19 December 2011 — VTJP
News
International Middle East Media Center
Ad-Dameer Denounces Daily Arrests In Shu’fat Refugee Camp
IMEMC – The Ad-Dameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association denounced the Israeli Army for the daily kidnappings of children and youth at the Shu’fat refugee camp, in occupied East Jerusalem, adding that the army kidnapped more than 21 youths, including 11 children in the last 15 days.
Two Palestinian families allowed by Israeli court to remain in their homes in Silwan
IMEMC – Just one week after two Palestinian homes were destroyed by Israeli troops in the Silwan neighborhood of East Jerusalem rendering 15 people homeless, another two families in Silwan neighborhood received a temporary reprieve from the threatened demolition of their homes. …
Armed Clashes Renew In Ein Al Hilweh
IMEMC – Following the first wave of armed clashes on Sunday in Ein Al Hilweh refugee camp, Lebanon, resulting from the assassination of a Fateh leader, clashes took place again between Fateh gunmen and members of a group calling itself “Jund Ash-Sham”. …
Israel to Build 1,000 More Units in West Bank, Jerusalem Settlements
IMEMC – The Israeli government decided on Sunday to build an additional 1,000 units in a number of Jewish-only settlements in the occupied West Bank, including in illegally annexed East Jerusalem. …
Abu Obaida: “Resistance Liberated 20% Of The Detainees”
IMEMC – Abu Obaida, spokesperson of the Al Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of the Hamas movement, stated that the Palestinian resistance managed to liberate 20% of the detainees imprisoned by Israel, and will remain committed to securing the release of all detainees. …
Under 2nd Phase of Swap Deal, Israeli releases 550 Detainees
IMEMC – Israel released on Sunday 550 detainees, including two from Jordan and six Palestinian female detainees, as part of the second and final phase of the prisoner swap deal that secured the release on Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. …
25 Palestinians Injured by Army at Ofer Military Prison
IMEMC – 25 Palestinians were injured on Sunday at the Ofer Military Prison as Israeli soldiers fired tear gas bombs and rubber bullets at the families of Palestinian prisoners, freed on the second Shalit-swap deal, the Maan News Agency reported Sunday afternoon. …
Palestinian citizens of Israel protest potential ban on mosque loudspeakers
IMEMC – Hundreds of Palestinians with Israeli citizenship protested against a proposed ban on mosque loudspeakers in a number of cities on Saturday, including Nazareth, Jaffa and Umm al-Fahm. …
Activists Hold Third Annual Conference on Boycott of Israel in Hebron
IMEMC – The Palestinian branch of the international campaign for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) against Israel held its third annual conference in the southern West Bank city of Hebron on Saturday, with several hundred Palestinian and international activists gathering for the event. …
Report: Israel issues over 1,000 settlement tenders
12/19/2011 – TEL AVIV, Israel (Ma’an) — The Israeli ministry of housing and construction announced Sunday that they will market tenders for over 1,000 housing units in illegal settlements in the West Bank.” Some countries won’t be pleased with this (tenders), but they won’t be surprised,” Ariel Atias, Israel’s housing…. Related: Germany: Israel settlement building ‘devastating’
Child in critical condition after being hit by settler bus
12/19/2011 – 39;settlers also exited the bus and attacked a man’ – NABLUS (Ma’an) — A child was seriously injured on Sunday after being run over by a settler bus on a road south of Nablus. Palestinian official Ghassan Douglas said that a bus belonging to settlers hit Muhammad Munjid, a student at elementary school….
Israel frees 550 Palestinians completing prisoner swap
12/19/2011 – RAMALLAH/GAZA (Reuters) — Israel released 550 Palestinian prisoners on Sunday in the second stage of a deal with Hamas in exchange for captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. While many of the 450 prisoners freed on Oct. 18 in the first phase of the Egyptian-brokered prisoner swap were serving life sentences for deadly attacks, none in…. Related: Prisoner release: The number game of Israel
4 people injured in clashes outside Ofer prison
12/19/2011 – RAMALLAH (Ma’an) — Four people were injured on Sunday as Israeli soldiers clashed with Palestinian families outside Ofer prison in the West Bank. Family members of detainees had gathered outside the prison gates on Sunday afternoon to wait for the release of Palestinian prisoners, a Ma’an correspondent said. Israeli forces moved to….
Settlers burn 5 cars in Ramallah village
12/19/2011 – RAMALLAH (Ma’an) — Dozens of settlers raided a Ramallah village on Monday morning and set fire to five cars. Witnesses told Ma’an that Israeli military forces arrived in the village of Beitin and dispersed the settlers without arresting any of them. Beitin is situated near the village of Burqa, which was attacked….
‘Price tag’ slogans painted on Hebron mosque
12/19/2011 – HEBRON (Ma’an) — A Hebron village mosque was spray-painted with racist slogans on Monday, locals said, in the fourth such attack in two weeks. Suspected extremist settlers daubed “price tag” and “Yitzhar” on the walls of the mosque in Bani Naim, which lies opposite the Kiryat Arba settlement. Yitzhar settlement in the northern West….
Germany: Israel settlement building ‘devastating’
12/19/2011 – BERLIN (Ma’an) — The German government issued a rare condemnation of Israeli settlement building on occupied Palestinian land on Monday, news reports said. Spokesman for Chancellor Angela Merkel Georg Streiter said Israel’sannouncement on Sunday that it will market tenders for over 1,000 housing units in the West Bank was “a devastating message…. Related: Report: Israel issues over 1,000 settlement tenders
Israel detains 2 fishermen off Gaza coast
12/19/2011 – GAZA CITY (Ma’an) — Israeli forces detained two Palestinians fishing off the Gaza coast on Sunday, before confiscating their equipment, officials and the Israeli army said. President of the Fishing and Marine Sports Authority in Gaza Mahfouz al-Kabareteh said naval officers seized the fishermen and their oars while they were working within the three-mile….
Egyptian forces kill 2 migrants trying to enter Israel
12/19/2011 – EL-ARISH (Ma’an) — Two African migrants were killed and one injured on Monday after Egyptian police opened fire on a group trying to cross into Israel. An Egyptian security source told Ma’an that three African migrants had tried to enter Israel illegally on Monday morning near the Karam Abu Salem crossing, east….
Court rules against 2 Palestinian evictions in Jerusalem
12/19/2011 – JERUSALEM (Ma’an) — A Jerusalem court threw out two cases seeking to evict Palestinian families from their East Jerusalem homes, activists said Sunday. Litigants close to settler organization Elad said the Qaraeen and Farag family homes in East Jerusalem neighborhood Silwan were their property, but the Jerusalem Magistrates Court rejected the claims on Thursday….
Soldiers arrest Hebron store owner, confiscate contents of shop
12/19/2011 – HEBRON (Ma’an) — Israeli military forces on Monday arrested the owner of a money exchange shop in Hebron and confiscated the contents of the store. A Ma’an correspondent reported that Hamdi Naem al-Natsha was detained by Israeli forces after soldiers ransacked his shop in the Ibn Rushd area of the city. Soldiers….
Gaza refugees demand UNRWA rebuild homes
12/19/2011 – GAZA CITY (Ma’an) — Dozens of Palestinian refugees protested at UNRWA headquarters in the Gaza Strip on Monday, calling for the UN agency to rebuild their homes five years after they were pulled down for safety reasons. Representatives from 72 families in the central Gaza Strip grouped outside the Gaza City office carrying their….
4 Katusha rockets found in south Lebanon
12/19/2011 – BEIRUT (Ma’an) — Four Katusha rockets have been found in southern Lebanon, Lebanese media reported on Monday. A farmer found the rockets on his land 800 meters from the border with Israel, Lebanon’s Daily Star reported. The rockets were apparently ready to be fired. An Israeli army spokeswoman told Ma’an….
Report: Jordan to complain to UNESCO over Dead Sea scrolls
12/19/2011 – AMMAN (Ma’an) — Jordan may complain to UNESCO over Israel’s exhibition of the Dead Sea scrolls in the US, Jordanian media reported on Sunday. Faris al-Hamoud, Director of the Department of Antiquities in Jordan, told Jordanian daily Al-Arab Al-Youm that his office plans to notify UNESCO of the international exhibition currently on….
Haniyeh says to visit Qatar
12/19/2011 – GAZA CITY (Ma’an) — Gaza Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh on Sunday announced that he will visit Qatar, after speaking with Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani earlier in the day. Haniyeh applauded Qatar’s support for the Palestinian people in a telephone conversation and congratulated the country on its success. Qatar has the world….
Israel prepares to release 550 prisoners
12/18/2011 – BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) — Israel plans to release 550 Palestinians from jail on Sunday evening in the second stage of an exchange deal with Hamas for a captured Israeli soldier. Most of the prisoners — listed by the Israeli prison service last week — will return to their West Bank homes via the Beituniya crossing near Ramallah…. Related: Israel frees 550 Palestinians completing prisoner swap and Prisoner release: The number game of Israel
Hamas, Fatah say cautiously positive after Cairo meet
12/19/2011 – BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) — Hamas and Fatah leaders applauded progress in the unity deal between their parties after meeting in Cairo on Sunday, but sounded a note of caution that more work was yet to be done to end the division. Fatah national relations official Azzam al-Ahmad told reporters in the Egyptian capital that the…. Related: Independents, factions head to Cairo for reconciliation talks and MADA: Reconciliation talks must tackle media bans
Independents, factions head to Cairo for reconciliation talks
12/19/2011 – GAZA CITY (Ma’an) — A delegation of independent figures and political factions headed to Cairo on Monday to hold reconciliation talks. The delegation of twenty independent figures included businessmen, academics, intellectuals, religious figures and public figures representing Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank and in exile.”The delegation, the biggest one since the beginning…. Related: Hamas, Fatah say cautiously positive after Cairo meet and Syria signs deal to let in Arab monitors
MADA: Reconciliation talks must tackle media bans
12/19/2011 – BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) — A Palestinian media rights group said Monday that Palestinian political groups meeting in Cairo this week must address the ending newspaper bans in the West Bank and Gaza. Parties will meet on Tuesday as apart of series of summits to progress the unity deal between Hamas and Fatah which sought to….
Palestinian wins EU photo competition
12/19/2011 – BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) — A young Palestinian photographer won first prize in a European competition celebrating images of Mediterranean cities, a press statement said Monday. Mahmoud Illean, from Jerusalem, was awarded for his photograph of Saint Mary’s Church in the city by the EU-funded Euromed Heritage programme and the Rehabimed Association.” We have….
Official: Haniyeh to visit regional countries
12/19/2011 – GAZA CITY (Ma’an) — Gaza prime minister Ismail Haniyeh is set to visit several Middle Eastern countries in the near future, an official said Monday. Gaza foreign minister Muhammad Awad said that a visit to Qatar has been confirmed and potential visits to Tunisia and Libya are in the pipeline. Calls are also being….
Israeli PM criticizes religious gender segregation
12/19/2011 – JERUSALEM (Reuters) — A woman’s refusal to sit at the back of a Jerusalem-bound bus as demanded by ultra-religious Jews moved Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday to warn about the dangers of gender segregation in Israel. The Facebook-fueled protest by 28-year-old Tanya Rosenblit aboard a public bus on Friday became front-page news….
Fighters clash in Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon
12/19/2011 – AIN EL-HILWEH, Lebanon (Reuters) — Sporadic clashes broke out between armed factions in Lebanon’s largest Palestinian refugee camp on Sunday after the bodyguard of an official there was killed, a witness and security officials said. Fighters supporting the mainstream Fatah party clashed with gunmen suspected of belonging to extremist Islamist parties, shooting at each….
Festival shows disability ‘not a curse’
12/18/2011 – BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) — A festival celebrating the artistic achievements of Palestinians with disabilities launched this month at Bethlehem’s Palestine Ahliya University. The opening of Palestine’s National Festival of People with Disabilities featured an exhibition of drawings by Echlas Al-Azzeh, 37, who lives in Aida refugee camp in Bethlehem and has….
UK announces support for construction of 12 Gaza schools
12/19/2011 – BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) — The British secretary for international development announced support on Sunday for the construction of 12 new schools in Gaza.” I have seen for myself the vital work that UNRWA, supported by Britain, is doing to address the problems in Gaza,” Andrew Mitchell said while visiting the Strip on Sunday.”With more….
In photos: Palestinians welcome home prisoners
12/19/2011 – Reuters/Ammar Awad/Mohammed Salem Israel released 550 Palestinian prisoners on Sunday in the second stage of a deal with Hamas in exchange for captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. The detainees — who include six women and 55 children — were greeted by cheering crowds in the West Bank city of Ramallah and in southern Gaza town…. Related: Israel frees 550 Palestinians completing prisoner swap and Prisoner release: The number game of Israel
Saboteurs plant blast at Sinai gas line
12/19/2011 – EL-ARISH, Egypt (Ma’an) — Unknown saboteurs planted explosives at Sinai’s gas line on Sunday morning, but the blast failed to disrupt Egypt’s energy supplies to Jordan and Israel. Masked and armed men set up the bomb in the northern al-Sabeel area of the Egyptian peninsula before fleeing the scene, Egyptian…. Related: Egyptian forces seize home-made bombs in Sinai
Egyptian forces seize home-made bombs in Sinai
12/19/2011 – EL-ARISH (Ma’an) — Egyptian forces seized a stock of home made bombs on Sunday in the Sinai peninsula. Director of security services in the northern Sinai, Saleh al-Masri, told Ma’an that a stock of bombs belonging to Palestinian militants was found in the al-Tawil neighborhood on the outskirts of El-Arish. Military and…. Related: Saboteurs plant blast at Sinai gas line
Agency: Syria to sign Arab peace initiative
12/19/2011 – CAIRO (Reuters) —Syriawill sign an Arab peace initiative on Monday to admit foreign monitors, a Syrian diplomat was quoted as saying by Egypt’s state news agency, after weeks of Syrian stalling over the plan led to Arab states imposing sanctions. Qatar, which has been leading efforts at the League to press Syria to…. Related: Syria signs deal to let in Arab monitors and Tehran accepts Arab League deal on Syria
Egypt clashes move into 4th day, death toll reaches 13
12/19/2011 – CAIRO (Reuters) — Egyptian security forces fought opponents of army rule in Cairo for a fourth day on Monday and the United States, worried by the violence, urged the generals to respect human rights. Medical sources said the death toll had risen to 13 since Friday, when clashes erupted. Hundreds have been wounded. Police and soldiers….
Syria signs deal to let in Arab monitors
12/19/2011 – CAIRO (Reuters) — Syriasigned an Arab League peace plan to end nine months of bloodshed after the Arab organization agreed to unspecified Syrian amendments to the initiative, Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem said on Monday. Moualem said Syria would welcome monitors from the Arab League under the agreement, which also calls for the withdrawal of troops from…. Related: Agency: Syria to sign Arab peace initiative and Tehran accepts Arab League deal on Syria
Tehran accepts Arab League deal on Syria
12/19/2011 – TEHRAN (Reuters) — Iran welcomed as “acceptable” an Arab peace deal signed by Syria on Monday that aims to end nine months of unrest against the rule of President Bashar Assad, a senior official told an Iranian Arabic language news channel.” Whatever is accepted by President Assad is an acceptable act in Iran’s view…. Related: Syria signs deal to let in Arab monitors
Syria opposition suspects ‘trickery’ over Assad deal
12/19/2011 – GAMMARTH, Tunisia (Reuters) — Syria’s opposition accused President Bashar Assad of trickery in agreeing on Monday to let in Arab League monitors, saying he had no intention of honoring the deal and calling for military intervention to protect civilians from his security forces. They spoke after Syria, convulsed by a popular uprising since March…. Related: Syria signs deal to let in Arab monitors
Syria blogger Razan Ghazzawi released on bail
12/19/2011 – BEIRUT (Reuters) – Syrian authorities have released on bail a US-born blogger who was arrested two weeks ago and charged with trying to incite sectarian strife, a media rights group said. The Syrian Centre for Media and Freedom of Expression said Razan Ghazzawi was released on Sunday night on bail of 15,000 pounds ($270), but that….
Saudi says its security targeted, urges Gulf unity
12/19/2011 – RIYADH (Reuters) — Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah said on Monday the security of his country and that of his Arab neighbors was being targeted, in an apparent reference to regional rival Iran, and called for Gulf Arab states to close ranks in a “single entity.” “No doubt you all know that we are targeted….
Israel frees 550 Palestinian prisoners
AlJazeera 19 Dec 2011 – Detainees released into West Bank and Gaza in second and final phase of swap for Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.
Op Ed: Politics at Christmas
PNN – by Maria C. Khoury It’s that special time of year where you simply want to wish everyone a blessed holy Christmas celebration but I can’t help it that it’s the only chance…
Third Annual BDS Conference Highlights Progress, Challenges
PNN – PNNOn Saturday, the Palestinian Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions National Committee (BNC) held its third annual conference in the West Bank city of Hebron. Panelists addressed the challenges and opportunities facing the BDS…
International Solidarity Movement
Choir bus hit by settlers on way back from Nablus
12/19/2011 – International Solidarity Movement – 17 December 2011, Notes from Bethlehem – I was hoping to write about something more pleasant regarding our Christmas ministry in Nablus. I was hoping to write about the usual; singing and rejoicing with the believers there. As always, Nablus concert was special. The Anglican church where we usually go was full. There was joy. The…. Related: 2007: Christmas in … Nablus! and Munther Isaac. Reflections from Bethlehem
Your help needed: Donating olive trees this holiday season
12/19/2011 – International Solidarity Movement – 19 December 2011, International Solidarity Movement, West Bank – As we creep up to Christmas and are seeing more and more trees appear in houses and high street windows, while we debate when to put up our own, if at all this year, I ask you all to give consideration to a much more special tree….
Prisoner release: The number game of Israel
12/19/2011 – International Solidarity Movement – 19 December 2011, The Raging Palestinian – Yesterday marked the so called completion of the prisoner swap agreement, which commenced on October 18, 2011, when Gilad Shalit was released for a total of 1,027 Palestinians to be released from Israeli prisons in two separate waves. Yet it must be noted that the numbers do not change…. Related: The Raging Palestinian and In photos: Palestinians welcome home prisoners
Shu’fat: Forced to pay taxes from behind a checkpoint and wall
12/19/2011 – International Solidarity Movement – By Jenna Bereld and Samar, 19 December 2011, International Solidarity Movement, West Bank – On December 18, 2011 residents of Shu’fat and activists protested against the separation wall in front of the new checkpoint. A certain loss of demonstrators was noted, since thirty-five organizers were arrested yesterday by Israeli policemen in their homes in…. Related: Images: Forced to pay taxes from behind a wall
Alternative Information Center
Who stole Christmas?
Alternative Information Center – Christmas cheer came a bit early for Palestinian residents of the West Bank and Gaza with the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories’ (COGAT) announcement of goodwill gestures for Christians during the holiday season . It…
Not a drop: Israel takes a spring and childhood memories with it
Alternative Information Center – Mustafa Tamimi was killed during the weekly protest in Nabi Saleh, which demonstrates against the occupation, illegal Jewish settlements, and Israel’s appropriation of the village spring. While Nabi Saleh might be one of the most visible…
Issawiya: a Palestinian village, boxed in by the occupation
Alternative Information Center – The struggles of the East Jerusalem neighborhoods of Sheik Jarrah and Silwan have garnered a lot of media attention in recent years, but the plight of the 16,000 Palestinian inhabitants of Issawiya has gone, for the…
IN PHOTOS: Palestinians, Israelis, and internationals protest new checkpoint at Shu’fat
Alternative Information Center – Approximately 30 Palestinians, Israelis, and internationals gathered at the edge of Shu’fat refugee camp today to demonstrate against the new Israeli checkpoint , which opened last Monday, December 12 and that an Israeli activist referred to as “…
Rivlin, Meridor call on Knesset to legislate constitution
Jerusalem Post 19 Dec 2011 – House Speaker: Judicial activism has gone too far, public now sees court as politicized, Knesset as cheapened.
A first: Neturei Karta appeals to police over buses
Jerusalem Post 19 Dec 2011 – In an significant step, members of extremist ultra-Orthodox group try to stop Egged buses from entering the Mea She’arim neighborhood.
Analysts:Assad ‘change of heart’ is merely posturing
Jerusalem Post 19 Dec 2011 – Syrian leader has rich history of undelivered promises.
Syria to allow Arab League monitors into hot spots
Jerusalem Post 19 Dec 2011 – Opposition dismisses move as stalling tactic; reports say over 60 army deserters killed by comrades; UN condemns “systematic human rights violations.”
State bows its head to honor Carmel fire victims
Jerusalem Post 19 Dec 2011 – Controversy mars ceremony when Kadima blasts ‘North Korea-like brainwashing’ introduction praising PM.
US skeptical of Syrian agreement on monitors amid bloodshed
Jerusalem Post 19 Dec 2011 – Syrian opposition says 114 killed, among them 80 army defectors; warplanes strike targets in Homs, Al Jazeera reports; State Department: “We have seen too many broken promises from [Assad] regime.”
Technion, Cornell chosen to launch NYC sciences grad school
Jerusalem Post 19 Dec 2011 – Bloomberg: Thanks to them, city’s goal of becoming the global leader in technological innovation is now within sight.
Democracy is favorable for right of self-determination
Jerusalem Post 19 Dec 2011 – The Palestinian community in Israel has watched the events of the past year with a mixture of pride and trepidation.
YouTube’s fingerprints on the Arab Spring
Jerusalem Post 19 Dec 2011 – A website sponsored by the video giant promotes some troubling activities in the name of “cyberactivism.”
Ex-Palestinian prisoner: Rabbi deserves death
Jerusalem Post 19 Dec 2011 – PFLP member freed as part of Schalit deal says Ovadia Yosef, who he was planning to assassinate, deserves to die.
Jewish Ideas Daily: The stoic vision of Ludwig Blum
Jerusalem Post 19 Dec 2011 – Blum’s paintings reflect the deceptively simple pleasure that he took in seeing.
Our World: Tom Friedman’s losing battle
Jerusalem Post 19 Dec 2011 – Is Friedman right? Do he and his friends on the Israel-bashing Left own the future? Are their efforts to convince young Americans to reject Israel working?
Israel’s problem isn’t Thomas Friedman
Jerusalem Post 19 Dec 2011 – It is Jerusalem’s transparent fallacies that are self-destructive.
Encountering Peace: Normalizing anti-normalization
Jerusalem Post 19 Dec 2011 – I have asked Palestinian friends who support anti-normalization just how not talking to me will advance the cause of Palestinian statehood. I have yet to hear an answer to that question.
Hanukka, extremism and religious freedom
Jerusalem Post 19 Dec 2011 – The Jewish festival celebrating religious freedom runs two ways. If we claim to value this freedom, we must be willing to grant it to others.
’Tis the season for the Church to support Israel
Jerusalem Post 19 Dec 2011 – As long as the Church fails to recognize that its genesis and its destiny are bound up with the restoration of the Jewish people we will continue to be irrelevant.
Candidly speaking: The NYT hates Israel
Jerusalem Post 19 Dec 2011 – The New York Times and their columnists have a bias against Israel and its government.
Haniyeh to make unprecedented Mideast tour
Jerusalem Post 19 Dec 2011 – Trip comes amid Islamist rise to power in Arab world; Qatari emir invites Hamas prime minister to visit Doha.
Hamas PM planning tour of Arab, Islamic countries
Jerusalem Post 19 Dec 2011 – Trip comes amid Islamist rise to power in Arab world; Qatari emir invites Haniyeh to visit Doha.
Turkey kills 13 PKK militants, vows no winter let up
Jerusalem Post 19 Dec 2011 – Turkish deputy PM denies media reports of secret negotiations with PKK to end 27-year conflict.
10 things to do over Christmas in the Holy Land
Jerusalem Post 19 Dec 2011 – From Christmas markets in Bethlehem to parades in Nazareth, the Holy Land is the place to truly experience seasonal festivity. There’s something for everyone to enjoy this Christmas.
In tough times, relying on community for help
Jerusalem Post 19 Dec 2011 – As Hanukka approaches, Jewish social services agencies in US gear up to help growing number of needy American families.
Syria opposition wants Arabs to intervene militarily
Jerusalem Post 19 Dec 2011 – Opposition leaders accuse Assad of trickery in agreeing to let Arab League monitors into the country.
Baywatch in Bnei Brak
Jerusalem Post 19 Dec 2011 – Eight Haredi men in rescue diving team finish training course in Tel Aviv.
Vandals ‘insult’ Muhammad in ‘price-tag’ attack
Jerusalem Post 19 Dec 2011 – Mosque spray painted with slogans including “price tag” and “Yitzhar,” the illegal outpost where IDF razed 2 buildings.
Abbas, Mashaal scheduled to meet again in Cairo
Jerusalem Post 19 Dec 2011 – Meeting comes after several days of talks between the rival Palestinian parties on implementation of unity deal.
Yad Vashem posthumously honors Polish man
Jerusalem Post 19 Dec 2011 – Wojciech Woloszczuk hid Frances Schaff, nee Feiga Bader, in his attic during World War II; his daughter will accept medal.
‘Discrimination against women to be seen as crime’
Jerusalem Post 19 Dec 2011 – Police chief Danino sends guidelines to commanders, officers ordering enforcement of zero-tolerance policy for discrimination.
PM vows to improve fire prevention in Israel
Jerusalem Post 19 Dec 2011 – Netanyahu praises heroism of Carmel Fire victims in ceremony marking year since disaster; Rivlin: We were not prepared.
Clarification
Jerusalem Post 19 Dec 2011 –
Goldstein relishes challenge as new Parks head
Jerusalem Post 19 Dec 2011 – Newly appointed Israel Nature, Parks Authority head seeks to further cooperation among various environmental organizations.
Iraqi, Afghani delegates visit JNF at UN convention
Jerusalem Post 19 Dec 2011 – Cooperation in desertification may result from collegial contacts; delegates from over 25 countries visit booth.
Stem cell research yields blood restoring vessels
Jerusalem Post 19 Dec 2011 – Heart attack, stroke treatment to benefit from Israeli breakthrough.
HU: Tobacco plant can produce anti-malaria drug
Jerusalem Post 19 Dec 2011 – Researchers used plan to produce effective anti-malaria drug; combating malaria is 1 of the 8 Millennium Development Goals.
Hanukka poses burn accident risk
Jerusalem Post 19 Dec 2011 – Beterem, the Israel National Center for Child Safety and Health says 55% of fires in West caused by candles left burning.
Histadrut’s request to strike refused
Jerusalem Post 19 Dec 2011 – National Labor Court President Nili Arad refuses request to hold general strike, says parties must return to negotiating table for “intensive talks.”
London mogul accused of bribing Ramat Gan mayor
Jerusalem Post 18 Dec 2011 – Emanuel Arbib allegedly paid Zvi Bar almost NIS 1m. to advance a real-estate project in which his company had substantial interest.
Gulf leaders to meet for 1st time since Arab Spring
Jerusalem Post 18 Dec 2011 – Preparing for summit in Saudi Arabia, Gulf Arab officials are hopeful Assad will sign Arab League peace deal.
Metzger: Haredim have no right to force segregation on bus
Jerusalem Post 18 Dec 2011 – Ultra-Orthodox don’t have authority to impose ideas on others, says Chief Rabbi; PM: Fringe group can’t be allowed to unravel coexistence.
Clinton, Ban condemn continued violence in Egypt
Jerusalem Post 18 Dec 2011 – US Secretary of State says she’s “deeply concerned”; UN secretary-general calls for Egypt’s gov’t to uphold human rights.
Free education law gains high-profile supporters
Jerusalem Post 18 Dec 2011 – Nearly two dozen former education ministers and academics, including four Nobel Prize winners and several Israel Prize winners back law.
US professor: Affirmative action can enrich Israeli society
Jerusalem Post 18 Dec 2011 – UCLA sociology professor Walter R. Allen says affirmative action programs in the United States are a model Israel.
Theater Review: Blood Brothers
Jerusalem Post 18 Dec 2011 – “Blood Brothers” is the stuff of Greek tragedy, a story whose bleak ending is foretold by its beginning.
Stage two of Schalit deal: Prisoner release begins
Jerusalem Post 18 Dec 2011 – Convoys of buses leave Ayalon Prison to complete the second stage of the Gilad Schalit deal; most prisoners will be released to the West Bank, had release dates in the near future.
Qatar sees Syria signing Arab peace deal
Jerusalem Post 18 Dec 2011 – Although saying he has info indicating Assad will sign, “if this is true or not true we’ll see,” Qatari FM says.
Vote for the top technology story of 2011
Jerusalem Post 18 Dec 2011 – The shortlist: Steve Jobs’ passing, the iPad 2, the Cloud, Facebook IPO and the rise of political hacking.
Egypt’s Brotherhood says it took 40% in latest vote
Jerusalem Post 18 Dec 2011 – Group’s Freedom and Justice Party won 37% in 1st round; official results not yet released; final round to take place in January.
‘Tzohar Bill’ approved by ministerial panel
Jerusalem Post 18 Dec 2011 – Initiative would allow couples to register for marriage in any municipality, choose between stricter or more flexible rabbinates.
The City with an ignoble beginning
Jerusalem Post 18 Dec 2011 – Sights and Insights: Bethlehem had a sordid beginning, but prophecy has immortalized it as the birthplace of Messiah.
Egypt’s gas pipeline to Israel bombed for 10th time
Jerusalem Post 18 Dec 2011 – Unidentified assailants attack pipe using remote-control explosives in Sinai; no fire erupted because line was disabled.
Israel releases 550 Palestinian prisoners – video
The Guardian 19 Dec 2011 – Palestinians celebrate the release of 550 prisoners in the final phase of the deal that freed Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit from captivity in the Gaza Strip
Hamas moves away from violence in deal with Palestinian Authority
The Guardian 18 Dec 2011 – Islamic party that has controlled Gaza for five years is to shift emphasis away from armed struggle to non-violent resistance Hamas has confirmed that it will shift tactics away from violent attacks on Israel as part…
British military activity in Nablus, Palestine 1939 – British Pathé video
The Guardian 19 Dec 2011 – British Pathé archive footage shows British troops in Nablus, Palestine from a regular Pathé series, ‘Palestine Today’. Troops wait in the Nablus Fort and enjoy a game of football but are then called to action. They…
British troops in Jerusalem, 1938 – British Pathé video
The Guardian 19 Dec 2011 – British Pathé archive footage shows British troops in Jerusalem in 1938. The security is tight as they search a number of Arab citizens and keep a look out over the city. Armoured cars patrol the roads…
Mass Tragedy Feared as Closure of MEK Camp Looms
IPS The Barack Obama administration and the United Nations are struggling to convince the leadership of the Mujaheddin-e Khalq (MEK), an Iranian opposition group with cult-like characteristics, to vacate a camp in Iraq and allow residents to move to another location in the country or risk the lives of as many…
Deadly Gas Enters the Arab Spring
IPS Activists across the Middle East are reporting a mysterious toxin, possibly a banned nerve agent, in the thick clouds of tear gas used by security forces to suppress anti-government protests in recent months.
[uruknet.info] Bradley Manning and the attack on democratic rights
Uruknet December 19, 2011 – The persecution of whistleblower Bradley Manning is a stark warning to the entire working class. Now facing a military pretrial hearing on charges carrying a maximum sentence of death, the 24-year-old Army private is accused of leaking hundreds of thousands of government and military documents. The vindictive treatment of this courageous young…
[uruknet.info] 100 killed as Syria agrees to Arab deal allowing monitors
Uruknet December 19, 2011 – 100 people were killed in Syria on Monday while the country signed an Arab deal to allow a monitoring mission into the country, in the hope of ending ten months of bloodshed. However, hours after the deal was announced, activists told dpa that at least 72 Syrian army deserters had been shot…
[uruknet.info] Syria News – December 18, 2011 (Warning: Graphic Videos)
Uruknet December 18, 2011 – The number of martyrs has risen to 20, including a child, 11 in Homs, 8 in Idlib, and 1 in Daraa. All were shot by the bullets of the Syrian security forces and army..b>Damascus: Medan: Martyrdom of child Hala Al-Mojannad (13 years old) from a bullet in the back in a shooting…
[uruknet.info] Targeting Mutlak and Hashemi: Towards Full Political Disintegration in Iraq?
Uruknet December 18, 2011 – Only days after Maliki’s Washington photo-op and with the US withdrawal formally sealed, Iraqi politics is alive again – but for all the wrong reasons. Yesterday saw unprecedented statements by people close to Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki that a move is afoot to withdraw confidence in Deputy Premier Salih al-Mutlak of Iraqiyya (…
[uruknet.info] Send In The Drones: The Predator State Goes Domestic
Uruknet December 18, 2011 — “Eventually, we’ll have to put an end to this, one way or another.” Sheriff Kelly Janke of North Dakota’s Nelson County uttered that ominous sentence in mid-September, during what the local media giddily described as a stand-off with local farmer Rodney Brossart and his family. By that time, Sheriff Janke, with the…
[uruknet.info] In blow to Israel, French BDS activists acquitted of crime in calling for boycott
Uruknet December 18, 2011 – Twelve French activists from a group called Boycott 68 have been acquitted on charges of “inciting discrimination and racial hatred” for calling on French shoppers to boycott Israeli goods. The court judgment in the eastern city of Mulhouse deals a blow to efforts by French prosecutors and Zionist groups to outlaw the…
[uruknet.info] Wissam Nassar / Maan Images In blow to Israel, French BDS activists acquitted of crime in calling for boycott
Uruknet December 18, 2011 – Twelve French activists from a group called Boycott 68 have been acquitted on charges of “inciting discrimination and racial hatred” for calling on French shoppers to boycott Israeli goods. The court judgment in the eastern city of Mulhouse deals a blow to efforts by French prosecutors and Zionist groups to outlaw the…
[uruknet.info] Report: Israel issues over 1,000 settlement tenders
Uruknet December 18, 2011 — The Israeli ministry of housing and construction announced Sunday that they will market tenders for over 1,000 housing units in illegal settlements in the West Bank. “Some countries won’t be pleased with this (tenders), but they won’t be surprised,” Ariel Atias, Israel’s housing and construction minister, was quoted as saying by Israeli…
[uruknet.info] US and Israel march in lockstep towards expansion of military detention
Uruknet December 18, 2011 – President Barack Obama is set to sign legislation that would codify “indefinite detention without trial into US law and expand the military’s role in holding terrorism suspects.” And as a wave of predictable settler violence, this time against the Israeli army, engulfs Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced measures that would expand…
[uruknet.info] To Mustafa’s Mother
Uruknet December 18, 2011 – Below is a letter written by one of the organizers of the Nabi Saleh popular protests, Bassem Tamimi. Bassem has been behind Israeli bars for the past nine months on ridiculous charges, and wrote this letter to the mother of Mustafa Tamimi, the martyr who was shot from a very close distance…
[uruknet.info] Third Annual BDS Conference Highlights Progress, Challenges
Uruknet December 18, 2011 – On Saturday, the Palestinian Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions National Committee (BNC) held its third annual conference in the West Bank city of Hebron. Panelists addressed the challenges and opportunities facing the BDS campaign and the current state of its efforts. The BDS campaign began in 2005 through a call by over 170…
[uruknet.info] Ugly Israeli Realities Emerge
Uruknet December 18, 2011 – On December 16, Haaretz writer Barak Ravid headlined, “Secret EU paper aims to tackle Israel’s treatment of Arab minority,” saying: Haaretz obtained parts of “a classified working paper produced by European embassies in Israel….” The “unprecedented document” addresses internal Israeli issues. It was written without Israel’s knowledge. It also covers Israeli peace…
[uruknet.info] NATO Killed Scores of Civilians in Libya War
Uruknet December 18, 2011 – The NATO air war against Libya, which officials are still crowing about as a “flawless” sort of victory, is coming under renewed scrutiny this weekend after the New York Times investigation into claims of civilian casualties confirmed at least 40 deaths of civilians attributed to NATO air strikes. The 40 figure is…
[uruknet.info] Addameer Concerned About Wave of Arrests since First Phase of Prisoner Exchange
Uruknet December 18, 2011 – Israeli Occupying Forces (IOF) have arrested nearly 470 Palestinians since 18 October 2011, when 477 Palestinian political prisoners were released in exchange for captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit as part of the first phase of the prisoner exchange deal concluded by the Israeli government and Hamas authorities. This wave of arrests reveals…
[uruknet.info] Iraq: Between the Lies of the Beginning and the Lies of the End
Uruknet December 18, 2011 – …Lying is part and parcel of every war. But in Iraq’s case, lying had the magnitude of the crime that was perpetrated against the country and its people. Indeed, the premises adduced by the administration of George W. Bush to invade Iraq in the beginning were deliberately falsified, and we know today…
[uruknet.info] Netanyahu equates price tag’ attacks with anti-occupation protests
Uruknet December 18, 2011 – Israeli newspapers were filled this weekend with articles about how the government will respond to the recent “price tag” attacks by settlers that have gone beyond targeting Palestinians and Israeli leftwing activists, to targeting IDF soldiers and bases. In a Likud party meeting, speaking about the recent attacks, Prime Minister Netanyahu assured…
[uruknet.info] Palestinians Injured by Israeli Army at Ofer Military Prison
Uruknet December 18, 2011 – 25 Palestinians were injured on Sunday at the Ofer Military Prison as Israeli soldiers fired tear gas bombs and rubber bullets at the families of Palestinian prisoners, freed on the second Shalit-swap deal, the Maan News Agency reported Sunday afternoon. The Maan correspondent reported that the Israeli soldiers intensively fired rubber bullets…
[uruknet.info] Martyr’s Families and Political Forces Condemn SCAF Statement on Fresh Attack
Uruknet December 18, 2011 – The statement of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) over the clampdown on protesters at the Cabinet building in downtown cairo has enraged the families of martyrs and several political forces, who released a joint statement denouncing “the military’s lies”. The army’s attempt to disperse a sit-in in front of…
[uruknet.info] Israel frees 550 Palestinians completing prisoner swap
Uruknet December 18, 2011 — Israel released 550 Palestinian prisoners on Sunday in the second stage of a deal with Hamas in exchange for captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. While many of the 450 prisoners freed on Oct. 18 in the first phase of the Egyptian-brokered prisoner swap were serving life sentences for deadly attacks, none in…
[uruknet.info] Way to go, Barack! (Iraq falls apart)
Uruknet December 18, 2011 – Ines Tariq (Al Mada) reports on the controversy over whether or not the country’s Supreme Court has issued an arrest warrant for Iraq’s Sunni Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi. Reportedly, Nouri al-Maliki wants al-Hashemi arrested. Nouri’s political slate is State of Law. They came in second in the parliamentary elections. Iraqiya came in…
[uruknet.info] Maliki Has Iraq’s VP Detained, Terror Charges Reportedly Forthcoming
Uruknet December 18, 2011 – Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has made little secret of his efforts at centralizing government power under his control, refusing to appoint a permanent defense minister or interior minister in an effort to ensure that all national government forces answer to him directly. But the move seems to be picking up the…
[uruknet.info] Syria News – December 17, 2011 (Warning: Graphic Videos)
Uruknet December 17, 2011 – The number of Syrian martyrs that were killed by the bullets of the Syrian security and military forces on Saturday reached 42, among them three children, two women and eight defected soldiers. 17 martyrs were killed in Homs, seven in Idlib, 14 in Daraa, two in Zabadani in Damascus Suburbs and one…
[uruknet.info] Qatar sees Syria signing Arab peace deal
Uruknet December 18, 2011 – Qatar said on Sunday it had information Syrian President Bashar al-Assad would finally sign an Arab peace plan aimed at ending his crackdown on anti-government protests, after weeks of stalling…Earlier on Sunday, Omani Foreign Minister Youssef bin Alawi bin Abdullah said he was optimistic Syria would sign the Arab peace plan before…
Britain’s Prince Harry rushes to help friend
Daily Star 19 Dec 2011 Britain’s Prince Harry rushed to the aid of a friend who was robbed of his mobile phone while speaking to the royal, The Mail on Sunday newspaper said.
Syria to allow Arab monitors, 100 dead in violence
Daily Star 19 Dec 2011 Syria agreed Monday to an Arab League plan to send foreign monitors, bowing to growing international pressure to end its bloody crackdown on a nine-month uprising.
Israeli rabbi deserves death- ex Palestinian prisoner
Daily Star 19 Dec 2011 A Palestinian prisoner released by Israel on Sunday as part of a swap for a captive soldier said the influential rabbi he was jailed for plotting to assassinate deserves to die.
Moroccan Islamists quit Arab Spring opposition
Daily Star 19 Dec 2011 An Islamist group seen as the main opposing force to Morocco’s monarchy has suspended its involvement in a movement inspired by revolts in Tunisia and Egypt.
Saudi says its security targeted, urges Gulf unity
Daily Star 19 Dec 2011 King Abdullah said the security of KSA and its Arab neighbours was being targeted, in an apparent reference to regional rival Iran, and he called for Gulf Arab states to close ranks in a “single entity”.
Downey dips, ‘Sherlock’ slips with $40M debut
Daily Star 19 Dec 2011 Sherlock Holmes is facing his worst enemy: declining crowds at theaters as this year’s domestic movie attendance dips to the lowest in 16 years.
VP arrest warrant plunges Iraq into crisis
Daily Star 19 Dec 2011 Iraq issued an arrest warrant for its Sunni vice president in an anti-terror case Monday, deepening a crisis that one of the country’s leaders warned could force the collapse of the unity government.
US foreign aid escapes slashing cuts in fiscal 2012
Daily Star 19 Dec 2011 The U.S. State Department and foreign aid budget escaped devastating cuts in a fiscal 2012 spending plan that Congress has approved.
Michael Jackson house contents sell for nearly $1M
Daily Star 19 Dec 2011 The contents of the home where Michael Jackson lived with his three children just before his death have sold for nearly $1 million at auction.
Franjieh: conspiracy against Syria will soon end
Daily Star 19 Dec 2011 Marada Movement chief Suleiman Franjieh said the conspiracy against Syria has reached an end, hours after the troubled country signed the Arab protocol to allow observers to monitor a deal to end the nine-month crisis.
Beirut MPs discuss arms-free capital
Daily Star 19 Dec 2011 The MPs say the situation can no longer be met with words of condemnation and requires a bold decision by political and security forces.
Timeline: Crackdown on protests in Syria
Daily Star 19 Dec 2011 A timeline of events in Syria since protests began:
Germany: Israel must refrain from new settlements
Daily Star 19 Dec 2011 A spokesman for Chancellor Angela Merkel says Germany is urging Israel to refrain from constructing new settlements in the West Bank and east Jerusalem.
Next wave of GPS promises stronger signals
Daily Star 19 Dec 2011 Workers are piecing together the first of more than 30 satellites touted as the most powerful, reliable and versatile yet.
Syria opposition wants Arabs to intervene militarily
Daily Star 19 Dec 2011 Syria’s opposition accused President Bashar al-Assad of trickery in agreeing on Monday to let in Arab League monitors.
A device attempts to elevate the iPad’s keyboard
Daily Star 19 Dec 2011 Even if you love the iPad, you’re probably not keen to write your next novel using its on-screen virtual keyboard.
Americans losing addiction to “CrackBerrys”
Daily Star 19 Dec 2011 Research firm Strategy Analytics forecast RIM’s share of the U.S. smartphone market to fall to 12 percent this year.
Gulf leaders gather for summit in Saudi capital
Daily Star 19 Dec 2011 Leaders of wealthy Gulf Arab states on Monday gathered in Riyadh for the opening of their annual summit.
Sharapova to play in Russia’s Fed Cup tie v Spain
Daily Star 19 Dec 2011 Maria Sharapova has committed herself to playing in Russia’s Fed Cup first round tie against Spain in February, the world number four said.
Lebanese women continue dominance in Arab Games
Daily Star 19 Dec 2011 Lebanon continues march towards gold medal in the 2011 Arab Games Monday, beating Qatar in women’s basketball 34-72.
Palestinian Information Center
Palestinian worker dies during Israeli police chase
PIC – A Palestinian worker died on Sunday during a police chase of a number of workers in Tamra city in Palestinian land occupied in 1948, local sources said.
Jewish settlers burn five Palestinian vehicles
PIC – Jewish settlers attacked Beitin village near Ramallah pre dawn Monday and set five Palestinian vehicles on fire after attacking a building there, local sources reported.
Israel declares plan to build more than 1, 000 settlement units in WB
PIC – The Israeli government approved a plan to build more than 1, 000 housing units in three settlements as part of a larger plan to build 6, 000 units all over the occupied Palestinian lands.
Haneyya plans to visit Arab and Islamic states
PIC – Palestinian premier Ismail Haneyya intends to go on an official trip to some Arab and Islamic countries, especially since he already received invitations from some leaders.
Occupation plan to demolish a hamlet in the Jordan valley
PIC – IOF troops accompanied by planning official Monday afternoon raided the Hamma hamlet in the northern Jordan valley and gave notice to the residents that the hamlet will be demolished.
IOF arrest 21 Jerusalem residents in a week, half of them children
PIC – Dhameer institute for Palestinian prisoners said that the Israeli occupation arrested more than twenty Palestinian residents of Jerusalem since the opening of the Sha’fat crossing.
550 Palestinian captives freed on Sunday evening
PIC – The Israeli occupation authorities freed on Sunday evening 550 Palestinian captives in fulfilment of the prisoner exchange deal between Hamas and the Israeli occupation..
Settlers attack mosque in al-Khalil, leave racist graffiti
PIC – Jewish settlers on Sunday night daubed the entrance of the Sahaba Mosque, in the village of Bani Naim to the east of al-Khalil, with racist graffiti which insulted Islam and the Prophet PBUH.
Israeli navy detains Palestinian fishermen off Gaza coast
PIC – Israeli navy gunboats intercepted a Palestinian fishing boat off the northwestern coast of Gaza city on Sunday and arrested two fishermen.
OCHA: Israel displaced 1000 Palestinians since January 2011
PIC – The Israeli occupation authority’s feverish demolition of Palestinian homes has led to the displacement of at least 1000 Palestinian citizens in the course of 2011, a report by OCHA said.
Israeli Forces Kill Palestinian in Gaza
WAFA
Jewish Extremists Attack Christmas Carolers
Intifada-Palestine: 19 Dec 2011 – Bethlehem Bible college choir performs next to Israel’s separation wall in Bethlehem. (MaanImages/Munther Isaac, HO) BETHLEHEM( Ma’an )- Settlers attacked a Palestinian choir bus returning from a carol concert in Nablus on Saturday evening, choristers told Ma’an . The singers, from Bethlehem… more
Christmas in the Holy Land
Intifada-Palestine: 19 Dec 2011 – By: Jamal Kanj * The Christian world is celebrating the birth of the Prince of Peace this month. At a time when his birth place is surrounded with abominable Israeli separation walls reminiscent of the dark period that gave birth to Jesus…. more
Catering to Caustic Comments
Intifada-Palestine: 18 Dec 2011 – Paul Balles I’ve written frequently about unacceptable political behaviour– wars, occupations, deception, hate–the negative things that make the news every day, and some things that never see the light of the media. A critic of mine once said that… more
Final U.S. troops roll out of Iraq
LA Times 18 Dec 2011 – Under the glare of news crew lights, the last vehicles cross into Kuwait, to handshakes from their commander and a wave of mixed emotions. The last serial, or U.S. military convoy group, to exit Iraq just after dawn Sunday consisted of 28 vehicles.
Protesters, troops clash for third day in Egypt
LA Times 18 Dec 2011 – Both sides throw rocks in Tahrir Square, as the toll of dead and injured rises. The violence has exposed sharp divisions about the ruling military council. Protesters demanding the end of military rule and Egyptian troops hurled rocks at each other in the center of…
As last U.S. troops exit Iraq, they leave a troubled land behind
LA Times 17 Dec 2011 – With little understanding of each other, Iraq and the U.S. collided in a long, brutal war that exacted a terrible price from both. They separate with very different understandings of what happened. A U.S. military convoy sliced through the flat Iraqi desert before first light,…
Arrest Order for Sunni Leader in Iraq Opens New Rift
New York Times 19 Dec 2011 – The warrant against Vice President Tariq Al-Hashemi on terrorism charges was issued on Monday as his party threatened to pull out of the coalition with the Shiite-led government.
Last Convoy of American Troops Leaves Iraq
New York Times 19 Dec 2011 – The convoy’s departure came three days after the American military folded its flag in a ceremony to celebrate the end of its mission and marked the end of the nearly nine-year war.
As Violence Continues, Egyptian General Blames Protesters
New York Times 19 Dec 2011 – Egypt’s state-run and independent media battled over whom to blame as clashes between security forces and protesters continued for a fourth day on Monday in Cairo.
Syria to Let in Monitors, Opposition Skeptical
New York Times 19 Dec 2011 – Syria’s government, facing sanctions for killing thousands of protesters, has agreed to let foreigners monitor its compliance with an Arab League pact.
Israel Frees Palestinians in 2nd Stage of Exchange
New York Times 19 Dec 2011 – Some 550 Palestinian prisoners were released in the second half of a swap that freed one Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit, who had been held by Hamas for more than five years.
On View: Dura-Europos, a Melting Pot at the Intersection of Empires
New York Times 19 Dec 2011 – New Yorkers would have felt at home in ancient Dura-Europos, a multicultural city whose archaeological relics were found in present-day Syria.
Egypt’s News Outlets Differ on Cause of Latest Violence
New York Times 19 Dec 2011 – State-run and independent media conflicted on whom to blame for violence between security forces and protesters.
Iran Shows Video of a Man Accused of Being a U.S. Spy
New York Times 19 Dec 2011 – The report says the man is an Iranian-American from Arizona. The claims could not be verified, and the C.I.A. declined to comment.
Former Israeli general: Provoke a settler attack, then shoot the ‘Jewish terrorist’
Mondoweiss – Former IDF general Uri Saguy. (Photo: Niv Calderon/Ynetnews) Responding to the recent settler attack on army base, a former IDF general has said the government should provoke an attack from settlers and then shoot the “Jewish terrorist.” Retired general Uri Saguy wrote an op-ed in Ynetnews…
Eldar: ethnocentrism has called on religious and secular alike
Mondoweiss – Akiva Eldar Writing in Ha’aretz today, veteran journalist Akiva Eldar argues that “Israel can be Jewish without being racist,” but admits that, in Israel, “there is no wall separating the religious from the secular.” He writes, “Jewish ethnocentrism – and the desire to erase the collective…
Klein: Ron Paul is surging because he opposes another neocon war for Israel
Mondoweiss – Joe Klein Joe Klein is great. Full stop. He hated the Vietnam war and then he hated the Iraq war and had more courage than any other journalist in the mainstream, to nail it back in ’03 as a war for Israel’s security. He says it…
Iraq war was brought to you by Democrats, too
Mondoweiss – Joe Scarborough at Politico makes some good points about the origins of the Iraq war (h/t Voskamp): A cursory review of quotes over the past decade and a half illustrates just how aligned the most powerful Democrats in Washington were with George W. Bush when it…
Another 550 Palestinian prisoners released from Israeli jails
Mondoweiss – A Palestinian prisoner is greeted by a relative after his release at the Rafah border crossing in southern Gaza Strip on Sunday. Photo: Eyad Baba Associated Press This feels bitter sweet. While it is indeed precious whenever political prisoners are released from captivity, because of…
Tikun Olam 2011 in Review: We Raised Some Hell, How Much is It Worth?
Tikun Olam – Subscription basic : $5 USD – monthly advanced : $10 USD – monthly yearly : $50 USD – yearly enhanced yearly : $100 USD – yearly angel : $200 USD – yearly moshiach : $500 USD – yearly Sorry to put the question so baldly, but how much is the ground-breaking work…
Captain George (aka Doron Zahavi) Rides Again
Tikun Olam – One thing you have to say about Israeli torturers, you can’t keep a good one down. I reported here some time ago about one Doron Zahavi aka Captain George, an infamous commander of the IDF intelligence unit 504. Until my report, his real name was secret…
Leading Settler Rabbi, Owner of Major Internet Portal, Incited Price Tag Violence, Vigilantism, Genocide, Insurrection Against State
Tikun Olam – Rabbi Yeshaiyahu Rotter Rabbi Yeshayahu Rotter, the founder of Rotter.net , Israel’s major news and gossip portal, wrote a column in HaKol Hayehudi , a website maintained by the extremist Yitzhar yeshiva run by Rabbi Yitzhak Ginsburg (co-author of Torat HaMelech , which advocates murdering Palestinian children since they’ll…
Russia takes back the initiative
Voltaire Network 17 Dec 2011 – The French press boasts about the Russian draft resolution presented before the Security Council which it considers to be a Western victory. Moscow was forced to take the initiative to avoid losing face at a time when the government was accused of tampering with the elections…
Egypt: Foreign Minister Supports Middle East Free of Mass Destruction Weapons
allAfrica.com 19 Dec 2011 – Foreign Minister Kamal Amr underlined on Sunday 18/12/2011 the importance of freeing the Middle East from weapons of mass destruction, including Israel and Iran.
AAI Poll Release: Arab Public Opinion on Iraq Withdrawal
Arab American Institute 19 Dec 2011 – Today, the Arab American Institute released two polls on Arab public opinion regarding the U.S. withdrawal from Iraq and Arab political concerns in a post-Arab Spring Middle East. Among the countries surveyed were Iraq, Egypt, Lebanon, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Iran. On the U.S….
Key Statements from the Last Iowa Republican Debate (December 15, 2011)
Arab American Institute 19 Dec 2011 – Just weeks away from the Iowa Presidential Caucus, Republican Presidential candidates met in Sioux City, Iowa to discuss everything from to economy to Ronald Reagan. Below are key quotes from the evening concerning Iran, Israel, Iraq, immigration and foreign policy in general. By Jamila Benkato
Beit Surik and Stop the Wall thank Rho city council for condeming Pizzarotti for Complicity with Israeli Apartheid
Global BDS 19 Dec 2011 – For background on the issue, this is from a recent Press release from the Italian Coalition Stop That Train: On 30 November, the City Council of Rho, in the province of Milan, approved a resolution expressing “moral and political condemnation of Pizzarotti & C. S.p.A. for…
Syria army deserters ‘shot dead’
BBC 19 Dec 2011 – Dozens of army deserters are shot dead by Syrian troops as they tried to flee their bases and join anti-government protests, activists say.
Iran TV shows ‘US spy confession’
BBC 18 Dec 2011 – Iranian state television shows what it says is the confession of an alleged CIA spy – an American man of Iranian descent.
Israel frees last swap prisoners
BBC 18 Dec 2011 – Israel frees 550 Palestinian detainees in the second part of a deal that saw the release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in October.
Ugly Israeli Realities Emerge
Sabbah report 19 Dec 2011 – Haaretz obtained parts of “a classified working paper produced by European embassies in Israel….” The “unprecedented document” addresses internal Israeli issues. It was written without Israel’s knowledge. It also covers Israeli peace process intransigency, its self-characterization as a Jewish, democratic state, and how it treats its…
What happens when a Gazan wants to marry a West Bank woman?
Sabbah report 19 Dec 2011 – Did you know that Israel allows Gaza residents to enter the West Bank to attend their relatives’ weddings but not to get betrothed themselves? You don’t believe it?
“Israel has never been so ugly”
Sabbah report 19 Dec 2011 – If the Gentile me or any non-Jewish critic of Israel had written such things, I and they would have been smeared by Zionism’s propaganda machine as a rabid Jew hater.
Israel decries Arab democracy
Sabbah report 19 Dec 2011 – Israel’s worst fears regarding its relationship with the Arab world — and with Egypt in particular — are coming true before our eyes. The rise of the Islamists in Egypt means the end of the peace treaty with Egypt and the rise of a government committed…
Articles
Christmas in the Holy Land
Jamal Kanj, Intifada-Palestine 12/19/2011
The Christian world is celebrating the birth of the Prince of Peace this month. At a time when his birth place is surrounded with abominable Israeli separation walls reminiscent of the dark period that gave birth to Jesus.
The Gospel of Matthew tells the story that Jesus Christ was born in the city of Bethlehem. After Jesus’s birth, Herod the Great, “King of the Jews,” ordered the killing of all children younger than two years old.
Fearful for the baby’s safety, Joseph and Mary fled Bethlehem for Egypt before returning four years later following the demise of King Herod. To avoid the son of the “evil king,” Mary and Joseph decided to skip Bethlehem and moved to their home town of Nazareth.
Ironically, more than 2000 years ago and under the horrid kingdom of an “evil king,” Mary and Joseph succeeded in making the 300 miles trip in peace. Today, in the only [Jewish] democracy in the Middle East, a 3 mile jaunt would be impossible to make freely. Like fellow Natives, Palestinian Christians from Bethlehem and surrounding villages can’t visit their holy places in Jerusalem without “unattainable” special security permits.
Native Palestinian Christians, the likely decedents of the first Christians who witnessed the star on the eve of December 25; represent the only lasting Christian presence in Palestine for over 2000 years. Now and for the first time in recorded history, Christian presence in the city of Nativity is under serious threat by Israeli military occupation and racial economic strangulation.
In an interview with the Voice of America, Bethlehem mayor Victor Batarseh indicated that, “due to the stress, either physical or psychological, and the bad economic situation, many people are emigrating, either Christians or Muslims, but it is more apparent among Christians, because they already are a minority.” more.. e-mail
Issawiya: a Palestinian village, boxed in by the occupation
Mikaela Levin, Alternative Information Center 12/19/2011
The struggles of the East Jerusalem neighborhoods of Sheik Jarrah and Silwan have garnered a lot of media attention in recent years, but the plight of the 16,000 Palestinian inhabitants of Issawiya has gone, for the most part, ignored. Although they pay taxes to the Israeli government, they receive next to nothing in return. Residents find themselves separated from other Palestinian communities and hemmed in by settlements and a military base.
In Issawiya, narrow streets of broken concrete serve as playgrounds and barbed wired fences separate the community from their lands. Issawiya looks like the typical impoverished village in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. But it’s not— its residents pay taxes like Israeli citizens and live only a 15-minute drive from downtown Jerusalem.
Like the rest of East Jerusalem, Issawiya was occupied by the Israelis in the wake of 1967 war. But even before that, residents experienced life under occupation. During the almost 20 years of Jordanian control, Mount Scopus was considered by both Jordan and Israel as a demilitarized zone, a neutral space under the United Nations control. During this time, the Israeli government managed to convince the UN, on more than one occasion, to the village entrance for hours on end. Nobody was allowed to exit or enter during those periods.
Today, that entrance is an alley which borders the Hebrew University on Mount Scopus, separating the imposing building from the humble Palestinian houses. Over the years, the state of Israel has built new entrances to Issawiya, but it has also dictated its borders, setting boundaries which exclude more than 50 percent of the villagers’ lands.
The state has effectively boxed Issawiya in with the Hadassah hospital, Hebrew University, the settlement known as French Hill, and the separation wall which rises behind the village and separates the Palestinians from Issawiya from the Palestinians from Anata and from the Shoafat refugee camp. And, finally, at the other end of Mount Scopus, the military base built by the Israelis five years ago. more.. e-mail
Eyewitness describes Mustafa Tamimi’s last moments
Ben Lorber, Alternative Information Center 12/12/2011
Ibrahim Bornat, artist and activist from Bil’in, was standing next to Mustafa Tamimi when Tamimi was shot in the head with a tear gas canister at close range by an Israeli soldier (Bornat can be seen standing directly next to Tamimi in these photos). Here is his testimony about his experiences when Mustafa was critically injured on Friday, December 9:
“Mustafa and I were alone, it was just the two of us, with the rest of the protesters quite far behind, and we were chasing the jeep and telling it to leave. We got separated from the rest, because the soldiers threw almost 50 tear gas canisters at once, so the whole protest was pushed back. The tear gas went over our heads and we got closer to the soldiers, shouting at them that they had thrown enough.
The jeeps turned around to leave as they were shooting gas behind us. One jeep, however, lingered and seemed to be waiting for us to get closer. As we reached the jeep, the soldier opened the door and shot two rounds of tear gas. I think I saw this soldier’s face, but Mustafa definitely saw and whoever he is, Mustafa knows best.
Mustafa pushed me down, and one canister that was aimed for me flew over my head. The second one hit Mustafa, but I didn’t know it hit him at first because I thought ‘for sure they wont shoot at us from so close.’ I thought he had just ducked down, and then I thought that maybe he had just passed out from the gas, because there was gas all around him.
I went to him, laying face down on the road, and I turned him over and pulled the cloth off his face.
Of what I can say about it, it is worse than words can say. The whole half of his face was blown off, and his eye was hanging out, and I tried to push his eye back up. I could see pieces of the inside of his head, and there was a pool of blood gathering under him….. more.. e-mail
Interview: “Everyone can help Welcome to Palestine 2012”
Electronic Intifada: 19 Dec 2011 – Adri Nieuwhof The Electronic Intifada Large numbers of international activists plan to Tel Aviv as part of the Welcome to Palestine 2012 initiative to assert the right of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank to receive visitors.more
Happened in 1948
Palestine Chronicle: 19 Dec 2011 – By Nazek Dhamra In the first few days of June 1948 my mother woke me up early after her dawn prayers and may be around the sunrise time. She asked me to go check the fig trees if they made some early fruits so we can taste before somebody else get them. She usually goes there herself and waters the small and weak trees from the water well in our small garden in the suburbs of our town to the west. Though the hot season started earlier that year, but it was still dewy in the morning. I thought to disobey but it wasn’t usual in the family and I was raised to obey parents. Being 12 years of age I remembered that I have to be helpful to the family and act like an early man even at such early hour of the day. She asked me to pray…more
Politics at Christmas
Palestine Chronicle: 19 Dec 2011 – By Maria C. Khoury It’s that special time of year where you simply want to wish everyone a blessed holy Christmas celebration but I can’t help it that it’s the only chance I get to remind my friends of the horrors that are still happening where Christ was born. Every time I travel to Boston, I simply feel I am escaping from the day to day misery of Israeli occupation and take a break from seeing the new illegal Israeli settlement getting bigger in front of my kitchen window in Taybeh. By the way, Israel approved 4,000 new settlement homes in East Jerusalem. These days, I cannot even get the Orthodox Churches to invite me to speak about the Christian community in the Holy Land because people don’t want to hear politics. Although I don’t mean to be political but I am giving my life to promote a Christian presence…more
Unbearable Lightness of Thomas Friedman – Book Review
Palestine Chronicle: 18 Dec 2011 – By Cyril Mychalejko (The Imperial Messenger: Thomas Friedman at Work by Belén Fernandez. Verso Press, 2011.) One year ago, Foreign Policy magazine placed New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman at number 33 on their list the Top 100 Global Thinkers, noting that he “doesn’t just report on events; he helps shape them.” Friedman, who commands a $75,000 speaking fee (more than most Americans make in a year), wrote in his book The Lexus and the Olive Tree that when he did his first column as the New York Times’ chief diplomatic correspondent in 1989: “I certainly did not know anything about most of the issues the senators were quizzing [Secretary of State James] Baker about, such as the START treaty, the Contras, Angola, the CFE (Conventional Forces in Europe) arms control negotiations and NATO…I couldn’t keep straight whether the Contras were our guys or their guys, and I thought the…more
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