22 November 2011 — VTJP
News
International Middle East Media Center
Solidarity Convoy Arrives In Gaza
IMEMC – A solidarity convoy made it into the Gaza Strip on Monday evening, through the Rafah Border Terminal, between the Gaza Strip and Egypt. Members of the “Freedom Spring” convoy will be holding meetings with political and social figures in Gaza. …
Soldiers Arrest Eight PFLP Members In Jenin
IMEMC – Israeli soldiers invaded the northern West Bank city of Jenin and the surrounding areas at dawn on Tuesday, and arrested eight members of the leftist Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) …
Son of Senior Israeli officer granted gag order in death threat case
IMEMC – An Israeli man whose father is a senior officer in the Shin Bet (secret service) was charged with issuing a death threat against members of an Israeli peace group. When the accused was brought before a judge, he requested a ‘gag order’ be issued in the case, preventing the peace group from engaging in further contact with the media about the incident. …
Six arrested, including recently freed prisoner, by Israeli forces in morning raids
IMEMC – In the latest early morning raids carried out by Israeli forces in the West Bank, on Monday, Israeli troops arrested six Palestinians, including one who was released last month from an Israeli prison as part of a prisoner swap deal. …
PA: Israel razes lands in Jericho
11/23/2011 – JERICHO (Ma’an) — Two Israeli bulldozers razed large areas of agricultural lands east of Jericho on Tuesday in the occupied West Bank, the official Palestinian Authority news agency Wafa reported. Israeli forces closed the area and kept farmers from their fields, according to the report. Bulldozers dug up corn crops and an irrigation network….
Israeli forces detain 17 in West Bank raids
11/22/2011 – JENIN (Ma’an) — Israeli forces detained 17 people early Tuesday morning in raids across the West Bank. An Israeli military spokeswoman said 17 Palestinians were detained and taken for security questioning. Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine officials told Ma’an that eight of their members were among those detained, adding that….
Military court ‘charges Palestinians with murder’
11/22/2011 – TEL AVIV, Israel (Ma’an) — An Israeli military court has charged two Palestinians from the southern West Bank with murder following the death of a settler whose car overturned near Hebron, Israeli media said. Israel’s Ynet news site reported Tuesday that the two Palestinians from Halhul, who were not otherwise identified, confessed….
Tunisian medical convoy arrives in Gaza
11/22/2011 – GAZA CITY (Ma’an) — A Tunisian convoy carrying medical aid has arrived in the Gaza Strip after crossing the Rafah pedestrian terminal on the Gaza-Egypt border, Palestinian officials said Tuesday….
Al-Haq, B’Tselem jointly awarded human rights prize
11/22/2011 – BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) — Israeli and Palestinian human rights organizations B’Tselem and Al-Haq have been jointly honored with an annual human rights award by the Danish PL Foundation. The award has been given to individuals and organizations struggling non-violently for universal human rights since the 1980s. The award ceremony will take place in….
MADA: Israel extends detention of journalist
11/22/2011 – BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) — Israeli authorities have extended the detention of a Palestinian journalist arrested on Nov. 16, a rights group said Tuesday. The brother of Isra Salhab told The Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms (MADA) that an Israeli court decided Monday to extend her detention until Nov. 25. No charges have been….
Blast at PRC site in southern Gaza; no injuries
11/22/2011 – GAZA CITY (Ma’an) — An explosion was reported late Tuesday at a site operated by the armed wing of the Popular Resistance Committees in the southern Gaza Strip. The Nasser Salah Ad-Din Brigades reported no injuries following the blast near Rafah, which locals blamed on Israeli aircraft. An Israeli military spokeswoman denied the reports…. Related: Reporter: Blast at PRC site in southern Gaza
Group: Prison sanctions Ashkelon prisoners
11/23/2011 – RAMALLAH (Ma’an) — Israel’s Ashkelon prison has imposed sanctions on some prisoners in section no. 18 for refusing to stop their prayers in order to be counted, the prisoners society said Tuesday. Inspectors entered the section during prayers and an officer demanded they stop, but the prisoners refused, according to the society….
Denmark to support Palestine at UN General Assembly
11/22/2011 – RAMALLAH (Ma’an) — Denmark said Monday that it would vote in favor of a United Nations General Assembly resolution to upgrade the status of Palestine in the world body.”If the Palestinians choose to put a proposal to the UN General Assembly on an upgrade to the Palestinian status, Denmark will be among the….
Prisoners concerned over next phase of swap deal
11/22/2011 – RAMALLAH (Ma’an) — Prisoners detained in Israel have expressed concerns that long-term detainees might be excluded from the captive swap deal, in a letter to the Palestinian Authority. In October, Israel agreed to release over 1,000 prisoners in a deal with Hamas to free an Israeli soldier held in Gaza. On Oct. 18, Israel….
PA condemns Israeli freeze on tax revenue
11/22/2011 – RAMALLAH (Ma’an) — The Palestinian Authority cabinet on Tuesday condemned Israel’s ongoing refusal to hand over Palestinian tax revenue. Israel froze the transfer of funds owed to the West Bank government, amounting to around $100 million a month, after the UN cultural agency UNESCO voted to admit Palestine as a member. During….
Haniyeh: No longer any justification for siege
11/22/2011 – GAZA CITY (Ma’an) — Gaza Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh on Tuesday called on Israel to end its siege of the Gaza Strip in light of the release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. Speaking at an event to welcome the Arab Spring convoy, which delivered medical aid to the coastal enclave, Haniyeh noted that Israel….
Abbas in Egypt to meet Tantawi, Mashaal
11/22/2011 – BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) — President Mahmoud Abbas arrived in Egypt on Tuesday ahead of scheduled talks with the head of Egypt’s ruling military council and the exiled leader of Hamas. Abbas is expected to stay in Cairo for four days, meeting Egypt’s Field Mashal Mohamad Hussein Tantawi, the head of the….
Reporter: Blast at PRC site in southern Gaza
11/22/2011 – GAZA CITY (Ma’an) — An explosion was reported late Tuesday at a military site affiliated to the Popular Resistance Committees in the southern Gaza Strip, a Ma’an reporter said. There were no immediate reports of injury or damage…. Related: Blast at PRC site in southern Gaza; no injuries
‘No talks on moving Hamas headquarters to Jordan’
11/22/2011 – AMMAN, Jordan (Ma’an) — Jordan’s Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh said Monday that no talks were taking place with Hamas to move the party’s headquarters to the Jordanian capital Amman. Judeh’s comments come amid growing speculation that Hamas’ politburo will leave its base in Damascus as Syrian President….
Iran no-show ‘unhelpful’ at UN Mideast nuclear forum
11/22/2011 – VIENNA (AFP) — Iran’s boycott of a rare UN atomic agency forum on creating a Middle East free of nuclear weapons was “not helpful to their cause,” the chairman of the event said Tuesday.” I think it is to be regretted that Iran did not participate,” Norwegian ambassador Jan Petersen told reporters at the….
Israel MPs back first stage of contentious libel bill
11/22/2011 – JERUSALEM (AFP) — Israeli MPs have backed the first stage of a controversial bill which would significantly increase the compensation for libel claims, in a move critics say will seriously harm freedom of the press. In a vote held late on Monday, MPs in the 120-member Knesset approved by 42-31 the first reading of….
Body of missing Palestinian found in Libya
11/22/2011 – BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) — The body of a Palestinian man who disappeared four months ago in Libya has been found, relatives of the man said Tuesday….
Arab League to discuss Syria sanctions
11/22/2011 – BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) — The Arab League’s economic council will meet within the next few days to discuss imposing sanctions on the Syrian regime, Arabic media reported Monday. The Arab League’s assistant secretary-general for Economic Affairs Muhammad Bin Ibrahim said several economic sanctions would be discussed, the Saudi news site Al-Eqtisadiyya….
Rule of law under siege in Egypt
11/22/2011 – CAIRO (IRIN) — Demonstrations in Cairo’s Tahrir square against Egypt’s interim military rulers have reportedly left at least 33 people dead and more than 1,500 injured since they began on Nov. 19. The protesters accuse the Supreme Council of Military Forces of hijacking the revolution that ousted former president Hosni Mubarak in….
Egypt military ‘does not want power’
11/22/2011 – CAIRO (Reuters) — Egypt’s army would quit power immediately if the people voted for it in a referendum and a presidential election will be held by mid-2012, the head of the ruling military council said on Tuesday. In a speech announcing concessions to protesters who massed in Cairo’s Tahrir Square to….
Egypt army ‘agrees national salvation cabinet’
11/22/2011 – CAIRO (AFP) —Egypt’s Supreme Council of the Armed Forces has agreed to form a national salvation government and hand power to a civilian authority by July 2012, politician Selim al-Awwa told the state MENA agency. The ruling military council, which is facing its worst crisis since it took power when veteran president Hosni….
Bahrain opposition says repression ‘systematic’
11/22/2011 – DUBAI (AFP) — Bahrain’s largest opposition group on Tuesday dismissed a government statement acknowledging “instances” of abuse, saying the repression of mainly Shiite anti-government protesters is “systematic.” Meanwhile, three rights groups issued a report documenting acts of repression, on the eve of the planned release of a report by an independent commission of inquiry….
Erdogan: ‘Coward’ Assad must quit
11/22/2011 – DAMASCUS (AFP) — Syria’s Bashar Assad was branded a coward on Tuesday by his onetime friend and ally, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who urged him to quit or face a bloody death like other dictators. The opposition Syrian National Council said, meanwhile, that it is already pressing ahead with plans for a….
Israeli Government Starts Huge Silwan Tax Collection Campaign
PNN – PNNOn Tuesday the Israeli Jerusalem Municipality began a widespread campaign in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Silwan designed to collect outstanding property and income taxes, a move Palestinians have denounced as a…
King Abdullah to Abbas: European Initiative to Restart Negotiations Still on Table
PNN – PNNOn Tuesday, the London-based al-Hayat newspaper reported that King Abdullah of Jordan, who visited Ramallah on Monday, told PA president Mahmoud Abbas that the European initiative to restart negotiations with Israel was…
Nine Palestinians Arrested in Jenin in Overnight Raids
PNN – PNNIsraeli forces arrested nine Palestinians from the Jenin governorate on Tuesday morning, most of them in their late 30s and 40s. Secure sources told Palestinian government news wire Wafa that the arrested…
Al-Quds: No Prime Minister Confirmed, Fayyad to Keep Post as Finance Minister
PNN – PNNOn Monday, a secure source told al-Quds al-Arabi newspaper that Hamas had agreed to keep Dr. Salam Fayyad on as the Minister of Finance in the new consensus government under a new…
PNN Signs Contracts with Eight Radio Stations
PNN – PNN The Palestinian News Network (PNN) agreed on Monday to expand its radio coverage in Palestine by signing contracts with eight West Bank radio stations. Representatives Anees al-Khaldi from Mada Radio, Majdi…
Lack of Palestinian Voice in American Media
PNN – by Mousa al-Shanteer Every day, we Americans wake up to the same daily routine. FOX Morning News gives us a dose of biased conservative jargon and CNN Evening News is there to…
Israeli Troops Arrest Six Including Freed Prisoner, Raid Homes in the West Bank
PNN – PNNOn Monday morning, Israeli troops arrested 22-year-old freed prisoner Ghassan Mohammed Hanini from Beit Fourik as he tried to cross a Qalqiliya checkpoint. Hanini spent three years in Israeli military prison and…
Even with Unity Agreement, Islamic Jihad to Boycott Upcoming Elections
PNN – PNNIslamic Jihad leader Ahmed al-Modalal told PNN on Sunday that the Gaza-based movement would not participate in any upcoming elections, even if Hamas and Fatah formed a unity government, citing the Oslo…
Sources: Hamas and Fatah Agree on Mamoun Abu Shahla for New Prime Minister
PNN – PNNThe Palestinian TV station al-Wattan TV said on Monday that the leaders of Fatah and Hamas had agreed on new prime minister, a Gazan businessman named Mamoun Abu Shahla. The news was…
International Solidarity Movement
Sowing wheat in Israel’s kill zone
11/23/2011 – International Solidarity Movement – By Radhika Sainath, Notes from Behind the Blockade – One need not be an agronomist to know that its been a long time since the farmers of Khuza’a, Gaza have tended to their land near the border. When we arrived on Friday, the densely packed soil formed small hills with alien, ridged, patterns: Israeli…. Related: Notes from Behind the Blockade
Demolition threats continue in Imnzeizil
11/22/2011 – International Solidarity Movement – By Aida Gerard, 21 November 2011, International Solidarity Movement, West Bank – On the same morning when an official from the ICA, Israeli Civil Administration, promised to “pardon” the demolition orders of the solar panels in Imneizil, a village at the southern border of the West Bank, a new demolition order was delivered to the village on….
Alternative Information Center
All for Peace goes silent
Alternative Information Center – The left-leaning Kol HaShalom ( All for Peace —a wordplay in Hebrew that also means Voice for Peace) was on the air for the last seven years. Their studios are in Sheik Jarrah, East Jerusalem, and their…
Settlements pose biggest obstacle to Palestinian agriculture
Alternative Information Center – More than 10,000 agricultural holdings can’t be accessed due to land confiscation and destruction resulting from the construction of the Israeli separation barrier. Military checkpoints restrict access to another 7000; 8000 have limited access due to…
Frightened of BDS, pro-Israel groups push holiday shoppers to Buy Israel
Alternative Information Center – The American holiday shopping season begins on “Black Friday,” the massive shopping day that follows Thanksgiving. Frightened by the growing BDS movement, pro-Israel groups are promoting a “Buy Israel Week,” which will take place the following…
Lebanon: JICA and Lebanon sign US$ 2 million project for rehabilitation of infrastructure in Ein El Hillweh
Relief Web 21 Nov 2011 – Source: UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East Country: Lebanon , Japan , occupied Palestinian territory 18 November 2011 Beirut The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed a memorandum of understanding today with the government of Lebanon…
Erdogan draws to demise of Qadaffi in call for Al Assad to step down
The National 22 Nov 2011 – Turkey’s prime minister reminded the Syrian PM of the bloody end of Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi and those of past dictators, including Adolf Hitler.
Security sources claims Kuwait orders 45 people detained over protests
The National 22 Nov 2011 – The source says that those ordered to be arrested did not include opposition members of parliament who “will be dealt with separately”.
Iran denounce US sanctions as ‘propaganda and psychological warfare’
The National 22 Nov 2011 – An Iranian foreign ministry spokesman said the US measures, coordinated with Britain and Canada in Washington, will have no effect.
Yemen’s president agrees to step down, says UN envoy
The National 22 Nov 2011 – The opposition and Ali Abdullah Saleh, the president, had approved a plan for the transition of power, according to a UN envoy.
Protesters clash with police in Bahrain
The National 22 Nov 2011 – Clashes between protesters and security forces broke out on the Bahraini island of Sitra yesterday following a funeral procession for a teenager.
Analysis: Egypt is at its most fragile since the fall of Mubarak
The National 22 Nov 2011 – In challenging the military, its silent majority must decide whether to join the protesters and risk delaying elections, or to leave change to elected representatives.
Tantawi tells Egyptians that elections will go ahead
The National 22 Nov 2011 – Concessions of power to civilian authorities by July next year were immediately rejected by the tens of thousands of people gathered in Tahrir Square.
Tahrir Square fills with activists as Egypt protests enter fourth day
The National 21 Nov 2011 – Offer of resignation by Egypt’s entire cabinet fails to quell spreading unrest as protests against military rulers continue.
Arab tweeters to get their own voice online
The National 21 Nov 2011 – Group campaigning for Twitter to launch a full Arabic service has 91 members in 10 Arab countries and nearly 15,000 followers.
Obama aide: End of Assad regime will serve severe blow to Iran
Ha’aretz – National Security Advisor Tom Donilon says no option off the table in dealing with Iran’s nuclear program, adding that Islamic Republic’s isolation is causing rifts in Tehran regime.
Palestinians charged with killing West Bank man, baby to avenge ‘price tag’ attack
Ha’aretz – Residents of West Bank town of Halhul indicted of throwing rocks at vehicle passing near Kiryat Arba, causing the deaths of Asher Palmer, 25, and his infant son Yonatan.
Thousands rally in Tel Aviv in support of democracy in Israel
Ha’aretz – Protesters say series of bills passed in the Knesset in recent days is draconian and anti-democratic; activists block several junctions, 7 arrested.
Bradley Burston / Over Netanyahu’s New Israel, the B.S. light is on
Ha’aretz – How are people who support Israel supposed to understand the Black Flag legislation which has expropriated the business of the Knesset?
Egypt to hold presidential vote by July 2012, military chief says
Ha’aretz – Mohamed Hussein Tantawi says security forces never sought to harm Egyptian civilians, claims willing to hold referendum on immediate transfer of power if people demand it.
UN human rights committee condemns Syria for violent crackdown
Ha’aretz – 122 states, including several Arab, Muslim nations, call on President Bashar Assad to halt bloodshed which has claimed more than 3,000 lives.
ADL calls on Indian channel to remove ‘Hitler’ from show title
Ha’aretz – Soap opera airing five days a week features a lead character named ‘Hitler Didi’; Anti-Defamation League: Millions of viewers hearing the name ‘Hitler’ on a daily basis.
Egypt military offers to speed up power transfer in meet with political parties
Ha’aretz – Party heads say Supreme Council of Armed Forces agree to July 2012 regime change; parties power to be transferred on April 29, probe into the death of 36 protesters in last 4 days.
Turkey’s Erdogan urges Assad to ‘finally step down’ for sake of Mideast peace
Ha’aretz – Turkish prime minister says President Assad must go ‘without spilling any more blood’; Syria activists report at least 9 killed by Assad forces in Homs, Hama areas.
Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood to enter dialogue with military government
Ha’aretz – Military rulers call for meeting to end current unrest; Ruling party says in statement ‘the only way out of the crisis is by meeting the just demands of the demonstrators.’
Russia joins U.S., Britain in backing Israel’s opposition to nuclear-free Mideast
Ha’aretz – The International Atomic Energy Agency is convening now in Vienna for forum on the matter; Israel believes peace must come before nuclear-free zone achieved.
Prominent Israeli rabbi faces criminal probe over anti-Arab remarks
Ha’aretz – Shmuel Eliyahu was signatory to edict calling on Jews to refrain from selling or renting property to non-Jews; right-wing NGO: Indictment represents crime against the Jewish people.
Is it the end of crocodile shoes and ostrich steaks in Israel?
Ha’aretz – Israel Nature and Parks Authority decides not to renew regulation allowing commercial ostrich, crocodile farming; Amendments comes into force in 2012.
Is the govenment trying to protect the Electric Corporation’s market share?
Ha’aretz – Two weeks ago, the state withdrew financial guarantees given to the banks of private electricity producers; a month ago it scaled back incentives for solar electricity generation.
IDB sale of Super-Sol called off
Ha’aretz – transaction seems to have been killed, in part, by the prospect that proposed restrictions on holding major stakes in both financial and non-financial companies.
Taking stock / A bad case of ‘Partner syndrome’
Ha’aretz – Eliminating ‘monopoly tax’ is a step towards regaining control of our future.
Your food: is it friend or foe?
Jerusalem Post 22 Nov 2011 – “Food is my enemy. It is poison to my body.” I repeat that a dozen times before I eat, and could you imagine what wonders it does? – Female blogger.
Chabad 2.0
Jerusalem Post 22 Nov 2011 – Yet, for all its internationalism Chabad continues to evince a largely parochial mentality. It is global in scope but not in outlook.
Terra Incognita: Confronting Hannah Arendt
Jerusalem Post 22 Nov 2011 – If the German-born theorist was a racist, collaborator with a leading Nazi intellectual and probably an anti-Semite, why were her work and ideas ever respected?
What Israelis can learn from Thanksgiving
Jerusalem Post 22 Nov 2011 – Center Field: Thanksgiving’s charms evoke the many magical, communal moments punctuating Israel’s calendar.
Two charged for throwing stone that killed Palmers
Jerusalem Post 22 Nov 2011 – Remand extended for Palestinians from village near Hebron who confessed to throwing fatal stone that killed father, son.
EU ups heat on Iran, reaches new sanctions deal
Jerusalem Post 22 Nov 2011 – Some 200 companies, organizations included will face EU asset freezes, and officials will be banned from travelling to EU.
Egypt army head says military does not want power
Jerusalem Post 22 Nov 2011 – Tantawi’s speech ignites crowds of over 100,000 in Tahrir Square who chant for him to step down immediately; field marshal says army would quit if people vote for it in referendum; council accept PM’s resignation.
UN panel condemns Syria over crackdown
Jerusalem Post 22 Nov 2011 – Western-drafted resolution receives support from Jordan, Saudi Arabia, as well as Egypt; Russia, China abstain from vote.
Biden meets top Jewish leaders on Pollard
Jerusalem Post 22 Nov 2011 – US Vice president becomes highest ranking American official to hold meeting about fate of Israeli agent; Jewish leaders hail meeting as “meaningful, productive.”
US condemns ‘deplorable’ violence in Egypt
Jerusalem Post 22 Nov 2011 – “We are deeply concerned about the violence, we call on all sides to exercise restraint,” White House spokesman says.
Hundreds rally in TA against ‘undemocratic’ bills
Jerusalem Post 22 Nov 2011 – Meretz, Peace Now organize protest against Knesset passing 1st readings of libel, judicial bills; MK Horvitz: “This is a fascist law.”
Rivlin to pastors: Dividing J’lem will be disaster
Jerusalem Post 22 Nov 2011 – Knesset speaker calls int’l criticism of building in the city “mark of disgrace”; evangelicals self-identify as “Christian Zionists.”
Rivlin to evangelicals: Dividing J’lem will bring disaster
Jerusalem Post 22 Nov 2011 – Knesset speaker calls int’l criticism of building in the city “mark of disgrace”; pastors self-identify as “Christian Zionists.”
German assembly bows to victims of neo-Nazi killings
Jerusalem Post 22 Nov 2011 – In rare sign of cross-party unity, parliament condemns failure of police to stop murder spree which left 9 immigrants dead.
Iran: Middle East nuclear talks ‘waste of time’
Jerusalem Post 22 Nov 2011 – M. East foes stick to positions in rare nuclear talks; atmosphere calm, little “fiery” rhetoric; Iran boycotts “superficial” meeting.
Eli Hurvitz, who turned Teva into global giant, dies at 79
Jerusalem Post 22 Nov 2011 – Ex-CEO of leading generics company and Israel Prize winner succumbs to cancer.
‘If Assad falls, Hezbollah will take Beirut’
Jerusalem Post 22 Nov 2011 – Hezbollah would take over Beirut with Free Patriotic Movement fearing Israeli offensive in Lebanon.
UN envoy: Yemen power transfer deal in place
Jerusalem Post 22 Nov 2011 – Saleh preparing to sign power transfer agreement, has backed out of 3 such deals; Yemen paralyzed by continued unrest.
Weinstein to probe Safed rabbi over racist comments
Jerusalem Post 22 Nov 2011 – A-G says Rabbi Eliyahu’s comments, not religious ruling barring property sales to Arabs, amount to incitement to racism.
Turkey pressures Assad, calls for regime change
Jerusalem Post 22 Nov 2011 – Erdogan calls on Syrian PM to step down; Gul: “Syria is now at a dead end”; over 3,500 protesters dead so far.
Tunisia’s new premier faces Islamist test
Jerusalem Post 22 Nov 2011 – Hamadi Jebali, the Arab Spring’s first elected leader, copes with radical Islamist rhetoric from his Ennahda Party.
Jordan: Our relations are with PA, not Hamas
Jerusalem Post 22 Nov 2011 – Judeh says any upcoming visit by Mashaal to Amman will be a “quick one,” Hamas won’t soon have offices in Jordan.
Turkey’s Gul says change is inevitable in Syria
Jerusalem Post 22 Nov 2011 – “Syria is now at a dead end,” says Turkish president, urging action to prevent civil war there.
Egyptian Islamists divided over protests
Jerusalem Post 22 Nov 2011 – Muslim Brotherhood vows not to participate in protests that lead to confrontation; Salafists endorse planned million-man march.
FM: Gov’t can solve settlements issue
Jerusalem Post 22 Nov 2011 – Lieberman denies reports that Israel Beiteinu had planned to leave coalition over unauthorized settlements issue.
Hope on the horizon for PTSD patients
Jerusalem Post 22 Nov 2011 – The search for more knowledge on post-traumatic stress disorder begins with the challenge of improving diagnosis and treatment.
Former Teva CEO Eli Hurvitz dies of cancer at 79
Jerusalem Post 22 Nov 2011 – Ex-CEO of leading generics company and Israel Prize winner succumbs to cancer.
Amnesty says Egypt army continues Mubarak-era abuse
Jerusalem Post 22 Nov 2011 – Human Rights group sees no rights improvement since revolution, says protesters’ hopes ignored, demands reform.
Green group stages mock funeral for Dead Sea
Jerusalem Post 22 Nov 2011 – Activists say public awareness now key after cabinet rejects bill to protect site.
MKs present legislation to limit sweets display
Jerusalem Post 22 Nov 2011 – Bill limiting placement of sweets at grocery checkout counters is partial response to what Adatto, Danon call obesity epidemic.
Italians impressed by Tel Aviv Fashion Week
Jerusalem Post 22 Nov 2011 – Young Israeli designers will soon be given a chance to show their creations in Milan.
Quixotic candidate challenges oligarch rule of Jewish group
Jerusalem Post 22 Nov 2011 – Retired physicist from Beersheba claims Euro-Asian Jewish Congress won’t consider him as a leadership candidate because he doesn’t have enough money.
IBA: Finance Ministry is impeding implementation of reforms
Jerusalem Post 22 Nov 2011 – Treasury seen as foot-dragging on honoring its commitments in contracts that it signed with IBA and Histadrut year ago.
Sa’ar: Top court needs Sephardi justice
Jerusalem Post 21 Nov 2011 – Education minister says Supreme Court judiciary should reflect the country’s diverse population.
‘Former head of bar association can help select justices’
Jerusalem Post 21 Nov 2011 – Yori Geiron will take part in national council vote after Tel Aviv District Court rejects petition that sought to prevent his participation.
Rebellious medical residents go back to work
Jerusalem Post 21 Nov 2011 – At least 2 weeks of talks with Treasury, mediated by former Supreme Court justice and University of Haifa legal expert, will go on.
More transparency needed in picking Supreme Court justices
Jerusalem Post 21 Nov 2011 – Freedom of information advocates: Publish names and details on candidates.
Court denies appeal by haredi extremist over J’lem attack
Jerusalem Post 21 Nov 2011 – Shmuel Veisfish, an activist in the extremist Sikrikim group, convicted for rioting, extortion, assault and grievous bodily harm.
8 years for man who sexually assaulted elderly
Jerusalem Post 21 Nov 2011 – Court convicts Ramle resident Jack Hajaj according to plea bargain in which he agreed to plead guilty to all charges in indictment.
Alleged crime boss agrees to plea bargain over gas monopoly
Jerusalem Post 21 Nov 2011 – Shalom Domrani charged over extortion campaign against businessman who wished to open a rival gas store in Sderot.
Abdullah meets with Abbas over Fatah-Hamas talks
Jerusalem Post 21 Nov 2011 – Mashaal due in Jordan soon; Netanyahu discusses Palestinian unity with State Department’s Burns.
Continued violence spurs Egypt’s cabinet to quit
Jerusalem Post 21 Nov 2011 – 33 believed killed, 1,250 wounded since weekend; protesters rage at army’s continued grip on power.
Digital World: Smart classrooms make kids smarter
Jerusalem Post 21 Nov 2011 – World ORT president aims to create in Israel ‘one of world’s most technologically advanced educational systems.’
Under the radar
Jerusalem Post 21 Nov 2011 – Joan as Police Woman (aka Joan Wasser) discusses the inspirations that transformed her into one of the hidden treasures of today’s feminine-shaped musical landscape.
Israeli government press adviser quits
The Guardian 22 Nov 2011 – One of the Israeli government’s press advisers, Eva Berger, has resigned because she claims journalistic freedom is being eroded. Berger, a member of the government press office’s advisory council (GPO), said: “The council’s objective is to…
MOROCCO: Believe or Leave
IPS When he decided to publicly express his views about Islam, Kacem El Ghazzali had no idea that he was going to be beaten up and his life threatened. In spite of this, he continues his fight from his country of asylum for the freedom of faith in the Islamic kingdom…
MIDEAST: Erdogan Most Popular Leader By Far Among Arabs
IPS Despite repeated expressions of support by President Barack Obama for democratic change during the “Arab Spring”, the United States remains widely distrusted in the region, according to a major new survey of public opinion in five Arab countries released here Monday.
Egypt’s military rulers eye ElBaradei for a national salvation government: report
Uruknet November 22, 2011 – Egypt’s military rulers consider assigning presidential hopeful Dr Mohammed ElBaradei to form a national salvation government following the resignation of the government of Prime Minister Dr Essam Sharaf, an Egyptian daily reported on Tuesday citing political sources. The sources told Egypt’s al-Youm al-Sabe daily that the members of the new proposed government…
Protesters Reject Concessions By Egypt’s Military
Uruknet “Our demands are clear,” said Khaled El-Sayed, a protester from the Youth Revolution Coalition and a candidate in the Nov. 28 parliamentary election. “We want the military council to step down and hand over authority to a national salvation government with full authority.”…A youth group that played a key role in the anti-Mubarak uprising said it…
National salvation protests gain momentum, mobilising hundreds of thousands across Egypt
Uruknet November 22, 2011- The almost unanimous calls for a national salvation demonstrations comes after three day of clashes between protesters and security forces, which have left 33 dead and more than a thousand injured. Despite Egypt’s ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) efforts to dissuade protests by releasing a statement inviting all political forces…
Syria News – November 21 2011 (Warning: Graphic Videos)
Uruknet November 21, 2011 – Syria: The number of martyrs today, thus far, is 22. Among them were two women and a child. 15 of the martyrs were in Homs, 4 in the Hama suburbs, and 1 in Deir Ezzor, 1 Raqqa and 1 in Idlib…Homs: Martyrdom of Ahmad Al-Ashmat who was shot, along with three others,…
Palestinian Authority in Ramallah condemns Israeli “theft” of tax revenue
Uruknet November 21, 2011 – The Palestinian Authority in Ramallah has condemned Israeli Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz for saying that Tel Aviv will continue to block the transfer of tax revenues belonging to the PA if national reconciliation between Fatah and Hamas is realised. Government spokesman Ghassan El-Khatib said on Sunday that Steinitz’s statement is an attempt “…
Determinants of Qatar’s Foreign Policy (Part I)
Uruknet November 21, 2011 – Anyone who has discussed foreign policy with the Emir of Qatar-as I have on two occasions only, the second one last year-knows that enmity toward Saudi Arabia is a key determinant of Qatari foreign policy. People were too quick to forget about the bitter Saudi-Qatari feud as soon as Qatar and Saudi…
* News & Politics * Culture & Society * Economy * Opinion * Series & Features * Interviews & Portraits * Blogs Follow Al-Akhbar on Twitter Like Al-Akhbar on Facebook Subscribe to our RSS Feed Determinants of Qatar’s Foreign Policy (Part I)
Uruknet November 21, 2011 – Anyone who has discussed foreign policy with the Emir of Qatar-as I have on two occasions only, the second one last year-knows that enmity toward Saudi Arabia is a key determinant of Qatari foreign policy. People were too quick to forget about the bitter Saudi-Qatari feud as soon as Qatar and Saudi…
Israel Steps Up Police State Crackdowns
Uruknet Israel never embraced democratic values. More than ever today that’s true. Many Jews understand. As a result, they’re voting with their feet and leaving. Gideon Levy remarked that “(i)t’s really an irony of history, because Israel was established to become a shelter to the Jewish people. Now Europe becomes a shelter for the Jews living in…
Iraq snapshot – November 21, 2011
Uruknet November 21, 2011. Chaos and violence continue, a candle light vigil is held for a fallen US soldier, US Gen Lloyd Austin warns of dangers in Iraq, Bradley Manning gets a date for his Article 32 hearing, Reuters and others must have missed last week’s Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, Iraq hosts an international chess tournament,…
Syrian Soldiers Attack Bus Carrying Turkish Pilgrims
Uruknet November 21, 2011 – A convoy of buses carrying Turkish Muslim pilgrims was attacked by gunmen as they crossed through central Syria, according to Turkish media. At least two people, including a bus driver, were wounded in the assault which occurred at a checkpoint near the city of Homs, the vortex of the eight-month long revolt…
Israel Bullies Laborers, Leaders and just About Everyone Else
Uruknet November 21, 2011 – The Palestinian Authority is a little like the thousands of Palestinian laborers who wake up at the crack of dawn to cross into Israel for an honest day’s work. Their livelihood depends almost completely on others and if there is a glitch in the system, well, they suffer immediately. Pretty much like…
Right-wing Israeli group creates booklet listing businesses that employ Palestinians
Uruknet November 21, 2011 – A grandson of the late Rabbi Meir Kahane, best known for his belief that Arabs should be ethnically cleansed from historic Palestine, is leading a movement to document and boycott all businesses in Israel that employ Palestinians. The plan was discovered when 19-year old Meir Ettinger was reported to the police for…
Major CIA network unraveled by Hezbollah, Iran ?
Uruknet November 21, 2011 – In a significant failure for the United States in the Mideast, more than a dozen spies working for the CIA in Iran and Lebanon have been caught and the U.S. government fears they will be or have been executed, according to four current and former U.S. officials with connections to the intelligence…
Presidential adviser: Settlers target Jerusalem homes
Uruknet November 21, 2011 — Israeli settler organizations have been given the green light by the Israeli government to take over a number of central Jerusalem homes belonging to Palestinians, a presidential legal adviser said on Sunday. Ahmad Ruweidi said the Israeli government had waited until the timing was right politically to implement court decisions evicting Palestinians…
The roots of the UC-Davis pepper-spraying
Uruknet November 21, 2011 – The now-viral video of police officers in their Robocop costumes sadistically pepper-spraying peaceful, sitting protesters at UC-Davis (details here) shows a police state in its pure form. It’s easy to be outraged by this incident as though it’s some sort of shocking aberration, but that is exactly what it is not. The…
Framing Syria
Uruknet November 21, 2011 – ….Bashar al-Assad seemed to realize that no news from his side is not necessarily good news. Perhaps in an effort to generate a more favorable narrative, a selective few have been granted access to Syria. These journalists, like Robert Fisk, Andrew Gilligan, and Nir Rosen, are vaguely not escorted, but not undercover….
The anguish of a Gaza cancer patient in Cairo
Uruknet November 21, 2011 – It took five days before Mohammad Wadi was able to speak with doctors at the Nasser Institute hospital in Cairo, Egypt. Following his relentless attempts to gain admission, the forty-year-old Palestinian from Gaza arrived on Monday last week at the hospital’s leukemia department. On the previous Thursday, Wadi, escorted by his nephew…
Egypt: Military rulers have ‘crushed’ hopes of 25 January protesters (Full Report )
Uruknet November 21, 2011 – Egypt’s military rulers have completely failed to live up to their promises to Egyptians to improve human rights and have instead been responsible for a catalogue of abuses which in some cases exceeds the record of Hosni Mubarak, Amnesty International said today in a new report. In Broken Promises: Egypt’s Military Rulers…
Bahrain admits ‘excessive force’ against protests
Uruknet November 21, 2011 – “Regrettably, there have been instances of excessive force and mistreatment of detainees,” said the statement, issued two days ahead of a report by an inquiry panel commissioned by King Hamad to probe alleged government misconduct during the February-March crackdown on Shiite-led protests. Authorities say 24 people, including four policemen, were killed in…
Syria News – November 20, 2011 (Warning: Graphic Videos)
Uruknet November 20, 2011 – Number of martyrs today rose to 13 up till this moment, 7 martyrs in Homs ,4 martyrs in Idlib and a martyr each in Hama “Kafarzeta” and in Bokamal…Homs: Rastan: More than 60 people have been subjected to a campaign of random raids and arrests. Among the victims are the Director of…
Lebanon celebrates Independence Day with mixed feelings
Daily Star 22 Nov 2011 Lebanon celebrates the 68th anniversary of its independence with the annual military parade as politicians take the opportunity to criticize attacks on the country’s sovereignty.
New STL president to visit Lebanon
Daily Star 22 Nov 2011 The new president of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon is to visit Beirut for the first time this week.
Turkey premier urges Syrian president to step down
Daily Star 22 Nov 2011 Turkey’s prime minister says Syria’s president must step down for the sake of his own people and the region.
Yemeni troops kill 6 al-Qaida militants in south
Daily Star 22 Nov 2011 Yemen’s Defense Ministry says government troops have killed six al-Qaida fighters in a southern town and arrested the militants’ leader during the fighting.
Egyptians converge on Tahrir Square for 4th day
Daily Star 22 Nov 2011 Egyptians urged to rally en masse to demand an end to military rule after days of bloody clashes that are threatening to derail next week’s first elections since Hosni Mubarak’s ouster.
International court prosecutor in Libya for trial talks
Daily Star 22 Nov 2011 International Criminal Court Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo flys to Tripoli for talks with Libyan authorities about their plans to put on trial Moammar Gadhafi’s son and one-time heir apparent Seif al-Islam Gadhafi.
Iran says new sanctions from West ‘in vain’
Daily Star 22 Nov 2011 Iran dismisses new sanctions announced by Western powers, saying they would only serve to unite Iranians and not hurt the economy or force it to halt its nuclear programme.
Report: Turkey detains al-Qaida suspects
Daily Star 22 Nov 2011 State-run television says Turkish police have detained 14 people on suspicion of links to the al-Qaida terror network.
Iran’s state-run paper protests detention of staff
Daily Star 22 Nov 2011 Iranian state-run newspaper denounces the detention of its chief editor and 39 other staffers amid a scandal surrounding President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s press adviser.
Egypt Cabinet quits as clashes rage
Daily Star 21 Nov 2011 Egypt’s Cabinet said it had resigned as clashes raged in Tahrir Square between police and protesters demanding democratic change in the country.
Turkish nationals come under attack in Syria
Daily Star 21 Nov 2011 Gunmen opened fire on a convoy of Turkish buses inside Syria, injuring at least two Turks returning from the Hajj pilgrimage in KSA, further straining Syrian-Turkish relations.
Opposition announces transition deal with Saleh
Daily Star 21 Nov 2011 Yemen’s opposition said Monday it had finalized a deal with President Ali Abdullah Saleh under which he is to transfer his powers to his deputy.
Libyan prime minister-designate to name new Cabinet Tuesday
Daily Star 21 Nov 2011 Libya’s prime minister-designate said Monday he was ready to name a government to steer the country to its first fully democratic elections.
Al-Shabaab rebels flee as Ethiopians move in
Daily Star 21 Nov 2011 Al-Shabaab militants have begun pulling out of at least two rebel enclaves in central Somalia after neighboring Ethiopia dispatched hundreds of troops across the border.
Syrian opposition group unveils post-Assad transition plan
Daily Star 21 Nov 2011 Syria’s National Council opposition group has unveiled a plan for a transitional period lasting up to 18 months if President Bashar Assad is toppled.
Challenge to prime minister brings breath of Arab Spring to Kuwait
Daily Star 21 Nov 2011 Kuwait has been little touched by the wave of unrest that has swept some of its neighbors this year.
Syria’s Assad seen ignoring Gaddafis’ fate
Daily Star 21 Nov 2011 The chilling spectacle of Muammar Gaddafi’s brutal end last month and the capture of his son Saif al-Islam this week, far from deterring Bashar al-Assad.
US delays planned return of envoy to Syria
Daily Star 21 Nov 2011 The U.S. ambassador to Syria will not return to Damascus this week as previously planned but is expected to go back there by the end of the year.
Diplomats: EU reaches deal on new Iran sanctions
YNet News, 22 Nov 2011 – European Union governments agreed in principle on Tuesday to extend sanctions against Iran by adding some 200 names to a target list of people and entities in an effort … ….
Egypt: Tantawi vows to transfer power
YNet News, 22 Nov 2011 – Damage control? Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, who heads Egypt’s Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF), addressed the Egyptian nation on Tuesday, amid … ….
2 Palestinians indicted for murder of Asher Palmer, son
YNet News, 22 Nov 2011 – Two Palestinians were indicted Tuesday for the murder of Asher Palmer (25) and his infant son Yonatan in September. The Palmers were killed when their car went off … ….
US, Russia, UK back Israel at IAEA Mideast meeting
YNet News, 22 Nov 2011 – In a boost to Israel, Russia joined the US and Britain on Tuesday in backing the Jewish state’s view that the Middle East cannot be turned into a nuclear arms-free zone … ….
Judge saves defendant’s life
YNet News, 22 Nov 2011 – Jerusalem District Court Judge Amnon Cohen saved a defendant’s life on Tuesday, after the man suffered an epileptic seizure during a hearing of his case. At 10 am, … ….
Judges Selection Commission gets first Arab rep
YNet News, 22 Nov 2011 – The Israeli Bar Association elected Attorney Khaled Hosni-Zoabi as its representative to the Judges Selection Commission, alongside Attorney Rachel Ben-Ari, Ynet learned … ….
Thousands protest against ‘libel bill’
YNet News, 22 Nov 2011 – Some 2,000 people gathered in Tel Aviv’s Rothschild Avenue on Tuesday in protest of the amendment to the Defamation Law, which passed its first Knesset reading on Monday. … ….
Haredi combat soldiers seek to serve 3 years
YNet News, 22 Nov 2011 – New proposal initiated by soldiers in IDF’s haredi Netzah Yehuda Battalion will….
Report: Egypt’s Military Council eyes ElBaradei as new PM
YNet News, 22 Nov 2011 – Former IAEA Chief Mohamed ElBaradei said to be Cairo’s choice to replace PM….
Egypt: Military Council announces presidential elections
YNet News, 22 Nov 2011 – Cairo’s military rulers try to stop country from slipping into anarchy as civil….
US steps up sanctions pressure on Iran
YNet News, 22 Nov 2011 – Washington names Iran ‘primary money laundering concern,’ warns firms against….
Report: Hezbollah considering military coup if Assad falls
YNet News, 22 Nov 2011 – Sources tell al-Arabia network Shiite group planning to ‘seize parts of Beirut’….
AG: Investigate Rabbi Eliyahu over anti-Arab remarks
YNet News, 22 Nov 2011 – Safed chief rabbi to be probed for saying ‘Arab culture is cruel’ and ‘expelling….
Jewish leaders, Biden discuss Pollard
YNet News, 22 Nov 2011 – On 26th anniversary of spy’s arrest, Jewish leaders tell VP people who have….
How Rabbi Ovadia Yosef murder plot was averted
YNet News, 22 Nov 2011 – A mentally ill man who had previously run over a rabbi and was recently indicted….
Canada: 50 Israelis arrested for illegal work
YNet News, 22 Nov 2011 – In most cases illegal workers incarcerated for short period, then deported…..
Report: Rise in domestic homicides
YNet News, 22 Nov 2011 – Welfare minister says ‘it is inconceivable that home is not a safe place for so….
Amnesty: Egyptian army continuing Mubarak-era abuse
YNet News, 22 Nov 2011 – Rights group accuses Egypt’s rulers of brutality exceeding that of former….
Palestinian Information Center
Aerial and naval assaults and an incursion into the southern Gaza Strip
PIC – Israeli occupation forces escalated their aggression against the Gaza Strip on Tuesday evening with attacks from the air, the sea, the land reported. No casualties were reported.
Darawi: Government, the PLO and elections top the agenda of Abbas-Mishaal meet
PIC – Head of the Palestinian Studies Centre in Egypt, Ibrahim al-Darawi, said that there were three issues that top the agenda at the meeting between Mahmoud Abbas and Khaled Mishaal on Thursday in Cairo.
Hijazi: We are preparing a convoy for Jerusalem
PIC – Dr. Safwat Hijazi, the leader of Rabetat Ahl Al-Sunna, told a press conference in Gaza city after arrival that his Rabeta was preparing a convoy for Jerusalem.
IOF kidnap 11 Palestinians today in Jenin and Nablus
PIC – The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) kidnapped Tuesday morning 11 Palestinian citizens, most of them during violent raids on homes, in Jenin and Nablus cities.
Massive march tomorrow to demand release of political detainees in W. Bank
PIC – The association of Muslim youth along with the family committee of political detainees invited the Palestinian people to take part in the 22nd march against political arrest in the West Bank.
Detention of female journalist extended
PIC – The Israeli court in Jerusalem on Monday extended the detention of Palestinian journalist Isra’a Salhab till next Friday for further interrogation.
Galaxy of prominent figures slams Israel’s plan to raze Maghariba Gate
PIC – Noted Palestinian figures from occupied Jerusalem and the 1948 occupied lands on Monday warned the Israeli occupation state of its declared intent to demolish the historical Maghariba Gate.
Prisoners at Rimon Israeli Prison Attacked Viciously
WAFA
Further Work Needed to End Injustice against Women, Says UN Study
WAFA
Israeli Bulldozers Raze Land, Destroy Irrigation Networks in Jericho
WAFA
Israel Arrests Popular Front Activists
WAFA
Officials Call for International Intervention to Release PA Funds
WAFA
Denmark Confirms Support for Palestine to Gain UN Membership
WAFA
PCBS: Hotel Guests Over100,000 in Third Quarter
WAFA
Weather Forecast: Slight Rise in Temperature
WAFA
Who are the Warmongers?
Intifada-Palestine: 21 Nov 2011 – by Nahida Izzat Did you ever ponder about the question: Who is promoting America’s wars? Who pushed for the war on Iraq? Who is pushing for another war on Iran? Who is promoting concepts of American Exceptionalism., military necessity, and “leadership… more
As Egypt protests intensify, interim leaders offer to resign
LA Times 21 Nov 2011 – It’s unclear whether the Cabinet’s offer will be accepted, as demonstrators demand that the military transfer power to a civilian government now and the army warns a new revolt will not be tolerated. As deadly clashes intensified Monday between thousands of protesters and riot police,…
U.S. slaps Iran with more sanctions
LA Times 21 Nov 2011 – The Obama administration’s harshest step will be a move to identify Iran as a source of ‘primary money-laundering concern.’ The Obama administration slapped Iran with a new round of sanctions for its alleged nuclear and terrorist activities, but stopped short of the tough economic punishments…
Wider Protests Urged in Egypt as Crackdown Enters Day 4
New York Times 22 Nov 2011 – A day after the Egyptian cabinet offered its resignation, protesters sought to mobilize yet bigger demonstrations on Tuesday, despite lethal clashes recalling the early days of the Arab Spring.
Bahrain Nervously Awaits Report on Revolt
New York Times 22 Nov 2011 – Bahrain’s king asked for an investigation of the country’s protests and crackdown, a complicated task with the goal of promoting healing and charting a way forward.
Libya’s Toughest Test May Be Building an Army
New York Times 22 Nov 2011 – The country has never had a truly professional national army, and the struggling interim government’s effort to build one may be its most difficult and important task.
Syrian Opposition Meets With British Officials
New York Times 22 Nov 2011 – Opponents of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime gained further support as a violent crackdown continued in Syria and gunmen attacked a bus full of Turkish pilgrims.
Tunisia’s Newly Elected Assembly Gets to Work
New York Times 22 Nov 2011 – Lawmakers held their inaugural meeting Tuesday, ready to start shaping the constitution and the democratic future of the country that sparked the Arab Spring uprisings.
United States and Its Allies Expand Sanctions on Iran
New York Times 22 Nov 2011 – The United States and its allies on Monday targeted Iran’s central bank and petrochemical industry with new sanctions, seeking to tighten the vise on Tehran’s nuclear activities.
Renewed uprising signals turning point in Egyptian revolution
WSWS – The revolutionary upheavals that began in Egypt last January 25 have reached a crucial turning point in which the decisive question is the independent political mobilization of the working class in the struggle for power.
Gaddafi’s son captured in Libya
WSWS – The capture of Saif al Islam has raised the spectre of a drawn-out criminal trial in The Hague, with embarrassing details emerging of the intimate ties between the Gaddafi regime and Western powers.
JVP’s Executive Director’s op-ed on CNN.com
Jewish Voice for Peace –
Plasan Sasa signs MOU with US firms for generators
Neged Neshek – California-based Aura Systems has signed a memorandum of understanding with Plasan Sasa . The binding agreement will integrate Aura’s VIPER generator system into an electric-powered armored vehicle built by Plasan Sasa. The financial terms were not announced.
Coup government in Honduras to buy Tavor rifles from IWI
Neged Neshek – The government of Honduras is planning to buy Israel Weapon Industries’ Tavor assault rifles for its armed forces. The details of the contract are yet to be worked out and there is still time for activists to block the sale.
Elbit wins another Brazilian avionics and EWS contract
Neged Neshek – Elbit’s Brazilian subsidiary AEL Sistemas (Aeroelectronica) was awarded yet another contract for avionics and electronic warfare systems by the Brazilian Air Force . AEL will provide “Self-protection suite; directional infrared countermeasures; and pilot orientation head-up display” for the KC-390 transport and tanker aircraft. This is at least…
Boeing vs. IAI dispute threatens 767 conversion program
Neged Neshek – Israel Aerospace Industries’ (IAI) conversions of Boeing 767 to tankers and multi-mission aircraft is under threat by a dispute over fees charged by Boeing. IAI’s Bedek division has already sent one converted 767 to Colombia last year and views the market for converted 767s as significant….
IAF chief in India to bolster military ties
Neged Neshek – Israel Air Force chief Ido Nehushtan is in India meeting with India warmaking counterparts. The Indo-Israeli alliance continues to be built and – as the Times of India notes – is done so quietly “due to political sensitivities.” The general populace of India and especially its…
Thousands rally in Tahrir Square as protests continue against military government
Mondoweiss – @import “http://embed.tweetizen.com/embed.css”; A full-scale revolt is threatening Egypt’s ruling military government as tens of thousands of Egyptians pack Cairo’s Tahrir Square, calling for the dissolution of the Supreme Council of Armed Forces (SCAF) and a quick transition to civilian rule. Demonstrations have also been reported in…
Soldiers make room for settlers to attack peaceful Palestinian demonstration
Mondoweiss – link to www.alternativenews.org ‘—> link to www.alternativenews.org ‘—> link to www.philstar.com link to www.imemc.org link to www.imemc.org link to www.maannews.net link to www.richardsilverstein.com link to www.maannews.net link to electronicintifada.net link to www.alternativenews.org link to www.upi.com link to www.maannews.net link to www.maannews.net link to www.imemc.org link to…
Obama must condemn Egyptian military’s crackdown
Mondoweiss – Jodie Evans and Medea Benjamin have issued a call on Obama to condemn the attacks in Tahrir Square. (Thx to Paul Mutter) Excerpt: As we watch the Egyptian police and military viciously attack democracy activists on the streets of Cairo, using U.S. weapons, it is outrageous…
Activists to sue Minnnesota for investments that fund Israeli occupation
Mondoweiss – Minnesota is among twenty-two states and the District of Columbia which invest in State of Israel Bonds. Proceeds from the sale of Israel Bonds are disbursed by Israel’s Ministry of Finance to various Israeli government agencies and then used, in part, to fund illegal settlement activities…
Santorum says West Bank is Israel’s Texas, and all who live there are ‘Israelis’
Mondoweiss – Gosh I wish I understood who Santorum is pandering to, Christians? But in the pugnacious guessing game he plays above with a smart questioner, the former Senator says that “all the people who live in the West Bank are Israelis.” So is that an inadvertent recognition…
Former Channel 10 CEO: Bibi Sealed Deal to Shut Down Channel Months Ago
Tikun Olam – The Israeli business paper, Globes, reports (Hebrew) on an interview aired on Israeli TV by former Channel 10 CEO, Raduar Benziman, who quit his post after agreeing to air an abject apology to Sheldon Adelson for an unflattering documentary it aired about the unsavory business practices…
Santorum Endorses One-State Solution
Tikun Olam – Eli Clifton does his usual sterling job finding this absolute chestnut . Rick Santorum unwittingly endorsed a one-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict when he made this statement on the campaign trail [emphasis mine]: …The GOP presidential hopeful said that “ all the people who live in…
Glenn Beck at ZOA Dinner: ’18 Months to Save World, I Know How to Do It’
Tikun Olam – ZOA 2011 dinner honorees Mort Klein and ZOA provide endless enjoyment for anyone with an acute political satiric sense. Take their latest fundraising gala last night covered by Haaretz. There was so much to delight in, I hardly know where to start. Why don’t we begin…
Judge Orders Shin Bet to Surrender Abusisi Interrogation Records, Lieberman Met with Ukrainian Interior Minister Over Kidnapping
Tikun Olam – Dirar Abusisi has now been incarcerated for nine months in an Israeli prison after his illegal kidnapping by Mossad agents from a Ukranian train last February. During that time, the State has not begun any trial against him though it has offered him a plea bargain…
Targeting of Christian Syrians and Black Libyans: The “Clash of Civilizations” is on the march
Voltaire Network 21 Nov 2011 – Divide and conquer stratagems are back with a vengeance throughout the Arab world, fanning the flames of discontent and undermining national sovereignty. The stage is being set for a contrived “clash of civilizations,” closely following the 1982 plan of Israeli strategist Oded Yinon, for which any…
Palestinian poet: “We teach life, sir”
Voltaire Network 20 Nov 2011 – Rafeef Ziadah is a Canadian-Palestinian spoken word artist and activist. Her debut CD Hadeel is dedicated to Palestinian youth, who still fly kites in the face of F16 bombers, who still remember the names if their villages in Palestine and still hear the sound of Hadeel (…
Kenya: Israel Link Gives Militants Propaganda Tool
allAfrica.com 21 Nov 2011 – The military incursion in pursuit of Al-Shabaab extremists across the borders right inside Somalia is obviously of great significance for both regional and international security.
Egypt: FM to Attend Deauville Partnership Meeting in Kuwait
allAfrica.com 21 Nov 2011 – Foreign Minister Mohamed Amr will head for Kuwait Monday 21/11/2011 to attend Deauville Partnership meeting and a meeting of Future Forum on Tuesday before returning home.
Activists in France launch campaign against Mehadrin
Global BDS 22 Nov 2011 – Activists in France launched the campaign against Mehadrin with a large demonstration outside the comapny’s French headquarters in Chateaurenard in the south of the country. In the wake of the collapse of Agrexco, Mehadrin has become Israel’s largest agricultural produce exporter. Mehadrin sources produce from growers in…
Take Apartheid off the Menu!
Global BDS 22 Nov 2011 – View Take Apartheid off the Menu! in a larger mapClick here to send a polite message to Google about the way they describe Palestine in their maps. Export of Israeli agricultural produce is at the heart of Israel’s apartheid regime over the Palestinian people. It is…
Confronting Arava UK – Act one of Apartheid off the menu
Global BDS 21 Nov 2011 – Campaigners today visited the sales office of Arava UK/ aka Mills Associates, at their (previously) sleepy offices in the South Yorkshire countryside. Our aim was to deliver a letter to the company, to confront them about their business practices and to give them the clear message…
Egypt power transfer ‘speeded up’
BBC 22 Nov 2011 – Egypt’s military rulers agree to hold presidential elections by next July, as protesters continue to pack Cairo’s Tahrir Square.
UN vote condemns Syria crackdown
BBC 22 Nov 2011 – The United Nations human rights committee condemns Syria’s crackdown on opposition protests, calling on it to implement an Arab League plan to end the violence.
Libya’s new government unveiled
BBC 22 Nov 2011 – Libya’s interim PM names a new transitional cabinet, tasked with drafting a constitution and holding democratic elections by next June.
Iran nuclear sanctions ‘in vain’
BBC 22 Nov 2011 – Iran dismisses new Western sanctions imposed against it because of growing concerns about its nuclear programme, saying they are “in vain”.
Articles
Sowing wheat in Israel’s kill zone
Radhika Sainath, Notes from Behind the Blockade 11/22/2011
One need not be an agronomist to know that its been a long time since the farmers of Khuza”™a, Gaza have tended to their land near the border. When we arrived on Friday, the densely packed soil formed small hills with alien, ridged, patterns: Israeli tanks had roamed here, dozens of them. It was hard to imagine how anything ever grew on this brown, barren soil, much less the hundreds of olive, orange and grapefruit trees the Qudaih family reminisced about.
But those groves and the greenhouses too, were long gone: the Israeli army bulldozed them in 2002 to create the ever-expanding no-man’s land Israel calls the “buffer zone” and Gazans call the “kill zone” — any Palestinian who steps foot inside is subject instant death or dismemberment by the Israeli army fire.
Khaled Mahmood Suleiman Qudaih called us a few days before, asking us if we would accompany his family to his father’s fields so that they could sow wheat. We met them inside a small tent and they explained to us the situation. The Qudiahs and many other farmers were afraid that the Israeli army would shoot them if the attempted to reach their land near the buffer zone. We informed them that we could not guarantee their safety, that the Israeli army had killed foreign civilians too.
Alas, our presence and our video cameras was all the impetus they needed to risk life and limb.
On Friday, we arrived to the south Gaza village early, drank two cups of sugary tea with sage, jumped on a cart pulled by a white donkey, and were on our way. We slowly rode down the main street locals waving as we passed by. Then we head east out to the farmland, passing between giant slabs of concrete placed at the outskirts of the village in an attempt to protect children playing in the streets from Israeli army gunfire. — See also: Notes from Behind the Blockade more.. e-mail
Who Profits: Veolia owns, operates Tovlan landfill in OPT for Israeli waste
Who Profits Newsletter, Israeli Occupation Archive 11/22/2011
Introduction by Omar Barghouti: Veolia is not only still involved in the illegal Israeli tram project connecting Israeli’s colonies to Jerusalem, it also owns and operates (through its subsidiaries), as confirmed below, the infamous Tovlan landfill which processes Israeli waste on occupied Palestinian land in direct violation of international law.
Though it lost billions of dollars worth of contracts worldwide (particularly in the UK, Sweden and Ireland) and had to close shop in many countries, due to BDS and other factors, Veolia has yet to end its complicity in Israel’s grave violations of international law. It may take the loss of more lucrative contracts, especially in the US, to feel more heat. Then its share owners will reconsider.
Who Profits: Veolia’s Involvement in the Occupied Jordan Valley
* Confirmation from the Civil Administration: waste from within Israel is transferred to Veolia’s site in the Jordan Valley
* YARV Sherutei Noy 1985, a subsidiary of Veolia, has won a tender for waste collection services from IDF bases in the Jordan valley
On October 10th, 2011 the Israeli Civil Administration responded to a Freedom of Information law application that had been submitted by ‘Who Profits‘ a month earlier. The application was regarding the Tovlan landfill – a waste-disposal site operated by Veolia in the occupied Jordan Valley. Previous research work carried out by the ‘LifeSource‘ collective indicated that the waste transferred to the landfill originates within Israel. The Civil Administration’s reply officially confirms this and clarifies that Veolia is responsible for the transferring of Israeli waste to the company’s site in the OPT. more.. e-mail
Ex-inspector rejects IAEA Iran bomb claim
Gareth Porter, Asia Times 11/22/2011
WASHINGTON – A former inspector for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has repudiated its major new claim that Iran built an explosives chamber to test components of a nuclear weapon and carry out a simulated nuclear explosion.
The IAEA claim that a foreign scientist – identified in news reports as Vyacheslav Danilenko – had been involved in building the alleged containment chamber has now been denied firmly by Danilenko himself in an interview with Radio Free Europe published last Friday.
The latest report by the IAEA cited “information provided by Member States” that Iran had constructed “a large explosives containment vessel in which to conduct hydrodynamic experiments” – meaning simulated explosions of nuclear weapons – in its Parchin military complex in 2000.
The report said it had “confirmed” that a “large cylindrical object” housed at the same complex had been “designed to contain the detonation of up to 70 kilograms of high explosives”. That amount of explosives, it said, would be “appropriate” for testing a detonation system to trigger a nuclear weapon.
But former IAEA inspector Robert Kelley has denounced the agency’s claims about such a containment chamber as “highly misleading”.
Kelley, a nuclear engineer who was the IAEA’s chief weapons inspector in Iraq and is now a senior research fellow at the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, pointed out in an interview with the Real News Network that a cylindrical chamber designed to contain 70 kg of explosives, as claimed by the IAEA, could not possibly have been used for hydrodynamic testing of a nuclear weapon design, contrary to the IAEA claim. — See also: VIDEO – Real News: Part 1 – Former IAEA Inspector: Misleading Iran Report Proves Nothing and VIDEO – Real News: Part 2 – IAEA Iran Report Fit Facts to Strengthen Hardliners more.. e-mail
Are the Freedom Rides a detour for the struggle?
Electronic Intifada: 22 Nov 2011 – Linah Alsaafin The Electronic Intifada Last week, six courageous Palestinians attempted to defy racism, segregation and apartheid by boarding Jewish settler-only buses in the hopes of reaching Jerusalem, a city off limits to Palestinians in the West Bank. However, the symbolic, media-friendly act — and its debatable relevance to the average Palestinian — begs some important questions.more
Egypt’s Democracy Challenges: Military Today, Economy Tomorrow
Palestine Chronicle: 22 Nov 2011 – By Hasan Afif El-Hasan The Egyptian people aspire to fulfill their needs for individual emancipation, self assertion, the legitimate pursuit of their interests and the establishment of state institutions that enhance these interests. They expect democratic institutions to multiply opportunities and challenge the inherited discrimination that is based on race, religion and political orientation. Democracy that leads to individual liberation must realize the legal interests of ordinary people as they see them, and at the same time the people of all backgrounds must recognize and accept the differences of other people and respect for diversity. If the Egyptians will succeed in making the transition, the military involvement in the politics should recede. Early phases of democratization will face fundamental problems in the process of building democratic institutions and tackling the challenges of economic reform. This is even more problematic in Egypt since the transition is controlled by the military. Regardless…more
Turkey and the Syrian ‘Abyss’
Palestine Chronicle: 22 Nov 2011 – By Ramzy Baroud When Recep Tayyip Erdogan became Turkey’s prime minister in 2003, he seemed to be certain of the new direction his country would take. It would maintain cordial ties with Turkey’s old friends, Israel included, but also reach out to its Arab and Muslim neighbors, Syria in particular. The friendly relations between Ankara and Damascus soon morphed from rhetorical emphasis on cultural ties into trade deals and economic exchanges worth billions of dollars. Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu’s vision of a “zero-problems” foreign policy seemed like a truly achievable feat, even in a region marred by conflict, foreign occupations and “great game” rivalry. The Israeli raid on the Turkish aid ship, Mavi Marmara, in international waters on May 31, 2010, was not enough to erode this vision. The official Turkish response to Israel’s violent attack – which killed nine Turkish citizens – was one of great anger, but…more
Obama Must Condemn Egyptian Military
Dissident Voice: 22 Nov 2011 – As we watch the Egyptian police and military viciously attack democracy activists on the streets of Cairo, using U.S. weapons, it is outrageous that the Obama Administration has failed to issue a strong condemnation of this latest attempt to crush a revolution that has inspired people around the world, including millions of Americans. During the fateful 18 days in January and February when Egyptians took to the streets by the millions to topple the brutal Mubarak dictatorship, President Obama remained largely silent, refusing to call directly for democracy until it was clear that young Egyptians were about to topple the dictator’s three-decade-long rule. In the months since then, as thousands of Egyptians have been attacked, imprisoned, sexually assaulted and murdered by their government, the United States has not merely remained silent, but has continued to provide crucial diplomatic, economic and military aid to the regime responsible for these crimes. The…more
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The New Dark Age 
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