30 November, 2010 — VTJP
News
International Middle East Media Center
Humanitarian Groups Appeal for End of Gaza Siege
IMEMC – 30 Nov 2010 – Tuesday November 30, 2010 – 18:15, A coalition of 21 international human rights organizations called for end to ‘cruel and illegal’ Gaza blockade, arguing that the partial lifting agreed by Israel has made a limited impact in improving life of Gaza civilians, sources reported on Tuesday.
Poll: Only 51% of Israeli Jews Believe in Equal Rights for Arabs and Jews
IMEMC – 30 Nov 2010 – Tuesday November 30, 2010 – 17:01, According to a report released on Tuesday, conducted by the Israel Democratic Institute, almost half of Israeli Jews refuse the coexistence between Arab and Jews communities in Israel. Only 51 percent of those polled said that Israeli Arabs and Jews should have equal rights.
Veolia France Out of Jerusalem Light Rail Project
IMEMC – 30 Nov 2010 – Tuesday November 30, 2010 – 14:43, The French division of multinational Veolia has dropped out of the controversial Jerusalem tramway project in favor of an Israeli bus operator, a spokesman for the group told AFP on Monday.
International Day of Solidarity with Palestinians
IMEMC – 30 Nov 2010 – Tuesday November 30, 2010 – 13:21, Monday 29th November was marked as the world Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, with the Palestinian Authority appealing to the UN to act in order to end Israel’s occupation of Palestinian land, sources said on Monday.
U.S. Students Group Calls to Boycott an Israeli Hummus Brand
IMEMC – 30 Nov 2010 – Tuesday November 30, 2010 – 12:43, A group of Princeton University students proposed a boycott of the Sabra hummus brand for its donations to the Israeli army.
Abbas To UN: Settlements a “Time Bomb”
IMEMC – 30 Nov 2010 – Tuesday November 30, 2010 – 12:02, Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, stated during a UN Speech marking the International Day for Solidarity with the Palestinians, that Israel’s settlements are a ticking time bomb that is capable of destroying the peace process at any given moment.
5 Palestinians Injured By Army Fire In Gaza
IMEMC – 30 Nov 2010 – Tuesday November 30, 2010 – 11:10, Five Palestinian workers were wounded, on Tuesday, in an area close to the border north of Gaza after the army opened fire at them. The incident followed a rapid succession of sniper attacks, Ma’an News reported.
Al-Maqdese Concludes Comprehensive Report On Israel’s Violations In Jerusalem
IMEMC – 30 Nov 2010 – Tuesday November 30, 2010 – 05:50, The al-Maqdese Society for Development concluded, recently, a comprehensive report on Israeli violations in occupied East Jerusalem, and revealed that since Israel occupied East Jerusalem in 1967, the Israeli authorities have demolished, and issued orders to demolish, 1,485 Palestinian homes in the city.
Gendelman: “Israel Will Continue To Construct in Jerusalem”
IMEMC – 30 Nov 2010 – Tuesday November 30, 2010 – 05:21, “Jerusalem is the eternal capital of Israel, we will continue to build and no freeze order ever applies to the city.” These are the words of Ofir Gendelman, Arabic Affairs spokesperson of Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu; stated in an interview with the Ma’an News Agency.
Carts evacuate 5 wounded workers at Gaza border
11/30/2010 – GAZA CITY (Ma’an) — Five Palestinian workers were shot and taken to hospital on Tuesday, after Israeli forces opened fire on the group in what the injured said appeared to be a rapid succession of sniper attacks. The men said they were collecting stone aggregates in the northern Gaza Strip near the evacuated Israeli….
Bulldozers demolish home, workshop in Jerusalem
11/30/2010 – JERUSALEM (Ma’an) – Bulldozers of the Jerusalem municipal council escorted by Israeli police and border guards demolished a newly constructed home and a printing workshop Tuesday in the neighborhood of Al-Isawiya, north of the Old City. The home, under construction for two years, was a 125-square-meter building belonging to Atiyya Imteir, a father….
Israel hands demolition orders to village mosque, homes
11/30/2010 – BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) – Israeli forces on Monday handed demolition notices to a mosque and the owners of two homes in Al-Ma’sara village south of Bethlehem, locals said. Six military jeeps entered the village and soldiers delivered the orders and photographed the homes and the mosque, said Awad Abu Sway, who coordinates settlement….
Aid groups: Gaza struggling despite Israeli let-up
11/30/2010 – JERUSALEM (AFP) — A partial lifting of the Israeli blockade on the Gaza Strip has had only a limited effect in improving life for residents of the coastal enclave, a coalition of humanitarian groups said on Tuesday. A report by 22 organizations, entitled “Dashed Hopes: Continuation of the Gaza Blockade,” says an Israeli pledge to liberalize…. Related: Full Report: Dashed Hopes: Continuation of the Gaza Blockade
Poll: Most Jews would deny Arabs say over future of Israel
11/30/2010 – JERUSALEM (AFP) — Some two thirds of Israeli Jews believe Arab citizens should have no say on security or diplomacy issues as long as the conflict with the Palestinians lingers, a poll showed on Tuesday. The findings, part of an annual survey conducted on the state of democracy in Israel, were presented to President Shimon Peres….
Protests after Israel demolishes Jerusalem home
11/30/2010 – JERUSALEM (AFP) – Palestinians protested in east Jerusalem on Tuesday, throwing rocks and setting several cars on fire, after Israeli forces demolished a home in the Arab neighborhood of Issawiya. Israeli police and the local officials confirmed that a home and a small room housing a printing press next door had been demolished in Issawiya, in….
BDS: France’s Veolia pulls out of Jerusalem tram project
11/30/2010 – JERUSALEM (AFP) — A division of French engineering group Veolia has pulled out of a controversial Jerusalem tramway project in favor of an Israeli bus operator, a spokesman for the group said on Monday. Yoni Yitzhak told AFP in a written answer to questions that Veolia Israel last month agreed to sell its five-percent stake in….
Settlers torch olive trees south of Nablus
11/30/2010 – NABLUS (Ma’an) — Residents of illegal settlements in the Nablus district set fire to olive trees on Tuesday, a Palestinian Authority official said. Ghassan Doughlas, who holds the settlements file for the northern West Bank, said settlers from Yizhar settlement torched trees on land belonging to Madama and Asira villages south of Nablus. Palestinian….
Limited Israeli incursion in northern Gaza
11/30/2010 – GAZA CITY (Ma’an) — Palestinian activists in Gaza canceled a weekly demonstration near the Green Line when Israeli tanks and military bulldozers entered the area. Witnesses said five tanks and two bulldozers entered the Gaza Strip north of the town of Beit Hanoun. No gunfire was reported. The reported incursion occurred in the area…. Related: Protesters: Israeli forces fire on Gaza march
Attempted theft allegations in Jordan Valley
11/30/2010 – TUBAS (Ma’an) — Israeli forces tried to confiscate livestock from residents of the northern Jordan Valley on Tuesday, locals said. Residents of Al-Faresyeh said soldiers assaulted and detained village council head Aref Darahmeh….
Single Gaza crossing open
11/30/2010 – GAZA CITY (Ma’an) — Gaza’s southernmost crossing with Israel opened Tuesday for the limited entry of commercial goods, fuel and humanitarian aid, officials said. All other terminals were sealed. PA crossings official Raed Fattouh said 210 truckloads were expected to enter Gaza while two trucks loaded with strawberries would exit, the first….
Flying checkpoint stops Tulkarem residents
11/30/2010 – TULKAREM (Ma’an) — The area north of the At-Tayba checkpoint south of Tulkarem was declared a closed military zone on Tuesday afternoon, with a flying checkpoint erected at the edge of the zone. Troops were seen checking identity cards of Palestinian civilians attempting to pass through the area, with at least three cards confiscated….
Palestinian child workers handed to police
11/30/2010 – TULKAREM (Ma’an) — Israeli forces transferred 21 children planning to work inside Israel to Tulkarem police on Monday, security sources said. The children, from the West Bank city of Hebron, were all around 15 years old. Two residents of Yatta in Hebron had taken them to Tulkarem, and planned to smuggle them into Israel….
PA lawyers to prosecute settler vandalism
11/30/2010 – RAMALLAH (Ma’an) — Palestinian Authority Agriculture Minister Ismail Daik announced Tuesday that his ministry established a legal department to prosecute settlers who damage Palestinian fields. In an interview with Watan TV, Daik said 50 employees work at the department documenting settler attacks of Palestinian olive groves and farm land. So far, the department is….
Israel allows cement, iron for UNRWA in Gaza
11/30/2010 – GAZA CITY (Ma’an) — Israeli authorities allowed 183 truckloads of goods into Gaza on Tuesday, crossings officials said. Palestinian liaison official Raed Fattouh said 138 commercial trucks carried goods for the commercial sector, 13 for the agricultural sector, seven brought humanitarian aid and eight were for the transport ministry. Meanwhile, eight trucks brought cement….
Gaza man given 10-year sentence
11/30/2010 – BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) — An Israeli court on Tuesday sentenced a Gaza man to 10 years in prison for plotting to kidnap an Israeli soldier, Israeli sources said. Saeed Muhsen was sentenced at a court in Be’er Sheva in southern Israel. He was detained in 2006, accused of planning to abduct a soldier….
PA Cabinet: State-building plan to continue
11/30/2010 – RAMALLAH (Ma’an) — Marking the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian people, the Palestinian Authority cabinet in Ramallah asserted their determination to “complete the construction of the Palestinian institutions, and to achieve the national preparedness to build the state.” The appointed governmental body reiterated its stance on the goal of the institution to….
Abbas warns of settlement ‘time bomb’
11/30/2010 – UNITED NATIONS (AFP) — President Mahmud Abbas warned Monday that Israel’s settlement of occupied territories has become “a time bomb” that could destroy peace hopes at any moment. And UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said in a message to mark an international day for Palestinians that there was little sign of optimism by Palestinians….
German president visits Bethlehem
11/30/2010 – BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) — German President Christian Wulff visited the Church of the Nativity in the West Bank city of Bethlehem on Tuesday, ahead of a scheduled visit with President Mahmoud Abbas at the Presidential Palace in the city. The German president was welcomed at the Manger Square by the Palestinian Authority’s minister….
Gaza govt: WikiLeaks expos?© confirms our claims
11/30/2010 – Jared Malsin – GAZA CITY (Ma’an) — Hamas authorities in the Gaza Strip said Tuesday that they were already aware of the explosive information on Palestinian affairs exposed this week by the whistleblower group WikiLeaks. WikiLeaks on Sunday released a trove of US diplomatic cables, one of which included the revelation of plans for extensive….
Nablus university hosts PR conference
11/30/2010 – NABLUS (Ma’an) — Nearly 800 people atttended the opening ceremony of a conference for Palestine Public Relations and Communications in Nablus’ An-Najah National University on Tuesday. The ceremony began with the Palestinian national anthem, and Al-Arabiya news anchor Maysoon Azzam opened the conference with a speech on the dangers of stereotyping Palestine in….
Abbas: We have other options if talks fail
11/30/2010 – BETHLEHEM (AFP) — The PLO will explore alternative ways to gain international recognition if US efforts to advance peace talks with Israel fail, President Mahmoud Abbas said Tuesday.” We will spare no effort in pursuing this process and we have no choice but the choice of peace, we will continue with the peace process and we….
20 Hamas affiliates arrested by PA
11/30/2010 – BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) — Palestinian Authority forces detained 20 members of Hamas, the Islamist movement said Tuesday. The group said in a statement the arrests took place in Nablus, Jenin, Hebron and Qalqiliya….
In photos: Palestinian men, women race in Jericho
11/30/2010 – MaanImages / Luay Sababa – The Palestinian Motorsport Federation hosted its fifth annual rally in the eastern West Bank city of Jericho on 26 November 2010. Some 61 drivers, men and women including seven from Jordan, competed in the motor-sport event….
WikiLeaks: Mubarak told US to allow dictator in Iraq
11/30/2010 – CAIRO (AFP) — Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak advised the United States in 2008 to “forget” about democracy in Iraq and allow a dictator to take over, according to a diplomatic cable released this week on WikiLeaks. Mubarak made the comments during talks with visiting US congressmen to whom he also admitted that he was “terrified” by….
WikiLeaks: Egypt recruited agents abroad to counter Iran
11/30/2010 – WASHINGTON (AFP) – Egypt’s spy master revealed his service recruited agents in Iraq and Syria to counter Iranian support for militants in his country, according to US diplomatic cables published by WikiLeaks. Omar Suleiman told US top military commander Admiral Michael Mullen in a 2009 meeting that Iran had tried to recruit Bedouins to….
Iran agrees to fresh nuclear talks
AlJazeera 30 Nov 2010 – Iranian negotiatior to meet the EU foreign policy chief in December to discuss uranium enrichment programme.
Fatah ‘tipped off’ about Gaza war
AlJazeera 30 Nov 2010 – Leaked US diplomatic cable says Israel raised the possibility with Fatah and Egypt about taking control of Gaza Strip.
US ‘dismayed’ at Egypt vote
AlJazeera 30 Nov 2010 – Washington is concerned over the fairness of parliamentary election, noting widespread irregularities and intimidation.
Aid groups decry blockade on Gaza
AlJazeera 30 Nov 2010 – Aid and human rights groups says there has been little improvement since Israel announced blockade would be “eased”.
New Polls shows 53% of Israeli Jews believe that Arabs should leave
PNN – Jerusalem ‚Äì PNN ‚Äì A poll released on Tuesday by the Israel Democratic Institute showed that 53% of Jewish citizens would prefer to see Arabs leave Israel. More that half of the…
Wikileaks: Netanyahu Supported Land Swaps
PNN – Jerusalem ‚Äì PNN ‚Äì Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu supported a land exchange with the Palestinians according to diplomatic cables released by the WikiLeaks on Sunday. In February 2009 Netanyahu discussed his…
Four Houses Razed in Jerusalem; Estimates Predict Unprecedented Palestinian Exodus
PNN – Jerusalem ‚Äì PNN – In a series of home demolition operations in East Jerusalem, Israeli troops razed one building in Ras Khamis and two in ‘Issawiya, and a fourth home was destroyed…
Movie Review: The Sons of Eilaboun
PNN – Ghassan Bannoura ‚Äì PNN – On October 30, 1948, the Israeli army marched into the northern Galilee village of Eilaboun. The villagers were forced to march to the border of Lebanon, but…
Israeli Troops Arrest Two Boys in Hebron, 10 and 15
PNN – Hebron ‚Äì PNN – Israeli forces arrested two boys in the township of Saeer, east of Hebron, during a series of home raids on Tuesday. Local sources told PNN that the soldiers…
A Microcosm of the Palestinian Struggle
PNN – By Alessandra Bajec – The first encounter with Abed occurs one evening in a spontaneous fashion with a small group of people keen on meeting this farmer, based in Al-Walajah, whose story…
Palestinian Center for Human Rights
Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (11. – 24 November 2010)
Palestinian Center for Human Rights
Barak, Ashkenazi warn of leaks’ impact on diplomacy
Jeruslalem Post 30 Nov 2010 – “I think diplomacy will look different after today,” defense minister says; Military Intelligence studying published cables.
Wikileaks: Assad – Iran not pursuing nuclear weapons
Jeruslalem Post 30 Nov 2010 – Syrian president says Iranian nuclear strike against Israel would result in massive Palestinian casualties, which Iran would never risk.
US condemns PA denial of Jewish ties to Western Wall
Jeruslalem Post 30 Nov 2010 – PJ Crowley says paper “factually incorrect, insensitive and highly provocative”; tells PA leadership to combat de-legitimation of Israel.
Bolton: Military strike only way to stop Iran nukes
Jeruslalem Post 30 Nov 2010 – In interview with ‘Post,’ former US ambassador to UN during Bush administration says mulling GOP presidential run to reassert strong US foreign policy.
Saudi women get 2nd-class status, even as terrorists
Jeruslalem Post 30 Nov 2010 – Thirteen women are arrested in a terror crackdown, but their role is limited to helping the men.
Holland: Gas companies refuse to fuel Iranian FM’s plane
Jeruslalem Post 30 Nov 2010 – Dutch NGOs slam Mottaki’s plan to visit chemical weapons forum; “He is responsible for building up the nuclear arsenal in Iran.”
Wikileaks: Assad to US – Iran not pursuing nuclear weapons
Jeruslalem Post 30 Nov 2010 – Syrian president says Iranian nuclear strike against Israel would result in massive Palestinian casualties, which Iran would never risk; rejected idea that he was fearful of Iran; “We do what we think is good for our interests; it’s not dependent on Iran.”
Google Earth reveals Star of David on roof of Iran Air HQ
Jeruslalem Post 30 Nov 2010 – Building was constructed by Israeli engineers prior to Islamic Revolution; Iranian officials incensed, call for Jewish symbol’s removal.
Abbas calls on kidnappers to release Schalit immediately
Jeruslalem Post 30 Nov 2010 – During press conference with German president, Abu Mazen says the captured soldier’s release has nothing to do with PA’s demand for release of Palestinian prisoners, but stressed he has no power over Hamas.
This Sunday on ’20 Questions’: Yaakov Katz
Jeruslalem Post 30 Nov 2010 – What’s on YOUR mind? The ‘Jerusalem Post’s military correspondent will answer your questions on camera, Sunday, Dec 5.
IDF confirms 5 Palestinians shot in Gaza
Jeruslalem Post 30 Nov 2010 – Men collected stone fragments close to the Gaza border, were evacuated by donkey cart after IDF opens fire.
The American Herzl?
Jeruslalem Post 30 Nov 2010 РIn praise of Abba Hillel Silver – the US Zionist leader who helped bring Israel into being.
Analysis: Burying linkage between peace process, Iran
Jeruslalem Post 29 Nov 2010 – While US maintains that solving Palestinian conflict is key to peace, Israel’s position is to first deal with Iran – neutralize it.
City demolishes unpermitted homes in Arab areas of Jerusalem
Ha’aretz – Council maintains that demolitions are carried out in both Jewish and Arab neighborhoods of the capital.
Poll: Most Israeli Jews believe Arab citizens should have no say in foreign policy
Ha’aretz – Israel Democratic Institute conducts study on democracy, concludes that more than half Israelis say Arabs should be encouraged to emigrate.
Self-declared Israeli rabbi convicted of abusing eight children
Ha’aretz – The affair was uncovered two years ago, when one of the children was taken to the hospital unconscious. Once the story became public, Chen fled to Brazil, which extradited him…
Education Ministry to give priority for teaching jobs to Arabs who did national service
Ha’aretz – Hatib said this would ‘strengthen the value placed on contributing to the state among graduates of the education system in the Arab community.’
Ultra-Orthodox town of Bnei Brak moves to evict migrant workers
Ha’aretz – This comes on the heels of a campaign announced by the municipality earlier this month to stop landlords in the city from renting to illegal immigrants.
Who is new Mossad chief Tamir Pardo?
Ha’aretz – Pardo served in the Mossad for nearly 30 years; his nomination aims to ease criticism from within the organization.
Bar-Lev pulls out of police chief race amid sexual assault probe
Ha’aretz – Public Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch expected to announce the next police commissioner within 10 days or so; deputy IDF chief denies rumors of candidacy.
Victim of alleged sexual assault by prospective police chief exposes her identity
Ha’aretz – Dr. Orly Innes, a prominent anti-violence advocate and activist, says she relinquishes right to conceal her identity in order to empower other victims of sexual misconduct.
WikiLeaks: Iran won’t use nuclear bomb on Israel, says Assad
Ha’aretz – Iran would never risk massive Palestinian casualties, Syrian president told U.S. officials.
WikiLeaks cables: Qatar okays use of airbase for U.S. attack on Iran
Ha’aretz – Gulf state agreed partially to fund base’s upkeep, as long as U.S. supports Qatar’s continued resource mining.
WikiLeaks cables: You can’t blame Israel for mistrusting Arabs, says Qatari ruler
Ha’aretz – Israel deserves credit for seeking peace in the face of resurgent Hamas and Hezbollah, Emir Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani tells U.S. senator, according to classified dispatch.
IDF chief: WikiLeaks expos?©s will affect our diplomacy
Ha’aretz – A scandal set off by the publication of secret U.S. cables could lower the level of diplomatic discussions worldwide, says Gabi Ashkenazi., Israeli authorities confiscate ammunition and weapons from the…
Netanyahu told U.S. he supported land swap with Palestinians, WikiLeaks reveals
Ha’aretz – Cable recounts February 2009 meeting with Senator Benjamin Cardin, where premier laid out economic peace plan and said he did not want to govern West Bank and Gaza.
U.S. opens criminal investigation against WikiLeaks founder
Ha’aretz – Julian Assange: Obama administration is ‘a regime that doesn’t believe in the freedom of the press’; Ecuador offers asylum to Assange.
Abbas urges UN: Bring final end to vicious Israeli settlement campaign
Ha’aretz – Palestinian president calls settlements a ‘time bomb’ that puts peace process in danger.
Rights groups accuse Israel of ducking pledge to ease Gaza blockade
Ha’aretz – Report by aid groups says Israel is allowing in more food and some building materials but is dragging its feet on major construction projects and still banning most exports.
Ahmadinejad: Computer worm caused ‘limited’ damage to Iran nuclear sites
Ha’aretz – Iranian President says WikiLeaks documents alleging Arab countries asked the U.S. to attack the Islamic Republic were doctored by Washington.
Israel orders temporary exile of Silwan inhabitant
30 Nov 2010 – Jerusalem, November 30, (Pal Telegraph) The Israeli police in occupied Jerusalem delivered a notification to Adnan Ghaith, an activist in defense of Silwan lands, ordering him not to approach occupied Jerusalem and its environs for four months. The occupation police contacted Ghaith over the telephone on Sunday and handed him the order, to which he has 14 days to appeal….
Israel raids limited areas in Bait Hanoon and Khan Younis
30 Nov 2010 – Gaza, November 30, (Pal Telegraph) – Israeli occupation forces raided Tuesday a limited area in Bait Hanoon town, in north of Gaza Strip and Al-Fkhari town in Khan Younis in middle of Gaza Strip. According to local sources, bulldozers and vehicles invaded Al-Fkhari town and opened fire at the citizens’ houses, no casualties were reported. Eyewitnesse said that 14 bulldozers…
Israel detains 4 Palestinians in Hebron
30 Nov 2010 – Hebron, November 30, (Pal Telegraph) ‚Äì Israeli occupation forces (IOF) detained Tuesday three Palestinian boys and man in Hebron city, in the West Bank. Local sources reported that IOF detained Ragheb Al-Frekh, 16, and Zedan Jradat, 17, from Saer town in east of Hebron. Jradat was transferred to Atsmon jail. His family said that he was detained for days two…
Police exonerate Israeli officer who shot U.S. activist’s eye
30 Nov 2010 – West Bank, November 30, (Pal Telegraph – Agencies) Art student Emily Henochowicz was seriously injured during a protest against the IDF’s raid on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla in late May. The Judea and Samaria district police found no criminal wrongdoing in the actions of the Border Police soldiers who left an American art student without an eye after getting hit…
Israel demolishes Palestinian house in Jerusalem
30 Nov 2010 – Jerusalem, November 30, (Pal Telegraph) ‚Äì The Israeli occupation demolished Tuesday a house in Al-Esawia town, in the middle of Jerusalem city, under the pretext of building without permission. Raed Al-Asawi, a member in the Organizing Committee of Fateh, said that the Israeli municipality employees threatened that they will back to demolish more houses. He added that this demolish is…
IOF shoots 5 workers in north Gaza
30 Nov 2010 – Gaza, November 30, (Pal Telegraph) ‚Äì Israeli occupation forces opened fire Tuesday at Palestinian worker in north of Gaza Strip. Local sources reported that the worker (A.A.),30 years, was shot in his leg while he was collecting gravel in north Gaza. Local sources reported that other four workers were shot too near the evacuated Normal 0 false false false EN-US…
Israel raids limited area in Bait Hanoon
29 Nov 2010 – Gaza, November 29, (Pal Telegraph) – Israeli occupation forces raided Monday a limited area in Bait Hanoon, in north of Gaza Strip. According to local sources, bulldozers and vehicles invaded meters in the Palestinian land. Residents in the area reported that they targeted the invaded forces by mortar shells. Israeli occupation forces (IOF) usually conduct limited incursions along with borders…
SPF Deivers Tonfa Training to 37 Recruits
WAFA – RAMALLAH, October 20, 2010 (WAFA)- The Palestinian Special Police Force (SPF) has successfully delivered a Tonfa training course to 37 new SPF recruits, according to a press release by EUPOL-COPPS,
Abu Rdeineh: All Settlement Forms are Illegal, Rejected
WAFA – RAMALLAH, October 19 (WAFA)- The Presidency spokesperson , Nabil Abu Rdeineh confirmed today that all the forms of settlement (outposts and non-random) in Palestinian lands are illegal. Commenting
Netanyahu Declines Demolishing Settlements’ Random Units
WAFA – TEL AVIV, October 19 (WAFA) ‚Äì Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided that he wouldn’t demolish the unregulated construction in a various settlements although the government has issued
The Elders Urge Comprehensive Approach to Arab-Israeli Peace
WAFA – DAMASCUS, October 19, 2010 (WAFA)- The Elders have called for a more comprehensive approach to the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks following discussions with officials, civil society, business and
France Provides €4 million for Gaza Wastewater Treatment Plant
WAFA – JERUSALEM, October 19, 2010 (WAFA)- On Sunday 17 of October 2010, at Ministry of Planning, Mr Dov Zerah, CEO of the French Development Agency (AFD), Dr Ali Jarbawi, Minister of Planning and
IOF deploys Ariel Settlement
WAFA – SALFIT, October 19 (WAFA)- The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) deployed, today, the Ariel Settlement that is established by force on the lands of the Salfit, Iskaka, Yasuf and Burkin
Dr. Erakat: Israel Seeks De Facto Recognition of Illegal Practices
WAFA – RAMALLAH, October 19, 2010 (WAFA)- Chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization Negotiations Affairs Department Dr. Saeb Erakat said, yesterday, “By hosting the OECD conference in Jerusalem,
Observer: Israeli Government on Division Verge, Netanyahu Negotiates Kadima
WAFA – LONDON, October 17, 2010(WAFA) – The British Newspaper ‘Observer’ wrote that the Israeli government is facing the division risk because of the deadlock in the negotiations with the Palestinians
Iran nuclear talks to restart in Geneva
Daily Star 30 Nov 2010 CAIRO: Egypt’s leading opposition group dismissed Tuesday the results of parliamentary elections as “invalid,” but nevertheless said its candidates would participate in weekend runoffs. The fundamentalist Muslim Brotherhood has predicted its lawmakers will be almost entirely…
Egypt opposition rejects election results as ‘invalid’
Daily Star 30 Nov 2010 CAIRO: Egypt’s leading opposition group dismissed Tuesday the results of parliamentary elections as “invalid,” but nevertheless said its candidates would participate in weekend runoffs. The fundamentalist Muslim Brotherhood has predicted its lawmakers will be almost entirely…
Iran’s supreme leader has terminal cancer: WikiLeaks cable
Daily Star 30 Nov 2010 LONDON: Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has terminal cancer and could be dead “within months,” according to a US document released by WikiLeaks and published by Britain’s Telegraph newspaper. The August 2009 memo, sent from…
Arab allies urged US to ignore human rights – memo
Daily Star 30 Nov 2010 PARIS: authoritarian allies of the US in the Arab world have urged Washington to ignore human rights and take a more starkly aggressive stand against Islamist militants and Iran, leaked cables show. According to stolen US…
Palestinians have ‘other options’ if US efforts to advance talks fail
Daily Star 30 Nov 2010 BETHLEHEM, Occupied West Bank: The Palestinians will explore alternative ways to gain international recognition if US efforts to advance peace talks with Israel fail, President Mahmoud Abbas said Tuesday. “We will spare no effort in pursuing…
Most Jews would deny Arabs say over future of Israel – survey
Daily Star 30 Nov 2010 OCCUPIED JERUSALEM: Some two thirds of Israeli Jews believe Arab citizens should have no say on security or diplomacy issues as long as the conflict with the Palestinians lingers, a poll showed Tuesday.The findings, part of…
Israeli troops shoot five Palestinians near border
Daily Star 30 Nov 2010 Five Palestinians were wounded Tuesday by Israeli gunfire while scrounging for construction material in the rubble near Gaza’s northern border with Israel, Palestinian medics said.The Israeli military said it had opened fire on three Palestinians approaching…
Palestinian territories: “Prolonged occupation, a new type of crime against humanity” ‚Äì UN human rights expert
Relief Web 30 Nov 2010 – Source: UN Human Rights Council
Press Conference by Director of United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in Near East Operations in Gaza
Relief Web 30 Nov 2010 – Source: UN Department of Public Information, UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East
Vox Populi: Trends in Israeli Public Opinion on National Security 2004-2009
Relief Web 30 Nov 2010 – Source: Institute for National Security Studies
ACTED Newsletter n¬?67 November 2010
Relief Web 30 Nov 2010 – Source: Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development
MIDEAST: Egypt’s Duplicity Stands Exposed
IPS More than 250,000 classified U.S. diplomatic cables released by online whistle- blower WikiLeaks include statements made behind closed doors that could prove embarrassing for Egypt’s government, say analysts.
US slams PA claim on Western Wall
YNet News – The Obama administration on Tuesday strongly condemned a Palestinian official’s claim that the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem has no religious significance for …….
Eisenkot: Missile defense – for IDF bases
YNet News – Northern Command Chief Major-General Gadi Eisenkot on Tuesday said that active rocket and missile interception systems ‚Äì such as the Iron Dome and Arrow ‚Äì are designed to …….
Egypt: Iran tried smuggling arms to Gaza
YNet News – WikiLeaks reveals extent of tension between Egypt and Iran ‚Äì Egyptian General Intelligence Service Chief Omar Suleiman revealed during a conversation with United States …….
Netanyahu: ‘Significant trade’ with Iraq
YNet News – Israel has significant trade relations with Iraq, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed about a year and a half ago in a meeting with US Senator Benjamin Cardin, …….
Turkish FM: We don’t hate Israel
YNet News – Turkey’s foreign minister brushed aside on Wednesday a leaked US diplomatic cable that described him as “exceptionally dangerous.” Ahmet Davutoglu told reporters in …….
Palestinian Information Center
U.S is responsible for Egypt ‘s election joke
PIC 30 Nov 2010 – There is no doubt that the United States is at least morally responsible for the scandalous election joke which took place in Egypt on 28 November.
National committee for rights stresses Palestinians’ right to resist occupation
PIC 30 Nov 2010 – The national committee for the protection of inalienable Palestinian rights highlighted the territorial integrity of Palestine and its people’s right to resist the Israeli occupation.
Bahar calls for activating Arab support for the Palestine cause
PIC 30 Nov 2010 – Dr. Ahmed Bahar, the first deputy speaker of the Palestinian legislative council, has called for activating the Arab support for the Palestine cause.
IOA destroys printing press, house in OJ
PIC 30 Nov 2010 – Israeli occupation authority (IOA) bulldozers leveled a Palestinian printing press and a house in occupied Jerusalem on Tuesday morning, local sources reported.
MSD: Israel has razed 1, 485 homes in east J’lem since its occupation
PIC 30 Nov 2010 – Al-Maqdesi for society development said Israel has demolished 1, 485 Palestinian homes in east Jerusalem since 1967 and issued 1, 322 orders to raze homes in the same area in 2009 and 2010.
National, Islamic forces warn of IOF war on Gaza
PIC 30 Nov 2010 – National and Islamic forces in the Gaza Strip have warned the international community of a possibly Israeli war on the Strip under various justifications and pretexts.
PA militia kidnaps professor Douqan from his home
PIC 30 Nov 2010 – A Security militia from the Palestinian authority kidnapped Monday evening professor Ghassan Douqan, a lecturer at Al-Najah university, after a violent raid on his home in Ma’ajeen neighborhood.
Relatives of prisoners dismayed at German president’s visit to Shalit tent
PIC 30 Nov 2010 – Relatives of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails have expressed surprise at the visit by the German President to the tent pitched by family of captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.
Four Palestinian workers wounded in IOF shooting
PIC 30 Nov 2010 – Four Palestinian workers were injured when Israeli occupation forces (IOF) fired at them during their work in collecting gravel in northern Gaza Strip on Tuesday morning.
Hamas bloc calls on world to make up for its sins against the Palestinian people
PIC 30 Nov 2010 – The Hamas-affiliated change and reform parliamentary bloc has called on the world community to make up for its sin of partitioning Palestine and end the oppression befalling its people.
U.S. scrambles to contain WikiLeaks damage
LA Times 30 Nov 2010 – Clinton and other officials shrug off the undiplomatic assessments revealed in the diplomatic cables, saying they won’t affect long-term ties, even as they promise to tighten security and punish the culprits. The massive leak of secret diplomatic cables sent a tremor from Washington through world capitals Monday, exposing deception and scheming that world leaders take great pains to keep private and complicating some of America’s most sensitive strategic relations.
WikiLeaks cables highlight Arab contempt for Iran
LA Times 30 Nov 2010 – Confidential memos further agitate the ill-will between Arab capitals and Tehran over its nuclear enrichment program and influence on militant groups. The Middle East has been suspicious of Iran for years but the recent disclosure of diplomatic cables highlights the contempt that has spurred Arab countries to strengthen their defenses, including Saudi Arabia’s $60-billion deal with the U.S. to buy missiles and F-15 fighter jets.
SOUTH HEBRON HILLS: Israeli Army arrests young Palestinian man in South Hebron Hills
Christian Peacemaker Teams – Palestine –
AL-KHALIL (HEBRON): Shepherd made homeless, livelihood threatened, son in prison
Christian Peacemaker Teams – Palestine –
Let Americans’ shift on gays in the military be a lesson for Israelis
Mondoweiss – This is a great day in the U.S. The Defense Secretary, Robert Gates, recommended that the U.S. government end the “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy for gays in the military. From now on, he said, they should serve openly. Battalions of liberal commentators, from Chris Matthews…
International day of solidarity in Gaza greeted with Israeli bullets in Beit Hanoun
Mondoweiss – Live bullets were fired from snipers at an Erez control tower within a metre of demonstrators on the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People on Tuesday morning in Beit Hanoun, Northern Gaza. A German activist Vera Macht was injured as she stumbled while running…
Maybe the internet hasn’t killed Israeli PR just yet
Mondoweiss – The above interview is with Curtis Brown about his article(written with Diana Allan) The Mavi Marmara at the Frontlines of Web 2.0 in the Autumn 2010 edition of the Journal of Palestine Studies . It looks critically of what many in the blogosphere are doing, including us…
Searching for the ghost of Israeli democracy
Mondoweiss – Fania Oz-Salzberger, Amos Oz’s daughter, has challenged my characterization of her comments at the Nexus Institute’s “Return of Ghosts” symposium . Here is what she wrote in the comments section of my blog: I am befuddled by your representation of what I thought had been a cordial…
U.S. State Department: Israel is not a tolerant society
Mondoweiss – The above headline is taken right from Haaretz . Akiva Eldar wrote in 2009 about a report from the State Department’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor which found: The report says that the 1967 law on the protection of holy places refers to all religious…
Abbas Says Palestinians Have Other Options if Talks Fail
Al-Manar 30 Nov 2010 – The Palestinians will explore alternative ways to gain international recognition if US efforts to advance so-called peace talks with Israel fail, Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas said on Tuesday. “We will spare no effort in pursuing this process and we have no choice but the choice…
Five Palestinians Injured by Israeli Gunfire along Gaza Border
Al-Manar 30 Nov 2010 – Five Palestinians were injured Tuesday by Israeli gunfire while scrounging for construction material in the rubble near Gaza’s northern border with the occupied Palestinian territories, Palestinian medics said. The Israeli occupation military said it had opened fire on three Palestinians approaching the border fence after…
Abbas Likens “Vicious” Settlement Activities to “Time Bomb”
Al-Manar 30 Nov 2010 – The Palestinian Authority (PA) describes Israel’s unyielding settlement activities as “vicious” and a “time-bomb” that threatens future talks with Tel Aviv. The acting PA Chief Mahmoud Abbas said in a Monday message to the United Nations that the settlement expansions constitute “a time bomb that…
Aid Groups Decry Blockade on Gaza
Al-Manar 30 Nov 2010 – For two-year old Nasma Abu Lasma, the Israeli announcement in June that the blockade on the Gaza Strip would be relaxed offered a ray of hope. Nasma was suffering from leukaemia, and the movement restrictions on Palestinians in Gaza that went along with the blockade…
Maariv runs some scary gossip on Bibi and “the Boss”
Coteret 30 Nov 2010 – Bibi and “the Boss” Last night, Channel Ten TV News’s Raviv Drucker exposed a letter written to Benyamin Netanyahu in early 2009. The author, one Yisrael Yagel, a former executive in Netanyahu’s 2008 election campaign, penned an indictment of the Prime Minister’s management style, with particular…
US dismay at Egypt poll problems
BBC 30 Nov 2010 – The US says it is “dismayed” by reports of interference and intimidation in voting in parliamentary polls in Egypt, a key ally.
Date set for Iran nuclear talks
BBC 30 Nov 2010 – Iranian and international officials are to hold talks on Iran’s disputed nuclear programme in Geneva next week, the EU says.
Articles
Mossad, MI6, the CIA and the case of the assassinated scientist
Yossi Melman, The Independent11/30/2010
Three events ‚Äì not seemingly related ‚Äì took place yesterday. The leaking of State Department documents, many of which deal with the world’s concerns about Iran’s nuclear programme; the mysterious assassination in Tehran of a top Iranian nuclear scientist and the wounding of another, and the appointment of Tamir Pardo as the new head of Mossad, Israel’s foreign espionage agency.
But there’s a link between them. They are part of the endless efforts by the Israeli intelligence community, together with its Western counterparts including Britain’s MI6 and America’s CIA, to sabotage, delay and if possible, to stop Iran from reaching its goal of having its first nuclear bomb.
The attack on the two scientists, one of them mentioned as a top nuclear scientist working with Iran’s Ministry of Defence, was part of these efforts. No organisation claimed responsibility but it is obvious, not just because of accusations by Iranian officials and Iran’s media, that Israel was behind it. Most experts who follow Middle East politics and Mossad history would agree.
It is at least the fourth attempt to assassinate Iranian scientists linked with the country’s nuclear programme in four years. There were probably other attempts which did not hit the headlines. The attribution to Mossad is not because of the use of motorcycles, though in the past Mossad has been involved in similar operations. The best known one was in 1995 in Valletta, Malta, when a Mossad hit-team liquidated Dr Fathi Shkaki, the leader of the Islamic Jihad.
It has more to do with the policy of Mossad to deal a blow to Iran’s nuclear programme…. more.. e-mail
Dashed Hopes: Continuation of the Gaza Blockade
Various organizations, International Federation for Human Rights11/30/2010
Imports of construction materials still only 11 per cent of 2007 pre-blockade levels. Israel approves imports for only seven per cent of UNRWA’s rebuilding plan for Gaza.
Israel’s measures to ‘ease’ the illegal blockade of Gaza in the face of significant international pressure[1] have done little to change the plight of Gaza’s civilians, says a report published today by an international coalition of 22 development, human rights and peace-building organisations. They are calling for renewed international action to ensure an immediate, unconditional and complete lifting of the blockade.
The international community has eased its pressure on Israel, but too little has been done to effectively ease the restrictions on the daily lives of the 1.5 million Palestinians in Gaza, half of whom are children, says the report, Dashed Hopes: Continuation of the Gaza Blockade. The report says that not only has Israel neglected to address major elements of the blockade in its ‘easing’ measures, such as lifting the ban on exports from Gaza, but it has failed so far to live up to key commitments it did make.
Israel promised to expand and accelerate imports of desperately-needed construction materials for UN and other international projects such as schools, health centres, houses and sewage plants, many of which were damaged or destroyed during the military operation in December 2008-January 2009. But in reality the report shows that progress has been slow and limited since this pledge. Israel has so far only approved the import of materials for 25 UNRWA[2] construction projects for schools and clinics, a mere seven per cent of UNRWA’s entire reconstruction plan for Gaza. Even for these approved projects, only a small fraction of the required construction materials have actually been permitted to enter Gaza so far. — See also: Full Report PDF) more.. e-mail
How the US and Israel Hope to Destroy Hezbollah
Franklin Lamb, Beirut, CounterPunch11/19/2010
Attacking Nasrallah
“I’ve got these [expletive deleted] just where we want them Maura! Watch the 1000 slow cuts as we shred Hezbollah—who do they think they are? And we’ll do it by using 1757 and this time we’re going all the way. I told Israel to stay out of Lebanon because the IDF can’t defeat Hezbollah plus the whole region would burn. I will handle this and it will be my Christmas present to Lebanon.”
So, reportedly, said Jeffrey Feltman in conversation with his former office staffer, now US Ambassador to Lebanon, Maura Connelly during October 17, 2010 visit with MP Walid Jumblatt at his Clemenceau residence. On December 12, 2008, Naharnet.com reported that “Former US Ambassador Jeffrey Feltman presented Prime Minister Fuad Siniora with what the American diplomat described as his personal Christmas present to Lebanon. Mr. Feltman assured PM Siniora that he will force Israel out of Ghajar village before the end of 2008.”
As it turned out, Prime Minister Fuad Siniora and Lebanon never did receive Feltman’s promised 2008 Christmas present and Israel has its tanks and troops in Lebanon’s Ghajar village even as pressure mounts for ending its four-year illegal occupation of North Ghajar which, in violation of UNSCR 1701, Israel invaded in July 2006 and from which it has refused to withdraw. Feltman is now again assuring his Lebanese allies that he’s Santa Claus and Hezbollah’s head will adorn his sleigh during his Christmas eve rounds. The reason for his optimism is that US and Israel are quietly confident that they can achieve with UNSCR 1757 what was intended but fell short with UNSCR 1559, stripping Lebanon’s Resistance of its defensive weapons…. more.. e-mail
Why NGO Monitor is attacking The Electronic Intifada
Electronic Intifada: 30 Nov 2010 – NGO Monitor has launched a campaign targeting a Dutch foundation’s financial support to The Electronic Intifada, accusing the publication among other things of “anti-Semitism.” NGO Monitor is an extreme right-wing group with close ties to the Israeli government, military, West Bank settlers, a man convicted of misleading the US Congress, and to notoriously Islamophobic individuals and organizations in the United States.more
WikiLeaks’ harsh lesson on imperial hubris
Electronic Intifada: 30 Nov 2010 – The new WikiLeaks disclosures provide a useful insight, captured in the very ordinariness of the diplomatic correspondence, into Washington’s own sense of the limits on its global role — an insight that was far less apparent in the previous WikiLeaks revelations on the US army’s wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Jonathan Cook comments.more
“Return to sender” – Israel blocks the mail to Gaza
Electronic Intifada: 30 Nov 2010 – Palestinians living under siege in the occupied Gaza Strip cannot even communicate by mail, as Israel also severely restricts or delays the delivery of post including letters and packages. Rami Almeghari reports for The Electronic Intifada.more
Nahr al-Bared reconstruction delay throws civil rights into spotlight
Electronic Intifada: 30 Nov 2010 – More than three years after Nahr al-Bared refugee camp in the north of Lebanon was destroyed, its reconstruction is finally under way. However, the process runs at a slow pace and remains only partially funded as further political obstacles appear on the horizon.more
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The New Dark Age 
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