VTJP Palestine/Israel Newslinks 12 June, 2011: I’m either an illegal citizen of one state, or an inferior citizen in another

June 13, 2011

VTJP Palestine/Israel Newslinks 12 June, 2011: I’m either an illegal citizen of one state, or an inferior citizen in another

12 June, 2011 — VTJP

News

International Middle East Media Center

Troops Kidnap Three International Activists Near Hebron
IMEMC – Sunday June 12, 2011 – 09:20, Israeli soldiers kidnapped on Saturday afternoon three international peace activists participating in the weekly nonviolent protest against the Israeli Annexation Wall and settlements in Beit Ummar town, near the southern West Bank city of Hebron.

Troops Kidnap A Woman At Roadblock Near Jenin
IMEMC – Sunday June 12, 2011 – 09:06, Israeli soldiers kidnapped on Sunday morning a Palestinian woman at the Um Al Reehan roadblock, near the northern West Bank city of Jenin, and claimed that she was carrying an ID card and a permit that do not belong to her.

Ma’an News

Bil’in residents say regular incursions are intimidation tactic
6/12/2011 – RAMALLAH (Ma’an) — The day after anti-wall protests in Bil’in, Israeli forces enter the village causing anger amongst residents, leading to the throwing of rocks and glass bottles at patrol cars. The coordinator of the local popular committee against the wall, Ratib Abu Rahma, told Ma’an that several military vehicles….

Hebron detainee starts hunger strike in Israeli prison
6/12/2011 – HEBRON (Ma’an) — A Palestinian detainee on Sunday went on hunger strike to protest his treatment by Israeli prison guards, a rights group said. Israeli forces detained Atif Wureidat in 2002. Prison authorities have transferred him more than 30 times, Hebron prisoners’ association director Amjad Najjar said. Wureidat has heart disease, diabetes and….

Fatah wants Fayyad to head unity government
6/12/2011 – RAMALLAH (AFP) — Fatah’s central committee has selected current Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad as its candidate to head an interim government of independents, a Fatah official said Sunday.” During a meeting last night at the presidential headquarters, we decided to nominate Salam Fayyad to head the Palestinian government,” a member of the…. Related: Hamas: No role for Fayyad in unity govt

Hamas: No role for Fayyad in unity govt
6/12/2011 – GAZA CITY (Ma’an) — Hamas on Sunday rejected Fatah’s proposal to appoint Salam Fayyad to head the new unity government, said senior Hamas leader Salah Al-Bardawil.” Hamas will not agree on Salam Fayyad as a prime minister, or even a minister in the upcoming unity government,” Al-Bardawil said in a statement. Fatah…. Related: Fatah wants Fayyad to head unity government

Palestinian woman detained at Jenin checkpoint
6/12/2011 – JENIN (Ma’an) — Israeli forces on Sunday detained a Palestinian woman at a checkpoint near Jenin in the northern West Bank, Palestinian security sources said. Kifah Imad Zeid, a university student, was trying to cross Umm Ar-Rayhan checkpoint into Israel with her father. Soldiers detained her and said the ID card and entry permit….

Israel to allow limited goods into Gaza
6/12/2011 – GAZA CITY (Ma’an) — Israeli authorities will allow limited deliveries of goods and humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip on Sunday, Palestinian officials said. Liaison officer Raed Fattouh told Ma’an that Israeli officials decided to allow 230 truckloads of supplies to enter Gaza through the southernmost Kerem Shalom crossing. Fattouh said 34….

Israel army detains 3 Palestinians in southern West Bank
6/12/2011 – BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) -Israeli armed forces detained two Palestinians from Bethlehem Sunday morning and officially summoned a third to the intelligence office for interrogation. According to witnesses, seven military jeeps invaded Al-Khas village east of Bethlehem and detained 21-year-old Ahmad Naji Salman after ransacking his home. In a separate incident, Israeli forces also….

Red Crescent medics treat settler woman after car crash
6/12/2011 – BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) — Medical staff with the Palestinian Red Crescent treated a settler woman Sunday afternoon when she was injured in a car accident near the Palestinian city of Bethlehem. Officials with the local Civil Defense Department told Ma’an that the woman, Moria Canal, sustained wounds to her left hand. After receiving….

Israel orders 3 settler buildings to be destroyed
6/12/2011 – JERUSALEM (AFP) — Defense Minister Ehud Barak has ordered Israeli forces to demolish three buildings in a West Bank settlement outpost within 45 days, Israeli media and his office said on Sunday. The move comes after the Israeli state told a court on Friday that it would remove the buildings, which are part of the Migron….

Erekat to diplomats: Peace talks, UN move not exclusive
6/12/2011 – JERICHO (Ma’an) — In a series of meetings with UN, US and French officials, PLO leader Saeb Erekat stressed the centrality of the 1967 borders in both continued efforts toward peace talks and a simultaneous move to garner UN support.” Settlement construction must end and a two-state solution must be based on the 1967….

Report: Egypt detains Israel ‘officer’ on spying charges
6/12/2011 – CAIRO (AFP) — Egyptian authorities have arrested an alleged Israeli officer working for the Mossad intelligence agency on charges of spying, the official MENA news agency reported on Sunday. The Supreme State Security prosecutor ordered the man’s detention for 15 days pending investigations into alleged “spying on Egypt with the aim of damaging its….

Fatah: Dahlan voted out of party
6/12/2011 – BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) — “Criminal acts” were cited as reasons behind the ouster of former Fatah strongman in Gaza Muhammad Dahlan from the party, a statement said Sunday. According to Al-Jazeera, President Mahmoud Abbas, the chairman of Fatah, has approved the decision of the committee. Details remain scant on an investigation that is said to…. Related: Fatah official denies ousting Dahlan and Fatah figure says Dahlan ousted

Palestine beats Italy club in friendly football match
6/12/2011 – HEBRON (Ma’an) — At the opening ceremony of the Dura football pitch, Palestine’s Olympic team beat out the Italian Olympia Club 3:0. The Sunday match, attended by Ramallah Prime minister Slam Fayyad, head of the Palestinian football federation Jibril Rjoub and deputy head of the Olympic committee Mario Bascanti. After the….

Netanyahu, ministers head to Italy
6/12/2011 – JERUSALEM (AFP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and nine Israeli ministers are headed to Italy on Sunday for two days of meetings with their Italian counterparts, an Israeli official said.” Netanyahu will leave for Italy this afternoon with nine ministers to take part in joint meetings of the two governments aimed at strengthening bilateral ties….

Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood attends Gaza funeral of Hamas leader
6/12/2011 – GAZA CITY (Ma’an) — Egypt’s Islamist movement, the Muslim Brotherhood, sent a small delegation to the Gaza Strip on Sunday, to extend the party’s condolences for the death of a Hamas leader earlier in the week. Hamas co-founder Mohammad Sham’ah died Friday at 76, after suffering from a….

Fatah figure says Dahlan ousted
6/12/2011 – RAMALLAH (AFP) — The central committee of the Fatah party led President Mahmoud Abbas has voted to expel strongman Mohammed Dahlan, a Fatah official said on Sunday. A committee member, speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity, said the movement was expelling Dahlan over allegations of corruption and murder, and recommending his case be referred to…. Related: Fatah official denies ousting Dahlan and Fatah: Dahlan voted out of party

Netanyahu arrives in Rome on diplomatic tour
6/12/2011 – ROME (AFP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attended a ceremony in Rome on Sunday in honor of captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, on the eve of diplomatic meetings in the Italian capital. Netanyahu is to meet Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi on Monday on a visit set to focus on Israel’s efforts to get….

Fatah official denies ousting Dahlan
6/12/2011 – RAMALLAH (Ma’an) — Fatah Central Committee member Jamal Muheisin denied reports on Sunday that the movement had ousted former party strongman Mohammad Dahlan. An unnamed Fatah official had told AFP that the party’s leadership decided to oust Dahlan during a meeting in Ramallah on Saturday. Muheisin told Ma’an Radio that…. Related: Fatah: Dahlan voted out of party and Fatah figure says Dahlan ousted

Syria slammed as refugees tell of atrocities
6/12/2011 – DAMASCUS, Syria (AFP) — Harrowing reports of atrocities committed during Syria’s crackdown on protesters, including deserting soldiers’ accounts of massacred civilians, sparked fresh international outrage on Saturday. UN chief Ban Ki-moon expressed concern at the mounting death toll, while the United States and the EU urged President Bashar Al-Assad to let aid workers….

Turkey votes, PM’s party poised to win
6/12/2011 – ANKARA, Turkey (AFP) — More than 50 million Turks will vote in parliamentary elections on Sunday as the Justice and Development Party (AKP), bolstered by economic stability in the country, seeks a straight third term in office. The popularity of charismatic 57-year-old Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who polls predict will grab an easy victory….

Syria army ‘takes control’ of Jisr al-Shughur
AlJazeera 12 Jun 2011 – Heavy clashes reported in northern flashpoint town where activists say troops have fought army defectors.

Turkey’s ruling AKP wins third term
AlJazeera 12 Jun 2011 – Prime Minister Erdogan’s party however fails to get enough seats to unilaterally rewrite country’s constitution.

Hamas rejects Fayyad as unity government head
AlJazeera 12 Jun 2011 – Fatah’s candidate accused by rival Palestinian faction of co-operating with Israel’s blockade of the Gaza Strip.

Jordan’s king promises democratic change
AlJazeera 12 Jun 2011 – Abdullah meets popular demand for elected cabinets but offers no timetable, saying sudden change could lead to “chaos”.

Reports: Sudanese troops to leave Abyei
AlJazeera 12 Jun 2011 – President Bashir said to have agreed to pull out forces from disputed region before July 9, when south is due to secede.

Egypt says Israeli spy arrested
AlJazeera 12 Jun 2011 – State TV says suspect arrived after January 25 revolution, seeking to “incite chaos and sectarian strife”.

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6/12/2011 – International Solidarity Movement – 10 June 2011, Salem-News – Middle east Teen Perspective by Jalal Abukhater Salem-News. com – A brief story of my suffering as a blue ID card holder and resident of the occupied city of Jerusalem. Building permits aren’t granted to Palestinians by the Israeli municipality, therefore they destroy their homes. I am considered under the…. Related: Source

Settler Torching of Ramallah-Area Mosque Part of Wider Israeli Strategy
Alternative Information Center – During the night of Monday 6 June, settlers entered the mosque of the Al-Mughair village, in the eastern part of the Ramallah district, setting it on fire and causing extensive damage. Such violence is part of…

Israel orders three settler buildings destroyed
Relief Web 12 Jun 2011 – Source: Agence France-Presse Country: occupied Palestinian territory JERUSALEM – Defence Minister Ehud Barak has ordered Israeli forces to demolish three buildings in a wildcat West Bank settlement outpost within 45 days, media and his office said on Sunday. The move…

Palestine Telegraph

Palestinian detainee goes on hunger strike
12 Jun 2011 – West Bank, (Pal Telegraph)-A Palestinian detainee decided to go on a hunger strike starting from Sunday to protest Israeli refusal to provide him with medical treatment and the inhumane policy they follow to deal with patient prisoners, according to Amjad Al-Najjar, the director of the Palestinian prisoner club in Hebron.

Israeli army burns agricultural lands near Qalqilya
12 Jun 2011 – West Bank, (Pal Telegraph)- Israeli soldiers set fire overnight to agricultural lands in Azoun Atme, a village in the West Bank city of Qalqilya without legal justification.

Israel arrests 3 international supporters in Beit Ummer
12 Jun 2011 – West Bank, (Pal Telegraph)-Israeli occupation forces detained yesterday three international activists and supporters who were trying to enter the town of Beit Ummer in the southern West Bank in order to participate in the nonviolent demonstration against Israeli settlements and the Apartheid Wall.

The National

Syrian troops storm rebel town of Jisr al Shughour
The National 12 Jun 2011 – More than 5,000 refugees have crossed the border into Turkey, with about 10,000 sheltering near the border, according to witnesses, as tanks and helicopters shell and machine-gun the town.

Green Movement still alive in Iran despite two years of repression say supporters
The National 12 Jun 2011 – Silent march by opposition in Tehran on anniversary of elections fails to reach goals, but Green Movement is ‘waiting for the chance to resurface and change the country’s political scene’, activists say.

Palestinian billionaire who helped push Fatah and Hamas together ponders his legacy
The National 12 Jun 2011 – Munib al Masri, chairman of the Palestinian territories’ most powerful conglomerate, Palestine Development and Investment Company, hopes that he will be remembered for bringing ‘reconciliation and independence’ to his people.

King of Jordan promises political reforms and parliamentary government
The National 12 Jun 2011 – Recommendations pave the way for an elected prime minister based on a parliamentary majority, but observers fear that ‘forces in the government not in favour of reform’ because changes may undermine authority of state could interfere and see recommendations shelved.

Woman who set fire to wedding tent, killing 57, has death penalty upheld in Kuwait
The National 12 Jun 2011 – Defence lawyer to ask victims’ families to call on emir to reduce sentence after Nasra Al Enezi was found guilty of premeditated murder for burning a tent packed with revellers celebrating her husband’s marriage to a second wife.

Yemen crisis talks fail as Saleh’s deputy shuns meetings
The National 12 Jun 2011 – Opposition parties demanding Ali Abdullah Saleh transfer power say that international efforts to broker an agreement have collapsed because Yemen’s acting leader, vice-president Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, will not talk to them.

Private sector in Saudi Arabia faces punishment for not cutting expat payroll
The National 12 Jun 2011 – Companies who fail to hire a sufficiently high proportion of Saudis will not be allowed to renew work permits for any of its foreign workers and will be denied services and licences by the ministry of labour.

Hamas rejects plan to retain Fatah’s Salam Fayyad as caretaker prime minister
The National 12 Jun 2011 – Role of Fayyad’s US-trained security services in the arrest of scores of Hamas members in the West Bank makes him unacceptable as caretaker prime minister before elections next year, Hamas says.

Ha’aretz

U.S. pressuring Netanyahu to accept Obama’s peace plan
Ha’aretz – Israeli source says Americans frustrated with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for hampering U.S. efforts to stop Palestinians trying UN route to statehood in September.

Abbas says prefers talks with Israel over UN vote on Palestinian state
Ha’aretz – Abbas tells a meeting with delegation of the Socialist International that his ‘first, third and second priorities’ are negotiations, but that all attempts to talk to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have failed.

As Syrian refugees flow into Turkey, Ankara still stands by Damascus
Ha’aretz – Haaretz’s Anshel Pfeffer reports from the Syrian-Turkish border.

Rightist MKs push new laws to crack down on NGOs deemed hostile to Israel
Ha’aretz – Two bills sponsored by MKs Uri Ariel and Zeev Elkin were submitted to Knesset last week; New initiatives would enable registrars to reject organizations that do not recognize ‘Israel’s Jewish and democratic character.’

Sweden-Israel handball game sparks anti-Israel protests
Ha’aretz – Around 150 people demonstrate at stadium in Karlskrona, southern Sweden, where the European Championship qualifier match was held; Sweden police say protest not likely to turn violent.

Detained lesbian blogger from Syria turns out to be a hoax
Ha’aretz – Real author of the blog ‘A Gay Girl in Damascus’, Tom MacMaster who is based in Turkey, posts apology but insists his fictitious account was truly reflective of the situation on the ground in Syria.

Three Israeli experiments conducted on American space shuttle Endeavor
Ha’aretz – Endeavor returned to earth from latest mission June 1 with material from two of the experiments; This is the first time an Israeli experiment has been sent to the International Space Station.

Donniel Hartman: Reflections on the Evil at Our Doorstep
Ha’aretz – Syrian barbarism is beyond a country’s right to its own internal affairs and requires action

Archaeologists unearth Acre church from the Byzantine Period
Ha’aretz – Discovery of public structure in north Israel city is breakthrough, first time Christian structure has been unearthed in Acre, a city said to have been highly influential in early years of Christianity.

Palestinian PM supports Israel’s Stanley Fischer for IMF top job
Ha’aretz – Salam Fayyad, former senior IMF official, says Bank of Israel governor would make a ‘great managing director’ for the world financial body.

22-year-old IDF officer dies after mysterious collapse
Ha’aretz – Member of the elite Maglan unit pronounced dead shortly after he suddenly collapses at IAF’s Tel Nof base; IDF sources believe officer died as a result of a medical problem.

Erdogan’s party wins third term in Turkey elections
Ha’aretz – Ruling AK Party wins election with 50.2 percent of the vote, but looked unlikely to get enough seats to call a referendum on a planned new constitution.

Turkey elections come to close with expectations of another Erdogan win
Ha’aretz – Polling stations close at 5 P.M., but reporting results is banned until 9 P.M.; no reports of trouble throughout elections day even in restive Kurdish region.

Palestinian unity in peril as Hamas rejects Fatah’s Fayyad as PM
Ha’aretz – Hamas announcement follows nomination of current PM Salam Fayyad to head a transitional Palestinian government; rejection marks a key setback in the reconciliation process.

Citigroup buying Ness Technologies for $307m
Ha’aretz – IT firm to be delisted from Nasdaq following deal.

Haaretz announces: Leonid Nevzlin acquires 20 percent of Haaretz shares
Ha’aretz – Joining the firm’s board of directors, Nevzlin acquisition leaves the Schocken family with a 60 percent stake in the company.

Out of gas: Electric Company stops talks with Tamar
Ha’aretz – The decision is the first repercussion after the state’s dramatic decision to impose price controls on natural gas.

Stanley Fischer faces uphill battle in race to become next IMF chief
Ha’aretz – Fischer’s main opponent Christine Lagarde poses fierce competition despite his proven suitability for position; Egypt and United Arab Emirates have already endorsed Lagarde.

Cycling tourists take back the night in Jerusalem
Ha’aretz – Geared toward those seeking a more active tour of the Holy City, Jerusalem Midnight Biking begins its run at 9:30 P.M. and ends at 1 A.M., offering a unique view of the capital.

IAF helicopter almost collides with civilian plane at Tel Aviv airport
Ha’aretz – An investigation into the near-collision at Tel Aviv’s Sde Dov airport shows neither the air traffic controller nor the helicopter pilot discerned the ‘close shave’ at the time of the incident.

Israel to demolish three buildings in illegal Migron outpost
Ha’aretz – State Attorney’s Office informs High Court that Ministry of Defense ‘will not put up with construction of new buildings in the outpost,’ and will be demolished within 45 days.

Something to declare
Ha’aretz – Who decides what to define as a work of art and what as a functional object? Not critics, not academic scholars, but customs officials. Designer Eyal Burstein wrote a book about this absurdity.

Egypt detains Israeli man on suspicion of spying
Ha’aretz – State news agency reports that the man will be detained for 15 days on suspicion of trying to recruit Egyptian youth to act against the authorities.

IAEA: Bombed Syrian plant linked to three more suspected nuclear sites
Ha’aretz – London-based Al-Hayat newspaper reveals correspondence between nuclear watchdog head and UN Secretary General, in which they discussed sites connected to Syria’s nuclear program.

Jerusalem Post

Gallery: Tayyip Erdogan wins third term as Turkish PM
Jeruslalem Post 13 Jun 2011 – Erdogan’s AK Party took nearly 50 percent of the vote, but will need to seek consensus to push through a new constitution.

Erdogan wins third term with nearly 50 percent of vote
Jeruslalem Post 13 Jun 2011 – Turkish Prime Minister’s party takes election but will need to seek consensus; Syria, economy likely to be primary focus; critics fear Erdogan may use election to limit freedoms and cement power.

Jordan King promises to speed democratic reforms
Jeruslalem Post 13 Jun 2011 – King Abdullah promises cabinet elections via parliamentary majority; emphasizes his belief that street protests will only cause chaos.

‘Gay Girl in Damascus’ writer admits blog is fake
Jeruslalem Post 13 Jun 2011 – Chronicles of lesbian living in Damascus were in fact written by Istanbul man; writer apologies but says site exposed truths about Assad’s regime.

ADL urges FIBA to rethink ‘discriminatory’ uniform policy
Jeruslalem Post 12 Jun 2011 – Israeli national team player Naama Shafir has been forbidden to wear a T-shirt under her uniform; says she will not play if cannot dress modestly.

Muhammed Dahlan, Abbas’s rival, kicked out of Fatah
Jeruslalem Post 12 Jun 2011 – Former strongman of Mahmoud Abbas’s movement has been voted out following an inquiry into corruption, Palestinian News Agency Ma’an reports.

Turkey’s Erdogan promises consensus after big win
Jeruslalem Post 12 Jun 2011 – Reigning AK Party wins third term in office; Syria and economy likely to top agendy; consensus needed to push through new constitution.

3 Hebrew U. professors win prestigious science prize
Jeruslalem Post 12 Jun 2011 – Senior faculty members are recipients of Kaye Innovation Awards for multi-year research projects; will receive prizes June 21.

19 Kollel students join Traffic Police in pilot project
Jeruslalem Post 12 Jun 2011 – Haredi men join police rather than military for mandatory service; ‘The police sees great importance in growing closer to haredi society.’

UK couple to honor promise to Ben-Gurion, make aliya
Jeruslalem Post 12 Jun 2011 – Geoffrey Rogg and his wife Zipora set to arrive in August on Nefesh B’Nefesh flight; Rogg made pledge to live in Israel in 1970.

US Rep. Giffords releases first post-shooting photos
Jeruslalem Post 12 Jun 2011 – Jewish congresswoman may be released from hospital soon; photographs show incredible progress since she was shot in head.

Grants for students living in J’lem center to end
Jeruslalem Post 12 Jun 2011 – New scholarships will encourage living in periphery neighborhoods; grants were funded by gov’t to encouraged youth to keep city center lively.

Katz to shut down trains unless new safeties implemented
Jeruslalem Post 12 Jun 2011 – Required changes must be made to Israel Railways by August 17 to avert closures; workers union says they are ready to negotiate.

State vows to demolish Migron outpost homes in 45 days
Jeruslalem Post 12 Jun 2011 – Demolition will mark first time gov’t razes permanent structures in a West Bank outpost since bulldozing of Amona homes in 2006.

Syrian troops storm northwestern town
Jeruslalem Post 12 Jun 2011 – State news agency claims army found mass grave of mutilated soldiers who were killed by ‘terrorists’ in Jisr al-Shughour.

Turkey’s Erdogan wins election with reduced majority
Jeruslalem Post 12 Jun 2011 – Reigning AK Party wins 49.9% of vote, not enough to call referendum on planned new constitution; “The people gave us a message to build the new constitution through consensus and negotiation,” he says in victory speech.

Who we are and what we seek
Jeruslalem Post 12 Jun 2011 – What participants in the upcoming flotilla to Gaza want Israelis to know.

Schwimmer’s choice
Jeruslalem Post 12 Jun 2011 – Schwimmer will be best remembered for his decision to ignore the strict letter of the law for a greater good.

Under no illusions
Jeruslalem Post 12 Jun 2011 – The president of the European Parliament on achieving a lasting resolution to the conflict.

‘Most Latin American nations rethinking PA’s UN bid’
Jeruslalem Post 12 Jun 2011 – Deputy FM Ayalon returns from Organization of American States meeting, tells ‘Post’ “we stopped the [Palestinian] momentum in Latin America.”

Out and proud in Tel Aviv
Jeruslalem Post 12 Jun 2011 – This year I took great pride in joining the thousands of people who filled the streets to rejoice in our ability to be a free people in our own land

Bright spots and dark horizons
Jeruslalem Post 12 Jun 2011 – Israel has some way to go before it becomes a fully tolerant, open society.

Jews and capitalism
Jeruslalem Post 12 Jun 2011 – What does Judaism have to say about the free market and social/moral progress?

The mind of the Arab tyrant
Jeruslalem Post 12 Jun 2011 – Although by no means reserved for Middle Eastern dictators, delusion and absolute rule have a long history in the region

Fatah nominates Fayyad as PM; Hamas rejects him
Jeruslalem Post 12 Jun 2011 – Ahead of a scheduled meeting in Cairo to hammer out the make-up of PA unity government, Hamas blames Fayyad for plunging PA into deep debt.

Turkey’s Erdogan set for victory with reduced majority
Jeruslalem Post 12 Jun 2011 – With 90 percent of ballots counted, AKP has 50.2% of vote; unlikely to get enough seats to call a referendum on a planned new constitution.

Israel denies connection to alleged spy caught in Egypt
Jeruslalem Post 12 Jun 2011 – Man reported to be Israeli intelligence officer was allegedly active in Cairo’s Tahrir Square, “inciting youths toward sectarian strife.”

Count in Turkey’s election points to Erdogan victory
Jeruslalem Post 12 Jun 2011 – With 50 percent of votes counted, Erdogan’s AKP has 53% of vote; Turkish TV projects party will win 331 seats, enough for constitution referendum.

Untangling the Web: Tweets across the Middle East
Jeruslalem Post 12 Jun 2011 – A new Jpost column on the ever-changing world of news online: Social media stakes its place via Iran protests, Haiti’s quake and the Arab Spring.

Tel Aviv ranked world’s 29th-most expensive city
Jeruslalem Post 12 Jun 2011 – ECA International survey places Tel Aviv and Jerusalem in the top fifty, ahead of all other Middle-Eastern cities; Tokyo ranks number one.

The Guardian

Bedouin children hope their West Bank school will be spared Israel’s bulldozers
The Guardian 12 Jun 2011 – Pupils who scramble through drainage pipe to attend school wonder if their tyre and mud building will still be there next term Each morning, they scrabble through a drainage pipe under a busy main road slicing…

Eyewitness: Mount Gerizim, West Bank
The Guardian 12 Jun 2011 – Photographs from the Guardian Eyewitness series

Inter Press Service

MIDEAST: Fishing Under Fire
IPS In Gaza’s main port, beyond the newly-built memorial to the Freedom Flotilla martyrs, Gaza’s fishermen prepare to go out trawling at shallow depths in Palestinian waters. Other fishers stay on land to mend nets and fix boats damaged or destroyed by Israeli navy gunfire, shelling, water cannoning and even ramming….

Dialysis patients at high risk amid Gaza drug shortage
Uruknet June 12, 2011 – Dialysis patients in the Gaza Strip are at high risk as the medical supply crisis maintains a standstill, warned Adham Abu Salmiyya, the Strip’s supreme emergency committee spokesman, on Sunday. With a shortage in 180 essential medical items and some 200 medical disposables, the decline could lead to the deaths of many of Gaza’s…

Hamas: No role for Fayyad in unity govt
Uruknet June 12, 2011 – Hamas on Sunday rejected Fatah’s proposal to appoint Salam Fayyad to head the new unity government, said senior Hamas leader Salah Al-Bardawil. “Hamas will not agree on Salam Fayyad as a prime minister, or even a minister in the upcoming unity government,” Al-Bardawil said in a statement. Fatah’s central committee selected Fayyad, who currently…

Gaza: Fishing Under Fire in Swimming Waters
Uruknet June 12, 2011 – In Gaza’s main port, beyond the newly-built memorial to the Freedom Flotilla martyrs, Gaza’s fishermen prepare to go out trawling at shallow depths in Palestinian waters. Other fishers stay on land to mend nets and fix boats damaged or destroyed by Israeli navy gunfire, shelling, water cannoning and even ramming. Such moves as the…

Report: Egypt detains Israel ‘officer’ on spying charges
Uruknet June 12, 2011 — Egyptian authorities have arrested an alleged Israeli officer working for the Mossad intelligence agency on charges of spying, the official MENA news agency reported on Sunday. The Supreme State Security prosecutor ordered the man’s detention for 15 days pending investigations into alleged “spying on Egypt with the aim of damaging its economic and political…

The Fire This Time. Pentagon Ramps-Up Cyberwar Plans
Uruknet June 12, 2011 – As the Obama administration expands Bush-era surveillance programs over the nation’s electronic communications’ infrastructure, recent media reports provide tantalizing hints of Pentagon plans for waging cyberwar against imperialism’s geopolitical rivals. On May 31, The Wall Street Journal disclosed that the Pentagon now asserts “that computer sabotage coming from another country can constitute an act…

Syrian troops bombard border town as refugees flee
Uruknet June 12, 2011 – Heavy shelling and gunfire has rocked the Syrian town of Jisr al-Shughour, two days into a military assault that has caused more than 5,000 refugees to flee into neighbouring Turkey. The continued assault suggests some groups in the town are resisting the armed forces as the regime tries to crush a sustained challenge to…

US: Arms deals with Egypt to continue
Uruknet June 11, 2011 – US arms sales to Egypt have been unaffected by the uprising that ousted President Hosni Mubarak in February, the Pentagon official in charge of carrying out such programs has said. “We continue to do with Egypt what we were doing before the Arab Spring, if you will,” Vice Admiral William Landay, head of the…

Panetta: Escalate Shadow Wars, Expand Black Ops
Uruknet June 11, 2011 – Icing Osama bin Laden? Just the beginning, once Leon Panetta makes it to the Pentagon. At his Thursday confirmation hearing to become secretary of defense, CIA Director Panetta made a broad case for expanding the U.S.’ already extensive shadow wars. Now that bin Laden is dead, “we’ve got to keep the pressure up,” Panetta…

A concerted effort from Europe against Israeli produce exporter Agrexco
Uruknet June 11, 2011 – This past weekend in the Montpellier, France, over 100 activists from 9 countries gathered for the first ever European Forum Against Agrexco. Delegates from Italy, UK, Switzerland, Belgium, Netherlands, Spain, Germany and Palestine joined the French organizers for two full days of workshops aimed at strengthening the boycott campaign against the Israeli agricultural export…

Military Resistance 9F 6: Syrian Soldiers In Revolt
Uruknet Eight members of the Ba’ath Party, Syria’s ruling party, resigned in Idlib on Friday,according to a list of names circulated by activists, while a high-ranking military officersent a taped message to a TV station to say he is defecting. Four young conscripts from Idlib defected from the army and joined the protestmovement, according to one of them.Taha Alloush,…

Gaddafi regime staked ¬£12bn on secret deal in bid to open peace talks
Uruknet June 11, 2011 – The Libyan regime has been negotiating a secret deal with Greece to use $20bn (¬£12bn) of its funds that are frozen abroad for humanitarian relief to benefit both sides in the civil war. Officials in Tripoli say the move is intended to pave the way for the opening of peace talks. The Independent has…

Kucinich Speaks Out About Assassination Attempts on Gaddafi, Contacts UN and ICC Asks for Enforcement of International Law
Uruknet June 11, 2011 – Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) today released the following statement and sent the attached letter to the United Nations (U.N.) and the International Criminal Court (ICC) following reports that NATO believes Gaddafi is a legitimate target in Libya: “Just as the President has written himself a blank check to go to war in Libya without…

Israeli soldier to activists who were detained near Beit Ommar: “I could kill you.”
Uruknet June 11, 2011 – On Saturday June 11 three International Solidarity Movement activists were stopped by the Israeli army when trying to enter the village of Beit Ommar in the southern West Bank. The activists were going to participate in a non-violent demonstration against the illegal settlements in the area. As the activists tried to enter the village…

NATO airstrike killed an Algerian family in Libya
Uruknet June 11, 2011 – NATO forces planes, conducting raids against Libya, have killed an Algerian family in the oil city of Ben Jawad, near Ras Lanuf. The Algerian family, from the town of Hassi Bahbah in southern Algeria, consisted of the wife, Benkacem Nicira, 41 and her two son, Sadiki Abdelmalek, 22, and Bilal, 19. According to relatives…

Saturday: 38 Iraqis Killed, 53 Wounded
Uruknet June 11, 2011 – At least 38 Iraqis were killed and 53 more were wounded in today’s violence. Mosul was the hardest hit. Meanwhile, relations between Iraq and one U.S. lawmaker have created some new tensions in the last day. Iraq has asked that U.S. Rep. Dana Rohrabacher leave the country after he said that Iraq should partly…

Breaches of international law lay behind unrest on Israeli-occupied Syrian Golan Heights
Uruknet June 11, 2011 – Many media reports of the confrontations on the Golan Heights on 5 June did not accurately represent the background to the protests. The Guardian reported on 6 June that the clashes occurred “on the Syrian border” and their analysts referred to “deliberate antagonism of Israel by the Syrian regime”. On the same day a…

2 Detained, Blindfolded by Israeli Military in Illegal Demolition Near Al Hadidya, Jordan Valley
Uruknet June 11, 2011 – At 3pm yesterday 2 army jeeps carrying 8 soldiers came to the home of the Oudeh family. They demanded that the family take down their tent house and their two animal shelters. The army did not present the family with a demolition order or any other documents requiring the family to leave their land….

Tunisian border point swamped by refugees after bombing of Libyan capital
Uruknet June 11, 2011 – The flow of refugees from Libya reached a new peak on Friday as thousands of cars queued up since the early hours of the morning to cross the Ras El Jedir border point into Tunisia, the official press agency TAP reported on Saturday. The number of refugees from various nationalities fleeing the heavy bombing…

Remember when…?- The Suffering of Christians in Palestine
Uruknet Nine years ago, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) invaded Bethlehem as part of an operation across the West Bank cities. They tried to capture “wanted” Palestinians in an attempt to stop the operations against Israel at that time. On April the 2nd, the Israeli troops surrounded the Nativity Church where around 220 Palestinians and monks resided. As it is…

Israel Responds to Flotilla Pressure by “Allowing More Crumbs” into Gaza
Uruknet June 11, 2011 – Israel’s announcement that it is “allowing between 210 and 220” trucks into Gaza with humanitarian aid is a direct response to the pressure that the upcoming Freedom Flotilla II is creating. Since July 2007, Israel has kept the number of allowed trucks at 25% of what the pre-blockade numbers were and of what is…

Daily Star

Turkey’s Erdogan wins parliamentary polls
Daily Star 12 Jun 2011 Turkey’s ruling party won a third term in parliamentary elections Sunday, setting the stage for the rising regional power to pursue trademark economic growth, assertive diplomacy and an overhaul of the military-era constitution.

Jordan’s king bows to demand for elected Cabinets
Daily Star 12 Jun 2011 Jordan’s king bowed to popular demands for elected Cabinets Sunday but gave no timetable, saying that sudden change could lead to chaos and unrest in this country that has averted the turmoil seen in other Arab…

Scorched earth in north Syria
Daily Star 12 Jun 2011 Syrian tanks and helicopters stormed the town of Jisr al-Shughour Sunday, residents said, and state television reported heavy clashes between army troops and gunmen opposed to President Bashar Assad.

Hajj Hassan: EU vegetable imports to resume today
Daily Star 12 Jun 2011 Lebanon will resume vegetable imports from Europe Monday, according to the caretaker agriculture minister, who assured the public that produce in the country is safe.

Dead cows wash up south of Batroun over weekend
Daily Star 12 Jun 2011 Dead cows washed up on beaches just south of Batroun over the weekend, after initial sightings were reported off the coast last week.

Major fire near Tripoli’s oil refinery contained
Daily Star 12 Jun 2011 A major fire that erupted near Tripoli’s oil refinery in the Baddawi area was contained Sunday evening, the National News Agency reported.

A dog’s day at Beirut’s Hippodrome
Daily Star 12 Jun 2011 The third annual BETA Spring Dog Festival culminated with a dog show over the weekend, when the Beirut Hippodrome was filled with hundreds of dogs and their owners, entering into a wide range of categories.

Patriarchs Garden works begin ahead of Rai’s arrival
Daily Star 12 Jun 2011 Renovations of the Patriarchs Garden in the north Lebanon mountainous village of Diman have started in preparation for the arrival of Maronite Patriarch Beshara Rai to his summer residence.

Traffic accident claims lives of 2 French nationals
Daily Star 12 Jun 2011 Two French citizens died in a car accident in the Bekaa Valley Sunday.

Lebanese graduates face bleak future
Daily Star 12 Jun 2011 Life trajectory in the 21st century is supposed to be clear cut: Study hard, go to a good university and secure a solid job upon graduation.

After three stints as prime minister, what next for Erdogan?
Daily Star 12 Jun 2011 Having handed Recep Tayyip Erdogan his third term as prime minister, the question for many Turks today is whether his next stop will be the presidency.

Protesters gather in Tunis to demand release of jailed police critic
Daily Star 12 Jun 2011 About 150 people protested in the center of the Tunisian capital Sunday, demanding the release of Samir Feriani, a police employee who was jailed after he publicly criticized the Interior Ministry.

Yemen opposition: Talks over after Saleh government snub
Daily Star 12 Jun 2011 Talks to resolve Yemen’s political crisis have failed after the deputy to wounded President Ali Abdullah Saleh refused to speak with groups demanding he cede power immediately, opposition figures said.

Iran government forces attack rally: reformist website
Daily Star 12 Jun 2011 Iran’s opposition website Sahamnews said security forces attacked pro-reform protesters gathering in Tehran Sunday to mark the anniversary of the disputed 2009 presidential election.

Egypt’s state security detains suspected Israeli spy
Daily Star 12 Jun 2011 Egypt arrested an Israeli man Sunday suspected of spying and recruiting agents to destabilize Egypt and sow strife after President Hosni Mubarak was forced to step down Feb. 11, the prosecutor and judicial sources said.

Rival Iraq MPs come to blows in cafe: Parliament source
Daily Star 12 Jun 2011 Two rival Iraqi lawmakers came to blows Sunday at a time of rising tension between Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s Shiite bloc and a Sunni-backed alliance, according to a parliamentary source.

Sudan’s Bashir agrees to pull troops out of Abyei region
Daily Star 12 Jun 2011 Sudan’s president agreed to pull northern troops out of the disputed Abyei border region before the South secedes on July 9, diplomats said Sunday, signalling possible progress in talks before the split.

Hamas rejects Fayyad as next Palestinian prime minister
Daily Star 12 Jun 2011 The Hamas militant group rejected the rival Fatah movement’s nominee for prime minister Sunday, complicating plans to unify the dueling governments in the West Bank and Gaza Strip and jeopardizing international aid for the Palestinians.

Bahrain puts 2 Shiite former MPs on trial
Daily Star 12 Jun 2011 A Bahraini special court Sunday began the trial of two former Shiite MPs accused of calling for regime change and spreading rumors linked to pro-democracy protests crushed in mid-March.

Rebels fight for second day near Tripoli
Daily Star 12 Jun 2011 Rebels fought forces loyal to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi for a second day in the town of Zawiyah Sunday, bringing the revolt against his rule to within about 20 kilometers of the capital.

Volunteers keep rebellion against Gadhafi alive
Daily Star 12 Jun 2011 As the war against Moammar Gadhafi drags on, rebel stocks of food and functioning weapons are dwindling and an army of volunteers has emerged to keep the campaign afloat.

Crews try to put out fire near Lebanon oil refinery
Daily Star 12 Jun 2011 Response teams are trying to put out a massive fire that erupted on the premises of an oil refinery in north Lebanon Sunday.

Egypt detains Israel ‘officer’ on spying charges: report
Daily Star 12 Jun 2011 Egyptian authorities have arrested an alleged Israeli officer working for the Mossad intelligence agency on charges of spying, the official MENA news agency reported Sunday.

Bahrain woman gets year in jail for critical poems
Daily Star 12 Jun 2011 A 20-year-old woman who recited poems critical of Bahrain’s rulers — and later claimed she was beaten in jail — was sentenced Sunday to a year in prison as part of the kingdom’s crackdown on Shiite…

Lebanon’s top dogs strut their stuff
Daily Star 12 Jun 2011 The third annual BETA Spring Dog Festival culminated with a dog show Saturday, when the Beirut Hippodrome was filled with hundreds of dogs and their owners, entering into a wide range of categories.

8 rescued off Lebanese coast
Daily Star 12 Jun 2011 Eight people were rescued from drowning Sunday while swimming at five different beaches throughout Lebanon when they encountered strong waves that swept them out to sea.

Hezbollah, Amal clash in southern Beirut suburb
Daily Star 12 Jun 2011 Members of the Amal Movement and Hezbollah clashed in the early hours of Sunday in Beirut’s southern suburbs, according to police sources.

Second day of fighting near Libya’s capital
Daily Star 12 Jun 2011 Rebels fought forces loyal to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi for a second day in the town of Zawiyah Sunday, bringing the revolt against his rule to within a few kilometres (miles) of the capital.

Iraq MPs come to blows in cafe: parliament source
Daily Star 12 Jun 2011 Two rival Iraqi lawmakers came to blows on Sunday at a time of rising tension between Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki’s Shiite bloc and the opposition, a parliamentary source told AFP.

Thousands rally for reform in Bahrain
Daily Star 12 Jun 2011 Thousands of Bahrainis shouting “we are victorious” gathered for a rally for political reform Saturday, in the first large demonstration since the Gulf Arab state crushed a democracy protest movement in March.

Two French die in car accident in east Lebanon
Daily Star 12 Jun 2011 Two French citizens died in a car crash on the outskirts of Bekaa Sunday.

Rally held for missing Syrian in Aley
Daily Star 12 Jun 2011 Around 200 people gathered in the town of Aley Saturday night to demonstrate against the apparent kidnapping of a Syrian activist who has been missing for over two weeks. Leading the demonstration was prominent Druze MP…

Environmentalists, tuna fishers battle at sea
Daily Star 12 Jun 2011 Tuna fishermen battled environmentalists on the Mediterranean, hurling heavy links of chain at them as the environmentalists attempted to disrupt illegal tuna fishing under the no-fly zone north of Libya on Saturday.

YNet News

Erdogan’s party leads in first count
YNet News, 12 Jun 2011 – Election Day: Turkey’s ruling party leads with 53% of votes after half counted,….

Cop guilty of sex crime against Palestinian
YNet News, 12 Jun 2011 – Officer serving in minority unit admits to taking advantage of Palestinian….

Volunteers protest National Service bill
YNet News, 12 Jun 2011 – Kadima MK’s bid to revoke right of HR groups which contributed to Goldstone….

Israeli’s Nobel Prize nod gains momentum
YNet News, 12 Jun 2011 – Intellectuals worldwide aim to see renowned psychologist Prof. Reuven Feuerstein….

MoD recognizes 1978 trauma victim
YNet News, 12 Jun 2011 – Incident involving discharged bullet, FBI agents during Camp David Accords has….

Iran: Israel nuclear threat to Mideast
YNet News, 12 Jun 2011 – Tehran convenes NPT summit, urges international community to pressure Israel….

Syrian army defectors recall horrific massacre
YNet News, 12 Jun 2011 – Deserters fleeing to Turkey tell of atrocities committed by soldiers under….

Hamas-Fatah at odds over future premiership
YNet News, 12 Jun 2011 – Fatah’s wish to see current Palestinian PM continue as head of future unity….

IAEA: Syria camouflaging atom work
YNet News, 12 Jun 2011 – London’s Arab paper reveals IAEA-UN letters on Syria’s nuclear efforts, says it….

Fayyad nominated to head Palestinian government
YNet News, 12 Jun 2011 – Fatah movement names current Palestinian PM its nominee to head a transitional….

Barak braces for ‘sensitive’ China visit
YNet News, 11 Jun 2011 – Defense minister to be first in 10 years to visit state with which relations….

Pollard: Let me see dying father
YNet News, 11 Jun 2011 – Jonathan Pollard’s relatives issue plea for compassionate leave from US….

Palestinian Information Center

Bardawil: Hamas will not accept Fayyad as premier or minister
PIC – Hamas leader Dr. Salah Al-Bardawil has said that his movement would not accept the nomination of Salam Fayyad as premier or even a minister in the new unity government.

Official report shows increase in holy site attacks
PIC – An official Palestinian report shows a marked increase in Jewish settler attacks against Islamic and Christian holy sites in the West Bank and Jerusalem.

IOF soldiers detain Palestinian young woman at roadblock, 3 others in WB
PIC – Israeli occupation forces (IOF) detained a Palestinian young woman at Um Al-Rihan roadblock to the west of Jenin city on Sunday morning, eyewitnesses reported.

Mousa: Hamas participation in gov’t protected resistance, stopped concessions
PIC – Hamas MP Yehya Mousa has said that his movement’s participation in governance had protected resistance and halted sliding into more concessions.

Family of Jenin prisoner appeal for urgent medical treatment
PIC – Family members of Palestinian prisoner Ahmed Abul Rub have said that their son held in the Israeli jail of Askalan was in very poor health condition and could die any moment.

Gaza prisoners complain of neglect
PIC – The Gaza prisoners in Israeli Shatta jail castigated the Red Cross as well as Palestinian institutions concerned with prisoners for ignoring their issue.

Dialysis patients at high risk amid Gaza drug shortage
PIC – Dialysis patients in the Gaza Strip are at high risk as the medical supply crisis maintains a standstill, warned Adham Abu Salmiyya, the Strip’s supreme emergency committee spokesman, on Sunday.

UNICEF monitors escalation in Israeli attacks on Palestinian children
PIC – An international report published on Sunday monitored a noticeable escalation in Israeli targeting of Palestinian children over a period of two months.

UNRWA: May saw record highs in children displaced in West Bank demolitions
PIC – A monthly report by the UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) shows record highs in children displaced in West Bank home demolitions.

British delegation to assess West Bank barrier, settlement construction
PIC – A delegation including members of British parliament and civil society organizations landed Sunday in Qalqilya province in the West Bank to gather facts on the effects of the separation barrier.

Relatives of prisoners demand end to humiliating search
PIC – 12/06/2011 – 08:26 AM

Women’s affairs ministry condemns ‘humiliating’ HaSharon strip search
PIC – 12/06/2011 – 08:35 AM

Fatah Central Committee Expels Dahlan
WAFA

Erekat: UN Recognition Not Impediment to Peace Process
WAFA

Palestinian Prisoner Goes on Hunger Strike in Asqalan
WAFA

Israeli Army Seals Off Nablus Area Village
WAFA

Los Angeles Times

Turkey elections likely to reshape constitution
LA Times 11 Jun 2011 – The suspense over Sunday’s vote centers on Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and whether his party makes enough gains to solidify his status as leader. Turkish voters head to the polls Sunday for critical parliamentary elections that will likely shape the country’s constitution, its conflict…

In Libya, sustained fighting renewed near capital
LA Times 11 Jun 2011 – The battles in a strategic port and refinery city mark the latest blow for Moammar Kadafi’s regime. New explosions rock Tripoli as intensified NATO raids continue. Rebels and forces loyal to Moammar Kadafi were battling near a strategic port and refinery city in western Libya…

Protesters may not get a say in Yemen’s future
LA Times 11 Jun 2011 – Despite their tenacity and desire to fashion a new order, protesters face a threat that it is the contest between President Saleh’s family and a rival clan that will decide what change, if any, comes. For months, the protesters have made their home in Change…

New York Times

Syrian Troops Retake Control of Rebellious Town in North
New York Times 12 Jun 2011 – Syrian troops backed by tanks and helicopter gunships smashed what remained of an armed uprising in Jisr al-Shoughour, after thousands of residents fled into neighboring Turkey.

Libyan Leaders Defiant as Battle Rages at Oil City
New York Times 12 Jun 2011 – As loyalist forces clashed for a second day with rebels around Zawiya, a strategic oil city, the Qaddafi government told the “ugly, evil forces of NATO” to accept that the rebel cause was doomed.

King of Jordan Promises Elections, but Doesn’t Say When
New York Times 12 Jun 2011 – A speech by King Abdullah II, on the 12th anniversary of his coronation, generates little excitement among pro-democracy groups.

Zev Birger, Jerusalem Book Fair Leader, Dies at 85
New York Times 12 Jun 2011 – Mr. Birger was a Holocaust survivor and former official of the young state of Israel who turned the book fair into a thriving literary event.

Police Break Up Protest in Iran
New York Times 12 Jun 2011 – Hundreds of people had gathered in Tehran on Sunday to mark the second anniversary of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s re-election.

Hamas Rejects Fatah’s Choice for Prime Minister
New York Times 12 Jun 2011 – Hamas’s rejection of the nomination of Salam Fayyad complicates unification plans and could jeopardize foreign aid for the Palestinians.

Misc

mily: ‘Times New Roman’; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; font-size: medium;”>New map: the West Bank, Settlements and the Separation Barrier, June 2011
B’tselem 12 Jun 2011 – 12 June ’11 http://www.btselem.org/maps B’Tselem today launches its new and updated map of the Israeli settlements in the West Bank. for the first time, B’Tselem’s map also includes the “unauthorised outposts” which are illegal even under Israeli law, built around some settlements. The map depicts the most up-to-date route of the separation barrier, including recent changes in the wall near the Palestinian communities in Wadi Rasha near Qalkiliya, the route south of Jayyus, and route in Bil’in, and the progress in the barrier’s construction.

Bedouin community in firing zone, near Route 578 (Derech Alon).
B’tselem 12 Jun 2011 – 8 February ’11 activestills.org Keren Manor

‘Gay Girl in Damascus’ deceit has damaged the cause
Mondoweiss – Following a successful investigation by Ali Abunimah and Benjamin Doherty atthe Electronic Intifada, the writer behind the ‘A Gay Girl in Damascus’ blog, which purported to be by a Syrian-American woman, ‘Amina Arraf’, has revealed himself to be an American man, Tom MacMaster. It was this…

Jack Ross, new author, says Israel lobby captured the Jewish establishment in ’58 but here come the ruby slippers
Mondoweiss – “Rabbi Outcast,” Jack Ross’s biography of the late anti-Zionist rabbi Elmer Berger , was published this weekend and is already being cheered . I’ll try and get a review up in the next few days, though I’d point to passages like this one, in the Epilogue, that typify…

Over 1,180 Palestinians displaced and affected by Israeli demolitions in the West Bank so far in 2011
Mondoweiss – link to 972mag.com link to www.haaretz.com link to 972mag.com link to 972mag.com link to www.palestine-info.co.uk link to www.maannews.net link to www.ynetnews.com link to www.maannews.net link to www.maannews.net link to mondoweiss.net link to www.didyoulearnanything.net link to www.youtube.com link to ingaza.wordpress.com link to www.alresalah.ps link to www.maannews.net link…

Nabi Saleh attempts to peacefully protest for its water rights and against the occupation
Mondoweiss – Video from the June 10 protest in Nabi Saleh. My first taste of ‘fire’ today, 10 June 2011, in solidarity with the pastoral Palestinian village of Nebi Saleh. Like everyone else, first-timers and seasoned demonstrators, I was shocked at the violence used by the soldiers against…

May was deadliest month for civilians in Afghanistan (and US-NATO role is whitewashed!)
Mondoweiss – This piece was posted at Martin Iqbal’s Empirestrikesblack: A 11 June press statement from the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan slates May 2011 as the deadliest month for Afghan civilians since at least 2007. However this big-hearted announcement conceals a grossly pernicious attempt to cover…

Palestinian Entrepreneur Key to Hamas-Fatah Unity Deal, Talks Tough in Maariv Interview
Tikun Olam – Munib al-Masri, Palestinian entrepreneur instrumental in orchestrating Hamas-Fatah reconciliation, stands before his Venetian-style villa on Mt. Gerizim (Reuven Castro) Robert Fisk has penned a major story about billionaire businessman Munib al-Masri, the wealthiest Palestinian perhaps in the Middle East, who played a key role in bringing…

Misc 2

Jordan king announces key reforms
BBC 12 Jun 2011 – Jordan’s King Abdullah bows to demands for reform, giving up his right to appoint prime ministers and cabinets.

Jailed Iran hunger striker dies
BBC 12 Jun 2011 – Iranian dissident journalist and political activist Hoda Saber, imprisoned last year, dies of a heart attack while on hunger strike.

Hamas rejects Fatah’s PM nominee
BBC 12 Jun 2011 – Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas rejects rival Fatah’s nomination of Salam Fayyad for the post of prime minister in a transitional government.

Articles

I’m either an illegal citizen of one state, or an inferior citizen in another
Jalal Abukhater, Salem-News, International Solidarity Movement6/12/2011
10 June 2011, Salem-News – Middle east Teen Perspective by Jalal Abukhater Salem-News.com – A brief story of my suffering as a blue ID card holder and resident of the occupied city of Jerusalem.
I am considered under the Israeli law to be an illegal citizen of the Palestinian West Bank and I am supposed to avoid it as an area of danger while Jewish settlers are allowed to come from all over the world and settle legally (under Israeli law) in the Palestinian West Bank.
I am a Palestinian who lives in the occupied eastern part of Jerusalem. I am required to carry around my blue identification card which permits me to cross checkpoints daily from my house in Jerusalem to my school in Ramallah and vice versa. Carrying the blue identification card enables me to travel “freely” across the West Bank and 1948 Palestine while those carrying West Bank and Gaza IDs are not able to leave those areas without special Israeli issued permits. Having said that, however, carrying this blue ID is more of a curse than it is a blessing.
I am not a full citizen of the state of “Israel”, Neither am I a full citizen under the Palestinian authority. I am not even Jordanian, I do not carry any official nationality nor am I allowed to carry any. I carry a semi-Israeli passport and a “temporary” Jordanian issued semi-passport. Living under this circumstance is extremely unbearable.
Arabs living in 1948 Palestine (Israel) do have full Israeli “official” citizenship, Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza are considered officially Palestinians and do carry official citizenships. Whenever I am asked to fill any kind of a form which asks who I am and where do I live, I fill in nationality as Jordanian and address as Jerusalem, Israel…. — See also: Source more.. e-mail

What have Obama and Netanyahu wrought?
Henry Siegman, 6/8/2011
What conclusions are to be drawn about the state of Middle East peacemaking from the extraordinary spectacle of the adversarial encounter between President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and their several major adversarial addresses in the second half of May?
The spectacle did not bring an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement any closer. Indeed, Netanyahu’s address to the U.S. Congress, no less than Congress’s reaction to that speech, effectively buried the Middle East peace process for good. For what America’s solons were jumping up and down to applaud so wildly as they pandered pathetically to the Israel lobby was Netanyahu’s rejection of a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict, thus endorsing his determination to maintain permanently Israel’s colonial project in the West Bank.
If Netanyahu succeeds in his objective, these members of Congress will be able to take credit for an Israeli apartheid regime that former Prime Ministers Ehud Barak, Ariel Sharon, and Ehud Olmert predicted would be the inescapable consequence of policies the congressmen cheered and promised to continue to support as generously as they have in the past.
Unfortunately, it is an outcome made more likely by Obama’s insistence that a United Nations resolution could never bring about Palestinian statehood. He was wrong about that. That the United Nations can create a state was affirmed and celebrated not by enemies of Israel but in Israel’s own Declaration of Independence of 1948. It is the U.N. Partition Resolution of 1947, not negotiations between the Jews and Arabs of Palestine, that is cited in that declaration as having brought about the state of Israel and the source of its legitimacy. more.. e-mail

Iran and the issue of nuclear weapons
Lawrence Davidson, Redress6/11/2011
Is there an Iranian nuclear weapons programme?
On Friday 3 June 2011 the investigative reporter Seymour Hersh gave an interview to Amy Goodman for the radio programme Democracy Now! The topic was Iran and whether or not it is developing nuclear weapons. Hersh answered this question definitively for Goodman as he did shortly thereafter in a comprehensive piece for the New Yorker magazine entitled “Iran and the bomb: how real is the threat?” His answer: there is no Iranian nuclear weapons programme. There is no threat.
Hersh set this issue against the background of the 2003 invasion of Iraq. In that case there was no credible evidence for weapons of mass destruction yet we had high government officials going around talking about the next world war and mushroom clouds over American cities. Both the US Congress and the general population bought into this warmongering. Hersh is obviously worried about a replay of that scenario. Thus, in his interview, he said “you could argue it’s 2003 all over again… There’s just no serious evidence inside that Iran is actually doing anything to make nuclear weapons… So, the fact is … that we have a sanctions programme that’s designed to prevent the Iranians from building weapons they’re not building.”
In 2003 those kind of sanctions, applied to Iraq, along with the accompanying misinformation campaign, led to a tragic and unnecessary war. Are we now doing it all over again? As Amy Goodman pointed out, “the Obama White House … has repeatedly cited Iran’s nuclear programme as a threat to the world. President Obama raised the issue … during his speech before AIPAC [American Israel Public Affairs Committee]…” Obama told his audience: “So let me be absolutely clear: we remain committed to preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.” Obama went on to characterize Iran’s civilian nuclear energy programme, which is its only programme and perfectly legal, as “its illicit nuclear programme”. more.. e-mail

Fishing Under Fire in Swimming Waters
In Gaza: 12 Jun 2011 – GAZA CITY, Jun 12, 2011 (IPS) — In Gaza’s main port, beyond the newly-built memorial to the Freedom Flotilla martyrs, Gaza’s fishermen prepare to go out trawling at shallow depths in Palestinian waters. Other fishers stay on land to mend nets and fix boats damaged or destroyed by Israeli navy gunfire, shelling, water cannoning and even ramming. Such moves as the opening of Rafah have done nothing for Gaza’s fishermen. Mahfouz Kabariti, president of Gaza’s Fishing and Marine Sports Association points out recently damaged boats. Tracings in the sand reveal where a damaged hassaka (a small speedboat or smaller hand-paddled boat) sat for repairs from an Israeli navy machine gun assault on Jun. 1 this year. “There were 25 bullets in both sides of the boat, as well as one in the engine,” Kabarati says. “Two fishermen work from it, Ramadan Zidan, 51, and his son Mohammed, 20. They weren’t…more

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VTJP Palestine/Israel Newslinks 12 June, 2011: I’m either an illegal citizen of one state, or an inferior citizen in another

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