11 May 2014 — VTJP
News
International Middle East Media Center
Palestinian Priest Fired for Supporting Israeli Army
IMEMC – The Greek Orthodox church has officially dismissed a Palestinian priest who publicly promoted service in the Israeli army, by Christians, according to a church spokesman. …
Security Concerns as Pope Prepares to Visit Levant
IMEMC – The head of the Roman Catholic church in the Holy Land said, today, that Israeli hate crimes against local Muslims and Christians are souring relations ahead of a papal visit, AFP reports via Ma’an News Agency. …
Army Invades A Town Near Jenin
IMEMC – Several Israeli military jeeps invaded, on Sunday morning [May 11, 2014] Methaloon town, south of the northern West Bank city of Jenin, where soldiers clashed with local residents, leading to several injuries. …
Army Opens Fire Targeting Farmers In Southern Gaza
IMEMC – [Sunday, May 11, 2014] Israeli soldiers, manning military towers across the border with Gaza, opened fire at Palestinian farmers working in their lands east of Khan Younis, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip. …
Soldiers Kidnaps Three Children In Occupied Jerusalem
IMEMC – Palestinian worker kidnapped in Jerusalem [Sunday, May 11, 2014] Israeli soldiers kidnapped three Palestinian children from different neighborhoods, in occupied East Jerusalem, and took them to an interrogation facility. …
Settlers Kidnap A Palestinian Child In Hebron
IMEMC – [Saturday, May 10, 2014] The Palestinian News & Info Agency (WAFA) has reported that a number of settlers of the Ma’on illegal settlement, south of the southern West Bank city of Hebron, kidnapped a Palestinian child and held him from several hours. Israeli soldiers also detained a child in the city. …
Coalition Government To Run Rafah Terminal
IMEMC – [Saturday, May 10, 2014] Spokesperson of the Fateh Movement Fayez Abu Atiyya stated that the upcoming national unity government would be supervising the Palestinian side of the Rafah Border Terminal, on the Egyptian border, in southern Gaza. …
Watch: Bethlehem village blockaded by Israeli forces
5/12/2014 – BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) — Israeli forces have blocked the main entrances to a southern West Bank village since Saturday night, locals said, impeding villagers’ ability to travel freely. Locals in the village of Beit Fajjar south of Bethlehem told Ma’an on Tuesday that Israeli forces had shut the roads in and out of the village by constructing large earth mounds on them….
Israeli soldiers shoot Palestinian near border in northern Gaza
5/11/2014 – GAZA CITY (Ma’an) — Israeli troops shot and injured a Palestinian man in the northern Gaza Strip on Sunday, locals and an army spokeswoman said. The man was collecting small stones used to make concrete on the outskirts of Beit Hanoun near Erez crossing when Israeli forces opened fire at him, locals said. He was taken to Kamal Udwan Hospital in Beit Lahiya for….
Israeli forces raid homes in Jerusalem, detain 2
5/11/2014 – JERUSALEM (Ma’an) — Israeli forces detained two Palestinian minors after raiding their homes near the Old City of Jerusalem early on Sunday morning, locals said. Local sources told Ma’an that an Israeli military force stormed the Wadi al-Jouz neighborhood immediately north of the Old City and detained 13-year-old Layth Shalabi from his family home. Separately, Israeli troops also ransacked the home….
Hebron suffers landfill and water shortage, aggravated by Israel
5/11/2014 – HEBRON (Ma’an) — Like many cities in the region, the southern West Bank city of Hebron faces a shortage of space for waste disposal. Unlike most cities, however, Hebron’s problems are exacerbated by gun-toting Israeli settlers who forcibly access the area’s main landfill. Mayor Dawood Zaatari told Ma’an on Sunday that the al-Minya landfill, which was built with….
Families of Palestinian prisoners close Red Cross office in Nablus
5/11/2014 – NABLUS (Ma’an) – Families of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails on Sunday closed with chains the main door of the International Committee of the Red Cross office in Nablus in the northern West Bank. Spokesman of Nablus’ higher committee for prisoners’ affairs Imad Ishteiwi told Ma’an that dozens of family members of prisoners arrived at offices of the Red Cross….
Israeli settlers ‘kidnap’ child near Yatta for several hours
5/12/2014 – HEBRON (Ma’an) — Israeli settlers from Havot Maon “kidnapped” a Palestinian child south of Hebron on Saturday evening, a local activist group reported, before releasing him a few hours later. Coordinator of the Popular Committee against the Wall and Settlements south of Hebron Rateb al-Jubour said in a statement that settlers took 6-year-old Mosab Kamel Mousa Robai from the village of Tuwani east….
Israel downplays latest charge of spying on US
5/12/2014 – JERUSALEM (AFP) — Israeli Intelligence Minister Yuval Steinitz on Saturday angrily denied the latest media charge of Israeli spying on its US ally and said that someone was trying to sour bilateral relations.”One gets the impression that someone is trying to sabotage the excellent intelligence cooperation between the United States and Israel,” state-owned Channel One TV and army radio quoted him as saying.”In all….
Israel closes Golan zone adjacent to Syria
5/12/2014 – JERUSALEM (AFP) — Israel’s army on Sunday declared part of the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights a closed military zone, fearing battles on the Syrian side would spill over the ceasefire line. An army spokeswoman told AFP the area around the Quneitra crossing was closed “for security reasons.” Speaking to AFP, security sources said they feared fighting between rebels and Syrian army forces would affect the….
Israel hate crimes ‘poison atmosphere’ for pope visit
5/12/2014 – HAIFA (AFP) — The head of the Roman Catholic church in the Holy Land said Sunday that Israeli hate crimes against local Muslims and Christians are souring relations ahead of a papal visit.” The unrestrained acts of vandalism poison the atmosphere — the atmosphere of co-existence and the atmosphere of collaboration, especially in these two weeks prior to the visit of Pope Francis,” Latin Patriarch Fuad Twal….
Palestine accepted to UN anti-corruption convention
5/11/2014 – RAMALLAH (Ma’an) – Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah was notified officially Sunday that the UN accepted Palestine as a signatory to the UN Convention Against Corruption of 2003. According to an official letter from UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Palestine has become an official signatory of the convention as of May 2, 2014. The letter was sent to chief of the Palestinian Authority’s anti-corruption….
Report: Israeli ministers advance bill to limit prisoner releases
5/11/2014 – JERUSALEM (Ma’an) — Israeli government ministers voted on Sunday to advance a new bill designed to limit the release of Palestinian prisoners, media reported. According to the Israeli news site Ynet, the bill would ban the release of “convicted killers sentenced to life terms in prison” and would allow courts to decide whether the president is allowed to pardon “murderers” on a case-by-case basis….
Rouhani: Iran won’t accept ‘nuclear apartheid’
5/11/2014 – TEHRAN (AFP) — Iran will not accept “nuclear apartheid” but is willing to offer more transparency over its atomic activities, President Hassan Rouhani said on Sunday ahead of new talks with world powers. Iran and the P5+1 group of nations will start hammering out a draft accord Tuesday aimed at ending a decade-long stand-off over suspicions that the Islamic republic is concealing military objectives.” We….
4 Palestinians detained crossing into Israel for work
5/11/2014 – JENIN (Ma’an) — Israeli forces detained four Palestinians while they were trying to enter Israel near Jalama checkpoint in the northern West Bank early Sunday. Palestinian security sources said that Israeli border guards detained four workers from Jenin refugee camp who were crossing into Israel for work. The sources identified the detained individuals as Ahmad Toufiq, Adnan Omar al-Azizi, Raafet Khalil, and Ihab Jamal….
Families of Nativity Church deportees deliver letter to FM
5/11/2014 – BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) – On the 12th anniversary of their deportation from Bethlehem to the Gaza Strip and to European countries, families of Nativity Church deportees on Sunday handed a letter to Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki urging the PA to exert serious efforts to bring them back to Bethlehem. The letter was handed over in Ramallah in the central West Bank during a protest to….
Iran on agenda as Israel PM visits Japan
5/11/2014 – TOKYO (AFP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in Tokyo Sunday for a summit with his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe at which he is expected to raise the Iranian nuclear talks and economic cooperation. Netanyahu is likely to press Japan to side with Israel over nuclear talks between Iran and six world powers when he meets Abe Monday afternoon, the Asahi Shimbun reported. Iran and….
Hebron man found dead
5/11/2014 – HEBRON (Ma’an) — A young Palestinian man was found dead on the outskirts of Hebron in the southern West Bank on Saturday night, family members and security sources told Ma’an. Hebron security sources say the body of 19-year-old Muhammad Ibrahim Deib Zuhour was found in an outskirt of Hebron known as Sakka. The victim was a resident of the village of….
Egypt army: Gunmen shoot, kill soldier in northern Sinai
5/11/2014 – EL-ARISH (Ma’an) — Unidentified gunmen shot and killed an Egyptian soldier and injured another in the northern Sinai Peninsula on Sunday, army sources said. Egyptian military sources told Ma’an that unidentified gunmen opened fire at a group of soldiers in al-Joura village near Sheikh Zuweid, killing one and critically injuring another. The soldiers fired back and the gunmen fled the scene, the….
Egypt students jailed for 4 years over violent protests
5/11/2014 – CAIRO (AFP) — An Egyptian court on Sunday sentenced 36 students of the prestigious al-Azhar university to four years in prison each over violent protests backing ousted president Mohamed Morsi, judicial sources said. Students supporting Morsi regularly hold demonstrations calling for his release at several Egyptian universities and in particular at Cairo’s al-Azhar university, a prestigious seat of Sunni Islamic learning. The 36 students….
Syria presidential campaign launches despite war
5/11/2014 – DAMASCUS (AFP) — Campaigning began Sunday for Syria’s June 3 presidential election expected to return Bashar Assad to power, as the regime marked a symbolic victory with the exit of rebels from Homs. In Damascus, campaign posters lauding Assad hung on shopping streets and in public gardens, in the run-up to the country’s first multi-candidate presidential vote. The election is being staged….
5-week deadline for unity govt still in place
Palestine News Network
Palestinian priest sacked for backing service in Israel army
Palestine News Network
Israeli soldiers open fire at Palestinian farmers in Khan Younis
Palestine News Network
Pro-Hamas newspaper redistributed in West Bank
Palestine News Network
Increase in the Index of Quantity of Industrial Production during March, 2014
Palestine News Network
MADA : There is Now a Real Opportunity for a Substantial Change in Media Freedoms
Palestine News Network
MADAS General Assembly Convenes its Annual Meeting
Palestine News Network
Abbas and Meshal meet the Emir of Qatar
Palestine News Network
Erekat: the door to negotiations with Israel is not closed
Palestine News Network
Settlers Raze Agricultural Lands near Hebron
Palestine News Network
Human Rights Organisations Urge Palestine to Accede to Rome Statute
Palestine News Network
Hundreds march in Hebron to support hunger strikers
Palestine News Network
Palestinian Prisoners To Hunger Strike on Thursday
Palestine News Network
Occupation extends detention of lawyer Issawi
Palestine News Network
Israeli forces detain 11 Palestinians in arrest raids
Palestine News Network
Jewish extremists vandalize Jerusalem church
Palestine News Network
Palestinian Center for Human Rights
PCHR Organizes Special Event to Launch Its 2013 Annual Report
Palestinian Center for Human Rights
PCHR Concerned over Lives of Palestinian Prisoners on Hunger Strike in Israeli Jails
Palestinian Center for Human Rights
Syrian Arab Republic: Next steps to combat polio in the Middle East
Relief Web 11 May 2014 – Source: World Health Organization Country: Egypt, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Jordan, occupied Palestinian territory, Syrian Arab Republic Amman, 11 May 2014 – A multi-country, multi-agency strategic planning meeting focused on limiting the transmission of wild poliovirus in the Middle…
Rebels in southern Syria on the brink of turning on each other
The National 11 May 2014 – Infighting threatens anti-Assad campaign around Deraa after Al Qaeda-linked Jabhat Al Anusra captured of FSA officer a week ago.
Rouhani says Iran will not accept ‘nuclear apartheid’
The National 11 May 2014 – Our technology is not up for negotiation, Iranian president says ahead of new round of talks on nuclear accord.
Eastern Ukrainian regions hold separatist referendums
The National 11 May 2014 – West and Kiev condemn as illegal votes organised by pro-Russian rebels in Donetsk and Luhansk.
Drought and mismanagement leave Iran staring at a water crisis
The National 11 May 2014 – Protests and disputes break out as rivers and lakes run dry, and some farmers have no choice but to move elsewhere.
Suicide car bombing kills 12 soldiers in Yemen
The National 11 May 2014 – The attack comes two days after a gunfight near the presidential palace and an apparent assassination attempt on the life of Yemen’s defence minister.
Unified policy on Yemen will reduce threat
The National 11 May 2014 – The problems of the Peninsula’s most populous country require a comprehensive solution from the GCC states
Philippine embassy in Abu Dhabi to launch phone applications for passport renewals
The National 11 May 2014 – Filipinos applying for electronic passports may soon book an appointment over the phone, removing the need to visit their embassy in Abu Dhabi. Many Filipinos, however, want the embassy to introduce an online passport appointment.
Nigerian schoolgirl who escaped Boko Haram abduction recounts terror
The National 11 May 2014 – “I am pained that my other colleagues could not summon the courage to run away with me. Now I cry each time I come across their parents and see how they weep when they see me,” said Sarah Lawan, a 19-year-old student who escaped from the terrorists in Chibok.
In pictures: eastern Ukraine votes on self-rule referendum
The National 11 May 2014 – The secession referendum will let the three million residents of the provinces of Luhansk and Donetsk vote on whether they want to remain part of Ukraine.
Independence vote in eastern Ukraine despite international condemnation
The National 11 May 2014 – Voters in the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk are headed to the polls to decide on whether to declare independence from Ukraine – a move that defies a call from the Russian president to postpone them and draws ire from the US, the European Union and the government in Kiev, who say that they’re illegal.
Popular governor in a boiler suit: Iraqi PM in waiting?
The National 11 May 2014 – In a country where many view their elected leaders as corrupt and distant, the 47-year-old has won plaudits in the southern province of Maysan for concentrating on providing basic services and meeting the people.
Video: Remains returned to ground zero
The National 11 May 2014 – Thousands of unidentified remains from the 9/11 attacks are returned to Ground Zero in solumn ceremony.
Video: Turkey’s Erdogan heckles lawyer’s speech, storms out
The National 11 May 2014 – The head of the Turkish Bar Association receives a stern rebuke from Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan who storms out at a judicial ceremony.
Video: Death of a priest in Old Homs
The National 11 May 2014 – As Syrians return to Old Homs, signs of death remain everywhere, including at a monastery where one priest was murdered.
Video: South African police arrest 59 in post-election protests
The National 11 May 2014 – South African police arrest 59 people after post-election protests in Johannesburg township turned violent overnight.
2,000 years, in the blink of an eye
Ha’aretz – 11 May 2014
The mommy track vs. the tenure track
Ha’aretz – 11 May 2014
Ministers approve inheritance rights for same-sex couples
Ha’aretz – 11 May 2014
Israel Electric sues Palestinians for $153 million in unpaid bills
Ha’aretz – 11 May 2014
Olmert questioned for three hours by fraud squad
Ha’aretz – 11 May 2014
Arabs, Haredim to be excluded from tax exemption on first home
Ha’aretz – 11 May 2014
Palestinians prisoners plotted to kidnap soldiers, Shin Bet says
Ha’aretz – 11 May 2014
Russians, Indians, Jews at top of U.K. rich list
Ha’aretz – 11 May 2014
Latin Patriarchate raps Israel on ‘price tag’
Ha’aretz – 11 May 2014
Ukraine insurgents say overwhelming majority back independence
Ha’aretz – 11 May 2014
Girlz, Muslim-style
Ha’aretz – 11 May 2014
Israel should stop harassing asylum seekers
Ha’aretz – 11 May 2014
Stench tag
Ha’aretz – 11 May 2014
Presidential race pits Netanyahu against Israeli democracy
Ha’aretz – 11 May 2014
Good news, bad news on ‘price tag’ attacks
Ha’aretz – 11 May 2014
Nigeria accepts Israeli offer to help find abducted schoolgirls
Ha’aretz – 11 May 2014
Man tries TV dating after murdering wife and lover
Ha’aretz – 11 May 2014
Lapid says won’t leave government over peace process failure
Ha’aretz – 11 May 2014
Lapid says won’t leave government over peace process failure
Ha’aretz – 11 May 2014
Chuck Hagel: U.S. military’s ban on transgender troops ‘should be reviewed’
Ha’aretz – 11 May 2014
Ukrainian troops open fire on crowd, fatalities feared
Ha’aretz – 11 May 2014
Despite Netanyahu’s efforts, race for president likely to begin Monday
Ha’aretz – 11 May 2014
Cost of Israeli crime in 2013 tops $4 billion
Ha’aretz – 11 May 2014
High-school students rescued after flash flood
Ha’aretz – 11 May 2014
Iranian leader calls for mass-production of missiles
Ha’aretz – 11 May 2014
Where is it really better to be a Christian – Israel or Palestine?
Ha’aretz – 11 May 2014
Fearing spillover from Syria war, IDF closes Golan border zone
Ha’aretz – 11 May 2014
As east Ukrainians vote in referendum, poll shows opposition to secession
Ha’aretz – 11 May 2014
Settler council files incitement complaint against Amos Oz over ‘racist’ jibe
Ha’aretz – 11 May 2014
Newsweek reporter stands by Israeli spying allegation: Facts are facts
Ha’aretz – 11 May 2014
East Ukraine referendum raises fears of dismemberment
Ha’aretz – 11 May 2014
Ministers debating bill to oblige Israeli firms to do business with settlements
Ha’aretz – 11 May 2014
Israeli ministers approve bill aimed at blocking prisoner swaps
Ha’aretz – 11 May 2014
Israel warns India of imminent Al-Qaida threat
Ha’aretz – 11 May 2014
Report: New York police recruiting Muslim informants
Ha’aretz – 11 May 2014
Israeli lawmakers back bill vetoing presidential pardon of murderers
Ha’aretz – 11 May 2014
Vatican concerned by Israel’s lack of control over hate crimes
Ha’aretz – 11 May 2014
Netanyahu wants to push off presidential vote, but fails to get the votes
Ha’aretz – 11 May 2014
In Israel, Jewish terror exists
Ha’aretz – 10 May 2014
The Israeli military’s subversion of the government
Ha’aretz – 10 May 2014
Freedom of the press, at any price
Ha’aretz – 10 May 2014
Two dead, one missing after U.S. hot-air balloon tragedy
Ha’aretz – 10 May 2014
Michelle Obama outraged by Nigerian kidnappings
Ha’aretz – 10 May 2014
Campaigning ends in India’s epic elections
Ha’aretz – 10 May 2014
2,000 march in memory of suspected terror attack victim
Ha’aretz – 10 May 2014
Think about it: Why the presidency should not be abolished
Jerusalem Post 11 May 2014 – The president of the state need not be directly involved in the deliberations, but he or she must believe this function to be important enough to warrant serious effort and investment of time.
Freedom on Mt. Zion
Jerusalem Post 11 May 2014 – Police presence must be increased and clear rules for prayer times must be enforced. No religious group should be allowed to intimidate another.
An emotional encounter with Elie Wiesel
Jerusalem Post 11 May 2014 – Elie never forgets his origins nor his desire to preserve the rich Jewish culture he knew as a child.
From Obama to Olmert: Leaders and legacies
Jerusalem Post 11 May 2014 – The ghosts of David Ben-Gurion, Menachem Begin and Golda Meir are probably sad that their pictures are hanging in the same row alongside Olmert’s on the wall inside Israel’s highest office.
Protests marking Nakba Day begin at Israeli University
Jerusalem Post 11 May 2014 – Israeli Arabs hold event in lead up to Nakba Day on Thursday, Zionist organization “Im Tirtzu” holds counter-protest.
When Zionism feared Yiddish
Jerusalem Post 11 May 2014 – While there is something unsavory and very intolerant about the Zionist movement’s assault on Yiddish, I would argue that it was, in some ways, necessary.
The life of a lone soldier
Jerusalem Post 11 May 2014 – We are family, and we have the Lone Soldier Center of Jerusalem to thank for that.
Russian military delegation leaves Egypt, plans joint military exercises for early next year
Jerusalem Post 11 May 2014 – Egypt, Russia plan joint military exercises for early next year; Israeli think tank: Egyptian-Russian arms deal changes strategic picture of Middle East.
Protestors gather in front of the PM’s residence to condemn price-tag attacks
Jerusalem Post 11 May 2014 – Rabbis for Human Rights on price tags: “This is antithetical to everything the Torah stands for.”
Lapid defends decision to stay in government despite impasse in peace talks
Jerusalem Post 11 May 2014 – At Yesh Atid conference, finance minister says it would become clear in the coming weeks how the peace process will proceed when Abbas reaches deadline to form unity government with Hamas.
Livni initiative to give inheritance rights to gay couples
Jerusalem Post 11 May 2014 – New version of the inheritance law reads: “A couple living as a family in a joint household.”
Youths arrested for stoning Arab man’s car in Afula protest, take “selfie” in police station
Jerusalem Post 11 May 2014 – Arrested made at Afula rally to commemorating life of local teenager Shelly Dadon who was murdered in May in suspected act of terrorism.
‘Pray and pray and pray for peace,’ Peres tells Oslo’s Jews
Jerusalem Post 11 May 2014 – Peres recalls attending services in the synagogue 20 years ago with then-prime minister Yitzhak Rabin, when the Oslo Accords were signed.
Israel offers to help Nigeria find abducted girls
Jerusalem Post 11 May 2014 – Netanyahu to Nigerian president: “We are ready to help in finding the girls and fighting the cruel terrorism inflicted on you.”
Palestinian prisoners plotted kidnap of IDF soldier, Shin Bet says
Jerusalem Post 11 May 2014 – Israel’s domestic intelligence agency says plot to target IDF soldiers at West Bank junctions, orchestrated by Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences.
Khamenei: Iran’s Revolutionary Guards should mass produce missiles
Jerusalem Post 11 May 2014 – Supreme leader says Western expectations for Iran to limit its missile program were “stupid and idiotic”.
Israel’s Ultra-Orthodox: Piety vs. patriotism
Jerusalem Post 11 May 2014 – Haredi leaders have long insisted that their young men serve the nation through prayer and study, thus preserving the Jewish heritage that has kept the faith through centuries of persecution.
House of Cards’ Frank Underwood for President of Egypt?
Jerusalem Post 11 May 2014 – Social media campaign, promoting popular TV drama’s star as a challenger to Sisi in Egyptian presidential elections, goes viral.
Private vehicles banned from traveling to Meron for Lag Ba’omer celebrations
Jerusalem Post 11 May 2014 – Police say that due to lessons learned in previous years only public transport and private buses would be allowed access to site.
Israel’s senior Catholic cleric: ‘Price tags’ poisoning atmosphere ahead of Pope’s visit
Jerusalem Post 11 May 2014 – Just two weeks before Pope Francis’s scheduled visit, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Fouad Twal accuses state of not doing enough to bring ultra-nationalist perpetrators to justice.
Azrieli Foundation and Canadian PM increase funding to Neurodevelopmental research program
Jerusalem Post 11 May 2014 – Program supports Canadian neuroscientists conducting work that aims to change the landscape for families facing Fragile X syndrome and Autism.
IDF declares Syrian border area a closed military zone as fighting nears Israeli Golan
Jerusalem Post 11 May 2014 – Assad’s forces have been under siege in border area for months, facing rebels which include radical jihadi groups.
Settlers file police complaint against Amos Oz for incitement to racial hatred
Jerusalem Post 11 May 2014 – Oz castigated “hilltop youth” as “neo-Nazis”, condemning those who carry out “price tag” attacks on Muslims and Christians.
Iranian president calls for more open, better-informed nuclear debate
Jerusalem Post 11 May 2014 – World powers will reconvene in Vienna to try to end a long standoff over suspicions that Tehran has sought the means to develop nuclear weapons.
Rebels press ahead with self-rule referendum in east Ukraine as fighting flares
Jerusalem Post 11 May 2014 – Clashes break out on the outskirts of the rebel stronghold of Slaviansk shortly before voters make their way to polling stations.
Live, Love and Learn: Happy Jewish Mother’s Day
Jerusalem Post 11 May 2014 – The Jewish women I have crossed in my lifetime have approached their roles as Jewish mothers with such gravitas that to me it is no laughing matter.
Summertime happiness: Lana Del Rey coming to Israel
Jerusalem Post 11 May 2014 – The sultry songstress to perform in Tel Aviv in August in her first ever performance in Israel.
Olmert questioned on obstruction of justice allegations days before Holyland sentencing
Jerusalem Post 11 May 2014 – Police question former PM on suspicion he tried to convince his former aide Zaken not to cooperate with state in cases against him.
Bennett praises passage of bill aimed at stopping wholesale prisoner releases
Jerusalem Post 11 May 2014 – Likud Beytenu, Bayit Yehudi ministers vote for heavier sentence for terrorists and other “special cases,” Left says bill blocks options in negotiations.
Calls to class far-right Jewish settlers as terrorists after Israeli soldiers attacked
The Guardian 11 May 2014 – Senior ministers Tzipi Livni and Yitzhak Aharonovitch condemn ‘price-tag’ attacks as author Amos Oz calls militants neo-Nazis Calls are mounting for hardline Jewish settlers to be classified as terrorists after a spate of attacks on Palestinian…
Lebanon is “Iran s first line of defense,” official says
Uruknet 11 May 2014 – May 6, 2014 – A senior Iranian military official described south Lebanon as Iran s first line of defense, an Iranian News Agency reported over the weekend. “Our frontmost line of defense is no more in Shalamcheh [in Southern Iran],…
Lebanon: Palestinians Barred, Sent to Syria
Uruknet 11 May 2014 – May 6, 2014- The Lebanese government forcibly returned about three dozen Palestinians to Syria on May 4, 2014, putting them at grave risk. On the same day, the government also arbitrarily denied entry to Palestinians crossing over the land border…
Saudi Prisoner Refuses to Attend His Periodic Review at Guantánamo, Complains About Intrusive Body Searches
Uruknet 11 May 2014 – May 6, 2014 – On Monday, a Saudi prisoner at Guantánamo, Muhammad Abd al-Rahman al-Shumrani, refused to attend his Periodic Review Board, convened to assess whether he should continue to be held without charge or trial, or whether he should…
Silence aids Israeli aggression
Uruknet 11 May 2014 – May 6, 2014 -When I was pulled aside for questioning at Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv a few weeks ago, I was relatively unconcerned. It had happened on a previous trip, and this time I was more prepared. Before…
Palestinian dead end highlights the right of return
Uruknet 11 May 2014 – May 6, 2014 -Like a broken record perpetually playing a deeply disturbing refrain, the peace process has scratched on despite missed deadlines, threats, and promises, with intermittent halts. None of the parties involved — mainly the Palestine Liberation Organization/Palestinian Authority,…
To Be a Refugee…
Uruknet 11 May 2014 – May 6 , 2014 -According to Badil Resource Center for Refugee Rights, there are approximately 4.8 million UNRWA-registered Palestinian refugees (*Survey of Palestinian Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons – Volume VII – 2010-2012). Nearly 1.9 million of these refugees live within…
A cruel fantasy: NYT sets hopes on US principles for a peace deal
Uruknet 11 May 2014 – May 6, 2014 – On Sunday, the NY Times ran an editorial about a fantastical “set of American principles that point the way to a peace deal if the two sides ever muster the will to agree on one:” Mr….
Israel spies on U.S. more than any other ally
Uruknet 11 May 2014 – May 6, 2014 – Ah the unending gifts of the special relationship! Jeff Stein reports at Newsweek that Israel spies on the U.S. more than any other ally. “Alarming” and “terrifying” are the words used by a congressional aide who…
Syria News – May 5, 2014 (Warning: Graphic Videos)
Uruknet 11 May 2014 – May 5, 2014 – By the end of Monday, Coordination Committees were able to document 73 martyrs, including 3 women, 3 children and 9 martyrs under torture: 29 martyrs in Aleppo, 22 martyrs in Damascus and its suburbs, 13 martyrs…
Palestinian journalists protest Israeli violations on World Press Freedom Day
Uruknet 11 May 2014 – May 5, 2014 – On Saturday, May 3, Israeli forces broke up a peaceful demonstration of Palestinian journalists at the checkpoint of Beit El near Ramallah on World Press Freedom Day. That same day, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (…
MoD broke law in holding Afghan prisoners too long, judge rules
Uruknet 11 May 2014 – May 5, 2014 – The Ministry of Defence breached English law, Afghan law, human rights legislation and international law by allowing British troops to detain Afghans for long periods without trial, the high court has ruled in a judgment with…
Further proof of fraudulent elections in Iraq
Uruknet 11 May 2014 – May 5, 2014 – The BRussells Tribunal has received the following information, further substantiating the allegations of fraud, made in a previous article we published on 03/05/2014: Fraudulent elections in Iraq.”We managed through a Journalist friend in Sweden to take…
Saudi Arabia s military exercise was a goodbye wave to America
Uruknet 11 May 2014 – May 5, 2014 -When one of the most powerful militaries in the Middle East holds the largest military exercise in its history, the region and allies would be wise to look beyond the explosions and manoeuvres at the political intent….
10 Years After Abu Ghraib, Ex-Prisoners Seek Justice in Torture Lawsuit Against U.S. Contractor CACI
Uruknet 11 May 2014 – May 5, 2014 – Ten years ago, the shocking photos of U.S. military personnel humiliating and torturing Iraqi prisoners at Abu Ghraib sparked global outcry as well as national hearings, investigations and finger pointing. But many at the center of…
35 residents of Wadi al-Qatif west of Jericho face imminent expulsion
Uruknet 11 May 2014 – May 5, 2014 -The Bedouin community of Wadi al-Qatif, located west of the city of Jericho, is home to 10 families comprising 68 people, including 32 minors. The community s roots are in Tel Arad in the Negev, southern Israel….
Iraq: Ballot boxes filled with votes tossed in the streets
Uruknet 11 May 2014 – May 5, 2014 -Interesting picture documenting the credibility of the Iraqi elections….. Are the elections being stolen? If so, what else would you expect where a War Criminal is allowed to be a prime minister. Iraq s chief thug Nouri…
Settlers Raze Agricultural Lands near Hebron
Uruknet 11 May 2014 – May 5, 2014 -Settlers on Sunday razed agricultural lands east of West Bank city of Hebron.Local sources said that dozens of settlers from “Hafat Gal” settlement that was built on Palestinian lands east of Hebron, accompanied by Israeli bulldozers and…
Imprisoned Al Jazeera Journalist Details Abu Ghraib Torture & Why He s Suing U.S. Contractor CACI
Uruknet 11 May 2014 – May 5, 2014 – Ten years after the first publication of photos from inside the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq, we speak to Al Jazeera journalist Salah Hassan about his torture by U.S. forces inside the facility. To date, no…
Palestinian diaspora needs unity deal
Uruknet 11 May 2014 – May 5, 2014 – The PLO-Hamas reconciliation agreement signed in the Shati refugee camp in the Gaza Strip on April 23 is forcing Palestinians everywhere to revisit their own divisions and start working together for the common Palestinian good.For years,…
Ferwana: 5100 Palestinians Currently Imprisoned By Israel
Uruknet 11 May 2014 – March 5, 2014 -Saturday, May 3, 2014, former political prisoner, head of the Census Department at the Palestinian Ministry of Detainees, Abdul-Nasser Ferwana, stated that, by the end of last month, April 2014, the number of detainees, held by Israel,…
What Happened to CIA Torture Report? Senate in the Dark Too
Uruknet 11 May 2014 – May 5, 2014 – The Senate s high-profile summary of a 6,600-page CIA torture report was supposed to be released by now, at least in a redacted form. It hasn t been, and no one in the Senate seems sure…
mprisoned Al Jazeera Journalist Details Abu Ghraib Torture & Why He s Suing U.S. Contractor CACI
Uruknet 11 May 2014 – May 5, 2014 – Ten years after the first publication of photos from inside the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq, we speak to Al Jazeera journalist Salah Hassan about his torture by U.S. forces inside the facility. To date, no…
Iran seeks Shiite consensus on next Iraqi premier
Uruknet 11 May 2014 – May 5, 2014 – Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has received direct and ongoing support from Iran during the eight years of his mandate, and has maintained excellent relations with Tehran throughout this period. He refrained from criticizing the Iranian…
Barghouti joins hunger strike in Israeli jails
Uruknet 11 May 2014 – May 5, 2014 – Senior Fatah official Marwan Barghouti has joined Hamas members and other Palestinian prisoners on an open-ended hunger strike in Israeli jails. According to the former Minister of Palestinian Prisoners and Freed Prisoners, Wasfi Qabha, the senior…
Israeli police close Aqsa mosque to worshipers under 50
Uruknet 10 May 2014 – May 5, 2014 — Israeli police in Jerusalem on Monday forbade worshipers under the age of 50 from entering Al-Aqsa mosque, a local official said.Azzam al-Khatib, director of the Al-Aqsa mosque, told Ma an that police were stationed at the…
Report: Israeli violations against Palestinian journalists continue
Uruknet 10 May 2014 – May 5, 2014 – A monthly report by the Palestinian Youth Media Assembly revealed that Israeli violations of press freedom continued in April, documenting at least 10 cases of assaults on journalists and the media in the West Bank and…
The failure of Palestine s gamble on the United States
Uruknet 10 May 2014 – May 5, 2014 -It is time for the Palestinian leadership to reconsider its losing bet on the United States, which oscillates from being an opponent that is biased towards Israeli strategy and a fair and neutral broker in the negotiations,…
Israeli soldier becomes overnight hero for pointing loaded gun at Palestinian youths
Uruknet 10 May 2014 – May 5, 2014 – Israeli soldier David Adamov has become an overnight hero in Israel. Why? Because he cocked his assault rifle at unarmed Palestinian youths in Hebron. Adamov s actions were caught on camera and posted to YouTube by…
Sisi sees Egypt situation better ‘in two years’
Daily Star 11 May 2014 Presidential frontrunner Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said on Sunday Egypt’s situation will improve in two years, adding that he would not hesitate to resign if there were mass protests against him.
Iran, UN atomic watchdog to meet Monday
Daily Star 11 May 2014 The United Nations’ atomic watchdog said Sunday it would hold talks with Iran to discuss its long-stalled probe into Tehran’s alleged past efforts to develop nuclear weapons.
Terror threat ongoing: Industry Minister
Daily Star 11 May 2014 Industry Minister said that the terrorist threat again Lebanon was ongoing although it was significantly curbed due to the security plan recently implemented by Lebanese authorities.
Israel offers to help Nigeria find abducted girls
Daily Star 11 May 2014 Israel offered Nigeria help on Sunday in locating 200 schoolgirls abducted last month by Islamist rebel group Boko Haram in an attack that has drawn global condemnation and prompted some Western powers to provide assistance.
Iran’s Khamenei says West’s calls to limit missiles “stupid”
Daily Star 11 May 2014 Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says that Western expectations for the Islamic Republic to limit its missile program are “stupid and idiotic”.
Libya ex-spy boss in court with lawyers for first time
Daily Star 11 May 2014 Libya’s ex-intelligence chief Abdullah Senussi appears in a Tripoli court with his lawyers for the first time, accused of abuses during the 2011 uprising that toppled dictator Moammar Gadhafi.
Pakistan PM visits Iran amid tensions
Daily Star 11 May 2014 Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif meets Iran’s President at the start of a visit during which talks are likely to include border security and a stalled gas pipeline deal.
Settlement plan to create a cemetery to bury settlers in north of Salfit
Stop The Wall – Palestinian Grassroots Anti-apartheid Wall Campaign Deir Istya A number of workers in the “Ariel” settlement, that is built by force on the territory of the city of Salfit in the northern West Bank, said that settlers there are working on a scheme to create a cemetery in the northern area…
Joint Call to Action: July 2014 – Month against the Apartheid Wall!
Stop The Wall – Palestinian Grassroots Anti-apartheid Wall Campaign freedomMLK #StopImpunity On July 9, 2014 it will be a decade since the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued an advisory opinion entitled Legal Consequences of the Construction of a Wall in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which declared the Apartheid Wall in the West Bank…
Ukraine rebels claim referendum victory in Donetsk
YNet News, 11 May 2014 – ….
Torah tag: Studying Torah with ‘price tag’ victims
YNet News, 11 May 2014 – Every time Jews commit acts of terror in the name of religion, I try to respond by studying Torah, an act based on love for all people created in God’s image. This time I turned Knesset Member Dr. Ahmad Tibi, the public representative of Israel’s Arabs. ….
Yes, there are Hebrew neo-Nazi groups
YNet News, 11 May 2014 – Op-ed: After sparking a row with his verbal attack on ‘price tag’ vandals, author Amos Oz explains why he stands behind his comments. ….
Newsweek report is just too unrealistic
YNet News, 11 May 2014 – Analysis: Claim that Israel is favored by US when it comes to espionage matters doesn’t carry much weight based on history of relations between two countries since Pollard affair. ….
Greece’s top court allows far-right Golden Dawn to contest EU vote
YNet News, 11 May 2014 – ….
Man City wins Premier League title
YNet News, 11 May 2014 – ….
Latvian pre-school sign purports to be ‘Judenfrei’
YNet News, 11 May 2014 – Anti-Semitic sign labeling Riga pre-school as ‘free of Jews’ may be connected to member of parliament; Jewish community hasn’t noticaed any rise in anti-Semitism. ….
EU says won’t recognise result of east Ukraine vote
YNet News, 11 May 2014 – ….
Lapid indicates peace process could resume
YNet News, 11 May 2014 – ….
Amos Oz has no right to preach
YNet News, 11 May 2014 – Op-ed: How can the Israeli author slam rabbis who back ‘price tag’ thugs, as he legitimizes an Arab lawyer who called Israel a ‘Nazi monster’? ….
US spies vindictive on Israel
YNet News, 10 May 2014 – Op-ed: Newsweek’s articles only point out hypocrisy and ignorance in a US intelligence community that harbors a vindictive attitude towards Israel. ….
Palestinian Information Center
Khudari: Series of national and int’l events against Gaza siege to be held
PIC – MP Jamal al-Khudari announced the forthcoming initiation of a series of popular and institutional events so as to demand lifting the siege imposed on the Gaza Strip.
IOF kidnaps six Palestinians, storms different W. Bank areas
PIC – The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) on Sunday morning kidnapped six Palestinians and invaded different West Bank areas.
Abu Marzouk: Hamas is going forward with the Palestinian reconciliation
PIC – Member of Hamas’s political bureau Mousa Abu Marzouk said “his Movement is strongly moving towards the national reconciliation despite all external pressures to abort it.”
Palestinian hunger strikers standing firm despite IOA’s threats
PIC – Negev prison administration threatened the sick Palestinian administrative hunger-strikers with solitary confinement in case their partial solidarity-hunger strike is not brought to a halt.
Palestinians launch activities of global march to Jerusalem
PIC – The popular committee for defending Jerusalem on Saturday morning launched the activities of the global march to Jerusalem, which is organized on the sixth of June every year.
Hamas: Mousa’s call for recognizing Israel blatant intervention
PIC – Hamas denounced former Arab League secretary general Amr Mousa for calling on the movement to recognize Israel, describing his call as blatant intervention in internal Palestinian affairs.
Youngest Jerusalemite detainee to be released, other youngsters detained
PIC – The youngest Jerusalemite prisoner Laith Khaled Jamal Husseini, 14, is expected to be released by the IOA on Sunday, after having been locked-up in Sharon prison for 8 months.
Settlers Attack, Injure Shepherd near Hebron
WAFA – 11 May 2014
Israeli Soldiers Assault Cameramen near Bethlehem
WAFA – 11 May 2014
Palestine Formally Member of UNCAC
WAFA – 11 May 2014
Settlers Chop Down Palestinian-Owned Trees near Hebron
WAFA – 11 May 2014
Israel Ratifies Law against Prisoners’ Release Deals
WAFA – 11 May 2014
Israeli Forces Shoot, Injure Palestinian Worker near Gaza borders
WAFA – 11 May 2014
Israeli Forces Open Fire on Farmers near Khan Yunes
WAFA – 11 May 2014
Dozen Suffocate in Army Raid near Jenin
WAFA – 11 May 2014
20 Iraqi Soldiers Are Killed in Barracks Attack
New York Times 11 May 2014 – The troops had been in charge of protecting a pipeline in the north that sends crude oil to international markets.
New York Police Recruit Muslims to Be Informers
New York Times 10 May 2014 – The Police Department’s anti-terrorism unit combs the city’s jails for Muslim immigrants to see if any might be persuaded to become police informants.
2 Yemenis Shot by Americans Are Linked to Qaeda Cell
New York Times 10 May 2014 – New details emerged about a shooting last month in which the Obama administration said two Americans from the U.S. Embassy killed armed Yemenis who were trying to kidnap them.
Circular logic: Israel agrees not to discriminate against Palestinian-American travelers — not that we ever did
Mondoweiss – Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Deputy Foreign Minister Ze’ev Elkin at a Likud party meeting in the Knesset, July 2013. (Photo: Miriam Alster/Flash90) The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs has made a partial admission of discrimination against Palestinian-Americans at Israeli borders, a key issue in its…
Blumenthal in Brooklyn
Mondoweiss – Max Blumenthal spoke in Brooklyn last Thursday, at the Friends Meeting House. Photo below by Bud Korotzer. Thanks to Terri Ginsberg, of New Yorkers Against the Cornell Technion Partnership (NY-Act) . Max Blumenthal event in Brooklyn, photo by Bud Korotzer
‘Combatants for Peace’ says Palestinians and Israelis are equal parties to conflict
Mondoweiss – Combatants for Peace annual memorial day event, in 2013, from the CFP site . Combatants for Peace is an organization of Israelis and Palestinians who have taken part in the “cycle of violence” and have come out against violence. Ofer Neiman has translated this article by Lilach…
South African radicals wanted to kill Paul Simon for violating boycott — Steve Van Zandt
Mondoweiss – Steve Van Zandt, photo by Jason Kempin for Getty Images A week or so ago I ran into Greg Grandin, the author of The Empire of Necessity , the new book on Melville and slavery that has gotten a lot of attention, and he told me about…
Hear the One About the Mossad Agent in Al Gore’s Crapper?
Tikun Olam – Israeli spies in the air ducts We’re gonna have some fun with this one tonight! Jeff Stein, Newsweek’s intelligence reporter has filed two great stories using inside U.S. intelligence, Homeland Security and Congressional aide sources to portray the massive Israeli spy presence in the U.S. The…
How close is a final nuclear deal on Iran?
BBC 11 May 2014 – How close are we to a final nuclear deal on Iran?
Israeli Author Amos Oz Accused of Incitement to Racism
The Foward Breaking News 11 May 2014 – Israeli author Amoz Oz was charged with incitement to racism after he called Israelis who carry out “price tag” attacks “Hebrew neo-Nazis.” Click here for the rest of the article…
Israel Offers To Help Nigeria Find Kidnapped Girls
The Foward Breaking News 11 May 2014 – Israel offered Nigeria help on Sunday in locating 200 schoolgirls abducted last month by Islamist rebel group Boko Haram. Click here for the rest of the article…
Israel Rejects ‘Baseless’ Accusations of Spying on U.S.
The Foward Breaking News 11 May 2014 – Senior Israeli officials continue to assert that Israel does not spy on the United States, in the wake of a second Newsweek magazine article accusing Israel of “aggressive spying” against the U.S. Click here for the rest of the article…
Rabbis Urge Action Against Arab Attacks on Mount of Olives
The Foward Breaking News 11 May 2014 – More than 100 Orthodox rabbis, mostly from the United States, are urging action against ongoing Arab attacks on the Jewish cemetery on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. Click here for the rest of the article…
Supreme Court Orders Israel To Involve Palestinians in West Bank Building Plans
The Forward New 11 May 2014 – Israel’s highest court has ordered officials to involve Palestinians in West Bank building plans. Will the decision prevent more demolitions — or serve as cover for the occupation? Click here for the rest of the article…
Iran: Hardline anxiety over Rouhani grows more acute
BBC 10 May 2014 – The Iranian hardliners seeking to put the brakes on President Rouhani
VIDEO: Escape from Syria: Mohamed’s story
BBC 10 May 2014 – From Damascus to Bulgaria for teenager Mohamed
Many dead after Libyan boat capsizes
BBC 11 May 2014 – At least 36 migrants drowned when their boat sank off the Libyan coast on Tuesday, officials say, following the recovery of more bodies.
Police die in Yemen suicide blast
BBC 11 May 2014 – At least ten Yemeni police and a civilian are killed in a suicide bomb attack on a police station in the southern city of Mukalla.
Saudi camel warning over Mers virus
BBC 11 May 2014 – The authorities in Saudi Arabia advise wearing masks and gloves when handling camels to avoid spreading the Mers virus, which has killed at least 133 in the kingdom.
Egypt court sentences 36 Al-Azhar students to prison for pro-Mursi protests
Al-Akhbar News 11 May 2014 – An Egyptian court on Sunday sentenced 36 students of the prestigious Al-Azhar university to four years in prison each over protests backing ousted president Mohammed Mursi, judicial sources said. Students supporting Mursi regularly hold demonstrations calling for his release at several Egyptian universities and in particular…
Sisi’s camouflage campaign
Al-Monitor 11 May 2014 – Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, the likely next president of Egypt, is campaigning by not campaigning.
Militants ‘kill 20 Iraqi soldiers’
BBC 11 May 2014 – Militants have killed 20 Iraqi soldiers in an attack on a base near the violent northern city of Mosul, officials say.
What can we learn from Homs?
Al-Monitor 11 May 2014 – Given the collapse of the Geneva process, and the Syrian government’s staying power, localized cease-fires may be the latest trend in the conflict.
Erdogan outburst: ‘This is indecency!’
Al-Monitor 11 May 2014 – Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan lashes out at the chairman of the Union of Bar Associations of Turkey during a state event.
Israel pushing bill to block amnesty for Palestinians convicted of murder
Al-Akhbar News 11 May 2014 – An Israeli ministerial committee gave its backing on Sunday to changes in the law that could block amnesty for Palestinians imprisoned for murdering Israelis. Under the proposal passed by the committee for legislation, the courts would be empowered to prevent Israel’s president from granting clemency or…
Candidates launch presidential campaign ahead of Syrian elections
Al-Akhbar News 11 May 2014 – Cyclists pass a poster in support of Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad as they take part in a bicycle tour titled “Syria pulses with life” which was organized by the Syrian Gliding Club in cooperation with the General Sports Union on May 9, 2014 in Damascus. (Photo:…
Saudi Arabia to gift $3 billion worth of fuel to Egypt government
Al-Akhbar News 11 May 2014 – Saudi fuel donations to Egypt from last month through August will be worth more than $3 billion, a top Egyptian energy official said, as part of a financial lifeline from the Gulf helping to ease the country’s energy crisis. Tarek el-Molla, head of state-run Egyptian General…
Twenty Iraqi soldiers killed by militants
Al-Akhbar News 11 May 2014 – Militants attacked a military base in north Iraq, kidnapped 20 soldiers and later shot them dead, police and a morgue employee said on Sunday. The soldiers were abducted by a large group of militants in several vehicles from a small base in the Ain al-Jahash area…
Denouncing aspirations of Egyptian uprising, Sisi calls for stability
Al-Akhbar News 11 May 2014 – An Egyptian man rides his motorbike past campaign posters of Egypt’s former army chief and leading presidential candidate Abdel Fattah al-Sisi daubed with red paint on May 10, 2014 in the city of Mansura, north of Cairo. (Photo: AFP – Sayed Baz) Presidential frontrunner Abdel Fattah…
Rouhani: Iran won’t accept “nuclear apartheid”
Al-Akhbar News 11 May 2014 – Iranian President Hassan Rouhani delivers a speech during a ceremony at the Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization (AEOI) in Tehran on May 11, 2014. (Photo: AFP / Presidency website) Iran will not accept “nuclear apartheid” but is willing to offer more transparency over its atomic activities, President Hassan…
Morocco building blade-topped wall on border with Spanish territory: NGOs
Al-Akhbar News 11 May 2014 – Would-be immigrants stand atop a border fence separating Morocco from the north African Spanish enclave of Melilla on May 1, 2014, following a morning attempt to cross into Spain. (Photo: AFP – Blasco de Avellaneda) Morocco has begun construction of a blade-topped wall near Spain’s north…
Four killed in clashes near Yemeni presidential palace
Al-Akhbar News 11 May 2014 – Three “terrorists” were killed Sunday in clashes at a checkpoint near Yemen’s presidential palace, two days after a suspected Al-Qaeda attack on the same post killed five guards, the interior ministry said. A civilian was also killed in the gunfight which erupted at dawn after gunmen…
Israel rejects accusations of spying on US
Al-Monitor 11 May 2014 – Committed never to spy on American soil, some Israeli officials consider the espionage accusations as politically motivated to damage Israel-US relations.
Aden region could serve as basis for a thriving Yemen
Al-Monitor 11 May 2014 – Following the decision to divide Yemen into six federal regions, Aden has the potential to serve as a commercial and touristic hub for the country.
Sabahi: The revolution wins if I win presidency
Al-Monitor 11 May 2014 – In an interview with Al-Hayat, Egyptian presidential candidate Hamdeen Sabahi says that his victory in the presidency would ensure the “revolution reaches power,” yet stresses his respect for the army and the role it played on July 3.
Quick action needed to address Coronavirus in Saudi Arabia
Al-Monitor 11 May 2014 – After recent outbreaks of Coronavirus in Saudi Arabia have been linked to camels, quick action is needed to ensure public safety.
Kuwait, Lebanon: a culture of talking
Al-Monitor 11 May 2014 – Although their political clout is relatively low in the Middle East, the unique situation of Lebanon and Kuwait, and the controversies plaguing their political scenes, have kept these two countries at the media forefront in the Arab world.
Abu Mazen’s overlooked surprise concession on settlements
Al-Monitor 10 May 2014 – If reports are accurate, PLO Chairman Mahmoud Abbas agreed to allow 80% of settlers to remain in settlements annexed to Israel, a historic reversal of previous PLO positions.
Egypt: As elections near, Sisi without electoral program
Al-Akhbar Politics 10 May 2014 – Egyptians walk past a huge billboard showing a portrait of Egypt’s former army chief and leading presidential candidate Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on May 9, 2014 in Beni Sueif, some 120 kilometres south Cairo. (Photo: AFP-Mahmoud Khaled) Egyptians walk past a huge billboard showing a portrait of…
Articles
The prospect of a fascist coup in Israel
Uri Avnery, Redress 5/10/2014
Just before Israel’s 66th anniversary, the country acquired a new national hero.
If it is true that every nation gets the national heroes it deserves, it was a rather worrying spectacle.
The video clip that turned David Adamov from an anonymous soldier into a national figure was taken with a Palestinian camera in Hebron.
Such video cameras have become the bane of the Israeli army. They have been widely distributed to young Palestinians throughout the occupied territories by Israeli peace organizations, especially B’Tselem.
The incident
The clip starts with the scene in Hebron. In the middle of Shuhada street stands a solitary soldier with a green beret and a rifle. He looks like any soldier, with the short beard now in vogue among Israeli youngsters.
Some kind of discussion develops between the soldier and elderly Palestinians in the street. But the camera turns to a Palestinian teenager, unarmed, who approaches the soldier, pushing his face very close to him and touching his shoulder with his hand.
The soldier reacts angrily, swinging his rifle. At this moment, another teenager enters the frame and passes the soldier from behind.
The soldier, obviously feeling threatened, swings around and cocks his rifle, ready to shoot. Threatening both teenagers, he tries to kick one, all the time uttering a stream of foul language…. more.. e-mail
Hoards of Jewish squatters converge on Palestinian village of Wadi Fuqeen
Editorial, Redress 5/11/2014
It can’t get more blatant than this.
On so-called Israeli “Independence Day” hundreds of Jewish squatters descended on the Palestinian village of Wadi Fuqeen, near Bethlehem, guarded by the Israeli occupation army. They used Palestinians farms as entertainment parks, destroying crops, contaminating irrigation pools and channels, and using, abusing and damaging Palestinian recreational facilities – including a children’s playground built by the villagers but earmarked by the Israeli occupation army for demolition.
To make matters worse, the occupation army prohibited the Palestinians farmers from tending their crops and Palestinian children from playing in their playground while the Jewish squatters were present.
Here is a report by Mirna al-Atrash of Maan satellite TV channel. It’s in Arabic – an English translation is beneath the video clip.
[Presenter] It is a recurring scene in the Palestinian village of Wadi Fuqeen, west of Bethlehem. Hundreds of settlers armed to the teeth converge on the village to enjoy its beauty and abuse its territory. But this time it was different: more than 400 settlers arrived.
[Speaker 1] During all their public holidays they come to this agricultural village. They use the irrigations pools to swim. They abuse the land, whether planted or not, leaving their refuse behind after enjoying themselves.
[Presenter] The settlers abuse everything the Palestinians own, even those things that are earmarked for demolition by the occupation authorities, such as this children’s playground, which is forbidden to Palestinians whenever there are settlers present.more.. e-mail
Fight intensifies over what can, can’t be said about Israel in the U.S.
David Harris-gershon, +972 Magazine 5/11/2014
Events are being cancelled and Jews are being ‘blacklisted’ at a troubling rate, even by pluralistic and non-denominational organizations.
Several months ago, American journalist Sharon Jacobs received a message from the Washington D.C. Jewish Community Center that her ticket to my book event had been curiously refunded.
The JCC had invited me to speak about my memoir, What Do You Buy the Children of the Terrorist Who Tried to Kill Your Wife?, which recounts my reconciliation with the family of the man who perpetrated the 2002 Hebrew University bombing, an attack which injured my wife and killed two of her friends. The JCC explicitly invited me due to the book’s focus on the power of dialogue to bridge difficult gaps.
But when the organizers learned of my view that Palestinians’ use of economic sanctions is a legitimate form of nonviolent opposition to Israel, suddenly they no longer seemed interested in championing the power of dialogue. It turned out the JCC had quietly canceled the event because of this political opinion.
As a Jewish studies teacher and progressive Zionist who has dedicated his professional life to the Jewish community, I was naturally disappointed. But soon afterwards, Sharon Jacobs wrote an op-ed in The Washington Post critiquing the JCC’s decision. My inbox filled with messages of support from people and organizations, and some of the most moving notes were from people with political views much different than my own. The MLK Jr. Memorial Library, J Street and Peace Now got together to hold a book event of their own later that month so that I could tell my story of reconciliation in the District. more.. e-mail
‘Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently’
Franklin Lamb, The National Museum, Damascus, CounterPunch 5/9/2014
Life in Eastern Syria
The following is a transcript of an interview conducted by the author at the National Museum of Syria, Mr. Iyham Hassan from Raqqa. At the time of the interview, Mr. Hassan was an employee of the Directorate General of Antiquities and Museums (DGAM). Within the past two weeks he has been named the Director of Syria’s National Museum in Damascus. He had been working in the governorate of Raqqa, in eastern Syria, when armed groups were looting museums and conducting illegal excavations of heritage sites. Since 2013, the area has principally been under the control of one armed group in particular, DAASH. The name is an acronym for “the Islamic state in Iraq and the Levant,” and is sometimes also referred to as “ISIL.” The two names are interchangeable.
The author has also been given eye-witness accounts of events surrounding late April-early May, 2014 from persons who escaped from Raqqa, some of whom now reside in Palestinian refugee camps in Syria and Lebanon. Included were many details of the current nature and quality of life in Raqqa. They include, but are not limited to the following:
All shop owners in Raqqa must close their stores immediately upon the announcement of prayer and go to the mosque, a decree posted by DAASH on 4/27/14 read, “Any violators after the issuance of this announcement will face consequences.”
New laws by ISIS have been posted around Raqqa with leaflets directed to Raqqa’s Christian community. Christians forced to pay a special tax to DAASH and are strictly forbidden to wear or exhibited crosses in any way. Christians are forbidden to repair or maintain war-damaged churches. Christians are not allowed to recite any prayer in the presence of Muslims, and are subject to conservative dress codes as imposed by DAASH. more.. e-mail
Al Qaeda affiliate Nusra Front cut Aleppo water supply …for 7 days now
In Gaza: 11 May 2014 – http://www.alhadathnews.net/archives/121521 The terrorists controlling areas of Aleppo have done a very Zionist-like thing: they’ve shut off the water supply to the over 2 [m]illion civilians there. How is this at all “revolutionary”? Latakia-based Lilly Martin noted: “Over 2 million people have no water supply, now counting 7 days. Some people are drinking dirty wa ter and have suffered poisoning. There is a true threat of mass deaths due to thirst. The UN have acknowledged the threat. The terrorists are selling an amount of chlorine held in a water tanker truck, for the purpose of cleaning dirty water, for $4,000 US dollars per truck. Slayman al Halabi is the name of the area which has the valves in it, and this area is in the hands of the terrorists. As we know, people can survive days without food, maybe even a month, but water is necessary for life. Organs shut down…more
More material available from Vermonters for a Just Peace in Palestine/Israel – www.vtjp.org
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The New Dark Age 