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Today in Palestine! ~ Headlines ~ |
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Ethnic cleansing/Settlement/Destruction of Land and Property
IOA serves demolition notices to four Palestinian
landlords
The Israeli occupation authority (IOA) served demolition notices to four
citizens in Halhul village, north of Al-Khalil, local sources said on
Monday.
http://www.palestine-info.co.uk/En/
The
Military Orders The Demolishing Of Four Homes In Southern West Bank
The
Israeli
army handed out on Monday demolition orders to four Palestinian
home-owners at the town of Halhul, southern West Bank. The army says
the homes are located in an area close to the settlers' road number 60
which connects Israeli settlement in southern West Bank with Jerusalem.
Road 60 was original built on land used to be owned by Palestinians.
There are half a million setters living in West Bank settlements. All
those settlements are illegal according to international law.
http://www.imemc.org/article/58473
Israel to demolish 3 houses, water reservoir in
Hebron
Hebron, April 20, 2010 (Pal Telegraph) - Israeli
authorities delivered demolition warrants to Palestinian residents in
Halhul village north of Hebron in the West Bank, notifying them of thier
intention to demolish their homes and water reservoir. Halhul Mayor
Ziyad Abu Yousif said that Israeli forces riadedf Rumouz neighborhood in
Hebron and notified Ahmad Awad, Muhammad Zamara and Dirar Zamara, of
demolishing their homes. The Israeli occupation forces delivered a
warrant to Muhammad Abu Yousif, informing him that his water reservoir
will be demolished because of it is close to area C which is under the
Israeli full control, the mayor added.
http://www.paltelegraph.com/palestine/west-bank/5578-israel-to-demolish-3-houses-water-reservoir-in-hebron
Israeli settlers uproot 250 olive nurslings
Nablus,
April
20, 2010 (Pal Telegraph) – Israeli settlers uprooted today 250 olive
nurslings in Qarout village south of Nablus. The official of West
Bank settlements file, Ghassan Douglas, said that number of Israeli
settlers uprooted today 250 olive nurslings which the Palestinians
citizens plant in the Palestinian Land day. The president of Qarout
village council, Abed Al-Naser Al-Qaruoti, confirmed that the Israeli
settlers uprooted the olive nurslings, calling on the human right groups
to intervene to stop the Israeli settlers’ attacks on the Palestinian
villages.
http://www.paltelegraph.com/palestine/west-bank/5580-israeli-settlers-uproot-250-olive-nurslings
Settlers
Install An Illegal Outpost On Palestinian Land In Hebron
A group of armed, extremist, Israeli settlers occupied on Monday a
Palestinian agricultural land in Wadi Al Hasseen area, east of the
southern West Bank city of Hebron, and installed several tents.
http://www.imemc.org/article/58477
UN expert slams Israel's expulsion orders
GENEVA: A UN expert on Monday criticized two Israeli military orders
which could lead to deportations or detentions in the Occupied
Territories, saying that they may be in breach of international
convenants.Beit Sahour: a microcosm of Israeli colonization
Har Homa settlement's impact on the Palestinian community has been
devastating, with the town of Beit Sahour now dominated by the
ever-expanding settlement. While many are aware of Beit Sahour's famous
nonviolent resistance during the first Palestinian intifada (1987-1993),
less well-known is how Israeli rule continues to choke the town. Ben
White reports for The Electronic Intifada.
http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article11216.shtml
Activism/Solidarity/Boycott,
Sanctions
and
Divestment
Medical solidarity with Gaza: in conversation with
Mads Gilbert
Ahead of the English publication of his book Eyes in Gaza (co-authored
with Dr. Erik Fosse), Norwegian doctor Mads Gilbert recently spoke with
The Electronic Intifada contributor Stefan Christoff about what he
witnessed during Operation Cast Lead, Israel's three-week long assault
on the Gaza Strip starting in December 2008, during which more than
1,400 Palestinians were killed and thousands more injured.
http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article11212.shtml
Gaza residents test no-go zone, shots fired
Gaza
–
Ma'an – Hundreds of Palestinians marched toward the Israeli imposed
no-go zone on Monday, east of Rafah organizers said. Popular Resistance
Campaign coordinator Mahmoud Az-Ziq said residents, raising Palestinian
flags, began the rally at the As-Shoka area east of Rafah and marched
toward the barbed-wire fencing, sectioning off an estimated 20% of
arable land along the Gaza Strip's border.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=277712
Jordanians demand their gov’t to cut its ties with
Israel
A number of Jordanian national figures called on their government to
sever its relations with Israel in response to its decision to deport
tens of thousands of Palestinians.
http://www.palestine-info.co.uk/En/
Israel is debated at California Democratic
convention, Harman walks out in huff, Philip Weiss
We often note the news that Democratic rank-and-file support for Israel
is fading. Well, the California State Democratic Convention yesterday
endorsed Congresswoman Jane Harman for reelection from a district around
Los Angeles, but before it did so, Harman
and her opponent, Marcy Winograd, both appeared before a progressive
caucus at the convention, and argued Israel. The Fresno Bee
calls the fight the "flashpoint" of the convention. Peggy McCormack,
a delegate to the convention, says that the story will be covered today
on Pacifica radio, KPFA, 10 am PST.
http://mondoweiss.net/2010/04/
israel-is-debated-at-california-democratic-convention-harman-walks-out-in-huff.html
Toronto threatens Pride march funding over apartheid
comparison, Adam Horowitz
The Toronto Star reports that the city of Toronto is considering
withdrawing funding from the Toronto Pride march next year if the
organization Queers Against Israeli Apartheid is allowed to march
this year. The city evidently received complaints after last year's
parade and is looking into whether the term "Israeli apartheid" violates
the city's anti-discrimination policy.
http://mondoweiss.net/2010/04/toronto-threatens-pride-march-funding-over-apartheid-comparison.html
The Israel Lobby’s Smear Campaign and Toronto Gay
Pride
Are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT)
communities the next battle ground for the struggle over Palestinian
equal rights? They certainly are in San Francisco, where this month’s controversial Out in Israel festival seeks in part
to erase the occupation by promoting Israel as a gay mecca, and in
Toronto, where a nasty smear campaign is being waged to ban a group
called Queers United Against Israeli Apartheid (QuAIA) from the annual
Pride parade.
http://www.muzzlewatch.com/2010/04/08/toronto-pride/
Spirit of resistance strong in Iraq Burin
Local and international activists broadcast a message of protest against
settler and military violence in Iraq Burin last Saturday 17 April,
marching to the threatened farmlands that lie between the village and
the illegal settlement of Bracha. The demonstration showcased the
village’s spirit of resistance, refusing to waver in the face of severe
military repression.
http://palsolidarity.org/2010/04/12075
Palestinian Statement
on Israel’s attempt to join the OECD
A Vote for Israel’s
Accession to the OECD is a Vote in Support of Israel’s War Crimes and
Other Grave Violations of International Law and Human Rights.
Palestinian civil society urges the peoples and governments of OECD
member states to defer Israel’s OECD accession until it respects
international law and the human rights of the Palestinian people and
shows commitment to the fundamental values shared by OECD members.
http://www.tadamon.ca/post/6319
“Occupied Palestine, Dexia involved”
Since
1967, Israel has illegally occupied the West Bank (and Gaza). But
besides the military occupation of the Palestinian territory, Israeli
authorities have been building and expanding settlements, on Palestinian
land, confiscating properties and destroying daily life of several
communities. How does this process work? Why has a financial group like
Dexia invested in activities related to settlement expansion? Intal, a
Belgian solidarity movement, produced a short documentary illustrating
the nature of Dexia's relationship with settlement construction
http://www.palestinemonitor.org/spip/spip.php?article1365
Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) -Palestine
endorses Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement
CPT-Palestine has decided to endorse formally the Boycott, Divestment
and Sanctions (BDS) movement, as called for by Palestinian NGOs, because
sixty years of negotiations and diplomacy have only enabled Israel to
solidify its military occupation of Palestine. The international
community has long called for Palestinian society to resist the violence
of the Occupation nonviolently, so we, as members of an international
peace organization, believe that when Palestinians mount nonviolent
campaigns against the Occupation, we are morally obligated to support
them.
http://intifada-palestine.com/2010/04/
christian-peacemaker-teams-cpt-palestine-endorses-boycott-divestment-and-sanctions-movement/
Siege Related Deaths/Violence and Aggression
Palestinian
Worker
Dies, Two Injured At Separate Tunnel Accidents In The Gaza Strip
A
Palestinian worker was killed and two others injured late Monday night
during separate tunnel accidents at the southern Gaza Strip boarders
with Egypt.
http://www.imemc.org/article/58481
Al Mezan Quarter report: Continuous Israeli
Violations against Palestinians in the First Four Months of 2010; 13
Persons Killed and 62 injured
Al Mezan Centre for Human Rights issued its quarter report on the
Israeli violations of international humanitarian law against the
population of the Gaza Strip during the first four months of 2010.
http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900SID/SKEA-84NFVC?OpenDocument&RSS20=02-P
Boy (16) arrested, beaten by soldiers and settlers
for several hours, abandoned on road at night
On 23 March 2010, Basel (16) was studying at home. At 6:00pm, he was
getting ready for the Maghreb prayer, when Israeli soldiers burst into
his home and arrested him. Barefoot, blindfolded and tied, he was taken
to a military base. There, he was severely beaten by soldiers, then
handed over to young settlers to be thrashed. He was pressured into
confessing to throwing stones and to reveal names of people who had; he
was threatened with imprisonment and electrocution. In fact, soldiers
abandoned him on a road, near a settlement, nearly 18 kilometres south
of his village. It was around 1:00-2:00am. He walked to the nearest
Palestinian village, all the while terrified of being attacked by
settlers. His father came to pick him up and they got home at 8:30am. A
week after the assault, Basel still had bruises showing and was feeling
weak.
http://www.dci-pal.org/English/Doc/Press/Case_Study_Basel_D_23_Mar_2010_FINAL.pdf
IOF open fire at farmers in Khan Younis
Gaza,
April
20, 2010 (Pal Telegraph) – Israeli soldiers at military towers opened
today fire at the Palestinian farmers and citizens’ houses in east of
Khan Youins. The Palestinian farmers were forced to evacuate their land
to avoid the Israeli fire, no injuries were reported. Israeli tanks
and bulldozers used to raid the area near the Gaza-Israel border from
Kesofem, an Israeli military site east of Al-Qrara, and open
fire toward the citizens in order to keep them aside from the borders.
http://www.paltelegraph.com/palestine/gaza-strip/5585-iof-open-fire-at-farmers-in-khan-younis
Israeli gunboats pen fire at Gazan fishing boats
Gaza, April 20, 2010 (Pal Telegraph) - Israeli gunboats opened fire
today at Palestinian fishing boats sailing in northern Gaza waters,
Palestinian sources said. The Israeli gunboats opened heavy fire
towards dozens of Palestinian fishing boats anchored on Al-Sodaneya
coastal area, north of Gaza Strip and no casualties were reported.
Israeli gunboats stationed in the waters of Gaza target Palestinian
fishing boats on a daily basis, claiming that they sail beyond the
allowed distance of three miles.
http://www.paltelegraph.com/palestine/gaza-strip/5582-israeli-gunboats-pen-fire-at-gazan-fishing-boats
Detainees (also see below under Israel's Arab
Helpers)
Israel imposes house arrest on 3 Jerusalemites
Jerusalem, April 20, 2010 (Pal Telegraph) – Israel imposed house arrest
on three Jerusalemites while extended the detention of a fourth one.
Al-Solh court in Jerusalem decided to impose the house arrest on three
youths from Al-Thawri neighborhood and fining them with 2000 Shekel
($540 USD). It also extended the detention of the fourth youth. The
Israeli occupation forces detained on Sunday the three youth claiming
that they threw stones at Israeli settlers a month ago. Palestinian
sources reported that the four Palestinians are: Tamer Jwihan, 19,
Mahmoud Shwiki, 21, Awad Skafi, 19 and Mohammed Al-Taweel, 21.
http://www.paltelegraph.com/palestine/west-bank/5575-israel-imposes-house-arrest-on-3-jerusalemites
Huwwara detainees allege medical negligence
Nablus
–
Ma'an – Prisoners in the Huwwara detention center south of Nablus have
accused the Israeli Prison Service of deliberate medical negligence, the
Palestinian Prisoners Society said Tuesday. Detainees wrote to the
society demanding that the International Society of the Red
Cross and concerned organizations visit them urgently to review the IPS'
medical treatment policy and their situation.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=277932
Israel's Arab Helpers
PA political adviser visits Jericho police academy
Jericho – Ma'an – Major-General Adnan Dmeiri, the Palestinian Authority
political adviser, visited the Jericho Police Academy on Sunday.
Accompanied by Khalid Al-Masri, political commissar of Jericho, Dmeiri
toured the academy, where he and the administration discussed new
courses and workshops to be offered to police.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=277649
Abbas's
militia kidnap seven people including journalist
A
Palestinian human rights source reported that Abbas’s militias kidnapped
once again on Monday morning journalist Muhannad Salahat, the
representative of Rased human rights organisation.
http://www.palestine-info.co.uk/En/Islamic
Jihad prisoner goes on hunger strike in Abbas’s jails
An
Islamic Jihad-affiliated prisoner in Mahmoud Abbas’s jails in the West
Bank went on hunger strike five days ago and still refuses to eat in
protest at detaining him without charge.
http://www.palestine-info.co.uk/En/
Humanitarian
Issues/Human
Rights/Restriction of Movement/Siege
OCHA warns of disastrous situation in Bethlehem
The OCHA warned that the incessant Israeli attempts to control lands,
establish bypass roads, and settlement expansion were negatively
affecting the humanitarian conditions of Bethlehem residents.
http://www.palestine-info.co.uk/En/
Goods – Needs Vs. Supply – Mar 21 – Apr 17
http://www.gazagateway.org/2010/04/goods-needs-vs-supply-mar-21-apr-17/
Industrial Fuel – Needs Vs. Supply – Mar 21 – Apr 17
http://www.gazagateway.org/2010/04/industrial-fuel-needs-vs-supply-mar-21-apr-17/
Doctors'
union
sends fuel for Gaza hospitals
Gaza – Ma'an – The Union
of Arab Doctors' Relief and Emergency Committee said Tuesday that it
made an emergency delivery of 72,000 liters of industrial diesel to Gaza
to cover the deficit in the Strip's hospitals.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=278065
Rubble, rocks, mud houses square up to Gaza housing
crisis (AFP)
AFP - Crushed rubble and rocks, recycled metal, tents, containers and
"mud houses" make up blockaded Gaza's modest answer to its housing
crisis more than a year after the devastating Hamas-Israel war.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100420/lf_afp/mideastconflictgazareconstruction
New Military Order “Infiltrates” Palestinian Rights: A
Statement by Kairos Palestine
(Jerusalem 18.04.2010) Kairos
Palestine expresses its outrage and dismay about a new Israeli military
order that will categorize tens of thousands of Palestinians living in
the West Bank as “infiltrators” – ostensibly because they lack the
proper permits – and give military officers sweeping control over their
deportation. We condemn this action and call upon churches worldwide to
publically demand the revocation of the order regarding “Prevention of
Infiltration” (Amendment No. 2) issued by the Israeli military
authorities.
http://kairos-re-military-order.jottit.com/
Israel
To
Deport A West Bank Detainee To Gaza
The Israeli Authorities decided to deport a detainee from Kafr Thuluth
town, near the northern West Bank city of Qalqilia, to the Gaza Strip.
14 other detainees will also be deported at a later stage.
http://www.imemc.org/article/58476
Volcanic ash: Gaza and freedom of movement
Gaza,
April
20, 2010 (Pal Telegraph) –It’s been over a week since the environmental
crisis began in Europe and other parts of the world such as the Middle
East, North Africa Canada the US. A cloud of volcanic ash
drifting from Iceland's Eyjafjallajokull volcano continues to keep
airspace shut down; affecting millions of travelers around the world and
causing a tremendous crisis in the aviation industry.
http://www.paltelegraph.com/columnists/sameh-a-habeeb/5586-volcanic-ash-gaza-and-freedom-of-movement
Political
Developments/Diplomacy/Prisoner Swap
Hamas:
Talks on unity, prisoner swap frozen
Gaza – Ma'an – Negotiations to secure a prisoner swap deal and achieve
Palestinian reconciliation have been brought to a standstill, Hamas
leader Salah Al-Bardawil said Monday. "Communication with Cairo on
reconciliation is nonexistent now; there are no actual efforts underway
for unity nor is there progress on completing [captured Israeli soldier
Gilad] Shalit's swap deal," a statement issued by the Hamas leader read.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=277736
Hamas leader vows to capture more Israeli soldiers
(AP)
AP - The leader of the Palestinian militant group Hamas has vowed to
capture more Israeli soldiers to use in bargaining for the release of
Palestinian prisoners.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100419/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_hamas_israel
Mashaal to Noam Shalit: Complain to your leaders
Hamas
politburo
chief responds to appeal by kidnapped soldier's father urging
him to accept German mediator's offer, says 'Zionist leaders will be
responsible for any future abduction'.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3878402,00.html
Other News
Abbas
aides deny president heart trouble report
RAMALLAH, West
Bank, April 20 (Reuters) - A spokesman for Mahmoud Abbas denied a
newspaper report on Tuesday that the Palestinian president was suffering
from a heart complaint. "Reports about the president being ill are not
true. The president is in good health," spokesman Nabil Abu Rdainah said
by telephone from Egypt where Abbas was holding meetings.
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/LDE63J1AW.htm
P.A
Shuts Down Ten TV, Radio StationsThe Palestinian government
in the West Bank officially shut down ten TV and Radio stations; seven
in the northern West Bank city of Nablus, and three in Hebron, in the
southern part of the West Bank.
http://www.imemc.org/article/58467
Hamas in Gaza burns recreational drugs
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Gaza's Hamas rulers have burned more than 1
million pills of a pain killer many Gazans take because they say it
relaxes them. Hamas Health Minister Basim Naim said Saturday that the
drug, Tramadol, was confiscated from smugglers who sneak it through
tunnels under the Gaza-Egyptian border. At Gaza's largest hospital,
workers tossed sacks of the drug into an incinerator.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5giOOpCmNM_NZpz1XV1S9hI4qJV5wD9F6OP681
Parsing what Petraeus actually wrote
General David Petraeus denies saying that the persistence of the
Arab-Israel conflict endangers American troops in the Middle East. Vice
President Joseph Biden also denies saying this. That part of the story
should thus be laid to rest. What Petraeus did say, however, is quite
important. In written testimony to the Senate Armed Services Committee
on March 16, the commander of US Central Command, or CENTCOM, noted:
“The enduring hostilities between Israel and some of its neighbors
present distinct challenges to [CENTCOM’s] ability to advance our
interests in the AOR [area of responsibility]. Israeli-Palestinian
tensions often flare into violence and large-scale armed confrontations.
The conflict foments anti-American sentiment, due to a perception of US
favoritism for Israel. Arab anger over the Palestinian question limits
the strength and depth of US partnerships with governments and peoples
in the AOR and weakens the legitimacy of moderate regimes in the Arab
world. Meanwhile, Al-Qaeda and other militant groups exploit that anger
to mobilize support. The conflict also gives Iran influence in the Arab
world through its clients, Lebanese Hizbullah and Hamas.”
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&categ_id=5&article_id=113965#axzz0la793bNm
New
York Airport ‘Blind’ to El Al Racial Profiling, Jonathan Cook
Two Israeli Arab brothers have won $8,000 in damages from Israel’s
national carrier, El Al, after a court found that their treatment by the
company’s security staff at a New York airport had been "abusive and
unnecessary."
http://original.antiwar.com/cook/2010/04/19/new-york-airport-blind-to-el-al-racial-profiling/
Palestine's first independent think tank launched
Last week, Al-Shabaka, The Palestinian Policy Network, was launched (www.al-shabaka.org).
Al-Shabaka,
which means "The Network," is the first independent strategy and
policy-related think tank for Palestinians and by Palestinians.
http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article11215.shtml
Analysis/Opinion/Op-ed
Israel Support Letter Unsupported by Reality
The Boxer-Isakson "Israel
Support Letter" [.pdf] addressed to Secretary of State Hillary
Clinton and currently signed by 76 senators
[.pdf] answers a question no one needed to ask: Does the American Israel
Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) have the support of the United States
Senate? However, unlike the proverbial napkin
former AIPAC bigwig Steven Rosen boasted that he could have signed by 70
senators within 24 hours, this particular piece of paper contains a
slew of Likud talking points, few of which are supported by reality.
Some read an implicit
rebuke of the Obama administration in the letter for the
administration’s alleged spat with Israel, though despite the new
conventional wisdom that there’s a major schism between the two, it
would be hard to point to on-the-record words or actions taken by the
Obama administration that translate into
substantive criticism of Israeli policies.
http://original.antiwar.com/barr/2010/04/19/israel-support-letter-unsupported-by-reality/
Neocon identity project: they will always hate us,
because we’re Jews, Philip Weiss
Here is an
important exchange. Recently Jerry Muller, a Jewish professor of history
at the Catholic University in D.C., published a splendid book called Capitalism
and the Jews. Muller argues that Jews are great at commerce because
of cultural training, family habits and dedication to texts, as well as
from the tradition of filling a marginalized role in Europe, as usurers.
Then capitalism became the defining order of European society in the
19th century, Muller says, and nationalism rose hand in hand with
capitalism, because capitalism required literacy and education and
nations could provide the structure for such development; and Jews
became elevated within those nations as the professionals, and
anti-Semitism was the response of people who lost status or who were in
competition with Jews. It is a vital argument because it understands
anti-Semitism as a real if hateful response to real sociological shifts,
including the role of Jews as intermediaries between landowners and
peasants in Eastern Europe (a hobbyhorse
of mine) and follows along in the work of Yuri Slezkine, The
Jewish Century, and Albert Lindemann--Esau’s
Tears, which also “explained” anti-Semitism in terms of the rise of
the Jews.
http://mondoweiss.net/2010/04/neocon-identity-project-they-will-always-hate-us-because-were-jews.html
Not a good time to be Martin Kramer, or a good time to
be Harvard’s Weatherhead Center, Philip Weiss
Great letter in the
Harvard Crimson today on the Martin Kramer scandal, keeping it
alive, from scholars Lori Allen, Vincent A. Brown and Ajantha
Subramanian. Smart analysis of Kramer's ideas. And interesting that
these lefties quote Steve Walt, who was once pilloried at Harvard.
http://mondoweiss.net/2010/04/
not-a-good-time-to-be-martin-kramer-or-a-good-time-to-be-harvards-weatherhead-center.html
Ahmed Moor: The Case for a One-State Solution
Washington
insiders
are now touting a misguided Obama-dictated plan to solve the
Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
Most recently, Zbigniew Brzezinski and Stephen Solarz took to the pages
of the Washington Post to float the idea of an imposed peace,
which largely undermines non-negotiable historic Palestinian rights.
The authors call for the annulment of the Palestinian right of return,
and the creation of a "demilitarized Palestinian state."
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ahmed-moor/the-case-for-a-one-state_b_543301.html
Daoud Kuttab: Has Israel Reneged on the Unity of West
Bank and Gaza?
As part of the Oslo Accords, the Israelis
officially accepted the concept that the West Bank and Gaza Strip
represent one unit. The Quarter (made up of US, UN, EU and Russia) has
continuously supported the concept of the unity of these geographically
separated entities. But the latest military order number 1650 clearly
reflects an Israeli decision to rescind that portion of the Oslo
Accords. To consider Gaza Palestinians infiltrators if caught in the
West Bank past their permit deadline reflects the Netanyah government's
rejection of the unity of Palestinian territories. The Israeli order
also reflects an Israeli attempt to reassert itself as the sole and
overriding legislative power in the Palestinian territories.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/daoud-kuttab/has-israel-reneged-on-the_b_541852.html
Avraham Burg: The End of the Israeli Bomb, Avraham
Burg
Today's headlines are full of Iran, Israel, peace and global nuclear
realities -- and rightfully so. This is an issue of the utmost urgency.
The Israeli Prime Minister might have successfully evaded the world
summit in Washington D.C., but he can no longer continue evading
reality. The day when Israel will have to replace its nuclear ambiguity,
a.k.a. "nuclear opacity", has arrived. Israel's own concern, as well as
the world's, of a nuclear conflict in the Middle East calls for new
thinking, a new vision.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/avraham-burg/the-end-of-the-israeli-bo_b_538767.html
Postcard From Gaza
"The hell of Gaza is the paradise of Israel", a Gazan citizen. The
problem in Gaza is not the lack of food or the humanitarian crisis. The
major problem in Gaza is how to keep his sanity. You come across
betrayed people who are completely depressed and betrayed people who
actively search for a spark of hope. You come across indigenous crocks
who enjoy swimming in the despair of their own people and international
crocks who arrive when the fire has already burnt everything.
http://www.countercurrents.org/nicoletta190410.htm
The Ugly Side of Israel's Independence, Joharah
Baker for MIFTAH
For Palestinians, some things can never be forgotten. On the contrary,
we would not dare allow ourselves to forget them lest we do a huge
injustice to our people and to our history. This week, as Israel
prepares to commemorate 62 years of independence, we Palestinians also
mark the flip side of that celebration, that terrible anniversary of Al
Nakba, which will always be scorched in our memory as a reminder that
some injustices will remain so, irrespective of the years that have
passed. Anyone who takes a peek into the Palestinian reality today and
then listens to the gallant speeches given last night by Israeli
officials on the occasion of Israel's Memorial Day would think the two
sides were living in some sort of parallel universes.
http://www.miftah.org/Display.cfm?DocId=22013&CategoryId=3
Book Review: Norman Finkelstein's "This time we
went too far"
Despite Israel's attempts to spin its 2008 Gaza invasion, global public
opinion of Israel has sunk to an all-time low. In his latest book, "This
Time We Went Too Far," Norman Finkelstein argues that Gaza marked a
turning point in public opinion reminiscent of the international
reaction to the 1960 Sharpeville massacre in South Africa. Ziyaad Lunat
reviews for The Electronic Intifada.
http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article11217.shtml
Hannah Arendt and Israel's dependence Day
In
1944,
four years before the Zionist paramilitaries ethnically cleansed
Palestine and Ben Gurion establish a state of Jewish dependency upon
global white power, Hanna Arendt wrote a re-appraisal of Zionism after
50 years of existence. It is a good moment as ever to re-appraise that
reappraisal, but given time constraints, a long quote would have to
suffice.
http://jewssansfrontieres.blogspot.com/2010/04/hanna-arendt-and-israel-dependence-day.html
End Occupation Then Start Negotiations, Sam Bahour
US President Barack Obama is about to take a political leap on the
Palestine/Israel issue. Many American presidents took similar leaps and
each and every one of them fell flat on their faces. The leap is the
launch of a new US peace initiative that promises, yet again, to bring
the stubborn Palestinian-Israeli conflict to an end.
http://palestinechronicle.com/view_article_details.php?id=15897
Iraq
Monday: 1 US Soldier, 4 Iraqis, Masri, Baghdadi Killed
The confirmation of the deaths of two al-Qaeda figures on the U.S. most
wanted list outweighed even the revelation of a secret Iraqi prison
where hundreds of Sunni men may have tortured and the recount of votes
from the national election. Meanwhile, at least four Iraqis were killed
and 11 more were wounded in other attacks. Also, a U.S. soldier died of
non-combat injuries in Basra.
http://original.antiwar.com/updates/2010/04/19/monday-1-us-soldier-4-iraqis-masri-baghdadi-killed/
Children of anti-Qaeda militia chief beheaded in Iraq
(AFP)
AFP - Five family members of a local chief of an
anti-Qaeda militia were gunned down in their homes in Tarmiyah, north of
the Iraqi capital on Tuesday, with the children also beheaded, police
said.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100420/wl_mideast_afp/iraqunrestsahwa
Al Qaeda killings show growing competence of Iraqi
Army (The Christian Science Monitor)
The Christian Science Monitor - The US is heralding the killing of two
top al-Qaeda leaders in Iraq as a reflection of just how mature Iraqi
security forces - including the Iraqi Army - are becoming, suggesting
the incident could be hugely significant to the future security of Iraq.
But some experts are still taking a wait-and-see approach.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/csm/20100419/ts_csm/295532
Iraqis say Qaeda deaths will not improve their lives
(Reuters)
Reuters - Iraqis welcomed Tuesday the killing of al Qaeda's top local
leaders but said they were more concerned about the power cuts, lack of
jobs and corruption that blight their daily lives.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20100420/wl_nm/us_iraq_violence_alqaeda
Baghdad recount could change Iraq election results
(AP)
AP - An Iraqi court on Monday ordered a recount of more
than 2.5 million votes cast in Baghdad during the March 7 parliamentary
election, a decision that could tilt the results in favor of Prime
Minister Nouri al-Maliki and inflame sectarian tensions after what has
already been a contentious election.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100419/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_iraq_election
Millions stolen from Iraq rebuilding
The
guilty have been found to have smuggled cash home in their boots and
mailed it home in boxes; they sold truckloads of stolen fuel in downtown
Baghdad and took payola in the form of watches, cars and plane tickets.
http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2010/04/marine_taskforce_041810w/
Amnesty urges Iraq to probe 'secret prison'
allegations (AFP)
AFP - Amnesty International has urged Iraqi
Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki to probe allegations that his
Shiite-dominant security forces tortured hundreds of Sunni detainees at a
secret prison in Baghdad.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100420/wl_mideast_afp/iraqjusticerights
Lebanon
Berri: 'Sectarian spirit' will not be eradicated
overnight
BEIRUT: Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri stressed Monday that the
"sectarian spirit" was the main obstacle hindering the unity of the
Lebanese.
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=2&article_id=113979
Lebanese PM says Scuds accusations like Iraq's WMD
(AP)
AP - Lebanon's Western-backed prime minister compared accusations that
Hezbollah has obtained Scud missiles to charges that Iraq had weapons of
mass destruction ahead of the 2003 U.S.-led invasion.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100420/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_lebanon_israel
Belén
Fernández
"Coffee with Hezbollah"
Before reading the wonderful book by
Belén Fernández “Coffee with Hezbollah”, I never would have imagined it
possible to read about the post-destruction aftermath of Lebanon and
smile at the same time. The pretext alone, a hitchhiking trip from
Turkey to southern Lebanon simply
“feels” dramatic, especially when the memory of Brides
on
Tour, was still fresh. Would two young, attractive, independent
women meet a better fate than the raped and assassinated Pippa Bacca,
travelling in the same way, with each new step being not only a test of
their own wits and good fortune, but also a constant surrender to trust
in a world wracked by its encounter with the ultimate violence?
http://palestinethinktank.com/2010/04/20/belen-fernandez-coffee-with-hezbollah/
Egypt
Egyptian politician calls for protesters to be shot
National
Democratic Party (NDP) representative Hassan Nash'at el-Qassas is said
to have called for force to be used against those calling for political
reform. Amnesty International on Monday condemned comments by an
Egyptian MP and member of the ruling party who urged the police to shoot
protesters that have been calling for political reform over the last
several weeks.
http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/egyptian-politician-calls-protesters-be-shot-2010-04-20
Egypt protest demands freedom, slams violence threat
CAIRO,
April
20 (Reuters) - Protesters gathered in central Cairo on Tuesday,
condemning calls by politicians and officials loyal to President Hosni
Mubarak for security forces to open fire on pro-democracy
demonstrations.
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/LDE63J1AX.htm
U.S.
and Other World News
Noam Chomsky Has ‘Never Seen Anything Like This’,
Chris Hedges
Noam Chomsky is America’s greatest intellectual.
His massive body of work, which includes nearly 100 books, has for
decades deflated and exposed the lies of the power elite and the myths
they perpetrate. Chomsky has done this despite being blacklisted by the
commercial media, turned into a pariah by the academy and, by his own
admission, being a pedantic and at times slightly boring speaker. He
combines moral autonomy with rigorous scholarship, a remarkable grasp of
detail and a searing intellect. He curtly dismisses our two-party system
as a mirage orchestrated by the corporate state, excoriates the liberal
intelligentsia for being fops and courtiers and describes the drivel of
the commercial media as a form of “brainwashing.” And as our nation’s
most prescient critic of unregulated capitalism, globalization and the
poison of empire, he enters his 81st year warning us that we have little
time left to save our anemic democracy.
http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/noam_chomsky_has_never_seen_anything_like_this_20100419/
Report: Islamic website targets TV's South Park over Prophet Mohammed
depiction
An Islamic website is targeting the creators of the
television series South Park, after an episode that aired last week
depicted the Prophet Mohammed disguised in a bear suit, CNN reported on
Sunday.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1164169.html |
| For further information contact Shadi Fadda |
|
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