The New Dark Age

20 June 2011 — Jews for Justice for Palestinians

The state of Jews
June 18th, 2011 From its origin as ‘Jew-state’ through various twists of meaning, the current ‘Jewish state’ which Palestinians must recognise has more in common with Pakistan than the USA or any European state of all its citizens. Uri Avnery traces the path

Rafah crossing lets through filtered trickle of people and goods
June 16th, 2011 Gisha, the Israeli centre for freedom of movement, publishes ten reasons why the opening of the Rafah crossing, though valued, does not afford Palestinians the right of free movement or access to material necessities

Counting the cost of patriotism on the Golan Heights
June 16th, 2011 Arabs remaining on the Golan after most were forced out  suffer landmines, water shortage and can speak to relatives stuck on the other side of barrier only at the ‘shouting fence’. Arthur Neslen finds out why they are determined to stay

Under siege the sun still shines and the guns still fire
June 16th, 2011 The pictures are good, sun, sea, tall office blocks. You have to be there to feel the lack of money, of food, of water, of sanitation, of medical supplies, or of any possibility of leaving this sea-side prison camp called Gaza

Only UN can bring about Palestinian statehood
June 16th, 2011 What the US Congress applauded so loudly was the future of colonialism and apartheid which Israel’s right wing wants.  If Obama had recognised the UN’s potential, this future could be averted

Israeli Arabs fear erosion of civil rights
June 16th, 2011 Arabs in Israel have enjoyed more civic rights than elsewhere in the region, though their socio-economic status has always been inferior.  But now they fear new laws and state action are limiting the rights they have enjoyed

We don’t look for passion, we don’t look for tears. We just look for actions
June 15th, 2011 Young Palestinians see the BDS campaign as the key to a mass movement at home and links with people abroad.  The  campaign against apartheid South Africa is their inspiration, yet the home-grown leadership of the BDS work is vital

Palestinian students appeal to British band to boycott Israel
June 15th, 2011 Birmingham band Napalm Death have agreed to play in Tel Aviv this Friday, June 17th.  Palestinian youth organisations have appealed to them to apply their principle of boycotting apartheid South Africa to ‘Apartheid Israel’

Timidity weakens voice of new ‘pro peace and Israel’ movement
June 15th, 2011 Yachad, a new website at least, aims to speak for UK Jews, but at first sight seems to be lagging behind critical and unhappy opinions among Britain’s diaspora Jews writes Antony Lerman. And what’s with that name?

Israel’s new business elite and the rifts it rests on
June 15th, 2011 On the strength of the huge US subsidy for Israel’s defence establishment, the country has made a name for its hi-tech, finance  and military products.  But overall the country is poorer, more unequal  and less well-educated than the OECD average. Economist Shlomo Swirski explores why

Students in Israel want to learn of Nakba
June 15th, 2011 In many spaces, Nakba is the forbidden word but an unofficial Nakba study kit is proving popular with Israeli children and teachers for answering questions about their own history

Small acts that can end oppression – make a list
June 14th, 2011 Carne Ross invites ideas for his list of the acts that can bring down dictators and oppressive regimes.  And Occupations?

Two dozen EU leaders say recognise Hamas as Palestinian partner
June 14th, 2011 An open letter from 24 EU leaders say that Palestinian unity, and thus recognition of Hamas, is essential for movement on the Middle East in the Arab Spring

Catastrophic crisis in Gaza medical care
June 14th, 2011 Hospitals in Gaza are running out of medical stock, creating a ‘near catastrophe’ in care. Human rights groups urged to act, the Israeli blockade and the continuing stand-off between Hamas and Fatah are blamed