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Today in Palestine! ~ Headlines ~ |
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Land and property theft and destruction/Ethnic cleansing/Apartheid
Settlers Take Over Beit Safafa Home
Last
week, Palestine Monitor went with EAPPI to visit a Palestinian family
evicted from their home in Bet Safafa, South-East-Jerusalem. Upon
arrival, the first thing one noticed was the poverty of the place – the
houses and sheds had been constructed by lashing together various
everyday materials. Most of the material was re-used and in bad
condition. The expropriated house was dilapidated, without glass in the
window-frames. The looming question was: who would want to live here?
http://www.palestinemonitor.org/spip/spip.php?article1420
Palestinians complain of 'tree massacre'
Civil Administration uproots 500 trees on land Nahlin village residents
say belongs to them. Administration claims land not privately owned,
says evacuation order issued two months ago, residents failed to file
objection.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3894689,00.html
Activism/Solidarity/Boycott,Sanctions
and
Divestment
We Accuse!: Press Statement by the Family of Ameer
Makhoul
Today is the 21st day since the arrest of Ameer Makhoul at his home in
Haifa, Israel, under the cover of darkness, by officers of the
International Crimes Investigation Unit and General Security Service
(GSS or Shabak). On this day we, Ameer's family, announce that we are
extremely worried about what is happening to him and the conditions of
his detention. Janan Abdu and Issam Makhoul comment.
http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article11290.shtml
Makhoul's family: Shin Bet should indicted
Day before prosecution expected to charge Arab-Israeli figure with
aggravated espionage, aiding the enemy, Ameer Makhoul's family demands
accusations be dropped, claims detainee undergoing systematic torture at
hands of Shin Bet.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3894783,00.html
Harrowing Update from Family of Ameer Makhoul
Ameer Makhoul, Director of Ittijah, a
coalition of Palestinian Israeli Community Organizations, was
arrested three weeks ago from his home in Haifa. Makhoul was unable to
see his lawyer for the first weeks of his arrest and now his lawyers
and his family, having seen him, assert that he has been tortured.
Makhoul has not yet been charged with any crime, but the Israeli
government is clearly paving the way for his indictment soon, and in the
process using extreme, though vague, language about “security” concerns
designed to repress any public questions about Makhoul’s treatment.
http://theonlydemocracy.org/2010/05/harrowing-update-from-family-of-ameer-makhoul/
Israel to activists: Fly home at Israel's expense
Authorities
to
receive 800 participants of Gaza aid 'Freedom Flotilla' in Ashdod,
offer them flight home or detention in Beersheba; mission a provocation
in the guise of a humanitarian act, army says.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3895157,00.html
Israel calls Gaza blockade-busting ships a
provocation (AFP)
AFP - Israel claimed on Wednesday that a flotilla of pro-Palestinian
activists seeking to bust the Gaza blockade is a provocation and that
the aid it is carrying is "unnecessary."
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100526/wl_mideast_afp/mideastconflictaidflotilla
Chomsky is not aboard the Gaza Freedom Flotilla,
Paul Woodward
I checked with Paul McGeough, who's on the
Flotilla covering it for the Sydney Morning Herald and who
reported the possibility, and he was just told by the chairwoman of
the Free Gaza Movement that Noam Chomsky is not on board.
http://mondoweiss.net/2010/05/chomsky-is-not-aboard-the-gaza-freedom-flotilla.html
Norwegian politician shows support to fleet of
"Freedom"
Gaza, May 27, (Pal Telegraph) Erling folkvord, A
Norwegian politician, says in an exclusive statement to the Pal
Telegraph, that the peace activists have their full right to prosecute
Israel before the European courts if they intercepted the ships because
the ships are sailing in territorial waters that doesn’t fall under
Israel’s control, as well as the fact that the task of the peace
activists is purely humanitarian in the first place and foremost for
Israel has to deal with them in an acceptable manner and allow them to
pass, especially when the aid that they carry will be delivered to the
International Humanitarian Organizations.
http://www.paltelegraph.com/palestine/gaza-strip/6174-norwegian-politician-shows-support-to-fleet-of-qfreedomq
The thrilla in the Mediterranean won’t be coopted,
Paul Woodward
As the Freedom Flotilla sails towards Gaza, the Israeli propaganda
machine is working at full bore. In its frenzied effort, message
discipline seems to have gone out of the window. 10,000 tons of
supplies being carried in the nine-ship flotilla are, the Israelis
suggest, superfluous to Gaza’s needs when Israel itself is delivering
15,000 tons a week. Still, if the human rights activists insist on
completing their mission, Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it
would be more “efficient” if the flotilla, instead of docking at Gaza
City, docks at an Israeli port where everything can be transferred to
Israeli trucks. Then everyone can say a prayer as they wait to see how
much gets confiscated at the land crossing into Gaza. Why take a direct
route when you can take a longer and less certain indirect route?
http://mondoweiss.net/2010/05/the-thrilla-in-the-mediterranean-wont-be-coopted.html
Free
Gaza Movement/Witness Gaza
http://www.witnessgaza.com/
Professors join protest in Sheikh Jarrah
Dozens
of professors from Hebrew University join students in protest rally
against eviction of Arab families from east Jerusalem neighborhood. 'To
ignore situation is like cutting off branch on which academia sits,"
says Dr. Yuval Harari.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3894687,00.html
Mazin Qumsiyeh: Standing Up to the Bulldozers in
Palestine, Mazin Qumsiyeh
Earlier this month, as Israeli bulldozers sought to raze olive groves in
the forgotten Palestinian village of Al-Walaja, many thoughts raced
through my mind. At one point, the best I could muster to a young
soldier intent
on carrying out his cruel order was to exclaim, "Why are you doing this?
Shame on you." More than a shame, it is a calamity.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mazin-qumsiyeh/standing-up-to-the-bulldo_b_590987.html
Protest
visit of Netanyahu in Ottawa
Protest Israeli war criminal and Prime Minister Benjamin Netenyahu
Monday May 31st get on bus to Ottawa from Montreal! meet at 1pm in front
of the Hall Building @ Concordia University 1455 Maisoneuvve West (metro
Guy-Concordia) bus return to Montreal @ 10:30pm we are asking for
a small contribution of $10 dollars to help pay for the bus for
reservations seats are limited.
http://www.tadamon.ca/post/6809
6
Reasons to Oppose Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Visit to
Ottawa
Palestinian students in Gaza sit beside names of fellow students killed
during the Israeli bombardment Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu is planning to visit Canada’s Prime Minister Stephen Harper in
Ottawa on May 31st.
http://www.tadamon.ca/post/6830
Hebrew U. students protest in Sheikh Jarrah
JERUSALEM (JTA) -- Hundreds of Hebrew University students marched from
their Mount Scopus campus to the eastern Jerusalem neighborhood of
Sheikh Jarrah to protest the eviction of Arab families. At Wednesday's
protest, called "The Occupation is Here ... Three Minutes From Mt.
Scopus," the students were joined by dozens of university professors.
They chanted slogans such as "We won’t sit in class while rights are
being trampled" and "We won't learn civil rights with racism in Sheikh
Jarrah," according to Ynet.
The neighborhood has seen weekly protests since two extended Palestinian
families were evicted from their homes last August and Jewish settlers
moved in to the homes, which an Israeli court ruled were Jewish-owned.
http://www.jta.org/news/article/2010/05/26/2739342/hebrew-u-students-protest-in-sheikh-jarrah
Palestine:
Israeli
crackdown exposes its aims
Israel has exposed the extent of
its crackdown on resistance to its occupation in an affidavit submitted
to the Supreme Court on April 29. It claimed the Israeli Shin Bet
intelligence agency has been conducting surveillance on myself, a
non-violent activist and Australian citizen, in Area A of the West Bank.
http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/44235
PA plans $50 million fund to help Palestinians
boycott settlements
Palestinian government has already banned the sale of settlement
products in West Bank shops.
http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/
pa-plans-50-million-fund-to-help-palestinians-boycott-settlements-1.292555
Settlement businesses weigh Palestinian ban impact
(Reuters)
Reuters - Israeli entrepreneurs at an industrial
park in the occupied West Bank are rethinking their business strategies
to deal with a Palestinian boycott of goods made in Jewish settlements.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20100527/wl_nm/us_palestinians_israel_westbank_settlers
Tribute to Gaza's people
May 27, (Pal
Telegraph - By Mairead Maguire - Nobel Peace Laureate) I never cease to
be amazed at the power of the human spirit to survive. During my last
visit to Gaza in October 2008 I was amazed and deeply moved by the power
of the people I witnessed. In a triumph of hope over adversity and
tremendous suffering, love still abides.
http://www.paltelegraph.com/diaries/85-diaries/6180-tribute-to-gazas-people
Violence
and
Aggression
DCI: Child blown to pieces, one maimed and two
injured in drone attack
On 7 January 2009, Husam Sobuh (11)
decided to bring more food, blankets and clothes to the UNRWA school in
Beit Lahiya, where he was taking refuge with his family. On his way, he
met with his uncle Osama (36) and his two children, Huda (11) and Luai
(9), who were going home for the same reason. During this dangerous
journey to their neighbourhood, where combatants were now fighting,
Husam sheltered in an
empty house with Mahmoud Abu Laila (14) and Luai Sobuh (9). All of a
sudden, the building was attacked twice by a drone plane. Husam was
blown into two pieces. Luai was blinded, and his body badly injured in
the attack. Mahmoud suffered several injuries but recovered, as did
Huda, who is badly traumatized by the incident. Osama has heard of
treatment to restore Luai’s sight in the United States, but can’t afford
the treatment.
http://www.dci-pal.org/english/display.cfm?DocId=1486&CategoryId=32
IOF raids Nablus camps
Nablus, May 27, 2010 (Pal Telegraph) - Israeli occupation forces raided
today Askar and Ain Bait El-Ma’ refugee camps in Nablus, in the West
Bank. Number of Israeli military vehicles raided today Askar refugee
camp in Nablus, eyewitnesses told SAFA news agency. The witnesses added
that Israeli occupation forces raided number of houses in Ain Bait
El-Ma’ refugee camp. No detentions were reported in these raids.
http://www.paltelegraph.com/palestine/west-bank/6176-iof-raids-nablus-camps
Israeli settlers attack Palestinian cars 'regularly'
Bethlehem, May 27, (Pal Telegraph) A group of Israeli settlers started
throwing stones and empty bottles today morning near the village of
“Husan” southwest of Bethlehem in the West Bank, resulting in big
material damage to the Palestinian citizens’ cars.
http://www.paltelegraph.com/palestine/west-bank/6173-israeli-settlers-attack-palestinian-cars-regularly
Beit Hanoun mother describes Wednesday air strike
Gaza
–
Ma'an – Eight children escaped serious injury in the latest airstrike
on Beit Hanoun on Wednesday night, their mother explained, calling their
safe departure from the house a miracle. The warplanes were reportedly
targeting a training site belonging to Hamas’ Al-Qassam Brigades,
officials said, but the impact of the strikes caused damage to
several nearby buildings, blowing out windows and causing make-shift
repairs to homes damaged during last year's war on Gaza to crumble.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=287298
Detainees
Israel detains 2 Palestinian in Bethlehem
Bethlehem, May 27, 2010 (Pal Telegraph) - Israeli occupation forces
(IOF) detained today two Palestinians from the city of the West Bank
Bethlehem. Local source reported that the IOF detained Rami Boji, 30,
after raiding his house. Besies, they detained another citizen from
Al-Ghroub refugee camp while he was at the Al-Kontenar checkpoint.
Eyewitness said that Israeli soldiers detained Mohammed Al-Nemer, 21,
after checking ID cards of car passengers were passing the checkpoint.
The IOF transferred both of the detainees to unknown place, the sources
added.
http://www.paltelegraph.com/palestine/west-bank/6175-israel-detains-2-palestinian-in-bethlehem
Islam governs Shalit's condition: Hamas
Gaza – Ma'an – Hamas lawmaker in Gaza Jamal Nassar said his movement
treats captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in accordance with Islam
and "not according to reactions," referring to the passing of a law that
would bar Hamas prisoners from family visits.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=287324
Initiating campaign to defend Palestinian woman
tortured in Abbas’s jails
A national campaign was launched on Thursday to defend Mervat Sabri, a
Palestinian woman who has been exposed to excruciating torture at the
hands of Mahmoud Abbas’s militias for more than two month.
http://www.palestine-info.co.uk/En/
MK Tibi: Shalit law will backfire
Bethlehem
–
Ma'an – Palestinian citizen of Israel and member of the Knesset Ahmad
Tibi slammed the decision-making body's approval of the "Shalit Law," on
Wednesday, saying the move in no way secure the release of the captured
soldier. Under the new legislation, prisoners in Israel affiliated to
the Hamas movement would no longer be able to see lawyers or family
members, in what officials say is an attempt to approximate the prison
conditions of captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=287458
Retaliation
Qassam lands in Ashkelon; none injured
Rocket lands in southern industrial zone, causing no damage. Earlier,
two mortar shells land in open area in Eshkol Regional Council; no
injuries or damage reported.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3894807,00.html
Siege/Humanitarian Issues/Human Rights/Restriction of
Movement/Discrimination
Goods – Needs Vs. Supply – Apr 25 – May 22
http://www.gazagateway.org/2010/05/goods-needs-vs-supply-apr-25-may-22/
Industrial Fuel – Needs Vs. Supply – Apr 25 – May 22
http://www.gazagateway.org/2010/05/industrial-fuel-needs-vs-supply-apr-25-may-22/
Amnesty: 4 of 5 Gazans dependent on aid due to
blockade
In annual report, international human rights group
says Israeli blockade 'hit hardest on the most vulnerable – children,
the elderly, the homeless and the sick'; claims Israel 'forcibly evicts
Palestinians, demolishes their homes and expropriates their land'.http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100527/ap_on_re_us/us_arab_american_barred
What is Gaza's legal status?
The United Nations and the international community continue to consider
the strip to be occupied by Israel, along with the West Bank and
occupied Arab East Jerusalem. Why then does Israel insist that the
occupation of Gaza has ended?
http://gulfnews.com/news/region/palestinian-territories/what-is-gaza-s-legal-status-1.632615
Gaza's refugees live a perpetual Nakba
Gaza - More than 1.5 million people are crammed into the Gaza Strip, and
three-quarters of the population are Palestinians registered with the
United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA. More than half of
those refugees live in eight camps across Gaza.
http://palestinenote.com/cs/blogs/news/archive/2010/05/26/gaza-s-refugees-live-the-perpetual-nakba.aspx
Demands of Trials for Journalist Murders
“All the Journalist Unions should move from statements of solidarity
with the Palestinian journalists to real actions and measures, as going
to the international courts to try the Israeli officials who are
responsible for horrific crimes and murders of Palestinian Journalists”
stated the Palestinian
Journalists Syndicate“PJS” delegation during the World Congress
of the International Federation of
Journalists "IFJ" “Journalism in Touch with the
Future" which was held in Cadiz in Spain on May 25 2010.
http://palestinethinktank.com/2010/05/26/demands-of-trials-for-journalist-murders/
Sha'ath: Obama preparing to put real pressure on
Israel
Bethlehem - Ma'an - Fatah Central Committee member
Nabil Sha'ath called US President Barack Obama's sudden invitation to
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu part of the American framework
to put pressure on Israel. Netanyahu will be "satisfied with gifts"
from the American administration, Sha'ath told Ma'an radio on Wednesday,
referring to a recent promise to fund an anti-missile defense system in
Israel for some 250 million dollars.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=287356
War Criminals and Their Enablers
Amnesty: U.S. and Europe shielding Israel from
accountability for Gaza war crimes
In its annual report, the rights group accuses Israel of continually
violating human rights in Gaza with its ongoing economic siege.
http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/
amnesty-u-s-and-europe-shielding-israel-from-accountability-for-gaza-war-crimes-1.292505
Canadians say premier 'partner in occupation'
Bethlehem
-
Ma'an - Canada's Premier of Ontario Dalton McGuinty was accused of
making his province a "partner in Israel’s ongoing occupation and its
denial of Palestinian rights," a coalition opposed to his visit to
Israel last week. Canada's Coalition Against Israeli Apartheid
presented letters of protest to the provincial legislative body Queen's
Park on Wednesday, highlighting the State of Israel as a "repeat
offender in the violation of international law."
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=287404
Political
Developments
Netanyahu: Time for direct talks with Palestinians
(AP)
AP - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says it's time to move to
direct talks with the Palestinians.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100527/ap_on_re_eu/eu_france_israel
Maariv: Netanyahu says Obama folded
This
morning’s (May 27 2010) Maariv runs an extravaganza on a purported
change in US-Israel policy, which begins with a huge headline on the
front-page — “Netanyahu: I won.” Note emphasis in the translated text
below: The shift in policy is explained by Democratic fundraising fears
ahead of the November mid-terms. This seems to be a PMO talking point —
Yediot elaborates further in an article I will post later this morning.
http://coteret.com/2010/05/27/maariv-netanyahu-says-obama-folded/
Jordanian official speaks of 'State of two banks'
While Amman is sensitive to claims that 'Jordan is the Palestinian
state', head of senate in independence day speech refers to 'two united
banks, with kingdom emerging on both banks of holy river'.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3894726,00.html
EU parliamentarians deny rumors on aid cut to
Palestinians
BRUSSELS, May 27 (KUNA) -- An European Parliament delegation currently
visiting Palestinian territories has expressed concern that the
continued building of Jewish settlements and the route of the separation
barrier de facto pre-empt efforts towards a viable peace.
http://www.kuna.net.kw/NewsAgenciesPublicSite/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=2090326&Language=en
Other
News
Jihadists challenge Hamas western approach
Hamas
accuses
radical Islamist Salafi movement identified with global jihad, al-Qaeda
of attacking wedding parties, Christian sites, internet cafes in Gaza
Strip.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3895076,00.html
INTERVIEW-Gaza
market
gone, Palestinian exports to Europe
* Sinokrot aims to
compete with Israeli settlers
* Loss of Gaza market catalysed switch
to agriculture
* Tycoon sees scope for Palestinian investment in
farming
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/LDE6370UO.htm
IDF fears battle as settler violence spirals
The number of violent confrontations between the army and settlers in
and around Yitzhar has jumped recently.
http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/idf-fears-battle-as-settler-violence-spirals-1.292441
Rahm Emanuel invites Netanyahu to discuss shared
'security interests' with Obama
"Rahm Emanuel invites
Netanyahu to discuss shared 'security interests' with Obama" - that is the
headline which Haaretz chose. They
might as well have written "Rahm Emanuel invites Natanyahu to finalize
war plans on Iran". The
number of indicators and warning which point to a joint US-Israeli
attack on Iran is rapidly increasing. Though probably not imminent, we
are probably talking a few months at the most.
http://vineyardsaker.blogspot.com/2010/05/rahm-emanuel-invites-netanyahu-to.html
Wexler for Israel?
Former Rep. Robert
Wexler (D-Fla.) is being courted to be Obama's ambassador to Israel,
three Washington Middle East hands tell POLITICO. Wexler, a strong
pro-Israel ally for the Obama White House going back to the 2008
presidential campaign, has become an even more frequent presence in the
White House and Foggy Bottom since resigning his House seat in January
to become president of the S. Daniel Abraham Center for Middle East
Peace, a revived Washington think tank named after its benefactor, the
Slim-Fast-heir turned Middle East peace evangelist/philanthropist.
http://www.politico.com/blogs/laurarozen/0510/Wexler_for_Israel_.html?showall
Settler sexism reigns in West Bank
Washington - Elyakim Levanon, the chief rabbi of the Elon Moreh
settlement near Nablus, has forbidden women from running in community
elections, Ynet News reported Wednesday. According to the report, Rabbi
Levanon said women lack the authority necessary to run for local office,
and he said women must be heard through their husbands in the public
forum. The rabbi made his announcement after a young women asked
him if she could run for community secretary. Community elections are
scheduled for Wednesday, but not one woman out of the settlement's 750
eligible adults has announced candidacy.
http://palestinenote.com/cs/blogs/news/archive/2010/05/26/settler-sexism-reigns-in-west-bank.aspx
Analysis/Opinion/Human
Interest
“Jews who themselves suffered are how now causing
suffering to Palestinians"
“My parents realized that something was about to happen. They would’ve
liked to go with me but Jewish organizations were inviting children
under 17 only. We were separated. Thus, in May 1939 I ended up in
London, and they stayed back there. And on September 1, the war began.
In 1942, both of my parents were arrested and sent to Auschwitz, as well
as all their neighbors who hadn’t left by then. I never saw them again.
Later, they were separated and sent to different camps. They died apart
from each other. And they have no graves. Ibelieve
their names are written in the Israeli museum. Names of all deceased
are written there.”
http://rt.com/Top_News/2010-05-27/jews-suffer-palestinian.html
MJ Rosenberg: New: Israel's Ties To Apartheid South
Africa
Now that I have read the definitive book on the relationship between
Israel and the apartheid regime, I understand why Israel is going to
such ridiculous lengths to demonize Justice Richard Goldstone. He was,
as Nelson Mandela testifies, an outspoken opponent of the apartheid
regime. The Israeli government was its staunch ally, even though
apartheid's advocates studied under the Nazis.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mj-rosenberg/new-israels-ties-to-apart_b_591273.html
Israeli Nuclear Espionage: The Art of Keeping
America at Risk for Fun and Profit
This week, newspapers around the world received reports and signed
documents from South Africa. The reports said that, in 1975, Israel
agreed to sell South Africa nuclear weapons. South Africa then released
an arms agreement signed by current Israeli President Shimon Peres. This
is the document “heard round the world.”
http://intifada-palestine.com/2010/05/
israeli-nuclear-espionage-the-art-of-keeping-america-at-risk-for-fun-and-profit/
Bethlehem Checkpoint: Waiting in a Line vs. Waiting
in a Line under Occupation, Katya Reed
Going through checkpoints in the West Bank is often described as similar
to going through airport security before leaving on an international
flight--with much more unpredictable waits, fussier metal detectors, and
the added humiliating features like full-body turnstiles between caged
passage ways that resemble cattle chutes. Instead of encountering
airline security officials who smile patiently at successive discoveries
of forgotten back-pocket change, I've watched armed soldiers yell at
Palestinians in Hebrew from a glass booth. At Bethlehem
checkpoint occasionally I've watched soldiers stand on platforms above
my head. I've watch them yelling at the Palestinian workers below as
their guns hang on their shoulders, at an angle giving me a clear view
to see up the barrels of their guns.
http://mondoweiss.net/2010/05/bethlehem-checkpoint-waiting-in-a-line-vs-waiting-in-a-line-under-occupation.html
The dig dividing Jerusalem, Ahdaf Soueif
The
search
for the City of David may offer tourists a reminder of Jerusalem's
ancient past. But for the Palestinians whose homes are threatened by the
excavations, archaeology is merely the latest weapon being used against
them. If you walk out of Jerusalem Old City through its south-eastern
gate and on to the perimeter road encircling it, you will most likely
see several large coaches with elderly western tourists
climbing out of them. You will see them stand at the low wall at the
edge of the road and peer down into the lush valley with its pretty
houses that nudge and lean against each other. The tourists may notice
the woman marking exercise books on her sunny terrace, they may smile to
see the bright-haired four-year-old riding her tricycle round the yard.
Some of them will think of a favoured grandchild back in Kansas or
Ottawa.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/may/26/jerusalem-city-of-david-palestinians-archaeology
NATO's other member state
Will recent revelations that Israel not only possesses nuclear weapons,
but actually considered selling them to apartheid South Africa, cause
Europe and America to rethink their relationship with Israel? The truth
is that Israel already enjoys such a privileged level of access to their
key institutions that any rethink is improbable -- at least in the
short-term. One of the most important aspects of this relationship
relates to how Israel interacts with the North Atlantic Treaty
Organization (NATO). David Cronin analyzes for The Electronic Intifada.
http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article11289.shtml
Beinart’s influence: ‘Tablet’ author says Israel is a
bully and Zionism is toxic subject, Philip Weiss
More Beinart repercussions; he's opened up the space, and given the
timorous encouragement. Tablet has run
a great piece by parenting columnist Marjorie Ingall saying she's
never written about Israel, because she doesn't buy the program and her
children look on Zionism as toxic. The piece was promptly trashed
by Commentary, which says that anti-Semitism never ends and Israel
can count on no one but itself (further indication of what MJ Rosenberg
predicted, a giant split inside the Jewish community).
http://mondoweiss.net/2010/05/
beinarts-influence-tablet-author-says-israel-is-a-bully-and-zionism-is-toxic-subject.html
Wawro traces history of ‘domestic considerations’
back to Balfour and Eddie Jacobson, Philip Weiss
Here's Jeff
Blankfort's interview today with Geoff Wawro, whose book
Quicksand was promoted on this site the other day. The idea of a
Jewish state, Wawro says, was endorsed by American presidents for
domestic political reasons from the Wilson administration on-- "Wilson
the proponent of national self-determination was never comfortable with
the idea of a Jewish state..."
http://mondoweiss.net/2010/05/
wawro-traces-history-of-zionist-lobbying-back-to-balfour-and-eddie-jacobson.html
Iraq
Wednesday: 7 Iraqis Killed
At least seven
Iraqis were killed, but no wounded were reported. Meanwhile, the Iraqi
government declared the national airlines bankrupt and closed Iraqi
Airways a month after Kuwait attempted to confiscate one of their planes
in Europe. Kuwait claims it is owed $1.2 billion in reparations for
planes and spare parts.
http://original.antiwar.com/updates/2010/05/26/wednesday-7-iraqis-killed/
Gunmen
kill
Iraqi Major
Unknown gunmen opened fire on Wednesday night at
Major Khitab Aouni from the General Inspection office at the Interior
Ministry in Niniveh Province near his house in Al Rifa’i District,
western Mosul. The Major was killed immediately.
http://www.alsumaria.tv/en/Iraq-News/1-49710-Gunmen-kill-Iraqi-Major.html
Iraq’s Al-Maliki Tells of Numerous Attempts to
Assassinate Him
May 26 (Bloomberg) -- Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said he has
survived “many attempts” on his life, in an interview with the
London-based al-Hayat newspaper. He said one of the incidents occurred
last year, when he was flying from Mosul in northern Iraq to Baghdad,
according to a transcript posted on his website today. “A missile was
fired against the plane but thermal decoys diverted it,” the prime
minister said.
http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-05-26/
iraq-s-al-maliki-tells-of-numerous-attempts-to-assassinate-him.html
Witness: Secret Iraq prison for women and children
Iraq's
Muthanna
Army base has women and children in a secret prison, says an Iraqi
eyewitness. He says some are family members of Al Qaeda suspect and are
used to extract confessions.
http://rss.csmonitor.com/%7Er/feeds/world/%7E3/mH_10S5JaJs/
Witness-Secret-Iraq-prison-for-women-and-children
Baghdad's trade in wildlife anything but tame (AP)
AP
- A dozen fluffy white kittens with piercing blue eyes frolic in a wire
cage, perched perilously atop a pen containing two African lion cubs.
Neighborhood schoolchildren stop to feed sunflower seeds to a chained
monkey, while three red foxes cower in their curbside enclosure from the
street noise.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100527/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_iraq_wildlife_for_sale
Lebanon
Lebanese army fires on Israeli warplanes: military
BEIRUT
—
Lebanese anti-aircraft guns opened fire on two Israeli warplanes that
were violating Lebanon's airspace on Wednesday, a military statement
said. "The anti-aircraft batteries fired in the direction of Israeli
warplanes that flew over" the Shebaa region of southern Lebanon at
medium altitude, the statement said. Earlier in the day, two aircraft
flew over southern and northern Lebanon before returning to Israeli
territory, it said.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5g6ed0hneILZ0TVOFLowcxLGjOMAw
Collaborator with Israel gets lifetime of hard labor
BEIRUT: The Permanent Military Tribunal sentenced a man Monday to a
lifetime of hard labor for collaborating with the Israeli intelligence.
Youssef Mohammad al-Hajj Ali was sentenced to a lifetime of hard labor
for providing the Mossad with security information, especially during
the 2006 summer war.
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=1&article_id=115253
What Will Our Gush Dan Residents Do...Swim Out of
Israel?
27/05/2010 Although Israeli political and military officials have been
mum since Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah set Tuesday
the new maritime formula for any future war with Israel, some comments
have surfaced in the Israeli media.
Haaretz said that ‘to avoid being deluded by the Israeli government
many Israelis find themselves forced to accept Sayyed Nasrallah’s
assessment that the home front exercise [Turning Point 4] was the fruit
of Israel’s fear of Hezbollah’s rockets and that if Israel waged war on
Lebanon, then Israeli ships and ports will become under attack.
http://almanar.com.lb/NewsSite/NewsDetails.aspx?id=139406&language=en
U.S.
and Other World News
Obama doctrine to make clear no war on Islam, aide
says
Ahead of first formal declaration of national security
goals, US president's counterterrorism adviser says, 'We have never been
and will never be at war with Islam; we are at war against al Qaeda and
its terrorist affiliates'.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3894875,00.html
The Cable: Zimbabwe ambassador heckles U.S.
official; N. Korea on terror list?
When Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Johnnie Carson
took to the podium Tuesday night, he probably didn't expect any
hecklers. Carson was speaking at the Africa Day celebration at the
Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Washington, a meeting of embassy officials
representing countries across Africa. Carson, a soft-spoken diplomat
with a professorial air, spoke on the progress of Africa from a colonial
dominion to a group of independent, if struggling, states. His remarks
were going along as expected -- until he started to talk critically
about the downslide of human rights and good governance in Zimbabwe.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/26/AR2010052605232.html
John Bolton's North Korea plan: Bomb Iran!
John Bolton, among other neocon psychos, has long been obsessed with the
idea that the single biggest mistake the Bush administration ever made
was taking North Korea off the "state sponsors of terrorism" list.
http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2010/05/25/bolton_iran_north_korea
The Iranian Dilemma, George S. Hishmeh – Washington,
D.C.
The 'diplomatic coup' - as Iran's success in winning over the
sponsorship of Turkey and Brazil, two upcoming international players, of
its new nuclear offer to the UN nuclear watchdog - has to date seemingly
rankled the big powers and may have even split the western community on
this subject.
http://palestinechronicle.com/view_article_details.php?id=15988
Tunisian journalist beaten by police
New York, April 26, 2010 – The Committee to Protect Journalists today
called for a full and transparent investigation into the police beating
of Zuhair Makhlouf, contributor to Tunisian news Web site Assabil
Online. In a telephone interview, Makhlouf told CPJ that eight
plainclothes police officers arrived at his home at 5:30 p.m. on
Saturday and informed him that he was under arrest. Makhlouf said he
asked them to show him an arrest warrant but instead they beat him in
front of his wife and two children and took him to Borj Ouzir police
station in Ariana, a town just outside of Tunis. He was interrogated and
verbally abused before being released seven hours later. He suffered
from a broken nose, a black eye, and several bruises.
http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/4bfd2b76c.html
Egyptian journalist Hamdi Kandil faces defamation
charge
New York, May 20, 2010 – The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns a
criminal defamation lawsuit filed by Egyptian Foreign Affairs Minister
Ahmed Aboul Gheit against independent journalist Hamdi Kandil. He faces
up to six months in jail and a discretionary fine if convicted.
http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/4bfd2b7f23.html
Egypt
using
defamation laws to prosecute dissenting voices
Amnesty
International criticizes the authorities' attempts to silence and harass
activists, as the trial of two leading human rights defenders and
a prominent blogger begins. Amnesty International has criticized the
Egyptian authorities' use of criminal defamation charges to silence and
harass activists, after the trial of two leading human rights defenders
and a prominent blogger started on Saturday.
http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/egypt-using-defamation-laws-prosecute-dissenting-voices-2010-05-25
Riz Khan - Progress in Saudi Arabia
How
long can Saudi Arabia remain a land of contradictions? For decades the
country has been torn between its strong, traditional values and a push
toward modernisation and change. How is today's Saudi Arabia balancing
tradition with progress?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uGglqnMyyM&feature=youtube_gdata
Robert Fisk: Power to change
I've always claimed that somewhere across the Atlantic – or perhaps
somewhere over the Mediterranean – there lies a geopolitical fault line,
perhaps a screen or curtain, through which the loveable old West (once
called Christendom) sees the Middle East, and then misinterprets all it
observes. An Iranian offer of peaceably resolving its nuclear program
becomes a threat and a cause for sanctions. Forthcoming elections in
Egypt are seen as another step towards democracy rather than further
one-party rule by an 81-year old dictator.
http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/fisk/robert-fisk-power-to-change-1983794.html
The Strategic Ally Myth, Philip Giraldi
It
is difficult to understand why anyone would take Mort Zuckerman
seriously. He is a New York based but Canadian born Israel firster who
made a fortune in real estate before buying The New York Daily News and
the US News and World Report. He now fancies himself as a leading
journalist and political commentator. Zuckerman is frequently spotted on
the television talking head circuit where he dispenses analysis of
international events that could have been crafted in Tel Aviv or
Herzliya, where the Israeli intelligence service Mossad has its
headquarters.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/05/24/opinion/main6512952.shtml
Egypt 1967 – a very personal defeat | Amira Nowaira
The days and events preceding the 1967 Middle East war
are indelibly carved in my memory. In May 1967, Gamal Abdel Nasser, the
president of Egypt, in response to what he considered to be provocation
by the Israelis, announced that he was sealing off the Gulf of Aqaba against all Israeli
shipping. He dismissed international monitors and moved huge numbers of
Egyptian troops into the Gaza Strip and all along the border with
Israel.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/may/27/egypt-1967-very-personal-defeat |
| For further information contact Shadi Fadda |
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