Yesterday all servers in the U.S. went out on strike in a bid to get more RAM and better CPUs. A spokes person said that the need for better RAM was due to some fool increasing the front-side bus speed. In future, busses will be told to slow down in residential motherboards.
','',1,1,0,13,'2004-08-09 08:30:34',62,'','2010-12-08 12:13:35',62,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2004-08-09 00:00:00','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','pageclass_sfx=\nback_button=\nitem_title=1\nlink_titles=\nintrotext=1\nsection=0\nsection_link=0\ncategory=0\ncategory_link=0\nrating=\nauthor=\ncreatedate=\nmodifydate=\npdf=\nprint=\nemail=\nkeyref=\ndocbook_type=',3,0,55,'','',0,799),(4,'Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at an Elingsh uinervtisy','','Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at an Elingsh uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht frist and lsat ltteer is at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a toatl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae we do not raed ervey lteter by itslef but the wrod as a wlohe.
','',1,1,0,13,'2004-08-09 08:30:34',62,'','2010-12-08 12:13:35',62,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2004-08-09 00:00:00','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','pageclass_sfx=\nback_button=\nitem_title=1\nlink_titles=\nintrotext=1\nsection=0\nsection_link=0\ncategory=0\ncategory_link=0\nrating=\nauthor=\ncreatedate=\nmodifydate=\npdf=\nprint=\nemail=\nkeyref=\ndocbook_type=',3,0,59,'','',0,906),(7,'Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consetetur sadipscing elitr','News2','{mosimage}Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consetetur sadipscing elitr, sed diam nonumy eirmod tempor invidunt ut labore et dolore magna aliquyam erat, sed diam voluptua. At vero eos et accusam et justo duo dolores et ea rebum. Stet clita kasd gubergren, no sea takimata sanctus est Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consetetur sadipscing elitr, sed diam nonumy eirmod tempor invidunt ut labore et dolore magna aliquyam erat, sed diam voluptua. At vero eos et accusam et justo duo dolores et ea rebum. Stet clita kasd gubergren, no sea takimata sanctus est Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consetetur sadipscing elitr, sed diam nonumy eirmod tempor invidunt ut labore et dolore magna aliquyam erat, sed diam voluptua. At vero eos et accusam et justo duo dolores et ea rebum. Stet clita kasd gubergren, no sea takimata sanctus est Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet.
','',1,1,0,13,'2004-07-07 11:54:06',62,'','2010-12-08 12:13:35',62,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2004-07-07 00:00:00','0000-00-00 00:00:00','food/bun.jpg|right||0','','pageclass_sfx=\nback_button=\nitem_title=1\nlink_titles=\nintrotext=1\nsection=0\nsection_link=0\ncategory=0\ncategory_link=0\nrating=\nauthor=\ncreatedate=\nmodifydate=\npdf=\nprint=\nemail=\nkeyref=\ndocbook_type=',3,0,51,'','',0,1094),(1584,'Government rejects American attempts to interfere in internal affairs','(Gaza City) Palestine News Network','\r\n{mosimage}The Palestinian government expressed its astonishment at the continual US Policy to interfere in internal Palestinian affairs. Firstly, Government Spokesperson Ghazi Hamad noted, with demands and threats and secondly through what he described as “American games.” \r\n
\r\n\r\nHamad was referring specifically to Wednesday morning's news that US President Bush signed for 86 million dollars to be given to the National Security Force. Although Hamad said that the US was “providing material and financial support to certain quarters,” the meaning is the Fateh-run Presidency. The recent clashes were between the Fateh security and Hamas' Executive Force.\r\n
\r\n','\r\nHe said that everyone must remain vigilant and alert to “confront the American and Israeli schemes,” unify ranks and strengthen national relations. \r\n
\r\n\r\nThe Government Spokesperson said that all must be wary of the “American policy to colonize peoples and create internal conflicts in order to anchor the American presence in the region politically.” \r\n
\r\n\r\nIn a statement issued today Hamad wrote that the government would reject such a blatant American interference in Palestinian affairs, which he said aims to “create division, disagreement and conflict within the Palestinian community that leads to polarization and an eventual weakening of the domestic front.” \r\n
\r\n\r\nHe stressed the need for all Palestinian parties and factions to meet in order to strengthen the common national goals through dialogue away from external pressures. \r\n
\r\n',1,1,0,13,'2007-01-31 05:13:54',63,'(Gaza City) Palestine News Network','2010-12-08 12:17:41',63,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2007-01-31 05:07:02','0000-00-00 00:00:00','ghazihamad333.jpg|left||0||bottom||','','pageclass_sfx=\nback_button=\nitem_title=1\nlink_titles=\nintrotext=1\nsection=0\nsection_link=0\ncategory=0\ncategory_link=0\nrating=\nauthor=\ncreatedate=\nmodifydate=\npdf=\nprint=\nemail=\nkeyref=\ndocbook_type=',2,0,2280,'','',0,1308),(1579,'Israeli forces increasing procedures against East Jerusalem: five houses demolished','(Jerusalem) Maisa Abu Ghazaleh','\r\n{mosimage}After demolishing three homes in East Jerusalem's Azaria, At Tur and Issawiya Tuesday, Israeli forces continued into the evening. Israeli-controlled Jerusalem Municipality bulldozers destroyed two more homes in At Tur and Beit Hanina. \r\n
\r\n\r\nThe demolitions came at the same time as the major threat to Al Aqsa Mosque. The excavations underneath have rendered the area insecure as Israeli forces dug out tunnels linking the mosque and the Silwan neighborhood. They are also confiscating more of the Old City of East Jerusalem to build a synagogue near the Muslim holy site.\r\n
\r\n','\r\nIsraeli forces use the pretext of “building without a permit” to destroy Palestinian homes throughout East Jerusalem. However much of the area, and specifically the Beduoin area from Tuesday morning's demolitions, is being confiscated to expand the major Ma'ale Adumim Settlement in East Jerusalem.\r\n
\r\n\r\nHomeowner Ghadir Abu Ghalia has just lost his home on the eastern side of the holy city. “The presence of the demolition bulldozers took me by surprise. The demolition was postponed on the 15th of this month for 60,000 shekels. The police and border guards arrived to demolish the rest of the house without prior warning.”\r\n
\r\n\r\nAbu Ghalia said that Israeli bulldozers destroyed part of his house in late 2006 before he was able to buy a stop-demolition order for 40,000 shekels. He and his wife and their four children have lived in the 150 square meter three-bedroom home for six months. It cost 350,000 shekels to build.\r\n
\r\n\r\nAnother house under construction was demolished in Beit Hanina during the afternoon, while in Issawiya the bulldozers tore through a two-apartment residential building. Twenty-four people lived in the house, most of them young children. The family engaged in fistfights with the police and demolition workers in an attempt to stop the bulldozers.\r\n
\r\n\r\nThe Israelis cited “unlicensed construction,” while destroying the 300 square meter home. The family has lived there for 10 years and has the paperwork to prove that it licensed the building with the Israeli Civil Administration.\r\n
\r\n\r\nIn Azaria's Ras Al Baba more demolitions took place Tuesday, leading the Director of the Jerusalem Center for Economic and Social Rights, Ziad Hamori, to note that the Israeli government has intensified its procedures in the city of Jerusalem at all levels since the beginning of this year.\r\n
\r\n\r\nHe added, “Home demolitions are coming rapidly, the campaign of taxation has doubled against the people of Jerusalem, in addition to further liberalizing irregularities. The aim of stepping up measures in the holy city of Jerusalem is to reduce the number of the population in order to make the majority Jewish.”\r\n
\r\n\r\nHamori said that the Israeli-controlled Jerusalem Municipality has doubled funds allocated for home demolitions under the pretext of unlicensed construction. He warned of an escalation in home and building demolitions in the city of Jerusalem and its environs throughout the new year.
\r\n
\r\n{mosimage}Presidential Media Advisor Nabil Amr expressed great hopes on Tuesday that the cease-fire reached in Gaza will bring back a modicum of stabilization and continuity. \r\n
\r\n\r\nDuring a press conference at Ramallah's Grand Park Hotel today, Amr said on behalf of the presidency, “Be assured that we are doing all we can to not allow for a repeat of what happened in Gaza and we declare our full support for the agreement. We expect that it will lead back to the national dialogue and positive results.”\r\n
\r\n','\r\nPresident Abbas' Media Advisor said, however, that the dialogue is a means to an end, not the end in and of itself. “We do not want a national dialogue to be the goal because what we want is to form a unity government that will lead to getting the blockade lifted and then restore the Palestinian national cause as a matter of import in the international community.”\r\n
\r\n\r\nAmr said that the Saudi Arabian initiative for a meeting in Mecca helped move along the entire issue. He welcomed the idea saying that the timing was appropriate as it came speedily and contributed to ending the internal fighting. “We thank King Abdullah and the Saudi position.” He stressed that the effectiveness was found in the neutrality of the offer. “Saudi Arabia does not have any agenda in the Palestinian arena.”\r\n
\r\n\r\nAmr said that the there is no reason to doubt success and when the President returns to Ramallah they will discuss the initiative. He expects that the national unity government will be formed as “there is no justification now for defeat.”\r\n
\r\n\r\nAmr concluded by saying, "The bloodbath in Gaza that afflicted every Palestinian family should be enough to convince all parties that the time is now to quickly form the unity government.”\r\n
\r\n',1,1,0,13,'2007-01-30 02:24:41',63,'(Ramallah) Rashid Hilal','2010-12-08 12:17:44',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2007-01-30 02:19:27','0000-00-00 00:00:00','nabilamr.jpg|left||0||bottom||','','pageclass_sfx=\nback_button=\nitem_title=1\nlink_titles=\nintrotext=1\nsection=0\nsection_link=0\ncategory=0\ncategory_link=0\nrating=\nauthor=\ncreatedate=\nmodifydate=\npdf=\nprint=\nemail=\nkeyref=\ndocbook_type=',1,0,2325,'','',0,1291),(1577,'Call to honor ICJ ruling against Wall and fight land confiscation in western Salfit','(Nablus) Palestine News Network','\r\n{mosimage}The Popular Committee to Resist the Apartheid Wall is calling for the implementation of the Hague's decision of two years ago. The International Court of Justice ruled that the Israeli Wall being built inside the West Bank was illegal, must immediately be stopped and what had been done already must be removed and compensated for.\r\n
\r\n\r\nHowever, the Israeli government did not heed the international decision and has continued confiscating Palestinian land for the Wall.\r\n
\r\n','\r\nIn western Salfit, Israeli forces notified the residents of Burqin and Kafrad Dik on Tuesday that they were confiscating 400 dunams of village lands. Much of the West Bank is being lost in this way to the Wall.\r\n
\r\n\r\nIn a statement issued today the Popular Committee wrote, “We deplore and condemn the Zionist practices against our villages and towns, and call on all citizens to participate in addressing the enemy which aims to transform our lives into hell while emptying and annexing our land.”\r\n
\r\n\r\nThe Popular Committee is appealing to all legal bodies and humanitarian organizations to pressure the Israeli government into honoring international law. But the appeal did not only go out on the institutional level. A general call to the public was also included. “Our brothers must discard their differences,” the statement read, “and direct their efforts against the occupation to end the land confiscation, home demolitions, and agricultural destruction.”\r\n
\r\n\r\nThe northern West Bank Salfit District is the latest to be targeted for Wall construction.
\r\n
{mosimage}In an incident indicative of the general practices of the Israeli soldiers occupying the gates surrounding Qalqilia, two soldiers would not allow a farmer to pass without them knowing the name of his donkey.
Farmer in the northwestern West Bank village of Beit Amin in southern Qalqilia, Kamal Mohammad Awad, attempted to pass through the gate to reach his agricultural lands. He had a donkey cart with him to carry produce. On Tuesday morning, 50 year old Awad spoke with PNN.
','“I went in the morning to the gate of Azzun Atma for entry into my agricultural land. I had my donkey cart with me. When I tried to enter the gate at 7:00 in the morning, two Israeli women working at the gate asked me, ‘What is the name of this animal?’”
The farmer continued, “They told me that Mohammad was not the Prophet, but rather a donkey. I was so insulted that they would speak of my religion in such a way, that I began to scream at them. I was not allowed to pass.”
In a similar incident at the gate just an hour later, driver Fawzi Saleh Hossam told PNN, “In the morning I went to the gate for entry and travel cargo. I was bringing in a new car. They tried to put a dog inside, but I refused as it was a brand new car. The soldiers told me that the dog was better than the Prophet Mohammad. I began fighting with them after they insulted the Quran.”
Another farmer told PNN, “These incidents of verbal abuse and insults are repeated daily at the gate. However, there is never any press nearby to report them so I am telling you, that we cannot withstand insults against the Prophet and our religion which are hurled by Israeli soldiers in order to destroy our dignity. There are dozens of these gates where insults fly. No one has lifted a finger to stop the assault on Islam since they created the state of Israel.”
',1,1,0,14,'2006-05-23 14:23:49',62,'(Qalqilia) Mustafa Sabre','2010-12-08 12:19:24',62,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2006-05-23 14:22:36','0000-00-00 00:00:00','articles.jpg|left||0||bottom||','','pageclass_sfx=\nback_button=\nitem_title=1\nlink_titles=\nintrotext=1\nsection=0\nsection_link=0\ncategory=0\ncategory_link=0\nrating=\nauthor=\ncreatedate=\nmodifydate=\npdf=\nprint=\nemail=\nkeyref=\ndocbook_type=',3,0,539,'','',0,1547),(1581,'Israeli special forces stage ambush, shoot and injure 12 year old in Jenin','(Jenin) Ali Samoudi','\r\n{mosimage}Palestinian security sources report that Israeli forces conducted an undercover operation in which they shot a 12 year old and arrested three people, including two on the so-called wanted list last night. \r\n
\r\n\r\nIn the northern West Bank's Jenin District, Israeli special forces set an ambush at the western entrance to Jenin, between the city and Kafr Dan Village. The targets were two men from northwestern Jenin's Al Yamoun Village. \r\n
\r\n','\r\nIsraeli forces injured four Palestinians last night, including members of Saraya Al Quds and a child in an undercover operation in Jenin\r\n
\r\n\r\nIsraeli sources say that 28 year old Adnan Jabari from Yamoun and his 25 year old brother were the targets of last night's attack for membership in Saraya Al Quds, the armed resistance wing of Islamic Jihad. Israeli forces also shot the 42 year old owner of the car and arrested all three and took them to an Israeli hospital.\r\n
\r\n\r\nEyewitnesses report that an Israeli special unit suddenly appeared on Haifa Street. After lying in wait, soldiers opened fire when a car with Palestinian plates belonging to Abdullah Ahmed Noahadah drove past. At the same time, a booming explosion was heard and large numbers of Israeli forces rushed the area. \r\n
\r\n\r\nEyewitnesses saw people lying on the ground near the targeted vehicle, but Israeli forces prevented Palestinian Red Crescent Society ambulances from reaching them. The Israelis closed off the entire area. \r\n
\r\n\r\nMahmoud Abed was on his way back to Kafr Dan Village with his 12 year old son, Sa'ed. When he saw that the area was closed, he began to turn the car around in order to return to Jenin City. Israeli soldiers opened fire and shot the child. \r\n
\r\n\r\nSa'ed Mahmoud Abed is receiving treatment for bullet wounds in the Dr. Khalil Suleiman Memorial Hospital where doctors say he is in stable condition. His father says it is a miracle that his son is alive.\r\n
\r\n',1,1,0,13,'2007-01-30 15:56:17',63,'(Jenin) Ali Samoudi','2010-12-08 12:17:41',63,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2007-01-30 15:52:13','0000-00-00 00:00:00','injured228.jpg|left||0||bottom||','','pageclass_sfx=\nback_button=\nitem_title=1\nlink_titles=\nintrotext=1\nsection=0\nsection_link=0\ncategory=0\ncategory_link=0\nrating=\nauthor=\ncreatedate=\nmodifydate=\npdf=\nprint=\nemail=\nkeyref=\ndocbook_type=',2,0,2298,'','',0,2248),(1583,'Shoot, shoot: a familiar phrase on the lips of Palestinian children','(Qalqilia) Palestine News Network','\r\n{mosimage}{mosimage}“When I grab the newspaper he says 'tahk' and when I turn on the TV he says 'tahk' and when I bought him a game he said 'tahk.'” The word “shoot” is repeated in Mustafa Abdullah's home with the same frequency of other Palestinian households with small children who live under occupation. His youngest child of seven, Abdul Azziz, just turned two. \r\n
\r\n\r\nHaving seen too much in such a short time from Israeli soldiers since his birth, and recently from internal fighting, Abdul Azziz repeats sounds most familiar to him. \r\n
\r\n','\r\nThe four year old sons of Riyad were subjected to fire during a dawn trip to the mosque in the northwestern West Bank two weeks ago. He explained, “All they said was 'tahk' and 'baruda' after the type of gun.” \r\n
\r\n\r\nAnother Qalqilia father says, “Several months ago I was arrested by the Israeli army. When my son saw the army he started screaming 'tahk, tahk,' and fled into his mother's arms.” \r\n
\r\n\r\nIn July 2006 area Director of Communications for UNICEF, Monica Awad, said that Palestinian children are living difficult lives. “The children in all ages are scared. They have nightmares. In Gaza they do not want to leave their mothers and are afraid to go out of the house.” \r\n
\r\n\r\nStudies conducted by Gaza Mental Health during the month of October showed that 94.6 percent of Palestinian children watch funerals, 82.2 percent of them had seen a shooting, and 66.9 percent had seen someone injured or dead. The study noted that exposure to such tragic events on a regular basis leads to a rise in the rate of psychological disorders in children. \r\n
\r\n\r\nGaza Mental Health reported that 32.7 suffer from severe psychological disturbance requiring psychotherapy, while 49.2 percent suffer moderate levels. The majority of Palestinian students are said to be distracted in the classroom and while studying due to psychological trauma.
\r\n
Ramallah, West Bank
SOMETHING strange happened last week: Israeli settlers and Jewish extremists appeared human on Arab TV. This is not to say that Arabs have suddenly become soft on their historical enemies. But hours and hours of watching - on all stations, including Al Jazeera - close-ups of mothers and babies, of young women and older men, visibly in anguish as they were forced out of their homes, had an emotional effect.
','Of course, Palestinians didn't miss the context. Talk in our living rooms and over Turkish coffee at the office has been mixed: "Do you think they were acting?"; "Anyway, they were illegally on our land"; "Imagine what Palestinian refugees felt as they were being forcibly evicted years ago"; "What about the 120 homes in Rafah that were razed a few months ago?"; "Where was the world press as Palestinians were killed, often by these same settlers?"
Surprisingly, the coverage on Arab news networks has reflected these contradictions. One Arab reporter on the scene asked his anchor back in Dubai, "Did you see the soldiers crying?" Another network countered such images with an interview with the parents of Muhammad al-Dura, the 12-year-old boy who was photographed dying in his father's arms in 2000 and whose image has become a symbol of the intifada. But for the most part, the language on the broadcasts has been accurate and straightforward.
Even the largest Palestinian newspaper, Al Quds, had to deal with the emotional aspect of the evacuations. It carried an editorial on Thursday about the effects of the images of settlers crying and Israeli soldiers embracing them. It concluded that such scenes could have been avoided had Israel not grabbed Palestinian lands in the first place. Of course, Al Quds was correct in pointing out the obvious context - but this didn't lessen the way the pictures affected average Palestinians.
The Gaza evacuations also produced many interesting comparisons. Many Palestinians compared the kid-glove treatment given to the protesting settlers (who will be handsomely compensated) with the violent response to even peaceful Palestinian protests. And the much-shown clip of an Israeli father lifting his young daughter into the faces of emotionless soldiers reminded many of Palestinian mothers lifting their young sons in the air and publicly calling on them to avenge the deaths of a brother or a father.
The comparative images of religion were also evident. Fanatic Islam was mirrored by fanatic Judaism. One CNN reporter even had a slip of a tongue, mistakenly saying that settlers holed up in a synagogue were in a "mosque."
Then there was the common dynamic of minority factions monopolizing political discourse. Just as with the exaggerated political powers that Palestinian militants enjoy, it was clear that a few fanatic Jews were hijacking the anti-evacuation cause - note that the last protesters to be removed have been nonresidents dragged from synagogues in which they probably had never worshiped.
Whether Palestinians and Arabs will admit it or not, the powerful images of the last few days can't be ignored. Irrespective of the facts that Jewish settlements are illegal and that the Palestinian refugee problem was created by Israeli military force, the human cost on both sides of the conflict is huge. While not agreeing with either the settlers or the actions of Palestinian militants, the rest of us must start understanding
and respecting them as humans. And it would help if the international news media began portraying ordinary Palestinians, too, with a touch of humanity.
Any sane person should by now realize that any long-term solution can only be achieved by level-headed leaders who can make mutual compromises and concessions. This means that continued Israeli unilateralism will do little to move the post-Gaza peace process forward. Only bilateral Palestinian-Israeli talks, with the help of the international community, can bring a lasting agreement.
The dramatic scenes from Gaza should lead us all to double our efforts to ensure that Palestinians can be free in an independent state, alongside a safe and secure Israel.
Daoud Kuttab is the director of the Institute of Modern Media at Al-Quds University.
Copyright 2005 The New York Times Company
',1,4,0,17,'2005-08-21 00:00:00',62,'DAOUD KUTTAB','2010-12-08 12:20:58',62,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2006-05-29 10:42:34','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','pageclass_sfx=\nback_button=\nitem_title=1\nlink_titles=\nintrotext=1\nsection=0\nsection_link=0\ncategory=0\ncategory_link=0\nrating=\nauthor=\ncreatedate=\nmodifydate=\npdf=\nprint=\nemail=\nkeyref=\ndocbook_type=',2,0,25,'','',0,395),(16,'Old Articles','','| \r\n \r\n New Settlement Puts Pressure on Jerusalem Palestinians \r\n \r\n | \r\n
| \r\n \r\n Stop the Wall Campaign on the Withdrawal \r\n \r\n | \r\n
| \r\n \r\n The Myth of Irreversibility \r\n \r\n | \r\n
| \r\n \r\n | \r\n
| \r\n \r\n The Long Perspective From Gaza \r\n \r\n | \r\n
| \r\n \r\n Live From Gaza: A New View of Israel \r\n \r\n | \r\n
| \r\n \r\n | \r\n
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| \r\n \r\n Israel expels European peace activists \r\n \r\n | \r\n
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| \r\n \r\n International release from Gush Shalom \r\n \r\n | \r\n
| \r\n \r\n | \r\n
| \r\n \r\n "Checkpoint Forever" \r\n \r\n | \r\n
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Friday-Saturday, September 24-25, 2004
Television has been both a blessing and a curse for Palestinians. During the first Intifada, one can argue that it was a blessing. It raised the profile of a people refusing to accept living indefinitely under occupation.
','This Palestinian popular resistance was beamed all over the world and won sympathy and support from people. What was projected then was the image of a people wishing to be free and willing to protest military occupation without using arms. Many credit the success at Oslo and the historic agreement signed at the White House to the popular nature of the Intifada and the enormous television coverage it attracted.
The second Intifada has not produced similar results. In fact, television has been a curse for Palestinians. The image of a militarised resistance was restricted almost exclusively to suicide bombings and the killings of innocent Israeli civilians. In addition to these images, Palestinians were also got to be seen as victims whose houses were destroyed, trees uprooted and lands confiscated for building five-metre-high concrete walls.
The image on Western televisions of Palestinians as terrorists and victims was seen differently in Arab homes. The growth of the Arab satellite landscape ensured that the day-to-day life of the Palestinians filled the screens. But Arab television coverage produced another stereotype of Palestinians. While the image of Palestinians as victims prevails in the Arab mind, the widespread television coverage has created the image of the supernatural hero. In the minds of many Arabs, Palestinians can go through fire without getting burned.
Politically, this feeling among Arabs that Palestinians can do anything without paying a price has hurt some of the chances for real progress at the peace talks. If you somehow believe that political problems can be solved militarily, then it is easy to see why peace talks have stumbled. This image has raised the ante to a degree that it has become difficult for politicians to be able to make any compromises. Similarly, the people in the West have been blinded to the humanity of Palestinians as the terrorist image has been overriding on their screens.
While having strong stereotypical views of Palestinians, few in the West, or East, had an idea of how average Palestinians lived. Whether negative or positive, the image of Palestinians is badly in need of a humanising effort. The dynamic nature of television means that the same medium that created this stereotype is also capable of reversing it.
A unique television series is now being broadcast on the Dubai-based Middle East Broadcasting Corporation (MBC), triggering a lot of interest among Palestinians and Arabs alike.
The series, titled “Eye on Palestine”, chronicles in real time the lives of six ordinary Palestinians and shows a nightly excerpt from the filmed material shortly after the midnight news. Saed Andoni, the producer of the programme from the Ramallah-based Dar Productions, says that the programme reflects the entire rainbow of Palestinian society. “We have a divorced, unveiled woman from Gaza, a children's puppeteer from Hebron, a university professor from Beit Sahour, a pregnant tour guide in Jerusalem, an orphan refugee camp teenage girl and a woman radio announcer from Nablus.”
Every night, shortly after the midnight news on MBC, the camera spans the normal lives of these ordinary Palestinians, reflecting a rich life, different from that which normally fills the television screens.
Seeing people teaching, studying, eating, buying groceries, shopping and traveling in their day-to-day lives enables one to get a peek at their lives as they struggle to make ends meet or just pass time.
Despite attempting to avoid politicians and militants, the new reality TV heroes have their share of troubles with the occupation. The Hebron puppeteer, Nidal Khatib, is tear gassed as he tries to buy some material, and is forced to ride a donkey in order to get to the village children awaiting his puppet show. Jerusalemite Abeer Rizeq is constantly seen passing the newly erected walls. In Gaza, Aza Qassem, goes to pay her respect to the families she knows in the Shijai neighbourhood who were among 15 Palestinians killed on a football field. In Al Amari refugee camp, 14-year-old Mayada Faraj witnesses the killing of a neighbour by the Israelis and the event reminds her of her deceased mother, prompting her to visit her grave.
“Eye on Palestine” began broadcasting on MBC in late August and will run for six weeks. Certainly one television programme is not capable of reversing a trend that has been going on for some time, but it is a step in the right direction.
',1,4,0,17,'2004-09-24 00:00:00',62,'Daoud Kuttab','2010-12-08 12:21:08',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2006-05-29 12:16:04','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','pageclass_sfx=\nback_button=\nitem_title=1\nlink_titles=\nintrotext=1\nsection=0\nsection_link=0\ncategory=0\ncategory_link=0\nrating=\nauthor=\ncreatedate=\nmodifydate=\npdf=\nprint=\nemail=\nkeyref=\ndocbook_type=',1,0,237,'','',0,546),(18,'\"NON-VIOLENCE IN THE MIDDLE EASTâ€?','','The universal ignorance and misunderstanding that surrounds the philosophy of non-violence—at least the Gandhian interpretation of it—is due to the inadequacy of the English language. Taken literally, non-violence means not using physical violence while ignoring the non-physical violence that we, individually and collectively, commit every day. This non-physical or passive violence is more insidious because it generates anger, which leads to physical violence. Therefore, unless we recognize and deal with our “passive” violence, we cannot end “physical” violence.
','Gandhi’s non-violence emphasizes the need to build interpersonal and international relationships on positive principles of respect, understanding, acceptance, and appreciation rather than on negative principles of selfishness and self-interest, as we presently do. This requires respect for different religions, cultures, nationalities, and other physical and social characteristics. If respect becomes the basis of our relationships, violence becomes difficult to practice. Gandhi’s non-violence is also firmly based in love and compassion for all of creation. Thus, when people question the relevance of non-violence, they are questioning the relevance of respect, love, and compassion.
Gandhi’s non-violence is not a strategy for conflict resolution, nor is it a weapon to be used when convenient and discarded when not. It is a way of life, an attitude, and an outlook. One has to live it, practice it, and think it. Non-violence emphasizes the need to recognize the good in every individual and to let that good flourish so that the “evil” (anger and violence) can be suppressed. Gandhi taught me at age twelve that anger is as useful and powerful as electricity, but only if we use it intelligently. We must learn to respect anger as we do electricity.
Violence in the Middle East, like violence elsewhere, is manifested in the hate, prejudice, and selfishness found in us all. Our spirituality is defined by the same negative attitudes that define our relationships. The competitiveness we have injected into our religion contains the seeds of the violence destroying our social fabric today. Can it be changed? Gandhi said nothing in this world is impossible to achieve if we have the will to do so.
Read the rest of the article on Middle East Window:
http://www.middleeastwindow.com/article881.html
The Palestinian nonviolent movement is as old as the Palestinian liberation movement itself. As far back as the 1930s, Palestinians engaged in nonviolent protests and demonstrations against the British Mandate authorities. This form of protest peaked with the breakout of the 1987 intifada. That uprising, which was for the most part nonviolent in nature, brought immediate international recognition to the Palestinian people, forced Israeli society to recognize Palestinians as a "people" and to recognize their legitimate leadership, and finally led to a peace process. The failure of that peace process, known as the Oslo peace process was not due to the means that led to the negotiating table, on the contrary; it was largely due to the lack of continued mobilization and support by the Palestinian leadership of the popular Palestinian nonviolent resistance movement. Nonviolent resistance should have continued as a means to balance the imbalance at the negotiating table, viewed by the Palestinian leadership as the only way of attaining the legitimate rights of the Palestinians.
','The failure of the peace process led to the breakout of the second intifada in 2000. Again, Palestinians initially engaged in nonviolent forms of resistance, but the Israeli military response to these protests was more brutal and forceful than at any time before during the occupation. This convinced some groups within the Palestinian community that only the use of arms and suicide attacks to balance out the pain being heaped upon Palestinians would be effective in making the occupation as costly as possible to the Israeli public. This, however, combined with the lack of a clear strategy and a clear vision to mobilize the Palestinian population in nonviolent forms of resistance, emboldened the Israeli government to take full advantage of the change in the rules of engagement after September 11, 2001 and attempt to de-legitimize the entire Palestinian liberation movement, linking its goals with the means used to achieve them. The Palestinian armed resistance, labeled as "terrorism" by Israel, was portrayed as the goal of the Palestinian liberation movement rather than a means, justified or otherwise.
The legitimacy of the goals of freedom and independence should not be viewed through the lens of the "means" used to achieve these goals. The struggle to end the occupation and establish an independent Palestinian state does not gain or lose legitimacy if nonviolent means are preferred over violent means and vice versa. Even with the changes in international politics and a steadily growing voice within the Palestinian community criticizing and condemning the armed resistance, particularly those actions that target Israeli civilians, the legitimacy of the Palestinian struggle is embedded in international law, international conventions on human rights and numerous United Nations resolutions, up until and including the most recent decision by the International Court of Justice regarding the separation wall.
A more important question deals with the issue of efficacy. Are the means used effective in achieving the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people?
When discussing armed resistance, Palestinians must recognize both the internal and international implications of continuing the armed resistance. The gross imbalance of power, the unrestrained and brutal actions of the Israeli military, and the change in the direction of world politics have left Palestinians defenseless and isolated in the face of daily aggressions. The armed resistance, even armed defense, has been effective only in creating excuses for greater Israeli aggression.
But to say that one is ineffective is not to show that the other isn't. When it comes to nonviolent resistance, the question most people ask is how do you nonviolently resist your prison guard when you are in prison? How do you resist the occupation when you are surrounded by walls and fences? Examples of nonviolent resistance from across the world highlight one important factor: direct confrontation and contact with the enemy is vital to expose that enemy's brutality and unjust policies. In Palestine today, however, Palestinians are trapped in a prison. Going on hunger strike means absolutely nothing, while protesting and marching means walking around in circles. So what nonviolent tactics can be used effectively to expose the occupation and affect its end?
The answer is threefold. First, a strong leadership committed to the principles of nonviolent resistance and community building must be established. The initial focus will be on the need to unify Palestinian communities and reestablish trust between the leadership and the people. This should be followed by the development of a long-term internal strategy to build a nonviolent resistance movement on a massive scale.
Secondly, the Palestinian population inside and outside of Palestine must be mobilized in mass campaigns beginning with a boycott of Israeli products campaign and moving on to more dangerous protests at check points, on settler roads, and near international border crossings.
Finally and simultaneously, the Arab, Muslim, international streets as well as the Israeli peace camp must also be mobilized to support this nonviolent Palestinian movement. Sustained and significant popular protests against Israel will eventually pressure the Israeli government to take the necessary steps towards peace.
Nonviolent resistance is never easy. It takes tremendous dedication, discipline and sacrifice. And while no means are guaranteed effective, the nonviolent approach attempts to neutralize the power of the enemy and to target the collective consciousness of the populace rather than empowering enemy extremists by handing them the blind and unconditional support of a people fearful of annihilation.
The international community has declared that the death of the late President Yasser Arafat is an opportunity to revive the Palestinian-Israeli peace process. The Palestinian community needs to see the death of their president as an opportunity to reinforce the commitment to the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people and to achieve these aspirations by engaging in effective nonviolent means of resistance and community building.- Published 6/12/2004 (c) bitterlemons.org
Sami Awad is the executive director of the Holy Land Trust, a grassroots organization based in Bethlehem involved in community building and nonviolent resistance.
',1,4,0,17,'2006-05-29 12:20:51',62,'Sami Awad','2010-12-08 12:21:08',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2006-05-29 12:20:06','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','pageclass_sfx=\nback_button=\nitem_title=1\nlink_titles=\nintrotext=1\nsection=0\nsection_link=0\ncategory=0\ncategory_link=0\nrating=\nauthor=\ncreatedate=\nmodifydate=\npdf=\nprint=\nemail=\nkeyref=\ndocbook_type=',1,0,227,'','',0,499),(20,'Top 5 News Stories from Palestine for 2004','','More than anything this year, collectively as both detractors and supporters, Palestine mourns the death of President Arafat. He was not an "obstacle to peace" as the Israelis and Americans would have it, but was a man living the last three years of his life under siege in the Muqata where tens of thousands attended his funeral on 12 November. He governed with a vision of freedom for Palestine, with Jerusalem as capitol. Only the United States and Israel seem not to understand that this man was a real leader and a president. The New York Times chokes at the notion of calling Arafat "President," preferring the belittling title of Chairman as do the Israelis.
','One recalls the New York Times of years ago referring to Egyptian President Nasser as General during the week, giving him his rightful title of President only in the weekend edition when the editorial staff changed.
Presidential elections are on the way in Palestine, with the registration process complete and the sure winner Mahmoud Abbas of Fateh. His support has gained as no plausible alternatives have surfaced with the controversial candidacy and withdrawal of Marwan Al Barghouti. Elections are expected on 9 January, despite Israeli occupation forces shutting down registration centers in East Jerusalem, and continuing to surround with checkpoints and attack, cities such as Nablus, Jenin, Tulkuram, Qalqilya, Ramallah, Hebron, Beit Hanoun, Gaza, Khan Younis and Rafah and villages and camps throughout the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
In addition to the death of Abu Ammar on 11 November, the Israeli construction of the Apartheid Wall stands out as one of the year's biggest stories. With its completion, any continuity hoped for in the West Bank is destroyed. No state or community could remain cohesive under such conditions. Israeli settlement expansion will further block Palestinian towns, cities, and villages from one another. And projections include a 16 tunnel system that will become the only routes of transportation for Palestinians in the West Bank. On-top settler-only roads will link Israeli settlements with one another and with cities inside '48. Israeli settlements remain illegal under international law, numerous UN resolutions condemn them, and even the Road Map says they have to go. But despite all this, the only hold-up for the tunnel construction project is money. The Americans have not yet agreed to the Israeli request to fund it.
Despite massive Palestinian demonstrations and groups like the Stop the Wall Campaign and PENGON, and farmers resisting by walking through tear gas, shootings, and beatings to continue to harvest olives and use their water wells, despite the ruling against the Wall in the International Court of Justice and world-wide condemnation, the Israelis, with their American partners, have gone ahead with the massive land confiscation, water resource confiscation, and humanitarian and environmental disaster, to build the snaking gray structure that nearly completes the imprisonment of the Palestinian population. A young man working for the Stop the Wall project described the on-going process of ethnic cleansing, "The point of the Wall is to ensure that we have no jobs, no money, no opportunities for marriage. We will leave because we are dying and they can say, 'look, they left of their own accord.' They will take all of Palestine and we will be refugees once again." The refugee population outside of Palestine, almost entirely ignored in the news this year, is around 4 million registered, but nearly 8 million including the Diaspora.
Third on the list of top news stories of the year 2004 is the intense criminalization of armed resistance. Under international law an occupied and or invaded people have the right to defend themselves. It is a legitimate right that the Israeli occupation government has quashed through massive imprisonments, leading to the well organized Palestinian political prisoner hunger strike waged this summer, and through its illegal practice of targeted assassinations.
Dr. Rantisi, a pediatrician and political leader in the Hamas political party, assassinated in Gaza in April.
Sheikh Yassin, blown to bits while in his wheel chair outside a Gaza City mosque, assassinated in March for being the "spiritual leader of Hamas."
And there were tens more killed in targeted assassinations. Two out of three Palestinians killed during this Intifada have never participated in armed resistance, although it is their legitimate right under international law to do so.
Political affiliation, particularly if the possibility of armed resistance is thought to exist, "thought-crimes" as it were, has become a guarantee that one will be hunted, and that if he is not found, his family will be, as was the case last week outside Bethlehem or this morning in Nablus or last month in Jenin.
The elderly parents of a Palestinian on the Israeli so-called wanted list were taken from the Bethlehem area. Relatives of Zacharia Zabaidi in Jenin Refugee Camp were harassed, imprisoned, and their houses torn apart for the crime of familial relations. Israeli occupation forces took two family members of someone on their list to unknown locations this morning, one of them was just 14 years old.
Not that under international law the Israeli occupation government has any legal right to imprison West Bank residents. Marwan Al Barghouti, ex presidential candidate, Fateh leader, and political prisoner, has spoken out time and again regarding the illegitimacy of the occupation court system.
The fourth and fifth top stories from Palestine this year regard the Gaza Strip. Firstly, the massacre in the northern Gaza Strip, Beit Hanoun, Beit Lahia, and Jabailya Refugee Camp at summer's end, when Israeli occupation forces killed nearly 150 Palestinians in a matter of days, and the continued massacre on the southern Gaza Strip in Khan Younis, and particularly in Rafah. No where in Palestine has a city in recent history suffered as much for such an extended and constant period of time as Rafah has. The devastation is complete. Rampant house demolitions, daily shootings, an astronomical death and injured toll, inability to hold even funerals for the overflowing dead as Israeli occupation forces will not stop shelling long enough. And here is where we see resistance criminalized even more, any act of which is punishable by the possibility of immediate death in Rafah, including being a 10 year old girl walking in her neighborhood, or being a small boy sitting at his desk in a United Nations school classroom.
This takes us to the end; the last on the short-list of stories. Negotiations: The Road Map and the Israeli "unilateral withdrawal" from its wholly illegal settlement and occupation policy in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli approved version of the Road Map negates Right of Return and officially concedes most of historic Palestine to the Israelis. But still Palestinians are now begging for its implementation. Give them nothing and they will beg for less. God help the holy land in 2005.
',1,4,0,17,'2006-05-29 12:22:01',62,'Kristen Ess for CKUT, Montreal','2010-12-08 12:21:08',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2006-05-29 12:21:13','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','pageclass_sfx=\nback_button=\nitem_title=1\nlink_titles=\nintrotext=1\nsection=0\nsection_link=0\ncategory=0\ncategory_link=0\nrating=\nauthor=\ncreatedate=\nmodifydate=\npdf=\nprint=\nemail=\nkeyref=\ndocbook_type=',1,0,222,'','',0,510),(21,'Palestinian Authority condemns \"Israeli measures to silence the voices of truth�','','Anna Nillson from Sweden and Anna Lenna Di Govani from Italy are the latest in a growing number of human rights volunteers that Israel has denied entrance to as a way of preventing them from entering the West Bank and Gaza.
The Palestinian Government issued a statement yesterday “Condemning Israeli occupation measures which aim to silence the voices of truth”.
','According to the Palestinian Minister of State, Quaddura Faris, "The Israeli government is trying to cover up its crimes against the Palestinian land and people, especially those crimes relating to the settlement project known as the Wall. They are doing this by following, arresting, and deporting members of international solidarity movements. The Israeli government is afraid that these people explain Israeli policies and reveal Israeli crimes to the public in their countries. The Palestinian government appreciates the position of all who stand in solidarity with legitimate Palestinian rights."
Anna joined other internationals including Israelis, and Palestinians in a three week march last summer along the route of the Israeli Apartheid wall. The Freedom March was part of a campaign organized by the International Solidarity Movement (ISM) a Palestinian led movement supporting nonviolent resistance to the Israeli Occupation. She was not arrested nor was she accused of doing anything illegal during her stay.
Yesterday she attempted to reenter the country only to discover that she had been added to Israel’s Kafkaesque blacklist of people considered “security threats” by the state of Israel. Anna was denied entry and sent to Ethiopia. ISM has documented over one hundred such cases since April of 2002.
Pat O’Conner an ISM volunteer who is currently awaiting deportation in Maasiyahu Prison explains:
“ Israel denies access to the occupied territories to any international visitor who they feel takes a position in solidarity with the Palestinian people while internationals coming to support the settlers are welcomed”.
O'Connor was arrested on January 24 by Israeli security agents after he participated in planting olive seedlings in the village of Biddu with Palestinian, Israeli and international human rights supporters. During the arrest, the security agents claimed that he was carrying a false Irish passport. However, the Irish embassy has confirmed the validity of O'Connor's passport. Furthermore, the Palestinian Authority has issued a letter acknowledging Mr. O'Connor's human rights work and inviting O'Connor to remain in the Occupied Palestine Territories. Still, Israel is deporting him.
Israeli attorney Gaby Lasky states “that " Israel conveniently turns humanitarian activists into security threats with the cynical use of 'security considerations'." She is demanding that Israel declassify the blacklist and publish the criteria determining who should be denied entry.
',1,4,0,17,'2005-02-14 00:00:00',62,'','2010-12-08 12:21:04',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2006-05-29 12:22:28','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','pageclass_sfx=\nback_button=\nitem_title=1\nlink_titles=\nintrotext=1\nsection=0\nsection_link=0\ncategory=0\ncategory_link=0\nrating=\nauthor=\ncreatedate=\nmodifydate=\npdf=\nprint=\nemail=\nkeyref=\ndocbook_type=',1,0,213,'','',0,455),(22,'A Palestinian Schoolchild Killed by IOF inside a School in Rafah','','PCHR strongly condemns the latest attack committed by Israeli occupation forces (IOF) today, when they opened fire at an elementary school in Rafah, Killing an 11-year-old schoolchild and injuring a second one when the two were in the schoolyard. PCHR is increasingly concerned for attacks by IOF on educational institutions, threatening the lives and safety of children, even in places where full protection is supposed to be offered to them in all circumstances. This latest attacks refutes Israeli official claims regarding commitment to a ceasefire according to ongoing understandings with the Palestinian side.
','According to preliminary investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 12:00 on Monday, 31 January 2005, IOF positioned at the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at an UNRWA elementary school in al-Brazil neighborhood, nearly 600 meters away from the border. Two Palestinian schoolchildren were wounded: 11-year-old Nouran Eyad Deeb was seriously wounded by a live bullet in the head; and 8-year-old 'Aaesha 'Essam al-Khatib, was wounded by a live bullet in the right hand, while the two were about to enter their classrooms. The two children were evacuated to Abu Yousef al-Najjar Hospital in Rafah, but the first child died a few minutes later. According to a teacher at school, the area was completely quiet when IOF opened fire which absolutely terrified the schoolchildren.
Palestinian educational institutions have been frequently attacked by IOF, and PCHR has documented dozens of such attacks, which injured dozens of schoolchildren while they were at school. In two of such attacks in September and October 2004, 2 schoolchildren were killed by IOF in Khan Yunis refugee camp, when the two were sitting on their desks.
PCHR is deeply concerned for such grave breaches of international law and international humanitarian law perpetrated by IOF against Palestinian children and their right to life, security and physical integrity. PCHR calls upon the international community, particularly the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949, to immediately intervene to stop Israeli attacks that have affected the lives, security and physical integrity of Palestinian civilians, and to provide protection for these civilians. PCHR calls also upon international organizations, especially UNESCO and UNICEF, to immediately intervene to sop Israeli violations of the right of Palestinian children to education, which is ensured by international humanitarian law and international human rights law.
',1,4,0,17,'2005-01-31 00:00:00',62,'','2010-12-08 12:21:04',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2006-05-29 12:23:29','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','pageclass_sfx=\nback_button=\nitem_title=1\nlink_titles=\nintrotext=1\nsection=0\nsection_link=0\ncategory=0\ncategory_link=0\nrating=\nauthor=\ncreatedate=\nmodifydate=\npdf=\nprint=\nemail=\nkeyref=\ndocbook_type=',1,0,207,'','',0,535),(23,'PCHR Expresses Solidarity with UNRWA Commissioner General Peter Hansen','','On the day following that in which a demonstration was held outside the offices of UNSCO in Gaza City, to protest against the decision by the UN Secretary General not to re-appoint the Commissioner General of UNRWA to his post, the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights wishes to express solidarity with Mr. Peter Hansen, who will be leaving his post after nine successful years.
','The removal of Mr. Hansen from his job means that one of the most prominent defenders of the human rights of the Palestinian people, particularly refugees, is being removed from the region. PCHR believes that this change in personnel will mean that Palestinian refugees will loose one of their most outspoken voices for human rights and, significantly, a strong voice for the implementation of international humanitarian law in the OPT.
Throughout the course of his nine years in the post as Commissioner General of UNRWA Mr. Peter Hansen has managed an agency which has provided free education and health services for Palestinian refugees in the Gaza strip, the West Bank and in Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. 3,874, 738 registered Palestinian refugees come under the direct care of Mr. Hansen and his staff.
Throughout the duration of his posting as Commissioner General of UNRWA Mr. Hansen has come under direct attack from the Israeli authorities for his public position on the Israeli attacks against Palestinian civilians, including the extensive house demolitions and excessive use of force committed by the Israeli military across the OPT. PCHR considers that these attacks were against UNRWA itself and against Mr. Hansen who admirably fulfilled the mandate accorded to him by the UNGA.
In 2004 Mr. Hansen came under repeated attack by the Israeli government, supported by the government of the USA, who claimed that his staff supported “terrorism” and that Ambulances belonging to UNRWA were being used to transport Qassam rockets. Mr. Hansen, who vigorously denied these claims, was finally proven correct on this, as on many other occasions. However the only apology he has received from the Israeli establishment has been attempts to remove him from his post.
It is clear that these attacks are motivated by the Israeli desire to see all criticism of the actions of their military muted. This is particularly the case when such criticism comes from a persona of such stature as Peter Hansen. During the summer of 2004, for example, Mr. Hansen was an outspoken critic of the massive destruction of lives and property caused by the Israeli attack on Rafah refugee camp. Such criticism, in favour of international law, has been a steadfast trademark of Mr. Hansen throughout his years of service to the Palestinian people. Unfortunately the many unjustified attacks against UNRWA, and against Mr. Hansen, from the Israelis, were also a hallmark of much of his time in office.
PCHR wishes to congratulate Mr. Hansen on his persistence and reliability on the question of human rights and international humanitarian law throughout his tenure in the OPT and wishes him the best in subsequent postings.
PCHR wishes to recall, at this opportunity, the importance of UNRWA as an organisation for the millions of Palestinian refugees both inside and outside of the OPT. However, the role of UNRWA, the alleviation of suffering, will not truly be at an end until this belligerent occupation of Palestine is brought to a conclusion.
',1,4,0,17,'2005-02-01 00:00:00',62,'','2010-12-08 12:21:04',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2006-05-29 12:24:33','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','pageclass_sfx=\nback_button=\nitem_title=1\nlink_titles=\nintrotext=1\nsection=0\nsection_link=0\ncategory=0\ncategory_link=0\nrating=\nauthor=\ncreatedate=\nmodifydate=\npdf=\nprint=\nemail=\nkeyref=\ndocbook_type=',1,0,199,'','',0,449),(24,'The Disengagement Plan: Achieving \"Demographic Balance\" inside Israel?','','Arab Association for Human Rights (HRA), Nazareth
On February 16, 2005, the Israeli Knesset passed the evacuation-compensation bill, the law enabling the Disengagement Plan to proceed. While supporting any action leading towards a withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces from Palestinian territories, the Arab Association for Human Rights (HRA) is deeply concerned about the consequences the resettlement of Gaza settlers will have for the Arab minority inside Israel.
','Already in April 2004, when suggesting the Disengagement Plan to U.S. President George W. Bush, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon explained: "The Disengagement Plan will create a new and better reality for the State of Israel, enhance its security and economy, and strengthen the fortitude of its people. In this context, I believe it is important to bring new opportunities to the Negev and the Galilee." The Jewish Agency subsequently stated that, while it will not assist the government in removing infrastructure from Gush Katif settlements within the framework of the disengagement plan, it will help in the resettlement of Israelis evacuated from the Gaza Strip into new homes in the Negev and Galilee regions.
The evacuation-compensation bill provides a bonus of US$50,000-US$80,000 to Gaza settlers, who are willing to move to the Naqab (Negev) or Galilee, two regions with a large Arab population. In both the Naqab and the Galilee, the Israeli government and the Jewish National Institutions have been trying to encourage increased Jewish settlement in order to maintain the Jewish majority in every part of the country. The Sharon Plan for the Naqab, for instance, envisions the concentration of all Bedouin citizens in several major townships, while rural Jewish communities will be further developed.
In the Galilee, too, an initiative to promote Jewish settlement was launched recently. During a housing fair in the Misgav Regional Council in October 2004, the Director General of the Galilee Development Authority said, "Some 52 percent of the Galilee¹s 1.16 million residents are non-Jews. To maintain balanced growth, we are talking about bringing another 250,000 to 300,000 [Jewish] residents by 2020, on the condition that we can keep them there and prevent them from leaving the region."
The HRA has repeatedly voiced its grave concern about how the demographic argument is being used by Israeli mainstream political and intellectual establishment. Defining a specific population group as a demographic threat is highly dangerous and will lead to ethnically and/or racially motivated violence. Moreover, most settlers from the Gaza strip have experienced violent encounters with Palestinians and perceive them as the enemy. A resettlement of the Gaza settlers in predominantly Arab areas inside the Green Line may trigger off violent attacks against their new Arab neighbours in the Galilee or the Naqab.
Therefore, the Arab Association for Human Rights (HRA) calls for a close follow-up of the evacuation scheduled to take place in July 2005, not only in Gaza itself but inside the Green Line as well. We will be glad to cooperate with other members of the local and international community in order to establish timely conflict prevention and reliable monitoring mechanisms.
',1,4,0,17,'2006-05-29 12:26:52',62,'Muhammad Zeidan, Director','2010-12-08 12:21:04',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2006-05-29 12:25:58','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','pageclass_sfx=\nback_button=\nitem_title=1\nlink_titles=\nintrotext=1\nsection=0\nsection_link=0\ncategory=0\ncategory_link=0\nrating=\nauthor=\ncreatedate=\nmodifydate=\npdf=\nprint=\nemail=\nkeyref=\ndocbook_type=',1,0,194,'','',0,583),(25,'A Palm Sunday nonviolent direct action to the Bethlehem Checkpoint','','On Palm Sunday, March 20, 2005, the local community of Bethlehem area, joined by international visitors will march from Bethlehem to Jerusalem celebrating Palm Sunday.
Since 1990, Palestinian Christians and Muslims are prohibited from entering Jerusalem without Israeli permission, which deprives them the basic right to worship in the Holy City.
It is expected that the Israeli army will intercept the procession at the military checkpoint between Bethlehem and Jerusalem.
The procession will attempt to go through the checkpoint despite the interception. Marchers will walk with donkeys and carry palm branches resembling the entry of Jesus to the holy City 2000 years ago.
Marchers will carry signs calling for freedom of worship, demanding free access to Jerusalem, and stop land confiscation and wall constructions.
Gathering will be at the Nativity Square at 11:30 after the Sunday mass, and then procession will go through the city of Bethlehem to the northern entrance of the city.
','',1,4,0,17,'2005-03-01 00:00:00',62,'','2010-12-08 12:21:04',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2006-05-29 12:28:11','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','pageclass_sfx=\nback_button=\nitem_title=1\nlink_titles=\nintrotext=1\nsection=0\nsection_link=0\ncategory=0\ncategory_link=0\nrating=\nauthor=\ncreatedate=\nmodifydate=\npdf=\nprint=\nemail=\nkeyref=\ndocbook_type=',1,0,191,'','',0,476),(26,'\"Checkpoint Forever\"','','There is something powerful about personal experience. No matter how much you read or hear about something, there is no substitute for actually experiencing it. My daily travels are making more concrete, literally, the difficulties of getting around the northern West Bank. On the road between Jericho and Tiberias one is struck by the changes near the Green Line.
Walls and fences are being built that would be appropriate were there a border there. The problem is that this new "border" is a few kilometers inside Palestinian territory.
A checkpoint has also been moved inside the West Bank, in tandem with the newly built structures.
I have yet to hear any serious complaint about the placement of this new checkpoint deep inside Palestinian lands. I am not sure whether the reason is simply lack of knowledge, or the fact that the Palestinian leadership's agenda is so crowded with critical issues that other matters fall between the cracks.
Another "concrete" development is the compound being built at the Qalandiya Checkpoint outside Ramallah. The Israelis have been using earth-moving equipment in the area. I have the impression they are erecting a permanent installation there.
Locals talk about this becoming the location of the new Israeli civil administration offices. At present, the civil administration, which according to the Oslo Agreement was supposed to be dissolved, is headquartered at the Beit El Settlement. The more likely scenario, however, is that the Israelis are preparing for a new border crossing point between the north and south West Bank, as well as between the northern Jerusalem neighborhoods and Ramallah.
The most troubling aspect of these "concrete" changes is not so much what exactly will become of this or that location, but the utter helplessness I and so many other Palestinians feel in the face of it.
Day in and day out we see men in Israeli military fatigues pointing to this hill or that lot of land, plotting, planning, scheming as if it was their own property, or part of a Lego game.
On my way to Ramallah I was able to count at least 10 huge pieces of equipment working relentlessly to remove earth to flatten it for some major installation. I had thought the entire Qalandiya Checkpoint was supposed to be removed if the Palestinians and Israelis were to take the Road Map seriously.
I decided to go back and see what the Road Map said about these issues by checking the US State Department Web site:
"A two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will only be achieved through an end to violence and terrorism, when the Palestinian people have a leadership acting decisively against terror... the Palestinians immediately undertake an unconditional cessation of violence... such action should be accompanied by supportive measures undertaken by Israel.
"Palestinians and Israelis resume security cooperation based on the Tenet work plan to end violence, terrorism, and incitement through restructured and effective Palestinian security services.
"Palestinians undertake comprehensive political reform in preparation for statehood, including drafting a Palestinian constitution, and free, fair and open elections upon the basis of those measures.
"Israel takes all necessary steps to help normalize Palestinian life. Israel withdraws from Palestinian areas occupied from September 28, 2000 and the two sides restore the status quo that existed at that time, as security performance and cooperation progress.
"Israel also freezes all settlement activity, consistent with the Mitchell report..."
Palestinian cessation of violence has happened, both in word and in deed. The Palestinian constitution has been signed into law. Nearly six months after the death of Yasser Arafat and nearly as many months of near-total quiet from the Palestinian side, the Israelis show no sign of returning to the September 28, 2000 Intifada lines.
My frustrations increased after spending nearly two hours making my way from my Ramallah office to my apartment in Jerusalem's Beit Hanina last Tuesday. It's a trip that used to take me no more than 20 minutes.
When I finally reached the soldiers at the Qalandiya Checkpoint, I asked them what the earth-moving frenzy was about. A twenty-something soldier told me, “This will be the new checkpoint.”
Playing dumb, I asked him if he thought that the newly built installation would become a permanent crossing point.
"It will be a checkpoint forever," he responded.
','',1,4,0,17,'2006-05-29 12:30:42',62,'Daoud Kuttab, Jerusalem','2010-12-08 12:21:04',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2006-05-29 12:30:15','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','pageclass_sfx=\nback_button=\nitem_title=1\nlink_titles=\nintrotext=1\nsection=0\nsection_link=0\ncategory=0\ncategory_link=0\nrating=\nauthor=\ncreatedate=\nmodifydate=\npdf=\nprint=\nemail=\nkeyref=\ndocbook_type=',1,0,184,'','',0,547),(27,'Minister of Health Asserts Israel Buried 80 Tons of Nuclear Waste in Palestine','','
GAZA, Palestine, May 16, 2005 (IPC) - - The Minister of Health, Dr. Thohni Al Wuheidi, asserted that the Israeli authorities have buried 80 tons of Nuclear waste near the city of Nablus.
The Minister added that the waste were buried 300 meters away from Nablus, while the burial of more nuclear waste was still being completed around the rest of Gaza Strip and West Bank cities, especially those with high population intensity such as Nablus, Hebron and Gaza.
Dr. Al Wuheidi noted that this would affect the environment, and pollute the aquifer water with radiation, confirming previous warnings of Dr. Yousef Abu Safiyya, the head of Environment Quality Authority, who condemned the Israeli violations of the environment in the occupied Palestinian territories (oPt).
Dr. Abu Safiyya said in a press conference at IPC on April 10 that these violations contradict the international humanitarian law and the global environment treaties, considering the establishment of a waste landfill near Nablus the most dangerous violation against the Palestinian people.
He called on the UN agencies interested in environment to halt the Israeli transgressions, which endanger both the human beings and natural resources.
Abu Safiyya added, during the conference, that the issue of the Israeli environmental violations were more dangerous than the Apartheid Wall, explaining that the Wall can be torn down at any moment, while the environment and natural resources take hundreds or thousands of years to be mended.
He warned that since the Israeli occupation of 1967, there has been a systematic destruction of the Palestinian life and the possibility of living, in order to pressure Palestinians to abandon their lands. "Palestinians are killed directly, by bullets, rockets and shelling, but they are also killed silently and slowly for dozens of years now, through the pollution of their water sources, soil, plants and food," Abu Safiyya stressed.
','',1,4,0,17,'2005-05-16 00:00:00',62,'','2010-12-08 12:21:04',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2006-05-29 12:31:40','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','pageclass_sfx=\nback_button=\nitem_title=1\nlink_titles=\nintrotext=1\nsection=0\nsection_link=0\ncategory=0\ncategory_link=0\nrating=\nauthor=\ncreatedate=\nmodifydate=\npdf=\nprint=\nemail=\nkeyref=\ndocbook_type=',1,0,180,'','',0,439),(28,'International release from Gush Shalom','','Tel Aviv - Remember the two brothers, Abdullah and Rateb Abu Rahma, from Bil'in on whose behalf so many peace activists from all over the world sent protest letters? Abdullah was released on bail last week, but Rateb not, as the Border Police who had wounded Rateb claimed that Rateb had attacked him first.
Today, the judge saw the video footage and was convinced that the police had lied. Why Rateb is still behind bars, you can read in the following update by Kobi Snitz (Anarchists against Fences).
Kafkaesque abuse of Rateb Abu Rahma.
On Friday June 17th, the brothers Abdullah and Rateb Abu Rahma were arrested at a demonstration against the construction of the wall on the lands of their home village of Bil'in. The brothers were charged with throwing stones at the police but video tape taken by Shai Polak and Imad Barnes clearly shows that this is not so. The evidence was so clear that the military judge rebuked the police for lying about the case and ordered the two released.
Last week Abdullah was released from the Ofer prison camp on 5000 shekels bail but the decision about Rateb's case was postponed to Tuesday June 28th. When Adv. Tamar Peleg, a Hamoked lawyer who represents the two, arrived at the military court she was told that Rateb's file was lost and the court clerks had no idea where it might be. After hours of delay the judge who heard the case the week before was located and the decision he made was read by a second judge.
The decision the judge criticized the police for lying and ordered Rateb released on 5000 shekels bail. On this news, the Abu Rahma family set out chairs in the garden in preparation for a celebration and people began to come by to congratulate them. At the same time, Israeli activist Leiser Peles rushed to Jerusalem to post the bail for Rateb and then things started to go wrong. On Leiser's return to the Ofer prison camp he was arrested and accused of being inside area A (which is forbidden for Israeli citizens). After hours of waiting at the prison gate, the delegation from the vilage was told that the prosecution appealed the release and that the appeal will be heard the next day.
The judge who allowed the appeal apparently told the prosecution that the case is so clear cut that he will surely turn down their appeal but still allowed them another day to file it. The cruel process of expectation and disappointment was repeated again today (June 29). With just minutes before the deadline the prosecution filed their appeal and the hearing was set for the next day.
At this point a hearing is set for tomorrow (Thursday June 29th) at the Ofer prison camp. Rateb is now represented by Adv. Gaby Lasky who took over from Peleg who is abroad.
','',1,4,0,17,'2005-06-29 00:00:00',62,'','2010-12-08 12:21:04',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2006-05-29 12:32:53','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','pageclass_sfx=\nback_button=\nitem_title=1\nlink_titles=\nintrotext=1\nsection=0\nsection_link=0\ncategory=0\ncategory_link=0\nrating=\nauthor=\ncreatedate=\nmodifydate=\npdf=\nprint=\nemail=\nkeyref=\ndocbook_type=',1,0,171,'','',0,522),(29,'Convoy from Strasbourg to Jerusalem promotes Palestinian cause','','Reprinted from the Jordan Times: A 100-caravan convoy of human rights activists from across the globe will pass through Jordan this month to express solidarity with the Palestinian cause. The convoy, calling itself For the Sake of Palestine, will include human rights lawyers, university students, media practitioners, activists and personnel from other sectors and will pass through several countries on a journey from Strasbourg to Jerusalem to spread awareness on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. It is due in the Kingdom from July 17-19.
Emad alFugaha, executive director of the Earth Association for International Development that helped coordinate the convoy, said the participants seek to voice solidarity with the Palestinian issue, urge officials to find solutions to the conflict and raise awareness among the populations of the countries they pass through.
"The people taking part in the convoy are here to express solidarity with the Palestinians from a human rights perspective... they will stress the need to implement international law to resolve the conflict," alFugaha said.
The idea of the convoy came about following a cultural exchange programme between the EU and Mediterranean countries. The convoy, which started from the EU Parliament in Strasbourg in France on July 4, will pass through several cities such as Geneva, Bologna, Thessaloniki, Istanbul, Ankara, Damascus and Amman and stop over in Madaba en route to their final destination of Jerusalem.
During their stay in Madaba, the members of the convoy are scheduled to hold talks with parliamentarians and senior officials, according to alFugaha. They also intend to visit the Madaba refugee camp, which contains around 5,000 Palestinian refugees, to listen to their opinions and aspirations concerning the conflict.
','',1,4,0,17,'2005-07-12 00:00:00',62,'Mohammad Ghazal, Amman, Jordan','2010-12-08 12:21:04',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2006-05-29 12:48:45','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','pageclass_sfx=\nback_button=\nitem_title=1\nlink_titles=\nintrotext=1\nsection=0\nsection_link=0\ncategory=0\ncategory_link=0\nrating=\nauthor=\ncreatedate=\nmodifydate=\npdf=\nprint=\nemail=\nkeyref=\ndocbook_type=',1,0,163,'','',0,497),(30,'From Montreal to Ein el-Hilweh: Deportation, Destitution & Dignity','','http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article3990.shtml
In November 2003 Ahmed Abdel Majeed, a stateless Palestinian born and raised in Ein el-Hilweh refugee camp in southern Lebanon, was deported from Canada. The distance between Montreal and Lebanon stretches thousands of kilometers over oceans and continents, but is only a short distance in Ahmed's eyes and living memory of an existence shaped by the daily struggle of statelessness.
Today Ahmed resides in Ein el-Hilweh, with an estimated 80 000 other stateless Palestinians in the country's largest refugee camp located on the outskirts of the southern Lebanese city of Saida. Ein el-Hilweh is a stark example of the lived reality of persecution that Palestinian refugees face today in Lebanon.
Ein el-Hilweh is a Palestinian ghetto, a social and economic prison for tens of thousands of refugees displaced by the creation of the state of Israel. The entire camp and its thousands of residents are restricted to approximately 2 square kilometers and completely surrounded by Lebanese military check-points, which deny Palestinians freedom of movement. To enter or exit the camp Palestinians are forced to show their U.N. issued refugee identity documents to Lebanese soldiers, enforcing a physical and physiological control over Palestinian movement.
Military control over Palestinians in Ein el-Hilweh symbolizes broader social and economic oppression, enforced by laws and regulations of the Lebanese state, which undermines the basic survival of Palestinians. Forbidden from owning property, working in over 70 professions and legally defined as foreigners, Palestinians live in Lebanon as second-class citizens without any basic social or political rights.
In 2003 Amnesty International conducted a report on the condition of Palestinian Refugees in Lebanon, which concluded that, "discrimination levied against Palestinians in relation to the rights to own and inherit property and the right to work, creates conditions where Palestinians refugees cannot enjoy an adequate standard of living." The report noted that in Ein el-Hilweh, "unemployment reaches 80% among Palestinian professionals."
In June 2005 Lebanon's outgoing Labor Minister Tarrad Hamadeh proposed an amendment the country's labor law, which would allow Palestinians to obtain foreign work permits for employment in "manual and clerical" jobs. However due to ongoing governmental instability in Lebanon, no concrete changes have been implemented. Even with proposed changes Palestinians still would be barred from working as professionals in the fields of medicine, engineering and law. Even with the proposed changes institutionalized discrimination against Palestinians would continue.
In this political context, Palestinians in the camps of Lebanon could define the term refugee: they are born stateless in a country that practices active forms of discrimination, rooted in a political objective to attack Palestinian survival.
From Ein el-Hilweh to Montreal:
In the face of political persecution against Palestinians, Ahmed Abdel Majeed fled Ein el-Hilweh camp in 2001 and joined hundreds of other Palestinian refugees from Lebanon in Canada. With ideals of Canada as a nation defined by respect for human rights, Ahmed applied for refugee status from Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
In a recent interview conducted in Beirut, Ahmed spoke on his experience of deportation from Canada and his decision to flee Ein el-Hilweh in 2001. Ahmed reflected on the difficulty of the decision to leave his history, family and life, "When I thought of leaving to Canada I had a terrible feeling, all my childhood was in Lebanon, my family was in Ein el-Hilweh, all that I knew was in Lebanon, so I was frightened to leave. However in Lebanon as a Palestinian I have no civil and social rights, so I was forced to leave the camp, to support my family."
Ahmed´s life in Ein el-Hilweh exemplifies traditional definitions of a political refugee. However after applying for asylum, Ahmed was faced with political persecution as a Palestinian in Canada.
In the shadow of the September 11th attacks in New York City and the ensuing backlash in North America and throughout the world against Arabs and Muslims, Ahmed's claim for refugee status in Canada was rejected. His ideals of Canada as a nation founded on humanitarian values, projected in propaganda throughout the world, were crushed by Immigration Canada's racist decision in denying Ahmed asylum.
In 2001, Palestinian refugees in Canada like Ahmed came under fire from the Canadian government in the context of growing institutional attacks against immigrants and refugees. As in Canada's foreign policies, which inherently attack Palestinians through political support for Israel's ongoing occupation of Palestine, Immigration Canada's rejection of Ahmed's asylum claim undermined the history of persecution and oppression, which Palestinians have experienced throughout the Middle East for over 50 years.
The decision to refuse Ahmed asylum claim contradicted Canada's own immigration and refugee laws. According to Canada's "Immigration and Refugee Protection Act", Ahmed perfectly defines a "refugee" as one who has "a well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion." Further "a refugee" is defined by the Canadian government as a person "who does not have a country of nationality, is outside their country of former habitual residence and is unable or by reason of that fear, unwilling to return to that country."
Only 1 year after fleeing Ein el-Hilweh, Ahmed received a deportation order back to the life of persecution from which he fled from Citizenship and Immigration Canada. Ahmed was again stateless, his dreams of gaining a Canadian passport crushed. He was refused asylum with approximately 100 other Palestinian refugees, who had traveled to Canada from the refugee camps of Lebanon and from occupied Palestine.
The Struggle Against Deportations of Palestinians in Canada:
As a stateless Palestinian in Canada facing another expulsion, Ahmed began organizing with other Palestinians to fight deportations. In January 2003 Ahmed and many other Palestinians, formed the Coalition Against the Deportation of Palestinian Refugees, which came to represent the struggle of stateless Palestinians in Canada. Ahmed was instrumental in grouping together Palestinians in Montreal, with a vision of collective resistance to Immigration Canada's policies of deportation. In January 2003 as winter set-in on Montreal, stateless Palestinians issued a call of defiance, to the racist attacks to which they were being subjected by the Canadian state.
In a recent interview Ahmed spoke about receiving a deportation order from Immigration Canada and offered his reflections on fighting the deportations of Palestinians from Canada. "When I received my deportation my opinion of Canada changed. My only possible solution was to fight deportation, so I began meeting with other Palestinians in the same situation to fight for our papers. Working together with other Palestinians in the same situation was good, as we became like brothers all facing the same difficult situation."
Until his deportation in November 2003, Ahmed played a central role in the organization of demonstrations and awareness-raising events throughout Montreal & Canada, which focused on building public support for the demands of stateless Palestinian refugees, against deportation and for regularization of all Palestinians in the country.
In July 2003 hundreds of people took the streets of downtown Montreal in a demonstration that made news headlines across the country. Along with other stateless Palestinians, many from the refugee camps of southern Lebanon, Ahmed saw hope in a grassroots political struggle waged against the Canadian government by directly affected refugees and their allies.
The struggle against statelessness had been transported from Ein el-Hilweh to Montreal. Institutional persecution against Palestinians had taken root in nation states throughout the world post September 11th including Canada. Palestinian refugees in Canada resisting deportation came to represent a globalization of the Palestinian struggle.
In November 2003, Ahmed Abdel Majeed was deported from Canada. After having arrived to his work at a local Lebanese restaurant in Montreal, Ahmed was stanched by armed agents of Citizenship and Immigration Canada. Ahmed was arrested and then deported, guilty for being an outspoken Palestinian refugee organizing to confront the Canadian government's attack on his community struggling to survive in the diaspora.
Ahmed's deportation from Canada remains a fresh wound in the ongoing struggle of Palestinian refugees in Canada against statelessness. On the day of Ahmed's deportation, as the freezing winds of the Montreal winter whipped, Palestinian refugees and their supporters gathered for a sit-in on the street outside of the offices of Immigration Canada.
Shock and rage was vocal, Ahmed's roommate while in Canada, also a Palestinian refugee who fled the camps of Lebanon, shouted, "In Canada they talk about human rights, but for Palestinian refugees the government will not even give us animal rights! We are Palestinians. We are stateless. We have no country. Where can we go? Around the world we face real problems and terrible situations. Fuck Immigration Canada!"
Back to Ein el-Hilweh Camp:
After deportation from Canada, Ahmed returned to Ein el-Hilweh, dreams of escaping the reality of the camps in Lebanon crushed by the Canadian state. Today as Palestinian refugees in Canada continue to struggle against deportation, Ahmed lives and breaths the life of persecution, which those who face deportation today also fled. Currently more than 100 Palestinian refugee face deportation from Canada to both the refugee camps of Lebanon and to Occupied Palestine.
As Palestinian refugees continue to struggle in Canada various Palestinian human rights organizations in Lebanon have recently launched a political campaign to demand basic social and civil rights from the government. Palestinian resistance organizations such as the DFLP - Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine - have played an active role in this political campaign.
Palestinian solidarity movements throughout the world continue to point to the persecution which refugees face in Lebanon, as a priority for the Palestinian solidarity struggle. While also continuing to demand for the full implementation of U.N Resolution 194, which enshrines in international law the right for all displaced Palestinians to return home.
Ahmed's deportation from Canada and continuing struggle against statelessness in Lebanon is now etched into Palestinian history. Human stories of those who struggle for justice in the most difficult circumstances, like Ahmed's, are inspiration for those who stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people throughout the world. From the refugee camp of Ein el-Hilweh in southern Lebanon to the streets of Montreal, Palestinian refugees are a living example of a people who carry an identity defined by a will to resist oppression.
Sitting on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea in southern Lebanon, Ahmed reflected on his ongoing struggle against statelessness and his experience in Montreal. "Today in Lebanon, I continue to fight for justice. We are organizing in Ein el-Hilweh camp for our civil and social rights in Lebanon just as I was in Canada. I hope that Palestinians in Canada are continuing to struggle for justice."
To view a photo essay of Ein el-Hilweh refugee camp taken by members of the Beirut Independent Media Center visit:
http://gallery.cmaq.net/Ein-el-Hilweh
{This article was written for Electronic Intifada in Beirut, Lebanon in July 2005. Stefan Christoff is currently in Lebanon as Electronic Intifada's Special Correspondent, reporting on present-day struggles for social justice. Stefan is a member of the International Solidarity Movement and also is active with the Beirut Independent Media Center. You can contact Stefan at: christoff@resist.ca
','',1,4,0,17,'2006-05-29 12:50:54',62,'Stefan Christoff, the Electronic Intifada','2010-12-08 12:21:04',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2006-05-29 12:49:53','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','pageclass_sfx=\nback_button=\nitem_title=1\nlink_titles=\nintrotext=1\nsection=0\nsection_link=0\ncategory=0\ncategory_link=0\nrating=\nauthor=\ncreatedate=\nmodifydate=\npdf=\nprint=\nemail=\nkeyref=\ndocbook_type=',1,0,160,'','',0,583),(31,'Israel expels European peace activists','','AMMAN - Israel expelled more than 80 mainly European human rights activists late Wednesday only hours after granting them entry into the West Bank.
The activists are part of "Peace Caravan," grouping 130 human rights lawyers and activists en route from Strasbourg to Jerusalem to express solidarity with the Palestinian cause.
On Wednesday, Israeli officials turned back 50 activists at the King Hussein border crossing and stamped their passports with "entry refusal" forbidding them from entering Israel for five years. "Late Wednesday activists who were permitted to pass earlier in the day were obliged to return to the Kingdom at around 11:00pm disappointed and furious," Emad Fuqaha, executive director of the Earth Association for International Development, the organisation that helped coordinate the journey, said.
Fuqaha said Israeli authorities gave no reason for the move. Peace activist Chirre Saenceran, a French citizen, told The Jordan Times: "There was a struggle with the Israeli soldiers and they pushed the activists, totaling more than 80, to leave under the threat of guns and even hit some of them."
Saenceran expressed anger against the move saying: "We are all disappointed and sad because of what happened... we expected this scenario from the Israelis because they do not respect law."
"It is really sad, we were scheduled to meet with many Palestinians and Palestinian organisations in Jerusalem, but they prevented us from this all," Saenceran protested.
He said he would report what took place to the French embassy in Amman. Commenting on the reason for denying entry to 50 activists earlier in the day, an Israeli border police spokeswoman said: "These 50 activists were not authorised to cross the Allenby Bridge on recommendation from Shin Beth, Israel's domestic security agency," Agence France-Presse reported on Thursday.
"The decision was made not to allow them to cross the border because these activists disguised from the start that they were political activists coming to demonstrate," the spokeswoman added.
Saenceran said the 80 activists originally allowed to enter the West Bank did so "because they did not go with cars, but they prevented the others and me because we had the caravans and they did not give any further reasons."
The peace convoy set off from Strasbourg on July 4 and has since driven across Switzerland, Italy, Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey and Syria to arrive in Jordan on Monday.
During the journey, they met with high-level officials from the European Parliament to lobby against Israel's separation barrier and disregard for international law.
The activists planned the initiative a year ago in coordination with some members of the European Union and a France-based Jewish organisation, according to the Associated Press.
Friday-Saturday, July 22-23, 2005
','',1,4,0,17,'2005-07-22 00:00:00',62,'Mohammad Ghazal, Jordan Times','2010-12-08 12:21:01',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2006-05-29 12:51:18','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','pageclass_sfx=\nback_button=\nitem_title=1\nlink_titles=\nintrotext=1\nsection=0\nsection_link=0\ncategory=0\ncategory_link=0\nrating=\nauthor=\ncreatedate=\nmodifydate=\npdf=\nprint=\nemail=\nkeyref=\ndocbook_type=',1,0,152,'','',0,628),(32,'Israel has publicly acknowledged that the route of the so-called Security Wall','','Israel has publicly acknowledged that the route of the so-called Security Wall is not determined solely by security considerations
Haim Ramon, the Jerusalem cabinet minister, said on Israel radio that the Wall in Jerusalem was built "first and foremost to prevent [terrorism]." But the barrier, he added, "also makes [ Jerusalem] more Jewish. The safer and more Jewish Jerusalem will be, it can serve as a true capital of the state of Israel."
The Wall isolates a number of Jerusalem¹s Arab neighborhoods, in which at least 55,000 Palestinians live, from Jerusalem while effectively enclosing tens of thousands of illegal Israeli settlers within Jerusalem. Palestinians call the route a transparent attempt to annex as much land and as many Israeli settlements in East Jerusalem as possible while including as few Palestinians as possible
Ramon's statement contradicted Israel¹s ongoing assertion that the immense Wall is solely a security measure. It adds convincing evidence to the claim by the Wall's detractors that the Wall is indeed political in nature, a measure used to strengthen Israel¹s annexation of the city. Israel's annexation of the city is not recognized internationally and is illegal under international law.
Also adding credence to this view are plans for a new Jewish settlement in the heart of the Muslim Quarter of Jerusalem¹s Old city and plans to demolish an Arab East Jerusalem neighborhood called Silwan for an Israeli archaeological park, a move that would leave 1,000 Palestinians homeless.
A new settlement called Nof Zion ( Mt. Zion) is also being built in East Jerusalem's Palestinian neighborhood of Jebel Mukaber. The housing units will largely be sold to wealthy American Jews as holiday homes, according to Israel's Ynet News. A billboard is posted above the future site of the neighborhood very near the Palestinian homes that are "in the way" of the construction plans and are either already demolished or slated for demolition. Once the gated community is completed, the road that
Palestinians from Jebel Mukaber use to access the western parts of East Jerusalem will be severed.
While the Wall itself may or may not be temporary, new Jewish neighborhoods being built inside the Wall are definitely not intended as temporary measures by the Israeli government.
In its first ruling on the issue last year, in the case of the Wall near Beit Surik, the Israeli High Court determined that Israel has no authority to build a Wall for ³political² considerations such as annexing land to
Israel . The statements by Ramon and the scores of new settlement projects in East Jerusalem and elsewhere in the West Bank confirm that Israel is violating the ruling of its own High Court, violating the Road Map, and violating international law.
Not a Temporary Measure
Earlier this month, the Israeli High Court ruled the route of the Wall near the village of Azzun to be unsuitable. In the region north of Qalqiliya, the route departs from the Green Line to annex thirteen square kilometers of fertile Palestinian land, which is 80% of the farmland of the nearby Palestinian village of Jayyous, to Israel. An illegal settlement called Zufin (Tzofin) has been built on that land and is currently being expanded, destroying Jayyous' land that has been stranded west of the Wall.
The state of Israel responded to the ruling that the Wall route was unsuitable by requesting that the Wall, already completed, be left on its original route, on the grounds that it would be very expensive to move.
The state's position marks a fundamental change in its legal arguments.
Initially Israel claimed that security concerns were the sole motivation for building the Wall, and there were no other considerations.
The state's argument highlights a major policy change regarding the "temporary" nature of the Wall. Until now, Israel has maintained that the Wall is a short-term measure that is easily removed or dismantled.
Jerusalem Wall: The New Berlin Wall?
Meanwhile the Jerusalem Wall continues to be built, an action likened by Mohammad Dahla, the attorney representing the local council of Al-Ram, a community north of Jerusalem that is being split in two by the Wall, to the construction of the Berlin Wall.
Said Dahla, "The Wall will separate families and relatives and harm the right to normal family life. It will cut off thousands from their places of work, and critically harm freedom of movement, the residents' right of ownership, the value of properties in the area and their right of access to educational institutions."
Israel 's position has always been to insist that the Wall was only about security concerns. Now that Israel had admitted it is also about creating political realities on the ground, said Dahla, "The cat is out of the bag."
What Palestinians have known all along, Israel has finally openly admitted.
','',1,4,0,17,'2005-08-02 00:00:00',62,'The Palestine Monitor','2010-12-08 12:21:01',62,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2006-05-29 12:52:54','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','pageclass_sfx=\nback_button=\nitem_title=0\nlink_titles=\nintrotext=1\nsection=0\nsection_link=0\ncategory=0\ncategory_link=0\nrating=\nauthor=\ncreatedate=\nmodifydate=\npdf=\nprint=\nemail=\nkeyref=\ndocbook_type=',3,0,149,'','',0,623),(33,'The Ariel Finger and its Impacts as revealed to the International Women\'s Peace Service (IWPS)','','Background about IWPS
IWPS is a team of international women working on a project of third party nonviolent intervention in the Salfit district of the West Bank. Living and working here 24 hours a day allows us to witness the effects of the occupation firsthand. Beyond the reach of the media and even Israeli activists, we are in a unique position to be able to document the daily realities of life for the residents of this district, with respect to freedom of movement, the economy, the construction of the wall, settlement expansion, pollution, and other aspects of the occupation. IWPS is available to lead tours of journalists who are interested in this region.
Ariel settlement – the strategy then and now
The settlement of Ariel was established in 1978. Its founding population of forty settlers has burgeoned due to its strategic location (close to Tel Aviv and approximately in the middle of the West Bank) and generous government aid to a present population of almost 20,000. Over the years Ariel has been built on land expropriated from nearby Palestinian villages and towns including Salfit, Yasouf, Iskaka, Marda, Hares, and Kifl Hares. The built up area of the settlement covers about 750 acres (3,000 dumans), but its municipal boundaries (areas slated for expansion) cover an additional 2,700 acres (10,800 dunams). It is situated (at its furthest point East) approximately 22 km inside the Green Line, adjacent to the intersection of Israeli bypass roads #60 (which crosses the West Bank from North to South and #5 (the ‘trans-Samaria’ highway).
Ariel is the first reported case of colonizing efforts in the Salfit district, which at the present time has a 1:1 ratio of Israeli settlers to Palestinian residents. The Salfit district has become an extremely important location for Israeli settlement policy, and now Israeli settlements (24) outnumber Palestinian villages (22) and cover almost 10% of the land area of Salfit. Ariel settlement is the most well known and largest of the Salfit settlements, and with its own college, municipal court, and police station, has long been thought of within Israeli society as just another ‘town’, rather than a settlement in the West Bank. Some of the factors that help to explain Ariel’s significance within Israeli settlement policy include the abundance of water and agricultural resources in the Salfit district (known as the breadbasket of the West Bank). Additionally, a major ‘Israeli population center’ in the geographical heart of the West Bank ultimately acts as a ‘fact on the ground’, cementing Israel’s control of the area and acting as an impediment to Palestinian territorial contiguity.
Impact of Ariel on surrounding Palestinian communities
The presence of Ariel has effectively limited the development of the town of Salfit (pop. 10,000), which serves as the ‘urban center’ for the entire district. The location of Ariel forms a physical barrier for most of the residents of the district who (since the year 2000) must travel around the entire length of the settlement’s municipal boundary to reach Salfit. Palestinian residents from Haris, Kifl Hares, Deir Istiya, Mas’ha, Biddya, Sarta, Deir Ballut, Azzawiya, Qira, Marda, Zeita and Zeita-Jemai’in must travel a minimum of an additional 15 kilometers. Additionally, Ariel’s massive land area prevents the town of Salfit from being able to expand and younger residents therefore have a disincentive to remain once they are old enough to begin having families. The presence of Ariel, it’s large municipal area, surrounding bypass roads, and security apparatus effectively contribute to the underdevelopment of the entire Salfit district by limiting access to most Palestinian residents to the cultural, economic, and municipal resources of Salfit town.
The Ariel Finger
In June 2004 land razing began on the lands of Salfit and Iskaka (another village contiguous with the Ariel boundary). This 9 km section of the work is slated to confiscate approximately 6,243 acres (24,972 dunams) from Haris, Kifl Hares, Marda, Iskaka and Salfit, with over 800 acres isolated from the village of Marda alone. Appeals raised in the Israeli High Court temporarily halted the work but it was resumed again on January 24th, 2005. On February 10th 2005, the Supreme Court issued a ‘temporary injunction’ that again halted the work, but that decision was again reversed on May 16 and work has begun afresh.
As Israeli peace activist Uri Avnery has recently noted, it is no coincidence that the Sharon government is giving orders to speed up construction of the segregation wall while media attention is focused on the ‘disengagement’. Effectively, in exchange Gaza’s four kilometers, hundreds more will be confiscated inside the West Bank for the construction of the segregation wall. Publicly the Gaza pullout is being hailed as an important step toward a peaceful resolution, however the irrevocable effects of the separation wall are a direct contradiction to this. The Ariel finger, due to its drastic nature has even prompted criticism from the U.S. State Department spokesman Richard Boucher criticized this section in June 2004, saying that it would make Palestinian life more difficult and undermine any remaining chances for Palestinian statehood.
Palestinian Response
In addition to taking their case to the courts, Palestinian residents from the Salfit district have organized popular resistance to the building of the wall. The necessity for grassroots resistance is clear since even the condemnation of the international community, as expressed through the ruling of the International Court of Justice (July 2004) has not succeeded in putting pressure on Israel to stop construction of the wall. The ruling stated that the segregation wall is illegal and must be dismantled, and any damages done must be compensated. The plan for the ‘Ariel finger’ is perhaps one of the most glaring examples of violations of human rights and the environment to date in the building of the segregation wall. Grassroots mobilizations have materialized from effected villages, and assisted by Israeli and international activists, Palestinians have sought to lay claim to their lands and prevent further destruction of their property and livelihoods. Over fifty nonviolent actions have taken place in the Salfit district over the last year in opposition to the wall. Whether direct actions intended to prevent work from taking place, or symbolic actions designed to deliver a message through media attention, the Popular Committee Against the Wall in Salfit has helped to organize a population that is frustrated from over two decades of being forced to adjust to the negative impacts of the presence of Ariel settlement.
Marda: Resistance and Uncertainty
One of the villages most directly affected by the presence of Ariel is Marda (pop. 2,000) which is situated directly to the North, with settler Highway #5 forming the other boundary for the village’s built up area. Marda village has suffered a long history of abuse because of the presence of Ariel settlement on the hill above it. Land confiscation, uprooted trees, settler violence, and the effects of pollution from the waste of the settlement are all unfortunate consequences that the residents of Marda have had to contend with.
Much of Marda’s agricultural land has been expropriated for Ariel settlement and the bypass road. Farmers from Marda still have pockets of cultivated land within the settlement which have effectively been annexed to the settlement. Additionally, cultivated land that abuts Ariel’s municipal boundaries is dangerous for farmers to reach, and international accompaniment is often requested in these areas. Therefore the mere proximity to the settlement renders additional hundreds of acres of cultivated land inaccessible to Palestinian farmers who are dependent on this land for the livelihood of their families. Waste water created by the settlement has contaminated the underground water resources of the entire district, and in the case of Marda, Ariel’s trash heap is perched precariously on a hill overlooking the village.
Since the destruction began on June 1, cutting a swathe across the length of the hill above the village and below Ariel, at least 1,000 olive trees owned by farming families in Marda have already been uprooted. When the work began, farmers, accompanied by International and Israeli activists, attempted to reach the affected lands several times to assess the extent of the damage and to try to intervene to prevent work from continuing. However, these nonviolent activities were met with gunfire from private security guards, and later tear gas and sound bombs from the army. During the peaceful protests that followed (conducted primarily in the village) the army has continued to respond with violence and the village has had to suffer from periodic invasions and curfews as a result.
Resistance is made all the more difficult by the fact that Marda’s land beneath Ariel settlement is on a steep hill, making it very threatening for anyone to approach the work. Due to the intense repression by the army, farmers have largely ceased to try to reach the bulldozers. Peaceful demonstrations have continued, organized by the Popular Committee Against the Wall in Salfit, but they are primarily located within the village and do not attempt to interrupt the work of the bulldozers.
Marda: Personal Profiles
The small village of Marda is unique in that many of its residents have lived outside the West Bank in Venezuela and are bilingual in Spanish and Arabic. Like the rest of Salfit, agriculture is both a source of income as well as part of the Palestinian cultural fabric. Every family has some land in the proximity of the village and includes family members who are full time farmers. Because Marda residents have been living in the shadow of Ariel settlement for so long, many have the sense that ‘Ariel gets what it wants’. Coupled with the danger of attempting to intervene in the work, the situation leaves village residents extremely worried about their future, while simultaneously doubtful about the possibility of preventing the completion of the Ariel finger.
Abu Samih
Abu Samih is a farmer from Marda who spent 10 years going back and forth between his village and Chicago. Shortly after September 11 as he arrived in O’Hare airport, he was detained by the INS for thirty days. Planning on applying for political asylum, he decided to return to his home rather than spending time in detention indefinitely. Abu Samih has 55 dunams (about 12 acres) of olive trees that are located inside Ariel’s settlement boundary that he cannot access. For Abu Samih, the presence of Ariel settlement acts as a ‘cancer in the body’ eating away at agricultural land and disrupting the livelihoods of all of the residents of Marda. Still, he is committed to non-violence, and doesn’t believe in harming anyone. With five children total, and two studying at unversity, Abu Samih is very concerned about the future survival of his family if the Ariel finger is completed. He sees a dire vision of de facto ‘transfer’ for the residents of Marda.
Jamila
Jamila is the eldest daughter of Abu Samih and speaks excellent English. Like her father, Jamila is not optimistic about the future of the village. If the International Court of Justice Ruling means nothing, it is hard for Jamila to imagine what the simple farmers of Marda can do to change their fate. Her wish is to finish her education and get a good job. Despite her worries, Jamila relies on cultural wisdom which says that no matter how bad things get, there is always a possibility that they will get better. She has been profoundly impacted by interactions with Israeli activists who have come to the village to support the nonviolent demonstrations. “When I sit and talk with these Israelis I feel that in that moment I can transcend history,” she remarks. “I do not hate Israeli people”.
Abu Munthar
Abu Munthar is a Marda farmer who, like Abu Samih, also has land inside Ariel settlement totalling approximately 20 dunams (5 acres). Three hundred olive trees belonging to his family are currently being destroyed in the path of the wall – and when these trees are gone he will have completely lost his family’s legacy. Abu Munthar was there on the morning of Sunday June 5, when farmers and international activists ascended the hill towards the bulldozers uprooting their trees. They were met with live ammunition fired toward the ground by private security guards. Later an Israeli army representative promised the farmers that work would cease until the next morning when he promised there would be a meeting between the army’s lawyer and the village’s lawyer. Such a meeting never took place and the work resumed. Abu Munthar used to work in Israel and he knew his boss’ family including one of the younger sons. During a recent olive harvest when interacting with one of the security guards of Ariel settlement he realized the man was none other than this boy, now grown up.
Um Amir
During the Palestinian olive harvest of 2001, Um Amir’s husband Abu Amir was harvesting olives about 3km from the center of the village, on Marda’s land close to Ariel settlement. Suddenly he heard barking dogs and looked around only to see guard dogs from settlement security running toward him. Abu Amir began to run in the direction of the village, trying to escape the dogs. At the edge of the village, Abu Amir collapsed of a heart attack, and died. Um Amir and her seven children lost their father as well as all of their land because of Ariel settlement. They had 20 dunams (5 acres) of olive trees as well as the same amount of land not cultivated with trees that was confiscated in the building of the settlement. She has lost income from the loss of her land as well as the loss of her husband, who used to work in Israel as a metal worker. She is also not optimistic about stopping the Ariel finger.
Abu Hassan
Abu Hassan is the head of the Popular Committee Against the Wall in the Salfit District. Prompted by the negative impacts of the occupation and settlement policy, he and others from Marda initiated a permaculture and sustainable agriculture center in the village that opened its doors in November of 1993. Based on the idea of ‘local resources for local needs’, the center was designed to support farmers to maintain their self-sufficiency despite confiscation of their lands. The center, funded by organizations in Germany, Canada, the U.S., the U.K., Holland and Australia, became a regional hub of training and rural development. Over three hundred varieties of native seeds were cultivated and preserved, and farmers were trained in composting and the use of organic pesticides. Agricultural roads were opened, plants and trees distributed, training courses in irrigation and grey water recycling were conducted. Agricultural engineers from universities all over the West Bank came to Marda to do additional training. The center also provided training courses for women including computer and English language skills. The success of the center and its ability to provide a measure of self-sufficiency for the local population sparked the ire of the occupation forces, including the settler population and the army. On November 8, 2000, at 5:00 a.m., after seven years of successful work, Israeli soldiers invaded and attacked the center. They destroyed the nursery, the seed bank, the computers and all of the files. Some of the activities of the center continue, but they still have not rebuilt the site which is a broken-down shell of its former self and a testament to the vulnerability of Marda, sandwiched between Ariel settlement and the bypass road #5.
Contact:
For more information about Marda, the Ariel Finger and its impacts, and the Salfit region generally contact:
IWPS 09-2516-644; iwps@palnet.com
Nasfat (Head of Popular Committee Against the Wall in Salfit) 059-984-1006
Report prepared by Nijmie in consultation with Marda village.
Sources: Applied Reseach Institute of Jerusalem (ARIJ); B’Tselem, “Land Grab: Israel’s Settlement Policy in the West Bank”, May, 2002
','',1,4,0,17,'2006-05-29 12:57:47',62,'IWPS','2010-12-08 12:21:01',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2006-05-29 12:56:20','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','pageclass_sfx=\nback_button=\nitem_title=1\nlink_titles=\nintrotext=1\nsection=0\nsection_link=0\ncategory=0\ncategory_link=0\nrating=\nauthor=\ncreatedate=\nmodifydate=\npdf=\nprint=\nemail=\nkeyref=\ndocbook_type=',1,0,144,'','',0,704),(34,'Meanwhile, Israel grabs the rest of Jerusalem','','http://www.iht.com/cgi-bin/search.cgi?query=JERUSALEM&sort=swishrank
JERUSALEM After more than 38 years of its oppressive military occupation of the Gaza Strip, Israel will soon begin evacuating the few thousand settlers who have been denying freedom to more than a million Palestinians there.
Israel has marketed the Gaza withdrawal as yet another historic opportunity to jump-start the peace process. But Israeli actions in occupied East Jerusalem indicate that Israel's unilaterally imposed disengagement was never meant to start a peace process, but rather to end one.
As the world's attention is diverted by scenes of the removal of settlers who had no right to be in Gaza in the first place, the real strategy behind disengagement is revealed by Israel's aggressive moves to consolidate its occupation of Jerusalem's eastern Palestinian sector.
At stake is the very basis of peace between Palestinians and Israelis - a negotiated two-state solution. Israel's plan is to use "concessions" in Gaza to remove Jerusalem from the negotiation table. But without Jerusalem as a shared capital for Palestinians and Israelis, there is no two-state solution.
In violation of President George W. Bush's May warning not to prejudice the status of Jerusalem, the Israeli cabinet recently approved a decision to complete Israel's wall in East Jerusalem by the end of August, while the world's attention is on the Gaza disengagement. The wall, which Israel is using to redefine Jerusalem's borders, is being routed through occupied territory in such a way as to maximize the number of Palestinian Jerusalemites behind the wall, while maximizing the amount of Palestinian land on the "Israeli" side. About 55,000 Palestinian residents of Jerusalem will be effectively cut off from the their city, forced to access their schools, hospitals and even families through Israeli military gates which, as Palestinians know from experience, can be closed at a soldier's whim.
These Palestinian Christians and Muslims will be denied free access to the holy sites in their own city. Already, Palestinian Christians and Muslims in the West Bank can no longer freely pray at the Old City's Church of the Holy Sepulcher or the Noble Sanctuary (Haram al Sharif).
Difficulty in accessing their own city will cause Palestinian Jerusalemites to go deeper into the West Bank for educational, medical and religious services. Israel will then have a pretext - "insufficient links" to the city - for revoking their Jerusalem residency rights. To date, more than 6,500 Palestinians have lost their residency rights in the Jewish state's unstated but measurable efforts to rid the Holy City of as many Christians and Muslims as possible.
Israeli demolitions of Palestinian homes in and around occupied East Jerusalem are increasingly common, with more than 50 homes destroyed so far this year. Sixty-four homes in a Palestinian neighborhood near Jerusalem's Old City have demolition orders pending against them, even though the homes were built on privately owned Palestinian land. According to the Israeli Committee Against Home Demolitions, there are more than 10,000 outstanding demolition orders against Palestinian buildings in East Jerusalem. Such orders are usually enforced without warning and in the middle of the night.
As the homes of Christians and Muslims are destroyed, new Israeli settlements in and around East Jerusalem continue to expand. A few months ago, Israel announced plans to build 3,500 Israeli housing units to the east of Jerusalem - in an area which would complete the encirclement of occupied East Jerusalem by Israeli settlements. The Israeli press announced recently the planned construction of 21 new Jewish homes in the heart of the Old City's Muslim Quarter. Muslims have no equal right to build homes in the Jewish Quarter.
Israel greedily insists on retaining control over the whole of Jerusalem, rejecting Palestinian compromises to share the city on equal terms. Indeed, Israel, as a Jewish state, rejects the very idea of a pluralistic Jerusalem.
But Jerusalem is sacred to all three of the world's monotheistic religions - it cannot be the monopoly of just one.
The Palestinian Authority remains committed to a two-state solution based on international law. However, negotiations require an Israeli partner and Israel, as the more powerful party, realizes it can impose its own agenda rather than negotiate a solution.
Israeli violations of U.S. policy and international law are annually funded by billions of dollars from the American taxpayer. Yet Israel repays American goodwill and financial support by adopting measures to which the United States is opposed and which risk destroying the very two-state solution to which President Bush is so publicly committed.
America has so far not been willing to hold Israel accountable. Such inaction reduces U.S. credibility and alienates potential friends, undermining efforts to defeat terrorism and to build Middle East democracy.
(Hind Khoury is the Palestinian Authority's minister of state for Jerusalem affairs.)
','',1,4,0,17,'2005-08-11 00:00:00',62,'Hind Khoury International Herald Tribune','2010-12-08 12:21:01',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2006-05-29 12:58:40','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','pageclass_sfx=\nback_button=\nitem_title=1\nlink_titles=\nintrotext=1\nsection=0\nsection_link=0\ncategory=0\ncategory_link=0\nrating=\nauthor=\ncreatedate=\nmodifydate=\npdf=\nprint=\nemail=\nkeyref=\ndocbook_type=',1,0,135,'','',0,581),(35,'Watching the Gazan Fiasco The Shame of It All','','\r\nA great charade is taking place in front of the world media in the Gaza Strip. It is the staged evacuation of 8000 Jewish settlers from their illegal settlement homes, and it has been carefully designed to create imagery to support Israel's US-backed takeover of the West Bank and cantonization of the Palestinians.\r\n
\r\n\r\nThere was never the slightest reason for Israel to send in the army to remove these settlements. The entire operation could have been managed, without the melodrama necessary for a media frenzy, by providing them with a fixed date on which the IDF would withdraw from inside the Gaza Strip. A week before, all the settlers will quietly have left -with no TV cameras, no weeping girls, no anguished soldiers, no commentators asking cloying questions of how Jews could remove other Jews from their homes, and no more trauma about their terrible suffering, the world's victims, who therefore have to be helped to kick the Palestinians out of the West Bank.\r\n
\r\n\r\nThe settlers will relocate to other parts of Israel - and in some cases to other illegal settlements in the West Bank -handsomely compensated for their inconvenience. Indeed, each Jewish family leaving the Gaza Strip will receive between $140,000 and $400,000 just for the cost of the home they leave behind. But these details are rarely mentioned in the tempest of reporting on the "great confrontation" and "historical moment" brought to us by Sharon and the thieving, murderous settler-culture he helped create.\r\n
\r\n\r\nOn ABC's Nightline Monday night, a reporter interviewed a young, sympathetic Israeli woman from the largest Gaza settlement, Neve Dekalim - a girl with sincerity in her voice, holding back tears. She doesn't view the soldiers as her enemy, she says, and doesn't want violence. She will leave even though to do so is causing her great pain. She talked about the tree she planted in front of her home with her brother when she was three; about growing up in the house they were now leaving, the memories, and knowing she could never return; that even if she did, everything she knew would be gone from the scene. The camera then panned to her elderly parents sitting somberly amid boxed-up goods, surveying the scene, looking forlorn and resigned. Her mother was a kindergarten teacher, we are told. She knew just about all of the children who grew up here near the sea.\r\n
\r\n\r\nIn the 5 years of Israel's brutal suppression of the Palestinian uprising against the occupation, I never once saw or heard a segment as long and with as much sentimental, human detail as I did here; never once remember a reporter allowing a sympathetic young Palestinian woman, whose home was just bulldozed and who lost everything she owned, tell of her pain and sorrow, of her memories and her family's memories; never got to listen to her reflect on where she would go now and how she would live. And yet in Gaza alone more than 23,000 people have lost their homes to Israeli bulldozers and bombs since September 2000 -- often at a moment's notice - on the grounds that they "threatened Israel's security." The vast majority of the destroyed homes were located too close to an IDF military outpost or illegal settlement to be allowed to continue standing. The victims received no compensation for their losses and had no place waiting for them to relocate. Most ended up in temporary UNRWA tent-cities until they could find shelter elsewhere in the densely overcrowded Strip, a quarter of whose best land was inhabited by the 1% of the population that was Jewish and occupying the land at their expense.\r\n
\r\n\r\nWhere were the cameramen in May 2004 in Rafah when refugees twice over lost their homes again in a single night's raid, able to retrieve nothing of what they owned? Where were they when bulldozers and tanks tore up paved streets with steel blades, wrecked the sewage and water pipes, cut electricity lines, and demolished a park and a zoo; when snipers shot two children, a brother and sister, feeding their pigeons on the roof of their home? When the occupying army fired a tank shell into a group of peaceful demonstrators killing 14 of them including two children? Where have they been for the past five years when the summer heat of Rafah makes life so unbearable it is all one can do to sit quietly in the shade of one's corrugated tin roof -- because s/he is forbidden to go to the sea, ten minutes' walking distance from the city center? Or because if they ventured to the more open spaces they became walking human targets? And when their citizens resisted, where were the accolades and the admiring media to omment on the "pluck," the "will" and "audacity" of these "young people"?\r\n
\r\n\r\nOn Tuesday, 16 August, the Israeli daily Haaretz reported that more than 900 journalists from Israel and around the world are covering the events in Gaza, and that hundreds of others are in cities and towns in Israel to cover local reactions. Were there ever that many journalists in one place during the past 5 years to cover the Palestinian Intifada?\r\n
\r\n\r\nWhere were the 900 international journalists in April 2002 after the Jenin refugee camp was laid to waste in the matter of a week in a show of pure Israeli hubris and sadism? Where were the 900 international journalists last fall when the Jabalya refugee camp in Gaza lay under an Israeli siege and more than 100 civilians were killed? Where were they for five years while the entire physical infrastructure of the Gaza Strip was being destroyed? Which one of them reported that every crime of the Israeli occupation - from home demolitions, targeted assassinations and total closures to the murder of civilians and the wanton destruction of commercial and public property- increased significantly in Gaza after Sharon's "Disengagement" Plan - that great step toward peace - was announced?\r\n
\r\n\r\nWhere are the hundreds of journalists who should be covering the many non-violent protests by Palestinians and Israelis against the Apartheid Wall? -Non-violent protesters met with violence and humiliation by Israeli armed forces? Where are the hundreds of journalists who should be reporting on the economic and geographic encirclement of Palestinian East Jerusalem and of the bisection of the West Bank and the subdivision of each region into dozens of isolated mini-prisons? Why aren't we being barraged by outraged reports about the Jewish-only bypass roads? About the hundreds of pointless internal checkpoints? About the countless untried executions and maimings? About the torture and abuse of Palestinians in Israeli prisons?\r\n
\r\n\r\nWhere were these hundreds of journalists when each of the 680 Palestinian children shot to death by Israeli soldiers over the last 5 years was laid to rest by grief-stricken family members? The shame of it all defies words.\r\n
\r\n\r\nNow instead report after report announces the "end to the 38 year old occupation" of the Gaza Strip, a "turning point for peace" and the news that "it is now illegal for Israelis to live in Gaza." Is this some kind of joke?\r\n
\r\n\r\nYes, it is "illegal for Israelis to live in the Gaza Strip" as colonizers from another land. It has been illegal for 38 years. (If they wish to move there and live as equals with the Palestinians and not as Israeli citizens they may do so.)\r\n
\r\n\r\nSharon's unilateral "Disengagement" plan is not ending the occupation of Gaza. The Israelis are not relinquishing control over the Strip. They are retaining control of all land, air and sea borders including the Philadelphi corridor along the Gaza/Egypt border where the Egyptians may be allowed to patrol under Israel's watchful eye and according to Israel's strictest terms. The 1.4 million inhabitants of Gaza remain prisoners in a giant penal colony, despite what their partisan leaders are attempting to claim. The IDF is merely redeploying outside the Gaza Strip, which is surrounded by electrical and concrete fences, barbed wire, watchtowers, armed guards and motion censors, and it will retain the authority to invade Gaza on a whim.\r\n
\r\n\r\nEight thousand Palestinian workers working in Israel for slave wages will soon be banned from returning to work. Another 3,200 Palestinians who worked in the settlements for a sub-minimum-wage have been summarily dismissed without recourse to severance pay or other forms of compensation. Still others will lose their livelihoods when the Israelis move the Gaza Industrial Zone from Erez to somewhere in the Negev desert.\r\n
\r\n\r\nThe World Bank reported in December 2004 that both poverty and unemployment will rise following the "Disengagement" even under the best of circumstances because Israel will retain full control over the movement of goods in and out of Gaza, will maintain an enforced separation of the West Bank and Gaza preventing the residents of each from visiting one another, and will draw up eparate customs agreements with each zone severing their already shattered economies-- and yet we are forced to listen day in and day out to news about this historic peace initiative, this great turning point in the career of Ariel Sharon, this story of national trauma for the brothers and sisters who have had to carry out the painful orders of their wise and besieged leader.\r\n
\r\n\r\nWhat will it take to get the truth across to people? To the young woman of Neve Dekalim who can speak her words without batting an eyelash of embarrassment or shame? As the cameras zoom in on angry settlers poignantly clashing with their "brothers and sisters" in the Israeli army, who will be concerned about their other brothers and sisters in Gaza? When will the Palestinian history of 1948 and 1967, and of each passing day under the violence of dispossession and dehumanization, get a headline in our papers?\r\n
\r\n\r\nI am reminded of an interview I had this summer in Beirut with Hussein Nabulsi of Hizbullah - an organization that has had nothing to do with the movement for Palestinian national liberation whatsoever, but one that has become allied with those it sees as the real victims of US and Israeli policies and lies. I remember his tightly shut eyes and his clenched fists as he asked how long Arabs and Muslims were supposed to accept the accusations that they are the victimizers and the terrorists. "It hurts," he said in a whispered ardor. "It hurts so much to watch this injustice every day." And he went on to explain to me why the Americans and the Israelis - with their monstrous military arsenals will never be victorious.\r\n
\r\n\r\nJennifer Loewenstein will be a visiting Fellow at the Refugee Studies Centre
\r\nat Oxford University beginning this fall. She can be reached:
\r\namadea311@earthlink.net\r\n
The Palestinian nonviolent movement is as old as the Palestinian liberation movement itself. As far back as the 1930s, Palestinians engaged in nonviolent protests and demonstrations against the British Mandate authorities. This form of protest peaked with the breakout of the 1987 intifada. That uprising, which was for the most part nonviolent in nature, brought immediate international recognition to the Palestinian people, forced Israeli society to recognize Palestinians as a "people" and to recognize their legitimate leadership, and finally led to a peace process. The failure of that peace process, known as the Oslo peace process was not due to the means that led to the negotiating table, on the contrary; it was largely due to the lack of continued mobilization and support by the Palestinian leadership of the popular Palestinian nonviolent resistance movement. Nonviolent resistance should have continued as a means to balance the imbalance at the negotiating table, viewed by the Palestinian leadership as the only way of attaining the legitimate rights of the Palestinians.
The failure of the peace process led to the breakout of the second intifada in 2000. Again, Palestinians initially engaged in nonviolent forms of resistance, but the Israeli military response to these protests was more brutal and forceful than at any time before during the occupation. This convinced some groups within the Palestinian community that only the use of arms and suicide attacks to balance out the pain being heaped upon Palestinians would be effective in making the occupation as costly as possible to the Israeli public. This, however, combined with the lack of a clear strategy and a clear vision to mobilize the Palestinian population in nonviolent forms of resistance, emboldened the Israeli government to take full advantage of the change in the rules of engagement after September 11, 2001 and attempt to de-legitimize the entire Palestinian liberation movement, linking its goals with the means used to achieve them. The Palestinian armed resistance, labeled as "terrorism" by Israel, was portrayed as the goal of the Palestinian liberation movement rather than a means, justified or otherwise.
The legitimacy of the goals of freedom and independence should not be viewed through the lens of the "means" used to achieve these goals. The struggle to end the occupation and establish an independent Palestinian state does not gain or lose legitimacy if nonviolent means are preferred over violent means and vice versa. Even with the changes in international politics and a steadily growing voice within the Palestinian community criticizing and condemning the armed resistance, particularly those actions that target Israeli civilians, the legitimacy of the Palestinian struggle is embedded in international law, international conventions on human rights and numerous United Nations resolutions, up until and including the most recent decision by the International Court of Justice regarding the separation wall.
A more important question deals with the issue of efficacy. Are the means used effective in achieving the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people?
When discussing armed resistance, Palestinians must recognize both the internal and international implications of continuing the armed resistance. The gross imbalance of power, the unrestrained and brutal actions of the Israeli military, and the change in the direction of world politics have left Palestinians defenseless and isolated in the face of daily aggressions. The armed resistance, even armed defense, has been effective only in creating excuses for greater Israeli aggression.
But to say that one is ineffective is not to show that the other isn't. When it comes to nonviolent resistance, the question most people ask is how do you nonviolently resist your prison guard when you are in prison? How do you resist the occupation when you are surrounded by walls and fences? Examples of nonviolent resistance from across the world highlight one important factor: direct confrontation and contact with the enemy is vital to expose that enemy's brutality and unjust policies. In Palestine today, however, Palestinians are trapped in a prison. Going on hunger strike means absolutely nothing, while protesting and marching means walking around in circles. So what nonviolent tactics can be used effectively to expose the occupation and affect its end?
The answer is threefold. First, a strong leadership committed to the principles of nonviolent resistance and community building must be established. The initial focus will be on the need to unify Palestinian communities and reestablish trust between the leadership and the people. This should be followed by the development of a long-term internal strategy to build a nonviolent resistance movement on a massive scale.
Secondly, the Palestinian population inside and outside of Palestine must be mobilized in mass campaigns beginning with a boycott of Israeli products campaign and moving on to more dangerous protests at check points, on settler roads, and near international border crossings.
Finally and simultaneously, the Arab, Muslim, international streets as well as the Israeli peace camp must also be mobilized to support this nonviolent Palestinian movement. Sustained and significant popular protests against Israel will eventually pressure the Israeli government to take the necessary steps towards peace.
Nonviolent resistance is never easy. It takes tremendous dedication, discipline and sacrifice. And while no means are guaranteed effective, the nonviolent approach attempts to neutralize the power of the enemy and to target the collective consciousness of the populace rather than empowering enemy extremists by handing them the blind and unconditional support of a people fearful of annihilation.
The international community has declared that the death of the late President Yasser Arafat is an opportunity to revive the Palestinian-Israeli peace process. The Palestinian community needs to see the death of their president as an opportunity to reinforce the commitment to the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people and to achieve these aspirations by engaging in effective nonviolent means of resistance and community building.- Published 6/12/2004 (c) bitterlemons.org
Sami Awad is the executive director of the Holy Land Trust, a grassroots organization based in Bethlehem involved in community building and nonviolent resistance.
','',1,4,0,17,'2005-08-21 00:00:00',62,'Sami Awad','2010-12-08 12:21:01',62,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2006-05-29 13:04:29','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','pageclass_sfx=\nback_button=\nitem_title=1\nlink_titles=\nintrotext=1\nsection=0\nsection_link=0\ncategory=0\ncategory_link=0\nrating=\nauthor=\ncreatedate=\nmodifydate=\npdf=\nprint=\nemail=\nkeyref=\ndocbook_type=',2,0,126,'','',0,670),(37,'The Long Perspective From Gaza','','RAMALLAH, West Bank -- The unilateral Israeli decision to withdraw troops and evacuate settlers from the Gaza Strip has thrown a monkey wrench in the works for all parties. Palestinians and other international players have been especially confused as to how to proceed. The answer is: through negotiations -- not one-sided actions.
Despite months of Palestinian and international entreaties, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon steadfastly refused to negotiate, coordinate or reveal plans for the disengagement and what is to follow. In the months leading up to the withdrawal, the most commonly heard observation in the West Bank and Gaza was that Israelis negotiate among themselves about the future of the Palestinians.
Israel's decision to disengage from Gaza independent of any larger bilateral or international framework is unlike any in modern history. Even its decision to leave southern Lebanon in 2000, while taken unilaterally, at least tacitly involved the United Nations. The withdrawal was in keeping with Security Council Resolution 425, and it was the international body that demarcated the Blue Line and verified Israeli withdrawal to positions behind the de facto border.
The confusion, of course, is due to the lack of answers to numerous questions, major and minor. Are the Israelis planning a respite from further withdrawals, as some Israeli politicians have suggested, or is quitting Gaza part of the road map, as the Quartet ( Russia, the European Union, the United States and the United Nations) insists? The issue of what happens the day after the withdrawal (it looks as if that is about a month down the line) has been left unanswered. Will the provision of electricity and telephone service, as well as the wheat and rice that come exclusively from or through Israel, continue?
And what kind of state, or precursor to a state, will Gaza be? Will Gazans be allowed to move freely to and from the West Bank? Will the borders with Egypt be free? What about the airport and the future port? What kind of taxes and customs regulations will be applied? Will Palestinian airspace be liberated? The Israeli army tore up the runway that President Bill Clinton had inaugurated, and all attempts since to rebuild it have been rejected. Will Palestinians be allowed to leave and return to Gaza without Israeli approval? Will others be allowed to enter Gaza without Israeli visas?
Confused or not, Palestinians, for their part, will be expected to answer questions -- in deeds, not just in words -- about their ability to build a modern, pluralistic state. How will the Palestinian body politic deal with the growing power of the Islamic movements, which undoubtedly will expect a significant share of power in post-withdrawal Gaza?
The international community also will have to answer some key questions.
According to the Palestinian Economic Council for Reconstruction and Development, annual per capita income in Gaza continues to be roughly $700, a fraction of the $16,000 Israelis earn.
In the absence of relatively well-paid jobs, what will happen to the lines of unemployed Gazans? The potential flight of job seekers into Israel is only one problem that all concerned must think about.
More immediately, if Gazans cannot feed their families, the recurrence of cross-border violence, if not a third intifada, will be only a matter of time.
While the economic situation in Gaza is a critical issue, the future of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict will be determined mainly by the next steps in the peace process. Permanent-status issues concerning borders, the West Bank, Jerusalem and refugees must be dealt with bilaterally. Any serious observer of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict must acknowledge that there can be no unilateral solution to these issues.
As for the peace process's multilateral guarantors, the United States and its Quartet partners, they have so far failed to provide even the most basic facts regarding Israel's withdrawal or how it relates to the road map agreed on in 2003. They cannot continue to sit on the sidelines.
Washington's decision to call Israel's unilateral move part of the road map has failed to convince many Palestinians. The prevailing opinion among Palestinians is that the road map will be put in a deep freeze once the Israelis complete their Gaza withdrawal.
But the Palestinian and Israeli peoples, their leaders, and the international community must all respond to the challenges that will follow.
Most important, the future of the conflict and the chances for genuine peace in the region will depend on understanding the limits of offensive military power, of defensive resistance and of unilateralism. Serious face-to-face talks, in accordance with international law and with the help of the international community, are the only way forward.
The writer is a Palestinian journalist and the director of the Institute of Modern Media at Al Quds University in Ramallah. His e-mail is info@daoudkuttab.com.
© 2005 The Washington Post Company
','',1,4,0,17,'2005-08-21 00:00:00',62,'Daoud Kuttab','2010-12-08 12:21:01',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2006-05-29 13:08:10','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','pageclass_sfx=\nback_button=\nitem_title=1\nlink_titles=\nintrotext=1\nsection=0\nsection_link=0\ncategory=0\ncategory_link=0\nrating=\nauthor=\ncreatedate=\nmodifydate=\npdf=\nprint=\nemail=\nkeyref=\ndocbook_type=',1,0,123,'','',0,501),(38,'Make sure \'Gaza first\' is not \'Gaza last\'','','RAMALLAH, West Bank - As Palestinian factions vie for credit for Israel's disengagement from Gaza, many forget that the success really belongs to the ordinary men, women and children of Palestine who have remained in their homeland during 38 years of devastating occupation and clung to the belief in the justice of their cause. The disengagement is a direct result of their patience and resilience, and now the occupation has only one direction to go - backward.
Serious risks and challenges lie ahead, however. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon of Israel has learned that there is a price to pay for oppressing and dispossessing the Palestinian people. But instead of embracing a negotiated peace based on international law, he has used limited tactical unilateral actions to deflect attention in other directions.
His tactics have laid three main challenges in front of the Palestinian people.
First, Palestinian mismanagement of the Gaza Strip would encourage critics to claim that Palestinians are unfit for self-rule.
We can avoid this by holding fair democratic elections in the legislative council, municipalities and all representative bodies, making sure competition between factions is expressed only through the ballot box, in a peaceful and pluralistic manner. Forcing opinions on people using violence, intimidation, favoritism and patronage must be avoided at all costs.
Rumors that the evacuated lands might be monopolized by influential members of the Palestinian political establishment can easily be dispensed with if the Palestinian Authority follows the rule of law with complete transparency when allocating the lands. Privately owned land must be returned to its rightful owners, and public lands must remain under public domain to be used for the public good.
Second, many fear that Israel's "disengagement" is nothing more than a redeployment that will render Palestinian sovereignty in Gaza impossible. If Israel removes its settlers and soldiers but maintains control over all access to Gaza by land, sea and air, the strip will remain an isolated, impoverished prison. Palestinians must insist on complete Palestinian control over the Gaza coastline and the border with Egypt, with no Israeli interference or supervision.
Third, Sharon's attempt to use the disengagement to cut Gaza off from the West Bank and freeze the peace process indefinitely presents the biggest challenge.
Further delay gives Sharon time to impose more facts on the ground [in the West Bank] that prejudice final-status negotiations. By continuing to build the Wall, expand settlements and slice East Jerusalem off the political map, Sharon is attempting to impose a unilateral final resolution that is unacceptable to the Palestinian people and at odds with international law.
Sharon's vision of bartering Gaza for East Jerusalem and vast and vital areas of the West Bank would destroy the dream of Palestinian statehood and replace it with a nightmare of isolated, impoverished cantons, similar to the bantustans that black South Africans rejected under apartheid. It could mean a third intifada.
After the disengagement, Sharon faces a precarious internal political situation. Those who seek peace must immediately act to ensure that the redeployment from Gaza transitions into a comprehensive withdrawal from all settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. International law unequivocally states that the settlements in Gaza have no legitimacy. The settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem are held under the same illegal belligerent occupancy and must likewise be dismantled and evacuated.
To become agents of our own destiny, Palestinians must follow three steps. The first is to call for an international peace conference like the one held in Madrid in 1991. This will end the political freeze that Sharon is trying to impose. It will open for discussion critical issues such as the East Jerusalem settlements, final borders and the rights of refugees. It will engage the international community in the negotiations, which Israel has long sought to prevent. And, most important, it will re-establish international law as the basis by which the Palestinian/Israeli conflicts must be solved.
The second step is to take the International Court of Justice ruling that Israel's Wall is contrary to international law to the United Nations and demand that the ruling be enforced by nonviolent means such as sanctions until Israel complies.
Finally, the nonviolent struggle against the Wall and settlements must continue in Palestine and around the world in order to maintain strong grassroots and civil society pressure against Israel's illegal policies.
Today we and all who have stood with us in our struggle for peace and freedom celebrate the removal of illegal settlements from Gaza. But we must remain vigilant in order to harness the momentum of this process and take it to its logical conclusion - a sovereign Palestinian state in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem.
(Dr. Mustafa Barghouthi, general secretary of the Palestinian National Initiative, was a candidate in the Palestinian presidential elections in January. )
','',1,4,0,17,'2005-08-19 00:00:00',62,'Mustafa Barghouti - International Herald Tribune','2010-12-08 12:21:01',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2006-05-29 13:09:06','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','pageclass_sfx=\nback_button=\nitem_title=1\nlink_titles=\nintrotext=1\nsection=0\nsection_link=0\ncategory=0\ncategory_link=0\nrating=\nauthor=\ncreatedate=\nmodifydate=\npdf=\nprint=\nemail=\nkeyref=\ndocbook_type=',1,0,120,'','',0,450),(39,'The Myth of Irreversibility','','In the mid-80s Meron Benvenisti, an Israeli researcher on the West Bank and Gaza, came up with the term irreversibility when referring to the difficulty that will be met to reverse the trend of Jewish settlement activities in the Palestinian territories. His concept, which was well intended and has a lot of merit, has been dealt a blow by the Israeli government and army.
Within six days, as long as it took the Israeli army to occupy the rest of Palestine, Israeli soldiers emptied out all the Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip, as well as four northern West Bank colonies. The fact that the number of days it took to evacuate the illegal settlers is equal to those it took to occupy Sinai, the Golan Heights and the rest of Palestine goes to show that neither occupation nor the reversal of occupation is irreversible.
Using Gaza to debunk the myth of irreversibility is not fair. The key to the issue of irreversibility, of course, will be what happens in the rest of the West Bank and Jerusalem. But irrespective of how the situation will evolve after Gaza, one thing is clear: when there is a political will, there suddenly is a way.
So then, what is the key to this political will that was able to defeat what was called the orange tide (in reference to the color used by opponents to the withdrawal) and go against religious Jews and a good part of the Israeli public?
Palestinians would differ tremendously on this issue. At first, Palestinians were extremely skeptical of the Israeli intentions. Will they leave from part of Gaza or from all of it? Will they truly allow freedom of movement in and out of Gaza, as well as provide services needed until then?
A very astute Israeli official pointed me to the official document of disengagement on the Israeli prime minister's website. While the document (produced in 2004) does answer some questions about the long-term goals of Israel - namely that they are planning to leave Gaza completely and to eventually give up the border crossing with Egypt and the port, it doesn't answer the more immediate questions of what will happen once the Israeli army leaves Gaza, which many said could be as early as mid-September.
The most recent agreement between Egypt and Israel to allow 750 Egyptian soldiers to be on the Egyptian side of the border ( Camp David Agreement prohibited that) will make the possibility of the Egyptian border free of Israelis closer to reality.
Of course, the most important news item that Palestinians are waiting to hear has to do with the airport. This international airport that was inaugurated by former US president Bill Clinton is now in ruins, after Israeli bulldozers ripped its runway apart. Israelis are refusing to allow work on the airport, which seems to have been sacrificed by Sharon in his internal political horse trading. Palestinian Civil Affairs Minister Mohammad Dahlan has made it clear that the PA will start work on fixing the runway the second the Israeli soldiers leave the Strip.
What is of urgent need is a response to the Israeli desire to have Palestinians declare that the occupation in Gaza is over. They would love this statement before Sharon goes to New York for the upcoming UN General Assembly, but it is highly unlikely as long as the airport and the airspace are under Israeli control. But if the Israelis have suddenly become interested in abiding by international law, they have to rectify a long list of violations to the Geneva Conventions which, among other things, forbids imprisoning indigenous residents in their own country, as well as continued settlement activity and the illegal annexation of Jerusalem (and the Syrian Golan Heights).
The speedy reversing of the situation in Gaza gives much hope to concerned Palestinians in Jerusalem and the West Bank. No one is naive to think that the reversibility of 38 years of occupation and settlement in the West Bank will be that easy. But with continued determination on the part of the Palestinians, clever political management by the Palestinian leadership and the determination of the international community, what seemed impossible and irreversible a while back can become the fulfillment of the peaceful aspirations of Palestinians and of many in Israel.
','',1,4,0,17,'2005-08-26 00:00:00',62,'Daoud Kuttab, The Jordan Times','2010-12-08 12:21:01',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2006-05-29 13:11:12','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','pageclass_sfx=\nback_button=\nitem_title=1\nlink_titles=\nintrotext=1\nsection=0\nsection_link=0\ncategory=0\ncategory_link=0\nrating=\nauthor=\ncreatedate=\nmodifydate=\npdf=\nprint=\nemail=\nkeyref=\ndocbook_type=',1,0,115,'','',0,471),(40,'Stop the Wall Campaign on the Withdrawal','','"The current phase of the Zionist project in the systematic plan to uproot the Palestinian people -- a policy that began in the last century and persists until today -- is about to unleash a new disaster on Palestine through ghettoisation and renewed colonisation. Re-focusing the struggle under these conditions leads us to consider: How will the PA challenge the realities being carved out by the occupation? What do the Palestinian political parties and factions plan to do? Is there a national program to confront this plan and strengthen the resistance? Is there a national programme to mobilise Palestinians all over the world? Or do we just wait for another Israeli decision to evacuate a few settlements here and there, accepting the new conditions that come along with it? "Walls and ghettoes, frustrated aspirations, until the world wakes up, define Palestinian political horizons as the occupation marches forward," writes Maren Karlizky*.
---------------------------------
Without doubt, the Zionist occupiers of Palestine did not evacuate the Gaza settlers out of good will. The occupation understood that it would never be able to defeat Palestinians in Gaza; that despite all the Israeli massacres, atrocities and sieges, the Palestinian resistance could not be broken. Israel failed in its attempts to create internal Palestinian conflict in Gaza. It became a costly and heavy burden for the Zionists and a perpetual source of fear for its soldiers and settlers.
Yet amidst Palestinian "victory" celebrations -- led by various political forces, and the media fanfare that included live Arab and international coverage of every step of the settler evacuation -- the Palestinian people look on with frustration, knowing full well that Israel will make them pay a heavy price for the so-called "disengagement". In the West Bank, while the construction of apartheid ghettoes and gates, the expansion of settlements and the opening of new settler bypass roads accelerate, Gaza is becoming 365-square kilometer prison. The image of Gazan workers lining-up at the Erez checkpoint is inscribed in our memory, and the West Bank seems destined for a similar future. Concurrently, Jerusalem is treated as if it was already ethnically cleansed and all opportunities to save it have been extinguished.
Escaping from Gaza has been an age-old Israeli dream, growing in persistence since the first Intifada. Yitzhak Rabin infamously wished "the sea would swallow Gaza," but it is the current political machinations of the occupation -- and the increased international complicity with them -- that convinced Israel that the "disengagement" would not resemble a second "South Lebanon" but instead cut-off Gaza with walls and fences serving as a distraction from the real aims of the occupation.
This involves first and foremost, disconnecting Gaza from the Palestinian cause while maintaining stronger and exclusive control over the West Bank. Gaza throughout the years of occupation has been the flame of resistance, considered by Israel as a terrifying battlefield. Resistance in Gaza was strengthened by the occupation's continuous crimes and further catalysed by the dense population of the Strip and the presence of the largest refugee camps, which long gave Gaza the feel of being one single refugee camp. Today, the attempt to disconnect Gaza is reminiscent of the Camp David agreement between Egypt and Israel in 1979, which succeeded in neutralising Egypt's role in the Palestinian cause. The overall blow to the Arab and Palestinian liberation movement facilitated the occupation's invasion of Lebanon in 1982, as Israel sought to totally eradicate the Palestinian resistance.
Meanwhile, the project of sealing Palestinians into disparate prisons throughout the West Bank is accelerated and will lead to a new reality that will force the people into intensified popular Intifada. Fully aware of this, the occupation wants to deal with the West Bank alone, away from the heavyweight resistance in Gaza. It seeks to forge a scenario in which Gaza will be alienated from the struggle for Palestine, tied down by new chains, and reduced to an observer of Zionist expansion as other Arab states have been for years. Or, in the case of continued Palestinian resistance, Gaza will enter into some kind of internal conflict with the Palestinian Authority (PA), which undertook responsibility for "security", while Israeli air missiles would burn the land and the people in response to actions it disapproves of.
Second, further demographic "engineering", in the occupation's equation of a racist "Jewish state." As the Mofaz recently stated, the disengagement will make fundamental demographic changes in favour of Israel's interests. Current estimates show that the number of Palestinians in all of Mandate Palestine is equal to the Jewish presence. By cutting-off the Gaza Strip, the occupation is able to remove 1.3 million Palestinians from its equation. Sharon in his latest visit to France declared that he plans to bring a million Jews from all over the world to Palestine in aid of settlers already engaged in the colonisation of the country. If these plans are realised, an even larger Jewish "demographic capacity" of colonisation and expulsion will be created to secure the goals of the apartheid wall. Ghettoised in already crowded residential areas, future Palestinian generations will be denied living space, facing "voluntary" expulsion, while refugees of 1967 will have no place to return to in the West Bank.
Third, controlling the political direction. As impossible and costly the control inside Gaza was for the occupation, the unilateral Israeli decision to evacuate settlers has been presented as the only political initiative on the table to the maximum profit of the occupiers. It has been drawn up after internal Israeli negotiations, regardless of the American or international position, negating any presence of a PA, while disingenuously bypassing even the rhetoric of the American-initiated "roadmap". Israel has determined the how, the when, the conditions and the role of the PA vis-à-vis the "disengagement", and thus set the rules that will determine any future "negotiations". These rules have been completely accepted by the PA, and reaped the praise of the US and Europe.
This comes as little surprise given the influence of the Oslo agreements on the current political climate, for it was Oslo which attempted to remove the liberating aspect of the Palestinian revolution, turning the Palestinian cause into aspirations for an illusionary state. The Palestinian struggle for freedom and independence has been changed into a so-called "conflict of lands and borders", with even the word occupation absent from political circles and recent conferences like Sharm El-Sheikh
and London.
What is next? In a few weeks' time, the tears will dry up and the dust of celebrations of "liberation" will settle. We will wake up in a new reality with familiar scenarios. Gaza a big prison surrounded by walls, plagued by a crippled, sabotaged infrastructure, high levels of unemployment, a devastated economy dependent on its Israeli paymaster, social problems and the severe polarisation of political forces that will add to the anxiety and fears of ordinary Palestinians.
The sea remains besieged, borders, water and electricity under complete control by the occupation. The West Bank meanwhile, sliced into a series of miserable Bantustans and surrounded by walls and gates, with expanding settlements swallowing what is left of the lands. Open-air prisons and ghettoes are shaping a reality in which life is impossible.
In Jerusalem, the ethnic cleansing project that started with the city's occupation continues with the wall expelling Palestinian presence from their capital. Next month more than 120,000 Jerusalemites will be separated from both Jerusalem and compatriots in the West Bank. They will lose their right to reside in the city (racist laws of the occupation declared them "temporary" residents since the beginning of the occupation of the Jerusalem). At the same time, thousands of Israeli housing units will be added to existing colonies while new settlements are being built in a massive Judaization campaign for Jerusalem.
The current phase of the Zionist project in the systematic plan to uproot the Palestinian people -- a policy that began in the last century and persists until today -- is about to unleash a new disaster on Palestine through ghettoisation and renewed colonisation. Re- focusing the struggle under these conditions leads us to consider: How will the PA challenge the realities being carved out by the occupation? What do the Palestinian political parties and factions plan to do? Is there a national programme to confront this plan and strengthen the resistance? Is there a national programme to mobilise Palestinians all over the world? Or do we just wait for another Israeli decision to evacuate a few settlements here and there, accepting the new conditions that come along with it?
In this critical moment, what we ask from our supporters worldwide is not to find ways to make the Israeli project "less painful" but to follow the lead of the daily grassroots resistance in the struggle for our freedom and the goals of genuine liberation and justice.
* The writer is coordinator of the grassroots Palestinian anti-apartheid wall campaign, www.stopthewall.org.
','',1,4,0,17,'2005-09-03 00:00:00',62,'Maren Karlizky','2010-12-08 12:21:01',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2006-05-29 13:12:41','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','pageclass_sfx=\nback_button=\nitem_title=1\nlink_titles=\nintrotext=1\nsection=0\nsection_link=0\ncategory=0\ncategory_link=0\nrating=\nauthor=\ncreatedate=\nmodifydate=\npdf=\nprint=\nemail=\nkeyref=\ndocbook_type=',1,0,110,'','',0,501),(41,'Israel imposes Wall & gate system around Bethlehem\'s Al Numan Village','','\r\n{mosimage}Al Numan Village is a prison now due to the Israeli Wall inside the West Bank. This village is southeast of Bethlehem, on hill of 5,000 dunams of land. The Israeli built several major settlements in the area, including Har Hama imposed on the Abu Ghneim Mountain that was once a popular picnic spot for Bethlehem residents.\r\n
\r\n','\r\nAt the new “entrance” to Al Numan Village, Israeli soldiers occupy a gate which is now the sole outlet for the Palestinians who live there to reach Bethlehem, the nearest city.\r\n
\r\n\r\nAl Numan is near Sur Bahar Village in the Jerusalem District, and is part of Bethlehem as well but nearest to Beit Sahour.\r\n
\r\n\r\nThe mountain has a view of Haram Al Sharif in Jerusalem’s Old City Al Aqsa Mosque. This is a strategic point for the Israelis as they continue the takeover of Jerusalem. The village is surrounded, as is Jerusalem, with settlers and settlements and Israeli military installations, checkpoints and roadblocks.\r\n
\r\n\r\nThe Land Defense Committee Chair in the Village said that recently Israeli soldiers imposed a gate, described as “huge.” He reports that Israeli forces decide when to open and close the gate, and whom they wish to allow through or not. There is no rhyme or reason, except that any Palestinian not holding an Israeli permission slip has no chance at all.\r\n
\r\n\r\nStudents cannot reach their schools as they were enrolled in Beit Sahour elementary and secondary schools, the city directly to the east of Bethlehem. After invasive inspections, some are allowed through, others not. University students are in an impossible situation trying to reach Al Quds University in Abu Dis on the eastern road between Bethlehem and Jerusalem.\r\n
\r\n\r\nThe Committee Chairperson told PNN on Monday that Al Numan Village students who make it through the Israeli soldiers at the gate are often an hour or two late to school. He also explained that now any Palestinian who is not a resident of the village is not allowed to enter, even if coming to visit relatives. This is similar to the situation in Al Mawasi in the southern Gaza Strip which was closed for years and became the most devastated and impoverished area in all of Palestine.\r\n
\r\n\r\nAdditionally, Israeli forces now prevent trucks from entering carrying supplies such as vegetables and fruits. This was also the case in Al Mawasi. The only point can be to drive the population out in order to overtake the strategic location as the Israeli administration continues its slow yet steady process of ethnically cleansing the West Bank of its population. They add Israeli settlers and put Palestinians behind Walls and gates. It is only a matter of years before the “1894 Map of Israel” is fulfilled. Delivery trucks are allowed to enter every four to five days. \r\n
\r\n\r\nAnd with the Israeli electrical fences now surrounding the village, its electrical supply is tapped. Instead of the electricity going to light village homes, it is bypassed to the fence and half the nights are spent in darkness at the hands of the Israeli-controlled Jerusalem District Electric Company.\r\n
\r\n',1,1,0,23,'2006-05-29 15:09:06',62,'(Bethlehem) Najib Farag','2010-12-08 12:22:06',62,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2006-05-29 14:49:23','0000-00-00 00:00:00','prison4.jpg|left||0||bottom||','','pageclass_sfx=\nback_button=\nitem_title=1\nlink_titles=\nintrotext=1\nsection=0\nsection_link=0\ncategory=0\ncategory_link=0\nrating=\nauthor=\ncreatedate=\nmodifydate=\npdf=\nprint=\nemail=\nkeyref=\ndocbook_type=',6,0,64,'','',0,1653),(42,'About Us','','Palestine News Network
Independent Palestinian News Agency
We are a group of independent Palestinian journalists and editors who work on a strictly professional level without favoring one political party over another or any religion over another.
We report from a Palestinian perspective as we see that the media is rife with Israeli sources. We strive to empower the Palestinian people and their cause, particularly that of nonviolent resistance to occupation. We began in 2002 and have radio, television, and several languages to choose from on our website. PNN has won the confidence of the people in addition to local and international press agencies by providing quick, accurate, credible and objective news.
We offer a desk-top news ticker, SMS service and widget capabilities for our breaking news. PNN also works to provide media services to institutions and individuals, both local and foreign. Through its television production division, the network produces documentaries and also assists in their production for those seeking this service. PNN offers photography, director and montage services in addition to providing the necessary facilities required for this line of work.
PNN is the first Palestinian internet radio station that broadcasts around the clock by putting a number of taped and live programs on the website, to which a web user can listen.
PNN endorses the idea of supporting and strengthening the role of the local Palestinian media through unifying news sources and publishing news bulletins simultaneously to a number of radio stations in the West Bank and Gaza. Given that PNN has a network of professional reporters and editors distributed throughout the West Bank and Gaza Strip and since a number of them work with local Palestinian radio stations, PNN decided to take on this pioneer role to strengthen and endorse the local media and hence help to build Palestinian society in reaching its utmost potential.
Our team is spread throughout the Middle East and Europe, including Paris, Cairo, Beirut, Amman, and everywhere in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip.
We do not necessarily "lead with the blood of the day," but that is a part of the daily life experienced by the residents of the land. However, other aspects of life are equally important including culture, art, internal politics, finance, effects of the occupation on all aspects of life, and foremost the nonviolent Palestinian resistance.
','',1,0,0,0,'2006-05-30 10:31:07',62,'','2008-12-01 05:50:43',67,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2006-05-30 10:28:37','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','menu_image=-1\nitem_title=0\npageclass_sfx=\nback_button=\nrating=0\nauthor=0\ncreatedate=0\nmodifydate=0\npdf=\nprint=\nemail=',1,0,0,'','',0,23490),(43,'Letters to the Editor','','PLEASE SEND LETTERS TO THE EDITOR TO:
Kristen Ess, English Department Director
kristen@pnn.ps
1 October 2009
Dear Kristen Ess:
Thank you for writing about the tunnels in Silwan.
The community of Wadi Hilwah opened an information center about the political situation in Silwan.
You can get more information about this project on www.silwanic.net
Sincerely,
Fabienne van Eck
Volunteer in Silwan
Arab ministers are meeting in NY to coordinate action to stop settlement.
I can only see one possible way to reverse Palestinian fortunes, and not through any 'actions' on the part of Palestinians 'by themselves'. The power equation is simply too lopsided, and the opponent's goals and means too diabolical. Change will never come from the Zionist side. Since its 19th c inception, Zionism has had an unchanging goal, and only those who promote that goal, rise to the top of the Zionist organization (note a true Jew, a religious Jew who obeys the Torah, considers the Zionist goal a heresy).
The only solution, is through US actions, specifically and only by having US troops and PA security forces occupy Road 60, linking the West Bank's major population centers. Arafat's failure to have this (as part of Zone A) as part of the Oslo Accords may be the only avoidable mistake that Palestinian leadership has made.
We all know now, where other responses led. 20 years of negotiations, talks, discussions, meetings, that never lead to a just solution, as Zionists refuse to grant Palestinians right of return, security, or return to legal borders. Interminable negotiations are just a Zionist ploy, to steal more land.
Meanwhile 100 years of resistance, any kind of resistance, meets with a Zionist response of disproportionate force. However, violent resistance has proven worse, as it not only helps Zionist propaganda label the resistance as terrorist, but plays into the hands of the Zionist agenda. Sharon's provocations at the Temple and blockading Gaza are examples, that the Zionists welcome violence resistance from the native population, as they justify military occupation, expansion, apartheid, destruction of infrastructure, and other goals of its perverse military-industrial complex.
60 years of international condemnation has also been to no avail, as long as the US gives the Zionist cause unequivocal support. A score of UN resolutions, even Security Council resolutions, calling for an end to occupation, not only lack weight because of the UN's lack of resolve, but also meet with US knee-jerk vetoes.
In short, all of these recourses have led to further native Palestinian Diaspora and loss of land, lives, economy, and available options.
So, if US biased peace talks, US support for Zionist militarism, and US veto of otherwise universal pressure on Zionists to respect international law, are the reason for a failure to achieve a just peace, it follows that only a change in US foreign policy can reverse the Zionist agenda.
Congress is obviously a write-off. Even the Office of the President is Zionist-controlled. However, there is a growing constituency of more sane Zionists who see the danger of a de facto One state, where a demographic majority of Palestinians finally wake up, and demand the right to vote. Only a few Zionists openly support the third option, of ethnic cleansing of the native population, by openly violent means, while the current strategy of making life so uncomfortable that they willingly leave, does not appear to have worked. In fact, the reverse has happened, and Zionists are leaving in droves- because it is not their true home, and they didn't 'sign on' in order to serve in the Occupying Forces. Thus the support for Two states.
There could be Two-state Zionists in the White House Staff, however, they are obviously biased, and (through Obama) will present a proposal that denies right of return, ignores internationally recognized borders, and prevents Palestinians from defending themselves the next time Zionists attack.
How to out-wit them? Two steps. First, if they support Two-state, then they support a viable Palestinian state, and thus a contiguous one. The minimum contiguous Palestinian state, Zone A, is not just Road 60 itself, but contour lines of 200m. This is hardly controversial, for sincere 2-state Zionists.
Naturally the 'orthodox' Zionists will not accept this in 'talks'. Hence there must be US non-violent action, placing facts 'on the ground', where the President instructs General Dayton to place US forces (one battalion) in company with PA security forces, along Road 60, at first merely 'observing' Zionist occupation forces as they harass Palestinian civilians. That is, the first removal of occupying forces will be entirely non-confrontational, not only on the Palestinian side, but Zionists will not dare to shoot at US soldiers.
It's so easy!!!
Now, at this point, not only will Zionist Occupation Forces (ZOF) cease physical and verbal abuse of Palestinians, and routine incursions into Palestine cities, but more important from a strategic standpoint, 'Greater Israel' will be cut off from East of Road 60, that is, East Jerusalem, Hebron, the Jordan river.
For Arab ministers are looking for a way to stop Zionist 'settlement'. This is the only way.
Step two, before Zionists figure out some more 'tunnel and bridge' way around this, the Arab League must come in, and change its position, regarding Two states along the 67' border. If they do this, then the US in no longer needed. The AL, PLO and Quartet can take the rest of the 'initiative'.
The Zionists are not going to give up (cost) 'Greater Israel' in exchange for (benefit) peace, normalized relations, even alliance against Iran, and an end to international pariah status; however, once 'east of 60' is lost, they would be willing to do so, in exchange for a 'land swap' of a Gaza corridor for what little remains of the West bank settlements west of Road 60.
No one can predict how Zionists will react when Greater Israel east of Road 60 is cut off from them. So it is imperative that the Arab League support One state, offer Zionists a choice. Whenever Zionists say, 'but we want the land east of Road 60', the international community says 'well, One state..'.
Zionists will never accept living in a unitary One state with a native Palestinian majority. The few times 'One state' is publicly mentioned, this 'red line' is crossed, almost as if those mentioning it are trying to sabotage it. The Arab League has to support a non-majoritarian model of One state, specifically concurrent majorities, where each side has a veto. Every time Zionists say 'but we want the land east of Road 60', the international community says 'well, a Swiss-style' One state…'.
There would also be minor federal elements, such as Tel Aviv as an autonomous region.
The Zionists can have no reasonable objection to this Swiss-style One state, so there is a real possibility they will choose it, over losing all the 'work' they have done since 67' to achieve the original goal.
If the Zionists opt for Two states, then the Arab League can agree to an 'exchange rate' land swap formula that does not contradict their Initiative calling for respect for international borders.
But this is all details, the Occupation will be effectively over, the settlement project with it, and the initiative will have been seized from the (Zionist controlled) US.
NEIL SUTHERLAND (PhD)
17 September 2009
At today’s Trades Union Congress in Liverpool, the TUC have voted to support a boycott of Israeli goods grown on stolen Palestinian land. The debate caused much arguement and disagreement amongst union leaders. The Israeli lobby has always had a big influence, but the war on Gaza has generated a renewed anger at the Israeli bombardment. The rise in active support in the Trades Union Movement, for the Palestinian people, is becoming more vocal and proactive. Israeli lies and propaganda are wearing thin. Even the pro-Israel British Broadcasting Corporation has openly had to question the Israelis.
Palestinians NEVER give up! Viva Palestina!
neil garratt
19 August 2009
The large turnout in Bilin was to show solidarity with the prisoners from the village, it was an explicit call and many responded. Your article should have highlighted that point.
Anne Roberts
9 August 2009
Dear Ms Ess
Here is a framework and also a strategy, offering Israel a choice, rather than an ultimatum (i.,e., the demand for a freeze in settlement building), while also placing the issue within the realm of rule of law.
Without rule of law, international relations is anarchy, Not just 'might makes right', but no security. Israel's problem, is that it acts within this unrestrained context, but it wants 'peace' or security. This is not possible in an anarchic system. If Israel respects international borders, and the right of native Palestinians, then it will have no security threats.
The 'framework' should be based on this premise. Instead of a 'peace process' of 'negotiations' over borders that mimics bartering over sheep and cattle, there should be clear choices, with costs and benefits for each. The cost increases each time a party (Israel) further 'infringes' on the other's internationally recognized borders, and its viability as a state.
Based on this, Israel should be offered three choices, but with principles that amount to disincentives to encroachment. All three alternatives have the same security guarantees, and the same balanced right of return, so the only issue is borders. There are no (interminable) negotiations, Israel simply makes a choice.
Principle One. A respect for international law, where breaking these laws should not be rewarded.
In the case of Israel, if wants other State's land, then it will not be an 'equal' one-for-one (square kilometer each) exchange..
Principle Two. the Palestinian State must be Viable, beginning with what President Obama calls 'Contiguous'.
In concrete terms, this means that in the event of land-swap, Highway 60, linking Jenin, Neblus, Ramallah, East Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and Hebron, will lie entirely within Palestine.
As a side note, imagine that this is what the Obama administration has been targetting, and not a settlement freeze. General Dayton should be releaving all Israel Occupying Forces of their duty along this highway, replacing them with PA security. Which of the two actions would move Palestine closer toward a viable state, while halting settler expansionsim?
As part of the cost-benefit equation, as well as equal quality of land, most of the land-swap will go towards linking Gaza with the West bank of the Jordan, starting with the roads through Gilat. and most (10-to-1) will be north of this road (the south being Negev desert). To avoid 'gerrymandering', all new borders must be a regular form, vs. a serpentine. shape exceeding 'phi'.
Principle Three. the further Israel's desire to acquire land in Palestine, the higher the price.
In concrete terms, zone C land between the International Border and roads which make the West bank contiguous (596, 584, 574, 446,448, 354, also 578, 458) will exchanged at a price of for 2-to-1.
In zone B, the land between these roads and highway 60 will be exchanged at the rate of 8-to-1 (if more than 20 kilo from an above-mentioned city, then 4-to-1). For example, for a 20 square kilo total, 10 kilo in zone C and 10 in zone then B 10 x 2 = 20, 10 x 8 = 80, 20+ 80 = 100 square kilo, compared to all 20 in zone C = 40 square kilo. This is a necessary disincentive to Israel infringing on Palestine viablity.
To see the concrete cost-benefit of this method, if Israel decides on a total land grab of 400 sq kilo, then Palestine will get 1,000 sq kilo, a corridor between Gaza and West bank around 10 or twenty kilos in width - effectively cutting the Negev and Beer Sheba off from the rest of Israel.
At some point, these new Palestine borders would be flowing over large Israeli cities around Tel Aviv. So while land goes towards Gaza, it may also be around Galilee (southwest of Afula (road 60 and 65), then towards Acre (north of road 85).
Principle Four. if Israel wants a land deal that undermines Palestine viability, i.e., any land on the wrong side of highway 60, then it must accept a One-state (binational state), with a non-majoritarian Executive Council. I personally do not see this as a cost, but view a Swiss-style collegial system, as a tonic to what ails the 'holy land',
sincerely
neil sutherland (PhD)
cairo
4 August 2009
From Rabbi David Mivasair
Dear friends,
I have been reading your news service for several months. I appreciate it very much. I learn from it every time. Please stay strong and clear and continue your very valuable work.
David
11 June 2009
To the Editor at PNN (English):
Please post on your web site our letter to Palestinians urging them to vote and express their opinion regarding our two proposals -- one, for a U.N. commission (UNC) that would be tasked with determining the resolution of the Palestine-Israel conflict, and a second that advocates pursuing both a UNC and BDS (boycott, divestment, sanctions) efforts together as a maximally effective strategy to achieve justice for Palestinians and a sustainable peace in Palestine-Israel.
To the Palestinian people in the U.S., in Palestine, and in exile elsewhere:
We, a small group of local peacebuilders (unsponsored) in Santa Cruz, California, U.S., request that Palestinians please respond with their votes and opinions regarding our two proposals – one, for a U.N. commission (UNC) that would be tasked with determining the resolution of the Palestine-Israel conflict, and a second that advocates pursuing both a UNC and BDS (boycott, divestment, sanctions) efforts together as a maximally effective strategy to achieve justice for Palestinians and a sustainable peace in Palestine-Israel.
With this campaign, we are attempting to build consensus in the Palestinian community to support these proposals.
Please be aware that we have received the support of Dr. Mazin Qumsiyeh (in Bethlehem; co-founder of Al-Awda), who signed our petition (our proposed letter to President Obama demanding he take action in the U.N. to create such a commission) and told me that he supports it and also said that he, “believes the approach [UNC] can be complementary [to BDS]” and “the two projects could be moved forward together.” (See the petition here:
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/uncommissionmideastpeace/index.html
We have also received an endorsement of our UNC petition/letter to Obama and our proposed joint UNC/BDS strategy from Dr. Naseer Aruri, Chancellor Professor (Emeritus) of Political Science at the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth and Chair of the Board of Directors of the Trans-Arab Research Institute (according to Wikipedia). I asked Dr. Aruri to explain why he supports our initiatives and he told me, “I support the letter/petition to President Obama because he needs to know that our community cannot afford to remain passive about Palestinian independence, particularly when he calls publicly for stopping the construction of colonies in the West Bank. The last time a US president did this and was punished for it was when George Herbert Walker Bush threatened to link settlement building in and around Jerusalem with the loan guarantees in the Spring of 1990.
By combining this reminder to abide by international law, with the establishment of a UN Commission, as well as proceeding with BDS activities, we would signal to the White House and the US Congress that our community is no longer willing to tolerate the charade known as "peace process." A UN Commission is in itself a rejection of extending the carte blanche for the US to continue behaving as Israel's bank roller, chief diplomatic supporter, and chief weapons supplier.”
Please also be aware that endorsements of our UNC proposal have been received from former U.S. Senator James Abourezk and former U.S. Ambassador Edward L. Peck.
We anticipate (and we hope we are correct) that the Palestinian community will agree with Dr. Qumsiyeh, Dr. Aruri and our other supporters (e.g., other signers on our petition, thus far, such as Noah Salameh, founder CCRR, Bethlehem, and the Philadelphia chapter, ADC), and agree by consensus to support these proposals.
We believe that U.S. President Obama will take the actions to create a U.N. commission IF he receives a demand from an extremely large segment of the U.S. public that insists that he take such action. We also believe, if the Palestinian communities in the U.S. and in Palestine agree by consensus to support these proposals, that, with the support of the Palestinian people, we will then be able to assemble a national coalition (U.S.) of NGOs that will be capable of gathering an unprecedented number of signatures on the UNC petition/Obama letter that will convince the President to take action in the U.N. to create this commission. This is our general plan to achieve the goal of the creation of a U.N. commission -- we will, via the assembled resources of a national coalition, pursue a campaign to educate the public, advocate BDS, and gather signatures on the UNC petition/letter to Obama.
I, personally, believe that Joachim Martillo is correct in his assessment that, “the State of Israel may be a client state of America, but America is a client state of the American Jewish Zionist elite, which is probably in the process of establishing itself as the permanent national ‘meritocratic’ elite.” This is why the American people MUST act to demand that the President take this action in the U.N. -- otherwise, the President will continue to follow what he perceives to be the "best interests" of America that are being promoted by this elite – i.e., unequivocal support of Israel.
I also believe that the following statement, that Mr. Martillo also made, is probably accurate, as well: “Post-9/11 Islamophobic scare-mongering as well as the Iraqi occupation has created a growth industry in hardware and software for security, control, and checkpoints. This industry understands that its profitability depends on international policies that maintain conflict through unconditional support of Zionism.” (see: “Judonia Rising: The Israel Lobby and American Society,” http://www.eaazi.org/ThorsProvoni/JudoniaComplete/JudoniaCompleteA.htm
These facts and information that documents and illustrates the brutal, racist and unlawful/immoral ethnic cleansing of Palestine by Israel, I believe, are the key to attracting the attention of Americans and demonstrating to them that this nation (U.S.) has become something that is, in my opinion, repulsive.
The U.S. and Israel are two heads of the same monster as the leading exporters of militarism that maintain their standards of living to a significant degree by selling death and oppression to the parties that are involved in the conflicts they have created as a result of their colonialism, or support of it, and – what is really painful for me – their blatant disregard for human rights and the principles on which this country was founded (e.g., liberty, justice and equality). Such a UNC/BDS campaign to educate the public about these issues, that presents the ending of the conflict by achieving the goals in our proposals as a first step in the process of addressing a very large part of what is wrong in our society (U.S.) and globally (war, colonialism, oppression, massive violations of human rights, murder of innocents, dispossession – dare I say genocide – all of which are the root causes of terrorism), I believe, will be a very powerful and engaging campaign with a very real chance for success in realizing the objective: a U.N. commission.
Additionally, we continue to put forth our proposal for a U.N. commission as the best vehicle to be able to, as Karine MacAllister, former legal advisor for BADIL, states, “challenge Israel's rejection of international law as a valid framework capable of bringing a lasting solution to the conflict and its apartheid laws, policies and practices. She advises that, “it is necessary to … shift … back to … a struggle against apartheid and colonialism and occupation in all of mandate Palestine. In other words, only reparations based on an end to racial discrimination through the institutionalization of justice will end the conflict and bring peace.
Hence, the conflict will end when the colonizer and colonized live together, in equality, in all of Palestine. Until then, the racist and discriminatory laws, policies and practices of the state of Israel must be exposed and the government encouraged and pressured to annul its apartheid and colonial laws, policies and practices.” (see: MacAllister, Karine, “Applicability of the Crime of Apartheid to Israel,” al-Majdal, Issue No. 38 (Summer, 2008) )
So far, no one has presented to us any other way to accomplish this other than for the U.S. to use its influence to coerce Israel to accept a U.S. sponsored and U.N. mandated (via an international commission) resolution to the conflict.
We hope you will agree with our UNC petition/letter to Obama and our proposed joint UNC/BDS strategy, but agree or disagree, please cast your ballot and express your opinion regarding both of these initiatives as described below. We also ask you to please make the commitment to engage in the process of building consensus by following and participating in the discussions that may result from Palestinians expressing their opinions – which may include some disagreements -- about these proposals. Until all of us have determined otherwise, we see these proposals as having a real potential to end this conflict and, therefore, any investment in time and effort is well worth the sacrifice, in our opinion.
How to cast your ballot/vote: We do not yet have funding for this project and we do not have a web site. So, we must make use of publicly available resources for this voting process. We have set up four Google newsgroups for this purpose. Please cast your ballot using these four newsgroups as follows:
Please submit either an “agree” or “disagree” vote for both proposals – the UNC petition and the proposed joint UNC/BDS strategy – by sending an email as described below on two of these newsgroups that “match” your two votes. Here are the four newsgroups …
Palestineisrael.uncommission.petition.agree
Palestineisrael.uncommission.petition.disagree
Palestineisrael.uncbds.strategy.agree
Palestineisrael.uncbds.strategy.disagree
So, for example, if you agree with both proposals, please send two emails to the email addresses on both the “agree” newsgroups – one on the Palestineisrael.uncommission.petition.agree newsgroup and one on the Palestineisrael.uncbds.strategy.agree newsgroup.
Please see the instructions on the home page of the newsgroup for the specific information we would like you to send in each of the emails.
We thank everyone for your participation in our attempt to build consensus in the Palestinian community to support our proposal for a U.N. commission. We believe that this combined approach – a UNC and parallel BDS efforts – would be the most effective and strategic campaign to achieve justice and peace. The UNC will offer Israel a “carrot” – an opportunity to engage with the Palestinians in true peacebuilding and fulfill its obligations to the U.S. and Arab nations in existing peace plans. Conversely, BDS is the “stick” that demonstrates that they, the Israeli government, must accept the carrot (a UNC) being offered to prevent the state of Israel from succumbing to an economic collapse. Joining these two approaches, a UNC and BDS, as an overall strategy appears to have the potential to create a synergistic affect that may be the successful formula to achieve justice and a sustainable peace. We hope you will agree.
John French
Administrator
Coalition for U.N. Commission3 June 2009
Dear Palestine News Network,
I would like to add to your news article on the village of Marda (02.06.09) You readers may be interested to know I have visited this village several times with other peace activists for the olive harvests with the organisations Zaytoun/IWPS. Marda has featured in two documentary films I have made on these trips. These films have been broadcast on three TV channels around the world so far. They are available for sale and for campaign work. Plus they can be viewed for free from the website:-
www.BristolComputers4Palestine.co.uk
The more people can see the injustice happening in Marda and in so many other places throughout Palestine, the sooner there will be pressure on our Governments to stop Israel's continued theft of land, livelihoods, and hope.
Yours..............Ed Hill
27 May 2009
I attempted to e-mail L.A.Times article re: Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman attempt to outlaw "Nakba." Also requiring oath of allegiance for anyone appyling for a national identity card.
I will send a copy of the article. A reasonable person would conclude this man is a racist and has lost contact with reality. From the ridiculous to the sublime. Yes I am angry,very angry. These zionists are not sincere about peace and coexsistence.
Sincerely
Mark L. Lamar
Just wanted to let you know I personally support the creation of a Palestinian state with a seat in the United Nations. Israel and the Zionist movement have proven again and again and again that they are far too unethical, brutal and incompetent to rule over the lives of their own people let alone the lives of other people in a productive and healthy manner!
Sincerely,
Dr Harold Mandel
Reporter
Mandel News Service
http://www.mandelnews.com
10 May 2009
re: barghouthi on netanyahu
what a great summary of what has happend to the paletinians and what will unfold.This article should be placed on every leaders desk on this planet so they can get an accurate assessment of what is really happening in palestine!
keep up the pressure and truth and hopefully breakthroughs will occur.
Dennis Pacelli
25 April 2009
God Can Wait
On Friday April 25, the Palestine News Network reported “Egyptian Minister of Awqaf, Mahmoud Hamdi Zaqzoug wrote an appeal calling on hundred’s of thousands of Muslims to visit Jerusalem every year. He referred to this move as a pilgrimage on the level of Mecca.
The Minister was also quoted as saying that “the move would compel the Israelis to recognize the holy city as the capital of Palestinians”.
I would like to thank the Minister for his comment, however, I would like to remind him that the Palestinian struggle is not about religion, God or the prophets, it is a struggle against colonialism, imperialism, racism and occupation. Further, the Palestinian struggle for a homeland includes Jerusalem, as well as every city, town, village and hamlet in the West Bank and Gaza including the right of return to all those Palestinians who have endured decades of brutal and sub human living conditions in refugee camps. While doing so, they relied on very limited UN charity that has not exceeded seven cents per day, per person.
In a way, I have a feeling that Israel would welcome such a move and gladly accept “hundred’s of thousands” of Muslims coming to visit the Islamic holy places. The hard cash the Muslim pilgrimages bring with them into Israel would boost the Israeli economy and further asserts their grip on the occupied land.
Further, the Minister’s statement demolishes the Palestinian hope of ever achieving a just and comprehensive solution in which they have been struggling to achieve for the past 6 decades.
Minister Zaqzouq’s statement lacks in substance and objectivity, therefore, it is misleading and damaging to the Palestinian cause.
The Egyptian Minister firmly declares that “Jerusalem is not just a Palestinian or Arab issue, it’s an Islamic issue”.
By making such a statement, the Egyptian Minister robs the Palestinians of their right to live in peace and be independent and free thinkers in their own state Palestine. It further undermines the fact that Jerusalem is a Holy city that has been blessed of hosting the three most believed in prophets in the world making it Holy not only for Muslims, but also for Christians and Jews to worship in. However and not until the Israeli occupation comes to an end and the Palestinians have secured their own state Palestine and their rights are fully restored to them, I suggest that God and his advocates would have to wait.
Mitri I. Musleh
17 April 2009
Jazakum Allah Khairan good website for News in English
Nabila
15 April 2009
what a thorough yet concise history of what is really happening in palestine.
keep up the great work!
Dennis P
USA
13 March 2009
I am writing for the third time, but this is on a lighter note, I have written and submitted a message to the White House, and hope to receive a response. I wrote regarding the United States' ties with Israel and called for Obama to make a decision between being like the Pro-Zionist George W. Bush, or the Pro-Peace Jimmy Carter, though in honesty, I wish he would take a much firmer Pro-Palestinian stance. I also called for him to back the ICC decision to investigate and charge the Israeli War-Machine. I will notify you of any further developments and updates as they arise.
Jacob Bradham
27 February 2009
I would just like to say that I appreciate your website and all you do for the Palestinian people. Those of us who are here in the US support you 100% and need people like you so we know what actually is going on as oppossed to what we hear on the mainstream news everyday. Theres not much I can offer in support of my people from here, but at least we can know the truth thanks to your good work, Thank You.
Chris Martha
23 February 2009
Dear PNN,
We are a non political forum of Pakistani citizens who gathered online to help out our brother and sisters who became a victim of Israeli invassion. We sent a team of doctors to Gaza along with millions of worth medical equipment. Our doctors were stopped at Rafah but the aid reached the hospital i Gaza. more details are on http://www.save-humans.org
We are planning to send more aid inshaAllah and need your support. Will you please just give the link of our website on
your website. ? Secondly we need a blogger who can blog from within the Gaza strip. We will be helpful if you can assist in this.
Thanks
Sufyan Kakakhel
17 January 2009
Atfaluna Society for Deaf Children
I wanted to know if you have any news about the safety of the Atfaluna Society in Gaza. I have a United Palestinian Appeal sponsored child, Kholoud Awni El Masri, who attends the school and I'm so concerned about her safety. If you have any information, please let me know. I would very much appreciate it.
I am so outraged and saddened by what is going on in Gaza. As a US citizen, I will do all in my power to see that all aid, financial and military, to Israel is stopped immediately.
Thank you. I stand in solidarity with Palestine.
May Casagrand
14 January 2009
Dear Editor,
I wanted to take this time to express my solidarity with the Palestinian people. Their are many of us in the US that are not so blind to your situation. I have over the years kept asking myself the simple question of 'why?' Before 9/11 I never questioned much of went on in the middle east. But afterward I questioned the stories the US media shoved down our throats. I did research, I looked into Islam, went to 2 Mosques, became friends with several people of middle eastern decent. I have looked into this all with a open mind, I want to understand.
During the 2006 invasion of Lebanon, I really was getting mad, I started learning about the Israeli war machine. I talked with Lebanese Americans to get their view point. I looked at the typical American view points. I had to look at the 'War on Terror'. Well what I learned made me again upset. I came to the simple conclusion 'One mans terrorist, is another mans freedom fighter'. When taken in that view and taking in the atrocities of the Israeli occupiers, could I really hold absolute fault against these organizations. While I do not support terrorism, I can at least view the situation with a open mind. Something very few Americans are willing to do.
The current destruction of the Palestinian people is beyond war crimes, it is a crime against humanity. My true awakening to the Palestinian plight was just recent. I honestly had no idea of how bad things where. I looked at maps of the original 47' boundries, I looked again at 49', Again in 67-69', 2000, 06, and today at 08. Thats when I truly understood what Israel was doing. Systematically wiping out a race of people. You the palestinians have existed since the dawn of time in what is known as the 'Fertile Crecent', the cradle of civilization. In my mind you should be able to live in peace and have your lands.
I can't speak for all Americans, but I want the Palestinian people to understand, not all Americans blindly support the American/Israeli agenda. And I am sure that most American citizen veiwpoints of Israeli support are based on false information and simple ignorance. Its quite ironic in this age of Information where all is available to see via the internet, still most Americans continue to remain ignorant of both sides of the story.
In the end the Palestinian people have my support. I understand. Keep up the fight, don't ever give up. Its not just about land, its about the people. Do not lose hope, you will win.
(as a note I have written to local US newspaper editors 3 times, none of my articles have been published)
Robert Calhoun
USA
12 January 2009
My heart is full of sadness for the tragedy you are suffering. Please use all the media tools you have to give the whole world a picture of what you are witnessing that has been caused by Israeli violence. It goes beyond religion the solidarity I can send you.
Fabio from Rome
11 January 2009
Dear Editor,
Our family wishes to express its solidarity with the Palestinian people against the barbaric invasion of Gaza by Israel, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of civilians. The Palestinians are the rightful heirs to the lands of the occupied West Bank and Gaza, having lived there since Biblical times.
We deplore the mistreatment and segregation of Palestinians by Israel, the continued expansion of settlements, the desecration of Islamic and Palestinian historic and holy sites, the construction of walled ghettos, the imposition of embargos and blockades, and the unresolved refugee crises.
Our family happens to be Palestinian and Jewish- my wife is of Palestinian descent from El Salvador- but it is my conscience rather than her Palestinian heritage that implores me to write this letter and advocate for the Palestinians.
This is the first time in my life I have supported Arab causes over Israel's but I have seen the light now. We must pray for peace and justice for the Palestinians.
Harry and Ana Katz
10 January 2009
Dear Editor,
One thing I very much admire about PNN is the section devoted to non-violent resistance... that in and of itself sends a powerful message. A message that needs to be heard. And it is an inspiring message as well as an approach that keeps me returning to read more and more on your site. I can not say the same for other sites that in my opinion have the wrong priorities.
Anyway... I was very VERY impressed today by the excellent op-ed "Don't call it Gaza, it's Palestine" by Hesham Tillawi, PhD which echoes and explains exactly what I see and feel concerning Israel's psychological warfare, specifically its long term and highly manipulative tactics and intentional sabotage... and the way both war camp and peace camp tend to play everyone away from respecting Palestine in multiple places as well as multiple ways.
American newspapers might actually be interested in publishing such an intriguing and interesting perspective explaining Israeli war games and I would encourage the author to please submit this revealing op-ed to mainstream American newspapers in hopes that it can reach a larger audience- and hopefully help Americans (both the people and our politicians and pundits) better understand what has really been going on in the Middle East. Granted there is very much a Zionist propaganda war going on in our American newspapers- but that's no reason to give up before you even start! We still have a free press. Write to America- for America... make it so that mainstream America might understand and care about Palestine, before there is nothing left to save.
However (ever so reluctantly) I have to point out one major flaw with the op-ed "Don't call it Gaza, it's Palestine" as currently written. If you want to be winning over an American audience, including mention of Iraq and the US changes the character of the op-ed to sound more like the point of the op-ed is to bash America. Be very wary of Zionist tactics and traps: Zionist propagandists are in overdrive right now to trying to prove to America that Israel is America's friend and that Palestinians are America's enemy. Don't help them. Be wary... and careful.
In any case- please keep up the good work.
Sincerely
Anne Selden Annab
10 January 2009
I’m Sorry
This will be the second time I've written this site, but this is the first time I've written with such a pain in my heart. Every time I watch the independent news (LinkTV's Democracy Now) I'm hit with the images of the atrocities in Gaza; children being carried down the street, all of them stiff and pale, the majority of them dead. One image that particularly struck me was one of a child's arm sticking out from the rubble of a building. Another wasn't even a child; it was a man, probably around his mid-twenties, on a stretcher being carried away and as they moved, it became clear that his right leg was practically removed from his body. On one of their programs, a man named Gunness (I hope I spelled that correctly), who works for the UN was talking rather frantically about Israel bombing a pair of UN schools. All of these things wrenched me in one way or another, but what hurt me the most is seeing that the supposed 'Defender of Human Rights', the United States, took Israel's side. The US actually tries to somehow justify Israel's actions and demonizes the Palestinians as assistants to a 'terrorist organization'. Israel has ignored some of the most important international laws and tries to justify those actions to the world. I wish there were protests near my city, I would join them in a blink of an eye. To be honest, I think I'm a Palestinian at heart, or in a past life, if you believe in that kind of thing.
But to sum it all up, I'm apologizing to all the Palestinians and, indeed, all the citizens of the world for the US position on a lot of things, not just our pro-Zionist agenda. The government does not speak for me, I do, and I've made my position absolutely clear.
Jacob Bradham
4 January 2009
i´m supporting the people of palestine, and i would hope that the war will end. my main wish is that the people of palestine will regain their land as it used to be in the ancient time.
staffan dahlberg
3 January 2009
THIS IS THE TIME TO LEAVE THE REFUGEE CAMPS WHEREVER THEY ARE AND GO HOME TO PALESTINE.
GANDHI DID IT YOU CAN TOO. GO PEACEFULLY NO WEAPONS BUT GO IN MASSES.THE WORLD IS ON YOUR SIDE.
THE ZIONISTS CANNOT KILL UNARMED CIVILIANS WITHOUT STIRRING WORLD ANGER AND ACTION AGAINST THEM. THEY WILL PACK OUT FROM OCCUPIED LAND, YOUR LAND.
MOTHERS., FATHERS TAKE YOUR CHILDREN FOR THE LONG PEACEFUL MARCH HOME TO PALESTINE. YOUR ORCHARDS ARE WAITING FOR YOU.
DO NOT WAIT FOR "THE RIGHT OF RETURN" IT NEVER COMES. NOT WITH THESE JEWS. GO PALESTINIANS GO! FOR THE SAKE OF YOUR FUTURE AND HUMANITY.
HARUN BRUNEI
2 January 2008
I want you to know that the people of Palestine are constantly in my prayers. I'm writing letters and making calls to the U.S. Senators for my state demanding that they do something to stop Israel's horrific bombing of Gaza and urging a cut-off of all US funding to Israel. I wish I was able to do more to help the Palestinian people.
I'm listening to the music on PNN - it is wonderful.
Nancy Jarmin
1 January 2009
India is with you. As an active member of NAM and a friend of Palestine we are always with the people of Palestine. Dreams of the complete liberation of Palestine will come to pass. The US and its allies are criminals and wrong.
AJAY BANSAL,ADVOCATE,KOTHI NO.10,SECTOR 15,HISAR.125001[INDIA]
1 January 2009
Letter to Ethical British Company’ FreedomCall’ who stands by Gaza
By Saeb Shaath*
To The Management of the British company FreedomCall
Dear Madam-Sir;
You and your company took a great practical ethical stand on denouncing by action and deeds the massacre the Palestinian people have been subjected to in Gaza Strip. By severing all ties with Israel's MobileMax ** Company and any other Israeli company following Israel's strikes in Gaza. Doing that while we are going through a credit crunch and heading into a dark economical era, is very Nobel in deed. Your stand demonstrated the responsible side of business and showed how out people, serving the people and advancing their welfare, business is not suppose to be helping directly or indirectly in inflicting death and misery on people. I salute you and your company, my family, comrades and I admire the way you are keeping up the ethos of good business and putting humanity before money, which in this case is blood money. That is the way to conduct business. I hope you can spread that ethical business model across the globe, so people can feel they are safer.
Yours
Dr. Saeb Shaath
SAEB
Writer and Human Rights Activist
31 December 2008
Hi, I just found your website and I am so glad that it exists. I have been reading about the bombings and terrorism since Saturday and I am filled with sadness. It is new years eve in Portland, Oregon, USA and it fills me with great sorrow to think that it has been another year of a bloody occupation in Palestine. My heart goes out to all the people who have lost their lives in such cruelty and also to those who continue to find strength in such bleak and heinous times. I will continue to read up on the current news because it is so hard to find the truth in even the most "liberal" of newspapers. Again, thank you for your publication. FREE PALESTINE!
-elizabeth raffer
portland, oregon
28 December 2008
To the editor
My heart goes out to the people of Palestine that continue to suffer at the hand of the occupiers of that troubled land. Israel continues it's policy of mass murder, starvation, bombing and oppression with the blessing of fascist America and they will not be stopped unless their actions are too costly for them to continue. I do not necessarily condone violence as a response to occupation and oppression unless all other avenues have been exhausted and it seems to me that once again, by it's actions, Israel does not want peace they will not talk but continue to build and bomb leaving a violent response as, seemingly, the only one.
I see the "western" press has blamed Hamas for bringing this latest round of bombing from the occupiers but I see it differently. Israel has not lived up to any agreements so far. They have cut off all needed supplies to Gaza, they continue to expand their settlements, they continue to cage people in with their road blocks, barbed wire and concrete barriers they continue to treat non-jews as "lesser" people to be treated as chaff. Is it any surprise that people do not like being treated as dirt?
For far too long the English occupied my country, Ireland, using methods of violent oppression, murder, torture and incarceration. After many years of struggle we are now free of the english occupation as the people of Palestine will be free one day. No country has the right to occupy another and if they do resistance is the only way to freedom.
Do not give up the struggle, never give in, never accept the illegal occupation, never accept oppression, fight for your children and your children's children, fight until you are free.
Sincerely
Finn Connell
(Now living in America)
28 December 2008
I a UK citizen who despite being the wrong side of forty is just begining to learn about the oppression of Israel over Palestine! Whilst appreciating that this is a complex issue as each day passes my disbelief,anger and frustration grows as my knowledge increases about the situation in Plaestine and the unjust and severe treatment of its people.
The recent disproportional military reaction of Israel is absolutley outrageous and i am saddened by the West's response to this.
I need to know what i can do as an effective action to raise awareness of this situation to my largely 'ignorant' friends and collegues as well as challenging my own government to react appropriately.
I have sponsered olive groves in Palestine, i wear lapel badges and political tee-shirts and talk to people everyday, giving a Palestinian view of the situation. But this no longer seems enough. Can anyone advise of a better way to support Palestinian people in their quest to live a life they have a human right to lead?
Warm regards
Simon Hammond
28 December 2008
I am appalled by the horrfic military violence by Israel aginst the entire populace of Gaza and the hundreds of civillian deaths due to these terrorist acts orchestrated by Olmert, Bush and their Palestenian & Arab Quislings and dictators.
While the entire region is burning, the Presiden Elect Obama is fiddling with his buddy Rahm Emanuel who is yet to condemn the Irgun terrorists which included his own dad.
What else to expect from him who has nominated Hillary, scarcely any more truthful or moral than Condi Rice, as his Secretary of State.
K. Ratnakumar
28 December 2008
Allies:
I am shaking with rage as I write this, but also with fear.
Fear that people I don’t know but have grown to love are dying in Gaza, and fear that this will bring even more shame and virulent hatred onto the heads of every American.
I was born in America, but have been so ashamed of what this government has done for so long that I have hated this place of beauty since I was a child.
I pray that there are people in Palestine who understand that not all Americans are hateful, stupid people- but this is hard to imagine.
With the blatant atrocities that have been committed in our name throughout the world, I cannot help but feel the same way.
I have a young friend, a dear dear young man from Gaza who was sent here after being shot by the Israelis.
His body has healed, but his heart and mind are still struggling.
Miraculously, his heart is still open enough to let some people in, and I am so proud to be one of those who he allows to love him.
Through the friendships he has made with Americans who work for social justice in this country, he has educated so many and brought a reality to the issues in Palestine that can only be taught by someone as passionate and brilliant as he is.
He began a small fundraising drive a week ago to raise money for all the families in one apartment building in Gaza so they could buy a generator. During the 18 month long siege of Gaza, the electricity has been reduced to virtually nothing, forcing the children to study by candle light.
Yes, there are so many other terrible things happening as a result of the blockade of Gaza, but this is one thing he thought he could do something about immediately- and something he thought would help people in Gaza to know that not all Americans are evil.
I have been so proud to have him call me little Auntie, so proud when I felt that his family and mine were going to know one another through the simple act of sharing something as basic as light.
Now, I don't know if his family will live through the horrors taking place as I write this. I don't know if his heart and mind will ever recover, or if his fate is sealed by the hatred welling up inside of him.
Every one of us must work to stop this murder, in all of the forms it takes. We must stop the outright murder of the people of Gaza, but also must prevent the killing of hearts, which will be as deadly.
With love, sorrow, rage, and fierce hope for the future,
Marykate Connor,
San Francisco
28 December 2008
My brothers please let us start a page for donation for all muslims in the world.
pick someone in usa or europe to collect. We will pay what we have even 2 dollar helps the palestinians.
Please do that........... I will be the first to donate insha-allah.
go to www. ebay.com or checkout.google.com either ways.
Let us unite now and donate for the iltreated palestinians.
Please let us do that.
Let us try to donate now and reach the palestinians. thanks
Isse Mohamad
28 December 2008
Dear Ones,
I ve met with war 13 years ago in my beloved Homeland Croatia,....I know is hard for you now, and I know it hurts you too.
BUT LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING I WANT YOU TO KNOW:
THERE IS NO SUCH BOMB, THERE IS NO SUCH TANK , THERE IS NO SUCH AIRPLANE AND THERE IS NO SUCH FORCE IN THE WORLD...TO
...TO STOP THE NATION WHEN IS FIGHTING FOR ITS OWN INDEPENDENCE.....!!
I KNOW IT HURTS NOW, IF I ONLY COULD TELL YOU HOW MUCH I WAS HURT WHEN I SAW DEAD BODIES AROUND ME.....AND YESTERDAY IN GAZA..
BUT DONT GIVE UP, DEAR PALESTINE PEOPLE....
DONT EVER, EVER GIVE UP..
I LOVE YOU.
IVAN
27 December 2008
Dear Palestinians,
I am a U.S. citizen, with no ties to the Middle East. I am neither Jewish nor Muslim.
I am chagrined, as a U.S. citizen, that the U.S. government is not issuing a stronger condemnation of the Israeli attack on Gaza, today, December 27th.
Please know that I deeply regret the assault on Gaza. This Israeli assault is an atrocity.
I am deeply sorry for the loss of life and injuries sustained by your civilian population.
Sincerely,
Dawn Mueller
Chicago, Illinois, USA
27 December 2008
Statement of the FPA on the Wholesale Zionist Murders in Gaza
The Free Palestine Alliance condemns in the strongest terms the wholesale fascistic Zionist attacks against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip. Using the lies of targeting military and police centers, the Israeli killer army is in fact targeting entire families, killing fathers, mothers and children. To the time of issuing this statement, at least 206 Palestinian have been murdered and more than 400 severely injured. The number of victims are expected to rise, and Israel's Zionist assault is expected to continue and widen, as Israel has declared.
While we hold the Zionist fascistic regime fully responsible, we also hold the Palestinian Authority, the Egyptian government and all Arab regimes equally responsible. How many more meetings and conferences will be held before a mere and meager condemnation can be issued?
The PA headed by Abu Mazen must come to an understanding that its continued role of servitude to Israel places it squarely responsible for the killing of our people. The Egyptian government can't turn a deaf ear as it shares in the starvation of our people by insisting on closing the borders. The Arab regime must be held responsible for its unabated complicity in the ongoing killing fields.
A time must come, and that time is now, when fascistic Israel must be stopped in its murderous campaigns against the Palestinian people. How long can these atrocities continue unabated, and how long will the international consciousness remain unshaken by a Nazi like regime that is shameless in its hate and colonial bigotry?
We call on our people to demand an immediate stop to any and all relations with the Zionist regimes. All Israeli embassies must be closed and all ambassadors must be expelled. We call on the Egyptian people to march to Rafah and open the borders that have been shut closed by the government of Egypt. We call on the Arab masses and communities in all 5 continents to take to the streets in solidarity of our people. The Arab people no longer want to hear about Arab League meetings and inconsequential condemnations. The time has come for concrete steps to affect change. Enough declaration and lies! Colonial Zionist hate and murder must be stopped!
We call on the newly elected United States President, Barak Obama, to recognize his historic role in immediately halting the long standing complicity of the US government in Israeli genocidal campaigns against the Palestinian people. The US can't continue to support Israel with endless military, economic and diplomatic support while the US economy itself is sinking, homes foreclosed and jobs lost. A new US moral policy must come to fruition, or at least begin to move in that direction.
Finally, but most importantly, we salute the heroic people of Palestine, especially those of Gaza. We salute your steadfast and recognize your pain, for it is also ours.
Together, we will undoubtedly triumph.
The Free Palestine Alliance (FPA), USA
December 27, 2008
Yousef
Please visit
http://wewillreturn.blogspot.com
17 November 2008
Please..The British FM should impose a ban on imports from Israeli settlements, not just "speak against" them.
Christopher Assad
Ottawa, Canada
20 October 2008
I feel very sad that the Palestinian people are suffering for the past 6o years.
Enough is enough, it is even sadder to see that the world is silence. The world is silente, it is more important to save the seals, the sharks, and the elephants than human beings being harassed by the Israelis day in day out.
They will never give the Palestinians their lands back, because the ridiculous myth of the so called “Promised land” which was a fabrication to steel your lands.
I wish I could do something.
Your friend from far away
Red.
17 October 2008
I know this isn't much, but I'm an American high school student, and I'm just writing in to say that my family and myself are all supporters of a free Palestine. I just wanted to share that with you, since I know of no other way to contact any Palestinians.
Jacob Bradham
17 October 2008
I have been a volunteer with the International Red Cross working for human rights. I have just read some of your news on your web site. I have no words to describe what I think. I have worked within the Arab community all of my life with the Red Cross and it greaves me as someone as a human rights officer that Israel is carrying out these attrocities. Please know the world outside your country knows and cares what is happening.
Kindest Regards
Deborah Lilly
Edinburgh, Scotland
21 August 2008
Subject: We see through your hypocrisy
To the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
In your letter to the Free Gaza boat people, you offered to take whatever humanitarian goods the boat people wanted to deliver, and you would deliver them through official Israeli channels and border crossings. You said "If you do not intend to deliver humanitarian aid via Israel, this proves that your goal is political and constitutes the legitimization of a terrorist organization."
You are correct about the legitimization of a terrorist organization. If the boat people accede to your demands and give you the humanitarian goods to deliver to the Palestinians, then it would legitimize the terrorist organization known as the Israeli government. I say that the Israeli government is a terrorist organization because it terrorizes the Palestinian people, hoping that if it starves them and denies them medical aid and essential services, they will get rid of Hamas. That is terrorism, right out of the book definition.
But your plans backfire. The more the Palestinian people see you starving them, killing them off through lack of medical aid and essential services, using your guns to keep them in line, they know who the terrorists are. So they back Hamas, which is an organization that promises that it will fight back.
As for the statement that if the boat people don't intend to deliver humanitarian aid via Israel it proves their goal is political and legitimizes Hamas, you are completely wrong. In the first place, the reason Hamas exists is the fact that the Palestinians see you pounding the hell out of noncombatant civilians, normal people who want to live a decent life. When some people like Hamas say they are willing to fight back, they accept these people. The reason Hamas exists is Israeli terrorism.
Therefore, when the boat people come to Gaza, Hamas loses power. For a few moments, the people get a grain of hope, and for those few moments they don't need to have fighters to protect them. The quickest way for Israel to get rid of Hamas is to give the Palestinians everything they need. Hamas would disappear in a month.
Greta Berlin, one of the organizers of this boat trip, has pointed out that this trip is not humanitarian in nature. This is an issue of human rights. Over a million people in the Gaza Strip have done no wrong. They have not lifted a finger to hurt an Israeli. They deserve every bit of freedom that any Israeli has. They deserve to be able to interact with anyone on earth in any way they please, including visiting them, accepting them as visitors, exchanging gifts, going to the movies together, eating dinner together, anything that an Israeli has the right to do, they have the same right.
In denying them these rights, you prove that you are still occupying Gaza. You run the lives of these people worse than if they were cattle. Cattle get better treatment than these people.
Greta and all the boat people have the right to visit people who have not lifted a finger to hurt Israel, and who invite them to their homes. And you have no right to stop them, all forty four people. That includes Jeff Halper, who has tried to build many houses for Palestinians after you have destroyed their homes with frivolous excuses such as no license -- you never give them licenses no matter what they do. Where are they supposed to live? In the streets?
Greta and her friends have the right to give the Palestinian children in Gaza hearing aids so they can hear again after your bombers and your artillery and your infantry that blasted the eardrums of those little children, so they could not hear. And now you want to deliver their hearing aids? Hearing aids that they spent two years buying, asking for donations, putting in their own money.
That's hypocrisy. First you blow away the eardrums of these little children. Then, after these boat people have worked for two years to get those boats together and those hearing aids bought, you want to be the delivery boys to give the hearing aids to the people whose eardrums you have blown away with your bombs.
You have shown me in every way that you are evil people, that your minds are sick, that all you want is infinite control, because it serves your ultimate goal of stealing all the land in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. You don't want the rest of the world to see that you are basically thieves and murderers. Greta and her friends have come to see peaceful starving people, not soldiers, people who need her friendship, not soldiers who may or may not deliver those hearing aids to the children who deserve them.
I speak of Greta, since she is a friend and she has acted often as spokesperson for the Free Gaza boat people, but every one of those forty four people has gone to great personal expense to be on those boats. Every one of them wants to stop the starvation of innocent people, the denial of medical aid and essential services to hundreds of thousands of people who have never lifted a finger to hurt an Israeli. They care for one thing, justice and freedom for those hundreds of thousands of innocent Palestinian people. They certainly won't get that by delivering their hearing aids to the terrorists who blew those eardrums apart.
All this will be revealed to the world by many news organizations if you stop those boats and don't let them through. People will see your lies, your terrorism, and your hypocrisy, and your sadistic treatment of hundreds of thousands of innocent Palestinian people, out in the open.
Jerrold Cohen, Ph.D.
Seal Beach, California USA
jerrmar1@verizon.net
27 July 2008
Your site enables us in the U.S. to better understand the Palestine situation. My take on Obama is that he needs to "play along" with the Israelis and other wealthy and influential Zionists in order to get elected, but once he is assured of his power base, he will act in a manner to reduce the hold that Israel has on the Palestinians.
David Welsh
19 July 2008
Dear Kristen,
You are doing good work. I was thinking about that saying, "If you're not part of the solution then you're part of the problem." You can have a clear conscience.
I did some reading again yesterday about the history of the Israeli takeover of Palestine. It seems as though any journalist coming there would have read the history too and would understand that the Zionists are criminals committing immoral, ungodly, beyond cruel crimes against the Palestinian people and their land.
There is no justification for it, no other side to the story.
Even if one does not have feelings about the situation and looked at it from a completely objective, logical viewpoint you would still have to reach the same conclusion. The Zionists are criminals--getting away with murder (literally), kidnapping, torture, stealing--breaking almost every commandment set down by God through Moses in the Bible.
Stay safe.
Blessings,
Bonnie Mei
United States
5 July 2008
Dear Editor,
I am just a poor, disabled, single mom in Kentucky who is trying to rear holy children in the Catholic faith. I have little power in this world, but I do have a mind that is my own and I am very selective about what I put into it.
Palestine is at the heart of the world, I think. I appreciate your news from Palestine very much.
You are as a voice in the wilderness.
I do try to tell my friends and neighbors what is going on there. They have no clue about it. It pains me to know that so much evil is going on and people here are just concerned about their wallets. May God have mercy on those who do not hear the cries of the Palestinian people and, indeed, all people everywhere who suffer from injustice.
You are performing a great service and I will keep you and all of the Palestinian people in my prayers always.
May you be blessed.
Lisa Graas
Clarkson, Ky, USA
1 July 2008
God Bless every soul in Palestine and may Peace be with you. You are being prayed for in Ohio.
Cindy Pappas
31 May 2008
What good is money if I cannot spend it freely?
Many countries and business people from around the world met in Bethlehem on May 21st 2008 for a 3 day conference to help revive the Palestinian economy. The Palestinian investment conference wrapped up on a successful note. Tony Blair, the Quartet’s Middle East peace [envoy is] hopeful, believes that peace between Israel and Palestine can be achieved through economic development in Palestine. Many countries and enterprisers share Mr. Blair’s vision of peace and are pushing ahead with business projects in the West Bank. Such activities, they believe, would certainly create employment and prosperity among the Palestinian populace in the West Bank making way for peace, economic cooperation and understanding between the Israel and Palestine.
The Associated Press quoted Salam Fayyad, the Palestinian Prime Minister in the West Bank as saying: “We are creating a positive new reality in Palestine.”
The Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas sees any economic investment in Palestine as an investment in peace.
Excitement and hope are filling the air among the very few in Palestine. But, how about the approximately 2 million Palestinians living in Gaza, shouldn’t this economic investment include them as well? Rather, Gaza’s Palestinians are subjected to total isolation, starvation and daily attacks by Israel and are not considered as part of this economic idea about peace.
During the sixty years of Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine, over 700,000 Palestinians refugees and their descendents continue to live in deplorable refugee camps, the ongoing build up of Israeli settlements on illegally occupied Palestinian lands continue with an overwhelming increase of Israeli obstacles build up to further restrict the Palestinian movement. “The UN’s office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Jerusalem declared that the overall number of obstacles increased from 566 on September 4, 2007 to 607 on April 29, 2008.” On Friday, May 23rd, 2008, the Israeli paper Haaretz quoted a UN agency’s report as saying, “Israel has set up more road blocks in the West Bank since last September, despite its repeated pledges to facilitate the movements of local Palestinians.”
Let us not forget the friction that is splitting the Palestinians today making way for a two government systems with one in Gaza and the other is in the West Bank.
Please don’t quote me wrong, I am a holistic believer of economic development and an advocate of peace in a region where both the Israelis and Palestinians can reap the benefits of peace and economic prosperity.
Further, I support a two state solution. One is Palestine and the other is Israel.
For the sake of this argument, let us pause for a moment and examine the life of a Palestinian worker on any given working day.
A Palestinian worker wakes up every morning to go to work. But, before the job starts, he or she must pass through 607 Israeli check points constantly showing his or her Israeli identification card. In most instances, the Palestinian worker is not permitted to forget this identification card. Without it, he or she cannot proceed past the check point.
Let us also assume that a Palestinian worker manages to attend to the job on a daily basis without any interruptions. The worker manages to avoid being delayed at the check points, shot at by a settler, or detained by the Israeli army. At the end of the month, the worker gets paid a handsome amount of money. Like any other worker in the world, a Palestinian worker needs to relax in a peaceful environment where he or she can reflect on the day’s happenings and how to spend his or her hard earning dollars.
The Palestinian worker cannot do that because he or she is busy dogging Israeli bullets, or not being able to make it through a check point, or even get attacked by an Israeli settler. Further more, this worker spends most of the time trying to justify to an Israeli soldier with a gun why he or she needs to go from point ‘a’ to point ‘b’.
Economic prosperity is good and very much needed; however, freedom is more urgent than economics.
What Mr. Blair needs to learn is that freedom cannot be bought with money. So and for one more time, I call on the world to end the Israeli occupation of Palestine and economic prosperity will automatically follow.
Mitri I. Musleh
29 May 2008
I as many other Americans don’t agree with the support of Israel. I have read about the people of Palestine being thrown off their land to create a home for the Jews. I don’t dislike the Jewish people but it was never fair to take away the Palestinian land to give to someone else. I wish that the American government would tell the truth about all that is going on in the Middle East. George Bush wants to rule the world and the oil. Gordon isn’t my real name and for reasons I can’t give my name for fear that I will be punished by the American government for writing this letter.
Gordon
21 May 2008
Let us intensify the efforts for the LOVE of Palestine. Do your part and perform your responsibility toward the Palestinian human rights. Silence is complicity, no actions means approval.
Mark you calendar for May 23-25 where we assert the Palestinian National rights. We will say it loud that we will never forget. Palestinians are the Key holders of peace. Join the thousands and strengthen the network of the thousands of activists. Express your opinion and let the many panelists know of where Palestine should go. Support our efforts to empower our community and assert the Palestinians right of return. Join the many Palestinian Americans and their supporters in Chicago commemorating the 60th year of the forced exile of the Palestinian people. Be pro active, ask questions to the Panelists and discuss the current event. We must empower ourselves and make a strong network for Justice, Peace and Freedom. Be pro active. Enough talks.
The group: Falasinti Hurr [Free Palestine]
11 April 2008
Dear friends,
I am a Palestinian and live in Australia. I, like all Palestinians in exile, follow with great sadness and frustration at the events unfolding in our country. We all know that Palestinians are imprisoned in the biggest and most cruel prison in the world, and the world is not seeing it the way we do.
I recall how effective the campaign mounted by a few Jewish activists dressed up in pajamas standing outside the Soviet Embassy in the 1980s. One picture of Jews in pajamas did the trick and the media all over the world picked it up.
I would like to see the same happen in our non violent struggle toward freedom. I would like to see all the Palestinian people in the occupied territories dressed up in pajamas at least one day a week. Let the pajamas be our symbol of resistance. People in the outside world cannot ignore photos of our population dressed up in prison outfits. Let our children go to school in pajamas, our workers and everyone.
Let the world link the Palestinian situation and the Holocaust being perpetrated against them. Let it be known to the whole world and through pictures that might wake them up.
The Israeli soldier won't be able to point the gun at a Palestinian in pajamas because perhaps some of his/her grandparents were in pajamas in the concentration camps. The psychological impact on the Israeli psych is immeasurable. The Palestinian pajamas will be associated with the Holocaust photos of Jews in pajamas in the concentration camps.
This is an idea worth pursuing and developed by our imprisoned Palestinians. Let it be known as the Pajama Intifada.
Ibrahim Kaadan
9 April 2008
Hello,
I am writing to express my solidarity. Thank you for providing news from the Palestinian point of view. You are fighting the bravest and most difficult fight in the world.
There are a growing number of people here in the US who are Pro-Palestine. We appreciate your effort.
Regards,
Mick Grahm
Austin, TX, USA
21 March 2008
To: Ms. Kristen Ess, Director: English Department
Dear Ms. Ess
As an American of Palestinian origin, I am attaching a Letter to the Editor regarding the Muhammad Cartoon. I am a business executive and do travel and work within Europe and the Mideast.
Disgracing The Prophet Muhammad is The Wrong Message
I am an American of Palestinian origin. I have been following this controversy of the Prophet Muhammad's cartoon as printed by the European media, namely the Danish one.
I just wanted to share some thoughts with your editorial department and, in doing so, I have no certain agenda in presenting my opinion.
Muhammad is Islam to all people of that faith. People in this case also include children of Islam's families. He is their "God" in essence, albeit a Prophet in the Koran. Those children grow to believe in what they are taught about the Best and Holiest of "Gods" in Islam - Muhammad. To them He is the Good and what is best in character and piety. Muhammad's children like to believe in His goodness, much like our Christian children like to believe in Christ's goodness, or Jewish children in their Moses.
To me, and it is my opinion in this case, placing a weapon on the head of this Holiest of Gods in Islam or any other's God for that matter is sending a message to all those children that their God is essentially "Bad”: that they have, during all their years, followed a lie about the Prophet or "God" who asked them, in the messages within the Koran, to honor God and show mercy, etc. Children do not comprehend what the message of the editorial board is when they see such a controversial cartoon. However when we look at it, all the Holy Books are parallel in their promotion of what they consider to be good in their various religions. Anyone reading these Holy Books from their own perspective can also charge the others of negative thoughts in their Holy Books.
Moslems, like Christians and Jews have disagreed over the exact interpretation of Koranic verses as much as those of other religions have disagreed with their own Holy Books. This discussion should be visited theologically, socially and politically, and yet, to the average masses, it is a discussion that, usually ends in a no win situation. As we see today in the world of wars, religion has become divisive, not uniting.
My point is, with such a cartoon, I believe that the Danish media has created resentment in a new generation of children against our future generation of children who may one day have to continue the stupidity of our present wars and doing so, become the future innocent victims of such wars. What this cartoon truly did is what religion is doing today - pitting cultures against each other and playing the Crusader game of past centuries. For those who saw this cartoon, were for the most part the average masses who have been accustomed to being brainwashed about what an Arab is, and this cartoon further solidified this erroneous perception of Arabs, which to them means Moslems.
I take issue with whether this cartoon idea is a symbol of Freedom of Speech. Why? Because freedom of speech, to me, is expressing views about a current or past situation that is relevant to a subject affecting the concerned state of affairs, whatever it is. And this freedom of expression can be communicated through the philosophy of the author, depending on the issue and it can express whatever in a free thought manner. In any case it must be meaningful in its approach to make a point, regardless of how humorous, satirical or defaming it may wish to be. In the case of this published cartoon, the salvo missed the mark of Freedom (the supposed goal of our present wars to gain freedom for the "poor and hungry for democracy" citizens of the attacked "Moslem" countries) and to grant them the right to free Speech (which is absolutely what gets them in jail and killed if they do.)
When you put a bomb on top of Muhammad's head, the Danish editorial staff's understanding of freedom of speech demonstrates a lack of "understanding" for the affected cultures. The bomb would have been better placed on Bin Laden's head, or Saddam's or some other who may even deserve it in our own culture.
That would have made a better point.
But my conclusion tells me that, while the editors thought the cartoon to be a symbolic message, it, unfortunately, addressed the world stage in a naïve sort of way. It addressed, politically and satirically, with this cartoon, an idea without an afterthought. In the world of journalism, deeper discussion should, in a professional and learned atmosphere, take into account the bigger picture of who becomes affected by such cartoon editorials. First, in creating this cartoon the Danish media portrayed Muhammad as the symbol of evil, and second it relayed the message that to be a Muhammadan (Moslem) is to be a "bomber" and a "terrorist". The children of Islam are Muhammad's children. This cartoon insinuates that they are, therefore, "bombers" and "terrorists". This is how the world sees it. I believe that what was thought to be a clever idea became a sort of an ego trip filled with yellow journalism that in the end did not serve any purpose; on the contrary, it denigrated a society that does not understand nor agree with our interpretation of what we call Freedom of Speech. I think Freedom of Speech, in this particular case, was interpreted in a self serving atmosphere and what's more disappointing is how and by whom it was created, the so called leaders of the news. In this cartoon, so much more than the editors' foresight can be deduced by the cultures who suffered most from it. From this cartoon, we can deduce that Muhammad sent the bombers of 911. We can deduce that the present illegal wars in the Middle East were created by Muhammad. This is just as silly as deducing that Jesus and Moses brought us Hitler and Hiroshima.
I respect my democracy in America and I do not oppose the ones in Europe. I believe, however, that when one has the powerful pen of communication in their hand, they should write with patience and wisdom after the visit all their horizons of knowledge before painting their thoughts for the world to see.
If the Danish media sought to separate cultures with this cartoon, then they succeeded beyond a doubt; and by publishing those creations, they have, unfortunately honored even the dishonorable "Bin Laden". Here they succeeded as well by enticing the masses to a Holy War. And if they thought about degrading terrorism with this cartoon, then they have dishonored their profession with their definition of a Terrorist.
This "creative" cartoon is now coming back to haunt us with reprisals; reprisals that may take the life of our innocent children in what the Danish media considered to be their "Freedom of Speech" expressions. I value the life of every innocent child, including my children, and I sadly feel that they have trespassed the line of logic with the publication of this cartoon.
Respectfully submitted
Sammy Bandak
Newark, Delaware
USA
3 March 2008
I'M A SPANISH CATHOLIC PROFESSIONAL AND I CAN SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE MAJORITY OF MY SPANISH FELLOW CITIZENS WHEN I SAY THAT WE STAND BY YOU, OUR PALESTINIAN BROTHERS, IN THE FIGHT FOR JUSTICE AND FREEDOM AND AGAINST THE ISRAELI NAZI GOVERNMENT'S OCCUPATION.
THE GHETTO OF GAZA IS BECOMING THE WARSAW GHETTO OF THE 21 CENTURY. WE SHOULDN'T LET THIS HAPPEN AGAIN.
Alfredo Borras Orejas
18 February 2008
dear pnn,
i am from beit hanina i have a web site about beit hanina www.beithanina.org
i have picture for road num 20 . you can use it and see it at this link ...
http://picasaweb.google.com/beithanina.album/OURNAKBA
thanks,
ramzi
16 February 2008
To Kristen from Sam
I'm a 23 year old Australian. I've started this message without any clear aim. I have sifted through the internet searching on Palestine for an hour and these are the first words I'm typing. I don't know why.
It would come from the same empathy that lead me to Ireland three years ago, or to the plight of the native people of 'my own' country. Why should I care, so what if I do. Ireland's 20,000 year home was partly reclaimed after a thousand year struggle. A bubble can not burst under water; the air has to go somewhere. It will always eventually rise to the surface.
My country has just 'apologised' to the Aboriginal people. They should one day reclaim the freedom their ancestors once held before the word freedom had to be invented.
I can foresee some resolution. We must all be the better for such resolutions. But after this resolution, with so much emotion invested, I do not see myself. I am interested in the root of this oppressed cry to freedom. At its root are humanity and a struggle for dignity which is very admirable, and very pure to good humanity.
Ireland is now another global competitor. It is about money. It is losing its human identity as have the majority of the world's lands since the industrial revolutions.
This is where my concern lies. This is part of the blank faced menace which hangs like a vulture over many wounded peoples, countries of the world, waiting for them to die, looking for a way in, driven by money and power.
I find the world's aims so alien, inhuman, and ugly to me that sometimes I can sympathies with the promotion of the image of death to balance out the virus of inhumanity which is quickly sweeping over the minds and bodies of people all around the world.
I am attracted to Palestinian people as they currently embody the image of humanity to me. They are not fighting for the selfish needs of spoiled children of the modern world, they are not merely indignant, they are FIGHTING for very pure and benign human qualities such as freedom, dignity, security, belonging, peace and more.
But the sentiment felt towards this and the tidal wave it can create can evaporate very quickly. I am interested in preserving these qualities: qualities which are dying globally. Qualities which are so devastatingly dead in people who are filled with no will towards them.
I have travelled through Ireland; I lived there for over a year. The violent arms of the armies which liberated their unique country evaporated in light of freedom. Their tools have fallen back into the hands of a stagnant people, not content with simple humanity and existence... some were bored. I felt a unique fire, resilience and an extraordinary humour in these people. But I felt an extreme disappointment at the signs of the death of the great purities and passions once held during the self-fought liberation of their people.
I only write to you, who ever you are, out of a great sympathy, and a hope for the very rare and essential qualities of humanity which I find in the people of Palestine today.
11 February 2008
Friends
I am Tyler of WHYnotnews.org,
My visit to Palestine changed my life...
There in Jenin I was told by a mother, serving me tea on Z. Zubedi's leveled foundation,that if I really want to help, then go back to my country and fight for Justice, Well, here I am.
I am looking for Palestinians to blog on our site,Provide You tube Videos, and use it as a doorway to the world, and for Arabs to see, that not all of us Americans are insane, thinking a good Arab is a dead Arab, And Americans to see Palestinians as they are, not just as wanting to Jihad themselves on the first infidel they see... not that I would blame them.
Seriously though, We have a lot of viewers, and are growing. We do have your RSS feed up. Please send folks our way, and we certainly will send them you way. Not only do I care, I love Palestine, and will stand up for her utill I am passed, and even then my children know.
Please visit our website Whynotnews.org and our "About us" page for more details... about us.
Thank you
AbuJustice
Tyler Westbrook, Father of Justice and Noble, Husband to Piper, Lincoln Vermont
28 April 2007
Palestine News Network is an excellent and very interesting site. May God be with you and bless you for your excellent effort.
Charlie Aown
16 March 2007
I have come across your website - thankyou for reporting on nonviolent resistance and other important issues in a balanced way. Good luck for your service. Best wishes, K
Kay Wilhelm
27 February 2007
Re: Nablus
Israel...again. This is an outrageous act on Israel's part, and another clear demonstration of the utter lack of Israeli conscience and their overall state of lawless aggression.
My heart and prayers are with you.
Mary Sparrowdancer
24 February 2007
For peace to reign in Palestine, Israel maintains that the Palestinian government must recognize Israel’s right to exist and renounce terrorism. During the 1993 Camp David peace summit between the two, the late Palestinian President, Mr. Yasser Arafat, recognized Israel’s existence and renounced terrorism.
What did Israel give the Palestinians in return? Israel continues to occupy the whole of Palestine and the Golan Heights of Syria. Israel is continuously humiliating the people by restricting their freedom of movement and denying them the right to education and free speech. The Israeli government continues to erect new settlements on illegally occupied land and enlarging the old settlements. Israel continuous to antagonize Palestinians by imprisoning some, expelling or killing others, destroying their homes, uprooting their olive trees and confiscating more of their land.
All of this and Israel is crying foul. Let us pause for a moment and examine the situation that exists today: Israel is the undisputed power in the region. Israel occupies all of Palestine and other Arab land. Israel has the unconditional financial, military and political support of the United States of America. Israel has exclusive ownership of the most effective propaganda outlet in the world.
What do the Palestinians have? Palestine has been occupied by Israel since 1948. Some Palestinians, due to the wars that existed between the Arabs and Israelis, are scattered all over the world, others live in refugee camps and the remainder of them, continue to live under brutal Israeli occupation. The only support Palestinians receive comes from those who possess no real power or military strength. Palestine is also represented by a leadership that is engaged in ideological conflict and at the best of time, this leadership is incapable of making decisions that would serve the interest of the people. Israel is clearly the only country that is capable of making peace or war in the region. Unfortunately and in so far, Israel has delivered on making war rather than peace.
Mitri Musleh
20 February 2007
Re: PFLP refuses to join unity government
I think that every Palestinian faction should join the Unity Government and the Unity Government should state this: We fully, to the last bit, support every agreement we have entered with Israel, to the extent that it has not been forced on us, and to the extent that Israel has kept that agreement. Since all agreements with Israel have been forced on the Palestinians, who did not have to power to ask for more, AND SINCE ISRAEL HAS BROKEN EVERY AGREEMENT IT HAS SIGNED OR VERBALLY MADE, you can do ANYTHING YOU WANT, INCLUDING BLOWING UP POWER STATIONS, PUTTING TROOPS IN ISRAEL AND KEEPING ISRAELIS UNDER CURFEW, AND SO ON. In other words YOU DON'T HAVE TO KEEP ONE SINGLE AGREEMENT, BECAUSE ISRAEL HAS NOT DONE SO.
And say you will recognize the nation of Israel to the extent that it recognizes the nation of Palestine. THEY HAVE NEVER RECOGNIZED PALESTINE. Even if they do so on paper, they steal 80 to 90 percent of your water, so you don't have to recognize them. You show how they don't recognize you. If they keep soldiers on your soil, they don't recognize you. If they let their settlers steal land they don't recognize you. So you really don't have to recognize them at all. And you can explain that to the UN and US, that you certainly will recognize them when they recognize you, but they don't even know how to. They have forgotten how to respect other nations.
So what are you waiting for? Call the Israelis' bluff.
Jerrold Cohen
19 February 2007
To Whom it may concern,
I am proud to support the Palestinian peoples' struggle for peace and justice which must result in the establishment of a viable state. Also Palestinians have the right to return to their homes in Israel. There's millions of Americans, like myself, who are outraged by our government's support for the immoral and illegal Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands.
America and Israel have conspired to thwart the will of the Palestinian people, expressed in a free and open election, by preventing Hamas its right to govern. I'm ashamed of my country's actions going back to 1948 and deeply regret the great harm, suffering American policies as well as our
weapons have caused the Palestinian people.
I fear America will not recognize the new unity government which would be another criminal act of our foreign policy. If Secretary Rice expects the unity government to recognize Israel's right to exist certainly she must require Israel to acknowledge the Palestinians right of return. Otherwise this whole negociations process is nothing but a sham.
I'm an ordinary citizen here in America doing everything one person can do in support of the Palestinian cause. I'll continue writing letters to newspapers in hopes of informing people what's actually taking place in Palestine. You don't know me but I believe in a just and lasting peace something that must no longer be denied to the Palestinian people.
Sincerely,
John S. Hancock
24 September 2006
Dear Kristen,
1) I received the 'Daily Newsletter' until 9 September. Since then, nothing: Do you know if there has been any problem?
I have tried to enquire using the email address given, but my message has not been delivered.
2) I am appalled at Pastor John C. Hagee's letter supporting 'Israel' which has occupied Palestine for 58 years, after wiping it off the Map and expelling most of its indigenous inhabitants.
Hamas and other groups are simply resisting a brutal, murderous occupier who has killed many thousands Palestinians and destroyed or stolen their properties. The occupied have every right to resist. President Abbas has not succeeded in 'negotiating' with Olmert or his predecessors: One should not negotiate with someone who has taken everything from you.
President Ahmadinejad of Iran is supporting the Palestinians and wants to see the end of 'Israel' in its present form: The Zionists can only be accepted in Palestine if they agree to be there as guests, not ruthless masters holding WMDs supplied by GW Bush and Tony Blair.
'Israel' and its allies are the terrorists who use 'God' (their 'God') to justify their crimes.
Yours sincerely,
(Mrs) C Cameron
16 August 2006
To the editor:
I was terribly disappointed in Daoud Kuttab's misleading references to Christians United for Israel (CUFI) in a recent story ("Christian Zionists and False Prophets," August 12). As many others have done, the writer misrepresents our support for Israel by linking it to Armageddon and the Second Coming. As Christians, we believe the fate of the world rests solely in God's hands, and so there is nothing we can do to hasten the return of Jesus Christ.
But the writer does raise two issues that are central to our work on Israel's behalf: Iran and Hamas. In my book Jerusalem Countdown, which is referenced by Kuttab, I explain how events involving these adversaries could unfold in a drama that would engulf the entire world.
President Bush and our European Allies have said many times that allowing Iran to develop a nuclear capability is simply unacceptable.
Iran's president has publicly threatened to "wipe Israel off the map" and he urges his countrymen to "imagine a world without America." Iran has been offered incentives and threatened with sanctions to suspend its nuclear program. We should accept no further delay from Iran in ending a program that threatens Israel, the United States and the rest of the civilized world.
Hamas is nothing more than a terrorist organization disguised as a political party. It is responsible for the death of hundreds of Israeli civilians and the wounding of thousands more. It should not receive a single dollar of U.S. aid as long as it refuses to recognize Israel and renounce terrorism.
Christians have a Biblical responsibility to defend Israel, including God's promise to bless those who bless the Jewish people. CUFI and other Christian groups only want Israel to have the freedom to defend itself without pressure from the United States or other countries. Implying another agenda is simply not accurate.
Sincerely,
Pastor John C. Hagee
Christians United for Israel
24 May 2006
Thanks to you and PNN for the service you are providing. You are helping us stay in touch with home.
Dr. Muhammad Hallaj
Washington
21 April 2006
Dear Editor,
My name is Ken Murray and I am so happy you are back on the air God Bless you all and be sure I am on your side, so keep up the good work. Love and prayers for all Palestinians.
There are many more like me and more coming everyday that you never hear about but we are for you and your people we have been brain washed for so long but we are starting to see the truth with things like your broadcast.
That is why I think things will start to change for the better for you soon so don't give up hope I tell all my friends about your struggle and how misleading our news media is.and so on I don't have to say any more.
God Bless You All,
Ken Murray
Fadi Abu Sa'da Mohamad Khalid Fadi Yacoub Osama Awwad Hiba Lama Sameer Saed Ra'ed Rishmawi Khader Bandak Ahed Jarayseh Ghassan Bannoura |
Currently, the group is pushing on from Turkey, where they received a warm welcome. The goal is to pass through Syria, Jordan and Egypt before entering Gaza via the Rafah Border Crossing.
Galloway has been in Parliament since 1987.
Bikya Masr: What makes Viva Palestina so important and why did you feel the need to do this?
George Galloway: This isn’t about the aid, as important as that is. But to put it in context our convoy amounts to around 200 vehicles. Gaza needs about 400 trucks a day in relief. These convoys are a statement that we won’t rest until this illegal siege is broken. We get amazing support and help through all the countries we traverse and we’re getting the message across about how the Palestinians in Gaza are suffering. The convoys also, I believe, provide a beacon of hope for the beleaguered people of Gaza that the world has not forgotten them.
The idea came to me when we were protesting outside the Israeli embassy in London when the war broke out. It was necessary to protest but not sufficient. This is the third such convoy we have run and by far the most successful so far.
BM: Do you see it as an educational endeavor that can engage the world about the issues facing Israel/Palestine?
GG: I think world opinion has changed markedly since the war last year and the massive and disproportionate assault on Gaza. We are just underlining the message with our convoys and hopefully educating and propagandizing as we go.
BM: In the UK, what is the overall sense of a mission like this? Has it ostracized you with your colleagues?
GG: Ostracized? Not at all. My colleagues are fiercely and determinedly behind it. There is no dissent. We could have hope, although not expected, better media coverage in the UK but those in the cause know what is happening.
BM: The Israeli government isn’t too keen on the Viva Palestina convoy. How do you try to rectify this sort of sentiment?
GG: We don’t deal with the Israeli government so I don’t know and certainly don’t care.
BM: How has the Jewish community in the UK received these convoys? The Muslim community?
GG: There hasn’t been noticeable support from any Jewish organizations -rather than the reverse – but progressive Jews support us. Bear in mind that we took a group of rabbis on our last convoy. The Muslim reception has been fabulous, particularly in the poorer parts of Great Britain.
BM: What are the overall goals of this specific convoy and how do you spread the word?
GG: I think I answered the first part in my first answer. We spread the word through our websites, enormous databases and through mosques and sympathetic groups. We haven’t been at a loss for support thus far. You can find out more about Viva Palestina by going to www.vivapalestina,org or at www.georgegalloway.com
','',1,1,0,29,'2009-12-21 11:36:48',71,'','2009-12-21 11:36:51',71,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2009-12-21 11:36:11','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','pageclass_sfx=\nback_button=\nitem_title=1\nlink_titles=\nintrotext=1\nsection=0\nsection_link=0\ncategory=0\ncategory_link=0\nrating=\nauthor=\ncreatedate=\nmodifydate=\npdf=\nprint=\nemail=\nkeyref=\ndocbook_type=',2,0,186,'','',0,709),(7666,'\'Shalit deal hinges on 15 Palestinian prisoners\' ','','{mosimage}Shalit was abducted by Gaza militants in a cross-border raid in 2006 and has been held in captivity since then. Hamas, the rulers of the Gaza Strip, have demanded the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners jailed in Israel in exchange for Shalit's freedom.
Among the contentious prisoners mentioned in the report are Marwan Barghouti of Fatah; Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine secretary general, Ahmad Saadat; Amana Muna, the convicted killer of Israeli teenager Ofir Nahum; and two other female prisoners who aided suicide bombers.
One of those women drove the attacker who exploded at a Jerusalem Sbarro to the restaurant, where he killed 15 people.
The other 10 controversial names are senior Hamas leaders.
Israel is waiting for Hamas' answer to the German mediator's proposal on
the final prisoner exchange deal over kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit. The
Islamist group is expected to respond within the next few days.
The mediator met separately over the past few days with representatives of both sides.
Arab media reports say Hamas is likely to present additional conditions for the agreement, which Israel has already agreed to in principle.
The main remaining dispute, say the reports, is over a few senior prisoners who are described as "symbols of the Palestinian struggle." It seems Hamas has concluded it will be difficult to convince Israel to free the senior Hamas leaders.
Therefore, Hamas will likely focus its demands on two prisoners not from Hamas: Marwan Bargouti of Fatah, and the secretary general of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, Ahmad Saadat. One option is that Israel may release them and ban them from the West Bank, reported the Al-Arabiya network.
The final negotiations center on which senior prisoners Israel will release.
Even if Hamas agrees to the deal within the next few days, Israel will still have to do several things in order for it to be implemented - the inner cabinet and full cabinet will have to vote on it, the prisoners will have to be gathered and prepared, and the list of prisoners will have to be published 48 hours in advance in order to allow petitions to the High Court of Justice.
Hamas is conducting most of its deliberations in Damascus, where the organization's political wing, headed by Khaled Meshal, is headquartered. Arab media sources say Meshal has been taking a hard line, while the organization's leadership in Gaza is more interested in reaching a deal with Israel. The Gaza leadership expects an agreement to lead to the end of the blockade on Gaza and a gradual opening of the border crossings.
Hamas has denied recent Palestinian Authority claims that it is holding direct talks with Israel over a long-term cease-fire, and not only the Shalit deal.
If there are no major developments this week, then the Shalit family will resume its round of meetings with ministers next week to gather support for a deal. The family, and its representatives, have yet to meet with any Labor Party ministers, but they said that was not intentional.
On Wednesday Gilad's father Noam Shalit met with Justice Minister Yaakov Neeman in an unscheduled meeting in the Knesset. Shalit also met two Shas ministers, Interior Minister Eli Yishai and Religious Services Minister Yaakov Margi. Shalit said he received no new information.
President Shimon Peres accused Hamas of holding up the deal Wednesday.
"The delay is not caused by the Israeli government but rather by the other side - there are internal disagreements within Hamas," Army Radio quoted Peres as saying in a speech to students at Kibbutz Yotvata.
"If Hamas returns to its original demands, which are already very high, we will see Gilad Shalit return home."
Peres added that if Israel and Hamas agree to the deal, he would have to pardon many Palestinian prisoners. Peres said he is "encouraging" the negotiations, and is aiding the government on the issue.
"I am convinced that the government is doing everything it can to bring about the release of Gilad Shalit," he was quoted as saying.
source: Haaretz
',1,1,0,28,'2009-12-03 12:43:02',71,'','2009-12-03 12:43:06',71,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2009-12-03 12:40:36','0000-00-00 00:00:00','2008/prisoners2.jpg|left||0||bottom||','','pageclass_sfx=\nback_button=\nitem_title=1\nlink_titles=\nintrotext=1\nsection=0\nsection_link=0\ncategory=0\ncategory_link=0\nrating=\nauthor=\ncreatedate=\nmodifydate=\npdf=\nprint=\nemail=\nkeyref=\ndocbook_type=',2,0,1206,'','',0,2028),(47,'The gist of Zbaidi\'s point of view is easily summarized in two pointed sentences.','News1','\r\n{mosimage}The gist of Zbaidi's Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consetetur sadipscing elitr, sed diam nonumy eirmod tempor invidunt ut labore et dolore magna aliquyam erat, sed diam voluptua. At vero eos et accusam et justo duo dolores et ea rebum. Stet clita kasd gubergren, no sea takimata sanctus est Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet. \r\n
\r\n','\r\n{mosimage}Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consetetur sadipscing elitr, sed diam nonumy eirmod tempor invidunt ut labore et dolore magna aliquyam erat, sed diam voluptua. At vero eos et accusam et justo duo dolores et ea rebum. \r\n
\r\n\r\nDuis autem vel eum iriure dolor in hendrerit in vulputate velit esse molestie consequat, vel illum dolore eu feugiat nulla facilisis at vero eros et accumsan et iusto odio dignissim qui blandit praesent luptatum zzril delenit augue duis dolore te feugait nulla facilisi. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. \r\n
\r\n\r\nUt wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis autem vel eum iriure dolor in hendrerit in vulputate velit esse molestie consequat, vel illum dolore eu feugiat nulla facilisis at vero eros et accumsan et iusto odio dignissim qui blandit praesent luptatum zzril delenit augue duis dolore te feugait nulla facilisi. \r\n
\r\n\r\nNam liber tempor cum soluta nobis eleifend option congue nihil imperdiet doming id quod mazim placerat facer possim assum. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. \r\n
\r\n\r\nDuis autem vel eum iriure dolor in hendrerit in vulputate velit esse molestie consequat, vel illum dolore eu feugiat nulla facilisis. At vero eos et accusam et justo duo dolores et ea rebum. Stet clita kasd gubergren, no sea takimata sanctus est Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consetetur sadipscing elitr, sed diam nonumy eirmod tempor invidunt ut labore et dolore magna aliquyam erat, sed diam voluptua. At vero eos et accusam et justo duo dolores et ea rebum. Stet clita kasd gubergren, no sea takimata sanctus est Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consetetur sadipscing elitr, At accusam aliquyam diam diam dolore dolores duo eirmod eos erat, et nonumy sed tempor et et invidunt justo labore Stet clita ea et gubergren, kasd magna no rebum. sanctus sea sed takimata ut vero voluptua. est Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consetetur sadipscing elitr, sed diam nonumy eirmod tempor invidunt ut labore et dolore magna aliquyam erat. \r\n
\r\n\r\nConsetetur sadipscing elitr, sed diam nonumy eirmod tempor invidunt ut labore et dolore magna aliquyam erat, sed diam voluptua. At vero eos et accusam et justo duo dolores et ea rebum. Stet clita kasd gubergren, no sea takimata sanctus est Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consetetur sadipscing elitr, sed diam nonumy eirmod tempor invidunt ut labore et dolore magna aliquyam erat, sed diam voluptua. At vero eos et accusam et justo duo dolores et ea rebum. Stet clita kasd gubergren, no sea takimata sanctus est Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consetetur sadipscing elitr, sed diam nonumy eirmod tempor invidunt ut labore et dolore magna aliquyam erat, sed diam voluptua. At vero eos et accusam et justo duo dolores et ea rebum. Stet clita kasd gubergren, no sea takimata sanctus est Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet. \r\n
\r\n',1,1,0,13,'2004-07-07 11:54:06',62,'','2010-12-08 12:15:28',62,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2004-07-07 00:00:00','0000-00-00 00:00:00','food/coffee.jpg|left||0\r\nfood/bread.jpg|right||0','','pageclass_sfx=\nback_button=\nitem_title=1\nlink_titles=\nintrotext=1\nsection=0\nsection_link=0\ncategory=0\ncategory_link=0\nrating=\nauthor=\ncreatedate=\nmodifydate=\npdf=\nprint=\nemail=\nkeyref=\ndocbook_type=',2,0,350,'','',0,1345),(1580,'Legislative Council holds session without many from Hamas, leftist says PLC is outside the conflict','(Ramallah) Rashid Hilal','\r\n{mosimage}Dozens of deputies from the Hamas party were absent during Tuesday's emergency session of the Palestinian Legislative Council. The bulk of Fateh members were present and on the Gaza side Jamil Al Majdalawi of the leftist Abu Ali Mustafa bloc was present at first but quickly left the room. Contact between Ramallah and Gaza was then lost. \r\n
\r\n\r\nTwo Hamas deputies were present in Ramallah but left after Fateh member Walid Assaf said, “Hamas is using mosques to store weapons and incite fighting.” \r\n
\r\n','\r\nIn the second half of the consultative meeting, the members present discussed the internal strife which had not been present within the PLC until Tuesday. They reiterated that Legislative deputies are outside the circle of conflict and emphasized the need to take a leading role in responding to the crisis. \r\n
\r\n\r\nSecond Deputy to the head of the PLC, Hasan Khreisheh, said, “The occupation, the sole beneficiary to this fighting, is one of the main reasons why fighting erupted. The manipulations are part of the ongoing efforts to disrupt establishing a national unity government.” The head of the PLC to which Kreisheh is second deputy is in Israeli prison. \r\n
\r\n\r\nHe stressed the the PLC would continue its work, staying “far from the partisan and factional difference.” Kreisheh added, “It will continue to conduct business in an open manner and protest the internal Palestinian fighting.” \r\n
\r\n\r\nThe Palestinian official said that the PLC welcomes the Egyptian initiative and Saudi efforts made to halt the fighting, adding that any efforts conducive to bringing calm to the Palestinian arena are welcomed, as are all parties who demand a stop in the internal fighting.
\r\n
\r\nIn an incident indicative of the general practices of the Israeli soldiers occupying the gates surrounding Qalqilia, two soldiers would not allow a farmer to pass without them knowing the name of his donkey.\r\n
\r\n\r\nFarmer in the northwestern West Bank village of Beit Amin in southern Qalqilia, Kamal Mohammad Awad, attempted to pass through the gate to reach his agricultural lands. He had a donkey cart with him to carry produce. On Tuesday morning, 50 year old Awad spoke with PNN.\r\n
\r\n','\r\n“I went in the morning to the gate of Azzun Atma for entry into my agricultural land. I had my donkey cart with me. When I tried to enter the gate at 7:00 in the morning, two Israeli women working at the gate asked me, ‘What is the name of this animal?’”\r\n
\r\n\r\nThe farmer continued, “They told me that Mohammad was not the Prophet, but rather a donkey. I was so insulted that they would speak of my religion in such a way, that I began to scream at them. I was not allowed to pass.”\r\n
\r\n\r\nIn a similar incident at the gate just an hour later, driver Fawzi Saleh Hossam told PNN, “In the morning I went to the gate for entry and travel cargo. I was bringing in a new car. They tried to put a dog inside, but I refused as it was a brand new car. The soldiers told me that the dog was better than the Prophet Mohammad. I began fighting with them after they insulted the Quran.”\r\n
\r\n\r\nAnother farmer told PNN, “These incidents of verbal abuse and insults are repeated daily at the gate. However, there is never any press nearby to report them so I am telling you, that we cannot withstand insults against the Prophet and our religion which are hurled by Israeli soldiers in order to destroy our dignity. There are dozens of these gates where insults fly. No one has lifted a finger to stop the assault on Islam since they created the state of Israel.” \r\n
\r\n',1,1,0,15,'2006-05-23 14:23:49',62,'(Qalqilia) Mustafa Sabre','2010-12-08 12:20:17',62,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2006-05-23 14:22:36','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','pageclass_sfx=\nback_button=\nitem_title=1\nlink_titles=\nintrotext=1\nsection=0\nsection_link=0\ncategory=0\ncategory_link=0\nrating=\nauthor=\ncreatedate=\nmodifydate=\npdf=\nprint=\nemail=\nkeyref=\ndocbook_type=',1,0,57,'','',0,721),(51,'Archive 2003','','
|
|
\r\nThe Israeli authorities have finally gotten what they pushed for for years. Fateh is doing their bidding, fighting the armed resistance of Hamas, while the two parties assure the world that they cannot govern themselves. This could be farther from the truth, however, Palestinian factions have fallen into every trap laid before them by the occupation authorities who do not want Palestinians to give the appearance to the international community that they can handle having their own state. And that is exactly what is happening. \r\n
\r\n','\r\nThe internal Fateh - Hamas conflict, which has turned bloody in the last two months, has not yet ceased in the Gaza Strip despite meetings, conferences, and talk of unity. Meanwhile Israeli forces are killing and arresting those on its “wanted” list with very little trouble, while quickly completely the Wall and expanding settlements in the West Bank. All is going well as new Israeli Prime Minister is thick as thieves with US President Bush while neither will speak to the democratically elected Hamas party Palestinian government, but are pushing further conflict by expressing willingness to speak on a limited basis only to the Fateh member President Abbas.
\r\nPalestinian medical sources and eyewitnesses report that four Palestinians were killed east of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip overnight Sunday. A number of Palestinians were also injured in the area of Beach Refugee Camp in western Gaza City further north in the Strip. \r\n
\r\nDirector of Emergency and Ambulance Services at Gaza City’s major Al Shifa Hospital, Dr. Juma’ Al Saqa, confirmed to PNN Monday morning that four were killed in the south, and another killed west of the City. \r\n
\r\n\r\nEyewitnesses report that armed clashes erupted in Beach Refugee Camp, west of Gaza City, between armed members of the Hamas and Fateh resistance parties. Their weapons were agreed to be used against the occupation, not against fellow Palestinians, but this has not stopped them for months. Many blame manipulation by Israelis and the US through its political and economic blockade which has led many to place the blame of their hardship away from the occupation and the Americans, and instead onto the Hamas party who the US and Israel repeat over and again is the cause of the intensified suffering of the Palestinian people.
\r\nOn Thursday night another Palestinian was killed in internal Fateh – Hamas fighting.
\r\n
\r\nA Palestinian woman and her husband were killed in Sunday’s fighting. They were members of the Al Qassam Brigades, the armed resistance wing of Hamas. Another family member was injured when unknown persons opened fire on the car they were in, east of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip. \r\n
\r\nMedical sources report the woman as 24 year old Alia Rim. She was six-months pregnant. Her husband, Mohammad, was also killed, while Yasser’s injuries are described as critical. He is undergoing surgery in the European Hospital between Rafah and Khan Younis along the eastern road linking the two cities in the southern Gaza Strip.
\r\n
\r\nEyewitnesses said gunmen attacked the car in which Al Qasssam leader Yasser Mohammed Shawki was riding. Also in the car was a weapons expert for Al Qassam and his wife. They were passing next to the College of Science and Technology in the Khan Younis area when they were killed. \r\n
\r\nEyewitnesses reported the Hamas security movement, the Executive Forces, working under the direction of the Palestinian police, but without the blessing of President Abbas, was on the scene. Their stated purpose is to help combat the lawlessness and chaos in the Strip. \r\n
\r\n',1,1,0,13,'2006-06-05 11:48:48',62,'(PNN Editor) Kristen Ess','2010-12-08 12:13:35',62,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2006-06-05 11:46:46','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','pageclass_sfx=\nback_button=\nitem_title=1\nlink_titles=\nintrotext=1\nsection=0\nsection_link=0\ncategory=0\ncategory_link=0\nrating=\nauthor=\ncreatedate=\nmodifydate=\npdf=\nprint=\nemail=\nkeyref=\ndocbook_type=',2,0,47,'','',0,891),(56,'Cultural Events','','\r\nVISUAL ART, DANCE, THEATRE AND FILM IN THE GAZA STRIP AND WEST BANK, INCLUDING EAST JERUSALEM, FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL 2007 \r\n
\r\n\r\nDANCE \r\n
\r\n\r\nRamallah \r\n
\r\n\r\nVISUAL ART \r\n
\r\n\r\nRamallah \r\n
\r\n\r\nEast Jerusalem \r\n
\r\n\r\nBethlehem \r\n
\r\n\r\nTHEATRE
\r\n\r\n
\r\nBethlehem
\r\n\r\n
\r\n "The Magic Flute" as part of Palestine Mozart Festival, Dar Al Nadwa, Monday 9 April \r\n
\r\n\r\n Ashtar Theatre of the Oppressed Season presents: "Don't Lose Heart" at Talitakoumi School in Beit Jala and "The Story of Mona" in Artas Village, Saturday 14 April \r\n
\r\n\r\n East Jerusalem \r\n
\r\n\r\n Ashtar Theatre of the Oppressed Season presents "Don't Lose Heart," Al Quds University in Abu Dis, Monday 16 April and "Demolition," Palestinian National Theatre, Saturday 21 April \r\n
\r\n\r\n "The Magic Flute" as part of Palestine Mozart Festival, Palestinian National Theatre, Friday 13 April \r\n
\r\n\r\n Ramallah \r\n
\r\n\r\nMUSIC \r\n
\r\n\r\nBethlehem \r\n
\r\n\r\nEast Jerusalem \r\n
\r\n\r\nRamallah \r\n
\r\n\r\nFILM
\r\n\r\n
\r\nBethlehem \r\n
\r\n\r\nEast Jerusalem \r\n
\r\n\r\nRamallah \r\n
\r\n\r\n{mosimage}Palestinian Legislative Council members were out in full force during Qalqilia's nonviolent demonstration against the Wall. \r\n
\r\n\r\nThe event “confirms the determination of our people to resist the Wall and remove the settlements, which are obstacles to the establishment of the Palestinian state,” Dr. Mohamad Aboushi of the Palestinian National Initiative leadership told Saturday's crowds.\r\n
\r\n\r\nQalqilia's Governor described being surrounded by the Wall and settlements as surviving “imprisonment in the worst apartheid witnessed in history."\r\n
\r\n','\r\nThe National Action Committee and the People's Resistance to Settlements and the Apartheid Wall organized the demonstration in the northwestern West Bank. PLC deputies Hassan Khreisheh and Khalida Jarrar, Minister of Labor Mahmoud Al Aloul, and Qalqilia's Governor were among the demonstrators. \r\n
\r\n\r\nDr. Aboushi said, “Our struggle against occupation could end if it ended at the borders of 4 June 1967.” He affirmed that anti-settlement and Wall activities will continue until they are gone. \r\n
\r\n\r\nFor his part, Labor Minister Al Aloul, said, “With this Wall Israel is seeking to prevent the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state.” \r\n
\r\n\r\nThe organizers of the day's events said that the Israeli policy of land confiscation, settlement expansion and Wall imposition is one in the same as the aim is “Israel's quest for a forced migration."\r\n
\r\n',1,1,0,22,'2007-03-31 23:37:40',63,'(Qalqilia) Palestine News Network','2010-12-08 12:21:37',63,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2007-03-31 23:35:42','0000-00-00 00:00:00','wall-qal222.jpg|left||0||bottom||','','pageclass_sfx=\nback_button=\nitem_title=1\nlink_titles=\nintrotext=1\nsection=0\nsection_link=0\ncategory=0\ncategory_link=0\nrating=\nauthor=\ncreatedate=\nmodifydate=\npdf=\nprint=\nemail=\nkeyref=\ndocbook_type=',2,0,130,'','',0,1541),(2069,'Palestinian nonviolent demonstrators against the Wall: Israel\'s quest is for forced migration','(Qalqilia) Palestine News Network','\r\n{mosimage}Palestinian Legislative Council members were out in full force during Qalqilia's nonviolent demonstration against the Wall. \r\n
\r\n\r\nThe event “confirms the determination of our people to resist the Wall and remove the settlements, which are obstacles to the establishment of the Palestinian state,” Dr. Mohamad Aboushi of the Palestinian National Initiative leadership told Saturday's crowds.\r\n
\r\n\r\n \r\n
\r\n','\r\nThe National Action Committee and the People's Resistance to Settlements and the Apartheid Wall organized the demonstration in the northwestern West Bank. PLC deputies Hassan Khreisheh and Khalida Jarrar, Minister of Labor Mahmoud Al Aloul, and Qalqilia's Governor were among the demonstrators.\r\n
\r\n\r\nDr. Aboushi said, “Our struggle against occupation could end if it ended at the borders of 4 June 1967.” He affirmed that anti-settlement and Wall activities will continue until they are gone.\r\n
\r\n\r\nFor his part, Labor Minister Al Aloul, said, “With this Wall Israel is seeking to prevent the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state.”\r\n
\r\n\r\nThe organizers of the day's events said that the Israeli policy of land confiscation, settlement expansion and Wall imposition is one in the same as the aim is “Israel's quest for a forced migration.”\r\n
\r\n\r\nQalqilia's Governor described his surroundings of the Wall and settlements as being “imprisoned in the worst apartheid witnessed in history.”\r\n
\r\n',1,1,0,23,'2007-03-31 23:37:40',63,'(Qalqilia) Palestine News Network','2010-12-08 12:22:16',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2007-03-31 23:35:42','0000-00-00 00:00:00','wall-qal222.jpg|left||0||bottom||','','pageclass_sfx=\nback_button=\nitem_title=1\nlink_titles=\nintrotext=1\nsection=0\nsection_link=0\ncategory=0\ncategory_link=0\nrating=\nauthor=\ncreatedate=\nmodifydate=\npdf=\nprint=\nemail=\nkeyref=\ndocbook_type=',0,0,187,'','',0,1421),(2070,'Palestinian nonviolent demonstrators against the Wall: Israel\'s quest is for forced migration','(Qalqilia) Palestine News Network','\r\n{mosimage}Palestinian Legislative Council members were out in full force during Qalqilia's nonviolent demonstration against the Wall. \r\n
\r\n\r\nThe event “confirms the determination of our people to resist the Wall and remove the settlements, which are obstacles to the establishment of the Palestinian state,” Dr. Mohamad Aboushi of the Palestinian National Initiative leadership told Saturday's crowds.\r\n
\r\n\r\n \r\n
\r\n','\r\nThe National Action Committee and the People's Resistance to Settlements and the Apartheid Wall organized the demonstration in the northwestern West Bank. PLC deputies Hassan Khreisheh and Khalida Jarrar, Minister of Labor Mahmoud Al Aloul, and Qalqilia's Governor were among the demonstrators.\r\n
\r\n\r\nDr. Aboushi said, “Our struggle against occupation could end if it ended at the borders of 4 June 1967.” He affirmed that anti-settlement and Wall activities will continue until they are gone.\r\n
\r\n\r\nFor his part, Labor Minister Al Aloul, said, “With this Wall Israel is seeking to prevent the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state.”\r\n
\r\n\r\nThe organizers of the day's events said that the Israeli policy of land confiscation, settlement expansion and Wall imposition is one in the same as the aim is “Israel's quest for a forced migration.”\r\n
\r\n\r\nQalqilia's Governor described his surroundings of the Wall and settlements as being “imprisoned in the worst apartheid witnessed in history.”\r\n
\r\n',1,1,0,14,'2007-03-31 23:37:40',63,'(Qalqilia) Palestine News Network','2010-12-08 12:19:08',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2007-03-31 23:35:42','0000-00-00 00:00:00','wall-qal222.jpg|left||0||bottom||','','pageclass_sfx=\nback_button=\nitem_title=1\nlink_titles=\nintrotext=1\nsection=0\nsection_link=0\ncategory=0\ncategory_link=0\nrating=\nauthor=\ncreatedate=\nmodifydate=\npdf=\nprint=\nemail=\nkeyref=\ndocbook_type=',0,0,296,'','',0,1367),(1667,'Luay Abdo: international community understands regional issues now more than ever','(Nablus) Amin Abu Wardeh','\r\n{mosimage}Fateh Affairs Officer in the northern West Bank, Luay Abdo, said Sunday, “The solution is on the horizon.” \r\n
\r\n\r\nHe spoke to “everything happening on the land of Palestine,” and said, “We can achieve a fully independent Palestinian state on sovereign land, air and sea space, be rid of the occupation at 1967 boundaries and keep Jerusalem as capital while the international community joins us in eradicating the refugee problem by supporting the Right of Return.”\r\n
\r\n\r\nAbdo said that now more than ever the international community is coming into an understanding of the situation. \r\n
\r\n','\r\nHe said that despite the escalation of the Israeli “settlement project, aggression and intransigence, most of the world is keeping on track.”\r\n
\r\n\r\nHe pointed out that the disruption in building the state will not continue for long, particularly as the people repaired the rifts and rejoined in common struggle against the ongoing Israeli policies and imposition of facts on the ground that will create a spurious reality.\r\n
\r\n\r\nThe Fateh leader stressed that the people, the Palestine Liberation Organization and the National Authority are closer to the state and those attempting to destroy collective action will not succeed.\r\n
\r\n',1,1,0,13,'2007-02-11 01:23:48',63,'(Nablus) Amin Abu Wardeh','2010-12-08 12:17:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2007-02-11 01:21:29','0000-00-00 00:00:00','luaiabdu.jpg|left||0||bottom||','','pageclass_sfx=\nback_button=\nitem_title=1\nlink_titles=\nintrotext=1\nsection=0\nsection_link=0\ncategory=0\ncategory_link=0\nrating=\nauthor=\ncreatedate=\nmodifydate=\npdf=\nprint=\nemail=\nkeyref=\ndocbook_type=',1,0,1786,'','',0,1056),(1668,'Israeli military stops journalists from filming West Bank raid','(Qalqilia) Palestine News Network','\r\n{mosimage}Ten kilometers east of Qalqilia Israeli forces prevented journalists from recording an invasion. Yesterday in the northwestern West Bank town of 'Azzoun Israeli forces invaded and several young people came running to throw stones. Israeli soldiers opened fire and the press began to arrive. \r\n
\r\n\r\nA journalist on the scene told PNN that Israeli officers accused the media of incitement by filming and photographing the invasion. He said the Israeli claim was that media presence encouraged stone throwers hoping to make it on television or in the papers.\r\n
\r\n','\r\nThe journalists refused to leave but were forced to. Several young people were injured and others arrested throughout the night.\r\n
\r\n\r\nThe town of 'Azzoun has been largely closed since Friday evening when Israeli forces blocked roads leading to neighboring towns and villages, and prevented travel to the cities of Qalqilia and Nablus.\r\n
\r\n',1,1,0,13,'2007-02-11 01:37:26',63,'(Qalqilia) Palestine News Network','2010-12-08 12:17:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2007-02-11 01:35:47','0000-00-00 00:00:00','arrest22.jpg|left||0||bottom||','','pageclass_sfx=\nback_button=\nitem_title=1\nlink_titles=\nintrotext=1\nsection=0\nsection_link=0\ncategory=0\ncategory_link=0\nrating=\nauthor=\ncreatedate=\nmodifydate=\npdf=\nprint=\nemail=\nkeyref=\ndocbook_type=',1,0,1775,'','',0,1205),(1669,'National unity government agreement','(Ramallah) Rashid Hilal','\r\n{mosimage}An agreement has been reached between Fateh and Hamas regarding the formation of the national unity government. The points published on Sunday afternoon are as follows:\r\n
\r\n\r\nOne: Education and Higher Education, Waqf and Religious Affairs, Youth and Sport, Local Government and Minister of National Economy positions to be filled by Hamas party\r\n
\r\n\r\nTwo: Fateh will fill Health, Social Affairs, Public Works and Housing, Communications, Agriculture and Prisoners ministerial positions\r\n
\r\n','\r\nThree: Hamas candidate for Planning Minister considered independent\r\n
\r\n\r\nFour: The Fateh movement designate independents\r\n
\r\n\r\nFive: Information, Tourism and Women's Affairs ministerial positions appointed by Prime Minister
\r\nand parliamentary blocs\r\n
\r\nSix: Prime Minister Haniya and Deputy Prime Minister named by President Abbas. Foreign Affairs ministerial position to be filled by independent Ziad Abu Amar, acceptable to both Fateh and Hamas, Salam Fayyad returning to position as Finance Minister, Interior Minister to be designated by Hamas and approved by President Abbas\r\n
\