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Today in Palestine! ~ Headlines ~ |
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Land and property theft and destruction/Ethnic cleansing/Apartheid
Following Haaretz report: Arabs to resume Museum of Tolerance battle
The decision to resume opposition to the project follows a Haaretz investigation into excavation at the site, located in the Mamilla area of Jerusalem, and the damage it has caused to hundreds of graves there. The museum is being built by the Los Angeles-based Simon Wiesenthal Center.
http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/
following-haaretz-report-arabs-to-resume-museum-of-tolerance-battle-1.291150
154,000 Palestinians Of Jerusalem Isolated From The City
The al-Quds International Institution reported that the Israeli Authorities are continuing the construction of the annexation wall and Jewish settlements leading to the isolation of more than 154,000 Palestinians of the Jerusalem area from the city itself.
http://imemc.org/article/58723
56 MKs petition Netanyahu: Let Gaza evacuees build in West Bank settlement despite freeze
Fifty-six members of Knesset on Thursday petitioned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak to allow construction of a neighborhood in the West Bank settlement of Ariel, despite Israel's promise to freeze building there for 10 months.
http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/56-mks-petition-
netanyahu-let-gaza-evacuees-build-in-west-bank-settlement-despite-freeze-1.291203
Activism/Solidarity
Join the Global Intifada
By documenting and helping to resist the evils of apartheid, ISM projects the Palestinian struggle to a global audience, and shows Israel that the world is against its actions. Come and join the Global Intifada in Palestine! Committed volunteers are needed in the West Bank this summer. This new wave of unarmed resistance is exciting and powerful, and it needs your support. Whether for 2 weeks or for 3 months, your contribution is needed.
http://palsolidarity.org/2010/05/12445
U.S. Delegation Headed for Gaza with International Aid Flotilla
A decorated U.S. Navy veteran, a retired U.S. ambassador, a structural engineer, a former math teacher and a piano tuner are heading for the eastern Mediterranean to take part in the Freedom Flotilla, a multinational grassroots effort to deliver humanitarian relief aid to the besieged Gaza Strip by sea. They will represent the Free Palestine Movement (FPM), a California-based human rights organization that helped to purchase one of the ships and is sending reconstruction supplies aboard it.
http://www.paltelegraph.com/world/us/6096-us-delegation-headed-for-gaza-with-international-aid-flotilla
Pioneering archaeological project provides hope for preserving West Bank heritage
The project has attracted the interest of UN agencies in Palestine and New York. Following an archaeology placement in Israel in 2009, Emma Shaw visited the West Bank, where she felt more could be done for the rich archaeological heritage there. The lack of interest among young people was something she found particularly shocking.
http://www.24dash.com/news/education/2010-05-20-
Pioneering-archaeological-project-provides-hope-for-preserving-West-Bank-heritage
Two Men From Bristol Supporting The Latest Aid Effort In Gaza
The Bristol Cement for Gaza project was launched by members of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign and Bristol Gaza Link. They've been collecting money for the project so they can buy 1000 bags of cement to take over there and help people rebuild their homes, schools and hospitals.
http://www.jackbristol.com/newscentre/bristols-news/
two-men-from-bristol-supporting-the-latest-aid-effort-in-gaza-4307
Boycott,Sanctions and Divestment
Belgian-French bank cornered over Israeli settlement financing
New evidence has been uncovered to show that Dexia, a major Belgian-French bank, is still financing Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT) despite official assurances that such loans have ceased. Earlier this month Who Profits? published details of a separate loan of 6.8 million shekels ($1.8 million) to the local authority in Gush Etzion. Earmarked for a water treatment plant, that loan was issued at the end of May last year -- a fortnight after Dehaene's announcement.
http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article11276.shtml
PA declares mass settlement boycott
Its declared goal is to “affirm our desire and determination to rise up and shake off the effects of settlement contamination in our Palestinian cities, villages, and refugee camps, first and foremost, via replacing settlement products in our local markets with those that are proudly produced in Palestine, with Palestinian hands.”
http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=175923
Group asks Elton John to cancel Israel gigs
The British Committee for Universities for Palestine called on British icon Elton John to cancel his shows in Israel, seeking him to re-consider the move. BRICUP said it had sent an open letter to John in February asking him not to play in Israel but "we have had no response from him despite worldwide appeals to him."
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=285641
Detention/Abuse
Soldiers Kidnap Several Children In Jerusalem
Omar al-Shalaby, secretary of the Fateh movement in Jerusalem, stated that the soldiers broke into the homes of the youths and kidnapped them before moving them to al-Maskobiyya interrogation center in West Jerusalem. Dmitri Diliani, member of Fateh’s Revolutionary Council, said that the arrests carried out just before graduation from school are a deliberate act aimed at depressing the youth. He added that such arrests are also meant to impose psychological pressures on the youths and their families.
http://imemc.org/article/58727
Israeli Troops Kidnap Seven Palestinians In The West Bank
Israeli troops kidnapped seven Palestinians from Bethlehem and Ramallah areas in the West Bank on Thursday. The residents said their village is under a regular wave of nightly invasions during which Israeli soldiers break into houses, ransack them and kidnap youth.
http://imemc.org/article/58729
Hamas official detained hours after release from Israeli jail
Hours after being released from Israeli prison on Thursday, Hamas official Mohammed Abu Tir was taken into custody by Israeli police.
http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/
hamas-official-detained-hours-after-release-from-israeli-jail-1.291176
Israel releases Hamas leader after 43-month detention
Israel released senior Hamas official and Palestinian Legislative Council member Muhammad Abu Tir on Thursday, after detaining him for 43 months, an Israel Prison Service spokeswoman said. Abu Tir was taken from a prison in southern Israel to the Jerusalem police headquarters, and then allowed to go to his home in the East Jerusalem neighbourhood of Sur Bacher.
http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/middleeast/news/article_1557190.php
Siege/ Humanitarian Issues/Human Rights/Restriction of Movement/Discrimination
Israel Obstructs Entry Of Medicine, Medical Equipment To Gaza
Despite Israeli guarantees to the International Community, the Israeli Authorities are still obstructing the entry of medicine and medical equipment to the besieged Gaza Strip. The last time medicine was allowed into Gaza was mid October 2009.
http://imemc.org/article/58722
OPT: The Humanitarian Monitor - April 2010
The month of April brought to light a range of concerns throughout the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt), including the potential for the displacement of tens of thousands of Palestinians because of new military orders, an escalation in Israeli settler violence, and increasing indicators to poverty in Gaza. In attempting to meet the most pressing needs of the population, humanitarian organizations are encountering a number of access and operational challenges that limit their response and impede the effective delivery of aid.
http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900SID/SMAR-85M8XL?OpenDocument
Israel prepares for protest flotilla
On Monday night, Foreign Ministry officials met with ambassadors from Turkey, Greece, Ireland and Sweden and informed them that the ships would be stopped on their way to the Gaza Strip. Defense Minister Ehud Barak has instructed the Navy to prepare for the operation, which due to the large number of vessels will require the participation of a large naval force.
http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=175925
Rafah crossing open for 6th day
Officials said, however, that Thursday would be the final day the terminal is open for travel, which Egyptian authorities made navigable on Saturday to ease the number of Palestinians stranded on either side of the crossing.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=285695
Israel's Arab Colaborators
Egyptian officer: The Palestinian detainees subjected to exceptional torture
An Egyptian state security officer said, on condition of anonymity, that the Palestinian prisoners in Egyptian jails are exposed to unprecedented special torture and are living in harsher incarceration conditions compared to other detainees. He affirmed that the brother of Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri was executed in torture cellars of the state security in Cairo.
http://www.ikhwanweb.com/article.php?id=24861
Israel rejected Qatar's Gaza offer following Egyptian protest
An Egyptian source said his country was acting in coordination with Israel and the Quartet. The source added: "Egypt has barred free passage of goods across its border into Gaza, despite criticism from other Arab countries and from the Egyptian public, and it would be inappropriate for Israel, in an effort to serve its own interests "to harm these agreements and put Egypt in an impossible position of being the only party blocking the passage of goods into Gaza."
http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/israel-rejected-qatar-s-gaza-offer-following-egyptian-protest-1.291127
Islamic Jihad Leaders Invited To Cairo
A number of political leaders of the Islamic Jihad arrived in Cairo on Wednesday after being invited by the Egyptian Authorities in order to hold talks on Islamic Jihad members who were arrested by Egypt after landing in the country following medical treatment abroad.
http://imemc.org/article/58725
Fatah/Hamas Show
Fatah, Hamas free prisoners detained in tit-for-tat arrests
The Fatah-led Palestinian Authority had arrested a Hamas official in the West Bank, which it controls. Hamas forces picked up a Fatah leader in Gaza, which is ruled by the Islamic group. West Bank Hamas leader Nasser Shaer said Thursday that both men had been released. It was unclear what had provoked the arrests.
http://www.jpost.com/Headlines/Article.aspx?id=175986
Political Developments
(European Parliament) EP mission to Israel and the Palestinian Territories
A 15-strong delegation of MEPs will visit Israel and the Palestinian Territories from 24 to 27 May. The mission will focus on the humanitarian situation, the peace process and the use of EU funds in the Palestinian Territories. MEPs have deplored the Israeli authorities' refusal to grant access to Gaza.
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/expert/infopress_page
/030-74876-140-05-21-903-20100520IPR74875-20-05-2010-2010-false/default_en.htm
US envoy meets Israel PM as peace talks gather pace
A US official confirmed the meeting in Jerusalem had begun but declined to provide any further details. Israeli media have reported that Netanyahu will offer a package of goodwill gestures to encourage the Palestinians to proceed to direct talks, which they have refused in the absence of a total freeze on Israeli settlement building.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hBGGAwKIrj1y8CUVuhWh1iJpjN5A
Hamas official released from jail urges Israel: Seal Shalit deal
"All Israeli leaders are against the deal to release Gilad Shalit," Abu Tir told reporters following his release. "They reached a deal a number of times, but never followed through. Just like I have a family, a father, mother and children, Gilad Shalit also has a mother and father who want him."
http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/
hamas-official-released-from-jail-urges-israel-seal-shalit-deal-1.291176
Palestinian sources: Abu-Tir ordered to keep away from E. J'lem
Palestinian sources say that police have ordered senior Hamas figure Muhammad Abu-Tir to keep away from east Jerusalem for one month. Abu-Tir was summoned for questioning immediately after his release from prison.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3892124,00.html
Mash'al meets Gaddaffi
Hamas politburo member Izzat Ar-Rishiq said officials met with Gaddaffi to discuss current events in Palestinian politics, particularly attempts to reach a comprehensive unity deal with rivals Fatah, the siege on Gaza and its reconstruction, and efforts to support the Palestinian people.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=285703
Top EU official touring Gulf states to push peace process
After his talks with Saudi officials, including with members of the Shoura Council, Otte called for closer cooperation between the Gulf bloc and the 27-member EU in different sectors. The June 14 ministerial meeting, he said, would devise new measures to boost EU-GCC ties and to restart FTA negotiations.
http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article55540.ece
Classified report: PA to step up anti-Israel diplomacy despite proximity talks
Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman presents cabinet with secret report on plans by the Palestinian Authority for global campaign to keep pressure on Israel over settlements.
http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/
classified-report-pa-to-step-up-anti-israel-diplomacy-despite-proximity-talks-1.291125
Other News
Young Palestinian peacemakers nominated for global peace prize
The Fellowship of Reconciliation England (FoR) has expressed its delight that Zoughbi Zoughbi and the Wi'am Centre in Bethlehem have been nominated for the 2010 World Vision International Peace Prize.
http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/12201
Arabism and Future Conference Concluded
The participants viewed the Palestinian cause as encompassing all Arabs and not only Palestinians, affirming that it represents Arabism's primary concern and central cause, making it the responsibility of all Arabs whether in defending it by all legitimate means or in supporting the Palestinian people to restore their rights.
http://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20100520064005
Tulkarem cleared of bird flu
The village, which exports between 4,000 to 5,000 cartons of eggs per day to areas in the West Bank, and hundreds of pounds of meat, had its poultry stock wiped out following the discovery of bird flu by PA officials from the Ministry of Agriculture. No human cases of the influenza virus have yet been reported, but officials said they are monitoring the area heavily to ensure proper containment mechanisms are put in place.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=285752
Opinion/Analysis
Democracy according to Reichman
In the end, we will only be left with Prof. Uriel Reichman. After we sent Prof. Noam Chomsky away, and there was no sharp rebuke by Israeli academics (who in their silence support a boycott of Bir Zeit University ), we will be left with a narrow and frightening intellectual world. It will be the kind of intellectual world shaped by the Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya - an institution of army officers and the rich, headed by its president, Reichman.
http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/opinion/democracy-according-to-reichman-1.291143
Special Place in Hell / Rebranding Israel as a state headed for fascism
No one knows fascism better than Israelis. They are schooled, drilled in the history, the mechanics, the horrendous potential of fascist regimes. Israelis know fascism when they see it. In others. They might well have expected when fascism began taking root here, it would arise at a time of a national leadership of galvanizing charisma and sweeping, powerfully orchestrated modes of action.
http://www.haaretz.com/blogs/special-place-in-hell/
special-place-in-hell-rebranding-israel-as-a-state-headed-for-fascism-1.290977
OECD rewards Israel's occupation
THE GOVERNMENTS of the 31 member states of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) all agreed on May 10 that Israel's illegal occupation of the Palestinian territories, its institutionalized discrimination against non-Jewish citizens, and its multiple alleged war crimes will not disqualify the state from joining the ranks of the world's strongest economic powers.
http://socialistworker.org/2010/05/20/oecd-rewards-israels-occupation
A shameful rejection
Qatar has offered twice this year to restore diplomatic relations with Israel, which were severed during Operation Cast Lead in Gaza, and Israel has turned the Gulf country down both times. Isn't Israel the one chasing any display of normalization with the Arab states? How, then, is it possible that when a proposal for open, normalized ties is laid on its doorstep, Israel rejects it as though this were a shameful deal?
http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/opinion/a-shameful-rejection-1.291142
Rose: Nakba was natural outcome of foundational messianic ideology of Jewish state
I'm thinking about the Nakba a lot today. The Nakba is the core event of Palestinian history, just as the great identity event of Jewish history in recent time is the Holocaust. Until the Nakba is understood as the direct cost of the foundation of Israel in the spring of 1948; until the foundational myths of Israel that we Jews and Americans celebrate are revised to acknowledge the ideology of expulsion, there will be no peace.
http://mondoweiss.net/2010/05/
rose-nakba-was-natural-outcome-of-foundational-messianic-ideology-of-jewish-state.html
Only in Haaretz
Why isn't this profile of Emily Schaefer, the American-Israeli human-rights lawyer who works in the West Bank and accompanied Desmond Tutu to Bil'in, appearing in the U.S. press? Only in Haaretz . Though I'd sure be curious, apropos of Beinart's mild apostasy, to know what her religious/Zionist identity is today...
http://mondoweiss.net/2010/05/only-in-haaretz.html
Strenger than Fiction / In order to change its image, Israel must change its behavior
The first conclusion of the 'Branding Israel' project has been that Israel needs to focus on the young global elites, because these are today's opinion shapers, and tomorrow's political leaders. These elites, as research by economist Richard Florida has shown, and my own research confirms, possess liberal and progressive world views. They are repelled by bigotry, violence and intolerance, and they utterly reject political and military repression.
http://www.haaretz.com/blogs/strenger-than-fiction/
strenger-than-fiction-in-order-to-change-its-image-israel-must-change-its-behavior-1.291260
Iraq
Al-Qaida No. 2 eulogizes leaders of Iraqi offshoot
Al-Qaida's deputy leader praised the recently slain leaders of the group's offshoot in Iraq in a new audio recording broadcast Thursday by Al-Jazeera television network.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100520/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_iraq_al_qaida
Iraqi PM says rivals can't form government
The Iraqi prime minister says his Sunni-backed rivals, who narrowly won the March election, are "wasting time" by seeking a mandate to form a new government.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100520/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_iraq
Lebanon
Palestinians to protest failure to address hardships of Nahr al-Bared displaced
Palestinians and their sympathizers will stage rallies nationwide on Wednesday, demanding that authorities address the hardships suffered by displaced former residents of the Nahr al-Bared refugee camp, as Wednesday marks the third anniversary of the outbreak of the conflict that largely destroyed the camp.
http://dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=1&article_id=115050
US says Syria must curb arm shipments to Hezbollah
A top U.S. diplomat has urged Syria to do more to prevent arms shipments to the militant Lebanese Hezbollah and stem the flow of militants into Iraq.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100520/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_jordan_us_syria
U.S. and Other World News
Brazil: Iran is willing to talk, other countries must do the same
"Iran, which had been sold to the world as the devil... sat down at the negotiating table. I want to see the others comply with what they wanted Iran to do," Lula said during a speech to mayors in the capital, Brasilia.
http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/
brazil-iran-is-willing-to-talk-other-countries-must-do-the-same-1.291254
UN Iran sanctions would bar Russian missile sales
Proposed UN sanctions against Iran's nuclear program would halt Russia's sale of S-300 surface-to-air missiles to Tehran, Western diplomats told AFP on Thursday. Moscow had already agreed the sale of the missiles, part of an air defense system that observers say would endanger Israel or the United States' ability to carry out air strikes against Iranian targets.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3891848,00.html
More Secret Talks with the Taliban
Interestingly, Steve Coll of the New America Foundation, who's long been a skeptic about the usefulness of talking to the Taliban, says in the latest issue of The New Yorker that the United States is foolish not to support talks: “ Whether talks succeed or fail, it's hard to understand why the U.S. would refuse to even try.”
http://www.thenation.com/blog/more-secret-talks-taliban |
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