16 July , 2011 — VTJP
News
International Middle East Media Center
Palestinian Youth Moderately Wounded In A New Israeli Attack In Beit Hanoun
IMEMC – Saturday July 16, 2011 – 09:33, Israeli soldiers bombarded, after midnight Friday night, an area in Beit Hanoun, in the northern part of the Gaza Strip; damage was reported, one resident was injured.
1 injured in Gaza airstrike, body found in tunnel
7/17/2011 – GAZA CITY (Ma’an) —A Palestinian man was injured on Saturday morning by an Israeli airstrike on Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip, medical sources said. Medics said a man in his 20s sustained moderate injuries from a missile and was evacuated to Kamal Udwan hospital in Beit Lahiya. An Israeli army spokeswoman said…. Related: Gaza: Man Found Dead, Another Injured Due to Israeli Shelling and Body found in Rafah tunnel
Activists say Israel navy tried to sink Gaza boat
7/17/2011 – GAZA CITY (Ma’an) — A boat crewed by solidarity activists came under fire Saturday as it attempted to sail further than three miles off Gaza’s coast, breaking a sea blockade. The Olivia boat’s purpose is to try and defend Palestinian fishermen in Gazan waters. A European woman onboard the boat…. Related: Gaza: A plea to cease attack met with threats of violence at sea
Prisoner on hunger strike in critical condition
7/17/2011 – HEBRON (Ma’an) — The Palestinian prisoners’ society said Saturday that the Israeli prison administration transferred hunger-striker Yousef Iskafi to Ramle prison’s hospital in critical condition. Iskafi went on hunger strike for 34 days after being transferred to Ashkelon prison. The prisoner’s daughter died earlier this year shortly after Israeli….
Palestinian electrocuted in Gaza tunnel
7/16/2011 – GAZA CITY (Ma’an) — A Palestinian worked died Saturday inside a tunnel along the border between Egypt and Gaza, medical officials said. Nedal Yousef Tahrawim, 26, from Ash-Shabura refugee camp in Rafah, sustained an electric shock inside a tunnel, medics said. Tahrawim’s body was transferred to a hospital in the southern Gaza….
Report: Army studies Gaza border violence
7/17/2011 – JERUSALEM (Ma’an) — The commander of Israel’s army Benny Gantz held an urgent meeting Friday to discuss the situation along the border with Gaza and “practical steps” to end projectile fire, news reports said. Israel’s Hebrew-language daily Maariv said the meeting was attended by senior commanders of the Israeli army…. Related: Militant groups claim responsibility for firing missiles at Israel
Source: Hamas agreed to deport prisoners
7/17/2011 – BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) — Hamas agreed during talks with the previous Israeli administration to deport 82 prisoners to Gaza rather than their hometowns but the new government refused, a top party official said Saturday. The movement also offered to let Israel pick 550 of the prisoners it would release in exchange for captured soldier Gilad….
Sheikh Raed Salah released by British court
7/17/2011 – BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) — The British High Court decided Friday to release head of the Islamic Movement in Israel, Sheikh Raed Salah, who had been detained in Britain for more than two weeks. At the High Court on Friday, judge Nicholas Stadlen granted Salah bail on condition that he wear an electronic tag, observe a….
Militant groups claim responsibility for firing missiles at Israel
7/16/2011 – GAZA CITY (Ma’an) — Two militant groups in Gaza, Al-Tawid (Unity) and Al-Jihad, claimed responsibility Friday for firing three missiles at the city of Sderot and the area of Shaar Hanegev, both in southern Israel.”At 09:00 O’clock on Friday morning, our fighters fired a missile towards the west of the…. Related: Report: Army studies Gaza border violence
Water authority condemns destruction of wells
7/16/2011 – BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) — The head of the Palestinian Water Authority has condemned Israel’s destruction of three water wells near Nablus, calling on the international community to intervene. Shaddad Attili said the Beit Hassan wells were used to irrigate 2,000 dunums of land on which several families relied.”It is the ability of….
Egypt seizes cement bound for Gaza
7/16/2011 – EL-ARISH, Egypt (Ma’an) — Egyptian border guards thwarted an attempt to smuggle more than 20 tons of cement into Gaza via tunnels along the border, security sources told Ma’an. Palestinian and Egyptian smugglers were involved in the effort to bring large amounts of building materials into the besieged enclave, they added. The….
Local festival inaugurated near Ramallah
7/17/2011 – RAMALLAH (Ma’an) — The village of Beit Anan, southeast of Ramallah, launched the third version of its local festival “Jerusalemite Summer Nights” on Friday. The festival was inaugurated by the governor of Jerusalem Adnan Al-Husseini, the Palestinian Authority’s culture minister Siham Barghouti and a number of other Palestinian officials and civil society….
Body found in Rafah tunnel
7/16/2011 – GAZA CITY (Ma’an) — Rescue crews in the Gaza Strip found the body of Ibrahim Al-Bayouk, 22, on Saturday in a tunnel near Rafah. Ambulance crews said that the body was found inside a tunnel which was bombed in an Israeli airstrike on Thursday. Five people were injured Thursday and a sixth was reported…. Related: 1 injured in Gaza airstrike, body found in tunnel and Gaza: Man Found Dead, Another Injured Due to Israeli Shelling
In photos: Israelis, Palestinians march in Jerusalem
7/16/2011 – MaanImages / George Hale – Several thousand Israelis and Palestinians gathered in occupied east Jerusalem on Friday for a protest march to support the Palestinian Authority’s bid for United Nations recognition. Thousands of demonstrators attended the march — most of them Israeli peace activists — with organizers claiming that it was the first Jewish-Palestinian event of its….
Abbas begins European tour to garner support for UN bid
7/17/2011 – RAMALLAH (Ma’an) — Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas will embark on a European tour Saturday to garner international support for the Palestinian statehood bid at the United Nations General Assembly in September. Abbas will visit Norway, Spain and Turkey, a Palestinian official said. The tour comes as a recent Middle East Quartet meeting failed to….
PLO in ‘massive’ diplomatic campaign for UN bid
7/17/2011 – BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) — The Palestinian leadership in Ramallah is preparing a massive diplomatic campaign to gain recognition of statehood from the United Nations and individual countries, a PLO official said Saturday. Saeb Erekat says the campaign is aimed at achieving two goals, “first gaining recognition of a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with….
Erekat: Abbas will submit UN bid
7/17/2011 – BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) —PLO official Saeb Erekat said Saturday that it will be President Mahmoud Abbas who will submit the UN bid for statehood, and not the Arab League. Erekat told Ma’an radio that he applauded the Arab League’s committee meeting and its support for recognizing Palestinian statehood but noted….
Palestinian mosaics on display in Hebron
7/17/2011 – BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) — Jericho’s Mosaic Center is displaying items in Hebron starting Tuesday. Mosaics from churches, mosques, palaces, and other locations and periods are “evidence of the rich and diverse historical, cultural and religious elements that coexisted in the past in the territory,” organizers said Saturday. The items testify to the strong….
Golan fire destroys 10,000 dunams of land
7/16/2011 – TEL AVIV, Israel (Ma’an) — Over 10,000 dunams of land were destroyed by a fire in the Golan Heights on Thursday, news reports said. Six people were lightly injured by smoke inhalation, Israeli news site Ynet reported. Firefighters declared Friday that they had the blaze under control. The fire was apparently started by reckless….
PA arrests 69 at Jordan border throughout week
7/17/2011 – JERICHO (Ma’an) — Palestinian security forces arrested 69 fugitives traveling via the Allenby crossing to Jordan, while more than 49,000 travelled in both directions over the past week, police said Friday. Police said security officials arrested 69 fugitives wanted for various charges of fraud and criminal acts, and the crossing registered 48,971 travelers on….
Libyan rebels recognized as country’s legitimate rulers
7/16/2011 – ISTANBUL (AFP) — Western and regional powers on Friday boosted Libyan rebels battling Moamer Gadhafi by designating them as the country’s legitimate rulers, a move that gives them access to vital funds. The fourth meeting of the Libya contact group in Istanbul saw a fresh call on Gadhafi to go after more than four….
Egyptians protest against slow pace of reform
7/16/2011 – CAIRO (AFP) — Thousands of protesters rallied across Egypt on Friday, capping a week of nationwide sit-ins to demand political change as anger grows with the military rulers over the slow pace of reform. More than 28 movements had called for the rallies to pressure the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces [SCAF] — which took power….
Egypt protesters heckle general as tensions mount
7/16/2011 – CAIRO (AFP) — Egyptians staging a sit-in in Cairo’s Tahrir Square on Saturday heckled a general who tried to address them, forcing him to cut short his visit as tensions grow between activists and the ruling military. The protesters have camped out since July 8 in the iconic square, the epicentre of demonstrations that….
Jordan arrests policemen after journalists beaten
7/16/2011 – AMMAN (AFP) — Four policemen suspected of attacking journalists at a demonstration in the Jordanian capital were arrested on Saturday, officials said.” So far, four police officers suspected of being linked to the attacks on journalists have been arrested,” said a statement from the criminal investigation department. At least 17 people, including journalists and policemen, were….
Mubarak likely to be tried in Red Sea resort
7/16/2011 – CAIRO (AFP) — Ex-Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak’s murder trial will most likely be held in the Red Sea resort where he is hospitalized, which is bound to anger activists demanding his transfer to Cairo, officials said on Saturday. The 83-year-old former strongman has been detained in a Sharm el-Sheikh hospital since April, and….
Rabbi Marvin Hier inductions into the “Hall of Shame”
Palestine Note 16 Jul 2011 – Rabbi Marvin Hier, dean and founder of the Simon Wiesenthal Center in Los Angeles, the little man of little mind should be the last one to give advice on how to achieve peace in the Middle East. Together with Eli…
Syrian opposition urges civil disobedience
AlJazeera 16 Jul 2011 – Exiled dissidents meet in Turkey as mourners bury victims of Friday’s security crackdown on pro-democracy rallies.
Jordan to investigate attack on journalists
AlJazeera 16 Jul 2011 – Government forms panel to inquire into attacks on journalists by police and promises action within next 72 hours.
Yemen protesters form council to run country
AlJazeera 16 Jul 2011 – Coalition of anti-government protesters says presidential council to manage affairs when Saleh’s government is toppled.
Deadly blasts target Iraqi cities
AlJazeera 16 Jul 2011 – Explosion during Shia pilgrimage in Karbala kills three, while another blast wounds six in Baghdad.
Bahraini woman dies ‘during protest’
AlJazeera 16 Jul 2011 – Rights group says her death occurred due to tear gas fired by police on Friday, as national dialogue falters.
Palestinians and Israelis march together
AlJazeera 15 Jul 2011 – Hundreds come out on streets of East Jerusalem to back Palestinian bid for UN recognition.
International Solidarity Movement
Gaza: A plea to cease attack met with threats of violence at sea
7/16/2011 – International Solidarity Movement – 14 July 2011, International Solidarity Movement, Gaza Strip – Following yesterday’s assault by the Israeli navy upon a trawler observing Israeli aggression in the three mile fishing radius along the Gaza coast, today warships again targeted two US observers and their Palestinian captain and threatened them that their next attempt at sailing would be…. Related: Activists say Israel navy tried to sink Gaza boat
Gaza: Man Found Dead, Another Injured Due to Israeli Shelling
7/16/2011 – International Solidarity Movement – Palestine News Network – A Palestinian man, who went missing during an Israeli attack on a tunnel in Rafah city, southern Gaza Strip on Thursday, was found dead this morning, local sources reported. Ibraheem al-Bayok, 21, went missing on Thursday when Israeli jetfighter bombarded the tunnel he works in at the borders with Egypt. Five workers…. Related: Palestine News Network and 1 injured in Gaza airstrike, body found in tunnel
Gaza blockade slows reconstruction, more Israeli strikes
Relief Web 16 Jul 2011 – Source: Missionary International Service News Agency Country: occupied Palestinian territory Only 16% of the necessary construction material sent by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has been allowed access across the…
Summer camps highlight “Europe” theme across the West Bank
Relief Web 16 Jul 2011 – Source: UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East Country: occupied Palestinian territory 14 July 2011 West Bank This week saw the launch of UNRWA’s West Bank summer camps, sponsored by the European Union. In addition…
Loyalist forces clash with Amman pro-democracy groups
The National 15 Jul 2011 –
More than 30 countries recognise Libyan rebels
The National 15 Jul 2011 – Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, the UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs, who co-chaired the meeting with Ahmet Davutoglu, the Turkish foreign minister, said “very important steps” had been taken in Istanbul.
‘A million marchers’ in Syria as uprising enters its fifth month
The National 15 Jul 2011 – The largest gatherings took place in the central city of Hama, where some 500,000 protesters staged a rally — more than half of the city’s population — and the eastern desert city of Deir Ezzor, where more than 250,000 demonstrators marched, activists said.
Recovering Saleh to return to Yemen ‘soon’
The National 15 Jul 2011 – The Yemeni president has been convalescing in Saudi Arabia after suffering injuries in a mosque blast amid a national uprising calling for his ouster.
Gaza-bound ship carrying pro-Palestinian activists sets sail from Greece
Ha’aretz – Ten activists head to Gaza aboard the French Dignite-Al Karama ship, regarding themselves as representatives of the entire abortive flotilla.
Palestinians may give up on bid for full UN membership to avoid U.S. veto, sources say
Ha’aretz – Palestinian sources and European diplomats say Palestinians will seek recognition by the General Assembly instead of Security Council.
Defense officials: Israel considering apology to Turkey over deadly Gaza flotilla raid
Ha’aretz – Cautious apology could stop possible lawsuits by Turkish organizations against Israel Defense Forces officers and bring the affair to an end.
Zvi Bar’el / Israel is fulfilling settlers’ expansionist dream
Ha’aretz – In the settlements there is no need for a law in order to exclude Arab settlers, there was no need for the Nakba Law, the Loyalty Law is irrelevant, and the Boycott Law is redundant.
Netanyahu to announce plan for lowering dairy prices in Israel
Ha’aretz – Cut dairies’ profit margins, advises committee.
Report: Hamas agreed to deport 82 prisoners as part of Shalit deal
Ha’aretz – Deal allegedly made during former PM Ehud Olmert’s term in office stipulates the prisoners would be sent to Gaza or out of Israel upon release.
800 ultra-Orthodox protesters attempt to block Jerusalem road
Ha’aretz – Police on horseback disperse crowd on central Neviim Street; secular residents say law enforcement not doing enough to prevent violent protests.
Arab municipalities in Israel seek funds to stop harmful trash-burning
Ha’aretz – Neighbors complain of stench and air pollution caused by the illegal burning of trash, which seriously damages the environment.
Gadhafi: Libya will never surrender in face of assaults by rebels, NATO
Ha’aretz – Libyan leader makes audio address directed at city of Zawiya, where thousands demonstrate their support; ten rebels killed in Brega.
Erekat: U.S. has no reason to veto Palestinian bid for statehood
Ha’aretz – Top PA negotiator says Israel has ‘ruined the peace process’, implores U.S. to reconsider veto at UN in September in light of failure to revive stalled Palestinian-Israeli negotiations.
U.K. court outlines terms for release of Israel’s Islamic Movement leader
Ha’aretz – Israel-based leader Sheikh Ra’ad Salah to be granted bail on condition he wear electronic tag, observe night-time curfew, report to immigration officials, stay at home of friend.
Pro-Palestinian group in the Netherlands calls for boycott of Israeli bus company
Ha’aretz – Egged wins a public tender to run bus services in Waterland region, north of Amsterdam; Action group ‘Working Together for Palestine’ says Egged ‘makes money from trampling on the rights of Palestinians.’
Fire erupts in north Israel, damaging cars and banana groves
Ha’aretz – Firefighters contain blaze within hours; two additional fires take place near Kinneret, both of which successfully extinguished.
Tel Aviv ‘tent city’ demonstrations continue to draw hundreds
Ha’aretz – Protests against high rent prices spread to other Israel cities as National Student Union announces launch of demonstrations throughout country.
Importers: Blame supermarkets, not taxes, for sky-high food prices
Ha’aretz – Supermarket chains sell imported goods at a 60% to 100% profit, and the rest of the market adapts itself to these prices, say importers.
Anatomy of a phone farce
Ha’aretz – Despite coming in last in tender, Golan Telecom may become newest mobile operator.
Tao owner building mansion as company reneges on debt
Ha’aretz – Proposed debt arrangement raises ire from investors, partly because Ilan Ben-Dov has not offered to invest any of his own money in saving Tao.
11 Chinese workers hurt in Netanya industrial area blast
Jerusalem Post 16 Jul 2011 – Blast on first floor of structure partially collapses several apartments on floors above, where the men were living; restaurant on 1st floor also goes up in flames.
Fatah urges EU states to ban entry of ‘violent’ settlers
Jerusalem Post 16 Jul 2011 – Group’s spokesman says banning settlers would be an appropriate response to decision to deport pro-Palestinian European activists.
‘Egyptian PM accepts foreign minister’s resignation’
Jerusalem Post 16 Jul 2011 – FM Orabi steps down after one month in role; PM Essam Sharaf expected to announce his new cabinet soon, MENA news agency says.
Syria opposition group form council to counter Assad
Jerusalem Post 16 Jul 2011 – 25-member National Salvation council composed of Islamists, liberals, independents elected following fractious one-day meeting.
Iran willing to discuss Argentinian bombings
Jerusalem Post 16 Jul 2011 – Iran offers to conduct a “discussion” with the Argentine authorities about the bombings in efforts to clear its name and renew economic ties.
Rattling the Cage: Bring it on, National Camp
Jerusalem Post 16 Jul 2011 – Only after the world runs out of patience with Israel will the public here demand change.
My Word: Consuming passions and boycotts
Jerusalem Post 16 Jul 2011 – If you really want to do something to help, organize a “buy-cott,” promoting those products.
Katsav’s private eyes
Jerusalem Post 16 Jul 2011 – Under Supreme Court guidance, judges perceive any contact with witnesses, potential witnesses, anyone involved as harassment and obstruction.
The Palestinian third way
Jerusalem Post 16 Jul 2011 – If the bid to the UN fails come September, what other options does the PA have?
Hundreds set up tent city in central TA over rent prices
Jerusalem Post 16 Jul 2011 – Sleep-in tent protest at Tel Aviv’s Habima enters third night, is boosted by students; local restaurants donate food to protesters.
‘Revolt over rent’ launched in Tel Aviv
Jerusalem Post 16 Jul 2011 – Fed up with high housing prices around the country, hundreds set up tent city, vow to stay until government presents a solution.
GOC Cmdr. Mizrahi: ‘Price tag’ attacks are ‘terror’
Jerusalem Post 16 Jul 2011 – IDF commander tells ‘Meet the Press’ that attacks against Palestinians could ignite the W. Bank; Mizrahi singles out Yitzhar settlement.
J’lem: Haredim protest Shabbat desecration, block road
Jerusalem Post 16 Jul 2011 – Demonstration marks 100 weeks since municipality opened Karta parking lot on Shabbat; one arrested; police disperse demonstration.
Hundreds of haredim riot against Karta lot in capital
Jerusalem Post 16 Jul 2011 – Demonstration marks 100 weeks since municipality opened parking lot on Shabbat; one arrested; police disperse demonstration.
Hamas blames Netanyahu for failing to release Gilad Schalit
Jerusalem Post 16 Jul 2011 – In a letter to Palestinian media outlets, the Hamas prisoners claimed that their movement was “only” demanding the release of 1,000 out of 7,000 inmates held in Israeli jails.
US court temporarily reinstates “don’t ask-don’t tell”
Jerusalem Post 16 Jul 2011 – Also prohibits the military “from investigating, penalizing or discharging anyone from the military pursuant to the don’t ask, don’t tell policy.”
800 haredim block Jerusalem road, clash with police
Jerusalem Post 16 Jul 2011 – Demonstration marks 100 weeks since municipality opened Karta parking lot on Shabbat; mounted police disperse haredim into Mea She’arim.
UAE’s mission impossible: Cooling the desert
Jerusalem Post 16 Jul 2011 – The Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, uses 150 megawatts of power, equal to 1/10 of the output of the world’s biggest nuclear reactors.
‘Erekat: Abbas to personally ask UN for state recognition’
Jerusalem Post 16 Jul 2011 – Palestinian negotiator’s comments come after reports indicate Arab League will turn to the UN on behalf of Palestinians;
Netanya: ‘Building where blast occurred likely to collapse’
Jerusalem Post 16 Jul 2011 – Municipality deems building “dangerous” after explosion there causes number of apartments to collapse and injures 11 people.
Top CIA officer: Israel will probably attack Iran in Sept.
Jerusalem Post 16 Jul 2011 – Robert Baer tells LA KPFK radio that strike on Tehran likely to happen before vote on Palestinian state, that PM wants US to be involved.
‘Syria increasing arms shipments to Hezbollah’
Jerusalem Post 16 Jul 2011 – Intel officials tell ‘The Times’ Syria gave Shi’ite group Scud D missiles putting “Israel, Jordan, large parts of Turkey within Hezbollah’s range.”
Obama rings astronauts aboard the Int’l Space Station
Jerusalem Post 16 Jul 2011 – US president makes a very long-distance phone call to astronauts on the final mission of NASA’s space shuttle program.
Israelis asked to disrobe for Dead Sea
Jerusalem Post 16 Jul 2011 – US photographer asks for volunteers to take part in nude photo shoot at Dead Sea for project to raise int’l awareness over its receding water.
Regime’s forces kill 32 at Syria’s ‘largest protests yet’
Jerusalem Post 15 Jul 2011 – Hundreds of thousands take to the street across the country in demonstrations demanding Assad’s ouster.
Netanya: 11 people injured in building explosion
Jerusalem Post 15 Jul 2011 – Blast likely occurred on roof, police say, causing second floor to collapse; all the injured were foreign workers.
A week after the ‘Flightilla’: The ones who made it in
Jerusalem Post 15 Jul 2011 – 69-year-old Australian “Grannies for Gaza” were set to be deported, now demonstrating in Jerusalem.
Palestine: the flags are already waving but will a declaration of statehood help?
The Guardian 16 Jul 2011 – The Palestinian Authority plans to ask the UN to recognise a declaration of independence and statehood. The Arab street may be in favour, but elsewhere opposition is growing The Chinese-made parking meter on a street in…
MIDEAST: Borders in Way of Orders
IPS Waddah Bsaiso is ready to export, if the Israeli-imposed siege would allow him. He has the experience, the contacts, and the products, but is prevented by Israel’s strict ban on virtually all Gazan exports, save a token amount of flowers periodically allowed out of the Strip.
Aftermath of Israeli Anti-Free Speech Law Passage
Uruknet July 16, 2011 – Buoyed by passage of their anti-boycott bill, Knesset Yisrael Beitenu and Likud party extremists taste blood and want more. Most worrisome is a proposed measure to investigate leftist group activities, heading for a final vote next week. YNet News writer Moran Azulay quoted Meretz party chairwoman, Sahava Gal-On, calling it “a political inquisition,” adding: “…
Gadhafi gives defiant speech in former rebel town
Uruknet July 16, 2011 – Libya’s embattled leader Moammar Gadhafi said Saturday his country will never surrender in the face of assaults by rebels and a NATO air campaign. In an audio address directed at the city of Zawiya where thousands demonstrated their support, Gadhafi promised that Libya would keep fighting. “After we gave our children as martyrs, we…
Gaza Exports Stopped at the Border
Uruknet July 16, 2011 – Waddah Bsaiso is ready to export, if the Israeli-imposed siege would allow him. He has the experience, the contacts, and the products, but is prevented by Israel’s strict ban on virtually all Gazan exports, save a token amount of flowers periodically allowed out of the Strip. “We started a furniture factory in 1996 and…
Video: The Mystery (ÿߟџÑÿ?ÿ?)
Uruknet July 16, 2011 – The song is performed by the newly created GYBO rap team and it’s dedicated to all the freedom fighters world wide, to all those who raised the palestinian flag to face zionism and specially to the passengers of the flotilla1, flotila2, flytilla, viva palestina convoys, road to hope convoy, Africa to Gaza, Asia to…
Action Alert, July 16th- Call State Dept Emergency Operations Center about Conditions on The Audacity of Hope!
Uruknet July 16, 2011 – Day 16 of the imprisonment of the U.S. Boat to Gaza, The Audacity of Hope, at a U.S. Embassy shared pier near Piraeus, Greece, just outside of Athens. The U.S. Embassy has done absolutely nothing to help us in 100 + degree heat at a U.S. Government shared pier! No shore power, no alternatives provided (…
Damascus Suburbs: Qatana – 6 Month Old Baby Killed by Syrian Security Forces
Uruknet July 16, 2011 – Damascus Suburbs: Qatana: The infant Mohammad Sabboura, aged 6 months, was martyred today after being hit by bullets by security forces…
Photo Essay: March for Palestinian independence
Uruknet July 16, 2011 – The demonstration in Jerusalem in support of Palestinian independence was attended by anywhere from 2000 to 4500 people (according to a Facebook post), who marched from the Old City’s Jaffa Gate to Sheikh Jarrah. I was there and organizers announced 3,000 attendees at the end, but Channel 2’s evening news reported “over 1000.” I…
The Cleansing of Iraq. 2
Uruknet July 16, 2011 – ….This is what the Western press likes us to believe, in particular the American press. Reporters are all too happy to wire stories of a pink Baghdad – lo and behold, they exclaim – things have improved – weddings are taking place, people walk the streets, it can’t be all that bad…we did do…
Gaza: Man Found Dead, Another Injured Due to Israeli Shelling
Uruknet July 16, 2011 – A Palestinian man, who went missing during an Israeli attack on a tunnel in Rafah city, southern Gaza Strip on Thursday, was found dead this morning, local sources reported. Ibraheem al-Bayok, 21, went missing on Thursday when Israeli jetfighter bombarded the tunnel he works in at the borders with Egypt. Five workers were injured…
Wired publishes the full Manning-Lamo chat logs
Uruknet July 16, 2011 – Yesterday — more than a full year after it first released selected portions of purported chat logs between Bradley Manning and government informant Adrian Lamo (representing roughly 25% of the logs) — Wired finally published the full logs (with a few redactions). From the start, Wired had the full chat logs and was under…
As military operations stall, US recognises Libyan rebels
Uruknet July 16, 2011 – The Obama administration, along with dozens of European and Middle Eastern countries, formally recognised the rebel Transitional National Council (TNC) as Libya’s “legitimate” government during a summit yesterday in Turkey. The diplomatic move reflects considerable frustration in Washington that NATO’s four-month air war and numerous assassination attempts have failed to remove Muammar Gaddafi from…
Mass protests continue against Egyptian regime
Uruknet July 16, 2011 – Huge protests took place across Egypt on Friday. Under the banner, “The Friday of Final Warning,” tens of thousands gathered in Cairo’s Tahrir Square and the industrial city of Suez. Many smaller demonstrations took place across the country. It was the second week of mass demonstrations in Egypt, as working people and youth voiced…
Sheikh Raed Salah released by British court
Uruknet July 16, 2011 – The British High Court decided Friday to release head of the Islamic Movement in Israel, Sheikh Raed Salah, who had been detained in Britain for more than two weeks. At the High Court on Friday, judge Nicholas Stadlen granted Salah bail on condition that he wear an electronic tag, observe a night-time curfew, report…
Iraq – A New Scandal : “Current” Affairs !
Uruknet The latest statement of the Minister of Treasury in Iraq Rafie Al-Esawi has raised alot of controversy within the Iraqi community. In his statement he confirmed that the total expenditure employed in restructuring the electric grid since 2003 is “enough to buy each Iraqi family a fully furnished apartment in the most luxurious european resorts !!”. Al-Esawi declared that…
Confessions of A Veteran of The Iraq War: The Real Terrorism Is ……
Uruknet July 15, 2011 – Testimonies of Mike Prysner , a soldier returning from Iraq , who is ashamed of being a part of the American occupation of Iraq .. He has testified that : ” Racism could no longer mask the reality of the occupation”. “The Real Terrorist is this Occupation ” “Racism is a vital weapon employed by the US government” “Poor and…
Where are the Palestinians?
Uruknet July 15, 2011 – Over the last few weeks, media in this region was filled with images of people from all over the Western world holding up Palestinian flags and chanting “Free Palestine.” We’ve heard from the likes of Americans, like prize-winning author Alice Walker and former CIA official Ray McGovern (both passengers on the US boat to…
Interview with Lance Tapley, journalist U.S.: “The World Torture Champions”
Uruknet July 15, 2011 – Well, we are an exceptional nation as you know, and we are the world torture champions in what happens in our prison system. That’s qualitatively. Quantitatively, we have of course the biggest prison system in the world. We have 4.5% of the world’s population, and 25% of its prisoners. We have five times the…
Debt Ceiling Debate Charade Masks Planned Entitlement Cuts
Uruknet July 15, 2011 – Short of finalizing details and assuring enough bipartisan support, it’s a done deal to slash Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and other social spending while leaving outsized military budgets and generous handouts to corporate favorites in place. At the same time, the timeline to accomplish it is undetermined. Political posturing may extend the August 2…
Statement by The General Coordination of the Movement of the Kurdish Youth in Syria
Uruknet July 15, 2011 – In a time in which many areas of Syria have witnessed popular protests on the streets demanding freedom and dignity and the toppling of the regime, the protesters set out to protest, as has become usual, on the Friday of the Prisoners of Freedom in the Kurdish neighborhood (Rukneddin), starting from the Saeed Basha…
Saddam half-brothers to be executed within a month
Uruknet July 15, 2011 – Iraq will execute two of Saddam Hussein’s half-brothers within a month along with three other former regime officials, an official said on Friday, after the five were handed over by the US military. The group, transferred to Iraqi custody on Thursday morning, was among 206 high-value detainees still being held by American forces ahead…
Iraq snapshot – July 15, 2011
Uruknet July 15, 2011. Chaos and violence continue, the US military announces another death, peaceful protesters are again arrested, Human Rights Watch expresses concern over a ‘speech’ proposal in Iraq, and more…It’s Friday, there are protests going on in Iraq. Revolution of Iraq reports on the demonstrations noting that police cordoned off protesters in Falluja while, in Baghdad, police…
Tribunal funding, arrests test Lebanon Cabinet
Daily Star 16 Jul 2011 After winning a confidence vote at home, Lebanon’s Hezbollah-dominated Cabinet is headed for another test over the country’s financial duties toward the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.
Israeli envoy denounces Spanish ‘hatred’
YNet News, 16 Jul 2011 – Israel’s ambassador in Spain, Raphael Schutz, who is about to leave his post, denounced the “anti-Semitism and hatred that exist in Spanish society” in a message on the … ….
Housing protest: Government abandoned us
YNet News, 16 Jul 2011 – Hundreds of people remained in nearly 40 tents at Tel Aviv’s Habima Square on Saturday to protest skyrocketing housing prices. Organizers of the protest, now … ….
Jerusalem protest: Haredim fight for Shabbat
YNet News, 16 Jul 2011 – Haredim resume Shabbat protests: Hundreds of people rallied in the capital Saturday, clashing with police and trying to block a Jerusalem road to protest the opening of … ….
Erekat: US veto on statehood unjustified
YNet News, 16 Jul 2011 – Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas intends to personally submit a bid for UN membership by the future state of Palestine in September, senior PA official Saeb … ….
China, Iran ink major infrastructure, trade deals
YNet News, 16 Jul 2011 – China and Iran on signed several on infrastructure and trade collaboration agreements Saturday, further testifying to the already strong political and economic ties … ….
Demjanjuk could face more death camp charges
YNet News, 16 Jul 2011 – John Demjanjuk, convicted this year for his role in killing 28,000 Jews in the Sobibor Nazi death camp, may be prosecuted for similar crimes at another camp, a newspaper … ….
Holland: Pro-Palestinian group opposes Egged services
YNet News, 16 Jul 2011 – Dutch media reported Saturday that a recent win by EBS, a subsidiary of Israeli bus company Egged, in a bid to operated bus lines has irked local pro-Palestinian groups. … ….
Syrian activists discuss ways to oust Assad
YNet News, 16 Jul 2011 – Opposition figures meet in Turkey in attempt to devise ways to topple Baath….
Israeli diplomat assaulted in Panama
YNet News, 16 Jul 2011 – Chief security officer at the Israeli Embassy in Panama mugged, hospitalized….
Netanya blast: Building sealed off
YNet News, 16 Jul 2011 – Industrial zone building suffers extensive damage, area fenced off for safety….
‘Israel plans to strike Iran in September’
YNet News, 16 Jul 2011 – Ex-CIA official Robert Baer believes an Israeli strike against Tehran is rather….
Syria steps up Hezbollah armament
YNet News, 16 Jul 2011 – Growing unrest in Syria seems to have no impact on Damascus’ efforts to supply….
Rocket hits western Negev
YNet News, 16 Jul 2011 – Gaza rocket fire continues as projectile lands in Eshkol Regional Council. IAF….
Palestinian Information Center
Dozens of Palestinians injured in West Bank night raids
PIC – Several Palestinians in Idhna village west of Al-Khalil suffered from the effects of breathing tear gas after Israeli forces continued to raid several regions of the West Bank on Saturday morning.
Abu Marzouk: Hamas delegation in Cairo next week, no progress in reconciliation
PIC – A delegation of the Hamas movement is to visit the Egyptian capital next week amidst a stagnation in the reconciliation process, deputy political bureau chairman of Hamas Dr. Mousa Abu Marzouk said.
Body recovered in bombed Rafah tunnel
PIC – Medical personnel recovered Saturday the body of Mohammed Ibrahim al-Bayouk, 22, after days of searching a tunnel that was bombed last Wednesday in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah.
IOF troops arrest 3 Palestinians in Al-Khalil
PIC – Israeli occupation forces (IOF) arrested three Palestinian citizens in Al-Khalil on Saturday and installed roadblocks at main crossroads in the province, local sources said.
Hamas holds Israel fully responsible for consequences of targeting civilians
PIC – Hamas movement held the Israeli occupation authority (IOA) fully responsible for results of its recent military escalation in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
Violent confrontations reported in Iraq Burin
PIC – Violent confrontations were reported on Saturday in the village of Iraq Burin near Nablus between Israeli occupation forces (IOF) and villagers after the troops sealed off the entire village.
Prisoner on hunger strike moved to hospital after health takes turn for worse
PIC – A Palestinian prisoner on hunger strike has been transferred from Israel’s Ashkelon prison to the Ramle prison hospital due to a serious health condition, sources in the prison said.
Activists say Israel hinted at banishing them from Jerusalem
PIC – Several Jerusalem politicians and activists have revealed that Israeli intelligence services hinted at banishing them over activities they have taken part in while in the holy city.
“Jewish state” means Jewish racism, Jewish fascism, even Jewish Nazism
PIC – A Jewish state means institutionalized Jewish racism, sanctioned by the law of the land and recognized as legitimate and legal by no other than Israel’s victims.
Hamas prisoners on hunger strike
PIC – 16/07/2011 – 07:49 AM
Haneyya: Palestinians will not be handed state ‘on a silver plate’
PIC – 16/07/2011 – 07:57 AM
Palestinian wounded in Israeli aerial raid
PIC – 16/07/2011 – 08:16 AM
Weekly protests continue against apartheid wall in West Bank
PIC – 16/07/2011 – 09:35 AM
OCHA Weekly Report: One Palestinian Fatality, 37 Injuries
WAFA
Fatah Calls to Ban Violent Settlers from Entering Europe
WAFA
Orabi: Standards for Establishing Palestinian State are Provided
WAFA
Israeli Soldiers Cause Suffocation Cases among Palestinians in Clashes in Iraq Burin
WAFA
Israeli Airstrike Injures Palestinian in Gaza
WAFA
32 German Ambassadors and Consuls General Send Letter Calling for Recognition of Palestinian State
WAFA
Fatah Praises Belgian Draft Resolution Supporting Palestinian State
WAFA
Civil Peace Service Gaza Crew Attacked by Israeli Warship
Intifada-Palestine: 16 Jul 2011 – For Immediate Release Israeli naval forces attacked the Civil Peace Service Gaza monitoring boat with water cannons earlier today. Civil Peace Service Gaza is an international third party non-violent initiative to monitor potential human rights violations in Gazan territorial waters. The… more
Franklin Lamb: US has Decided to Recognize Libya’s Rebels as the Legitimate Government [VIDEO]
Intifada-Palestine: 16 Jul 2011 – by Franklin Lamb RussiaToday on Jul 15, 2011 The U.S., along with more than 30 other nations, has decided to recognize Libya’s rebels as the legitimate government of the country. The Libyan Contact Group, convening in Turkey, has also urged Colonel… more
A Murdoch Note — Gordon Duff
Intifada-Palestine: 16 Jul 2011 – Who is Rupert Murdoch? A Word Or Two on What Isn’t Being Said B y Gordon Duff, Senior Editor, Veterans Today T oday the British papers not owned by Rupert Murdoch “rumored” that he might be jailed. Americans, even Brits,… more
U.S. Trade Union Statement in Support of Palestinian Call for Full and Immediate Arms Embargo Against Apartheid Israel
Intifada-Palestine: 16 Jul 2011 – Please sign, post and forward widely! Sign on: click here or email info@laborforpalestine.net Like us on Facebook Whereas, on May 4, 2011, the Palestinian Trade Union Coalition for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (PTUC-BDS) specifically called “on trade unions around the world… more
Syria security forces attack protesters across the country
LA Times 15 Jul 2011 – At least 27 people are reported killed, according to activists, many in the suburbs of Damascus and areas near the capital. Protesters say security forces are cracking down hard there. Security forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar Assad met antigovernment protests throughout the country with…
Joint fight with Arabs against Kadafi spurs Berber hopes of equality in Libya
LA Times 16 Jul 2011 – As the two ethnic groups in the mountainous portion of Libya’s west put aside long-held differences, at stake may be more than the fate of the communities along a sparsely populated range. Before the Libyan uprising this year, Salah, a proud Arab, never would have…
U.S. formally recognizes rebel group as Libya’s government
LA Times 15 Jul 2011 – The move should give the rebels fighting Moammar Kadafi’s regime a diplomatic boost as well as access to much-needed cash. The Obama administration formally recognized a rebel group as Libya’s government, giving the forces struggling to overthrow Moammar Kadafi’s regime for the last five months…
Libyan faithfully tends graves of foreign World War II dead
LA Times 15 Jul 2011 – Salah Fatour performs sacred duties once carried out by his father at the Benghazi War Cemetery. He has maintained the Allied resting place for 25 years, and now amid Libya’s own war. Every morning, Salah Fatour is at his post with his worn rake and…
Clinton Chides Turkey on Rights Record
New York Times 16 Jul 2011 – Despite her concerns about detentions of journalists, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Turkey could serve as a model for Arab nations.
As military operations stall, US recognises Libyan rebels
WSWS – The four-month air war and numerous assassination attempts have failed to remove Muammar Gaddafi from power in the oil and gas-rich North African country.
Mass protests continue against Egyptian regime
WSWS – Huge protests took place across Egypt on Friday, as thousands gathered to oppose military government and demand the prosecution of officials.
German arms to Saudi Arabia
WSWS – The German government tank deal with Saudi Arabia is part of an arms race between all the leading industrial nations for influence in this oil-rich region.
Siegman: Israel always wanted territory not peace, and US is its ‘captive’
Mondoweiss – Zaid Jilani and Ali Gharib at Think Progress interview Henry Siegman, former head of the American Jewish Congress, on the Palestinian statehood resolution and the failure of the peace process: Siegman: [T]the United States has taken the position that the only way to make any progress…
Open letter to the German left on BDS, from Palestinian and Israeli Activists
Mondoweiss – A little over a month ago, the Die Linke — the Left — delegates in the German Bundestag adopted a resolution stating that they would not take part in any Middle East peace initiatives calling for a “one-state solution” nor in “calls to boycott Israeli products.”…
An Israeli welcome
Mondoweiss – The episode of the ‘flytilla’ and the treatment meted out to those who managed to reach Ben Gurion airport brought to mind the experience of someone I first met 3 years ago. H is from a western country and before her retirement she had a long…
Samah Sabawi: a Palestinian woman’s response to Naomi Chazan on BDS
Mondoweiss – [Introduction to Samah Sabawi’s piece by Ofer Neiman] There are good things to be said about Professor Naomi Chazan, a scholar of contemporary Africa and a former member of the Israeli Knesset (on behalf of the center-left Meretz party). When an extreme right-wing and US funded…
‘Forward’ suggests West Bank boycott is ‘noble’ (so long as you love Israel)
Mondoweiss – ‘The Forward’ has a good editorial saying it’s OK to want to boycott West Bank products. Another dividend of the disgraceful law the Knesset passed making it illegal to advocate boycott— boycott marches forward. The Forward makes the usual stipulation that you have to love Israel…
Israel Project Puts Another High-Powered Far-Right Republican Consultant on Payroll
Tikun Olam – Ralph Reed after signing his $140,000 contract to consult for The Israel Project I reported here a few years ago about The Israel Project’s “Hasbara Handbook”, created for it by Republican master strategist, Frank Luntz. He was paid handsomely for his work, earning over $…
AL-KHALIL (HEBRON): Israeli forces halt Hebron bicycle action.
Christian Peacemaker Teams – Palestine – On Tuesday 28 June 2011, sixty bicyclists gathered to ride from Hebron to Al Bweireh to demonstrate that Palestinians must have freedom of movement on roads leading to their neighbors. The Palestinians participating in the demonstration live primarily in the Hebron area, and twenty internationals accompanied…
Let’s just suppose…
Middle East Monitor 16 Jul 2011 – Let’s just suppose that it was a Palestinian state holding 1.5 million Israeli Jews under siege to the point that their health sector was on the verge of collapsing, the economy was in tatters and almost 50% of adults were unemployed. Let’s just suppose that Palestinians…
BBC rules on Newsnight complaint
Middle East Monitor 16 Jul 2011 – The BBC has upheld a complaint that Jeremy Paxman failed to adequately challenge Louise Ellman MP on false claims she made about child suicide bombers during an edition of Newsnight. Paxman, who has famously been described as a Rottweiler for his aggressive style of interviewing,…
Thousands attend Syria funerals
BBC 16 Jul 2011 – Tens of thousands attend protesters’ funerals in Damascus, as Syria’s opposition groups hold anti-government meetings in Turkey.
Egypt’s foreign ministers resigns
BBC 16 Jul 2011 – Egypt’s Foreign Minister Mohammed al-Orabi resigns amid protests about the slow progress of reform since January’s uprising.
Iran ‘to co-operate’ over bombing
BBC 16 Jul 2011 – Officials in Iran say they will help Argentina investigate the 1994 bombing of a Jewish community centre, which Argentina has blamed on Iran.
Articles
Former CIA Official: Israel Will Bomb Iran In September
MJ Rosenberg, 7/15/2011
A longtime CIA officer who spent 21 years in the Middle East is predicting that Israel will bomb Iran in fall, dragging the United States into another major war and endangering U.S. military and civilian personnel (and other interests) throughout the Middle East and beyond.
Earlier this week, Robert Baer appeared on the provocative KPFK Los Angeles show Background Briefing, hosted by Ian Masters. It was there that he predicted that Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is likely to ignite a war with Iran in the very near future.
Robert Baer has had a storied career, including a stint in Iraq in the 1990s where he organized opposition to Saddam Hussein. (He was recalled after being accused of trying to organize Saddam’s assassination.) Upon his retirement, he received a top decoration for meritorious service.
Baer is no ordinary CIA operative. George Clooney won an Oscar for playing a character based on Baer in the film Syriana (Baer also wrote the book).
He obviously won’t name many of his sources in Israel, the United States and elsewhere, but the few he has named are all Israeli security figures who have publically warned that Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak are hell-bent on war.
Baer was especially impressed by the unprecedented warning about Netanyahu’s plans by former Mossad chief Meir Dagan. Dagan left the Israeli intelligence agency in September 2010. Two months ago, he predicted that Israel would attack and said that doing so would be “the stupidest thing” he could imagine. According to Haaretz…. more.. e-mail
US Congress loves being lied to about the Israel-Palestine conflict…
Stuart Littlewood, Redress7/17/2011
…when the truth is so easy to discover
Here in the UK we have so many craven politicians paying homage to the likes of Rupert Murdoch and playing stooge to the pro-Israel lobby that there’s little time to take much interest in US politics. So I apologise to American friends for briefly intruding on their grief; but somebody has sent me a copy of a letter from a US congresswoman to one of her constituents.
It says:
“As the only democracy in the region, I believe that the United States has a special relationship with Israel… During my time in the House of Representatives, I will support our funding our ally and help to forward Israel’s efforts to keep their citizens safe, which currently stands at 2.8 billion dollars in general foreign aid, and another 280 million dollars for a missile defence system…
“Our foreign aid to Palestine is intended to create a virtuous cycle of stability and prosperity in the West Bank that inclines Palestinians towards peaceful coexistence with Israel and prepares them for self-governance. Continued failure to reach a two-state solution, combined with lack of consensus on any of the alternatives, may also mean that the status quo in the West Bank and Gaza could continue indefinitely. In addition, with the West Bank and Gaza currently controlled by Hamas, an entity listed as a terrorist organization by US State Department and many other world governments, this may ultimately impact future aid our nation will provide….” more.. e-mail
Israel’s boycott law: The quiet sound of going fascist
Bradley Burston, Ha’aretz7/12/2011
This is the one. This is where the slope turns nowhere but down. When the Knesset passed the boycott law, it changed the history of the state of Israel.
This is the one. Don’t let what we like to call the relative calm here, fool you. When the Knesset passed the boycott law Monday night, it changed the history of the state of Israel.
In real time, a tipping point of great magnitude can sound a lot like nothing at all. But if the Boycott Law makes it past challenges filed by human rights and pro-peace organizations in Israel’s High Court of Justice, then anything goes, beginning with democracy itself.
Benjamin Netanyahu and Ehud Barak and 10 other cabinet ministers already know this. That’s why they failed to show up for the vote.
They stayed away because they know that this is the stain that may prove indelible. The Boycott Law is the litmus test for Israeli democracy, the threshold test for Israeli fascism. It’s a test of moderates everywhere who care about the future of this place.
This is the one. This is where the slope turns nowhere but down…..
Q. How dare you call this a step toward fascism in Israel?
I’m pretty much no different from everybody else here – just learning by doing. I’m learning about fascism one step at a time. more.. e-mail
Gaza Exports Stopped at the Border
In Gaza: 16 Jul 2011 – furniture from Bsaiso and Alami Company limited at trade show GAZA CITY, Jul 16, 2011 (IPS) By Eva Bartlett Waddah Bsaiso is ready to export, if the Israeli-imposed siege would allow him. He has the experience, the contacts, and the products, but is prevented by Israel’s strict ban on virtually all Gazan exports, save a token amount of flowers periodically allowed out of the Strip. “We started a furniture factory in 1996 and over the years exported to different European markets, as well as to Arab nations and the occupied West Bank,” Bsaiso says. Sitting at one of his tables, a dark wood dining table with a natural finish, Bsaiso says that his business, Bsaiso and Alami Company limited, formerly netted two million dollars per year. “Now we are lucky if we can earn 400,000 dollars per year,” he says. A mix of classic wooden furniture and modern, bright-fabric…more
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