5 Feb 2010 - A Palestinian police officer from Gaza, who was recently released from an Egyptian jail, said that he was tortured during his week-long detention in Egypt..
The sole power station in Gaza to grind to a halt Friday evening
PIC 5 Feb 2010 - The Palestinian Power Authority (PPA) said on Thursday that the sole power station in the Gaza Strip is going to grind to a halt Friday evening because of lack of fuel.
IOF troops bulldoze tracts of land east of Khan Younis
PIC 5 Feb 2010 - IOF troops, on Thursday, entered the Farahin area to the east of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip and bulldozed tracts of land according to local sources.
Israeli occupation deports Palestinian captive to Gaza
PIC 5 Feb 2010 - The Israeli occupation authorities have deported freed captive Baker al-Hafi from the northern West Bank city of Tulakarem to the Gaza Strip after spending one month in captivity..
Abbas's militia humiliates Palestinian women in the West Bank
PIC 5 Feb 2010 - The PA security forces in the West Bank have summoned Layla Saqar for interrogation in a bid to pressure her husband Ahmad Nabhan Saqar who has been languishing in Israeli jails for ten years now.
Palestinian government in Gaza submits official response to Goldstone report
PIC 5 Feb 2010 - The Palestinian government in Gaza submitted its official response to the office of the high commissioner for human rights regarding the recommendations of Goldstone report.
Khudari: Gaza economy is moribund
PIC 5 Feb 2010 - MP Jamal Al-Khudari warned that the economy in the Gaza Strip moved from weakness to the intensive care unit because of the different measures taken by Israel to destroy it.
IOA to demolish "unlicensed" homes in Silwan, IOF detain civilians
PIC 5 Feb 2010 - The Israeli occupation authority (IOA) has reiterated its intention to demolish all "unlicensed" buildings in occupied eastern Jerusalem.
Hindi: Fayyad is politically mutinous and uncontrollable
PIC 5 Feb 2010 - Dr. Mohamed Al-Hindi, a senior Islamic Jihad official, strongly denounced Salam Fayyad’s participation in Herzliya conference, describing Fayyad as politically mutinous and out of control.
Haneyya: The reconciliation is a top priority for the gov’t and Hamas
PIC 5 Feb 2010 - Premier Ismail Haneyya welcomed the visit of Nabil Shaath to Gaza and stressed that the Palestinian reconciliation is a high priority for his government and the Movement of Hamas.
LA Times 5 Feb 2010 - The UCLA Film & Television Archive's 20th annual celebration of the country's art-house offerings affords what is for many a rare glimpse inside the country's psyche as well as its borders. For the past two decades, the UCLA Film & Television Archive has been presenting the preeminent in Iranian art-house cinema -- highly personal, moving, contentious and even controversial films dealing with day-to-day life, social mores, religion and war.
New York Times 5 Feb 2010 - Israel’s foreign minister, Avigdor Lieberman, warned Syria’s president, Bashar al-Assad, that the Assad family would lose power in any war with Israel.
China Renews Opposition to Iran Sanctions
New York Times 5 Feb 2010 - Adding to tension between Washington and Beijing, China said that pressure for tighter sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program could impact chances of settling the dispute.
Abroad: The Sour Notes of Iran’s Art Diplomacy
New York Times 4 Feb 2010 - A tour across Europe by the Tehran Symphony Orchestra had the faint echo of an earlier era of cultural diplomacy.
World Briefing | Middle East: Syria: U.S. to Send First Envoy Since ’05
New York Times 4 Feb 2010 - Washington withdrew its last ambassador in 2005 after the assassination of Prime Minister Rafik Hariri of Lebanon, for which many blamed Syria.
World Briefing | Middle East: Gaza Strip: Fatah Leader Arrives for Talks
New York Times 4 Feb 2010 - A senior Fatah leader returned to Gaza for the first time since the territory was seized by the Islamic militant group Hamas in 2007, saying he hoped to help end the rift between the two rivals.
Iran Opposition Leaders Urge Rally on Anniversary
New York Times 4 Feb 2010 - Iran’s leading opposition figures are urging protesters to take to the streets in an antigovernment rally on Feb. 11.
Palestine Monitor - 4 Feb 2010 - The circus named Berlusconi has left town. During his whistle stop tour of Israel and the West Bank the world's most flamboyant head of state was at his crowd pleasing best. Crying with Netanyahou during a speech to the Knesset, delivering a set of priceless Da...
‘AP’ misquoted UN Sec’y Gen’l as praising Israel
Mondoweiss - 6 Feb 2010 - Here’s a weird story. And I think we have the internet to thank for discovering the weirdness. Last night the New York Times printed an AP story about the United Nations’ followup to the Goldstone report, titled "UN Chief Praises Israel Probe of Its Gaza Actions."...
‘Forward’ editor Eisner seems to want to silence ‘Breaking the Silence’
Mondoweiss - 5 Feb 2010 - One of my goals these days is to support the New Israel Fund in its fight to promote democracy and human rights in Israel. I do so because even though it tends to overlook apartheid conditions in the West Bank, NIF has done great things: it...
Ban’s collapse on Goldstone ’shocks and appalls’ representative for Palestinian victims
Mondoweiss - 5 Feb 2010 - Just as Norman Finkelstein predicted he would, UN Sec’y-Gen’l Ban Ki-moon has folded on Goldstone : "The U.N. chief says Israel is thoroughly investigating allegations it deliberately targeted civilians during last year’s Gaza offensive." Here is word from the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR), questioning the...
the excommunicators
Mondoweiss - 5 Feb 2010 - Today in Haaretz : "[Elie] Wiesel blasted Judge Richard Goldstone, saying his report on the Israeli offensive in Gaza was ‘a crime against the Jewish people.’" A few days ago in Haaretz : "Professor Alan Dershowitz slammed jurist Richard Goldstone, the architect of a UN report which accuses...
Canadian official ‘repudiates’ B’Tselem’s funding
Mondoweiss - 5 Feb 2010 - We keep posting about Israel’s crackdown on dissident groups that question militant and racist policies. It has threatened to cut off foreign funds to B’Tselem , for instance, the human-rights organization. And there is a smear campaign against the New Israel Fund , in what the fund calls...
Berlusconi, Israel and the Big Brother
Alternative Information Center - 5 Feb 2010 - After the three-day visit of Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi to Israel and a short visit to the Occupied Palestinian Territories, a judgement is due. Berlusconi came with a large Italian ministry delegation (Foreign Minister Franco Frattini, Economy Minister Giulio Tremonti, Defense Minister Ignazio La Russa,...
Principles and Mechanisms to Hold Business Accountable for Human Rights Abuses: Potential Avenues to Challenge Corporate Involvement in Israel’s Oppression of the Palestinian People
Alternative Information Center - 4 Feb 2010 - About the Working Paper Palestinians would not be a people displaced, dispossessed and oppressed in 2010 if states and the UN had held Israel accountable for its massive violation of international law and the Nakba over 60 years ago. However, not only governments and the UN,...
Arab Population Accuses: Israel Systematically Acting to Impose Violent Confrontation
Alternative Information Center - 4 Feb 2010 - T his coming Friday, 5 February 2010, a public campaign will be launched to defend the Arab population under the slogan “Meeting challenges and defending existence.” The campaign is organized by the Public Committee for Defending Liberties, under the auspices of the Higher Arab Monitoring Committee....
Articles
The return of Goldstone
Amira Howeidy, Al-Ahram Weekly 2/4/2010
Israel’s vicious counter-campaign against the UN fact-based report on its war on Gaza continues as the time approaches when further action will be considered.
On Monday, 1 February, the Israeli media reported that the commander of the Israeli army’s Gaza division, Brigadier General Eyal Eizenberg, and the commander of the Givati Brigade, Colonel Ilan Malka, were "disciplined" for authorising the shelling of a United Nations facility with white phosphorous during Israel’s war on the Gaza Strip that started in December 2008 and lasted for 22 days.
During that onslaught the Israeli military killed more than 1,400 Palestinians, and wounded or maimed approximately 5,000. Israel destroyed at least 2,000 buildings in addition to significant sectors of Gaza’s infrastructure. Besieged by the Israeli occupation since June 2007, the Strip’s 1.5 million population is denied construction material -- in addition to adequate food, medical and energy supplies -- and has not been able to repair the damage since.
Known as Operation Cast Lead, the Gaza assault was Israel’s seventh and latest war in the region. It stands out for its shocking brutality. The Israeli army’s liberal use of white phosphorous munitions in densely populated areas meant that hundreds of Palestinian civilians were subject to the lethal chemical that burns flesh to the bone once in contact with oxygen.
Doctors operating in Gaza at the time also pointed to mounting evidence that Israel used DIME, an experimental explosive biological weapon created by the US air force and that is packed with tungsten dust that forms a micro-shrapnel cloud upon detonation. Gaza hospitals spoke of the "clean tearing of limbs" that DIME can cause, according to the Christian Science Monitor on 14 January 2009. Unfortunately for Israel much of the gruesome scene was captured on camera, drawing international outrage. more.. e-mail
Abbas at a loss
Khaled Amayreh in Ramallah, Al-Ahram Weekly 2/4/2010
His political credibility wagered on the peace process, Palestinian President Abbas is not coping well with Israel’s perpetual intransigence.
With the Obama administration effectively reneging on pledges to get Israel to freeze settlement expansion in the West Bank, or even abide by the outdated "roadmap" peace plan, Palestinian Authority (PA) leader Mahmoud Abbas is finding himself in an increasingly unenviable position.
Abbas had been insisting all along that he wouldn’t agree to resume talks with Israel unless the latter agreed to halt settlement expansion in the occupied territories, including East Jerusalem. However, in recent weeks, the Palestinian leader has been signalling that he may return to the negotiating table virtually without conditions.
In an interview that appeared on Sunday 31 January on The Guardian website, Abbas was quoted as saying that he would be prepared to resume face-to- face talks with Israel if the latter froze all settlement construction for three months and accepted the borders of 4 June 1967. "These are not preconditions; they are requirements in the roadmap. If they are not prepared to do that, it means they don’t want a political solution."
The Israeli government rejected the Palestinian proposal, calling it "unrealistic" and "unacceptable". Responding to the proposal, Mark Regev, advisor to Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, resorted to red herring tactics, arguing that the Palestinians were still short of their roadmap obligations. Regev cited the issue of "incitement", as if Palestinians were expected to sing hymns of praise whenever Israel killed their brethren and demolished their homes. more.. e-mail
Several birds, one stone
Saleh Al-Naami, Al-Ahram Weekly 2/4/2010
Israel’s assassination of a top Hamas official is clearly aimed at forcing the resistance group into a military response.
The ageing father of Hamas leader Mahmoud Al-Mabhouh, who was assassinated in Dubai two weeks ago, did not believe that his son died of a heart attack. "They killed him," he repeatedly stated.
In the beginning, the rest of Al-Mabhouh’s family and Hamas leaders believed that he had died as a result of a stroke, as stated in a preliminary report by the Dubai police. It soon became apparent, however, that the intuition of the father was correct.
One week after his death, it was revealed that Al-Mabhouh was killed by a highly trained assassination unit. According to information gathered by the Dubai police and Hamas, a group of seven broke into Al-Mabhouh’s room at the Rotana Al-Bustan Hotel the day he arrived from Damascus where he resided with his family. Al-Mabhouh had entered the emirate using an alias and forged passport.
The group of seven injected the Hamas leader with a poison that mimics the symptoms of a heart attack, leading Dubai police to believe his death was caused by a stroke. When it was revealed that the victim was a leading member in Hamas, and given the repeated suspicions of his father that Mahmoud was assassinated by Israelis, the police sent samples of Al-Mabhouh’s blood to a laboratory in France. After the results confirmed traces of poison, Hamas officially announced that the Israeli Mossad killed Al-Mabhouh.
While Tel Aviv remained silent about the assassination, soon Israeli cabinet members were strongly hinting that Israel was in fact behind the killing. State Minister Danny Hershkovitz asserted that the successful elimination demonstrates that Mossad Chief Meir Dagan is one of the most competent Mossad leaders in the history of Israel.... more.. e-mail
Israel slaps six-month travel ban on Palestinian map expert
Electronic Intifada: 5 Feb 2010 - Citing "security reasons" -- the ubiquitous and unanswerable catch-all phrase against which it is almost impossible to mount any defense -- Israel's Ministry of the Interior has just issued a six-month travel ban on map expert Khalil Tafakji. Tafakji, like almost all other Palestinians in occupied East Jerusalem, is a "permanent resident," but not a citizen of Israel. Marian Houk reports.
Pressure continues on Veolia and Alstom to halt light rail project
Electronic Intifada: 5 Feb 2010 - French transport giants Veolia and Alstom are involved in the construction and running of a light rail line which connects West Jerusalem to several illegal settlements in or surrounding occupied Palestinian East Jerusalem. The light rail project is part of the "Jerusalem Transportation Master Plan" sponsored by the Israeli government and the Jerusalem municipality. Adri Nieuwhof reports for The Electronic Intifada.
Naseer Shamma and the music of resistance
Electronic Intifada: 4 Feb 2010 - Celebrated Iraqi musician Naseer Shamma plays emotive compositions in beautiful tones on the oud to major audiences across the Middle East, stirring musical reflections on human realities in US-occupied Iraq. Although Iraqi current affairs are clearly interwoven into Shamma's sound, it is also unique musical talent that has earned Shamma a reputation as one of the world's preeminent oud players. Stefan Christoff profiles Shamma for The Electronic Intifada.
Report: Israel stole $2 billion from Palestinian workers
Electronic Intifada: 4 Feb 2010 - Over the past four decades Israel has defrauded Palestinians working inside Israel of more than $2 billion by deducting from their salaries contributions for welfare benefits to which they were never entitled, Israeli economists have revealed. A new report, "State Robbery," to be published later this month, says the "theft" continued even after the Palestinian Authority was established in 1994. Jonathan Cook reports.
In Gaza: 2 Feb 2010 - Many in Gaza ask me, ‘which is better, the (occupied) West Bank or Gaza?’ Not giving in to the devisive efforts of external forces and politicians, I answer that both are Palestine –it’s all Palestine– and both have their beauties and intense hardships. The presence of Israeli occupation soldiers in the occupied West Bank, of remorseless settlers capable of shocking brutality , of Israeli land annexation, of humiliating and debilitating military checkpoints and roadblocks, of lock-downs (“curfews”) and raids , of daily kidnappings and imprisonment of sons, daughters, husbands, mothers, of the complete Israeli control and stealing of water sources , of the destruction of occupied East Jerusalem …is just some of the...
Palestine Chronicle: 5 Feb 2010 - By Shafiq Morton If you're a budding student of surrealism, I would recommend Israel. It will prove to be your greatest project. I can assure you that Israel's bizarre political landscape will provide you with material beyond your wildest dreams. Described by the Oxford dictionary as an “expression of the sub-conscious mind through imagery”, surrealism communicates its meaning through absurd, irrational and capricious nonsense. It is a metaphor in which nothing is what it seems. And if we weren’t addressing one of the modern era’s most vexing conflicts, we would all be laughing by now. For the issue of Erez Israel, the “greater” Israel, is a serious one. For those of us who might need reminding, Israel was the political end-result of a project; a project initiated by European Jewish secularists at the end of the 1800’s to create a Jewish homeland. Whilst this aspiration (called Zionism) was initially seen as a noble end in itself, its means – the Palestinian people being displaced at the point of a gun – has become, as Nelson Mandela once said, one of the world’s biggest unresolved questions. This is because for its most ardent and unbending disciples, Zionism in the 21st century has morphed into a golden calf. This is why in its inviolable, idolatrous name Gaza can be bombed and besieged, and why helicopters can murder Hamas leaders from the sky. Zionist reasoning is that if you question Zionism, you strike at the heart of a mythical, homogenous “collective Jew”. That...
Cracks in Israel's Armor
Palestine Chronicle: 5 Feb 2010 - By James Gundun – Washington America and Israel are fond of comparing similarities. Religious persecution, the desire to found new worlds, democracy, high technology - they seem to share all their strengths. They share a few critical weaknesses too. Stubbornness is one of them. The Israeli press claims a fierce internal debate remains undecided on outside examination into Operation Lead Cast, but this may not be relevant. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly favors independent investigations from the military as recommended by the Justice and Foreign ministries. Except he’s is trying to clear Israel’s name in the West, hardly to understand and rectify its failings during the Gaza War. Netanyahu’s inner position likely corresponds with Defense Secretary Ehud Barak, who by the nature of his position must resist vetting from civilians or foreigners. Israel’s recent 52-page update to the UN came with Barak’s personal opinion that, “All of the soldiers and officers whom we sent to battle need to know that the state of Israel stands behind them even on the day after. The Goldstone Report is a distorted, false, and irresponsible report." This latest reply perpetuates a creeping reality that Israel’s strategic foresight doesn’t reach its lofty tactical ability. Consciously or not, Israel has mimicked the American style of warfare. A premium is placed on military technology while the international community is leveraged for every penny - then cast away at the slightest inconvenience. American thinking, evolving but still dominated by the military battlefield, often fails to grasp the totality...
Report: Israel Stole $2bn from Palestinian Workers
Palestine Chronicle: 4 Feb 2010 - By Jonathan Cook - Jerusalem Over the past four decades Israel has defrauded Palestinians working inside Israel of more than $2 billion by deducting from their salaries contributions for welfare benefits to which they were never entitled, Israeli economists have revealed. A new report, “State Robbery”, to be published later this month, says the “theft” continued even after the Palestinian Authority was established in 1994 and part of the money was supposed to be transferred to a special fund on behalf of the workers. According to information supplied by Israeli officials, most of the deductions from the workers’ pay were invested in infrastructure projects in the Palestinian territories -- a presumed reference to the massive state subsidies accorded to the settlements. Nearly 50,000 Palestinians from the West Bank are working in Israel -- following the easing of restrictions on entering Israel under the “economic peace” promised by Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister -- and continue to have such contributions docked from their pay. Complicit in the deception, the report adds, is the Histadrut, the Israeli labour federation, which levies a monthly fee on Palestinian workers, even though they are not entitled to membership and are not represented in labour disputes. “This is a clear-cut case of theft from Palestinian workers on a grand scale,” said Shir Hever, a Jerusalem-based economist and one of the authors of the report. “There are no reasons for Israel to delay in returning this money either to the workers or to their beneficiaries.” The...