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Post by ninathedog on Jan 12, 2011 8:13:08 GMT 4
Half Past Human Adventures in Future Viewing Oy! Mate! Look over there....!We do not usually do this sort of thing, and i sincerely hope that this is a total waste of my time, and further that i do not waste precious time of any of the humans involved, however, i am in the initial stages of the interpretation of the data for this next report, and had been asked by a reader about the current floods in Australia, so it seemed worth the effort to examine the immediacy data sets this morning. These are effective from 3/three days out to 3/three weeks (more or less), and as a rule contain some of the higher level emotional linguistics to be found, which are frequently the most freakishly accurate. NOT THAT THIS IS THE CASE in this instance as we have no way of judging the accuracy until after the forecast time has past... BUT, given the above as a disclaimer, and with the idea that we understand so little (really) about future forecasting, especially in the extremely close range, nonetheless, the data sets prompted me to post this warning. Our data sets over the past year have had lots of instance of descriptors for the kinds of flooding activity that is now overwhelming the humans and animals and plants in Australia. The damage has already reached serious and impacting levels. The nasty part of the forecasts from both 2009, and 2010 relative to [floods in places that NEVER flood], is that we had also seen references within those same data sets for [dams failing]...and also curiously, for a [dam saved]. This last set included specifics going to [at the last minute], and [through (close/detailed) attention]. While looking through the most recent immediacy data, i came across several [dam] references that *could be* forecasting future happenings within the chaos of the Australian floods. Noting that our geographic references are right down there in the in-accuracy levels of numbers and are usually discarded as untrustworthy, and further noting that there are several regions of the planet that are experiencing [freakish flooding] at the moment, i still feel compelled to state that the current data sets have a set going to a [dam (nearly) collapses], and a set that is a [dam 'scooting' off its base]. The [dam (nearly) collapses] set may be pointing to the same set as the [dam scooting off its base]. This cannot be determined from this point in time. Without regard to one or more dams, the data shows in the detail sets that the [dam scooting off its base] is [discovered (prior to the movement)] by [sharp eyes]. So i figured to help out with what descriptors we have available at this point. These details include the of the dam when facing it from below, and that set also is internally cross linked to [bubbling up]. Within the [bubbling up] set are supporting linguistics for [trees (specifically fruit trees though that can also mean trees of a commercial nature)] that are [snapped/damaged]. These [trees] are either the [cause] of the [bubbling up] due to [root penetration under the dam] or are [pointers to the place of the bubbling up], again, we cannot tell from the data set due to the ambiguity of language. In our referential integrity checks on the data, the timing clues suggest that as of this point of time (early morning, on January 11, 2011 here in Pacific time zone, north america), the [bubbling up], that is the sign of or a contributing factor to the [dam scooting off its base], is in the [initial stages]. Further descriptors include a curious group going to the idea that the [water (bubbling under) the dam] will [become as fog (obscuring)]. Further details include sets for [yielding] and [solid (structure) on weakened base]. Again we note that [trees] are a central theme to the descriptors in support of the [bubbling] that is even now preceding the [scooting off the base]. When viewing the structure of the detail layers, it would appear that the [dam], while [stressed] at this point is to be further tested by [yet more torrential rains], as well as [(another?) ascending wall of waters]. So apparently the [bubbling up] would be [deemed acceptable] at this moment, but will [in hindsight/past viewing] be [labeled] as the [cause for failure] after the [impact] of the [next round] of [rains]. Sorry to say that the data suggests yet more [torrents] will be forth coming. So, we put this out to universe in an attempt to be useful humans. Hopefully we are just batshit screwy and totally wrong, but if not...oy, Mate! Look over there....at that puddle of water, in the midst of all those other puddles of water, as this one is [obscuring the danger]. Good luck to all humans and other terra critters of all species. We are all going to need it. clif January 11, 2011 halfpasthuman.com/audam.html |
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Post by ninathedog on Jan 12, 2011 20:48:48 GMT 4
Israeli warplanes in
fresh strikes on GazaPublished today (updated) 12/01/2011 17:56
Ma'an News AgencyGAZA CITY (AFP) -- The Israeli air force resumed overnight its recent series of airstrikes in the Gaza Strip, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned of the consequences if Palestinian rocket fire continued. The first air strikes on the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis killed a militant of the Islamic Jihad and wounded another man, Palestinian sources said.  The Israeli military confirmed the attack, saying it had targeted a member of Islamic Jihad who "was involved in planning a massive terrorist attack in the heart of Israel." "This operation disrupts the execution of the attack by Islamic Jihad," an Israeli army spokeswoman said. "That organization has been involved in the firing of rockets towards Israeli territory and IDF forces in the past few days," she added. Adham Abu Selmiya, spokesman for the Hamas-run health services in the Gaza Strip, named the dead man as 25-year-old Mohammed Jamil An-Najar. The Al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of the Islamic Jihad militant group, said An-Najar was a member and pledged revenge for the attack. Later raids hit three sites used by Hamas security south of Gaza City and also a training base of the Islamic Jihad group in Khan Younis, but caused no further casualties, Hamas officials and eyewitnesses said early Wednesday. The Hamas facilities housed offices of the Hamas National Security Service and its naval wing, they said. An Israeli military spokesman confirmed only that aircraft had hit three "terror targets" in response to recent rocket and mortar fire from Gaza. Tensions have been rising in recent weeks with militants firing dozens of rockets and mortar shells into southern Israel and the Israelis responding with air strikes. In the most recent incident a rocket fired from Gaza hit open ground in the Negev desert, causing no casualties or damage. Several rockets, however, have hit populated areas, causing injuries and property damage. On Tuesday night, Netanyahu warned of the consequences if the rocket fire were to continue.
"I think they'll make a terrible mistake; to test our will, to test our people," he told a gathering of foreign journalists in Jerusalem. "I think they'll make a terrible, terrible mistake." Israel launched the devastating "Operation Cast Lead" in December 2008 in response to rockets fired from Gaza into its territory. The 22-day war, which ended in a unilaterally declared Israeli ceasefire on January 18, 2009, killed 1,400 Palestinians, around half of them civilians, and 13 Israelis, 10 of them soldiers. The Hamas rulers of the Gaza Strip have said that they do not want another war, and have called on militant groups in the coastal enclave to avoid provoking a new confrontation.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=350338
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Post by ninathedog on Jan 12, 2011 21:11:51 GMT 4
Israel using Gaza as
waste dumpSun Jan 9, 2011 3:19PM
PressTV A cesspool near the beach on the outskirts of Gaza CityWhile dumping parts of its wastes in the coastal sliver and hogging its water supplies, Israel has made it extremely difficult for Gaza to bring in waste disposal equipments.Tel Aviv has been imposing a bottleneck on Gaza's import route since mid-June 2007, thus almost preventing the transfer of equipment and materials needed for the water and wastewater-treatment systems into the enclave, a Press TV correspondent reported. In 1967, when Tel Aviv occupied Gaza, the forces built three sewage treatment facilities there, which failed to treat most of the inflowing waste. The system was poorly modified during the 1980s.
Gaza, home to nearly 1.5-million Palestinians, is currently almost four times more populous than the 80s but still dependent on the system.The already dysfunctional facilities were further damaged during Israel's frequent incursions over the past four years. The damage done to the wastewater-treatment facilities in the northern Gaza City during a December 2008-January 2009 war by Israel made some raw sewage find its way into the ground water sources, our reporter noted. The offensives also killed more than 1,400 Palestinians and inflicted a damage of above USD 1.6 billion on the strip's economy.Tel Aviv, meanwhile, continues to aggravate the problem by partially disposing of its wastewater in the Gaza valley. Israel's all-out land, aerial and naval blockade, meanwhile, blocks the entrance of food, medical fuel and electricity supplies to the coastal sliver. Gaza's Coastal Aquifer yields more than 500 million cubic meters of water of which a little over a tenth is allocated to Gaza residents, and the rest is taken by Israel.HN/PKH/MMNRelated Stories:
* Gaza water quality still cause for concern
* Israel turning Gaza into sewage dump
* Gazan sick demand end to blockadewww.presstv.ir/detail/159352.htmlUnited Nations Environment Programme
Environmental Assessment of the Gaza Strip
Table of contents Foreword — 3 Acronyms and abbreviations — 4 Weights and measures — 5 1. Background — 6 2. Environmental assessment of the Gaza Strip — 11 2.1 Introduction — 11 2.2 Scope of the environmental assessment — 12 2.3 Environmental assessment methodology — 13 2.4 Background research — 15 2.5 Remote sensing analysis — 16 2.6 Field work — 18 2.7 Laboratory analysis — 26 2.8 Limitations and constraints — 26 3. Results and discussions — 27 3.1 Introduction — 27 3.2 Damages directly attributable to the recent escalation of violence — 27 3.3 Environmental issues pre-dating the recent escalation of hostilities that were aggravated by it — 38 3.4 Institutional assessment — 68 4. Recommendations — 69 4.1 Introduction — 69 4.2 Recommendations for the restoration of damage caused by the recent escalation of hostilities — 70 4.3 Recommendations for the remediation of pre-existing environmental degradation that was exacerbated by the recent hostilities — 70 5. Economic assessment — 72 5.1 Introduction — 72 5.2 Scope of the economic assessment — 72 5.3 Economic assessment methodology — 73 5.4 Limitations and constraints — 74 5.5 Findings — 75 Endnotes 85 Appendix I: UNEP Governing Council Decision 25/12: The environmental situation in the Gaza Strip — 87 Appendix II: List of assessments conducted in the Gaza Strip after the recent escalation of violence and hostilities — 88 Appendix III: References — 90 Appendix IV: Bibliography — 92 Appendix V: List of contributors — 96 ............ Download document — www.unep.org/PDF/dmb/UNEP_Gaza_EA.pdf Gaza Water Reservoirs Almost DryThursday, 31 December 2009 11:29
Added by PT Editor maysaa jarour
The Palestine Telegraph — We Change Our World Photo by Mohammed AsadGaza, December 31, 2009 (Pal Telegraph) - The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has said that water reservoirs in the Gaza Strip are almost dry, that would increase the harshness of life for the 1.5 million Palestinians living in the Strip. (over half of whom are CHILDREN -- www.google.com/search?q=gaza+population+statistics+children )
A UNEP report Wednesday said that water resources in the Gaza Strip had been exhausted by overuse in addition to pollution resulting from the last Israeli operation on the Gaza Strip.
If the abuse continues, the preservation of water resources in Gaza would be pretty hard to handle and the damage may be difficult to deal with, said the report, adding that the initial estimated budget to clean water resources in Gaza was USD 58 million.
The issue needs immediate attention from the global community because the innocent people of Gaza do not deserve an additional problem to be thrown at them, said the report.
The UNEP coordinates United Nations environmental activities, assisting developing countries in implementing environmentally sound policies and encourages sustainable development through sound environmental practices.
It was founded as a result of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment in June 1972 and has its headquarters in Nairobi. The UNEP also has six regional offices and various country offices.
The UNEP is the designated authority of the United Nations system in environmental issues at the global and regional level. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action.
www.paltelegraph.com/palestine/gaza-strip/3435-gaza-water-reservoirs-almost-dry
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United Nations Environment Programme
—Gaza—
[UNEP in the Regions > Current Activities > Gaza ] Following the escalation of hostilities in the Gaza Strip in December 2008 and January 2009, the Governing Council of UNEP, in its Decision 25/12, mandated the organization to initiate a post-conflict environmental assessment to examine the natural and environmental impacts on the Gaza Strip caused by the hostilities. UNEP was also requested to conduct an economic evaluation of the cost of environmental rehabilitation and restoration. In late January 2009, in the immediate aftermath of the hostilities, UNEP deployed a senior technical expert as part of the UN Early Recovery Needs Assessment mission to Gaza, to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of the recent hostilities, including the large quantities of rubble, asbestos and other hazardous waste; hazardous health care waste, and groundwater and soil contamination. The UN Early Recovery mission culminated in a Gaza Early Recovery Rapid Needs Assessment report, as well as a Palestinian National Early Recovery Plan for Gaza, prepared by UN agencies and the Palestinian ministries, with technical support from the UN, World Bank and the European Commission. The latter was launched in Sharm El-Sheikh on 2 March 2009. In May 2009, UNEP undertook a detailed environmental assessment of the Gaza Strip, based on fieldwork and independent laboratory analysis. A multidisciplinary team of eight international environmental experts were deployed to Gaza , and remained on the ground for ten days, conducting walkover inspections of a wide range of sites and collecting samples for laboratory analysis. The main areas under investigation through the post-conflict environmental assessment include: • Water and waste water management;
• Solid and hazardous waste management, including asbestos; and
• The coastal and marine environment. As requested through Decision 25/12, UNEP experts also undertook an economic evaluation of the rehabilitation and restoration of the environmental damage in Gaza. Together with concrete recommendations for rehabilitation, findings were published in the Environmental Assessment of the Gaza Strip report in September 2009. Download: ** www.unep.org/PDF/dmb/UNEP_Gaza_EA.pdf ** To learn more about UNEP’s previous work and related publications in the region please see past programmes in UNEP in the Regions. ** www.unep.org/conflictsanddisasters/UNEPintheRegions/PastProgrammes/OccupiedPalestinianTerritories/tabid/325/language/en-US/Default.aspx **
For more information on UNEP's work in the Gaza Strip please contact Muralee Thummarukudy,Project Coordinator on: muralee.thummarukudy@unep.org unep.org/conflictsanddisasters/UNEPintheRegions/CurrentActivities/Gaza/tabid/562/language/en-US/Default.aspx Troubled Waters
Amnesty InternationalCONTENTS INTRODUCTION — 3 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND — 6 WATER RESOURCES IN ISRAEL/OPT — 8 Groundwater Resources — 8 Surface Water Resources — 8 UNEQUAL ACCESS TO WATER — 9 The West Bank: Israeli over-exploitation of shared resources — 9 Gaza: unsafe water supplies — 10 ISRAELI MILITARY ORDERS — 11 OSLO ACCORDS: INSTITUTIONALIZING ISRAELI CONTROL OF RESOURCES — 17 Inequality in access to water resources codified — 20 Israeli Claims: Maintaining the status quo — 21 POLICIES OF DENIAL — 23 THE WATER CRISIS IN GAZA — 25 Dwindling resources — 26 THE JOINT WATER COMMITTEE (JWC) – A PRETENCE OF COOPERATION — 28 MILITARY PERMIT REGIME HINDERING WATER PROJECTS — 29 RESTRICTING ACCESS TO WATER AS A MEANS OF EXPULSION — 36 Destruction of water cisterns – Vulnerable communities targeted — 36 The Southern Hebron Hills — 38 Confiscation of water tankers in the Jordan Valley — 40 Destruction of agricultural water facilities — 43 Unlawful Israeli settlements connected to the water network — 45 THE FENCE/WALL - BARRING ACCESS TO WATER — 46 Water-rich land inaccessible — 47 Bearing the cost – solving the problems created by the fence/wall — 51 MOVEMENT RESTRICTIONS AFFECTING ACCESS TO WATER — 52 WATER INFRASTRUCTURE DESTROYED IN MILITARY ATTACKS — 56 Damage to water facilities in Gaza during Operation “Cast Lead” — 58 Damage to water facilities during Israeli military campaigns — 59 Impact on Health — 60 ISRAELI SETTLERS’ ATTACKS ON WATER FACILITIES — 62 PA/PWA FAILURES AND MISMANAGEMENT — 65 SEWAGE DISPOSAL MALPRACTICE – ENDANGERING WATER RESOURCES — 67 Failure to protect the water supply in the OPT: Israel — 68 Failure to protect the water supply in the OPT: PA/PWA — 71 THE ROLE OF INTERNATIONAL DONORS — 73 INTERNATIONAL LAW: THE RIGHT TO ACCESS TO WATER — 75 International Human Rights Law — 76 International Humanitarian Law — 80 Applicability of international law in the OPT — 81 International law and the use of transboundary groundwater resources — 82 CONCLUSION and RECOMMENDATIONS — 85 GLOSSARY — 89 ENDNOTES — 90 download pdfblog.amnestyusa.org/refugees/troubled-waters-palestinians-denied-fair-access-to-water/#more-5951 >>edited for length and relevancywww.youtube.com/watch?v=TtnBSLjaLWsTroubled Waters:
Palestinians Denied Fair Access to WaterDemand Dignity, Gaza, Israel, Middle East, Refugees |
Posted by: Edith Garwood, October 29, 2009 at 9:42 PM
blog.amnestyusa.org/Israel is denying Palestinians their right to access to adequate water by using discriminatory and restrictive policies. Donatella Rovera, senior researcher on Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories said, “Israel allows the Palestinians access to only a fraction of the shared water resources, which lie mostly in the occupied West Bank, while the unlawful Israeli settlements there receive virtually unlimited supplies. In Gaza the Israeli blockade has made an already dire situation worse.” The report, “Troubled Waters: Palestinians Denied Fair Access to Water,” says Israel uses more than 80 per cent of the water from the Mountain Aquifer, the main source of underground water in Israel and the OPT, while restricting Palestinian access to 20 per cent. Israel takes all the water from the Jordan River, the Palestinians get none. Download PDF of report via blog.amnestyusa.org/refugees/troubled-waters-palestinians-denied-fair-access-to-water/#more-5951In the Gaza Strip, 90 to 95 per cent of the water from its only water resource, the Coastal Aquifer, is contaminated and unfit for human consumption. Yet, Israel does not allow the transfer of water from the Mountain Aquifer in the West Bank to Gaza. And because of the blockade on the Gaza Strip and the stringent restrictions imposed by Israel on the entry into Gaza of material and equipment necessary for the development and repair of infrastructure have caused further deterioration of the water and sanitation situation in Gaza, which has reached a crisis point. A 12 page digest, “Thirsting for Justice: Palestinians access to water restricted” and the feature story of West Bank farmer, Mahmoud al-’Alam, about the day Israeli bulldozers came and destroyed his water supply and his livelihood can also be found on the Amnesty International website along with the main report. (PDFs available for download via link below) blog.amnestyusa.org/refugees/troubled-waters-palestinians-denied-fair-access-to-water/#more-5951
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Post by ninathedog on Jan 12, 2011 21:20:17 GMT 4
Palestinians in Gaza face
health crisisMon Jan 10, 2011 10:13PM
PressTV A Palestinian child lies in the dialysis room of a hospital in
the Gaza City in the north of the Gaza Strip, June 8, 2010.The Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip warns of a health crisis as the impoverished enclave is running out of direly needed medicine.
The ministry warned that dozens of chronically-ill patients, especially those with cancer and kidney problems, could die soon, if they do not receive medicine.The officials said its storages suffered 40-percent depletion, the Palestinian Ma'an news agency reported on Sunday. They said the coastal sliver is facing a lack of medication for leukemia, blood problems, epilepsy, thalassemia and maternal health problems.The ministry also expressed concerns that the stock of insulin and kidney dialysis fluid in Gaza's hospitals and health centers could run out within days.The crippling land, aerial and naval blockade imposed by Israel on the coastal sliver has also restricted the movement of people out of Gaza. A coalition of 22 international NGOs and human rights groups said in late November that the system for issuing the patients exit permits were arbitrary, unpredictable and time consuming, a Press TV correspondent recently reported. Many die, while on the waiting list, he added. The ministry blames the situation on the Palestinian Authority for refusing to send enough medical supplies to the Gaza Strip.HN/MRS/MGHRelated Stories:
* Israel using Gaza as waste dump
* Egypt allows Iranian aid to reach Gaza
* 'Over 3,000 tons of bombs fell on Gaza'(many thanks to GazaTVNews)
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Post by ninathedog on Jan 14, 2011 1:30:56 GMT 4
Gaza’s Children Dare to Dreamby Mel Frykberg, January 12, 2011
antiwar.comGAZA CITY – Despite the lingering trauma of living under siege, regular Israeli military attacks and the consequences of a bloody war several years ago, Gaza’s children still dream of happiness and of normal lives.Islam Mqa’t, 9, from Gaza City’s Al Zarqa neighborhood, together with 150 family members, friends, and neighbors, spent weeks cowering in her family’s apartment building as it was rocked and damaged by Israeli jets screaming overhead and bombing the trapped civilians below. The Israel Defense Forces’ (IDF) Operation Cast Lead, from December 2008 to January 2009, left over 1,400 Palestinians dead, most of them civilians, including over 300 children. From her window, Islam and those trapped with her saw people dying and wounded in the street below. Hundreds of people from Al Zarqa neighborhood died in the aerial bombardment. Islam still experiences flashbacks. “I get very afraid when I hear the sound of jets in the sky. I’m afraid the Israelis will start bombing us and I will see dead people in the street again,” Islam told IPS. But she, like thousands of other children in the coastal enclave, is showing resilience and daring to dream of a better future. “I want to be a doctor so I can help people and save their lives. I dream of peace. In my imagination I see a peaceful Gaza with children playing and studying. I see a zoo and beautiful parks and cinemas,” says Islam. Islam’s dreams have been captured in drawings she has made. A number of Gaza’s children are taking part in an art exhibition, organized by Oxfam, depicting their dream neighborhoods and describing their aspirations. Ten of the best drawings will be published in postcard form and sent to children and politicians abroad. Islam lives in one of Gaza City’s poorest and most neglected neighborhoods with her seven brothers and sisters and her parents. Al Zarqa’s almost non-existent water and sewage infrastructure poses a constant threat to the Palestinian families living there. In an Oxfam survey of nearly 200 homes, 57 percent were found to be living below the poverty line, earning less than 1,000 shekels per month (about $300). Thirty-eight percent of household heads are unemployed, 61 percent of the families have at least one child with a parasitic infection, 59 percent have skin diseases, and 51 percent have suffered from diarrhea, the report said. Despite the images of hope in Islam’s sketch, other children’s drawings reflect the post-traumatic stress disorder affecting many Gazan children. “Many of the children’s drawings have depicted corpses, soldiers, airplanes, and blood,” Karl Schembri from Oxfam told IPS. During the war more than half of Gaza’s children experienced a violent event, around 25 percent lost a loved one, and 30 percent were forced to relocate. Dr. Jameel Tahrawi from Gaza’s Islamic University conducted a study called “Drawings of Palestinian Children After the War on Gaza,” which surveyed 445 children in the north of Gaza. “The study shows that over 82 percent of children drew the war and events related to it. Fifty-six percent used writing to explain their drawings as they felt the drawings were insufficient to convey their message,” Tahrawi told a Gaza Community Mental Health Program conference titled “Twenty Months after the Israeli War on Gaza – Psychological Impacts on Palestinian Children” held in Gaza recently. But there is still hope. Tahrawi explained that art therapy could be used as a bridge to a better future and that despite the gruesome content of many of the children’s pictures the drawings could help the children overcome their grief and move on. “The children can relieve their stress by expressing their feelings instead of repressing them. I was surprised at the bright and cheerful colors used by certain children. I expected them all to use bleak colors such as black and brown. But the rainbow of colors is proof of their resilience,” Tahrawi told IPS. “If they are given the chance and the same opportunities as other children they can overcome Gaza’s tragic history and circumstances. Unfortunately, we don’t have sufficient people qualified in art therapy in Gaza,” added Tahrawi. Dr. Suhail Diab from Al Quds Open University agrees that helping the children to understand their experiences and involving them in positive activities such as sport, music, writing, and art would help to deal with their post-traumatic experiences.According to a study carried out on young medical patients, “Medical Art Therapy with Children” by Cathy Malchiodi, “participating in creative work within the medical setting can help rebuild the young patient’s sense of hope, self-esteem, autonomy, and competence while offering opportunities for safe and contained expression of feelings.” Rahma Elesie, 9, has 14 brothers and sisters and also lives in Al Zarqa. In her spare time she plays on her computer or with her friends. But she loves drawing and painting. “When I paint I feel happy and I feel relaxed. I like to imagine and draw pictures of happy families having picnics on the beach, and I dream of being able to go for walks and picking pretty flowers,” Elesie tells IPS. (Inter Press Service) original.antiwar.com/frykberg/2011/01/11/gazas-children-dare-to-dream/
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Post by ninathedog on Jan 14, 2011 1:55:17 GMT 4
"Besa: Muslims Who Saved Jews During World War II"
Now On Exhibit in NYCby: Safa S.
Care2.comWhere memory fails us, art lives on, like little frozen moments or time capsules that speak to our eyes rather than our ears. Where words fall apart, images live on, taking on their own lives without the need to decode or translate or even define. And sometimes the narrative of human courage and dignity, often overlooked in the face of tragedies and vice, are best told as they are today: captured vignettes, documented moments, preserved portraits that, when strung together, tell us the histories we crave to hear, but feel unprivileged to impart. It's been said that "the story of Albania's Muslims, and what they did during World War II, is one of the great untold stories of the world." In recent years, these private heroisms have been revitalized through the lens of Jewish-American photographer Norman H. Gershman and his collected images and oral histories that make up the traveling portrait exhibit called Besa: Muslims Who Saved Jews During World War II, now currently on display in New York's Soho Photo Gallery until January 29th. The story is quite an extraordinary one. When Hitler's troops began invading the Balkan States in the early 1940s, Muslims across Albania took an estimated 2,000 Jewish refugees into their homes en masse and welcomed them not as refugees, but as guests. They disguised these Jews as Muslims, took them to mosque, called them Muslim names, gave them Muslim passports, hid them when they needed to, and then ferried them to inaccessible mountain hamlets. "In fact, Albania is the only Nazi-occupied country that sheltered Jews," says Gershman. The Jewish population in Albania grew by ten-fold during World War II, and it became the only country in occupied Europe to have more Jews at the end of the war than at the beginning. Records from the International School for Holocaust Studies show that not one Albanian Jew or any of the other thousands of refugees were given up to the Nazis by Albanian Muslims. "They did this in the name of their religion," Gershman said. "They absolutely had no prejudice what so ever." That is because these Muslims held themselves accountable to what Albanians call Besa, which is still upheld as the highest ethical code in the country. "Besa is a code of honor deeply rooted in Albanian culture and incorporated in the faith of Albanian Muslims," the gallery explained in the show's press release. "It dictates a moral behavior so absolute that non-adherence brings shame and dishonor to oneself and one's family. Besa demands that one take responsibility for the lives of others in their time of need. This Islamic behavior of compassion and mercy celebrates the sanctity of life and a view of the other — the stranger — as one's own close family member." "Most remarkably, this was all done with the consent and support of the entire country. Thousands of Jews, hidden in plain sight — everyone knew — and no one told."And no one told for a long time "because of the shutters that went down on Albania so soon after 1945 and the draconian Communist regime," Holocaust historian Deborah Dwork told Jim Axelrod on CBS's Sunday Morning. "For the next half century, Albania was completely cut off from everyone, even from other Communist regime countries. And by the time the shutters lifted, what happened half a century ago was not so urgent as people's everyday needs right then and there." "When I first learned of the World War II rescue of Jews in Muslim Albania and Kosovo, my reaction was visceral," Gershman said, who learned about the story from a member of Israel's Yad Vashem, a memorial dedicated to Jewish victims of the Holocaust. "Muslims who saved Jews? I must record this forgotten event with my camera and tell the story through the various family histories I was to meet. As a Jew and a Sufi, my spiritual connect with the beauty of Islam and Judaism is seamless." Over a five-year period that began in 2002, Gershman traveled to Albania to document these surviving Muslim families and collect their stories, both through pictures and words. A man who worked for the Albania-Israel Friendship Society carried a small notebook with the names and addresses of these Muslim families, and with that, an interpreter, a driver and an assistant, Gershman crisscrossed the country, finding these families in cities, villages, even at the end of gravel roads. Yad Vashem knew of 63 families on record, but Gershman's trek led him to more than 150. "I travelled all through Albania and Kosovo where I met the rescuer's children, who are in their sixties or even older, the rescuers' widows, and in some cases the rescuer himself." He took their portraits and began with the same question: What is your story? "I asked them, 'Why did you do this? What was in the Quar'an that you did this?' They would only smile. Some of them said, 'We have saved lives to go to paradise." "There was no government conspiracy, no underground railroad, no organized resistance of any kind-" Gershman said, "only individual Albanians, acting alone, to save the lives of people whose lives were in immediate danger. My portraits of these people, and their stories, are meant to reflect their humanity, their dignity, their religious and moral convictions, and their quiet courage." The saddest part of many of these families' stories were the endings when Soviet communism cut off all communication between the Jews that fled to Israel or their native countries and the Muslims that stayed. Many of them ended with "... and then all contact was lost. We never heard from them again. Please help us find them so we can return items they left in our trust." "I came back with pictures and stories that are different from the ones you read in the papers every day." Together, the images say more than words can about courage, compassion, faith, and intercultural companionship. "They're not perfect pictures," he said. "But what's important is for these people to reflect themselves." It's a message he believes needs to be understood now more than ever. "The paranoia that's sweeping the country regarding Muslims is absolutely nuts," he said. "I defy of anybody sees my pictures, especially in the West, and say that these people are militants or supporters of violence. These photographs show quite a different story."It's a story that has gone on to reach further than Gershman could alone. Since a 2006 endorsement from former President Jimmy Carter and its first showing at Yad Vashem in 2007, the world has seen more than 75 exhibitions of Besa, including at the United Nations. In 2008, Syracuse University Press published the images and stories in a photobook that shares the same name as the exhibition. When its showing at Soho Photo Gallery wraps up at the end of this month, it will travel to a new one in England's House of Commons. Gershman attributes much of the show's success to the fact that it contradicts popular misconceptions of not only Muslims, but also of intercultural relationships between Muslims and Jews."The exhibitions," a press release said, "were shot in black and white, fittingly chosen as each of the subjects and their families understood that when it comes to saving a life, there can be no shades of grey." www.care2.com/causes/human-rights/blog/besa-muslims-who-saved-jews-during-world-war-ii-now-on-exhibit-in-nyc/ The Hands of Altin Qeleshi Holding a Snapshot of
Shalom Adixhes and Her Daughter Nina"
© Norman H. GershmanJanuary 4 – 29, 2011
Soho Photo
NORMAN H. GERSHMAN
Besa: Muslims Who Saved Jews
During World War llSoho Photo Gallery is honored to present a special exhibition by guest photographer Norman H. Gershman entitled Besa: Muslims Who Saved Jews During World War II. It will occupy all four exhibition bays in our downstairs gallery. Besa is a code of honor deeply rooted in Albanian culture and incorporated in the faith of Albanian Muslims. It dictates a moral behavior so absolute that non-adherence brings shame and dishonor to oneself and one's family. Besa demands that one take responsibility for the lives of others in their time of need. This Islamic behavior of compassion and mercy celebrates the sanctity of life and a view of the other — the stranger — as one's own close family member. Photographer Norman H. Gershman traveled to Albania over a seven-year period to speak with the people involved and to record their stories and their children’s stories. He photographed them as they appear today, along with the artifacts he collected, and presents an emotional and unprecedented window into a forgotten aspect of history. Gershman is also the founder of The Eye Contact Foundation, which promotes religious, political, cultural and economic understanding and tolerance among people worldwide through the use of portrait photography. Gallery Talk: Norman H. Gershman will discuss his work on Friday, January 21 from 6 to 9 pm at Soho Photo. All are welcome. No charge for admission. www.sohophoto.com/exhibitions.htmlGallery Hours: Wednesdays - Sundays, 1-6 PM, and by appointment Contact: Wayne Parsons, info@sohophoto.com or 212.662.5532 Soho Photo 15 White Street New York, NY 10013 212.226.8571
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Post by emeraldsun on Jan 14, 2011 19:50:07 GMT 4
Sick & Destitute in Hard Times "It's such a laugh to hear people complain about the "welfare state" in the USA. There is no welfare in my state." "Mary Smith" has been sending me feedback for many years. When recently she mentioned her financial distress, I commissioned her story. by "Mary Smith" (for henrymakow.com) Like many in the USA, I am searching for employment. And like many people over 50, I've found it difficult. Having a chronic illness, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, has made it even harder. It's difficult to tell this story in a short, succinct manner without sounding like a whiner or a malingerer. For much of my life, I have struggled with chronic fatigue and illness. Since doctors couldn't figure it out, my family decided I was a whiner and hypochondriac. Then I met a European-trained doctor who said I had a major lymphatic disorder. He said they have specialists for this in Europe but not here. The illness makes it hard to focus and earn a livelihood. Since I have no money, I have had to address my health problems as best I can without medical help. A chronic illness is like being stuck on an airplane that is circling an airport because it can't land. Used to be that ladies or gentlemen like me either lived with their families or in a convent or monastery. St. Alphonsus di Liguori, who founded several religious orders, observed that there were plenty of ladies who would never have entered the convent unless illness had driven them there. He wrote that 200 years ago. That was then, this is now. Like much of the present Church, the convents are in decline and reject people with any hint of infirmity. That's what happened to me as well as others of my acquaintance. As for my family, my mother helped me and the rest of my family won't talk to me. For most of my career, I have worked as a housekeeper. In addition, I've done telemarketing, office administration, pizza delivery, restaurant work, radio talk show host, and freelance writing. With the present collapse of the Church, there are few if any truly Catholic publishing houses, parishes, universities, etc. left. That makes it pretty tough to try and accomplish anything if that is your inclination. My job history has been severely impacted by my illness and eyesight. Now that I am in my 50s, I am having to make serious efforts to avoid going blind like my mother and grandmother before me. Also like my mother, I am unable to work under fluorescent light. It has long been known in the alternative health community that working under fluorescent light will make you sick. When I have tried, I found that it just made me even more tired; and over time, I couldn't function. For a long time, I couldn't understand what was wrong with me until I read a letter to Dr. Andrew Weil from a lady who struggled with the same problem. When I wrote to a locally renowned optometrist to ask for his suggestions on what to do about it, my letter was met with silence. Since I don't have the money for an ophthalmologist, I haven't been to one. Obamacare, you ask? It doesn't cover preexisting conditions. An older friend told me he went through a similar trial when he was in his 50s. He bounced from job to job, too. He ended up telemarketing even though he has a Masters Degree. Luckily for him, his wife was working. Eventually, he turned 65 and got Social Security. Wish I had the energy to find a mate. Sometimes I feel like I am on my own private Gilligan's Island with no way to get off. It wasn't always this way in my country. Years ago, I read the famous transcript of the lecture by Richard Day, one of the insiders who foresaw the changes many Americans like myself are now living. See: www.sweetliberty.org/nobarbarians1.htmIn 1969, Dr. Day gave a lecture to medical doctors. He said there had been a silent coup of the US government, by what he called the Shadow Government. He said that he was one of them, and gave a lengthy list of outrageous predictions based on his inside knowledge. For example, he said the new government planned to lower the population by increasing the death rate. One of their methods would be to make health care expensive causing more people to die. You can't get disability without medical care, and you need medical records to prove that you need disability. Another bombshell: Dr. Day admitted that cures for most diseases were in existence but were suppressed to lower the population. Dr. Day said that the Shadow Government would create diseases that were difficult to detect and difficult to treat. Sounds like Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and AIDS, doesn't it? Indeed, former Ontario Teachers' Union head Donald Scott described such a program in his book The Brucellosis Triangle. Using declassified US Department of Defense documents obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, Scott demonstrated that CFS and AIDS were created by a joint project of the English speaking nations. Fellow CFS sufferers, take note! See: www.whale.to/v/scott.htmlIn addition, Dr. Day predicted widespread joblessness as our jobs were sent overseas. Sixty Minutes had a TV program about unemployment and the "Recession" in Silicon Valley. They interviewed a former executive who used to make $100,000 a year. After several months of unemployment, he finally accepted a position as a bagger at Target for $8 an hour. He said he was grateful to get it. That seems to be the prevailing wage where I live in Virginia: $8 an hour. Of course, it's impossible to live on that sum unless you have a spouse who makes a lot more money. And the attitude of employers when you ask them to give you a more realistic salary is: Be grateful for your job or get lost. There are hundreds of people who would be happy to have it. Don't forget that when you earn $8 an hour, that's BEFORE taxes. In the USA, you are taxed federal and state income tax, Social Security tax, and Medicaid tax which makes your take home pay even lower. If you try to survive on less than $8 an hour, as I have, you will default on your credit cards, or get evicted when your roommate moves out. You won't be able to afford to file for bankruptcy because it costs $300 just to file in court. Needless to say, you will soon work yourself into destitution. Eventually, you may try to ask charities for help. If so, good luck. Ditto for the churches. Most charities will not help single women like myself. Unless, of course, you are a single mother with young children. When I have asked Social Services for help, they have directed me to the Homeless Intervention Program, which consists of a list of shelters and no other help. As for rental assistance, they will not help you unless you are part of a family, working, have a good credit rating, and a history of paying bills on time. Obviously, such applicants have no need of financial aid. It's such a laugh to hear people complain about the "welfare state" in the USA. There is no welfare in my state. In my area, if you apply for rental assistance, they make you jump through hoops until you either give up or they finally find a reason not to help. I keep hearing that I am the wrong color. I am white. The fate of housing was another prediction of Dr. Day. He said that they would make it unaffordable. Thus people would be forced to live in shared housing. Even now, many people, not just 20 somethings, have roommates as I do. Dr. Day said that the new society would be geared towards those under 30. Younger people are more malleable, while older ones set in their ways. The Shadow Government planned to make life increasingly difficult. Those who can't keep up are expendable, in their view. Such people are expected to "move on" by taking the demise pill. Well I have news for you fellas - I'm not going! And I am putting my trust in God and casting all my cares on Him, because He cares for us. Link here: www.henrymakow.com/sickanddestituteinhardtimes.html
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Post by iris on Jan 15, 2011 1:10:12 GMT 4
Dear Emeraldsun and Jen,
Thank YOU for sharing with us these eye opening and sad stories. My heart sank, becasue all over the world this is the same situation. The working poor are getting poorer and the rich people are getting richer.
Lots of Love,
Iris
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Post by satchmo on Jan 16, 2011 4:42:33 GMT 4
This humanitarian issue is a lot closer to home for most here.....however it is not just a North American problem....it is happening in most NATO countries.
If it is not stopped soon....there may not be much left growing and living in these area's.....including humans!
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Post by ninathedog on Jan 21, 2011 2:25:14 GMT 4
[OccupationNews] Digest Number 1268
***Occupied Palestine and Israel: News and Articles*
*News*
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -
*International Middle East Media Center* <http://imemc. org/>
*Army Eyes At Demolishing Palestinian Village To Expand Settlement*
<http://www.imemc. org/article/ 60459>
IMEMC - Thursday January 20, 2011 - 01:50, Israeli soldiers invaded on
Wednesday "Khirbit At Taweel", a small village near the northern West
Bank city of Nablus, and handed the residents military orders to
demolish their clay homes by Thursday.
*Dozens Of Palestinians Injured in East Jerusalem Clashes*
<http://www.imemc. org/article/ 60458>
IMEMC - Thursday January 20, 2011 - 00:37, Medical sources reported on
Wednesday at night that dozens of Palestinian residents were injured in
clashes that took place in Silwan neighborhood, Ras Al Amoud, and the
Shu'fat Refugee camp in occupied East Jerusalem.
*Data Shows Israeli Arabs Work Longer Hours,Yet Earn Less Than Jews*
<http://www.imemc. org/article/ 60456>
IMEMC - Wednesday January 19, 2011 - 13:40, According to 2008 data, the
average gross salary per household was much lower for Arabs - NIS 8,818,
compared to NIS 14,242 for Jews.
*WZO Settlements Division Back With Netanyahu*
<http://www.imemc. org/article/ 60455>
IMEMC - Wednesday January 19, 2011 - 12:35, The World Zionist
Organisation' s (WZO) Settlements Division is again under the control of
the Israeli Prime Minister's Office after a period of nearly four years
with the Agriculture Ministry.
*Soldiers Kidnap 14 Members Of Fateh, PFLP*
<http://www.imemc. org/article/ 60454>
IMEMC - Wednesday January 19, 2011 - 11:48, Israeli soldiers kidnapped
on Wednesday at dawn more than 14 Palestinian youths, all under the age
of 21, apparently for their affiliation with the Fateh movement of
President Mahmoud Abbas, and the leftist Popular Front for the
Liberation of Palestine (PFLP).
*Racism In Jewish Schools; "A Dead Arab Is A Good Arab"*
<http://www.imemc. org/article/ 60453>
IMEMC - Wednesday January 19, 2011 - 11:21, A number of teachers working
in Jewish Schools in Israel stated that more instances of racism are
reaching alarming levels as more students are expressing their views
that exceeded their hatred to Arabs to the level of advocating for
killing them.
*Barak Announced His New-Born Party, Independence*
<http://www.imemc. org/article/ 60452>
IMEMC - Wednesday January 19, 2011 - 10:16, After publicly announcing
his resignation from the Labor Party, Israeli Defense Minister, Ehud
Barak, announced on Monday the birth of a new party, running under his
command, called "Independence Party".
*Palestinian Killed, Two Children Wounded In Israeli Bombardment of
Northern Gaza* <http://www.imemc. org/article/ 60450>
IMEMC - Wednesday January 19, 2011 - 04:19, Palestinian medical sources
in the Gaza Strip reported on Tuesday evening that one resident was
killed and two children were wounded , after the Israeli army bombarded
an area in the northern part of the Gaza Strip.
*For The First Time, PLO Mission In DC Raises Flag Outside Office
Building* <http://www.imemc. org/article/ 60449>
IMEMC - Wednesday January 19, 2011 - 02:00, In a symbolic move towards
the recognition of an independent Palestinian State, the Palestinian
mission in Washington raised the Palestinian flag outside its office
building.
*Ma'an News* <http://maannews. net/en/>
*14 detained in large arrest raid near Nablus*
<http://www.maannews .net/eng/ ViewDetails. aspx?ID=352405>
1/19/2011 - NABLUS (Ma'an) -- Israel's military carried out an extensive
arrest raid in the northern West Bank early Wednesday, locals said.
Fourteen young members of Fatah and the Popular Front for the Liberation
of Palestine were seized in Burqa village, onlookers said. The military
used ground vehicles and an aerial drone as soldiers....
*Clashes in Shu'fat spread to neighboring area*
<http://www.maannews .net/eng/ ViewDetails. aspx?ID=352578>
1/19/2011 - JERUSALEM (Ma'an) -- The Shu'fat checkpoint into Jerusalem
was closed Tuesday evening after two rounds of clashes broke out in the
vicinity, injuring several Palestinians and one soldier, medics said. As
clashes continued Israeli police entered the refugee camp adjacent to
the checkpoint, closing all entrances and firing rubber-coated bullets
and tear-gas....
*Brigades claim fire on Israeli civilians*
<http://www.maannews .net/eng/ ViewDetails. aspx?ID=352579>
1/19/2011 - GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- A statement from the Gaza militant
group the Abu Ali Mustapha Brigades said Wednesday that fighters
targeted a civilian Israeli vehicle traveling on the main road near the
border and fired. The brigades, affiliated with the Popular Front for
the Liberation of Palestine, said the attack was against "three settler....
*Report: US to oppose condemnation of settlements*
<http://www.maannews .net/eng/ ViewDetails. aspx?ID=352429>
1/19/2011 - BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- The US opposes the submission of a
Palestinian and Arab draft resolution condemning the expansion of
settlements in the West Bank at the United Nations, the US State Dept.
says. Dept. spokesman Philip Crowley was quoted by Israel's Channel 10
as saying that the only way to establish a.... Related:Palestine hopeful
US won't use veto <http://www.maannews .net/eng/ ViewDetails. aspx?ID=352540>
*H1N1 continues to spread in Gaza*
<http://www.maannews .net/eng/ ViewDetails. aspx?ID=352532>
1/19/2011 - GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- The Ministry of Health in Gaza City
said Wednesday that a total of eight Strip residents had been diagnosed
with the H1N1 virus over the previous week, including one health worker.
Minister of Health Basem Na'eem said the eight were being treated in
isolation units and said all....
*Goldstone in context*
<http://www.maannews .net/eng/ ViewDetails. aspx?ID=251234>
1/19/2011 - A culture of impunity in the region has existed for too
long. The lack of accountability. . . has reached a crisis point;. . .
Time and again, experience has taught us that overlooking justice only
leads to increased conflict. . ." On the first annual commemoration of
Israel's Operation Cast Lead, Ma'an presents a three-week series....
*A week of 'abandonment, desperation, suffocation, isolation'*
<http://www.maannews .net/eng/ ViewDetails. aspx?ID=253366>
1/19/2011 - Bethlehem - Ma'an - On 12 January 2009, one year ago today,
nine Palestinian detainees were blindfolded, handcuffed, and transported
to Israel's Erez border crossing. Several hours later, they were told to
run into Gaza, to look straight ahead - and not to look back. During
their time at Erez, the nine were subjected... .
*1 Gaza crossing open*
<http://www.maannews .net/eng/ ViewDetails. aspx?ID=352355>
1/19/2011 - GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- Israeli authorities decided to
partially open the Karem Shalom crossing while shutting down Karni over
unspecified "security concerns." Palestinian liaison official Raed
Fatouh told Ma'an that Karem Shalom will be opened to allow at least 160
truckloads of aid to the commerce and agriculture sectors and to pump....
*Palestinians hoist flag in Washington for first time*
<http://www.maannews .net/eng/ ViewDetails. aspx?ID=352356>
1/19/2011 - WASHINGTON (AFP) -- The Palestinian diplomatic mission in
Washington on Tuesday hoisted its national flag for the first time, a
highly symbolic gesture that drew an angry response from a senior US
lawmaker. The US State Department, enmeshed in an uphill struggle to
revive stalled Middle East peace talks, said that the ceremony was
approved several....
*Hamas: Israeli Qaeda claim 'borders on incitement'*
<http://www.maannews .net/eng/ ViewDetails. aspx?ID=352481>
1/19/2011 - GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- Hamas leader Salah Al-Bardawil
reiterated Wednesday the movement's insistence that there was no
Al-Qaeda presence in the Gaza Strip, after an Israeli security official
said there were some 500 active "militant activists" operating in the
territory. On Tuesday, head of Israel's Shin Bet internal security
organization. ...
*Palestine hopeful US won't use veto*
<http://www.maannews .net/eng/ ViewDetails. aspx?ID=352540>
1/19/2011 - BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- Member of the Palestinian negotiating
committee Nabil Shaath told a French delegation Tuesday that he believed
the US would have a hard time using their veto on a draft resolution
submitted to the UN over Israeli settlement building. US officials,
however, the same day warned at the United Nations that putting....
Related:Report: US to oppose condemnation of settlements
<http://www.maannews .net/eng/ ViewDetails. aspx?ID=352429>
*Palestinians protest in solidarity with Tunisia*
<http://www.maannews .net/eng/ ViewDetails. aspx?ID=352558>
1/19/2011 - BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- Palestinians on Wednesday prepared to
protest in solidarity with Tunisia, as the authorities there faced
hundreds of demonstrators voicing dissent against Tunis' newly declared
unity government. Palestinians planned demonstrations in Ramallah,
Jerusalem and Jaffa, activists said."Tunis' s revolution has proven, once
again, that freedom is never voluntarily given....
*Fayyad: Salaries increasing faster than prices*
<http://www.maannews .net/eng/ ViewDetails. aspx?ID=352485>
1/19/2011 - RAMALLAH (Ma'an) -- Ramallah premier Salam Fayyad says the
Palestinian Authority has been paying special attention to the living
conditions of Palestinian citizens as one of the PA's top
priorities." Any responsible government must always take care of
citizens' living conditions. To deal with this major issue objectively,
there are two....
*Hamas woman released from PA custody*
<http://www.maannews .net/eng/ ViewDetails. aspx?ID=352510>
1/19/2011 - BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- President Mahmoud Abbas ordered the
release of Tamam Abu As-Saud, a Hamas-affiliated woman who has been
detained on charges of involvement with a Hamas cell planning to
assassinate Palestinian officials. A security source told Ma'an that the
release was a response tot he woman's appeal for amnesty....
*Israel cabinet reshuffles after new party formed*
<http://www.maannews .net/eng/ ViewDetails. aspx?ID=352589>
1/19/2011 - JERUSALEM (AFP) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
reshuffled his cabinet on Wednesday, incorporating members of a new
party formed by Defense Minister Ehud Barak after he left the Labor
party. The line-up, announced by Netanyahu's office, sees Barak retain
his portfolio, as expected, after he announced on Monday he was quitting
Labor to....
*Researcher: Rape laws blurry for Israelis*
<http://www.maannews .net/eng/ ViewDetails. aspx?ID=352410>
1/19/2011 - JERUSALEM (AFP) -- More than 60 percent of Israeli men and
40 percent of women do not believe that forcing sex on an acquaintance
constitutes rape, an Israeli researcher said Tuesday. The findings, set
to be published in a book in the US later in the year, indicate a stark
difference between public perceptions of what....
*First sleep lab in Palestine inaugurated*
<http://www.maannews .net/eng/ ViewDetails. aspx?ID=352357>
1/19/2011 - BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) - The first sleep laboratory in Palestine
was inaugurated Tuesday at the Al-Yamama Hospital in Al-Khadr, south of
Bethlehem,in cooperation with Medipharm Company. Dr Issa Ja'nina, head
of Al-Yamama's medical staff, says sleep therapy "is not a luxurious
practice anymore, as some think, after science proved that....
*Palestine Note* <http://palestinenot e.com/cs/>
*Netanyahu under fire from Israeli left and right*
<http://palestinenot e.com/blogs/ news/archive/ 2011/01/19/ netanyahu- under-fire- from-israeli- left-and- right.aspx>
Palestine Note 19 Jan 2011 - NPR - A heated debate is under way in
Israel over issues of racism, freedom of expression and dissent. And
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing criticism from all
sides because of it. It's been...
*Russia, Jordan vow to achieve independent state*
<http://palestinenot e.com/blogs/ news/archive/ 2011/01/19/ russia-jordan- vow-to-achieve- independent- state.aspx>
Palestine Note 19 Jan 2011 - Haaretz - The leaders of Jordan and Russia
on Wednesday vowed to work together to achieve an independent
Palestinian state and boosted cooperation in the energy sector. "I have
told my Palestinian friends that the eventual...
*Arab nations submit draft UN resolution condemning Israeli settlements*
<http://palestinenot e.com/blogs/ news/archive/ 2011/01/19/ arab-nations- submit-draft- un-resolution- condemning- israeli-settleme nts.aspx>
Palestine Note 19 Jan 2011 - Haaretz - Arab nations have submitted a
draft resolution to the UN Security Council condemning Israeli
settlements in the West Bank, but a vote on it is not expected any time
soon because of a likely...
*Arabs reject foreign "interference" on Christians*
<http://palestinenot e.com/blogs/ news/archive/ 2011/01/19/ arabs-reject- foreign-quot- interference- quot-on-christia ns.aspx>
Palestine Note 19 Jan 2011 - Arabiya - Arab leaders on Wednesday voiced
their "total rejection" of foreign interference in Arab affairs,
especially over the region's Christian minorities. "Arab kings and
presidents ... express their total rejection of attempts by certain
states and...
*South Sudan capital votes overwhelmingly in favor to break away*
<http://palestinenot e.com/blogs/ news/archive/ 2011/01/19/ south-sudan- capital-votes- 97-5-to-break- away.aspx>
Palestine Note 19 Jan 2011 - Al Arabiya - The once sleepy south Sudan
town that hopes to become the world's newest national capital opted 97.5
percent for independence, preliminary results from a landmark vote
showed on Wednesday. Full preliminary results from...
*Ian McEwan says he will accept Jerusalem prize*
<http://palestinenot e.com/blogs/ novels/archive/ 2011/01/19/ ian-mcewan- says-he-will- accept-jerusalem -prize.aspx>
Palestine Note 19 Jan 2011 - The Guardian - In a long literary career
the novelist Ian McEwan has won prizes from many parts of the western
world, but none perhaps as potentially controversial as the Jerusalem
prize, which will be awarded...
*Amr Moussa: The Arab soul is broken*
<http://palestinenot e.com/blogs/ topnews/archive/ 2011/01/19/ the-arab- soul-is-quot- broken-quot. aspx>
Palestine Note 19 Jan 2011 - Secretary General of Arab League laments
economic woes Al Masry Al Youm - The secretary general of the Arab
League on Wednesday linked the upheaval in Tunisia to deteriorating
economic conditions throughout the Arab world, warning...
*Tunisia's revolution shows hollowness of Arab system in face of people
power*
<http://palestinenot e.com/blogs/ news/archive/ 2011/01/19/ tunisia-s- revolution- shows-hollowness -of-arab- system-in- face-of-people- power.aspx>
Palestine Note 19 Jan 2011 - Amr Hamzawy, Los Angeles Times - The
citizens "revolution" in Tunisia that forced dictator Zine el Abidine
ben Ali to flee the country provides many lessons for the Arab world.
Regimes should keep the lessons in...
*Syrian opposition hails Tunisia as democratic model*
<http://palestinenot e.com/blogs/ news/archive/ 2011/01/19/ syrian-oppositio n-hails-tunisia- as-democratic- model.aspx>
Palestine Note 19 Jan 2011 - Alert Net - Opponents of Syria's autocratic
leader said on Tuesday that the overthrow of dictatorship in Tunisia
undermines claims by Arab governments that repression is the only
alternative to either chaos or extreme Islamist rule....
*Tunisia revolt makes Islamist threat ring hollow*
<http://palestinenot e.com/blogs/ news/archive/ 2011/01/19/ tunisia-revolt- makes-islamist- threat-ring- hollow.aspx>
Palestine Note 19 Jan 2011 - Tom Pfeiffer, Alert Net - The absence of
Islamist slogans from Tunisia's pro-democracy revolt punches a hole in
the argument of many Arab autocrats that they are the bulwark stopping
religious radicals sweeping to power. Ousted...
*Palestinian faults Arabs over Jerusalem support*
<http://palestinenot e.com/blogs/ news/archive/ 2011/01/19/ palestinian- faults-arabs- over-jerusalem- support.aspx>
Palestine Note 19 Jan 2011 - Alert Net - Arab states are failing to help
the Palestinians in Jerusalem, a Palestinian official said on Wednesday,
criticising them for paying only a fraction of funds pledged to sustain
Palestinian life there. Foreign Minister...
*Arab summit to 'boost economies'*
<http://palestinenot e.com/blogs/ news/archive/ 2011/01/19/ arab-summit- to-boost- economies. aspx>
Palestine Note 19 Jan 2011 - Al Jazeera - In the wake of the
economy-related unrest in Tunisia, Arab leaders are expected to commit
to a proposed $2bn programme to boost faltering Arab economies. The
pledge was made in a document obtained...
*Lebanon Shows Shift of Influence in Mideast*
<http://palestinenot e.com/blogs/ news/archive/ 2011/01/19/ lebanon-shows- shift-of- influence- in-mideast. aspx>
Palestine Note 19 Jan 2011 - Anthony Shadid, New York Times -In
Lebanon's worst crisis in years, whose resolution may determine whether
Hezbollah controls a government allied with the United States, American
diplomacy has become the butt of jokes here. Once a...
*Egypt's Israeli Conspiracy Psyche*
<http://palestinenot e.com/blogs/ news/archive/ 2011/01/19/ egypt-s-israeli- conspiracy- psyche.aspx>
Palestine Note 19 Jan 2011 - Mohamed Elmeshad, Al Masry Al Youm - Before
former Tunisian President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali's unceremonious
ousting from power, he resorted to the desperate tactic many dictators
attempt when faced with questions they can't answer. He...
*WikiLeaks: US pushed for Israeli, Palestinian intelligence*
<http://palestinenot e.com/blogs/ news/archive/ 2011/01/19/ wikileaks- us-pushed- for-israeli- palestinian- intelligence. aspx>
Palestine Note 19 Jan 2011 - Alert Net - The United States instructed
its Middle East diplomats in 2008 to gather data on encrypted Israeli
communications and build financial and "biometric" profiles of
Palestinian leaders, a leaked embassy cable shows. The secret...
*Hariri tribunal: Saudi Arabia quits Lebanon mediation*
<http://palestinenot e.com/blogs/ news/archive/ 2011/01/19/ hariri-tribunal- saudi-arabia- quits-lebanon- mediation. aspx>
Palestine Note 19 Jan 2011 - BBC News - The Saudi foreign minister says
Riyadh has abandoned mediation efforts to end the political crisis in
Lebanon caused by the UN-backed Hariri tribunal. King Abdullah ended the
Saudi-Syrian initiative because of a lack...
*Aljazeera* <http://english. aljazeera. net/news/ middleeast/>
*S Africa rejects Livni arrest call*
<http://english. aljazeera. net//news/ africa/2011/ 01/2011119193118 198964.html>
AlJazeera 19 Jan 2011 - Bid to arrest ex-Israeli foreign minister for
alleged war crimes over her role in 2008-2009 war on Gaza is turned down.
*Saudi opts out of Lebanon talks*
<http://english. aljazeera. net//news/ middleeast/ 2011/01/20111191 12824680168. html>
AlJazeera 19 Jan 2011 - Kingdom withdraws from efforts aimed at easing
tensions triggered by Hezbollah's pull-out from Lebanese government.
*Palestine News Network* <http://english. pnn.ps/>
*Abbas: East Jerusalem is Our Capital and We Will Not Negotiate for It*
<http://english. pnn.ps/index. php?option= com_content& task=view& id=9429&Itemid= 56>
PNN - Jericho -- PNN - After what he called a "historic" meeting with
his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev, Palestinian President Mahmoud
Abbas told a group of Jericho army cadets, "Jerusalem is our capital...
*Israeli Forces Arrest 18 in West Bank, Including 15 in One Village*
<http://english. pnn.ps/index. php?option= com_content& task=view& id=9428&Itemid= 64>
PNN - Nablus -- PNN - In a series of overnight raids around the occupied
West Bank ending on Wednesday morning, Israeli troops arrested 18
civilians, including 15 in the village of Barqeh, near...
*Russian President Medvedev Reaffirms Recognition of Palestinian State;
Abbas Awards Palestine Star*
<http://english. pnn.ps/index. php?option= com_content& task=view& id=9426&Itemid= 56>
PNN - Jericho -- PNN - On his Tuesdsay visit to the West Bank city of
Jericho, Russian president Dmitri Medvedev said Russia still recognized
an independent Palestinian state just as it had in...
*Palestinian Center for Human Rights* <http://pchrgaza. org/>
*Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied
Palestinian Territory (06-12 January 2011)*
<http://www.pchrgaza .org/portal/ en/index. php?option= com_content& view=article& id=7203:weekly- report-on- israeli-human- rights-violation s-in-the- occupied- palestinian- territory- 06-12-january- 2011&catid= 84:weekly- 2009&Itemid= 183>
Palestinian Center for Human Rights
*Jerusalem Post* <http://jpost. com/>
*Tweens use 'virtual home' to learn environmental protection*
<http://www.jpost. com/Sci-Tech/ Article.aspx? ID=204426& R=R1>
Jeruslalem Post 19 Jan 2011 - Sviva Israel launches Web-based 'Eco
Campus' allowing children to log on and continue expanding their
knowledge in fun, interactive environment.
*PA accuses Hamas of stealing donated medicines*
<http://www.jpost. com/MiddleEast/ Article.aspx? id=204421& R=R3>
Jeruslalem Post 19 Jan 2011 - West Bank health spokesman says Hamas had
been stealing or hiding medicine, creating shortage of supplies for
hospitals, clinics in Gaza Strip.
*UN met only 52% of target for Palestinian aid in 2010*
<http://www.jpost. com/DiplomacyAnd Politics/ Article.aspx? ID=204420& R=R1>
Jeruslalem Post 19 Jan 2011 - First time such large gap exists between
initial aid request, amount of money donated since UN began humanitarian
appeal to member states, international organizations in 2003.
*Soldier involved in shooting of Palestinian dismissed*
<http://www.jpost. com/Defense/ Article.aspx? ID=204416& R=R1>
Jeruslalem Post 19 Jan 2011 - 66-year-old Omar Qawasmeh was shot and
killed by IDF soldiers during raid on home of his nephew in West Bank.
*Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood: Dissolve parliament*
<http://www.jpost. com/MiddleEast/ Article.aspx? ID=204392& R=R1>
Jeruslalem Post 19 Jan 2011 - Egypt's largest opposition movement
demands from Mubarak new elections, constitutional amendments after
Tunisian popular uprising.
*Muslim Brotherhood demands Mubarak dissolve parliament*
<http://www.jpost. com/MiddleEast/ Article.aspx? id=204392& R=R3>
Jeruslalem Post 19 Jan 2011 - Egypt's largest opposition movement called
for new elections, constitutional amendments after Tunisian popular uprising
*French FM in Israel to touch on situation in Tunisia*
<http://www.jpost. com/DiplomacyAnd Politics/ Article.aspx? ID=204390& R=R1>
Jeruslalem Post 19 Jan 2011 - Dermer takes TIME to task for
'particularly egregious' article on Netanyahu gov't; Alliot-Marie to
discuss peace, visit Gaza.
*IDF: Bil'in protester died of medical malpractice*
<http://www.jpost. com/NationalNews /Article. aspx?ID=204376& R=R1>
Jeruslalem Post 19 Jan 2011 - Army probe into death of Jawaher Abu Rahma
finds she overdosed on drug mistakenly administered at Ramallah
hospital; tear gas not to blame.
*UN resolution draft demanding settlement halt submitted*
<http://www.jpost. com/Internationa l/Article. aspx?ID=204369& R=R1>
Jeruslalem Post 19 Jan 2011 - Matter brought to Security Council by
Lebanon despite explicit US opposition; Israel says move diverts sides
from reaching peace.
*Abbas orders release of Hamas woman from PA jail*
<http://www.jpost. com/MiddleEast/ Article.aspx? id=204363& R=R3>
Jeruslalem Post 19 Jan 2011 - Tamam Abu Saud was part of a cell that
allegedly planned to assassinate the PA governor of Nablus after she
asked for forgiveness.
*10 Tunisian Jews make aliyah after violent riots*
<http://www.jpost. com/JewishWorld/ JewishNews/ Article.aspx? ID=204347& R=R1>
Jeruslalem Post 19 Jan 2011 - Jewish Agency helps family of 10 move to
Israel, while an additional 10 Jews from Tunisia visit until things
stabilize at home.
*Palestinian journalist goes missing in Syria*
<http://www.jpost. com/MiddleEast/ Article.aspx? id=204334& R=R3>
Jeruslalem Post 19 Jan 2011 - Norway-based writer Muheeb al-Nawathy's
family suspects that he is being held by Syrian intelligence or a
radical Palestinian group.
*Israel Museum celebrates: 500,000 Visitors in six months*
<http://www.jpost. com/Travel/ TravelNews/ Article.aspx? ID=204333& R=R1>
Jeruslalem Post 19 Jan 2011 - Museum directors' announce record-high
attendance since inauguration of renewed campus in July 2010; report
projects up to one million visitors in 2011, highest number in museum's
history.
*'Stop sedition in Lebanon or your hands will be cut off'*
<http://www.jpost. com/MiddleEast/ Article.aspx? id=204318& R=R3>
Jeruslalem Post 19 Jan 2011 - During live speech, Iranian president
warns US, Israel, Europe: "Your decline is on a fast track"; Saudi
foreign minister: Situation in Lebanon is "dangerous," could be end of
country as "model of peaceful coexistence. "
*Hizbullah* <http://www.jpost. com/MiddleEast/ Article.aspx? id=204317& R=R3>
Jeruslalem Post 19 Jan 2011 -
*Saudi Arabia ends effort to mediate in Lebanon*
<http://www.jpost. com/MiddleEast/ Article.aspx? id=204313& R=R3>
Jeruslalem Post 19 Jan 2011 - Decision means key US ally won't be
involved in efforts to ease tensions in Lebanon after gov't topples;
Saudi foreign minister: situation is "dangerous," could be "end of
Lebanon as model of peaceful coexistence. "
*Ha'aretz* <http://haaretz. com/>
*Labor MK Cabel to Netanyahu: Barak is our gift to you*
<http://www.haaretz. com/news/ national/ labor-mk- cabel-to- netanyahu- barak-is- our-gift- to-you-1. 337965>
Ha'aretz - Labor MKs slam Ehud Barak during Knesset plenum called to
approve new coalition with ministers from Barak's newly formed Atzmaut
faction.
*Turkel Committee defends choice of Galant for IDF chief*
<http://www.haaretz. com/news/ national/ turkel-committee -defends- choice-of- galant-for- idf-chief- 1.337930>
Ha'aretz - High Court rejects petition to bar him from assuming post
until allegations regarding suspected land grab have cleared.
*Israel extends remand of suspect in Bosnia mass murder*
<http://www.haaretz. com/news/ national/ israel-extends- remand-of- suspect-in- bosnia-mass- murder-1. 337911>
Ha'aretz - Aleksander Cvetkovic, 42, is suspected of participating in
the murder of at least 1,000 Bosnian Muslims at the Branjevo farm near
the city of Zvornik.
*Nurses strike across Israel after treasury fails to meet demands*
<http://www.haaretz. com/news/ national/ nurses-strike- across-israel- after-treasury- fails-to- meet-demands- 1.337909>
Ha'aretz - Following through with threats made earlier this month,
nurses have decided not to admit new patients to general hospitals that
are over 100% capacity.
*Incoming IDF chief to face hearing over alleged land grab*
<http://www.haaretz. com/news/ national/ incoming- idf-chief- to-face-hearing- over-alleged- land-grab- 1.337824>
Ha'aretz - Green Party request that Maj. Gen. Yoav Galant's appointment
be delayed until the affair can be investigated.
*Attorney general: No 'civil suit' compensation for police chief killed
in Carmel wildfire*
<http://www.haaretz. com/news/ national/ attorney- general-no- civil-suit- compensation- for-police- chief-killed- in-carmel- wildfire- 1.337790>
Ha'aretz - Haifa's district court should dismiss a the NIS 2 million
lawsuit brought by the partner of Haifa's fallen police chief, attorney
general says.
*Users flood Facebook page of Barak's new Atzmaut party with criticism*
<http://www.haaretz. com/news/ national/ users-flood- facebook- page-of-barak- s-new-atzmaut- party-with- criticism- 1.337777>
Ha'aretz - The breakaway faction of the Labor party, Atzmaut, was quick
to create a presence on the web, but it was just as quickly attacked by
angry users.
*Labor's 'final four' to stay in party after Barak's resignation*
<http://www.haaretz. com/news/ national/ labor-s-final- four-to-stay- in-party- after-barak- s-resignation- 1.337753>
Ha'aretz - Ehud Barak's resignation caught Peretz, Cabel, Majadele and
Ben-Simon by surprise after they had tried to split off from Labor for
months.
*Barak's Atzmaut faction receives four portfolios in coalition
government*
<http://www.haaretz. com/news/ national/ barak-s-atzmaut- faction-receives -four-portfolios -in-coalition- government- 1.337714>
Ha'aretz - Former Labor Chairman Ehud Barak remains defense minister in
Likud-led coalition; Amir Peretz under heavy pressure to remain in Labor.
*Braverman to Haaretz: Lieberman harmed Israel's relations with its Arab
citizens*
<http://www.haaretz. com/news/ national/ braverman- to-haaretz- lieberman- harmed-israel- s-relations- with-its- arab-citizens- 1.337614>
Ha'aretz - Labor's Minority Affairs minister, who resigned from the
government on Monday, says present goal is to 'topple the regime of
Netanyahu, Lieberman, Barak.'
*Journalist Yehuda Lahav posthumously awarded Slovakian lifetime
achievement prize*
<http://www.haaretz. com/news/ national/ journalist- yehuda-lahav- posthumously- awarded-slovakia n-lifetime- achievement- prize-1.337394>
Ha'aretz - Lahav given award in honor of his work as a journalist and
his dedication to cementing Israel-Slovakia ties.
*IDF: Death of Bil'in woman caused by poor medical care in Ramallah*
<http://www.haaretz. com/news/ diplomacy- defense/idf- death-of- bil-in-woman- caused-by- poor-medical- care-in-ramallah -1.337998>
Ha'aretz - Military investigation finds that Jawaher Abu Rahmah was
misdiagnosed and given the wrong treatment at the hospital after
inhaling tear gas at a demonstration in Bil'in last month.
*Israeli rights group B'Tselem urges government to probe Gaza War*
<http://www.haaretz. com/news/ diplomacy- defense/israeli- rights-group- b-tselem- urges-government -to-probe- gaza-war- 1.337997>
Ha'aretz - B'Tselem provided its own casualty count of the war, saying
that 1,390 Palestinians had been killed, at least 759 non-combatants.
*Arab nations submit draft UN resolution condemning Israeli settlements*
<http://www.haaretz. com/news/ diplomacy- defense/arab- nations-submit- draft-un- resolution- condemning- israeli-settleme nts-1.337977>
Ha'aretz - Israel's UN envoy absent from meeting at which resolution was
submitted due to Foreign Ministry strike.
*Russia, Jordan vow to achieve an independent Palestinian state*
<http://www.haaretz. com/news/ diplomacy- defense/russia- jordan-vow- to-achieve- an-independent- palestinian- state-1.337963>
Ha'aretz - Medvedev in Amman: The target is the establishment of a
modern, unified and sovereign Palestinian state, with East Jerusalem as
its capital.
*Hamas denies presence of al-Qaida activists in Gaza*
<http://www.haaretz. com/news/ diplomacy- defense/hamas- denies-presence- of-al-qaida- activists- in-gaza-1. 337953>
Ha'aretz - Hamas official says Shin Bet chief was trying to cause
antagonism towards Hamas by claiming that al-Qaida activists were behind
recent violence in Gaza., Ahmadinejad tells U.S. and Israel that...
*WikiLeaks: U.S. told diplomats to gather intelligence on Israel, PA*
<http://www.haaretz. com/news/ diplomacy- defense/wikileak s-u-s-told- diplomats- to-gather- intelligence- on-israel- pa-1.337942>
Ha'aretz - Leaked cable shows that the U.S. instructed its diplomats in
2008 to gather data on encrypted Israel communications and to build
profiles of Palestinian leaders.
*U.S. told to 'sabotage' Iran's nuclear program, says WikiLeaks*
<http://www.haaretz. com/news/ diplomacy- defense/u- s-told-to- sabotage- iran-s-nuclear- program-says- wikileaks- 1.337912>
Ha'aretz - Leading expert advised U.S. officials that actions such as
'unexplained accidents' and 'computer hacking' would be 'more effective'
than a 'devastating' military strike, The Guardian reports, citing a
January 2010...
*Israel promises Christian site encircled by mines will be safe for
pilgrims*
<http://www.haaretz. com/news/ diplomacy- defense/israel- promises- christian- site-encircled- by-mines- will-be-safe- for-pilgrims- 1.337906>
Ha'aretz - Just months before the official opening of one of
Christianity' s holiest sites to visitors, the area where John the
Baptist is said to have baptized Jesus remains surrounded by thousands...
*On eve of nuclear talks, Iran says Obama's policy has failed*
<http://www.haaretz. com/news/ diplomacy- defense/on- eve-of-nuclear- talks-iran- says-obama- s-policy- has-failed- 1.337903>
Ha'aretz - Six world powers to meet Tehran envoys in Istanbul this week
to resume long-suspended negotiations; Iran tells reporters in New York:
Obama repeating Bush's mistakes.
*Shin Bet chief: Al-Qaida affiliated groups behind Gaza violence*
<http://www.haaretz. com/news/ diplomacy- defense/shin- bet-chief- al-qaida- affiliated- groups-behind- gaza-violence- 1.337819>
Ha'aretz - The security services head spoke to Knesset Foreign Affairs
and Defense Committee after IDF opened fire on militants on Gaza border
earlier in the day.
*Palestine Telegraph* <http://paltelegraph .com/>
*Palestinian Flag in Washington*
<http://www.palteleg raph.com/ palestine/ west-bank/ 8252-palestinian -flag-in- washington. html>
19 Jan 2011 - Palestine, (Pal Telegraph) - The Palestinian diplomatic
mission in Washington on Tuesday hoisted its national flag for the first
time, a highly symbolic gesture that drew an angry response from a
senior US lawmaker.
*Another tunnel worker dies of serious injuries*
<http://www.palteleg raph.com/ palestine/ gaza-strip/ 8246-another- tunnel-worker- dies-of-serious- injuries. html>
19 Jan 2011 - Gaza, ( Pal Telegraph) -Another Gazan worker, who was
injured on the tenth of this month due to a tunnel collapse, died
Wednesday, Safa News Agency reported.
*Israel detains 14 Palestinians, erects checkpoints in WB*
<http://www.palteleg raph.com/ palestine/ west-bank/ 8245-israel- detains-14- palestinians- erects-checkpoin ts-in-wb. html>
19 Jan 2011 - West Bank, ( Pal Telegraph) -Israeli occupation forces
detained Wednesday 14 citizens from Barqa village southern Nablus, in
the West Bank.
*Palestinian killed, two injured as Israel raids Gaza*
<http://www.palteleg raph.com/ palestine/ gaza-strip/ 8244-palestinian -killed-two- injured-as- israel-raids- gaza.html>
19 Jan 2011 - Gaza, ( Pal Telegraph) -One Palestinian was killed and two
were injured yesterday as Israeli artilleries shelled Abu Safia hill in
the east of Jabalya, northern Gaza strip.
*Uruknet* <http://uruknet. info/>
*Death and Birth in Gaza: A Story of a Shepherd*
<http://uruknet. info/?p=m74094& hd=&size= 1&l=e>
Uruknet January 19, 2011 - When you do not distinguish between
combatants and unarmed civilians during war, then you deserve to be
named a 'terrorist.' It makes no difference what your religion is! That
is exactly what happened thousands of miles away and two days before
last Christmas, when Israeli troops shot dead a Palestinian shepherd in
the back and...
*Video : Lebanon tense as Saudi quits talks*
<http://uruknet. info/?p=m74093& hd=&size= 1&l=e>
Uruknet January 19, 2011 - Saudi Arabia has abandoned its position as
mediator in Lebanon, making it less likely that a speedy resolution to
the crisis will emerge. Last week, Hezbollah and other opposition
parties withdrew their support from Prime Minister Saad Hariri's
coalition government, forcing it to collapse. Political and sectarian
divisions have also resurfaced following the UN draft...
*Voices Beyond WallsPalestinian refugee teens from Gaza and the West
bank express themselves through art*
<http://uruknet. info/?p=m74088& hd=&size= 1&l=e>
Uruknet January 19, 2011 - The University of East London is now hosting
a screening of nine short films and photography produced by Palestinian
youth. "The Re-imagining project: Al Aroub refugee camp and Gaza"
exhibition features the creations from teenagers from Al Aroub refugee
camp in the West Bank, and Jabaliya refugee camp in Gaza. The students
produced the photos...
*Symbolism isn't Everything.. . But it is Something*
<http://uruknet. info/?p=m74085& hd=&size= 1&l=e>
Uruknet January 19, 2011 - Critics may say that the string of
recognitions by South American countries of the State of Palestine mean
nothing in practice. They might be right. Just because Brazil or
Argentina say they recognize a state within the 1967 borders doesn't
automatically make it true. Neither does the fact that the Palestinian
flag was raised for...
*No place to sleep for Lydd family*
<http://uruknet. info/?p=m74080& hd=&size= 1&l=e>
Uruknet January 19, 2011 - Hamza Abu Eid, 17, was at school when he
first heard the news that his extended family's seven homes in Lydd -- a
mixed but segregated Palestinian and Jewish area of Israel -- were being
demolished. When he arrived to his house the morning of 13 December
2010, the rain was pouring and he was...
*The economics of occupation in the West Bank*
<http://uruknet. info/?p=m74076& hd=&size= 1&l=e>
Uruknet January 19, 2011 - The Palestinian Territories occupied since
1967 have suffered from an odd economic situation ever since, in stages
summarised as follows: 1. The Israeli occupation authorities adopted two
main principles until the establishment of the Palestinian Authority: a)
The people were not exactly starved, as that would threaten the security
of the occupation, but nor were...
*Racism In Israeli Jewish Schools; "A Dead Arab Is A Good Arab"*
<http://uruknet. info/?p=m74075& hd=&size= 1&l=e>
Uruknet January 19, 2011 - A number of teachers working in Jewish
Schools in Israel stated that more instances of racism are reaching
alarming levels as more students are expressing their views that
exceeded their hatred to Arabs to the level of advocating for killing
them. The teachers told Israel's Yedioth Aharonoth, that they found
graffiti witten on school walls...
*Gaza Doctor Izzeldin Abuelaish Two Years After Israeli Attack that
Killed 3 Daughters & Niece: "As Long as I am Breathing, They are with
Me. I Will Never Forget"* <http://uruknet. info/?p=m74074& hd=&size= 1&l=e>
Uruknet January 19, 2011 - Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish was a well-known
Palestinian gynecologist who spent years working in one of Israeli's
main hospitals. On January 16, 2009, two days before the end of Israel's
brutal 22-day assault on Gaza, his home was shelled twice by Israeli
tanks. His three daughters and his niece were killed. He has just
written a...
*Space control and the Israeli occupation*
<http://uruknet. info/?p=m74073& hd=&size= 1&l=e>
Uruknet January 19, 2011 - It is often mentioned that Israel's war
against the Palestinian people does not fall under the rubric of truly
violent crime because of the absence of large scale killing of
Palestinian civilians. Indeed, this point does have weight and the
absence of rape as a tool of war in Israel's arensel strengthens the
argument. However,...
*Rights Groups Urge Concerned Americans to Call Congress to Demand the
Closure of Guantánamo* <http://uruknet. info/?p=m74072& hd=&size= 1&l=e>
Uruknet January 19, 2011 - Between January 18 and 21, a number of
campaigning groups in the U.S. --- No More Guantánamos, Witness Against
Torture, the Defending Dissent Foundation, High Road for Human Rights
Education Project, and WarIsACrime. org --- are asking supporters to call
Congress to ask their Senators and Representatives to help close
Guantánamo by lifting a ban on...
*Israel's Labor party not to be mourned*
<http://uruknet. info/?p=m74070& hd=&size= 1&l=e>
Uruknet January 19, 2011 - Ehud Barak, Israel's defense minister,
appears to have driven the final nail in the coffin of the Zionist left
with his decision to split from the Labor party and create a new
"centrist, Zionist" faction in the Israeli parliament. So far four
Members of Parliament, out of a total of 12, have announced they are...
*Israeli Racism* <http://uruknet. info/?p=m74069& hd=&size= 1&l=e>
Uruknet January 19, 2011 - ...Tel Aviv University's Professor Daniel
Bar-Tal studied dozens of elementary, middle, and high school texts on
grammar, Hebrew literature, history, geography and citizenship. They
justify Israel's right to wage humanitarian wars against Arabs who won't
accept or acknowledge exclusive Jewish rights, saying: "The early
textbooks tended to describe acts of Arabs as hostile, deviant, cruel,...
*Report: US to oppose condemnation of settlements*
<http://uruknet. info/?p=m74067& hd=&size= 1&l=e>
Uruknet January 19, 2011 - The US opposes the submission of a
Palestinian and Arab draft resolution condemning the expansion of
settlements in the West Bank at the United Nations, the US State Dept.
says. Dept. spokesman Philip Crowley was quoted by Israel's Channel 10
as saying that the only way to establish a Palestinian state is through
direct negotiations. ..
*Tunisia's "unity" government fractures as protests continue*
<http://uruknet. info/?p=m74066& hd=&size= 1&l=e>
Uruknet January 19, 2011 - At least five ministers and probably more
have been forced to quit Tunisia's National Unity government, less than
a day after it was formed, in the face of mass hostility to its
domination by the party of deposed President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.
Several opposition party members assumed junior ministerial positions,
but no one...
*Squeezing Silwan* <http://uruknet. info/?p=m74061& hd=&size= 1&l=e>
Uruknet January 18, 2011 - The East Jerusalem neighborhood of Silwan has
been the target of Israeli political intimidation. Since the end of
December 2010, several prominent community leaders have been arrested
and investigated in what members of the Wadi Hilwah Information Center
are calling an attempt to quell activism in the cohesive East Jerusalem
neighborhood. "In 2010 we saw...
*WikiLeaks: US advised to sabotage Iran nuclear sites by German
thinktank* <http://uruknet. info/?p=m74060& hd=&size= 1&l=e>
Uruknet January 18, 2011 - The United States was advised to adopt a
policy of "covert sabotage" of Iran's clandestine nuclear facilities,
including computer hacking and "unexplained explosions", by an
influential German thinktank, a leaked US embassy cable reveals. Volker
Perthes, director of Germany's government-funded Institute for Security
and International Affairs, told US officials in Berlin that undercover
operations would...
*Israel trains British Army to operate drones; Amnesty International
objects* <http://uruknet. info/?p=m74059& hd=&size= 1&l=e>
Uruknet January 18, 2011 --- Israel is said to have trained the British
Army in unmanned aerial vehicles. Amnesty International asserted that
British Army personnel have been training in Israel on UAVs deployed in
the Gaza Strip. The London-based human rights group said the British
Army was learning how to use Israeli UAVs in counter-insurgency
operations. "It would seem wholly...
*Another Palestinian, another terrorist*
<http://uruknet. info/?p=m74053& hd=&size= 1&l=e>
Uruknet January 18, 2011 - Israel National News reports that "Israeli
tanks and bulldozers crossed several hundred feet into Gaza Tuesday
afternoon and killed one terrorist after a bomb exploded near an Israel
patrol vehicle at the Gaza separation/security barrier." I know that
this isn't true, because I know who they killed: Amjad Sami Za'aneen. I
know because I got...
*Alternative Information Center* <http://alternativen ews.org/>
*A Grave Mistake in Need of Correction: A Response to the Meeting
Between Rabbi Shlomo Riskin and Pope Benedict XVI*
<http://www.alternat ivenews.org/ english/index. php/topics/ news/3203- a-grave-mistake- in-need-of- correction- a-response- to-the-meeting- between-rabbi- shlomo-riskin- and-pope- benedict- xvi>
Alternative Information Center - The only thing worse than injustice is
an attempt to disguise it.
*What Do you Mean We are Undermining the Government?*
<http://www.alternat ivenews.org/ english/index. php/topics/ news/3201- what-do-you- mean-we-are- undermining- the-government>
Alternative Information Center - Last Thursday, ICCO discussed its
funding of the news site The Electronic Intifada with Uri Rosenthal, the
Minister of Foreign Affairs of The Netherlands. It was a tough and
straightforward talk, but ICCO sees no reason...
*Daily Star* <http://dailystar. com.lb/>
*Arab summit rejects foreign meddling in region*
<http://www.dailysta r.com.lb/ /article. asp?edition_ id=10&categ_ id=2&article_ id=123910>
Daily Star 19 Jan 2011 BAQOUBA, Iraq: A suicide bomber driving an
ambulance killed up to 15 people and wounded more than 50 in an attack
Wednesday on an Iraqi police training center in volatile Diyala
Province, officials said. Suspected Sunni...
*Suicide attack on Iraqi police training center kills 15*
<http://www.dailysta r.com.lb/ /article. asp?edition_ id=10&categ_ id=2&article_ id=123912>
Daily Star 19 Jan 2011 BAQOUBA, Iraq: A suicide bomber driving an
ambulance killed up to 15 people and wounded more than 50 in an attack
Wednesday on an Iraqi police training center in volatile Diyala
Province, officials said. Suspected Sunni...
*Israel Cabinet reshuffles after new party formed*
<http://www.dailysta r.com.lb/ /article. asp?edition_ id=10&categ_ id=2&article_ id=123909>
Daily Star 19 Jan 2011 OCCUPIED JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu reshuffled his Cabinet Wednesday, incorporating
members of a new party formed by Defense Minister Ehud Barak after he
left the Labor party.
*Palestinians fault Arabs over Jerusalem support*
<http://www.dailysta r.com.lb/ /article. asp?edition_ id=10&categ_ id=2&article_ id=123908>
Daily Star 19 Jan 2011 OCCUPIED RAMALLAH: Arab states are failing to
help the Palestinians in occupied Jerusalem, a Palestinian official said
Wednesday, criticizing them for paying only a fraction of funds pledged
to sustain Palestinian life there.
*Arabs submit U.N. draft on settlements*
<http://www.dailysta r.com.lb/ /article. asp?edition_ id=10&categ_ id=2&article_ id=123907>
Daily Star 19 Jan 2011 AMMAN/NEW YORK: Arab nations presented a Security
Council draft resolution declaring that Israeli settlements in
Palestinian territory are illegal Wednesday while Russian President
Dmitry Medvedev said his country is committed to "a sustainable peace"
in the...
*Egypt's Brotherhood: Dissolve Parliament*
<http://www.dailysta r.com.lb/ /article. asp?edition_ id=10&categ_ id=2&article_ id=123876>
Daily Star 19 Jan 2011 CAIRO/ALGIERS: Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood
demanded Wednesday that President Hosni Mubarak dissolve the newly
elected Parliament and hold new elections. The statement came as an
Egyptian tried to set himself on fire in Cairo, the latest in...
*The Guardian* <http://guardian. co.uk/world/ palestinian- territories>
*Israel needs a coherent opposition | Naomi Shepherd*
<http://www.guardian .co.uk/commentis free/2011/ jan/19/israel- needs-opposition -parties- unite>
The Guardian 19 Jan 2011 - The time is ripe for an end to the
Arab-Israeli conflict, but opposition parties must unite for progress to
take place This week Ehud Barak, defence minister of the most rightwing
government in Israel's history, abandoned...
*Relief Web*
<http://reliefweb. int/rw/rwb. nsf/doc106? OpenForm& emid=ACOS- 635PFR&rc= 3>
*Lebanon: UNRWA and Monaco sign agreement for better cardiovascular
services*
<http://www.reliefwe b.int/rw/ rwb.nsf/db900SID /EGUA-8D9TVM? OpenDocument& RSS20=02- P>
Relief Web 19 Jan 2011 - Source: UN Relief and Works Agency for
Palestine Refugees in the Near East
*Visit to Palestine and News conference following Russian-Palestinian
talks*
<http://www.reliefwe b.int/rw/ rwb.nsf/db900SID /EGUA-8D9PK6? OpenDocument& RSS20=02- P>
Relief Web 19 Jan 2011 - Source: Government of the Russian Federation
*OCHA ROMENACA Regional Humanitarian Update - December 2010*
<http://www.reliefwe b.int/rw/ rwb.nsf/db900SID /ASAZ-8D9KBT? OpenDocument& RSS20=02- P>
Relief Web 19 Jan 2011 - Source: UN Office for the Coordination of
Humanitarian Affairs
*Belgium: A record contribution to the World Food Programme*
<http://www.reliefwe b.int/rw/ rwb.nsf/db900SID /JALR-8D9JBD? OpenDocument& RSS20=02- P>
Relief Web 19 Jan 2011 - Source: Government of Belgium
*Inter Press Service* <http://ipsnews. net/middle. asp>
*Greybeards Urge U.S. not to Veto U.N. Anti-Settlement Resolution*
<http://ipsnews. net/news. asp?idnews= 54179>
IPS Some four dozen former top U.S. diplomats and prominent policy
analysts are urging President Barack Obama not to veto a proposed U.N.
Security Council resolution that is expected to reaffirm the illegality
of Jewish settlements in the Occupied Territories.
*Stop The Wall* <http://stopthewall. org/>
*Global Call: Protest for Jawaher Feb. 10!*
<http://stopthewall. org/latestnews/ 2443.shtml>
Stop The Wall - Don't forget Jawaher! Stand with Palestinian women
against Israeli violence! This is a call for women all over the world to
unite behind the popular resistance and the determination of Palestinian
women in defense of their land, rights and dignity. Join and mobilize in
protests in your countries on February 10! [
*Biweekly Repression Update* <http://stopthewall. org/latestnews/ 2450.shtml>
Stop The Wall - This report includes testimony from the mother of
Jawaher Abu Rahmah, talking about death of her daughter. The analysis
this week looks at Occupation forces' use of tear gas in resisting
villages. Aside from the killing of Jawaher, the majority of serious
injuries occurred in al Nabi Saleh during this period, where repression
remains severe against the weekly protest.
*YNet News* <http://ynetnews. com/>
*High Court: Galant appointment not delayed, for now*
<http://www.ynetnews .com/articles/ 0,7340,L- 4016008,00. html>
YNet News - Green Movement's petition to stall new IDF chief of staff's
appointment over....
*Cabinet approves ministerial appointments of ex-Labor members*
<http://www.ynetnews .com/articles/ 0,7340,L- 4016060,00. html>
YNet News - Defense Minister Barak's withdrawal from Labor triggers
position changes within....
*Saudis end Lebanon mediation, say country at risk*
<http://www.ynetnews .com/articles/ 0,7340,L- 4016193,00. html>
YNet News - Kingdom abandons efforts to resolve dispute between PM
Hariri, Hezbollah. 'If....
*Naalin shooting: Prosecution wants commander demoted*
<http://www.ynetnews .com/articles/ 0,7340,L- 4016049,00. html>
YNet News - Despite array of senior IDF officers who testified on behalf
of....
*Report: Hezbollah simulates Beirut takeover*
<http://www.ynetnews .com/articles/ 0,7340,L- 4015991,00. html>
YNet News - Arab media outlets report Shiite group held drill simulating
takeover of....
*Officials: Senator Joe Lieberman will retire in 2012*
<http://www.ynetnews .com/articles/ 0,7340,L- 4015840,00. html>
YNet News - Democratic officials say Jewish, independent senator won't
seek fifth term. In....
*Erekat: Medvedev's declaration -- historic step*
<http://www.ynetnews .com/articles/ 0,7340,L- 4015825,00. html>
YNet News - Chief Palestinian negotiator says Russian president's
recognition of Palestinian. ...
*IDF findings: Palestinian woman died of Atropine overdose*
<http://www.ynetnews .com/articles/ 0,7340,L- 4016368,00. html>
YNet News - At the end of an investigation into the death of Palestinian
woman Jawaher Abu-Rahma over two weeks ago in Bilin, the IDF determined
Wednesday that she died from an .......
*Soldier who accidentally shot Palestinian in his bed to be discharged*
<http://www.ynetnews .com/articles/ 0,7340,L- 4016357,00. html>
YNet News - IDF Southern Command Chief Maj. Gen. Avi Mizrahi has decided
not to extend the service of a career soldier who shot 65-year-old
Palestinian Amr Qawasme to death in his .......
*Leading Chinese officials in Israel to boost ties*
<http://www.ynetnews .com/articles/ 0,7340,L- 4016216,00. html>
YNet News - As part of the ongoing efforts to enhance Sino-Israel
relations, a delegation of 10 prominent Chinese academic leaders and
officials is visiting Israel this week for .......
*Teens protest against racism in Israel*
<http://www.ynetnews .com/articles/ 0,7340,L- 4016257,00. html>
YNet News - Hundreds of members of the left-wing HaNoar HaOved VeHaLomed
(Working and Studying Youth) movement protested in downtown Jerusalem
Wednesday evening against the growing .......
*Two years after Operation Cast Lead: Not too late to investigate*
<http://www.btselem. org/English/ Press_Releases/ 20110118. asp>
B'tselem 17 Jan 2011 - Two years since the completion of Operation Cast
Lead in the Gaza Strip, B'Tselem renews its call to Israel to open an
independent, effective investigation into the grave suspicions of
violations of human rights and international law during the
operationsgram Files\QuickTime\ QTSystem\
*Palestinian Information Center* <http://palestine- info.co.uk/ en/>
*Naim calls for an int'l body to ensure constant medical supply to Gaza*
<http://www.palestin e-info.co. uk/en/default. aspx?xyz= U6Qq7k%2bcOd87MD I46m9rUxJEpMO% 2bi1s7i3m7d0% 2fcL82HsnaT8ahsA FEauDbDsEjRlg% 2fkMW9OaaASuHQT2 cjMRIakdmoguWxaO sT%2fb2H3K1Q5jy1 2WZ6XLHuGuqEdU6r fcZz99ORhy3M% 3d>
PIC 19 Jan 2011 - Gaza Minister of Health Bassem Naim said his ministry
was working round the clock to provide service suitable to Palestinian
citizens in light of challenging circumstances.
*Barhoum: International support for PA security means more violation of
freedoms*
<http://www.palestin e-info.co. uk/en/default. aspx?xyz= U6Qq7k%2bcOd87MD I46m9rUxJEpMO% 2bi1s7xJh3ALrnB8 7Q38UhxFXdJQwINe 1WXP8hdPgZfgr63Y XMc0u8R9khtQQJLI PbegYz4dvhJgUs9w DHBz1BKLJC% 2f%2fPSBlzOOllLT CO6AYmSWA4% 3d>
PIC 19 Jan 2011 - International support for the PA security apparatuses
would mean more violations of freedoms and more persecution of the
Palestinian people in the West Bank, Fawzi Barhoum, a Hamas spokesman, said.
*Farhat denounces IOA for detaining released prisoner*
<http://www.palestin e-info.co. uk/en/default. aspx?xyz= U6Qq7k%2bcOd87MD I46m9rUxJEpMO% 2bi1s7ceyHU5ZVxS Om3TMkoWyG0% 2f%2fQs3BpI6EA9W 4hYQjCz6IQh9V8rv 7ISWuVuQXpV2OJAq cF3swSVIGCW52Xxm D%2byHIxxmFGrgCP F4qzwloYUEg% 3d>
PIC 19 Jan 2011 - Hamas spokesman in central Gaza Yousef Farhat has
denounced the Israeli occupation authority (IOA) for detaining Gazan
prisoner Mohammed Bawadi soon after his release.
*Medvedev recognizes E. Jerusalem as capital of future Palestinian
state*
<http://www.palestin e-info.co. uk/en/default. aspx?xyz= U6Qq7k%2bcOd87MD I46m9rUxJEpMO% 2bi1s7kVzJAHH0Pe VREBrXcyZSS1XA% 2fCQNrd76pR8Affh hCvL6XL2Cn0yxIMn fL1zTyu1rrGYK4d3 D8OCzqKWnCbRlfSj 81cTXgHtPIKzcXZO Q7wo%3d>
PIC 19 Jan 2011 - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has made his first
visit to Palestine without stepping foot on Israeli-occupied soil.
*IOA serves demolition notifications to owners of five tents*
<http://www.palestin e-info.co. uk/en/default. aspx?xyz= U6Qq7k%2bcOd87MD I46m9rUxJEpMO% 2bi1s7eO2eh6ju2e bAJavcRWIEHODa1% 2bN7BKU8% 2fdzEHj5Km3Cppgu 988V1yMX84BNo% 2b1xuJQLYUJOA87q VyyZFxaVW4jTy75T Hs%2f9UskPmswWES zw%3d>
PIC 19 Jan 2011 - The Israeli occupation authority (IOA) on Wednesday
delivered demolition notices to five Palestinian families living in
tents east of Yatta town, south of Al-Khalil city, local sources reported.
*Palestinian worker hit in IOF shooting*
<http://www.palestin e-info.co. uk/en/default. aspx?xyz= U6Qq7k%2bcOd87MD I46m9rUxJEpMO% 2bi1s7d6sNDW0w20 W%2fpqDEGZqtt0cH Kj64%2fxY7uRf7gR qvNgUvqqIwHBGjh% 2bgrFnv34dM6Bd9B GWaWK1AG2s40PZGW DpCQ3b3Tf9MsTuJz Gy8qvPk%3d>
PIC 19 Jan 2011 - A Palestinian worker collecting gravel in east of
Jabalia town, to the north of the Gaza Strip, was hit with Israeli army
bullets on Wednesday, medical sources reported.
*UN rights board calls for complete halt on Israeli settlement activity*
<http://www.palestin e-info.co. uk/en/default. aspx?xyz= U6Qq7k%2bcOd87MD I46m9rUxJEpMO% 2bi1s7rqWcFAXaNO hdU2N4WBrCB4YgbV 7UJSpqoJJnSMiWCP KC%2fxh2W3k9Ineg 2licoJktPp69sJPe %2fLM8F%2f8RFRwE O0ymx6RZJHsnm9aM Sg8P10g%3d>
PIC 19 Jan 2011 - A UN human rights board called Tuesday on world powers
to force Israel to put a dead-end on peace-impeding settlement plans,
and expressed sorrow over the world's lack of political will.
(Digest continues in the following post)
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Post by ninathedog on Jan 21, 2011 2:25:45 GMT 4
(Digest continues from preceding post)
*Abu Sha'ar slams Israel's plan to build 32 housing units in O.
Jerusalem*
<http://www.palestin e-info.co. uk/en/default. aspx?xyz= U6Qq7k%2bcOd87MD I46m9rUxJEpMO% 2bi1s7hq5uq1AkzM lLrVlCxAbOvI0uFF An3sGRiKK2TnC882 9A81YNRGM5sveFwo yBhERyn8HjYwhHEH bY8X7mXkWW30drvW jMtIJmHVXMrFjevM Q%3d>
PIC 19 Jan 2011 - Palestinian minister of religious affairs Taleb Abu
Sha'ar strongly denounced the declared Israeli plan to build 32 new
housing units in Pisgat Ze'ev settlement, north of occupied Jerusalem.
*Bardawil: Israel is trying again to incite against Gaza with its Qaeda
claims*
<http://www.palestin e-info.co. uk/en/default. aspx?xyz= U6Qq7k%2bcOd87MD I46m9rUxJEpMO% 2bi1s7pp2dSfISU7 A72IweZmFnYtooIv JOfN%2bxHL4iEcu2 UrgRcLLug2M88YmI EoMQcEuiJ80W8Lej 0WAMIChAd5pjasF8 0N3oQs6COEhq6kHQ XPg%3d>
PIC 19 Jan 2011 - Senior Hamas official and lawmaker Salah Al-Bardawil
strongly denounced the Israeli occupation state for renewing its claims
about the presence of Qaeda members in the besieged Gaza Strip.
*IOF kidnap 18 Palestinians in W. Bank*
<http://www.palestin e-info.co. uk/en/default. aspx?xyz= U6Qq7k%2bcOd87MD I46m9rUxJEpMO% 2bi1s7IC8OvlMA1k HXF5jU0d6FBBVLet A3XJsVLaJuBak755 klk745gUk% 2fQYn9qLYY6OiXOR CP5RydL5jmGQ53sH S%2fuZnxp0ONmDVI EOWNfWHgNXw% 3d>
PIC 19 Jan 2011 - The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) kidnapped at dawn
Wednesday 18 Palestinian citizens in the West Bank, most of them from
Nablus city, during violent raids on their homes.
*Los Angeles Times* <http://latimes. com/news/ nationworld/ world/middleeast />
*Arab leaders meet, Tunisia on their minds*
<http://feeds. latimes.com/ %7Er/latimes/ middleeast/ %7E3/v65Bol_ UTLE/la-fg- arab-leaders- 20110120, 0,179434. story>
LA Times 19 Jan 2011 - Arab leaders gathered for the Arab Economic
Summit in Egypt are focused on the Tunisian uprising, many fearing that
it could trigger unrest across the region. The uprising in Tunisia and
the toppling of President Zine al Abidine ben Ali dominated the annual
Arab Economic Summit, which opened Wednesday in the Egyptian resort of
Sharm el Sheik amid fears that unrest could ripple across the Middle East.
*New York Times* <http://nytimes. com/pages/ world/middleeast />
*World Briefing | United Nations: Official Is Optimistic About Iran
Talks*
<http://feeds. nytimes.com/ click.phdo? i=31b57771fb0992 8c13ffbed38d6a7e 63>
New York Times 19 Jan 2011 - The talks scheduled between Iran and the
five permanent Security Council members plus Germany should lead to
"comprehensive cooperation" to address regional problems, said the
Iranian ambassador to the United Nations.
*Misc* <http://vtjp. org/aboutus/ aboutus.htm>
*IDF Spokesperson' s statement regarding Jawaher Abu Rahmah's death
confirms previous lies and misinformation*
<http://www.populars truggle.org/ content/idf- spokesperson% E2%80%99s- statement- regarding- jawaher-abu- rahmah%E2% 80%99s-death- confirms- previous- lies-and>
Popular Struggle Coordination Committee - The army's statement on 19
January 2011 confirms that Jawaher Abu Rahmah attended the Bil'in
demonstration, was tear gassed in the demonstration and was admitted to
a Ramallah hospital because of the effects of tear gas. Given the
misinformation that the army has circulated to the media...
*Lizzy Ratner and Laila El-Haddad discuss The Goldstone Report on
GRITtv*
<http://mondoweiss. net/2011/ 01/lizzy- ratner-and- laila-el- haddad-discuss- the-goldstone- report-on- grittv.html>
Mondoweiss - More GRITtv To learn more about The Goldstone Report: The
Legacy of the Landmark Investigation of the Gaza Conflict visit
goldstonereportbook .com .
*Macy Gray criticizes Israeli policy; asks if she should play in Tel
Aviv*
<http://mondoweiss. net/2011/ 01/macy-gray- criticizes- israeli-policy- asks-if-she- should-play- in-tel-aviv. html>
Mondoweiss - Macy Gray is reconsidering the concerts she has planned for
Tel Aviv. On Facebook, Gray had the following for her fans : I'm booked
for 2 shows in TelAviv. I'm getting alot of letters from activists
urging/begging me to boycott by NOT performing in protest of Apartheid...
*Citing 'national security,' coalition of realists and liberals
(Freeman-Zogby- Beinart) call on Obama to condemn settlements*
<http://mondoweiss. net/2011/ 01/citing- national- security- coalition- of-realists- and-liberals- freeman-zogby- beinart-call- on-obama- to-condemn- settlements. html>
Mondoweiss - This is big. This is the new coalition to push the neocon
Project for the New American Century into the dustbin of history. Fifty
public figures, including commentators and former officials, have called
on Obama to stand with the majority in the U.N. Security Council against...
*'Tears of Gaza' showing tomorrow in L.A.*
<http://mondoweiss. net/2011/ 01/tears- of-gaza-showing- tomorrow- in-l-a.html>
Mondoweiss - I really want to see this movie, hopefully it's headed to
New York sometime soon. Here's the info : A film screening of the
documentary followed by a Q&A session with director Vibeke Løkkeberg
[Norway]. Thursday, January 20, 2011 7:00 PM A51 Humanities Building
UCLA From the...
*State Declaration: The Palestinians' agonizing choices*
<http://mondoweiss. net/2011/ 01/state- declaration- the-palestinians -agonizing- choices.html>
Mondoweiss - The US and its Quartet partners want Palestinian- Israeli
negotiations concluded by August 2011, coinciding with the date of
Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad's plan to declare a state. To
convey the complexity of the issue, and the Palestinians' fundamental
dilemma in their quest for freedom from...
*Misc 2* <http://vtjp. org/news/ news.php>
*Palestinians Hail Medvedev's Declaration as a Historic Step*
<http://www.almanar. com.lb/NewsSite/ NewsDetails. aspx?id=170733& language= en>
Al-Manar 19 Jan 2011 - Russian President Dmitri Medvedev's recognition
of an independent Palestinian state was highly hailed by Palestinians
who saw the move as a precedent. Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb
Erekat described the declaration as "an historic move to make the
Palestinians proud for a very long time to...
*Medvedev Committed to Independent Palestinian State*
<http://www.almanar. com.lb/NewsSite/ NewsDetails. aspx?id=170707>
Al-Manar 19 Jan 2011 - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev reaffirmed on
Tuesday Moscow's commitment to an independent Palestinian state with
'east Jerusalem' as its capital, on a visit to the West Bank. "The
Russian position on the Palestinian issue hasn't changed and remains the
same," Medvedev said at a press...
*Israeli Tanks, Bulldozer Enter Northern Gaza Strip Killing Teenager*
<http://www.almanar. com.lb/NewsSite/ NewsDetails. aspx?id=170645>
Al-Manar 19 Jan 2011 - Seven Israeli tanks, accompanied by a bulldozer,
have entered the northern part of the Gaza Strip, near the town of Beit
Hanun killing a Palestinian teenager, Palestinian officials said.
Hamas emergency services spokesman Adham Abu Selmiya named the victim as
17-year-old Amjad al-Zaanein, saying he...
*Saudi Arabia ends Hariri effort*
<http://www.bbc. co.uk/go/ rss/int/news/ -/news/world- middle-east- 12226982>
BBC 19 Jan 2011 - Saudi Arabia says it has abandoned efforts to mediate
in Lebanon's political crisis, caused by a row over the UN-backed Hariri
tribunal.
*US considers more Iran sanctions*
<http://www.bbc. co.uk/go/ rss/int/news/ -/news/world- asia-pacific- 12229143>
BBC 19 Jan 2011 - US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says the US is
considering imposing additional unilateral sanctions against Iran over
its nuclear programme.
*Zionist Left Writes Its Own Obituary*
<http://feedproxy. google.com/ %7Er/antiwar- original/ %7E3/qqyZg0zN64M />
Antiwar.com 19 Jan 2011 - Ehud Barak, Israel's defense minister, appears
to have driven the final nail in the coffin of the Zionist Left with his
decision to split from the Labor Party and create a new "centrist,
Zionist" faction in the Israeli parliament. So far four MPs, out of a...
*High Stakes for Upcoming Nuclear Negotiations With Iran*
<http://feedproxy. google.com/ %7Er/antiwar- original/ %7E3/Aj8CosLyv1c />
Antiwar.com 19 Jan 2011 - Negotiations between Iran and the P5+1 -- the
five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC)
plus Germany -- will resume in Istanbul, Turkey, on Jan. 21. Although
Turkey, which together with Brazil signed an agreement with Iran last
May to store a significant. ..
*(en) Palestine-Israel, The joint struggle persist in spite intensifying
repression* <http://www.ainfos. ca/en/ainfos2473 8.html>
A-infos 19 Jan 2011 - As a backlash resulting from the mounting
international opposition to Israeli atrocities and the continuation of
occupation, the Israeli racism surge in the open. In spite of jail
verdicts to Palestinian and Israeli activists the joint struggle even
expand. The ongoing struggles in: Araqib, Beit Ommar,...
*Articles*
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -
*Wikileaks Cables on Israel's Gaza Onslaught*
<http://www.counterp unch.org/ christison011920 11.html>
Kathleen Christison, CounterPunch 1/19/2011
/US was Cheerleader for Massacre/
CounterPunch has accessed Wikileaks' file of cables on Israel's
Gaza assault two years ago (Operation Cast Lead, December 27, 2008
through January 18, 2009). Though the cables often simply rehash Israeli
press reporting, providing little new insight into Israel's attack or
the planning behind it, they show with pitiless clarity the U.S.
government to be little more than a handmaiden and amanuensis of the
Israeli military machine.
The cables make clear, were any further disclosure needed, exactly
where the United States stands with respect to Israel's unprovoked
attacks on Palestinians and its other Arab neighbors. Although Operation
Cast Lead took place in the last days of the Bush administration, ending
two days before Barack Obama was inaugurated, every Obama policy in the
succeeding two years -- including the administration' s repudiation of
the Goldstone Report detailing Israeli atrocities and war crimes during
Cast Lead -- has demonstrated a striking continuity of support for
Israeli actions.
The cables give a notably one-sided account of the assault.
Because they take their daily reporting primarily from the Israeli
media, the cables keep a tally of rockets fired into Israel from Gaza
and dramatically describe "burned dolls and destroyed children's toys"
at an unoccupied kindergarten in Beer Sheba hit by a rocket, but make
virtually no mention of Israel's intensive air and artillery bombardment
of Gaza, including its civilian population. There are no reports of
burned Palestinian babies or very few of destroyed property in Gaza.
Even the western media provided more accurate coverage of Palestinian
casualties than this.
The U.S. embassy cables did provide some information on
Palestinian casualties, but the reporting was minimal....more. .
<http://www.counterp unch.org/ christison011920 11.html>e-mail
<mailto:?subject= Wikileaks% 20Cables% 20on%20Israel% E2%80%99s% 20Gaza%20Onslaug ht%20&body= Wikileaks% 20Cables% 20on%20Israel% E2%80%99s% 20Gaza%20Onslaug ht%20--%20http://www.counterp unch.org/ christison011920 11.html%20- -%20link% 20courtesy% 20www.vtjp. org>
*Building a police state in Palestine*
<http://mideast. foreignpolicy. com/posts/ 2011/01/18/ building_ a_police_ state_in_ palestine>
Aisling Byrne, Foreign Policy 1/19/2011
"If we are building a police state -- what are we actually doing
here?" So asked a European diplomat responding to allegations of torture
by the Palestinian security forces. The diplomat might well ask. A
police state is not a state. It is a form of larceny: of people's
rights, aspirations and sacrifices, for the personal benefit of an
élite. This is not what the world meant when it called for statehood.
But a police state is what is being assiduously constructed in
Palestine, disguised as state-building and good governance. Under this
guise, its intent is to facilitate the authoritarianism which creates
sufficient popular dependency -- and fear -- to strangle any opposition.
The transition from the lofty aspiration of statehood to a scheme
intended to usher West Bank Palestinians into a new alleviated
containment -- a new form of remotely-managed occupation -- is not some
unfortunate error. The roots of this manipulation of the Palestinian
aspiration into its opposite -- cynically dressed up and sold as
statehood -- were present from the outset. Professor Yezid Sayyigh has
shown how U.S. and EU rhetoric "promoting democratic development and the
rule of law is pious at best, at worst disingenuous" . Both America and
Europe bear responsibilities for this betrayal.
The seed of this deception which was to grow into a new police
state in the region was the US and European acquiescence to Israel's
self-definition of its own security needs -- and by extension, Israel's
definition of the requirements for Palestinian security collaboration.
This Faustian pact, which prioritized Israel's security-led criteria as
the boundaries for negotiations -- above any principles of justice --
set the scene for the inevitable inflation of Israeli demands of
security collusion by the Palestinian leadership -- demands on which
America's 'war on terrorism' poured fuel.
The hidden, and false, western assumption was that if a two-state
solution was in the interest of the dominant party, all that the
Palestinians needed to do was to establish that a stable two-state
solution was available to Israel. And in the end, it would emerge simply
because it was in Israel's demographic interest to give it...more..
<http://mideast. foreignpolicy. com/posts/ 2011/01/18/ building_ a_police_ state_in_ palestine>e-mail
<mailto:?subject= Building% 20a%20police% 20state%20in% 20Palestine% 20&body=Building %20a%20police% 20state%20in% 20Palestine% 20--%20http://mideast. foreignpolicy. com/posts/ 2011/01/18/ building_ a_police_ state_in_ palestine% 20--%20link% 20courtesy% 20www.vtjp. org>
*No place to sleep for Lydd family*
<http://feedproxy. google.com/ %7Er/electronicI ntifada/% 7E3/amamIVGGl3A/ article11738. shtml>
Electronic Intifada: 19 Jan 2011 - Sixty-seven members of the Abu Eid
family were displaced when Israeli forces destroyed their seven homes on
14 December 2010. Alex Kane reports from Lydd.more
<http://feedproxy. google.com/ %7Er/electronicI ntifada/% 7E3/amamIVGGl3A/ article11738. shtml>
*Israel's Labor party not to be mourned*
<http://feedproxy. google.com/ %7Er/electronicI ntifada/% 7E3/olJP955SCWs/ article11737. shtml>
Electronic Intifada: 19 Jan 2011 - Ehud Barak, Israel's defense
minister, appears to have driven the final nail in the coffin of the
Zionist left with his decision to split from the Labor party and create
a new "centrist, Zionist" faction in the Israeli parliament. So far four
Members of Parliament, out of a total of 12, have announced they are
following him. Jonathan Cook analyzes.more
<http://feedproxy. google.com/ %7Er/electronicI ntifada/% 7E3/olJP955SCWs/ article11737. shtml>
*Death and Birth in Gaza: A Story of a Shepherd*
<http://palestinechr onicle.com/ view_article_ details.php? id=16566>
Palestine Chronicle: 19 Jan 2011 - By Mahmoud El-Yousseph When you do
not distinguish between combatants and unarmed civilians during war,
then you deserve to be named a 'terrorist.' It makes no difference what
your religion is! That is exactly what happened thousands of miles away
and two days before last Christmas, when Israeli troops shot dead a
Palestinian shepherd in the back and injured two others. A 14 year old
suffered a serious head injury and another 19 year old was injured in
his hand. The shooting took place in the Northern part of Gaza near the
town of Beit Lahia. Israel considered the area a war zone, Palestinians
called it home. An Israeli army spokeswoman confirmed the shooting,
adding "The soldiers fired warning shot and aimed at the lower body."
Not only was that unprovoked and cold blooded murder, but rather a naked
lie by the Israeli spin machine. It took a quick search...more
<http://palestinechr onicle.com/ view_article_ details.php? id=16566>
*The Night in Tunisia is Fading, Slowly*
<http://palestinechr onicle.com/ view_article_ details.php? id=16565>
Palestine Chronicle: 19 Jan 2011 - By George S. Hishmeh -- Washington,
D.C. The Jasmine Revolution, as the popular and unarmed Tunisian
uprising that ousted the corrupt and autocratic president, Zine
el-Abidine Ben Ali, is known, will go down in history as the first
successful attempt by Arab masses to topple a onetime senior military
officer and director of national security and who may now serve as a
pacesetter for confronting others, similarly inclined. The first Arab
regime to be toppled in a military coup on April 11, 1949 was led by
Gen. Husni al-Zaim, Syria's former chief of staff that was encouraged by
the U.S., as reported on a blog by Syrian Ambassador to the U.S., Imad
Moustapha. The uprising followed the failure of several Arab armies, who
also could not regain Palestine from the Israelis after they usurped the
Arab country, prompting the disbursement of hundreds of thousands of
Palestinians. But al-Zaim was overthrown.. .more
<http://palestinechr onicle.com/ view_article_ details.php? id=16565>
*Israeli Racism: Death Camps and Text Books*
<http://palestinechr onicle.com/ view_article_ details.php? id=16564>
Palestine Chronicle: 19 Jan 2011 - By Stephen Lendman Merriam-Webster
defines racism as 'a belief that race is the primary determinant of
human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an
inherent superiority of a particular race.' It was the basis of South
African apartheid and Nazi 'master race' superiority above others,
especially Jews. Israel has no constitution. Basic Laws substitute,
including statutes affirming exclusive rights for Jews. One is the right
of return, granting them automatic citizenship. Goyim are denigrated and
not wanted, especially Arabs. David Ben-Gurion once said, "this is not
only a Jewish state, where the majority of the inhabitants are Jews, but
a state for all Jews, wherever they are, and for every Jew who wants to
be here....This right is inherent in being a Jew." It applies to no one
else. Israel's Law of Citizenship or Nationality Law establishes rules
so stringent against non-Jews that many Palestinians in 1948 were...more
<http://palestinechr onicle.com/ view_article_ details.php? id=16564>
*Crafty Camino Nuevo Charter Charlatans*
<http://dissidentvoi ce.org/2011/ 01/crafty- camino-nuevo- charter-charlata ns/>
Dissident Voice: 19 Jan 2011 - Over the weekend USPS delivered an
expensive looking, glossy, four color marketing brochure from Camino
Nuevo Charter Academy (CNCA) chock full of misstatements, spurious data,
and outright lies. CNCA is trying to pilfer a new school from my
neighborhood 1 under the cover of notorious Gates Foundation employee,
and outgoing LAUSD board member, Yolie Flores' corporate charter
industry handout resolution --- PSC. Before looking at the details of
the school in question, and why Camino Nuevo shouldn't get its corporate
claws on more public property, let's take a quick look at what type of
operation Camino Nuevo runs. One of Camino Nuevo's slick marketing
phrases is "We are College Ready, College Bound!" The latter may be
correct, due to nefarious arrangements corporate charters have with many
colleges and their deceitful method of getting students placed in such
institutions. The former on the other hand, is beyond disingenuous, it's
just plain...more
<http://dissidentvoi ce.org/2011/ 01/crafty- camino-nuevo- charter-charlata ns/>
*Zionist Left Writes Its Own Obituary*
<http://dissidentvoi ce.org/2011/ 01/zionist- left-writes- its-own-obituary />
Dissident Voice: 19 Jan 2011 - Ehud Barak, Israel's defence minister,
appears to have driven the final nail in the coffin of the Zionist left
with his decision to split from the Labor party and create a new
"centrist, Zionist" faction in the Israeli parliament. So far four MPs,
out of a total of 12, have announced they are following him. Moments
after Barak's press conference on Monday, the Israeli media suggested
that the true architect of the Labor party's split was the prime
minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, who, according to one of his aides, had
planned it like "an elite general staff [military] operation". Netanyahu
has pressing reasons for wanting Barak to stay in the most right wing
government in Israel's history. He has provided useful diplomatic cover
as Netanyahu has stymied progress in a US-sponsored peace process. Barak
had been happy to oblige as the government's fig-leaf, so long as he was
allowed to hold...more
<http://dissidentvoi ce.org/2011/ 01/zionist- left-writes- its-own-obituary />
More material available from Vermonters for a Just Peace in
Palestine/Israel -www.vtjp.org <http://www.vtjp. org/>
To subscribe, please write toOccupationNews- subscribe@ yahoogroups. com
<mailto:OccupationNews- subscribe@ yahoogroups. com>or
visithttp:// groups.yahoo. com/group/ OccupationNews/ join
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Post by ninathedog on Jan 21, 2011 5:24:01 GMT 4
Gas shortage in GazaFriday, 21 January 2011
Middle East MonitorFuel companies in the Gaza Strip have confirmed that most of the cooking gas filling stations in the territory have closed because of the significant reduction in gas being pumped through by Israel. Those stations still open are now using their reserves, which are likely to run out in two or three days. The Israeli occupation authorities usually allow around 120 tonnes of cooking gas through daily, but they have reduced the amount significantly. Israel is fully aware that the gas sector in Gaza needs a daily amount of at least 300 tonnes of gas to function normally. There has been an accumulation of empty gas cylinders across the Strip as efforts are made to increase the quantities of gas available. At present, gas is transferred via the Kerem Shalom crossing from Israel to the Gaza Strip, but its inefficient infrastructure means that it cannot meet the needs of the local population. The shortage is beginning to affect large numbers of Palestinians and the risk of a new humanitarian crisis is great. Farms, bakeries, various institutions and industries as well as the general public require gas for everyday use, including cooking, and continued gas shortages will cause severe problems if this is not resolved soon. Once again, Palestinians are in need of the urgent intervention of the international community to call on the Israelis to allow them to live their lives at a basic minimum standard as required under international law.www.middleeastmonitor.org.uk/news/middle-east/1976-gas-shortage-in-gaza(many thanks to Gaza TV News).......... PM: Israel will work to
disconnect Gaza from power gridBy JPOST.COM STAFF
01/20/2011 21:20
The Jerusalem PostNetanyahu, FM meet with French FM; Lieberman tells her Israel has facilitated peace, while Palestinians "commemorate terrorists." In a meeting with French Foreign Minister Michèle Alliot-Marie on Thursdsay, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said he will work to disconnect Israeli infrastructure from the Gaza Strip. Israel "will work to disconnect from Gaza in the matter of infrastructure, mainly the electricity and water," the prime minister said. Additionally, the two agreed to cooperate in working towards the creation of a regional emergency response system for disasters such as the Carmel fire. Earlier Thursday, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman threatened to halt diplomatic relations with the Palestinian Authority and request that the US refrain from giving foreign aid to the West Bank government. Lieberman said that while Israel has taken steps to facilitate peace with the Palestinians, the PA continues to "commemorate terrorists by naming streets and squares after them in their cities." While meeting with visiting French Foreign Minister Michèle Alliot-Marie, Lieberman said that the current unbalanced situation cannot be allowed to continue. Lieberman stated that the Foreign Ministry is preparing a report detailing Israeli and Palestinian activities since the current government was formed. The report is meant to show the large gaps in what the two sides have done to facilitate peace. Also on Thursday, Allot-Marie met with President Shimon Peres. She was scheduled to meet with Defense Minister Ehud Barak in Tel Aviv later in the day. The two were expected to discuss renewing peace talks and other regional issues. www.jpost.com/DiplomacyAndPolitics/Article.aspx?id=204568(many thanks to Gaza TV News)........... Please refer to the Fourth Geneva Convention regarding the
legal obligations of an occupying power:www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/History/Human_Rights/geneva1.html
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Post by ninathedog on Jan 22, 2011 3:27:21 GMT 4
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Post by ninathedog on Jan 22, 2011 7:15:25 GMT 4
[OccupationNews] Digest Number 1269
Thursday, January 20, 2011
***Occupied Palestine and Israel: News and Articles*
*News*
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -
*International Middle East Media Center* <http://imemc. org/>
*Clinton: "Washington Opposes Security Council Move Against Israeli
Settlement Activities"* <http://www.imemc. org/article/ 60475>
IMEMC - Friday January 21, 2011 - 03:28, U.S Secretary Of State, Hilary
Clinton stated Thursday that the White House rejects the proposal that
was submitted by the Palestinian Authority to the United Nations in an
attempt to condemn Israel's settlement activities in the occupied
territories.
*PCHR Weekly Report: 1 Palestinian civilian killed, 8 wounded by Israeli
troops this week* <http://www.imemc. org/article/ 60474>
IMEMC - Friday January 21, 2011 - 02:23, In its Weekly Report On Israeli
Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories for the
week of 13-19 January 2011, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights
(PCHR) found that Israeli forces killed a Palestinian civilian and
wounded 4 others in the Gaza Strip. In addition, 4 civilians, including
a child and two international human rights observers, were wounded by
Israeli forces in the West Bank.
*Settlers Plant Trees Near Nablus* <http://www.imemc. org/article/ 60472>
IMEMC - Thursday January 20, 2011 - 15:59, On Thursday a group of
settlers planted dozens of trees in the evacuated settlement of Homesh,
west of Nablus, near the Palestinian village of Burqa
*FM Malki Condemns Land Rush in Jerusalem*
<http://www.imemc. org/article/ 60471>
IMEMC - Thursday January 20, 2011 - 15:27, In an interview with Arab
newspaper Asharq al-Awsat on Thursday Palestinian Authority Foreign
Minister Riad Malki condemned the "land rush" and "Judaization" of
Jerusalem,
*Haneyya's Facebook Page Removed* <http://www.imemc. org/article/ 60470>
IMEMC - Thursday January 20, 2011 - 15:14, The fan page of Gaza's acting
Prime Minister Haneyya has been removed from Facebook, the Palestinian
Information Centre reported.
*UK Labour Friends of Israel to Re-Launch*
<http://www.imemc. org/article/ 60469>
IMEMC - Thursday January 20, 2011 - 14:52, In an admission that Israel
is losing the public relations battle in the UK with the Palestinians,
Labour Friends of Israel (LFI), is to change tack and re-launch itself.
*Over 200 Graves to Be Destroyed in Jerusalem's Islamic Cemetery*
<http://www.imemc. org/article/ 60468>
IMEMC - Thursday January 20, 2011 - 14:47, Jerusalem's municipality
ordered the excavation of around 200 graves in the city's largest
Islamic cemetery, The Palestinian Information Centre reported.
*Troops Attack House Near Jenin, Eight Palestinians Arrested in Southern
Hebron* <http://www.imemc. org/article/ 60467>
IMEMC - Thursday January 20, 2011 - 14:00, Israeli soldiers tear gassed
a house in a village near Jenin, on Wednesday evening. Soldiers also
arrested eight young Palestinians including five minors in the south of
Hebron, the PNN reported.
*Israel Claims Palestinian Woman Died Of Previous Health Condition,
Medical Reports State Otherwise* <http://www.imemc. org/article/ 60465>
IMEMC - Thursday January 20, 2011 - 13:31, The Israeli army issued a
report claiming that Jawaher Abu Rahmah, who was killed by the army more
than two weeks ago during a nonviolent protest against the Wall in
Bil'in village, near Ramallah, died due to a previous health condition.
Urgent care reports at a local medical center stated otherwise.
*Israeli Committee Likely To Find Israel Not Guilty*
<http://www.imemc. org/article/ 60466>
IMEMC - Thursday January 20, 2011 - 13:26, According to the Jerusalem
Post a source working closely with the Turkel Committee said on Thursday
that its members were likely to find Israel innocent of war crimes when
they release a report of its conclusions.
*Ma'an News* <http://maannews. net/en/>
*PA makes arrests after Palestinian killed at checkpoint*
<http://www.maannews .net/eng/ ViewDetails. aspx?ID=352915>
1/20/2011 - GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- Security forces loyal to President
Mahmoud Abbas arrested three Islamic Jihad affiliates shortly after
Israeli troops shot dead a Palestinian at a checkpoint in the occupied
West Bank. Sources in the movement said intelligence services arrested
three affiliates, identified as Adeeb Samudi, Murad Nawahdah and Samer
Jaber, and searched the....
*Israel finds hospital to blame for tear-gas death*
<http://www.maannews .net/eng/ ViewDetails. aspx?ID=352611>
1/20/2011 - RAMALLAH (Ma'an) -- "Given the misinformation that the army
has circulated to the media in the past two weeks," the Popular Struggle
Coordination Committee called Thursday in a statement for an
"independent and professional" investigation into the findings of the
military's most recent report. Preliminary findings apparently leaked to
Israeli media on....
*Gaza imports continue through single crossing*
<http://www.maannews .net/eng/ ViewDetails. aspx?ID=352638>
1/20/2011 - GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- The last remaining functioning crossing
into Gaza was partially opened on Thursday for the entry of 190-200
truckloads of commercial goods and humanitarian aid,officials said.
Palestinian liaison official Raed Fattouh said 10 of the truckloads set
to enter were filled with cement for UNRWA andUNDP while and another....
*No discharge for soldier who initiated Hebron slaying*
<http://www.maannews .net/eng/ ViewDetails. aspx?ID=352649>
1/20/2011 - TEL AVIV (Ma'an) -- The Israeli military announced late
Wednesday evening that the soldier who killed a civilian in his Hebron
home would not be discharged, while a second officer who joined in the
killing would have his military career "terminated. "The investigation
looked into the death of the death of a civilian during....
*Al-Jazeera reporter 'banned from traveling'*
<http://www.maannews .net/eng/ ViewDetails. aspx?ID=352693>
1/20/2011 - BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- Israeli authorities recently prevented
a West Bank-based Al-Jazeera correspondent from traveling to Jordan via
the Allenby Bridge border, a Palestinian media watchdog said Wednesday.
Forces offered no explanation to Awad Alrjoub as to the reason for this
restriction, the Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms
said in a statement. The....
*Activist: Teenager detained near Hebron*
<http://www.maannews .net/eng/ ViewDetails. aspx?ID=352902>
1/20/2011 - HEBRON (Ma'an) -- Israeli forces arrested Badran Jalal
Badran, 16, from Hebron and took him to an undisclosed location, a human
rights monitor said Thursday. Mohammad Eid of B'Tselem said four
soldiers wearing civilian clothes attacked Badran and beat him severely
before forcing him into a white car at which youths had....
*Erekat: More than 100 countries back UN action*
<http://www.maannews .net/eng/ ViewDetails. aspx?ID=352808>
1/20/2011 - BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- The chief PLO negotiator says he has
the backing of more than 100 countries for a resolution condemning
settlements at the UN Security Council. Saeb Erekat told Ma'an radio
that the Palestinian leadership in Ramallah would not postpone efforts
to condemn settlements until after the Quartet meets, despite reports....
*Work to save stunning Jericho mosaics*
<http://www.maannews .net/eng/ ViewDetails. aspx?ID=352657>
1/20/2011 - JERICHO (AFP) -- Near the ancient West Bank town of Jericho,
Swiss architect Peter Zumthor is creating a masterpiece of his own in a
bid to save the Middle East's biggest mosaic. Recruited by the
Palestinian Authority and UNESCO, the 67-year-old has developed a unique
shelter that should both protect the stunning mosaics....
*UK will consider UN resolution, but talks remain goal*
<http://www.maannews .net/eng/ ViewDetails. aspx?ID=352604>
1/20/2011 - RAMALLAH (Ma'an) -- As Palestinians table a draft resolution
at the UN, hoping to push international actors to make an official move
on Israeli settlements, the UK's minister for the Middle East wrapped up
a tour of the West Bank and Israel, and gave little indication that
Britain would come out in....
*Egypt finds 4 tunnels*
<http://www.maannews .net/eng/ ViewDetails. aspx?ID=352905>
1/20/2011 - GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- Egypt took over four tunnels Thursday
on the border with Gaza and thwarted the transfer of metal and food.
Authorities found large amounts of metal, used in building, and food,
sources said. Authorities also found two tunnels. They were placed under
tight guard to be destroyed. Security sources said the....
*Israel 'won't tolerate insults forever'*
<http://www.maannews .net/eng/ ViewDetails. aspx?ID=352926>
1/20/2011 - JERUSALEM (AFP) -- Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman on
Thursday warned that Israel would not tolerate ongoing Palestinian
attempts to secure condemnation of Israel in the international arena.
Lieberman's remarks, in which he warned there was a "dangerous gap" in
relations between the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority
of Mahmoud Abbas, were made during.... Related:France' s new top diplomat
in Mideast peace push
<http://www.maannews .net/eng/ ViewDetails. aspx?ID=352929>
*France's new top diplomat in Mideast peace push*
<http://www.maannews .net/eng/ ViewDetails. aspx?ID=352929>
1/20/2011 - JERUSALEM (AFP) -- French Foreign Minister Michele
Alliot-Marie was in Israel on Thursday to seek ways of reviving the
moribund Middle East peace talks which she said were crucial for the
future of the region." We have to move toward peace, it is in the
interest of everyone and in the interest of Israel's.... Related:Israel
'won't tolerate insults forever'
<http://www.maannews .net/eng/ ViewDetails. aspx?ID=352926>
*IOC: Israeli Olympic chiefs ready to help Palestinians*
<http://www.maannews .net/eng/ ViewDetails. aspx?ID=352940>
1/20/2011 - GENEVA (AFP) -- Representatives of Israel's Olympic
committee are ready to help Palestinian athletes train for the London
2012 Games, the International Olympic Committee said Thursday. The offer
came during a "constructive and cooperative" first meeting of Israeli
and Palestinian Olympic officials in the Swiss city of Lausanne hosted
by IOC President Jacques Rogge....
*Ben Ali relatives held as Tunisian cabinet meets*
<http://www.maannews .net/eng/ ViewDetails. aspx?ID=352880>
1/20/2011 - By Najeh MouelhiTUNIS (AFP) - Tunisian authorities arrested
33 members of toppled dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali's family and
paraded a treasure trove of jewellery seized in raids on their homes on
state television on Thursday. As the new-look government prepared for
its first meeting of the post-Ben Ali era, one-time allies of....
*Tunisia approves amnesty, declares mourning*
<http://www.maannews .net/eng/ ViewDetails. aspx?ID=352923>
1/20/2011 - TUNIS (AFP) -- Tunisia's caretaker administration approved a
general amnesty at its first meeting Thursday and declared three days of
national mourning for victims of unrest that toppled the previous
government. The cabinet is tasked with ushering in presidential and
parliamentary elections within six months, following the overthrow of
Zine El Abidine Ben Ali....
*Aljazeera* <http://english. aljazeera. net/news/ middleeast/>
*Iran nuclear talks set to resume*
<http://english. aljazeera. net//news/ middleeast/ 2011/01/20111210 4846552120. html>
AlJazeera 20 Jan 2011 - Russia calls for the rolling back of sanctions
as world powers push for Iran to halt its enrichment activities.
*Hariri seeks Lebanon premiership*
<http://english. aljazeera. net//news/ middleeast/ 2011/01/20111201 8251518284. html>
AlJazeera 20 Jan 2011 - Caretaker leader declares bid to form new
cabinet despite Hezbollah opposition but hints at accepting different
outcome.
*Israel discharges soldier over raid*
<http://english. aljazeera. net//news/ middleeast/ 2011/01/20111202 25544335933. html>
AlJazeera 20 Jan 2011 - Commando who took part in botched raid that
killed sleeping Palestinian man dismissed from service.
*Palestine News Network* <http://english. pnn.ps/>
*Shin Bet Chief Calls for Border Drawing Before Recognition from Spain*
<http://english. pnn.ps/index. php?option= com_content& task=view& id=9437&Itemid= 66>
PNN - Nazareth -- PNN - London's Al-Hayat newspaper reported on Thursday
that Israeli Shin Bet chief Yuval Diskin anticipates that Spain will
soon become the first European country to recognize an independent
Palestinian. ..
*3000 Settlers Storm Palestinian Lands in the West Bank, Protesting
Farmers Attacked by Troops*
<http://english. pnn.ps/index. php?option= com_content& task=view& id=9436&Itemid= 64>
PNN - Bethlehem -- PNN -- On Thursday morning around three thousand
Israeli settlers stormed farmlands owned by Palestinian villagers near
the southern West Bank city of Bethlehem. Farmers owning the land from
Ertas...
*Soldiers Kill Palestinian Teenager near Northern West Bank Checkpoint*
<http://english. pnn.ps/index. php?option= com_content& task=view& id=9435&Itemid= 56>
PNN - Jenin -- PNN -- A Palestinian teenager was gunned down on Thursday
morning by Israeli troops manning a checkpoint close to the village of
Ya'bud, near the northern West Bank city of...
*Palestinians Submit Draft Resolution to UN Security Council Condemning
Settlements*
<http://english. pnn.ps/index. php?option= com_content& task=view& id=9434&Itemid= 62>
PNN - New York City -- PNN - A representative from Lebanon, acting on
behalf of Palestine, submitted a resolution to the UN Security Council
on Wednesday condemning Israeli settlement activity and demanding that...
*Israeli Army Discharges Soldier for Killing Palestinian Civilian*
<http://english. pnn.ps/index. php?option= com_content& task=view& id=9433&Itemid= 64>
PNN - Tal Aviv -- PNN -- The Israeli army announced on Wednesday that it
decided to discharge a soldier for killing an innocent 65-year-old
Palestinian man during a military raid earlier this month...
*An Unexpected Gift in Bag of Israeli Biscuits*
<http://english. pnn.ps/index. php?option= com_content& task=view& id=9432&Itemid= 56>
PNN - Osama Awad -- PNN - Samir Khoury, owner of a grocery store in Beit
Sahour in the southern West Bank, was surprised to find a large piece of
iron in a delivery...
*Palestinian Center for Human Rights* <http://pchrgaza. org/>
*Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied
Palestinian Territory (13-19 January 2011)*
<http://www.pchrgaza .org/portal/ en/index. php?option= com_content& view=article& id=7205:weekly- report-on- israeli-human- rights-violation s-in-the- occupied- palestinian- territory- 13-19-january- 2011&catid= 84:weekly- 2009&Itemid= 183>
Palestinian Center for Human Rights
*Jerusalem Post* <http://jpost. com/>
*Ramat Gan residents have faced their share of blasts*
<http://www.jpost. com/NationalNews /Article. aspx?ID=204618& R=R1>
Jeruslalem Post 20 Jan 2011 - First came the Scuds, then a mob bombing.
Compared to that, hosting relatives fleeing the 2nd Lebanon War was a
pleasure for Elizah Yosef.
*As Iran talks begin, concerns of complacency grow*
<http://www.jpost. com/IranianThrea t/News/Article. aspx?ID=204605& R=R1>
Jeruslalem Post 20 Jan 2011 - Israeli officials defend Dagan's statement
about mid-decade Iranian timeline, say it proves bomb not inevitable and
there is still time to act.
*PM: Israel will work to disconnect Gaza from power grid*
<http://www.jpost. com/DiplomacyAnd Politics/ Article.aspx? ID=204568& R=R1>
Jeruslalem Post 20 Jan 2011 - Lieberman slams PA in talks with French
FM; Dennis Ross and David Hale here for talks on Israeli security needs.
*Hariri vows to seek premiership despite Hizbullah pressure*
<http://www.jpost. com/MiddleEast/ Article.aspx? id=204564& R=R3>
Jeruslalem Post 20 Jan 2011 - "They have put aside all solutions and
demanded Saad Hariri be excluded...we will go to constitutional talks on
Monday with me as a candidate," says Lebanese caretaker PM in Beirut.
*Battered Labor touts packed room as sign of new life*
<http://www.jpost. com/DiplomacyAnd Politics/ Article.aspx? ID=204562& R=R1>
Jeruslalem Post 20 Jan 2011 - Poll shows it would win 9 seats in
elections, and Barak's Independence, 2; Peretz to Barak: "Thou shalt not
invoke Ben-Gurion's name in vain."
*Iran: We'll be able to enrich uranium even if attacked*
<http://www.jpost. com/IranianThrea t/News/Article. aspx?ID=204548& R=R1>
Jeruslalem Post 20 Jan 2011 - Teheran's nuclear envoy says because of
"very serious threat," Islamic Rebublic has set up "reserve facility."
*Barghouti says Israel is no partner for peace*
<http://www.jpost. com/MiddleEast/ Article.aspx? ID=204541& R=R1>
Jeruslalem Post 20 Jan 2011 - Jailed Fatah leader says no agreement can
be reached with "government of settlement, occupation, terror, siege and
aggression."
*Barghouti: There's no real partner for peace in Israel now*
<http://www.jpost. com/MiddleEast/ Article.aspx? id=204541& R=R3>
Jeruslalem Post 20 Jan 2011 - Jailed Fatah leader says no agreement can
be reached with "government of settlement, occupation, terror, siege and
aggression."
*PM calls Peres, gives condolences on wife's death*
<http://www.jpost. com/NationalNews /Article. aspx?ID=204521& R=R1>
Jeruslalem Post 20 Jan 2011 - Netanyahu: In her modest and quiet life,
Sonia represented good-heartedness; Barak: She constantly helped those
in need.
*UK: Direct talks best way to achieve Mideast peace*
<http://www.jpost. com/MiddleEast/ Article.aspx? id=204507& R=R3>
Jeruslalem Post 20 Jan 2011 - British Foreign Office minister says UK
won't recognize Palestinian state before peace deal; warns of increasing
Israeli isolation.
*PA FM condemns Israel's 'Judaization' of Jerusalem*
<http://www.jpost. com/MiddleEast/ Article.aspx? id=204471& R=R3>
Jeruslalem Post 20 Jan 2011 - In interview with Arab paper, Malki
laments "land rush" in east Jerusalem after Shepherd Hotel injunction
lifted,, says Arab League ignored "Islamic holy city."
*Macy Gray lets fans decide if she should nix TA shows*
<http://www.jpost. com/ArtsAndCultu re/Music/ Article.aspx? ID=204461& R=R1>
Jeruslalem Post 20 Jan 2011 - US soul singer, who is target of
pro-Palestinian boycott campaign, tells 'Post': "I like coming to Israel."
*Turkey, Qatar halt Lebanon mediation efforts*
<http://www.jpost. com/MiddleEast/ Article.aspx? id=204459& R=R3>
Jeruslalem Post 20 Jan 2011 - Davutoglu and Qatari PM say their
proposals to quell political turmoil after Hizbullah leaves Lebanese
government, presented in extensive meetings with Hariri, Nasrallah, were
met with "reservations. "
*Lebanese paper: Shin Bet gave Palestinian polio*
<http://www.jpost. com/MiddleEast/ Article.aspx? id=204454& R=R3>
Jeruslalem Post 20 Jan 2011 - 'A-Safir' claims an Israeli agent paid a
prisoner to put a pill in a Palestinian prisoner's drinking, leading to
his paralysis.
*Ha'aretz* <http://haaretz. com/>
*Netanyahu: Sonia Peres was a symbol of modesty*
<http://www.haaretz. com/news/ national/ netanyahu- sonia-peres- was-a-symbol- of-modesty- 1.338162>
Ha'aretz - Speaking of the wife of President Peres, was " son-in-law Dr.
Raphael Walden says she was 'all nobility and devotion.'
*Lieberman corruption case to be decided by the end of February*
<http://www.haaretz. com/news/ national/ lieberman- corruption- case-to-be- decided-by- the-end-of- february- 1.338151>
Ha'aretz - Attorney General's office says that the recent state
prosecutors strike is the reason for the delay in the decision over
whether or not to charge the Foreign Minister with bribery,...
*Sonia Peres, wife of President Shimon Peres, dies at 87*
<http://www.haaretz. com/news/ national/ sonia-peres- wife-of-presiden t-shimon- peres-dies- at-87-1.338122>
Ha'aretz - Sonia Peres rarely appeared in the public eye, preferring to
play a backstage role in her husband's six-decade political career.
*Israel's trains to start running again after being declared fireproof*
<http://www.haaretz. com/news/ national/ israel-s- trains-to- start-running- again-after- being-declared- fireproof- 1.338103>
Ha'aretz - Railway cars had to undergo professional inspection before
they could be approved for use due to reports that the fire near Ronit
Farm two weeks ago was caused by a...
*Israelis go green for Tu Bishvat*
<http://www.haaretz. com/news/ national/ israelis- go-green- for-tu-bishvat- 1.338092>
Ha'aretz - Tu Bishvat celebrations will span over three days this year,
metamorphosing from a tree-planting holiday into an occasion with wider
environmental and social significance.
*One dead in Tel Aviv shooting incident*
<http://www.haaretz. com/news/ national/ one-dead- in-tel-aviv- shooting- incident- 1.338007>
Ha'aretz - Restaurant security guard opens fire at group of men who
tried to forcefully enter private event; police say incident was
criminally-motivate d.
*Turkel panel to say IDF acted in self defense during Gaza flotilla
raid*
<http://www.haaretz. com/news/ diplomacy- defense/turkel- panel-to- say-idf-acted- in-self-defense- during-gaza- flotilla- raid-1.338216>
Ha'aretz - The Israeli Commission, charged with investigating the events
surrounding the Gaza flotilla of May 2010, will make its report public
next week.
*'U.K. to consider UN censure of Israel's West Bank settlements' *
<http://www.haaretz. com/news/ diplomacy- defense/u- k-to-consider- un-censure- of-israel- s-west-bank- settlements- 1.338195>
Ha'aretz - Comment by Foreign Office official comes as dovish advocacy
group J Street voices support for the recently submitted draft
resolution; Americans for Peace now urge Obama to refrain from vetoing...
*U.K. will not recognize unilateral Palestinian state, official says*
<http://www.haaretz. com/news/ diplomacy- defense/u- k-will-not- recognize- unilateral- palestinian- state-official- says-1.338182>
Ha'aretz - Speaking during Jordan visit, Foreign Office official
Alistair Burt says direct talks are the only way to reach a viable
two-state solution.
*Israeli, Palestinian Olympic officials meet ahead of 2012 London games*
<http://www.haaretz. com/news/ diplomacy- defense/israeli- palestinian- olympic-official s-meet-ahead- of-2012-london- games-1.338152>
Ha'aretz - IOC brokers 5-hour gathering discussing, among other issues,
allowing athletes, coaches more freedom to travel from the West Bank,
Gaza Strip., Obama adviser Dennis Ross and David Hale, deputy to...
*IDF soldiers kill armed Palestinian in West Bank*
<http://www.haaretz. com/news/ diplomacy- defense/idf- soldiers- kill-armed- palestinian- in-west-bank- 1.338107>
Ha'aretz - IDF spokesperson says soldiers shot and killed the man after
he opened fire on them near Jenin; IDF investigating incident.
*Turkey, Qatar halt mediation of Lebanon political crisis*
<http://www.haaretz. com/news/ diplomacy- defense/turkey- qatar-halt- mediation- of-lebanon- political- crisis-1. 338100>
Ha'aretz - Turkish FM says situation 'more positive' than before, but
Saudi Arabian FM raises prospect of Lebanon disintegrating along
sectarian lines.
*IDF discharges soldier involved in Hamas raid which left Palestinian
civilian dead*
<http://www.haaretz. com/news/ diplomacy- defense/idf- discharges- soldier-involved -in-hamas- raid-which- left-palestinian -civilian- dead-1.338010>
Ha'aretz - Soldier was involved in raid to re-arrest five Hamas members
in Hebron who had been released by the PA the previous day.
*Iran urges U.S., Israel to stop 'interference' in Lebanon*
<http://www.haaretz. com/news/ diplomacy- defense/iran- urges-u-s- israel-to- stop-interferenc e-in-lebanon- 1.337949>
Ha'aretz - Ahmadinejad tells U.S. and Israel that Lebanon and its allies
'will chop off your dirty hands"; says Lebanon will overcome current
political crisis.
*Uruknet* <http://uruknet. info/>
*Israeli Troops Tear Gas House near Jenin, Five Children Arrested in
Hebron, Four Fishermen in Gaza*
<http://uruknet. info/?p=m74122& hd=&size= 1&l=e>
Uruknet January 20, 2011 - On Wednesday evening, Israeli troops threw
tear gas canisters into a home in the village of Zabouba, west of Jenin
in the northern West Bank, causing 11 people to suffer from inhalation.
Local sources told the state-run news wire Wafa that a large military
force entered Zabouba through a gate in the wall, throwing tear...
*Two IOF soldiers aquitted of the murder of elderly Palestinian manIOF
soldiers kill Palestinian near Jenin*
<http://uruknet. info/?p=m74116& hd=&size= 1&l=e>
Uruknet January 20, 2011 - Israeli occupation forces killed a
Palestinian man near Mevo-Dotan roadblock at Arrabe crossing south of
Jenin city at noon Thursday after claiming that he tried to shoot at
them. IOF sources alleged that the soldiers killed the man in
retaliation to this shooting attempt. The troops are blocking ambulance
teams from evacuating his body. The...
*Israeli Troops Tear Gas House near Jenin, Five Children Arrested in
Hebron, Four Fishermen in Gaza Print*
<http://uruknet. info/?p=m74110& hd=&size= 1&l=e>
Uruknet January 20, 2011 - On Wednesday evening, Israeli troops threw
tear gas canisters into a home in the village of Zabouba, west of Jenin
in the northern West Bank, causing 11 people to suffer from inhalation.
Local sources told the state-run news wire Wafa that a large military
force entered Zabouba through a gate in the wall, throwing tear...
*Israeli army confusion over Jawaher Abu Rahmah's death*
<http://uruknet. info/?p=m74109& hd=&size= 1&l=e>
Uruknet January 21, 2011 - Last night, the army released a statement to
the Israeli press about the death of Jawaher Abu Rahmah in Bil'in. For
the past two weeks, the army has been spreading lies and half truths
about her death ranging from suspected cancer to Abu Rahmah not being
present at the demonstration on New Years Eve. The...
*Israeli court permits destruction of 200+ graves in historic Jerusalem
cemetery* <http://uruknet. info/?p=m74108& hd=&size= 1&l=e>
Uruknet January 20, 2011 - A magistrates' court in Jerusalem has given
the legal go-ahead for the destruction of more than 200 graves in
historic Ma'man Allah Cemetery in Jerusalem, considered to be the oldest
and largest Muslim cemetery in the Holy City. The legal decision has
been described by Al-Aqsa Foundation for Heritage and Endowments as a
"major crime"....
*Greybeards Urge U.S. not to Veto U.N. Anti-Settlement Resolution*
<http://uruknet. info/?p=m74107& hd=&size= 1&l=e>
Uruknet January 20, 2011 - Some four dozen former top U.S. diplomats and
prominent policy analysts are urging President Barack Obama not to veto
a proposed U.N. Security Council resolution that is expected to reaffirm
the illegality of Jewish settlements in the Occupied Territories. In a
letter released here Wednesday, former U.S. ambassadors to Israel, as
well as other former...
*Separation wall will isolate 100,000 Palestinians from Jerusalem*
<http://uruknet. info/?p=m74104& hd=&size= 1&l=e>
Uruknet January 20, 2011 - The Separation Wall, also called the
"Apartheid" or "Annexation" Wall, will isolate Shu'fat, Ras Khamis, Ras
Shehadeh, Kafr Akab and other Jerusalem districts and villages. The
Ministry of Religious Endowments in the Gaza Strip has said that the
completion of the Separation Wall in the vicinity of Jerusalem by the
end of this year will...
*Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied
Palestinian Territory (13-19 January 2011)*
<http://uruknet. info/?p=m74099& hd=&size= 1&l=e>
Uruknet January 20, 2011 - Summary : Israeli violations of international
law and humanitarian law in the OPT continued during the reporting
period (13 -- 19 January 2011): Shooting: During the reporting period,
IOF killed a Palestinian civilians and wounded 6 others, including a
child, and an Israeli human rights defender and a Dutch one in the West
Bank and the...
*Haneyya's page removed from Facebook*
<http://uruknet. info/?p=m74097& hd=&size= 1&l=e>
Uruknet January 20, 2011 - The fan page of Gaza Prime Minister Ismail
Haneyya has been removed from Facebook. More than 10,000 people liked
the site. Fans wrote to Facebook administration requesting the page's
return and the protection of pages Arabs use to express admiration for
resistance leaders in Palestine and the Arab world...
*Alternative Information Center* <http://alternativen ews.org/>
*Internal Probe Likely to Find Israel Innocent of War Crimes in Attack
on Freedom Flotilla*
<http://www.alternat ivenews.org/ english/index. php/topics/ news/3206- internal- probe-likely- to-find-israel- innocent- of-war-crimes- in-attack- on-freedom- flotilla->
Alternative Information Center - A source close to the internal
committee investigating Israel's attack of the Gaza-bound Freedom
Flotilla said that members were likely to find Israel innocent of war
crimes when they release a report of its conclusions, Israel's Army Radio...
*Clashes Erupt in East Jerusalem*
<http://www.alternat ivenews.org/ english/index. php/topics/ jerusalem/ 3208-clashes- erupt-in- east-jerusalem->
Alternative Information Center - Clashes occurred in the East Jerusalem
neighborhoods of Shuafat, Ras Al-Amud and Silwan, on Tuesday and
Wednesday, 18 and 19 January.
*United Nations Funds Only Half of Planned Aid to Occupied Palestinian
Territory*
<http://www.alternat ivenews.org/ english/index. php/topics/ economy-of- the-occupation/ 3210-united- nations-funds- only-half- of-planned- aid-to-occupied- palestinian- territory->
Alternative Information Center - The United Nations was only able
to fund 52 percent of its planned humanitarian aid to Palestinians in
Gaza and the West Bank last year, according to a UN report released at a
press conference in Jerusalem on Wednesday, 19...
*Daily Star* <http://dailystar. com.lb/>
*Tunisian government offers amnesty to all parties, protests continue*
<http://www.dailysta r.com.lb/ /article. asp?edition_ id=10&categ_ id=2&article_ id=123957>
Daily Star 20 Jan 2011 ISTANBUL: Iran warned it would go on enriching
uranium if it came under attack as its negotiators prepared for talks
with six world powers Friday aimed at defusing a crisis over Iran's
disputed nuclear program. Expectations. ..
*Iran vows to persist with enrichment work if attacked*
<http://www.dailysta r.com.lb/ /article. asp?edition_ id=10&categ_ id=2&article_ id=123959>
Daily Star 20 Jan 2011 ISTANBUL: Iran warned it would go on enriching
uranium if it came under attack as its negotiators prepared for talks
with six world powers Friday aimed at defusing a crisis over Iran's
disputed nuclear program. Expectations. ..
*Bombers kill at least 45 Shiite pilgrims in Iraq*
<http://www.dailysta r.com.lb/ /article. asp?edition_ id=10&categ_ id=2&article_ id=123958>
Daily Star 20 Jan 2011 BAGHDAD: Bombers killed at least 45 Shiite
pilgrims in Iraq Wednesday and also struck police for a third day in a
row, in a wave of violence posing a challenge to Iraqi security forces
as U.S....
*First Muslim woman in U.K. Cabinet warns of religious discrimination*
<http://www.dailysta r.com.lb/ /article. asp?edition_ id=10&categ_ id=2&article_ id=123939>
Daily Star 20 Jan 2011 LONDON: The first Muslim woman to sit in the
British Cabinet warned Thursday that discrimination against Muslims in
Britain has become socially acceptable and must be tackled. "It has
seeped into our society in a way...
*France voices support for U.N. resolution on Israeli settlements*
<http://www.dailysta r.com.lb/ /article. asp?edition_ id=10&categ_ id=2&article_ id=123934>
Daily Star 20 Jan 2011 OCCUPIED JERUSALEM: France will vote for a U.N.
Security Council resolution on Israeli settlements drafted by Arab
states if it is moderate and does not prevent the resumption of peace
talks, its foreign minister said Thursday. "...
*Egypt's Al-Azhar halts dialogue with Vatican over pope's 'attacks'*
<http://www.dailysta r.com.lb/ /article. asp?edition_ id=10&categ_ id=2&article_ id=123926>
Daily Star 20 Jan 2011 CAIRO: Egypt's highest Islamic authority,
Al-Azhar, said Thursday it was freezing all dialogue with the Roman
Catholic Church over what it called Pope Benedict's repeated insults
toward Islam. "The freeze was prompted by the repeated attacks...
*The Guardian* <http://guardian. co.uk/world/ palestinian- territories>
*Israeli army discharges soldier for shooting Palestinian civilian*
<http://www.guardian .co.uk/world/ 2011/jan/ 20/israeli- army-discharges- soldier-hebron>
The Guardian 20 Jan 2011 - Investigation into death of Hebron man says
soldier acted 'unprofessionally' The Israeli military has discharged a
soldier for acting "unprofessionally" in shooting dead an unarmed
65-year-old Palestinian man in Hebron earlier this month. Another
soldier, who...
*Relief Web*
<http://reliefweb. int/rw/rwb. nsf/doc106? OpenForm& emid=ACOS- 635PFR&rc= 3>
*GZ-Gaza II Emergency Water Additional Financing III*
<http://www.reliefwe b.int/rw/ rwb.nsf/db900SID /EGUA-8DATNK? OpenDocument& RSS20=02- P>
Relief Web 20 Jan 2011 - Source: World Bank
*Palestinian killed in West Bank clash with army*
<http://www.reliefwe b.int/rw/ rwb.nsf/db900SID /VVOS-8DAM8L? OpenDocument& RSS20=02- P>
Relief Web 20 Jan 2011 - Source: Agence France-Presse
*Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied
Palestinian Territory (13-19 January 2011)*
<http://www.reliefwe b.int/rw/ rwb.nsf/db900SID /SMDL-8DAH35? OpenDocument& RSS20=02- P>
Relief Web 20 Jan 2011 - Source: Palestinian Centre for Human Rights
*Palestinian faults Arabs over Jerusalem support*
<http://www.reliefwe b.int/rw/ rwb.nsf/db900SID /KKAA-8DA4L5? OpenDocument& RSS20=02- P>
Relief Web 19 Jan 2011 - Source: Reuters - AlertNet
*YNet News* <http://ynetnews. com/>
*IDF kills terrorist who fired at soldiers near Jenin*
<http://www.ynetnews .com/articles/ 0,7340,L- 4016539,00. html>
YNet News - Terrorist armed with Kalashnikov rifle fires at fortified
IDF post guarded by....
*PA draft resolution: Declare settlements illegal*
<http://www.ynetnews .com/articles/ 0,7340,L- 4016407,00. html>
YNet News - Lebanon presents UN Security Council with Palestinian
proposal to declare....
*Hariri defiant, to seek PM role*
<http://www.ynetnews .com/articles/ 0,7340,L- 4016807,00. html>
YNet News - Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri said on
Thursday he would seek to form a new government in talks next week,
defying pressure from Hezbollah and its .......
*Flotilla raid probe: IDF acted properly*
<http://www.ynetnews .com/articles/ 0,7340,L- 4016792,00. html>
YNet News - Some eight months after the lethal IDF raid on the Turkish
Marmara vessel, the Turkel Committee charged with probing the incident
is set to submit the first part of its .......
*Iran: We have reserve nuke facility*
<http://www.ynetnews .com/articles/ 0,7340,L- 4016775,00. html>
YNet News - Iran will be able to carry out uranium enrichment even in
the case of a military attack on its nuclear facilities, the country's
nuclear envoy said in Moscow on Thursday. .......
*Palestinian Information Center* <http://palestine- info.co.uk/ en/>
*11 citizens treated for breathing problems after IOF gas attack*
<http://www.palestin e-info.co. uk/en/default. aspx?xyz= U6Qq7k%2bcOd87MD I46m9rUxJEpMO% 2bi1s7vB7ELqDPSv zH22BEkHWKnCLSWk Ze%2f7t2z0T0ZUWO djRuV1F85qEFKkYI tQwXniOBDJeVFH2I nxo8IcEqIETNxDlV 7OPDRPnsY9g2VFJA E78%3d>
PIC 20 Jan 2011 - IOF soldiers callously fired teargas bombs at a
Palestinian family home in Zabuba village, west of Jenin city, at a late
night hour on Wednesday causing breathing difficulty for 11 of its
occupants.
*PFLP slams PA's messing with Palestinian internal front*
<http://www.palestin e-info.co. uk/en/default. aspx?xyz= U6Qq7k%2bcOd87MD I46m9rUxJEpMO% 2bi1s7z6WavPJxiu YvYkLnga4Mtr9F0A Q%2fWrEkuJ0mEhmE ZaXIUe4XMcMMqKKV 0VWotHf4MHgnkDac bN0NQPjNTiQbtym8 50Yz7iwOToHSeBZ% 2bsNI%3d>
PIC 20 Jan 2011 - The popular front for the liberation of Palestine said
that the Palestinian authority's tampering with the Palestinian internal
front serves the Israeli occupation's schemes and interests.
*UN raises $575m for Palestine's needs in 2011*
<http://www.palestin e-info.co. uk/en/default. aspx?xyz= U6Qq7k%2bcOd87MD I46m9rUxJEpMO% 2bi1s7BOOoA0utXg dWc03RGNklIi% 2fUiHjJ6oTYaCMb6 nECj1kUqwdhpUxHA Vkd7brJA6sFTty2% 2fDw8%2fEn2lEL3t xp7bWpE9fq4zLZSr snDS24sGLY% 3d>
PIC 20 Jan 2011 - The UN has raised $575m in a humanitarian appeal to
cover the needs of Palestinians in the Gaza strip, Jerusalem, and the
West Bank in 2011.
*Road to Hope Convoy: 'Ambitious' projects are under way*
<http://www.palestin e-info.co. uk/en/default. aspx?xyz= U6Qq7k%2bcOd87MD I46m9rUxJEpMO% 2bi1s79x0n8K4n9C ETv4Y1x37mDO% 2bHgUXh4JNpzLMiH Zb4fYL5rqMZggY4e c8ER59PkTfjX% 2baShv11uIzxAxYl mSI7w55bkc5FYWAH PQ9q2R6DF3A% 3d>
PIC 20 Jan 2011 - Senior Road to Hope convoy member says several
'ambitious' siege-busting projects are in the making.
*Political moves to restart direct talks between Abbas and Israelis*
<http://www.palestin e-info.co. uk/en/default. aspx?xyz= U6Qq7k%2bcOd87MD I46m9rUxJEpMO% 2bi1s7svRMETtt4n ZkZ04%2f2H2ug% 2fsiHO4lRl3A4% 2fkt%2f%2b38lfTo yQORoN016RIxFrJk z%2buNV40ryr0% 2fbZmRRLKIgNJP92 s7EpjK96AtRK9hy9 RSI8A%3d>
PIC 20 Jan 2011 - The Hebrew radio there political moves to resume
direct peace talks between officials from the Fatah-controlled
Palestinian authority and Israel under the auspices of the American
administration.
*Ministry of religious affairs warns of Israel's new apartheid wall in
J'lem*
<http://www.palestin e-info.co. uk/en/default. aspx?xyz= U6Qq7k%2bcOd87MD I46m9rUxJEpMO% 2bi1s73ALleXSTFD xs9rcVwv4DtddY7F w4iRZxqyOIv43H0W L91ALciXElB4IX9b AS6A%2bUV5cmYIGL hUrjKaxRuGzgaq1Z 10Ihfknyg50InSNC cl4%3d>
PIC 20 Jan 2011 - The Palestinian ministry of religious affairs said the
segregation wall being built now around Jerusalem will isolate about
100, 000 Palestinian natives living behind the wall from their holy city.
*IOF soldiers kill Palestinian near Jenin*
<http://www.palestin e-info.co. uk/en/default. aspx?xyz= U6Qq7k%2bcOd87MD I46m9rUxJEpMO% 2bi1s7cK4E5LJ8Zb Q6HiR5EcP1d8h5iw fCFhpKkOH7w12GD9 jH2gv75kWZQzYMjn %2fGGn8NpngeNvI8 fc70dWaHcbmky0hn AR7kiLeYvgHhwvLv mF8%3d>
PIC 20 Jan 2011 - Israeli occupation forces killed a Palestinian man
near Mevo-Dotan roadblock at Arrabe crossing south of Jenin city at noon
Thursday after claiming that he tried to shoot at them.
*IOF soldiers deliver new demolition notices in Nablus village*
<http://www.palestin e-info.co. uk/en/default. aspx?xyz= U6Qq7k%2bcOd87MD I46m9rUxJEpMO% 2bi1s7JR0FVTd71U CQ7tvD4LdjG% 2fbzYZurACh% 2fTAMvTPLB3FHEFH xL%2flOo7bDCbisL eJzIxZiljPce6VnP %2bt%2bwOoJ7jLmf Iw5vDQeDKg% 2b7GgopGmE% 3d>
PIC 20 Jan 2011 - Israeli occupation forces (IOF) distributed demolition
notices in Khirbat Al-Tawil east of Aqraba town, Nablus district, on
Wednesday, local sources reported.
*Israeli navy kidnaps four Palestinian fishermen at sea*
<http://www.palestin e-info.co. uk/en/default. aspx?xyz= U6Qq7k%2bcOd87MD I46m9rUxJEpMO% 2bi1s7n978GUDKyq aIwGuLng25HKxt% 2f25g%2b1QXeYBIC FHtBNDrMlV% 2bB3Ehp1QJuiG4p2 oMr%2fTp2kbnlKZ2 U82GpRnRw5cvXShQ o6TEVjUyrRbHyLw% 3d>
PIC 20 Jan 2011 - The ministry of agriculture in Gaza Strip said that
the Israeli navy gunboats kidnapped four Palestinian fishermen off the
coast of Khan Younis, south of the Strip, at a late hour on Wednesday night.
*Haneyya's page removed from Facebook*
<http://www.palestin e-info.co. uk/en/default. aspx?xyz= U6Qq7k%2bcOd87MD I46m9rUxJEpMO% 2bi1s7qwLkFRL7Zg UWI2IGuKUJMW5EW3 AmP6selgkYfJ3Ata YxSSTJd83hJQ5Ryg 2nFXljOdkXRrp0Au bydFhlzYGUjgTYpN cp9LOslYNFNPDVkD w%3d>
PIC 20 Jan 2011 - The fan page of Gaza Prime Minister Ismail Haneyya has
been removed from Facebook.
*Los Angeles Times* <http://latimes. com/news/ nationworld/ world/middleeast />
*Leader confounds both sides with plans for Palestinian state*
<http://feeds. latimes.com/ %7Er/latimes/ middleeast/ %7E3/PNwR3PIrCnw /la-fg-palestini an-fayyad- 20110121, 0,2741064. story>
LA Times 20 Jan 2011 - Salam Fayyad believes in nonviolence and is well
thought of in the international community. But Israelis don't get him
and Palestinians lack faith in him. No one seems to know what to make of
him. Israelis puzzle over the cleanshaven technocrat who denounces
violence. Palestinians see an outsider who never cut his teeth on the
tear-gas-choked streets of intifadas.
*A new round of Iran nuclear talks, and some optimism this time*
<http://feeds. latimes.com/ %7Er/latimes/ middleeast/ %7E3/1EQtVeQ1oUQ /la-fg-iran- nukes-20110121, 0,5167076. story>
LA Times 20 Jan 2011 - Some diplomats are hopeful that talks in
Istanbul, Turkey, involving Iran, the U.S. and five other nations will
be more fruitful than a similar gathering in Geneva last month. Western
diplomats meeting with Iranian officials in Turkey beginning Friday are
hoping for at least modest gains in trying to get the Islamic Republic
to limit its nuclear development program.
*New York Times* <http://nytimes. com/pages/ world/middleeast />
*Premier Defies Hezbollah As Talks on Lebanon Fail*
<http://feeds. nytimes.com/ click.phdo? i=d44fed2a3c0a92 1a756e2f991bed46 7a>
New York Times 20 Jan 2011 - Last-ditch negotiations broke down as the
Lebanese prime minister, Saad al-Hariri, struck a defiant note toward
Hezbollah and its allies in a speech.
*Iran Talks Set to Resume*
<http://feeds. nytimes.com/ click.phdo? i=9e4a6be76e539a bc3b1c83d93a526f e1>
New York Times 20 Jan 2011 - Low expectations preceded another round of
talks scheduled for Friday, but Tehran signaled interest in pursuing a
fuel-swap arrangement designed by Washington.
*Israeli Soldier Discharged Over Killing of Unarmed Palestinian*
<http://feeds. nytimes.com/ click.phdo? i=813616c2bb30c9 6a68f5c9df1f5d54 58>
New York Times 20 Jan 2011 - The soldier, the Israeli military said,
acted "unprofessionally" in a raid in Hebron.
*Misc* <http://vtjp. org/aboutus/ aboutus.htm>
*Spirit of Tunisia is infectious*
<http://mondoweiss. net/2011/ 01/spirit- of-tunisia- is-infectious. html>
Mondoweiss - Here's an aerial view of Israeli General Yoav Galant's
house, picked up by Haaretz, then passed along by Yuval Ben-Ami, who
writes: This is Israel, not California. Houses such as Galant's are not
common here, to say the least. Even Israel's wealthiest suburban
communities, such as Kfar...
*MSM self-censorship on the Israel issue*
<http://mondoweiss. net/2011/ 01/msm-self- censorship- on-the-israel- issue.html>
Mondoweiss - Tonight Chris Matthews used the retirement of Joe Lieberman
as an opportunity to bash the "neocons" for the Iraq war. Matthews
landed on Lieberman's disgraceful answer to Pat Buchanan's question on
Morning Joe today , saying the Iraq war was worth it because of WMD and
Al Qaeda and Saddam's threat...
*'Israeli occupation as brutal as Nazis" --- Elkana, Holocaust survivor*
<http://mondoweiss. net/2011/ 01/israeli- occupation- as-brutal- as-nazis- elkana-holocaust -survivor. html>
Mondoweiss - Don't ever use Nazi analogies, right? No. When I went to
Gaza, all I could think of was the Warsaw Ghetto, and the effect on the
Jewish psyche of that humiliation, and the need to impose the same
experience on others. You cannot understand the occupation without...
*One foot in, one foot out: A tour of a Palestinian village*
<http://mondoweiss. net/2011/ 01/one-foot- in-one-foot- out-a-tour- of-a-palestinian -village. html>
Mondoweiss - A demolished house in Wadi Rahal, a village near Bethlehem.
(All photos: Cat Rabenstine) Last week I took a walk through a friend's
village near Bethlehem. The sky was blue and spotted with clouds. It was
chilly but the sun peaked through with surprising radiance. First,...
*Macy Gray shuns boycott, will play Tel Aviv*
<http://mondoweiss. net/2011/ 01/macy-gray- slags-boycotters -as-a-holes- will-play- tel-aviv. html>
Mondoweiss - The 'power of the affirmative' is peddled by many a
self-help guru who claims human happiness lies in saying 'Yes!'. In
opposition, responding 'No', turning down an opportunity and walking
away is seen purely in its negative sense -- as defeatist, miserablist.
From Macy Gray's Facebook...
*Misc 2* <http://vtjp. org/news/ news.php>
*Israeli Occupation Forces Kills a Palestinian in Jenin*
<http://www.almanar. com.lb/NewsSite/ NewsDetails. aspx?id=170864& language= en>
Al-Manar 20 Jan 2011 - Israeli military forces have shot dead a
Palestinian near the West Bank city of Jenin on Thursday. The Israeli
military claimed that the man opened fire at an Israeli guard post and
soldiers shot him dead, the Associated Press reported. Palestinian
security officials confirmed...
*Israeli Tanks, Bulldozer Enter Northern Gaza Strip Killing Teenager*
<http://www.almanar. com.lb/NewsSite/ NewsDetails. aspx?id=170645>
Al-Manar 20 Jan 2011 - Seven Israeli tanks, accompanied by a bulldozer,
have entered the northern part of the Gaza Strip, near the town of Beit
Hanun killing a Palestinian teenager, Palestinian officials said.
Hamas emergency services spokesman Adham Abu Selmiya named the victim as
17-year-old Amjad al-Zaanein, saying he...
*Hariri vows to lead new coalition*
<http://www.bbc. co.uk/go/ rss/int/news/ -/news/world- middle-east- 12247111>
BBC 20 Jan 2011 - Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister, Saad Hariri, says
he will seek to lead a new coalition government, despite opposition from
the Hezbollah.
*Al-Azhar suspends ties with Vatican*
<http://www.bbc. co.uk/go/ rss/int/news/ -/news/world- middle-east- 12246654>
BBC 20 Jan 2011 - The al-Azhar institution, the top Islamic authority in
Egypt, suspends its dialogue with the Vatican in protest over recent
remarks by Pope Benedict XVI.
*Turkey, Qatar end Lebanon talks*
<http://www.bbc. co.uk/go/ rss/int/news/ -/news/world- middle-east- 12239582>
BBC 20 Jan 2011 - Ministers from Turkey and Qatar suspend efforts to
mediate in the political crisis in Lebanon following the collapse of the
government last week.
*Greybeards Urge US Not to Veto UN Anti-Settlement Resolution *
<http://feedproxy. google.com/ %7Er/antiwar- original/ %7E3/HOqtOgfNVUQ />
Antiwar.com 20 Jan 2011 - Some four dozen former top U.S. diplomats and
prominent policy analysts are urging President Barack Obama not to veto
a proposed U.N. Security Council resolution that is expected to reaffirm
the illegality of Jewish settlements in the Occupied Territories. In a
letter released here Wednesday, former...
*Serving Up Palestine One Slice at a Time*
<http://feedproxy. google.com/ %7Er/antiwar- original/ %7E3/r_pdQdqhMkE />
Antiwar.com 20 Jan 2011 - Philip Giraldi on the appeasement of Israel
*Articles*
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -
*Gaza doctor Izzeldin Abuelaish: 'We saved lives,' I told the children.
'Your sisters' blood wasn't wasted''*
<http://www.guardian .co.uk/world/ 2011/jan/ 16/gaza-doctor- izzeldin- abuelaish- interview>
Rachel Cooke, The Observer, The Guardian 1/16/2011
/Two years ago, Israeli shells fell on Dr Abuelaish's family home in
Gaza, killing three of his young daughters and their cousin. The horror
was caught live on Israeli TV when the doctor phoned his broadcaster
friend. Amazingly, the loss did not embitter Izzeldin Abuelaish. Instead
he decided his girls' deaths must not be in vain -- and slowly he has
turned his family tragedy into a force for peace/
On 12 December 2008, Izzeldin Abuelaish, a doctor from Gaza, took
his six daughters and two sons on a day out. The family rose early,
packed a picnic and, at 7am, climbed into his old Subaru and headed out.
Gaza is not big -- just 25 miles long, and nine miles across at its
widest -- but the situation being what it is, it can take time to move
around and Abuelaish was determined that they make the most of the hours
ahead. Twelve weeks earlier, Nadia, his wife of 21 years, had died
suddenly of leukaemia and ever since, every day had dawned black. It was
his intention, that sunny winter morning, to shine a little light on
them, to give his brood some respite, however brief, from their grief.
Their first stop was a surprise. Unbeknown to his family,
Abuelaish had recently bought a small olive grove, about an acre in
size. Separated from the urban sprawl by a 10ft-high fence, it was "a
utopia, a little piece of Shangri-La". The smaller ones, delighted to
discover this new place, ran among the olive, fig and apricot trees,
before finally settling down to eat their falafel sandwiches beneath a
bower of vines. As they did so, the family talked. Abuelaish had been
offered a job in Toronto, Canada, and he wanted to know how the
children, who had never known anywhere other than Gaza, would feel about
this. (Good, as it turned out. "I want to fly, daddy," said his
daughter, Aya.) The family discussion over, they headed to the beach,
where the children dashed over the dunes, chased the surf, and wrote
their names in the sand. Abuelaish cherished their laughter, the way
they mimicked and teased one another. For the first time in many days,
his spirits lifted. "We are getting there," he remembers thinking. "They
will be okay. Together, we can do this."more..
<http://www.guardian .co.uk/world/ 2011/jan/ 16/gaza-doctor- izzeldin- abuelaish- interview>e-mail
<mailto:?subject= Gaza%20doctor% 20Izzeldin% 20Abuelaish: %20%27We% 20saved%20lives, %27%20I%20told% 20the%20children .%20%27Your% 20sisters% E2%80%99% 20blood%20wasn% E2%80%99t% 20wasted% E2%80%99% E2%80%99% 20&body=Gaza% 20doctor% 20Izzeldin% 20Abuelaish: %20%27We% 20saved%20lives, %27%20I%20told% 20the%20children .%20%27Your% 20sisters% E2%80%99% 20blood%20wasn% E2%80%99t% 20wasted% E2%80%99% E2%80%99% 20--%20http://www.guardian .co.uk/world/ 2011/jan/ 16/gaza-doctor- izzeldin- abuelaish- interview% 20--%20link% 20courtesy% 20www.vtjp. org>
*The Death of the Israeli Left*
<http://www.counterp unch.org/ cook01182011. html>
Jonathan Cook, CounterPunch 1/18/2011
/The Final Nail in the Coffin/
Ehud Barak, Israel's defence minister, appears to have driven the
final nail in the coffin of the Zionist left with his decision to split
from the Labor party and create a new "centrist, Zionist" faction in the
Israeli parliament. So far four MPs, out of a total of 12, have
announced they are following him.
Moments after Barak's press conference on Monday, the Israeli
media suggested that the true architect of the Labor party's split was
the prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, who, according to one of his
aides, had planned it like "an elite general staff [military] operation".
Netanyahu has pressing reasons for wanting Barak to stay in the
most rightwing government in Israel's history. He has provided useful
diplomatic cover as Netanyahu has stymied progress in a US-sponsored
peace process.
Barak had been happy to oblige as the government's fig-leaf, so
long as he was allowed to hold on to his post overseeing the occupation
of the Palestinians. But as Labor became little more than a one-man
show, it was racked with revolts, its MPs and handful of cabinet
ministers regularly threatening to pull out of the coalition.
Netanyahu, however, has a larger purpose in seeking to draft the
Labor party's obituary -- one related to the cementing of a domestic
consensus cookbehind the right's vision of a Greater Israel. The prime
minister is hoping to unpick the last strands of the Israel created by
the founders of Labor Zionism.
Labor's impact on Zionism was truly formative. During the 1948
war, the party's leaders established Israel as a socialist state -- even
if it was of a strange variety that worried almost exclusively about the
welfare of its Jewish majority and carefully engineered systematic
discrimination against the fifth of the citizenry who were
Palestinian. more.. <http://www.counterp unch.org/ cook01182011. html>e-mail
<mailto:?subject= The%20Death% 20of%20the% 20Israeli% 20Left%20& body=The% 20Death%20of% 20the%20Israeli% 20Left%20- -%20http://www.counterp unch.org/ cook01182011. html%20-- %20link%20courte sy%20www. vtjp.org>
*Will the US Ignite the Lebanese Tinderbox?*
<http://www.israeli- occupation. org/2011- 01-20/assaf- kfoury-will- the-us-ignite- the-lebanese- tinderbox/>
Assaf Kfoury, Israeli Occupation Archive 1/20/2011
For months now, the media has been reporting that the UN-mandated
Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) is expected to indict Hezbollah
members for the killing of Rafiq Hariri in February 2005. Up until about
2008, when Syria was Washington's official evildoer, the STL targeted
Syria. When the US sought to improve relations with Syria and draw it
away from Iran, it was Hezbollah's turn to assume the role and the STL
put Hezbollah in its crosshairs. As with other shifting designations of
who the official evildoers are, it is not too conspiratorial to suppose
that the STL's re-adjusted focus is more than mere coincidence and
serves a political purpose.
On January 11, 2011, after months of squabbling with their
internal opponents on how to react to the STL's forthcoming indictments,
Hezbollah's two ministers and nine allied ministers withdrew from
Lebanon's unity government, forcing its collapse. This happened on the
day the Lebanese prime minister Saad Hariri (Rafiq's son) was scheduled
to meet President Obama in Washington. American officials deemed the act
a "bid for impunity" by Hezbollah, a conclusion duly repeated by major
newspapers.[ 1]
What is at play, however, is a far bigger game than the
assassination of a former prime minister six years ago. There are many
possible actors, near and far, in this sordid tale. So, let's leave
aside for a moment the question of who committed the crime and consider
the following facts instead.
No party has been more adamant than the US about preserving the
STL mandate. From Barack Obama, to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
and her Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs Jeffrey Feltman ---
and on down to other US officials expressing any opinion on the matter
--- they all mouth the same line: "The work of the special tribunal must
go forward, so justice can be served and impunity ended.".... -- See
also:Source: ZNet
<http://www.zcommuni cations.org/ will-the- us-ignite- the-lebanese- tinderbox- by-assaf- kfoury>more..
<http://www.israeli- occupation. org/2011- 01-20/assaf- kfoury-will- the-us-ignite- the-lebanese- tinderbox/>e-mail
<mailto:?subject= Will%20the% 20US%20Ignite% 20the%20Lebanese %20Tinderbox? %20&body= Will%20the% 20US%20Ignite% 20the%20Lebanese %20Tinderbox? %20--%20http://www.israeli- occupation. org/2011- 01-20/assaf- kfoury-will- the-us-ignite- the-lebanese- tinderbox/ %20--%20link% 20courtesy% 20www.vtjp. org>
*Boycott roundup: Ahava products off the shelves, for now*
<http://feedproxy. google.com/ %7Er/electronicI ntifada/% 7E3/j2XS8hIhI9o/ article11740. shtml>
Electronic Intifada: 20 Jan 2011 - Canadian and United Kingdom
solidarity activists have scored recent victories towards deshelving
cosmetics made in an illegal Israeli settlement in the occupied West
Bankmore
<http://feedproxy. google.com/ %7Er/electronicI ntifada/% 7E3/j2XS8hIhI9o/ article11740. shtml>
*Jerusalem evictions, demolitions leave lasting trauma*
<http://feedproxy. google.com/ %7Er/electronicI ntifada/% 7E3/ut_Vo7J9U_ 4/article11739. shtml>
Electronic Intifada: 20 Jan 2011 - Occupied East Jerusalem (IRIN) -
Evictions and house demolitions are a growing humanitarian concern for
Palestinians living in East Jerusalem, says the UN Office for the
Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).more
<http://feedproxy. google.com/ %7Er/electronicI ntifada/% 7E3/ut_Vo7J9U_ 4/article11739. shtml>
*Serving Up Palestine One Slice at a Time*
<http://palestinechr onicle.com/ view_article_ details.php? id=16569>
Palestine Chronicle: 20 Jan 2011 - By Philip Giraldi As of last week,
110 countries in the United Nations have extended diplomatic recognition
to the State of Palestine. All recognize Palestine as including the West
Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip, essentially the borders as
they existed prior to the June 1967 Six Day War. Nearly every country in
Latin America, Asia, and Africa has recognized Palestinian statehood and
there are indications that many European nations will soon follow suit.
Which leaves the United States, yet again, on the wrong side of history.
In fact, Washington has gone in completely the opposite direction,
insisting that there cannot be any Palestinian state until negotiations
are completed between the two parties involved, meaning that Israel
shall have a veto on any such development and will postpone it until
some time in the next century. In fact, the United States is completely
in lock step with Israel on...more
<http://palestinechr onicle.com/ view_article_ details.php? id=16569>
*Generalizing Tunisia: Context Overrides Story*
<http://palestinechr onicle.com/ view_article_ details.php? id=16568>
Palestine Chronicle: 20 Jan 2011 - By Ramzy Baroud When faced with
problems, most authoritarian regimes maintain a policy of rigidity when
the appropriate response would be flexibility, political wisdom and
concessions. This policy gives authoritarian leaders their ability to
control their populations to serve the interests of a few individuals
and political and military elites. It can also, however, usher their
downfall, for populations can only be oppressed, controlled and punished
to a point. President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali of Tunisia, who controlled
his population with an iron fist since his arrival to the presidential
palace in 1987, must have crossed that point. He was forced to flee the
country amid the angry chants of thousands of Tunisians, fed up with
growing unemployment, soaring inflation, government corruption, violent
crackdowns and lack of political freedom. These mounting frustrations
led to relentless protests throughout the country. The government's
subsequent crackdowns only stirred emotions beyond any crowd
control...more
<http://palestinechr onicle.com/ view_article_ details.php? id=16568>
*Tunisian Uprising and West's Double Standards*
<http://palestinechr onicle.com/ view_article_ details.php? id=16567>
Palestine Chronicle: 20 Jan 2011 - By Mohamed El Mokhtar Tunisia is a
compelling case study for the Arab world. Here is a repressive 'secular'
police state imposed, with the flagrant complicity of the West, upon one
of the most economically dynamic and culturally vibrant Arab societies.
Despite its well-educated and entrepreneurial middle-class, this open
and modern country was heavy-handedly ruled, with an iron-fist, by an
autocratic ruler, and it turns out a very corrupt and cruel one too, for
more than two decades unrelentingly. She remained all this time
politically completely isolated from the outside world and its many
democratic convulsions, ubiquitous class struggles and universal search
for freedom. The main reason to this desolate state of affairs and
underserved longevity lies within the following scam: The regime of Zine
El Abidine Ben Ali has cunningly portrayed himself as a shining beacon
of secularism and an indispensable bulwark against religious extremism
and Islamic terrorism in...more
<http://palestinechr onicle.com/ view_article_ details.php? id=16567>
More material available from Vermonters for a Just Peace in
Palestine/Israel -www.vtjp.org <http://www.vtjp. org/>
To subscribe, please write toOccupationNews- subscribe@ yahoogroups. com
<mailto:OccupationNews- subscribe@ yahoogroups. com>or
visithttp:// groups.yahoo. com/group/ OccupationNews/ join
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Post by ninathedog on Jan 22, 2011 18:48:18 GMT 4
Gaza on the Ground:
Operation Cast Lead Is Over,
But the Nightmare ContinuesBy Mohammed Omer
December 2010, Pages 18-19
Washington Report on Middle East Affairs Abdullah (in red shirt) and his little brother (r) play “Arabs and Israelis”
with their friends in the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah. (Photo M. Omer)The Sept. 6, 2010 issue of the leading German newspaper Der Spiegel included the article "Studies Show Nurture at Least as Important as Nature" by Joerge Blech on the findings of a groundbreaking study on intelligence. Researchers found that prolonged poverty, stress and other environmental factors—including war and the deprivation of basic needs—directly affect a child's intelligence and, therefore, his or her life prospects. Previously it was believed that intelligence was 80 percent genetic. These latest findings, however, show that at least 50 percent of an individual's intelligence is actually determined by environmental factors. More specifically: the more stress, the more arrested mental development. As one of the researchers, Richard Nisbett, a psychologist at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, noted: "During World War II, some children in Holland started school late because of the Nazi occupation—with momentous consequences. The average IQ for these children was seven points lower than for children who came of school age after the siege." The Nazi persecution and World War II in Europe, which lasted from 1933 to 1945, affected an entire generation of children. By contrast, Israel's dispossession and occupation of Palestine has lasted some six decades—and counting. Generations of Palestinian children have been affected physically, psychologically and materially. Since Ariel Sharon instigated the al-Aqsa intifada in late 2000, Israeli repression has been most restrictive, and most steadily escalated, in Gaza. According to "Gaza Strip: A Humanitarian Implosion," a 16-page BBC report released in March 2008: "In September 2007, an UNRWA survey in the Gaza Strip revealed that there was a nearly 80 percent failure rate in schools grades four to nine, with up to 90 percent failure rates in Mathematics. In January 2008, UNICEF reported that schools in Gaza had been cancelling classes that were high on energy consumption, such as IT, science labs and extra curricular activities." The report adds that "The number of people living in absolute poverty in Gaza has increased sharply. Today, 80 percent of families in Gaza currently rely on humanitarian aid, compared to 63 percent in 2006. This decline exposes unprecedented levels of poverty and the inability of a large majority of the population to afford basic food." War, poverty, stress caused by financial and personal insecurity due to living under occupation, the constant scarcity of basic necessities including food, sewer treatment, water and medical care, the threat of constant attack by military forces, forced imprisonment, lack of movement, lack of rights—these are the daily realities of children in Gaza, realities they, their parents and their grandparents have known their whole lives. This is the recurring nightmare that is Gaza. A Child's LifeAt first glance, 13-year-old Khalil seems like your average teenager. His young body is just beginning to mature, and he is curious, easily distracted and slightly mischievous. A closer inspection, however, reveals a vacant look in his eyes more associated with age. In fact, if one saw only his eyes, one would guess Khalil is close to 50, not 13. What's missing is that sense of invincibility and heightened optimism common among youth his age elsewhere in the world. Where American and European children talk about the latest rap band, their school vacation or their latest crush, Khalil simply shrugs apathetically. "Excuse me, but the war has wiped blank all my beautiful memories," he says somewhat sarcastically. "The front half of my house was damaged, so that I am transferred to a life-situation that I never dreamed I would be experiencing. After years of living in a large house," he explains, "I now live at Al Zahra city." Khalil's home was destroyed in January 2009, during Israel's "Operation Cast Lead" assault, plunging his middle-class family into homelessness in an instant. Unlike in a natural disaster, insurance funds and global assistance were not available. His situation was man-made—and Khalil is far from alone. Still traumatized, he remembers a friend of his being blown to pieces when an Israeli missile struck his neighborhood. Understandably, these are things he would rather forget—but can't. Because of Israel's siege, few resources are available to help him cope with his trauma and move on with his life. The children's stories are difficult to hear, of course. But as any parent knows, the pain of their children is felt two-fold by those responsible for care giving. Love, after all, can go only so far. A Parent's Frustration Abu Abdullah of Rafah expresses the pain of most parents in Gaza: the inability to protect his children. His wife frets because she cannot comfort them. The younger children, aged 10, 7 and 4, wet their beds and she feels helpless to quell their fears. "It's like a cancer you can't control or stop," Umm Abdullah says. Nodding, Abu Abdullah sits on the stoop of his house watching his children play "Arabs and Israelis," the occupied territory's version of "Cowboys and Indians" or "Cops and Robbers." In the role of a soldier, his oldest son, Abdullah, aims a plastic Chinese toy gun at his brother's head. "I am going to kill you right now," the teenager says. The game is popular among children who've had few outlets to channel their emotions since Operation Cast Lead. Abu Abdullah would rather they play soccer, but this game reflects the reality of their lives and gives his children some sense of control. Even when he's awake Abu Abdullah's 12-year-old son suffers from nightmares about Israeli F-16s bombing his neighborhood. In his dreams, all the children are running away from home or school. Some of his friends are injured, others dead, and ambulance sirens scream incessantly in his head. But it's more than a dream: it's what he actually witnessed, and it replays in his mind ad nauseam, rarely giving him peace. Nor are Abdullah's fears imaginary. When his mother sent him to buy lentils from the nearby grocery store less than three minutes away, the boy returned home with no lentils and his pants soaked in urine. Asked about the lentils, Abdullah began crying and told his mother in a voice quaking with fear that "the drones are bombing." Teachers who work with at risk students in inner-city neighborhoods around the world can attest to the effect poverty, violence, guns and fear have on the children forced by circumstance to live in these situations. Gaza is the inner city on steroids. Its children deal not only with gangs in the form of resistance, but they also must endure the assaults—usually in the middle of the night—of the world's fourth most powerful military. The effects on the children are predictable: Fights and violent behavior, in schools and on the streets, have escalated in frequency and intensity, according to psychologists who visit Gaza's schools. Psychologist Zahia Al Qarra with the Gaza Community Mental Health Program (GCMHP) says that 79.9 percent of the children she sees feel they are in a big prison. Another 79.3 percent say that they cannot afford to buy what they need or want. According to a recent GCMHP study, 20 percent of Gaza's children suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder [PTSD], and another 13 percent are diagnosed with depression. In Gaza's UNRWA-run schools, where literacy and academic standards are usually high, 9,000 primary students failed their school work and exams last academic year. Another GCMHP psychiatrist confirms that cases of disease, behavioral problems and psychological traumas have multiplied among Gaza's children, citing increases in autistic behavior, bedwetting, thumb-sucking, nail biting, anger, slow-motion flashbacks, reliving war scenes in familiar neighborhoods, fear of the dark, agoraphobia, panic at the sound of planes overhead, and disinterest in taking part in social and group activities—all symptoms of PTSD and depression. "It's not just the children" says Abu Diaa, a father of seven. "It's also we adults who need psychological counseling." Like most parents in Gaza, Abu Diaa, whose only income is a disability pension from a 2003 injury, worries constantly about finding food and clothing for his children. "It is two different types of traumas," Abu Diaa explains, "living in fear of attacks and worrying about not having a job to protect one's family." Psychiatrists and general practitioners in Gaza observe that parents often do not realize the extent to which their children are traumatized. Many are trying to deal with their own pain and stress and often neglect or delay their own treatment. Add to this the stigma about seeking psychological treatment for themselves or their children. Palestinian and Arab society does not embrace victimhood, and seeking help is often equated with admitting one is powerless and therefore a victim. GCMHP director Dr. Ahmed Abu Tawahinah notes that when a patient visits a doctor, he "never says I am depressed or I have PTSD." Rather he'll say something like, "I have a headache." A Society Under StressThe physical and psychological effects of Gaza's plight are pervasive. According to the GCMHP's Al Qarra, divorces have increased, often due to poverty. When parents are unable to fully care for their children due to their own trauma, she adds, increasing numbers of children are forced to leave home or run away. They find themselves on the streets, digging through garbage containers for a few things to sell to make a bit of money or eat. Incidents of sexual abuse, previously unheard of in Gaza, also are being reported. This past September, 20 months after Israel's war on Gaza, Dr. Jamil Al Tahrawi, a university lecturer in social psychology, decided to analyze the art work of children in Gaza to try and assess the depth of their psychological trauma. He asked 455 children to draw whatever they wanted. More than 82.3 percent drew images directly related to Israeli attacks on Gaza. Some of these drawings show Palestinian resistance fighters, Israeli soldiers, tanks, bulldozers, ambulances, helicopters, F-16s, and pilotless Israeli drones. The children mainly used light colors in their drawings, avoiding dark colors as if they were afraid of them. Dr. Al Tahrawi and other doctors in Gaza saw a clear indication in the drawings of trauma following war crimes similar to those mentioned in Judge Richard Goldstone's report for the U.N. Human Rights Council. Indeed, Dr. Al Tawahiha confides, all 1.6 million residents of Gaza are traumatized to some extent—"including myself." As Israel continues its attacks on Gaza, the nightmare continues for Abdullah and all residents of Gaza. Nearly two years after Operation Cast Lead, Abdullah still is afraid to sleep, afraid to play and afraid to walk to school in the daytime, even with his father by his side. One can only guess at the long-term physical, emotional and intellectual effects Israel's continued occupation and siege will have on his life and millions of other Palestinians. One thing is certain, however: It is affecting everyone.
Award-winning journalist Mohammed Omer reports on the Gaza Strip, and maintains the Web site RafahToday.org . He can be reached at <gazanews@yahoo.com>.www.washington-report.org/component/content/article/362/10215-gaza-on-the-ground-operation-cast-lead-is-over-but-the-nightmare-continues.html(many thanks to Mohammed Omer)............ For a list of names, circumstances of their deaths, and a tally of the child-victims in the last decade of this ongoing crisis between Palestine and Israel, visit RememberTheseChildren.org
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