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Today in Palestine! ~ Headlines ~ |
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Settlers/Land, property & resource theft and destruction/Ethnic cleansing
Settler suspected in hit-and-run
BETHLEHEM
(Ma'an) -- A Palestinian was injured Tuesday after he was struck down in
the Bethlehem village of Tuqu' on the main road. Locals said a settler
is suspected of driving into Rafat Ibrahim Suleiman, 25, as he walked
on the main road, then fleeing the scene. A Palestinian car then
pursued the settler's car, writing down its license to transfer the
information to the Israeli police. Suleiman was transferred to hospital
in an Israeli ambulance.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=325567
Shepherd made homeless, his water cistern destroyed, son in prison
Al-Khalil
(Hebron) - Noah El-Rajabi is a shepherd, with two hundred sheep and
goats. He lives in Bani Na`im,17 kilometres from Hebron. He is
married, and has seven children. Bani Na`im is under Israeli military
and civil control. Ten
weeks ago the Israeli military demolished his house. His wife and
younger children now live in two rented rooms in Hebron. Noah and his
oldest son lived in a tent supplied by the Red Cross, so that Noah could
continue to work with his flock. On Monday 11th October, at 8.00 a.m.
the Israeli military arrived without warning and destroyed his
water cistern, his tent, and a small wooden structure Noah used for
cooking and storage. His oldest son, aged 14, who was with Noah,
protested at the soldiers` action, and was arrested. His son is accused
of assaulting two soldiers. Noah reports that soldiers kicked and beat
some of the animals and that one pregnant ewe aborted.
http://www.kibush.co.il/show_file.asp?num=42879
Settlers torch crops in Bethlehem village
BETHLEHEM
(Ma'an) -- Israeli settlers set fire to Palestinian crops on farmland in
the Husan village in the southern West Bank district of Bethlehem,
burning vast areas of olive groves before firefighters were able to
control the blaze, locals said. Locals said Israeli residents of the
nearby illegal Betar Illit settlement obstructed Palestinian
firefighters from accessing the site of the blaze, causing the fire to
spread extensively. A local village council source said grape and olive
groves were damaged in the arson, largely in the Ein At-Taqa area,
adding that bare-footed farmers were unable to extinguish the fire and
that several sustained light burns as a result.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=325571
Israeli Settlers Invade al-Makkam Near Nablus
On
Monday after midnight, Israeli settlers invaded al-Makkam village near
Nablus, in the northern West Bank. The sources added that settlers
invaded the outskirts of Nablus under the protection of the Israeli army
who occupied the roofs of Palestinian
buildings and surrounding schools. Clashes occured among residents of
Balata Refugee Camp and the Israeli military, which, an eyewitness said,
fired tear gas.
http://www.imemc.org/article/59674
Clashes Between Hebron University Students and Settlers
Muhannad al-Adam – Hebron – PNN - Dozens of Hebron University students
clashed with settlers from the Hebron area outpost of Susya this morning
after helping local farmers harvest their olive trees. Musa’ab Bahis, an
activist with the university’s youth movement, said they were helping
out with the harvest when they were assaulted by settlers. The story is
developing.
http://english.pnn.ps/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8936&Itemid=64
JNF plants trees to uproot Bedouin
The Electronic Intifada contributor Arwa Aburawa spoke to Ra'ed
al-Mickawi from Bustan, a green Bedouin organization, and Alice Gray an
environmental expert based in the West Bank to find out more about the
role of greenwashing in the Israeli occupation of the Naqab desert.
http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article11576.shtml
Settlers not punished for 'damaging Palestinian trees' (AFP)
AFP
- Jewish settlers who vandalise Palestinian trees are not being brought
to justice, with police inquiries repeatedly failing to lead to prosecutions, a human rights group said on Tuesday.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20101019/wl_mideast_afp/
israelpalestiniansconflictfarmunrestjustice
Netanyahu still wary of razing six West Bank outposts slated for demolition in 2004
High Court to deliberate state refusal to raze six West Bank outposts; Netanyahu: Demolition carries political implication.
http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/netanyahu
-still-wary-of-razing-six-west-bank-outposts-slated-for-demolition-in-2004-1.319986
Amnesty International Statement a Reminder of Human Cost of Settlements, Alex Kane
Talk
of Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories is often
centered on questions of legality, statehood and the “peace process.”
All of the settlements built on Palestinian land are illegal under
international law, and they control about 42% of land in the West Bank–land that has been viewed for decades as part of a Palestinian state.
http://alexbkane.wordpress.com/2010/10/18/
amnesty-international-statement-a-reminder-of-human-cost-of-settlements/
'Israel's new housing units decision violates int'l law'
UN
slams
Israel's refusal to extend W.Bank settlement freeze; UN representative
says "we have brief, crucial window to overcome current impasse. If door
to peace closes, will be very hard to reopen."
http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=191871
Israel rebuked at United Nations. Will Security Council take action? (The Christian Science Monitor)
The Christian Science Monitor - Israel's approval last week of 238 new
Jewish housing units in Arab East Jerusalem provoked widespread
condemnation in a United Nations Security Council session Monday focused
on the stalemated Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/csm/20101018/ts_csm/332983
Palestinians plan UN resolution calling for settlement evacuation
Initiative comes in place of an earlier idea of seeking Security Council
recognition for a Palestinian state within pre-1967 lines.
http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/
palestinians-plan-un-resolution-calling-for-settlement-evacuation-1.319893
China expresses "regret" over Israel's new settlement plan
BEIJING,
Oct.
19 (Xinhua) -- China said Tuesday it regretted Israel's plan to build
new housing units in East Jerusalem, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said
Tuesday. China is deeply concerned about the ongoing stalemate in the
Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, and hopes that Israel will take a
responsible attitude and careful action to create conditions for pushing
forward the peace talks, Ma Zhaoxu told a regular news briefing.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/china/2010-10/19/c_13565244.htm
Official: Israel seeks de facto recognition of east Jerusalem's illegal annexation
RAMALLAH,
Oct.
18 (Xinhua) -- Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat on Monday
accused Israel of seeking a de facto recognition of its illegal
annexation of East Jerusalem by hosting the Organization for Economic
Cooperation and Development (OECD) conference in the city. Erekat said
in a press statement emailed to reporters that the Palestinians thanked
the countries that have decided to withdraw their attendance to the OECD
Tourism Committee Summit to be held in Jerusalem on Oct. 20.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2010-10/19/c_13563467.htm
Netanyahu plays down new construction in settlements (Reuters)
Reuters
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu played down on Monday new Israeli
construction on land Palestinians seek for a state, urging them to
return to peace talks halted over the resumption of settlement building.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20101018/wl_nm/us_palestinians_israel
Rabbi: Insult to say Jerusalem 'illegally occupied'
BETHLEHEM
(Ma'an)
-- The World Jewish Congress vice-president said it was an "insult to
all of us to accuse us of illegally occupying [Jerusalem]," a
statement issued Tuesday read. Rabbi Marc Schneider's comments were
made at the 8th Doha Conference of Inter-Faith Dialogue in Qatar, which
opened on Tuesday and will be convening during the course of the week.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=325515
Congressional chairman to Palestinians who live in the capital of the Jewish people: Drop dead
U.S. Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-NY), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia, issued the following statement today concerning the Israeli construction in Jerusalem. AIPAC is tweeting happily about it. “Jerusalem
is the capital of Israel. It is not a settlement. “As
such, the resumption of construction in Jerusalem is not a justification
for a crisis, a showdown, a meltdown or even a hissy fit. Ramot and
Pisgat Zeev are going to be part of Israel in any conceivable
final status deal and to pretend otherwise is pointless.
http://mondoweiss.net/2010/10/congressional-chairman-
to-palestinians-who-live-in-the-capital-of-the-jewish-people-drop-dead.html
New Israeli Report: Israeli Banks are Principal Beneficiaries of the Illegal Settlements
According to a new report by Who Profits,
a research project that exposes Israeli and international corporate
involvement in the occupation: “The banks are well aware of the
activities carried out with their financial assistance.” A report
published today by Who Profits exposes the financial support
provided by Israeli banks to illegal Israeli settlements and the direct
involvement of Israeli banks in control over the Palestinian banking
market. The report, “Financing the Occupation,” investigated the
involvement of Israeli banks in the economy of occupation.
http://pulsemedia.org/2010/10/18/new-israeli-report-
israeli-banks-are-principal-beneficiaries-of-the-illegal-settlements/
‘60 Minutes’ marks the end of the two-state solution, Adam Horowitz
Last night's 60 Minutes story on Silwan and the "City of David," marks
the dawning recognition that the two-state solution is no longer
possible. Lesley Stahl's opening was a subtle introduction to the idea
that the supposed solutions of the past, no longer fit today's reality.
http://mondoweiss.net/2010/10/60-minutes-marks-the-end-of-the-two-state-solution.html
60 Minutes Reports On Silwan, East Jerusalem, Joseph Dana
Silwan
is a dangerous neighborhood. Not only because of the simmering political
tensions between the Palestinians and the Jewish settlers occupying
houses in the city, but also because the neighborhood is one of the
centers of the drug trade. But of all the cities and villages in the
West Bank, the Palestinians of Silwan have a reputation as being on the
forefront of resistance to Israel’s steady takeover of Palestinian land.
In fact, they often proclaim that the third intifada will begin in
Silwan regardless of what is happening in the rest of the West Bank.
http://josephdana.com/2010/10/60-minutes-reports-on-silwan-east-jerusalem
Activism/Solidarity/Boycott, Sanctions & Divestment
Erdogan to boycott Mediterranean conference if Netanyahu shows
Turkish PM slams Israel over IDF raid on a Gaza-bound ship in which nine
Turkish activists were killed, says he doesn't want to talk to a PM who
supports such actions.
http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/
erdogan-to-boycott-mediterranean-conference-if-netanyahu-shows-1.319879
Turkish PM Says Will Not Talk With Netanyahu
ATHENS
(Reuters)
- Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan does not want to talk
with his Israeli counterpart and will not attend a climate change
conference in Athens on Friday if Benjamin Netanyahu is there, he told
Greece's Skai TV on Monday.
http://feeds.nytimes.com/click.phdo?i=dd5dd14f8d59ff0454f9df53222a8793
OECD delegation to skip E. Jerusalem sites to avoid conflict
Tourism minister says he doesn't want this week's OECD conference to
become political; Palestinians urge OECD members to boycott the meeting.
http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/
oecd-delegation-to-skip-e-jerusalem-sites-to-avoid-conflict-1.319842
Lifeline 5 to leave this evening for Al-Arish seaport
The
fifth aid convoy Lifeline for Gaza will leave Tuesday evening for the
Egyptian seaport of Al-Arish after a delay in its departure due to
financial problems with the cargo ship's owner.
http://www.palestine-info.co.uk/En/default.aspx?xyz=U6Qq7
Israeli forces await Viva Palestina'
The
Israeli
forces are awaiting the arrival of the fifth Gaza-bound aid convoy,
sent by the UK-based charity Viva Palestina, a source with Israel's
military says.
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/147104.html
Alternative Information Center, "8,000 Demonstrate in Tel Aviv against Racist Laws and Population Transfer Exercises"
Some 8,000 people marched through Tel Aviv to the Ministry of Defense on
16 October 2010, in protest against the racist laws being promoted by
the Israeli government and the Israeli security forces' population
transfer exercises. A long list of organizations, movements, and
political parties participated in the demonstration, including the
Hadash Party, Hithabrut-Tarabut, and the Negev Coexistence Forum for
Civil Equality, amongst others.
http://mrzine.monthlyreview.org/2010/israel181010.html
Just another futile Friday in Bil'in? - Greg Wilkinson
Business as usual? Weekly ritual? Sporting event? A bit of all three,
but more than that. Nobody injured, nobody killed, this week.
Mercifully. No ground lost or gained, but nearly 100 people walking,
talking, shouting singing in the sun, behind a Palestinian flag toward a
boring line of metal fence – no Great Wall of Israel, just a stupid
obstacle to little things like justice, peace and people's land. What's
the message of this march? Get out, we've said it before and we'll say
it again. Free our prisoners, and one in particular this week. Abdullah
Abu Rahmah was jailed for a year three days ago. His daughter is
somewhere in the crowd, with a picture of her dad. Abdullah in prison,
Bassem dead ... same family.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=325265
Norway artist angry as works withdrawn from Syria show
DAMASCUS — Two paintings by Norway's Haakon Gullvaag that show an
Israeli flag have been withdrawn from an exhibition at the French
Cultural Centre in the Syrian capital, the artist said on Monday. His
"Terra Sancta" exhibition contains works about the Israeli offensive
against the Islamist-ruled Gaza Strip in December 2008 and January
2009. Two
of the works in which the Israeli flag features were removed from the
show on Saturday, an angry Gullvaag told AFP by phone from Oslo, adding
the French embassy in Damascus "explained to us that it was their
decision. "This was done without contacting the artist, the curator or
the Norwegian embassy. I have never experienced something similar in my
entire life." The artist said the French embassy said it had concerns
about a hotel near the cultural centre which normally has many Iranian
guests. "They were afraid that the Iranians would misunderstand the
motifs as being Israel-friendly. Then the cultural centre claimed that
some students have complained about showing the Israeli flag at all,"
Gullvaag said. http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5g_i1jYQjtseFbicihLDwLeAF3A-A
Remembering Furkan Dogan
Furkan Dogan was an American, a young American of only 19 years when on
31 May a hail of Israeli bullets ended his life on the Mavi Marmara
Turkish humanitarian aid ship
http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article11574.shtml
#BDS:
SJP
Press Release: Students denounce demonization of student activism by
Anti-Defamation League On campuses around the country, groups promoting
Palestinian freedom respond to attack by the Anti-Defamation League
UNITED STATES (October 17, 2010) – Representing campus organizations at
over 60 campuses around the country, university students promoting
Palestinian freedom have responded to a vilifying report by the
Anti-Defamation League (ADL) listing “Students for Justice in Palestine”
(SJP) and a variety of other American organizations as the “Top 10
Anti-Israel Groups in America.” The report was released the same day the
ADL honored Rupert Murdoch, the media mogul who owns Fox News Network.
http://youthanormalization.blogspot.com/2010/10/bds-sjp-press-release-students-denounce.html
ADL's demonization of student activism denounced
As members of several student groups working for justice in Palestine,
we affirmatively state that the ADL's characterization of our campus
educational efforts and activism about Israeli injustices against
Palestinians as "biased" is a disingenuous and misguided attempt to
vilify students who criticize Israel's occupation, which denies
Palestinian human rights and self-determination.
http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article11578.shtml
#BDS: 'Why Israel only' is tired and hypocritical
Robert
Fine's
piece "Blame Game won't lead us to peace" (October 8), commenting on
the rather tepid University of Jo'burg senate resolution to the call by
(now more than 270) South African academics, including the
vice-chancellors of three South African universities to end its
apartheid-era relationship with Ben Gurion University, raises some
interesting points. Desmond Tutu is indirectly, but not so subtly,
accused of anti-Semitism because he warns that those who support the
severance of ties may lose research funding and, at the same time, urges
Jews not to forget their own past as victims of discrimination.
http://youthanormalization.blogspot.com/2010/10/bds-why-israel-only-is-tired-and.html
Siege (Gaza & West Bank)/Rights Violations/Restriction of Movement
The Children Of Balata: Putting Faces To Statistics
According to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA),
Balata's 0.25 sq km area is home to more than 23,600 registered
refugees, although the true population could be much higher. The camp
was formed in 1950, designed for 5,000-7,000 people. For it's 23,000+
occupants, the camp has one food distribution center, one women's
program center and one community-based rehabilitation center. The camp
is plagued by water shortages and sewage treatment problems that cause
hygiene problems and lengthy droughts.
http://www.palestinemonitor.org/spip/spip.php?article1571
Gaza govt says Israel barring entry of olives
GAZA CITY (Ma’an) -- The Gaza government’s Ministry of Agriculture said
Monday that Israeli forces were disrupting the entry of olives from the
West Bank into Gaza. Israeli forces are forbidding truckloads of olives
to enter to Gaza via the Kerem Shalom crossing even though there is
security coordination, the enclave's crossings authority said. Israeli
authorities are allowing only one shipment each day rather than five,
officials said, and holding back shipments for longer than 48 hours at a
time, which affects quality.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=325175
Racism & Discrimination
MKs seek ban on East Jerusalem Arabs guiding in the city
Proposal sponsored by Gideon Ezra and seven other MKs, says tourists should get Israeli viewpoint.
http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/
mks-seek-ban-on-east-jerusalem-arabs-guiding-in-the-city-1.319890
Netanyahu wants loyalty oath bill to include Jews as well
PM instructs Justice Minister to draft a bill extending the loyalty
oath, in which non-Jews are required to pledge allegiance to 'the State
of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state,' to Jewish immigrants as
well.
http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/
netanyahu-wants-loyalty-oath-bill-to-include-jews-as-well-1.319864
Knesset debate: Stop Lieberman's fascism
Group
of
lawmakers, intellectuals hold special conference to discuss 'racist'
loyalty oath, which they claim threatens 'very foundation of Israeli
democracy.' Kadima MK Molla warns against 'flood' of racist legislation.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3971723,00.html
Yediot poll notes threat of fascism in Israel
Richard
Silverstein - Tikkun Olam - What stands out in the results is the
absolutely schizoid nature of the Israel polity. It makes one understand
the psychology at work historically in societies that turn to fascism,
even while retaining the illusion that they are still at least
marginally democratic.
http://www.richardsilverstein.com/tikun_olam/2010/10/17/
yediot-poll-notes-threat-of-fascism-in-israel/
Violence
Five peaceful protesters wounded by Israeli military in Silwan
Israeli
soldiers
fired rounds of live ammunition, rubber-coated bullets and gas
bombs at dozens of Palestinian protestors in Silwan town, in occupied
East Jerusalem. At least five residents were wounded and twelve
detained.
http://www.imemc.org/article/59668
Detainees
Israeli Soldiers Kidnap a Citizen From Beit Umar
The
Israeli military abducted, on Tuesday morning, Ayyad Bregheth, 20 years
old, from the town of Beit Umar, located between Bethlehem and Hebron.
http://www.imemc.org/article/59675
Israeli Army Abducts Four Citizens From Hebron
The Israeli military abducted, on Monday morning, four Palestinian
citizens from different areas in Hebron, surrounded a mosque and
errected many barriers in the region.
http://www.imemc.org/article/59663
Israeli army raids Tubas, detains 7
altRamallah,
October
18, (Pal Telegraph) Israeli occupation forces arrested last night seven
citizens in the occupied West Bank, claiming they were "wanted."
According to Israeli public radio that Israeli occupation forces
transferred seven detainees to the security authorities for
investigation. According to local sources in Jenin, Israeli occupation
forces stormed in the early dawn hours today “Tubas” town and arrested a
citizen and took him to an unknown destination. Local sources added
that more than ten Israeli military vehicles stormed the town at dawn
today and set up a sudden checkpoint at the entrance of the town and
closed the road leading to it.
http://www.paltelegraph.com/palestine/west-bank/7332-Israeli-army-raids-Tubas,-detains-7.html
Prisoners advocate says detainee's life in jeopardy
TUBAS (Ma’an) -- The detainees’ center in Tubas called human rights
organizations and the Red Cross to intervene and save a sick detainee
whose as his illness progresses in detention at Israel's Ramon prison.
Imad Al-Masri was detained 20 years earlier when he was sentenced to
life in prison. Detainee advocates have accused the Israeli Prison
Service of failing to offer adequate treatment for the undisclosed
illness. The head of the detainees’ center Mahmoud Sawafta said Israel
was responsible for the man's life.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=325386
Freed Prisoner Kifah Afaneh: Full-body Searches Routine for Female Prisoners
Recently released prisoner Kifah Afaneh said in an interview that female
detainees like her often risk being strip-searched in prison. They fear
the interrogation room, she said, where they are stripped in front of
hidden cameras as part of procedures at the central prison. Afaneh
added that female prisoners, like other Palestinian detainees, first
faced military courts before being transferred from one prison to
another. Female jailers then demand that they remove all their clothing
piece by piece before examining them thoroughly, often provoking or
insulting them in the process.
http://english.pnn.ps/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8938&Itemid=68
Israel's Arab Helpers
Egypt seizes arms, ammunition at Rafah border area
RAFAH,
Egypt,
Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian authorities seized on Monday a large
amount of ammunition and arms in a security campaign at the border
city of Rafah. Four bags packed with around 600 kg of TNT and a small
number of hand grenades, landmines and machine guns were found in caches
in an area called El-Sarsoureya, north of Egypt's Rafah crossing with
Gaza, a security source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2010-10/19/c_13563465.htm
Palestinian Authority Traitors Serving Israel, Steve Lendman
Palestinian
President
Mahmoud Abbas' duplicitous treachery exposes him as an enemy,
not ally, of his people. An earlier article on him quoted Jeffrey
Blankfort calling him a "double agent (serving) his Israeli and US
masters in plain sight." In June 2003, Edward Said called him "Israel's
sheriff," saying he's "colorless, moderately corrupt, and without any
clear ideas of his own, except that he wants to please the white man,"
his Washington and bosses. Access the article through the following
link.
http://sjlendman.blogspot.com/2010/10/palestinian-authority-traitors-serving.html
Anti-Palestine Task Force Gala Wednesday Night: Self-Respecting Arabs Need Not Attend
The Fifth annual gala of the American Task Force on Palestine (ATFP),
the
public relations firm of the Vichy regime in occupied Ramallah, will be
this Wednesday night. Ziad Asali and Hussein Ibish have their tuxedos
ready, and are spending the last day prior to the gala honing their social etiquette skills. We at Ikhras thought you might be interested in knowing the names of the “esteemed members” of the honorary host committee. According to our count the committee includes 27 “Honorables”, 15 “Excellencies”, and 2 “Royal Highnesses.”
http://ikhras.com/2010/10/anti-palestine-task-force-
gala-wednesday-night-self-respecting-arabs-need-not-attend/
PA police detain 3 in Salfit
SALFIT
(Ma'an)
-- Palestinian Authority police operating in Salfit detained three
residents they described as "wanted" by the Palestinian court, a
statement read. Police said the three had fled from police and were accused of failing to pay "huge amounts" of debts.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=325468
War Criminals
Turkish PM describes Israel flotilla raid "state terrorism," demands apology
Turkey's
prime minister has again accused Israel of "state terrorism" and called
on the Jewish state to apologize and compensate victims of a raid on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5hmpvp-dZSRoow7dMkgZEJGgCzkRg
Political Developments
Mishaal to meet a delegation of the Elders
Khaled Mishaal, the political bureau chairman of Hamas, is to meet with a
delegation of the Elders in his office in Damascus on Tuesday, Ezzet Al-Resheq announced on Monday.
http://www.palestine-info.co.uk/En/default.aspx?xyz=U6Qq
Hamas insists on holding next meeting with Fatah in Damascus
Hamas informed Fatah faction that it was adamant on holding the next
round of dialog talks in Damascus on Wednesday as previously agreed upon
between the two movements in their latest meeting.
http://www.palestine-info.co.uk/En/default.aspx?xyz=
Hamas' Mesh'al lays out new policy direction
Since
1996, Khaled Mesh'al has been the Chairman of the Islamic Resistance
Movement (Hamas) Political Bureau. After the assassination of Hamas
leader Abdul 'Aziz Rantisi in 2004 by Israeli forces, Mesh'al became the
movement's overall leader. He lives in exile in Damascus, from where he
oversees the movement's activities both within Palestine and outside.
The most recent interview with Mesh'al was conducted by the Jordanian
Arabic-language Al-Sabeel newspaper in July 2010. In it, Mesh'al laid
out the policy direction of Hamas on a number of critical issues:
negotiations with Israel, recognition of Israel, resistance, Jews,
Christians, women, among other issues. In the Arab world, the lengthy
interview is being viewed as highly significant, and is regarded as a
clear indication of positions that Hamas wants to pursue, especially
with regard to its future attitude towards Israel. The Afro-Middle East
Centre (AMEC) translated the interview into English and publishes it
here to make it accessible to a wider audience, and to allow for greater
understanding of the political and other perspectives of a movement
which has become one of the most important role-players in the Middle
East today. It is an important piece articulating, in its own words, the
perspectives of Hamas' leadership, and is critical reading for observers
of the Middle East, and policy-makers for whom the Middle East
is important.
http://amec.org.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=181&catid=62&Itemid=75
Only 'brief window' open for new Mideast talks: UN official (AFP)
AFP - International powers must quickly bring Israel and the
Palestinians together for new talks to avoid a new Middle East crisis, a
top UN official told the Security Council on Monday.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20101018/wl_mideast_afp/israelpalestinianspeaceunus
Palestine: Ambassador Warns That Time Is Running Out for Two-State Solution, Robert Dreyfuss
Maen Areikat, Palestine's ambassador to the United States, said this
week that he is hopeful about the current effort to reach an accord
between Israel and the Palestinians, but he warned that time is short,
and that perhaps only two years remain before all hope for a two-state
solution vanishes.
http://www.thenation.com/blog/155415/
palestine-ambassador-warns-time-running-out-two-state-solution
Other News
Report: Barghouthi to be freed in Shalit deal
MEDINA,
Saudi Arabia (Ma'an) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed
to release Fatah strongman Marwan Barghouthi in a prisoner swap deal
for captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit when finalized, a Saudi
Arabian newspaper reported Tuesday. According to Al-Madina, quoting
sources, the German mediator told Hamas that Barghouthi would be freed
but other prisoners on the Islamist movement's list would not.
Barghouthi's wife Fadwa told a German anti-nuclear war delegation
visiting Ramallah that she too had also received word that her husband
would be released in the prisoner swap deal.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=325409
Palestinian armed group cracks down on unauthorised attacks (AFP)
AFP
- The Palestinian Islamic Jihad militant group said on Monday it would
dismiss any member who attacked Israel without authorisation or under
the banner of a rival faction.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20101018/wl_mideast_afp/israelpalestiniansconflictgaza
Jihad denies firing members for attacking Israel
GAZA, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Islamic Jihad in the Gaza Strip denied
Tuesday that it dismissed members who attacked Israel on their personal
capacity. Jihad said that some "untrue and non-objective" reports had
attributed claims to an unidentified source about the dismissal of
militants who shoot at Israeli targets individually. The denial is
contrary to a September incident, in which the movement refused to back
funeral ceremonies of three fighters killed in an Israeli airstrike
while firing rockets towards communities to the east of Gaza.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2010-10/19/c_13565343.htm
Netanyahu: Hamas has obtained anti-aircraft missiles [Do they ever tire of lies?]
Israel's aerial freedom has been compromised by new weaponry in Gaza,
presumably smuggled through tunnels connected to Egypt, PM tells Likud
members for the first time.
http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/
netanyahu-hamas-has-obtained-anti-aircraft-missiles-1.319850
Report: Suspect in Dubai Hamas assassination arrested in Canada
Detainee
connected to another main suspect who was caught on surveillance footage
with Hamas official Mabhouh inside an elevator in the hotel where he
was killed, according to UAE newspaper.
http://www.haaretz.com/news/international/
report-suspect-in-dubai-hamas-assassination-arrested-in-canada-1.320001
Israel invites Chilean miners for a 'spiritual' Christmas in the Holy Land
Tourism minister invites the 33 rescued miners and their spouses for a
week-long all-expense paid sightseeing tour of Christian holy sites.
http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/
israel-invites-chilean-miners-for-a-spiritual-christmas-in-the-holy-land-1.319811
Life-size model of Israel's Sharon in a coma aims to provoke (AFP)
AFP - A life-size model Israel's Ariel Sharon lying comatose in a
hospital bed is to be unveiled in Tel Aviv later this week in a art
exhibit portraying the political inertia gripping the Jewish state.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20101018/wl_mideast_afp/israelartpoliticssharon
Analysis/Opinion/Human Interest
A Place for Mr. Meshaal
No one wants the leader of Hamas at the Mideast peace table. But
everyone needs him there. Khaled Meshaal, the leader of Hamas, turns
away in disgust from the big flat-screen television in his heavily
guarded office in Damascus. He’s been following the news bulletins for
weeks, ever since the initial announcement that President Obama had set
up face-to-face talks between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. The Hamas leader certainly
wasn’t looking for any breakthroughs from the meetings, and he was
scarcely surprised when Netanyahu brushed off Abbas’s demand that Israel
extend its 10-month freeze on settlement construction in the West Bank.
But Meshaal is visibly annoyed by news that an Arab League summit has
advised Abbas not to walk out on the negotiations, and instead to accept
a one-month recess. “It will not solve the problem,” Meshaal complains.
“It will just postpone the problem.”
http://www.newsweek.com/2010/10/18/is-hamas-ready-for-peace-with-israel.html
Accommodating Israeli abuse: the Palestinian Authority’s perspective, Alaa Milbes
Maen Rashid Areikat, the PLO’s Ambassador to the United States will be
at Columbia to speak about the most recent phase of peace negotiations
from the “Palestinian Perspective.” However, many Palestinians challenge
and criticize Mr. Areikat and the Palestinian Authority (PA) for their
participation in “peace talks”. Furthermore, the world has proved time
and time again that the opinion of Palestinians is of no significance.
Each time Palestinians have participated in these “peace talks” they
have lost more control of their land, homes, and everyday life.
http://mondoweiss.net/2010/10/
accommodating-israeli-abuse-the-palestinian-authority%e2%80%99s-perspective.html
The PLO and the Crisis of Representation, Mazen Masri
Today,
the
Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) is experiencing an internal
dilemma. Long viewed as the “legitimate and sole representative
of the Palestinian People”, many years of failed negotiations with the
Israeli government, a growing democratic deficit and alienation of its
grassroots base have inexorably lead to a crisis of legitimacy for the
organization.
http://muftah.org/?p=321
The international community's final test, Mustafa Barghouthi
Negotiations between two unequal parties cannot succeed. Success in
Palestinian-Israeli negotiations requires a reasonable balance of power,
clear terms of reference and abstention of both sides from imposing
unilateral facts on the ground. None of that existed in the talks that
were re-initiated in September.
http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article11577.shtml
Arab Israelis in no man's land
The
fateful
choices Arab Israelis would be forced to make if peace talks
established a Palestinian state would fracture a facade of unity among
them. This 20% block of Israel's population cannot be ignored by either
side. And with the strongest Arab-Israeli interests resting in
preserving the status quo, it may hold a key to success or failure of
the negotiations.
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/LJ20Ak01.html
Who made Netanyahu the leader of the Jewish people?, Tony Karon
'Next,
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will insist that he can't make peace
with the Palestinians until they recognise the Jews as the Chosen
People." That was the sarcastic tweet of one Jewish-American analyst on
Israel's demand that Palestinians recognise it not only as a "Jewish
state", but as "the national home of the Jewish people". Those two
phrases don't mean the same thing: only around 39 per cent of the
world's Jewish population live in Israel; the other 61 per cent have
freely chosen other countries as their home (more that two thirds are in
the US). So, Mr Netanyahu is demanding not only that the Palestinians
recognise the right of Israel's Jews to maintain their dominance over
the country's non-Jewish minority, but also to recognise Israel as the
patrimony of the majority of the world's Jews who do not live there.
http://www.thenational.ae/news/worldwide/who-made-netanyahu-the-leader-of-the-jewish-people
Leave no stone unclaimed, Adam Horowitz
Lynn Pollack submitted the above photo to the Israel Project's "Best Shots of Israel" contest
along with the note: "I shot this in Nov. 2008, right after the truce
broke. Somewhere near Tel Aviv, if I recall correctly. I guess Israel
didn't want to take any chances that a Palestinian might decide to claim
this rock. Leave no stone unturned, I guess."
http://mondoweiss.net/2010/10/leave-no-stone-unclaimed.html
About that sticker, Ali Gharib
After an excellent string of blog posts and articles from Israel and Palestine, Matthew Yglesias has "come a long way,"
Weiss writes. Despite the patronizing language about his younger,
blogging colleague, Weiss is right. But, with due respect to an
excellent journalist whom I admire, I'd say he hasn't come all the way
just yet. That last leg, though, is a tough one, raising questions
about liberal support for a state that requires one to constantly signal
his or her ethnicity and religion in order to be comfortable and have a
sense of belonging.
http://mondoweiss.net/2010/10/congressional-chairman-
to-palestinians-who-live-in-the-capital-of-the-jewish-people-drop-dead.html
Mainstreaming the Extreme Rightwing, Ralph Nader
The
strong
case that Eric Alterman's book What Liberal Media? made in 2003 against
the propaganda-style claim by rightwingers, that the mass media has a
liberal bias, is an expanding understatement. Just read recent issues of
The Washington Post and The New York Times to see the most extreme
reactionaries getting the kind of coverage their publicists love. Just
last Sunday in the October 10, 2010 New York Times, two very
lengthy features appeared on the rancid Ann Coulter and the blogger
Pamela Geller—a grotesque anti-Semite against Arabs who flaunts her
sweeping bigotry as a badge of pride. Geller even called herself a
‘racist-Islamophobic-anti-Muslim-bigot’. One veteran reporter called the
sprawling two page feature, with all of twenty color photos “an
advertisement.”
http://palestinechronicle.com/view_article_details.php?id=16343
How propaganda is disseminated: WikiLeaks Edition, Glenn Greenwald
This is how the U.S. government and American media jointly disseminate
propaganda: in the immediate wake of some newsworthy War on Terror
event, U.S. Government officials (usually anonymous) make wild and
reckless -- though unverifiable -- claims. The U.S. media mindlessly
trumpets them around the world without question or challenge. Those
claims become consecrated as widely accepted fact. And then weeks,
months or years later, those claims get quietly exposed as being utter
falsehoods, by which point it does not matter, because the goal is
already well-achieved: the falsehoods are ingrained as accepted truth.
http://www.salon.com/news/opinion/glenn_greenwald/2010/10/17/wikileaks/index.html
Lebanon
Nasrallah aims to debunk STL's evidence
BEIRUT: Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah is to hold a news
conference to demonstrate the unreliability of any tribunal indictment
based on telecommunication records, if parties fail to reach a
breakthrough over the issue of false witnesses in the Cabinet, informed
sources told The Daily Star Monday.
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=2&article_id=120538
Report: Israeli company to begin new gas drill near Gaza
JERUSALEM
(Ma’an)
-- An Israeli company has received license to drill for gas in two
areas in the Gaza-Israel border on Tuesday, a day after drilling began
at a controversial offshore site in the north, Israel Radio reported.
Energtek Inc., a leader in hi-tech natural gas solutions and Adsorbed
Natural Gas (ANG) technology and run by former Israeli MP Modi
Zanderberg is currently raising funds at the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange in
order to commence drilling, the station said. The company said the
geological survey in the Sa'ad and Nir Am kibbutz near the border
revealed that there is an estimate 26 million barrels of producible oil
at the site at a depth of 1.8 to 2 km underground. The drilling could
generate $2 billion for the company at the site, but the survey also
found a 15 percent probability rate of finding oil at the site. The
report follows news Monday that a US-Israeli exploration group began
drilling at the Leviathan natural gas prospect in the eastern
Mediterranean, which Lebanon has laid claim to.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=325438
Syrian worker dies of gunshot wound in Baalbek
BEIRUT: An unidentified Syrian worker was murdered Monday in Baalbek.
The worker was found inside his home suffering from a gunshot wound and
was taken to the Dar al-Amal Hospital for treatment. Efforts to save the
victim failed and he died at the hospital. Security forces seized the
murder weapon and launched probes into the incident.
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=1&article_id=120533
Iraq
Bombing of police official's home kills 11 in Iraq (Reuters)
Reuters
- Bombs destroyed the home of a senior Iraqi police commander on
Tuesday, killing at least 11 people in the northern city of Tikrit, the
hometown of former dictator Saddam Hussein, police said.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20101019/wl_nm/us_iraq_violence
Monday: US Soldier, 10 Iraqis Killed; 22 Iraqis Wounded
Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is in Tehran garnering support for
his claim to another term as premier while at least 10 Iraqis were
killed and 22 more were wounded in new violence back home. Also, one
U.S. soldier was killed in a non-combat event in southern Iraq.
http://original.antiwar.com/updates/2010/10/18/
monday-us-soldier-10-iraqis-killed-22-iraqis-wounded/
Roadside Bomb Kills Baghdad Official
The
explosion, which also wounded eight people, is the latest in a stream of
small, targeted attacks on police and government officials.
http://feeds.nytimes.com/click.phdo?i=783bf8bc136b22922ecbae7c47b00c3a
US plays down importance of Maliki visit to Iran (AFP)
AFP
- The United States on Monday played down the importance of Iraqi Prime
Minister Nuri al-Maliki's visit to Tehran, but urged Iran to be a better neighbor to Iraq.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20101018/pl_afp/irandiplomacyiraqpoliticsus
Iran's Khamenei calls for Iraqi government formation (Reuters)
Reuters
-
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called on political
factions in Iraq to reach a consensus on forming a new government, state
television reported on Monday.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20101018/wl_nm/us_iran_iraq_maliki
How Iran brokered a secret deal to put its ally in power in Iraq
Tehran's influence in Baghdad politics described by western official as 'nothing less than a strategic defeat' for US.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/oct/17/iran-secret-deal-political-power-iraq
U.S. won't support a Maliki-Sadr alliance
Washington said it would no longer back incumbent Iraqi Prime Minister
Nouri al-Maliki unless he breaks ties with Moqtada Sadr, a source said.
http://www.upi.com/Top_News/Special/2010/10/15/
US-wont-support-a-Maliki-Sadr-alliance/UPI-65021287152280/
White
propaganda: U.S. now urges Iraqis to take their time in forming government
The change in approach comes as an anti-American occupation cleric's
political faction agrees to support Maliki, a deal that would run
counter to U.S. interests and risk f"urther destabilizing the country".
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-iraq-us-20101018,0,2366226.story
Iraqi refugees regret going home, UNHCR survey finds
GENEVA,
Oct
19 (Reuters) - A majority of Iraqi refugees who have returned from
exile to Baghdad regret their decision, saying they face insecurity, a
lack of jobs and inadequate health care, the United Nations refugee
agency said on Tuesday. Some 61 percent of those interviewed were sorry
they had left Syria and Jordan, while one in three was unsure of staying
in Iraq, according to its recently-completed survey of 2,353 Iraqis who
returned to the capital between 2007 and 2008.
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/LDE69I0VL.htm
Iran
Turkey: NATO's anti-missile system should not single out Iran
NATO says system intended to defend alliance, at odds with Iran over its suspicions Tehran is developing nuclear weapons.
http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/
turkey-nato-s-anti-missile-system-should-not-single-out-iran-1.319815
Iran confirms its planes were being refused fuel in Europe
Iran
has played down impact of international sanctions, previously said
reports that Iran airlines were having problems refueling abroad were
part of 'psychological war.'
http://www.haaretz.com/news/international/
iran-confirms-its-planes-were-being-refused-fuel-in-europe-1.320004
US says China ignoring Iran sanctions
The
United
States believes some Chinese firms are helping Iran improve its missile
technology and develop nuclear weapons, and has asked Beijing to
prevent such activity, The Washington Post reported late on Sunday.
http://www.watoday.com.au/breaking-news-world/
us-says-china-ignoring-iran-sanctions-20101018-16q2i.html
World Powers Bolster Trade with Iran despite Sanctions
The
trade
exchanges between Iran and the Group 5+1 (the five permanent UN
Security Council members plus Germany) has witnessed a 12% increase
during the past six months despite the UN Security Council sanctions and
the West's so-called unilateral boycotts against Tehran.
http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=8907251719
Chavez Due in Iran Monday
During his stay, Chavez will meet with his Iranian counterpart Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and other senior Iranian officials.
http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=8907251439
U.S. To Monitor Venezuela's Relations
With
Nuclear
Nations: The United States on Friday reacted with caution to the
reports that in addition to talks with Iran and others, Venezuela has
reached an agreement with Russian Federation to build the first nuclear
plant in Venezuela.
http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7020233635
U.S. Other Mideast/World News
Israel takes center stage in Illinois election campaign
In
fight for Congress seat in Illinois – a struggle between two Jewish
candidates – Israel has made its way to the top of the political agenda.
The contest: Who does more to protect the Jewish interest?
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/1,7340,L-3970773,00.html
Blackwater contractor will not be indicted for killing Iraqi guard in 2006
A former security contractor for Blackwater USA will not be indicted in
the killing of an Iraqi guard in 2006, federal prosecutors said Monday.
According to a congressional report, Seattle resident Andrew Moonen was
wandering drunk around Baghdad's Green Zone after a Christmas
Eve party in 2006 when he encountered and fatally shot Raheem Saadoun, a
32-year-old guard for Iraqi Vice President Adil Abd-al-Mahdi.
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2010/10/blackwater-contractor-indicted-killing-iraqi-guard-2006/
Pentagon asks media not to publish war leaks
Pentagon asks media not to publish leaked war files, cites national
security The Pentagon on Monday asked media organizations not to publish
any classified war files released by the WikiLeaks Web site, as the U.S.
braces for the potential disclosure of hundreds of thousands of secret
Iraq war documents.
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2010/10/pentagon-asks-media-publish-war-leaks/
Report Shows Drones Strikes Based on Scant Evidence, Gareth Porter
New information on the Central Intelligence Agency's campaign of drone
strikes in northwest Pakistan directly contradicts the image the Barack
Obama administration and the CIA have sought to establish in the news
media of a programme based on highly accurate targeting that is
effective in disrupting al Qaeda's terrorist plots against the United
States
http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=53194
Monday: US Kills Another 6 People In Pakistan
"The identities of those killed in the strike is not yet known," the official said on condition of anonymity.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20101018/wl_sthasia_afp/pakistanunrestusmissile
US understates civilian casualties in Pakistan, makes no amends
An American NGO working to raise awareness of the civilian victims of
conflict has argued, in an extensive report, that the number of
civilians killed or injured because of US airstrikes using unmanned
aerial vehicles, or “drones,” is larger than the US government admits.
http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/news-224605-101-
us-understates-civilian-casualties-in-pakistan-makes-no-amends.html
WikiLeaks: Iraq War Documents Dump Not Coming Today, But 'Soon'
Contrary to commonly held rumors, WikiLeaks will not be releasing
400,000 secret military documents relating to the war in Iraq, AFP is
reporting. But that doesn't mean the Pentagon can breathe a sigh of a
relief quite yet.
http://www.aolnews.com/surge-desk/article/
wikileaks-tease-iraq-war-documents-not-coming-monday-but-soon/19678538
Sweden denies WikiLeaks founder Assange residence permit
Sweden's
immigration
authority on Monday rejected WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange's request
for residency, a potential setback in his efforts to gain protection
from Swedish press freedom laws.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/
ALeqM5hwC3zeZVy89iHgHkYANMgspX30iQ?docId=4869291
CIA paid Liverpool buyout tycoon millions...to use his jet for 'torture' flights
A jet owned by a senior executive in the US firm which has bought
Liverpool Football Club was chartered by the CIA and used in flights
allegedly linked to the rendition of terror suspects.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1321244/
CIA-paid-Liverpool-buyout-tycoons-millions--use-jet-torture-flights.html
Questions over US contractors role in war zones
US
troops
numbers have increased since President Barrack Obama took office. But
they are still outnumbered by private companies that have been hired to
carry out some US operations. A recent US Senate report found many of
these private contractors are funneling funds to Afghan warlords. Tom
Ackerman reports on how the contractors themselves view their future.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-05u1TTJY58&feature=youtube_gdata
Court won’t review appeal of mentally impaired man sentenced to death [What about Iran?]
Supreme Court won't review case of Texas death row inmate who may be
mentally impaired The Supreme Court won't review a claim by a Texas
death row inmate who says his mental impairment should prevent his
execution. The court said Monday won't hear an appeal from Michael Wayne
Hall.
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2010/10/court-review-appeal-mentally-impaired-man-sentenced-death
Widespread Fraud Is Seen in Afghan Elections
Afghan and Western officials indicate that fraud was pervasive and that
nearly 25 percent of the votes are likely to be thrown out.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/18/world/asia/18kabul.html?_r=1
Former Spanish PM: Obama is the least European president ever
Barack
Obama
is less interested in the U.S.-European relationship than any president
in American history, according to the former Spanish prime minister.
"Europe is not a priority for this administration because the
Atlantic system is not a priority for this administration," said Jose
Maria Aznar, who led the Spanish government from 1996 to 2004. "We can
be useful sometimes, but it not a priority. The priority is China, the
Muslim world, the relationship with Russia."
http://thecable.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/10/18/
former_spanish_pm_obama_is_the_least_european_president_ever
NGO: Free 'disobedient' Saudi daughter
RIYADH:
A
Saudi rights group Monday called on King Abdullah to intervene to free a
woman who was sent to prison for disobeying her father. Human Rights
First Society (HRFS) accused Riyadh of "outrageous illegal detention" in
the case of Samar Badawi, who was thrown in prison six months ago
without official charge or trial by a Jeddah judge.
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&categ_id=2&article_id=120512
Amnesty International: Dozens detained in Egyptian pre-election crackdown on opposition
Authorities
urged to immediately release, or charge with a recognizable criminal
offence, over 70 members of the Muslim Brotherhood group. Amnesty
International today called on the Egyptian authorities to immediately
release, or charge with a recognizable criminal offence, more than 70
members of the Muslim Brotherhood group arrested this week. More than
150 people have been arrested since the Muslim Brotherhood chairman,
Mohamed Badie', said on 9 October that the group will put up candidates
in Egypt's parliamentary elections, scheduled for 29 November.
http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/
dozens-detained-egyptian-pre-election-crackdown-opposition-2010-10-19 |
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