Israelis kill seven Palestinians
BBC Online 8/25/2007
Seven Palestinians - at least five of them militants - have been killed by Israeli troops. Two of the dead breached the tightly guarded northern Gaza Strip border and were in Israel when they were shot. In the West Bank city of Jenin, three militants were killed. One of the dead is thought to be a leader of the militant group Islamic Jihad. Palestinian officials said two teenage boys were also killed by Israeli troops in an unrelated incident in Gaza. Medical officials said the two were civilians aged 15 and 16, who were shot close to an Israeli observation post near the town of Beit Lahiya. 'Martyrdom operation' - Troops were sent to the Erez border crossing after two gunmen scaled an eight metre (25ft) wall using a ladder, the Israeli military said.
Abbas opposes exchange of populated territory with Israel
Yoav Stern, Ha'aretz 8/25/2007
Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas said Saturday he opposes the exchange of populated territory between Israel and the PA within the framework of a peace deal. At a meeting with Hadash Chairman MK Mohammad Barakeh, Abbas stated he is against a final status accord under which areas in Israel containing Arab Israelis would become part of a future Palestinian state's territory. This would be in return for settlement blocs in the West Bank remaining under Israeli sovereignty. The PA Chairman was referring to a proposal recently published in Haaretz and formulated by President Shimon Peres while he was still vice premier, in which Israel would propose transferring to the Palestinian state areas equivalent to 100 percent of the territories conquered in 1967.
One injured, three kidnapped at non-violent demonstration in Bil'in
Ghassan Bannoura, International Middle East Media Center 8/24/2007
On Friday around one hundred Palestinian villagers from the village of Bil'in, located near the central west Bank city of Ramallah, joined by international and Israeli peace activists conducted their weekly nonviolent protest against the illegal Israeli wall and continued settlement construction on the village land. As is the case each week, Israeli soldiers closed the street leading to the land scheduled for confiscation. As soon as the protesters arrived at the military barrier, Israeli troops showered demonstrators with rubber-coated steel bullets, sound bombs and tear gas. Two people, later identified as Haytham Al Khatib and Adeep Abu Rahmah, were injured in the attack. During the protest, another three were kidnapped by the Israeli forces, including two journalists.
Brigades launch ambush against Israeli troops invading refugee camp in Nablus
Ma'an News Agency 8/25/2007
Nablus - Ma'an – The Hamas-affiliated Al Qasam Brigades and the Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) have declared that they have killed and injured many Israeli soldiers in an ambush in Ein Beit el Ma refugee camp, west of Nablus city centre. In a phone call to Ma'an, the groups stated that threw a hand grenade at an Israeli force, patrolling the streets of the camp on Saturday morning. The Brigades then shot intensively at the force, "resulted in the deaths of two, and injuring many others". Eyewitnesses said that they heard a series of explosions and exchanges of fire between Palestinian fighters and Israeli forces in the camp. During the same incursion, the Fatah-affiliated Al Aqsa Brigades and the Islamic Jihad-affiliated Al Quds Brigades have revealed...
Israeli boy killed in Border Police raid in West Bank
Yuval Azoulay and News Agencies, Ha'aretz 8/25/2007
An 11-year-old Israeli boy from Rahat who was visiting his mother's family near Tul Karm was killed on Friday during a Border Police arrest raid. A wanted Islamic Jihad militant was also killed in the arrest raid in Kafr Saida, northeast of Tul Karm, and a second was seriously wounded. The boy, Mahmoud Ibrahim Karnawi, lived in Rahat with his parents - a divorced Palestinian woman who remarried an Israeli Arab, according to relatives. Palestinian witnesses said the boy was killed in a gunfight that broke out as the troops approached the family's home in order to arrest his older half-brother, a wanted Islamic Jihad militant. Neighbors said the boy was inside the home at the time of the shooting and hit in the crossfire. Hospital officials in the nearby town of Tul Karm confirmed the death.
Rivals battle at Gaza protest
Al Jazeera 8/24/2007
Hamas security forces have broken up a demonstration by hundreds of Gaza residents loyal to the Fatah faction of Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president. Members of the Executive Force fired shots into the air and briefly detained a number of journalists on Friday in Gaza City. The protesters chanted pro-Fatah slogans as they marched along the streets, applauding as others smashed an unmanned Hamas post at the side on the road. Rocks were thrown at a security compound commandeered by Hamas when they took full control of the territory after street battles in June. Fatah had called for its supporters to assemble at the Unknown Soldier square as a peaceful protest against Hamas's control of the Gaza Strip, but the gathering turned into a rally.
Fighter, child killed by Israeli troops near Tulkarem
International Middle East Media Center 8/24/2007
On Friday evening, Israeli soldiers shot and killed one leader of the Al Quds Brigades, the armed wing of the Islamic Jihad, after the army invaded Saida village, north of Tulkarem in the northern part of the West Bank. During the military offensive, soldiers also shot and killed a 13-year old child. Local sources in the village reported that the killed fighter is identified as Ziad Milhim, 22, one of the leaders of the Al Quds Brigades. Milhim was shot dead during an exchange of fire with the invading forces after troops surrounded the house of another fighter identified as Sadeeq Odah. During the same offensive, soldiers shot and killed Mahmoud Ibrahim Al Qareenai, 13, from Rahat village in the Negev. Al Qareenawi is the half-brother of Odah, and his mother if from Rahat in the Negev; the mother and the child were visiting the village when the invasion took place.
Palestinians with foreign residence permits to be able to leave Gaza Strip from Sunday
Ma'an News Agency 8/25/2007
Ramallah - Ma'an – On Sunday 26th August, Palestinians in the Gaza Strip with residency permits for other countries will finally be able to start leaving the strip to return to their places of residence. The head of the civil affairs corporation, Hussein Ash Sheikh, told Ma'an, "We are doing our best to make this a successful issue. Tomorrow, we will start with the first group who has residence permits in other countries. If tomorrow is successful, thousands will be leaving in the coming few days." Ash Sheikh added that the offices of the corporation in the Strip "are working day and night to solve the issue, especially for the students." When Hamas took over control of the Gaza Strip, Israel sealed the borders, stranding over 4000 Palestinians with foreign resident permits in the Strip.
Americans stranded in Gaza since Hamas takeover evacuated
The Associated Press, Ha'aretz 8/26/2007
After weeks of waiting, several Americans have been evacuated from the Gaza Strip, where they were trapped when the Palestinian militant group Hamas took control in June. The Council on American-Islamic Relations had petitioned U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice earlier this month to aid in the evacuation of Americans trapped in the region. They were stopped from crossing the border back into Egypt or Israel after Hamas wrested control of the area from the rival Fatah movement. The husband of one of the evacuees, Hossam Bahour, said two buses full of Americans traveled several hours to Israel on Thursday. The American consulate in Jerusalem organized the evacuation, Bahour said. U.S. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said U.
Palestinian prisoner dies in Israeli custody
Ma'an News Agency 8/25/2007
Bethlehem – Ma'an – Informed Palestinian sources revealed that a Palestinian detainee in the Israeli prison of Ramla, 22-year-old 'Umar Masalmah, died on Saturday evening. Masalmah was from Hebron in the southern occupied Palestinian West Bank. Chair of the Palestinian Prisoners' Association, Quddura Faris, said that Masalmah was in good health two days ago. Faris implied wrongdoing in the treatment of Masalmah in the Israeli prison. Faris also stated that Masalmah's family visited him last Thursday and said that he was healthy. [end]
Fatah spokesperson: Initial Israeli approval granted for temporary return of exiled Fatah leaders
Ma'an News Agency 8/25/2007
Ramallah – Ma'an – The spokesperson of the Fatah movement, Ahmad Abd Ar-Rahman, said on Saturday that "there is a possibility that exiled Fatah leaders may return to the [occupied] Palestinian territories, in addition to DFLP secretary general, Nayif Hawatmeh". He added that Palestinian President Abbas has received initial approval from Israel, yet the Israelis are reported to be insisting on any return being temporary, in effect, issuing a visitors' visa. In a press conference held in the central West Bank city of Ramallah, Abd Ar-Rahman stated that no contacts are being currently established with Hamas, declaring that the Hamas' takeover in the Gaza Strip "must come to an end, along with all its consequences". He also accused Hamas of circulating misleading information, claiming that contacts are being...
Shalit alive and well, Mashaal says
Ynet, YNetNews 8/25/2007
Hamas politiburo chief, in interview with CNN, says kidnapped soldier is fine, adds Israel to blame for stagnation of prisoner swap deal - Kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit is alive and well, Hamas politiburo chief Khaled Mashaal said in a weekend interview to CNN. He said that Hamas had reached out to Shalit's father to tell him his son was fine and that Hamas had given him eyeglasses when he requested them. Shalit, however, said in an audiotape message posted on a Hamas website in June that his health was deteriorating and that he was in need of long-term hospitalization. According to Mashaal, who was speaking in his first western interview in two years, Hamas has been negotiating a release of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Shalit, viaan Egyptian intermediary.
Noam Shalit denies receiving calming message from Hamas
Jack Khoury, and Haaretz Service, Ha'aretz 8/26/2007
Noam Shalit, father of abducted IDF soldier Gilad Shalit, on Saturday denied that Hamas leader Khaled Meshal had contacted him to inform him that Gilad is alive. In an interview with CNN on Friday, Meshal, the head of Hamas' political office in Damascus, said he had confirmed to Noam Shalit that his son was alive and well, and that Hamas has given the kidnapped soldier a pair of eyeglasses. In the past, Shalit's captors have refused to accept eyeglasses sent by his parents because they feared they were embedded with miniature electronic devices. In a conversation with Haaretz, Noam Shalit said no direct contact has been made between him and Hamas or his son's kidnappers. In reference to Meshal's statements about the state of his son's health, Noam Shalit said: "I do not know, and have no indication...
Haniyeh criticizes U.S. decision to blacklist Gaza charity
John Smith, International Middle East Media Center 8/24/2007
Deposed Palestinian Prime Minister and head of the Hamas movement Ismail Haniyeh on Thursday criticized a U.S. decision to blacklist a prominent Gaza-based charity. Bank accounts belonging to the Al-Salah Association, a prominent Gaza charity, were frozen by numerous Palestinian banks after the U.S. administration branded the group as a "support node" for Hamas and blacklisted it. Haniyeh blasted the decision as an attempt to further isolate both the Gaza Strip and the Hamas movement, stating that "the decision is connected to the siege imposed on 1. 5 million people in the Gaza Strip […]. They imposed the siege because they did not want the Islamist example represented in Hamas to succeed in governance and politics. The Gaza Strip has been subjected to a political, military and economic siege since Hamas won...
Egyptian Ambassador to Palestine calls for unity amongst Palestinian factions
Ameen Abu Warda, International Middle East Media Center 8/24/2007
Ashraf Akel, the Ambassador of the Arab republic of Egypt to Palestine, has called for unity amongst the various Palestinians factions, and expressed the hope that each of the groups could work together to preserve the Palestinian cause and overcome the dreadful situation. During a visit to the northern West Bank city of Nablus, the Ambassador stated that the Egyptian people and government continued to offer their full support to the Palestinian in their struggle for basic rights. Akel added that the current Palestinian government had many responsibilities and that it must work to the best of its ability to fulfill these and to serve the Palestinian people, but realized that success in this venture could only be achieved the restoration of peace and the removal of Israeli obstacles.
Fighters killed at Gaza crossing
Al Jazeera 8/25/2007
Two Palestinian fighters have been shot dead while attempting to cross into Israel from the Gaza Strip. An Israeli soldier was also wounded when fighting broke out on Saturday after the two fighters opened fire on an Israeli office at the Erez border crossing in the north of the territory. A Israeli spokesman confirmed that soldiers from the Golani regiment shot the two Palestinians. The Popular Resistance Committees and a group linked to the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) claimed responsibility for what they call a "joint attack on Israeli territory". The dead men were identified as Khader Aokal, 22, a fighter from the Popular Resistance Committees, and Mohammed Saker, 22, from the DFLP. A spokesman for the Popular Resistance Committees in Gaza said that the fighters had intended...
IDF: Gaza gunmen highly skilled
Hanan Greenberg, YNetNews 8/25/2007
Palestinian infiltrators used sophisticated device to cross Gaza border wall, army says - The device used by Palestinian infiltrators Saturday morning to cross the wall separating Gaza from Israel is professional and sophisticated, IDF Northern Gaza Brigade Commander Moni Katz said Saturday afternoon. "This device may have been built with the help of information that came from outside the Gaza Strip," he said. Saturday morning, IDF soldiers killed two heavily armed Palestinian gunmen who crossed into Israel near Gaza's Erez crossing. Colonel Katz estimated that the two terrorists were assisted by two other people as they crossed the nine meter (roughly 30 feet) fence. Later, the collaborators went back into the Strip as the two gunmen headed north in the direction of the Coordination and Liaison Administration at the Erez crossing.
Islamic Jihad combatants launch projectiles at Israeli town of Sderot
Ma'an News Agency 8/25/2007
Gaza – Ma'an – The military wing of Islamic Jihad, the Al Quds Brigades, on Saturday evening claimed responsibility for launching two homemade projectiles at the Israeli Western Negev town of Sderot. The brigades issued a statement revealing that the operation is retaliation for the assassination of leader in Jenin, Mustafa Barbari. Israeli announced that a vehicle was damaged in the attack, but there were no injuries reported. [end]
Qassam hits Sderot vehicle
Tova Dadon, YNetNews 8/25/2007
Color Red alert sends residents to take cover as rocket hits parked car. 'We are aware of the importance of taking cover,' says municipality's security chief - A Qassam rocket fired from northern Gaza towards Israel hit a Sderot vehicle Saturday, destroying it completely. No injuries were reported. The car was quickly towed away, leaving the residents grateful that no lives were lost, as was the case in previous incidents of rockets hitting cars. "We are very lucky only a car was hit"¦ the city's residents are aware of the importance of taking cover when the Color Red alert is sounded," Yehuda Ben-Mamman, Sderot Municipality's security chief told Ynet. The city was lucky on Thursday as well, when a Qassam rocket hit a house, causing only property damage and anxiety injuries. [end]
Eight Palestinians killed by Israeli forces in last 12 hours, across oPt
Ma'an News Agency 8/25/2007
Bethlehem - Ma'an - Eight Palestinians have been killed in the occupied territories in the last 12 hours. Ma'an's correspondent in Jenin reported that Alaa Surour, 25, from the Al Quds Brigades, was killed, and four others injured, in Jenin. One of those injured in the Jenin attack has subsequently died from his injuries. Mustafa 'Ateeq, 23, also from the Al Quds Brigades, received a gunshot to his neck. In the Gaza Strip, the National Resistance Brigades of the DFLP announced that two of their members were killed during a guerilla operation near the Erez Crossing on the northern borders of the Strip early on Saturday morning. The deceased were named as Khadir 'Ukal and Muhammad Sakir. The PRC-affiliated An Nasser Salah Ad Din Brigades announced that armed clashes erupted between a group of their fighters,...
Al Quds Brigades leader and one other operative assassinated by Israeli forces in Jenin; four others injured
Ma'an News Agency 8/25/2007
Jenin- Ma'an- A leader of the Islamic Jihad-affiliated Al Quds Brigades, Alaa Salah Mohammad Surour, has been killed in Jenin, while four others were injured, when Israeli Special Forces launched a military operation in the city, early on Saturday morning. One of those injured, Mustafa 'Ateeq, 23, also an Al Quds operative, has now died from his injuries sustained this morning. He received a gunshot to his neck. Eyewitnesses reported that "the man and his comrades were in a car in the city center, when they stopped to drink coffee in one of the cafes. They did not leave their car, but stopped for a little while. In the meantime, a Volkswagen car suddenly arrived. Several Israeli soldiers jumped out and started shooting at the car and its immediate vicinity.
Palestinian resistance claim killing two Israeli soldiers, army denies
Amin Abu Wardah, International Middle East Media Center 8/25/2007
Palestinian resistance groups in the northern West Bank city of Nablus reported on Saturday morning that they attacked an invading Israeli army force, in Ein Beit Al Ma' refugee camp, in Nablus, and killed two soldiers. In a joint press release, the Abau Ali Mustafa brigades, the armed wing of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), and the Al Qassam brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, said that resistance fighters of two resistance groups hurled homemade bombs at the Israeli forces invading teh area, killing two soldiers. Meanhwile, the Israeli military stated that its invading forces were attacked, but did not report any casualties. Eyewitnesses in the city said that army ambulances and additional troops were brought to the location of the attack. [end]
Undercover Israeli troops kill one Palestinian and injure another four in Jenin
Ali Samudi, International Middle East Media Center 8/25/2007
An undercover Israeli army force has killed one Palestinian resistance fighter and injured three of his comrades after ambushing them in the city of Jenin located in the northern part of the West Bank. At around 6:30 of Saturday morning a group of undercover Israeli soldiers infiltrated the city of Jenin, in the city center the undercover troops spotted a car that belongs to resistance men from Al Qudes brigades the armed wing of the Islamic Jihad. The Israeli soldiers showered the car with live rounds, killing the leader of the Al Qudes brigades in Jenin city Ala Abu Suror, 30, and injuring three of his comrades, one critically , a bystander was injured during the attack. The undercover force left the city shortly after the attack; Palestinian ambulances moved the injured and the killed to the local city hospital sources told IMEMC.
Islamic Jihad fighter dies of earlier wounds sustained during Israeli army invasion to Jenin
International Middle East Media Center 8/26/2007
The Al Quds Brigades, the armed wing of the Islamic Jihad, reported on Saturday evening that one of its fighters died of wounds sustained on Saturday morning during an Israeli military invasion to Jenin, in the northern part of the West Bank. The fighter was identified as Mustafa Mahmoud Ateeq, 22. A senior source at the Brigades stated that Ateeq was shot and injured by the under-cover forces of the Israeli army after these forces opened fire at a vehicle transporting several fighters in Jenin. Leader of the Brigades, Ala' Abu Sa'id was killed during the attack, and Ateeq was injured by two rounds of live ammunition, one in his face and one is his shoulder. He was moved to Jenin governmental hospital then to another Arab hospital within Israel where he died of his wounds.
Brigades launch projectiles at Sderot, Kafa 'Aza
Ma'an News Agency 8/25/2007
Gaza - Ma'an - The Fatah-affiliated Al Aqsa Brigades have announced that they launched a homemade projectile at the Israeli town of Sderot on Saturday morning. The An Nasser Salah Ad Din Brigades of the Popular Resistance Committees, and the National Resistance Brigades of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, also announced the launching of three mortars at Kfar 'Aza on Saturday morning. Statements issued by the Brigades all agreed that the operations came as "part of the retaliation against the Israeli crimes and aggressions against Palestinian people in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip." [end]
Female Fatah members protest desecration of man's grave, killed by Hamas members in June
Ma'an News Agency 8/25/2007
Bethlehem – Ma'an – Female Fatah members have organized a march in the northern Gaza town of Beit Lahia, to the tomb of Samih Al Madhoun, killed by Hamas activists during the confrontations last June between Fatah-loyal PA security services and gunmen of the Hamas movement. The marchers raised Fatah flags and posters, shouted slogans supporting Fatah, and condemned recent attacks on cemeteries. One of Al Madhoun's relatives told Ma'an, "Hamas killed Samih and mutilated the body. They have also shot at his grave many times, and are continuing their attacks on his grave."
Hamas fighters launch mortars at Israeli crossings in Gaza
Ma'an News Agency 8/25/2007
Gaza – Ma'an – The military wing of Hamas, the Qassam Brigades, claimed responsibility for launching eight mortars at the Israeli-controlled Erez and Kerem Shalom Crossings on Saturday. The brigades issued a statement announcing that "a group of fighters detonated a roadside bomb when an Israeli jeep passed Kerem Shalom Crossing and launched four other mortars at the Israeli forces at the same post." The statement added "we will continue launching projectiles at Israeli towns and troops, and that is part of the retaliation for Israeli crimes against Palestinian people." [end]
Arab group: We're behind Galilee murder
Roee Nahmias, YNetNews 8/25/2007
Free People of the Galilee claims man shot in Jerusalem after snatching security guard's weapon also killed Upper Nazareth resident six weeks ago - Ahmad Khatib, who was shot to death by a security guard in Jerusalem two weeks ago after seizing another guard's weapon, was behind another attack - the killing of an Upper Nazareth resident some six weeks ago - the Arab-Israeli Free People of the Galilee organization said Saturday. Palestinian news agency Ma'an published the organization's statement, saying that Khatib murdered 68-years old Michael Ronkin outside his home. Ronkin was found by Magen David Adom emergency services paramedics, suffering from multiple stab wounds. The investigation into Ronkin's murder was placed under a gag order leaving many questions unanswered, but his son said he believed his father's killing was a nationalist one.
War damaged 90 percent of South's vegetation - report
Hesham Shawish Special to The Daily Star, Daily Star 8/25/2007
BEIRUT: More than 90 percent of the vegetation covering Southern villages was damaged by last year's war with Israel, according to a report published on Friday by the Association for Forests, Development and Conservation (AFDC). "Damage from last year's war has touched most of the Southern villages, as well as 94. 6 percent of vegetation covering there, as a result of direct bombing, especially during the last days of the war," the report said. It said that a total area of 1,021. 3 hectares (712. 5 hectares of forests and 308. 8 of olives groves) were damaged. AFDC found that 37 percent of total damaged vegetation consisted of oak trees, 3 percent were pine trees and 60 percent were mixed forests. According to the report, the largest affected area was in Tyre, followed by Nabatiyeh, then Bint Jbeil.
Officer's lawyers say probe into W. Bank op was flawed
Yuval Azoulay, Ha'aretz 8/24/2007
Attorneys defending the platoon commander being investigated by the Military Police for violations during an operation in a Palestinian village claim that the investigation's integrity has been violated and field security has been breached. The defense team for Lieutenant G. are also demanding a criminal investigation against officers in Central Command suspected of violating the integrity of a separate operational investigation carried out after the incident. In a letter to the military advocate general, Brigadier General Avihai Mandelblit, the defense attorneys say evidence in the investigation carried out by the Israel Defense Forces was made available to the Military Police, and this constitutes a breach of regulations and undermines the integrity of the process.
This Week In Palestine – Week 34 2007
Ghassan Bannoura - Audio dept, International Middle East Media Center 8/24/2007
Click on Link to download or play MP3 file || File 11. 9MB || Time 13m 0s || This Week In Palestine, a service of the International Middle East Media Center, www. IMEMC. org, for August 18th through August 24th, 2007. Tony Blair announced his intention to visit the region next week to revive the peace process while the Israeli army attack the Gaza strip and the west Bank, killing 14 Palestinians this week, these stories and more coming up stay tuned. Nonviolent Resistance in Palestine Let's begin our weekly report with news of nonviolent action in the West Bank cities of Ramallah and Bethlehem against the wall and settlements. IMEMC's George Rishmawi has more: Bethlehem On Friday midday, some 100 unarmed protestors congregated in the village of Al Walaja, near the southern West Bank city of Bethlehem.
Mubarak: Mideast summit lacks structure, consensus on issues
Reuters, Ha'aretz 8/26/2007
The Middle East peace conference called by U.S. President George W. Bush lacks a framework, Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak was quoted as saying on Saturday. Consensus on issues including the principles of Palestinian statehood should be reached before the meeting, the semi-official Egyptian newspaper Akhbar al-Youm quoted Mubarak as saying." Egypt supports the necessity of consensus around all the outstanding cases for political settlement before the international meeting called for by President Bush is held," Mubarak said. Issues including whether or not Syria would participate in the meeting had not yet been finalized, Mubarak said. "Until now the framework of what will be discussed has not been specified," Mubarak was quoted as saying.
UN force to remain in Lebanon
Al Jazeera 8/25/2007
The UN Security Council has extended the mandate of the UN's peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon, which was expanded after last year's war between Israel and Hezbollah. The mission of the 15,000-strong United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) was extended to August 31, 2008 after resolution 1778 was unanimously passed on Friday. The resolution commended Unifil, "whose deployment together with the Lebanese Armed Forces has helped to establish a new strategic environment in southern Lebanon." The multinational force, first deployed in 1978, now monitors a buffer-zone keeping apart the Israeli army and Hezbollah fighters. The peacekeeping force also aims to help Lebanon's army forces take control of southern Lebanon and ensure humanitarian aid reaches civilians.
Al Mezan center accuses Executive Force of attacking journalists and their freedoms
Ma'an News Agency 8/25/2007
Gaza - Ma'an – The Al Mezan center has accused the Hamas-affiliated Executive Force of obstructing the work and freedom of journalists. The center called for accountability for those who attacked journalists on Friday in Gaza City. The center has issued a report, stating that the Executive Force arrested four journalists, attacking and assaulting many other journalists. The four men were later released, but two expensive cameras were destroyed during the arrests, according to the report. Al Mizan described events during a protest organized by Fatah supporters on Friday, saying that, "The journalists were covering the event Friday after the noon prayers. Marchers were protesting peacefully in the streets, with slogans supporting [President] Abbas.
Palestinian press demonstrate in the West Bank to show solidarity with Gaza journalists
Ma'an News Agency 8/25/2007
Ramallah – Ma'an – Dozens of Palestinian journalists and representatives of foreign and local news outlets on Saturday held a sit-in demonstration in the central West Bank city of Ramallah. The sit-in is intended to show solidarity with journalists in the Gaza Strip. The organisers of the demonstration issued a statement declaring "we want to show our solidarity with the journalists in Gaza, for the assaults and oppression they suffer from the Hamas-affiliated Executive Force." Human rights organisations have registered several violations against media outlets, which they described as dangerous. Among the assaults listed were "beating, firing gunshots overhead, detention, damaging property and confiscating recorded material." Some members of the Palestinian Legislative Council took part in the sit-in,...
Israeli military courts extend detention of several Palestinian prisoners
Ma'an News Agency 8/25/2007
Nablus - Ma'an - Israeli military courts have extended the periods of detention of many Palestinian prisoners currently held in Israeli jails. Petakh Tikva court extended the detention of four prisoners for periods of between 8 and 15 days, to allow for further interrogation before another hearing is held to determine whether or not they may be released. According to the Nafha Prisoner's Society, Al Jalameh and Salem courts extended the detention of six prisoners from Qalqilia. The society also said that Al Jalameh court extended the detention of the Nafha Society Qalqilia branch head, Zaki Daoud, and Mohammad Hassan, the Director General, for a further 8 days of interrogation. [end]
A comprehensive report on Israeli detention camps and prisons
Saed Bannoura, International Middle East Media Center 8/25/2007
"Israeli Prisons, graves for living Palestinian detainees" A comprehensive report prepared by Abdul-Nasser Farawna, an ex-detainee, a specialist in Palestinian Detainee's Affairs and the head of the census department of the Ministry of Detainees and Freed Detainees,prepared a comprehensive report on Palestinian detainees imprisoned by Israel. The report revealed that Israel kidnapped 700. 000 Palestinians since it occupied the Palestinian territories in 1967. The report also stated that Israel is violating the rights of the detainees which are guaranteed by the International Law. Farwana said in his report that Israeli prisons are "graves for living Palestinian detainees" as Israel violates their rights, tortures, isolates and medically neglect the detainees in addition to its illegal practices which violate the international law.
Paralysed Gaza girl faces uncertain future
Katya Adler, BBC Online 8/24/2007
Maria lost her mother, grandmother and older brother in the attack - Five-year-old Maria Amin from Gaza is putting on a brave face in the hydrotherapy pool. Two therapists at the Alyn Children's Hospital in Jerusalem are helping her. Maria cannot kick her legs or even feel the water she's floating in. She is permanently attached to a ventilator. Maria was paralysed from the neck down by an Israeli rocket attack in May 2006. The missile was aimed at a leader of the armed Islamic Jihad movement, who was killed outright. So were Maria's mother, her grandmother and seven-year-old brother, who were driving past at the time. Maria was blown through the car window, suffering severe injuries. Israeli law denies compensation to victims of what it calls its "acts of war", but Maria's story was taken up by local as well as foreign press.
Ra'ad Salah injured as police break up conference
Jonathan Li and Yoav Stern, Ha'aretz 8/24/2007
Sheikh Ra'ad Salah, head of the Islamic Movement, northern branch, was taken to hospital in East Jerusalem Wednesday night after the police used a stun grenade to disband a conference he organized in the city's Wadi Joz neighborhood. Jerusalem police sources said yesterday they were not aware of anyone having been injured in the incident. Police sources said that officers went to the Commodore Hotel, near the Mt. of Olives, at 10:30 P. M. , where Salah had organized a joint conference for the Islamic Movement and Hamas. Hamas activities are banned in the city by a law forbidding Palestinian Authority activities within the Jerusalem city limits. On the basis of this law a court order to disperse the gathering was issued, and police were sent to execute it.
Brutal army procedures at the Al Hamra checkpoint
Ali Samoudi, International Middle East Media Center 8/24/2007
The Israeli army was faced with an outburst of anger when residents gathered to protect a Palestinian student from the brute attack that he was exposed to at the Al Hamara checkpoint. The army confiscated the residents ID cards, holding them under the sun for 5 consecutive hours. The incident took place on Thursday afternoon when the Israeli army detained a Palestinian student and savagely beat him. Salem Zayed, a resident of Jenin, reported that the residents left their vehicles and went to the soldiers, asking them to stop assaulting the young man. He added that the army drew their weapons on the residents when they asked the soldiers to cease their assault. The residents protested in front of the checkpoint, calling on the soldiers to release the young man.
Peaceful protest in Al Walaja village faces down massive army presence
Ghassan Bannoura, International Middle East Media Center 8/24/2007
At around 12:30pm, some 100 unarmed protestors congregated in the village of Al Walaja, near the southern West Bank city of Bethlehem. Local villagers met with Israeli and international peace activists, and communally held prayers together. Al Walaja, like other Palestinian villages in the outskirts of Bethlehem, stands to lose some 50% of its land to make way for expanding Israeli settlements, the route of the annexation wall and the construction of a new settlers-only bypass road. The protestors marched a short distance, close to the Christian Cremisan Monastery, which has recently had dozens of olive trees destroyed, and much of its lands confiscated by the Israeli military, where a force of 50 Israeli soldiers were waiting.
Huge Israeli contingent stifles peaceful anti-land-annexation demo near Bethlehem
Ma'an News Agency 8/24/2007
Bethlehem – Ma'an – At approximately midday on Friday, around 100 unarmed protestors congregated in the village of Al Walaja, near the southern West Bank city of Bethlehem. Local villagers met with Israeli and international peace activists and held communal prayers, before embarking on a peaceful demonstration. Al Walaja, like several other Palestinian villages on the outskirts of Bethlehem, is to lose approximately 50% of its land to make way for expanding Israeli settlements, the route of the annexation wall and the construction of a new settlers-only bypass road. The protestors marched a short distance, close to the Christian Cremisan Monastery, which has recently had thousands of forest trees destroyed and much of its land confiscated by the Israeli military.
Israeli court imprisons Palestinian man for attempting to visit his incarcerated brother
Ma'an News Agency 8/24/2007
Jerusalem – Ma'an – The Israeli military court at Ofer sentenced a Palestinian man to five months in prison and 10,000 shekels fine (~$2,400 US) on Friday for entering Israel without a permit. 24-year-old Alaa Ahmad Muhammad Ermeen was en route to the Israeli Negev Prison to visit his brother when he was seized by Israeli police. Ermeen had received permission to visit his brother in jail from the Red Cross. Israeli forces allege that he did not have a valid permit for entering in Israel. [end]
Israeli forces arrest three peaceful demonstrators in Bil'in
Ma'an News Agency 8/24/2007
Ramallah – Ma'an – Several Palestinians were injured and three foreign journalists were seized by Israeli forces during a weekly non-violent protest against the land-confiscation wall in Bil'in on Friday. Dozens gather each week to show solidarity with the people of Bil'in who are losing vast areas of land for the construction of the illegal wall. The march began after Friday prayers and a group of protestors raised flags and banners, baring slogans condemning the construction of the wall and Israeli settlements. Demonstrators chanted in Arabic, English and Hebrew as they marched through the village to the area of the Wall. The marchers were confronted by a huge contingent of Israeli soldiers and barbed wire across a road to prevent their passage.
Supreme Judge Tamimi condemns Israeli attempts to turn Ibrahimi Mosque into a synagogue
Ma'an News Agency 8/24/2007
Hebron – Ma'an – Palestinian Supreme Judge, Sheikh Tayseer Rajab At Tamimi, on Friday accused the Israeli occupation authorities of attempting to gradually seize control of the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron and transform it into a Jewish synagogue. The Ibrahimi Mosque, also known as the Cave of the Patriarchs, is venerated by the three monotheistic religions and is thought to be the burial site of four Biblical couples. According to a 1995 agreement, the Waqf foundation for religious endowments owns 81% of the site. However, the Israeli forces control the entrance to the mosque and regularly prohibit Muslims from entering the area. Tamimi said the Israeli military is increasingly dividing the Ibrahimi Mosque by force to protect "aggressors and settlers".
Israel and the occupied and autonomous territories: ICRC activities July 2007
International Committee of the Red Cross - ICRC, ReliefWeb 8/23/2007
The ICRC started preliminary discussions with the Israeli authorities in order to ensure a smooth and efficient management of the 2007 olive harvest. Olives constitute a strategic economic asset for most Palestinian farmers. Of pivotal importance to the ICRC is the access of farmers to their lands located between the West Bank Barrier and the Green Line, as well as near or inside settlements. The ICRC has been following the issue of access to land throughout the year and will monitor the olive harvest and present its findings to the Israeli authorities. The ICRC continued to monitor the situation stemming from the presence of Israeli settlements and outposts in the southern Hebron hills. Of particular relevance during the month of July was the dismantlement by the IDF of a "mini-wall" flanking the main road, following a ruling of the Israeli High Court of Justice.
Women - and their success stories - speak for themselves at UNIFEM Sabaya Centres
United Nations Development Fund for Women - UNIFEM, ReliefWeb 8/22/2007
In Arabic, 'Sabaya' means 'young women'. And for many young women in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt), UNIFEM's Sabaya Programme means a pathway to empowerment. Sabaya Centres empower women to become agents of change in the struggle for a just, peaceful Palestinian society, by promoting their participation in the social, economic and political life of their communities. Piloted in 2004, the programme has focused on transforming facilities - 15 in the West Bank and 3 in the Gaza Strip - into Women's Centres, equipped to provide a range of activities and services, from educational and legal advice, to psycho-social counseling and support. Established and conceived by UNIFEM, the Sabaya initiative is being implemented in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
OPT: Protection of civilians weekly report 15 - 21 Aug 2007
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs - OCHA, ReliefWeb 8/21/2007
Of note this week - Gaza Strip: - The IDF killed 12 Palestinians and injured eight others. Amongst those killed are six Hamas members, three Islamic Jihad members, two children, and one 18-year-old Palestinian. - IDF bulldozers levelled agricultural land east of Al Bureij Camp and in Al Fukhari area. - 16 Qassam rockets and 48 mortar shells were fired towards Israel, including four Qassams and two mortars that detonated prematurely in the Palestinian area. Three IAF strikes were carried out that lead to the death of three Islamic Jihad members and the injury of one Hamas member. - On 16 and 17 August, the IDF closed Nahal Oz fuel pipelines (the only crossing point for petrol, diesel and cooking gas) due to a security alert. Between 19 and 21 August, fuel supplies for the electricity plant were suspended due to some concerns by the European Commission.
Israel Must Do More for Peace Process, Urges Envoy
Haroon Siddique, MIFTAH 8/25/2007
The man appointed by Gordon Brown to be the UK's Middle East envoy has warned that Israel must do more to improve the lives of the Palestinian people, or else attempts to revive the peace process could fail. Michael Williams, who is currently the UN secretary general's special coordinator for the Middle East peace process, spoke out ahead of taking up his new role next month. A conference aimed at getting the peace process back on track is scheduled to take place in the US in November. But Mr Williams suggested that the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, would have to be given assurances of positive Israeli intentions before he would attend. "For President Abbas to go to the States for this meeting, he will need some clear demonstrations of Israeli support for a continuing peace process," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
Turkey angered by new ADL stance on Armenian 'genocide'
Barak Ravid, Ha'aretz 8/25/2007
The Turkish government is pressuring Israel in an effort to reverse an American Jewish organization's decision to recognize Turkey's massacre of Armenians during World War I as genocide. A meeting between Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul and Israel's ambassador to Ankara, Pinhas Avivi, became "shrill," according to Foreign Ministry sources in Jerusalem. Gul expressed Ankara's "anger and disappointment" over the matter. On Tuesday, the Anti-Defamation League announced that it recognizes the events in which an estimated 1. 5 million Armenians were massacred as "genocide." ADL's national director Abraham Foxman, said he made the decision after discussing the matter with historians and with Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel.
Ex-Arab Israeli lawmaker: Now Hezbollah is stronger than ever
The Associated Press, Ha'aretz 8/25/2007
A former Arab Israeli lawmaker accused by Israel of spying for Hezbollah during its war with Israel last summer praised the guerrilla group Friday, saying it is now stronger than ever. Azmi Bishara, a once prominent Arab Israeli Knesset leader who has been on the run since June, made the comments during a tour of south Lebanon border villages, where he visited the graves of Lebanese war victims and met with their families." Everybody envies the Lebanese for their resistance [Hezbollah] and its leadership, but I envy the resistance for its people," said Bishara, according to comments carried by the state-run National News Agency. Bishara also condemned Israeli attacks against innocent Lebanese civilians during the fighting last year." The massacres that were carried out by Israel were not a coincidence but were a strategic policy to frighten people," he said.
French Jews decry community leader's remarks on aliyah
Anshel Pfeffer, Ha'aretz 8/24/2007
Haaretz's interview with Dr. Joel Mergui, president of the umbrella organization of Jewish groups in Paris, created a stir among French Jews upon its publication yesterday. Mergui suggested that French Jews' growing ties to Israel and the increase in immigration from France might weaken and even decimate the community in France. Community web sites posted extensive quotes from the interview, and a series of Jewish leaders criticized Mergui. One critic, Gil Taieb, is Mergui's deputy in Paris, as well as chair of the French chapter of the IDF Soldier's Welfare Association. Taieb told Haaretz he does not believe the community is in any danger." Three thousand immigrants a year does not pose a danger, and all of the community's leaders should give those people every support..."
The key is constructive ambiguity
Akiva Eldar, Ha'aretz 8/24/2007
The lead story in yesterday's Haaretz was not well received in Palestinian Authority headquarters in Ramallah. The story said that PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas has not definitely rejected Israel's proposal of establishing a Palestinian state with temporary borders. The chairman's office thought it so important to deny this that it issued a denial by Abbas himself to bolster the one issued by Saeb Erekat, the PLO's chief negotiator in talks with Israel. The storm surrounding the Haaretz report was similar to that caused by a report that the PA leadership is actively preventing the opening of the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt. In both cases, leaders of Abbas's Fatah movement became nervous lest Hamas take advantage of these reports to wage psychological warfare against Fatah.
U.S. evangelicals' call for Palestinian state riles local Christian organizations
Daphna Berman, Ha'aretz 8/24/2007
Local Christian groups are up in arms over a letter sent to the White House by evangelical leaders late last month that calls on President George Bush to work toward a two-state solution of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The letter, which was signed by 34 prominent evangelicals, aims to "correct a serious misperception among some people including some U.S. policymakers that all American evangelicals are opposed to a two-state solution and creation of a new Palestinian state that includes the vast majority of the West Bank. Nothing could be further from the truth. We, who sign this letter, represent large numbers of evangelicals throughout the U.S. who support justice for both Israelis and Palestinians."
Ukrainian workers party calls for boycott of Israeli products
Ma'an News Agency 8/24/2007
Bethlehem – Ma'an – A Ukrainian social workers party on Thursday issued a statement calling for the boycott of Israeli imported products and the produce of Israeli factories in the Ukraine. The party said, "The Israelis and the Jews must be forbidden from taking over the Ukrainian economy." [end]
Al Hayat chief editor appeals to Gaddafi to pardon Ma'an for misreporting news about his health
Ma'an News Agency 8/24/2007
Ramallah – Ma'an – Chief Editor of pan-Arab daily newspaper Al-Hayat, Hafeth Al-Barghouthi, published an article on Friday in which he appealed to Libyan President, Muammar Gaddafi, to withdraw his case against Ma'an and its Chief Editor, Nasser Lahham, for untrue reports about the Libyan leader's health. In his article, Barghouthi wrote, "I was speaking with Lahham over the phone about the case against Ma'an for what they published about Gaddafi's health." He continued, "I don't believe the Libyan Republic wants to take revenge against Lahham, even if he made a mistake. The mistake was corrected immediately with an apology from the agency." I believe that a revolutionary leader such as Gaddafi will forgive this mistake. Amnesty, not revenge, is in his character.
René van der Linden invites President of the Palestinian Authority to address PACE
Council of Europe - COE, ReliefWeb 8/24/2007
Strasbourg, 24. 08. 2007 - The President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), René van der Linden concluded his official visit to the Middle East (18-24 August) by inviting President Mahmoud Abbas to address the Assembly. In his talks with René van der Linden, President Abbas stressed that security problems in the Palestinian Territories could only be overcome through cooperation between the Israelis and the Palestinians. He fully supported the role of religious leaders and of inter-religious dialogue as a complement to the political process. He added that he was ready to work, alongside Israel, with the Council of Europe to eradicate incitement to hatred from school books and the media. With the Minister for Prisoners and Ex-prisoners Ashraf Al-Ajramy, René van der Linden raised.
Hamas says P.A Security Forces arrested several Hamas members in the West Bank
Saed Bannoura & Agencies, International Middle East Media Center 8/25/2007
Sources in the Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, reported on Friday that Palestinian Security forces, loyal to Fateh movement, arrested several Hamas members and supporters in the West Bank. Sources in the Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, reported on Friday that Palestinian Security forces, loyal to Fateh movement, arrested several Hamas members and supporters in the West Bank. The movement stated that the Preventive Security Force arrested on Friday evening three members of the Islamic Block, part of Hamas, in the Al Najah University in Nablus. The three were identified as Nassr Al Kharraz, Abdul-Rahman Eshtiyya, and Ahmad Dameery. They were reportedly fired by the by university administration two days ago; they are leaders of the Islamic Bloc at the University.
Palestinian security services abduct four Hamas members
Ma'an News Agency 8/24/2007
Hebron – Ma'an – The Hamas movement reported on Friday that the Palestinian security services abducted four of its members. Hamas said the security services stormed Al-Omry Mosque, in Nuba village, near the southern West Bank city of Hebron. The security services also raided Al 'Arrub refugee camp, north of Hebron, and seized Rabah Fdeilat and Ibrahim Mukbel. In Kafr Ra'i, near the northern West Bank refugee camp of Jenin, the security services kidnapped Abed Al-Kareem Jarar. [end]
Nazzal accuses Hamas of plotting to destroy PA
Ma'an News Agency 8/25/2007
Ramallah – Ma'an – Spokesperson of the Fatah movement in the West Bank, Jamal Nazzal, on Saturday accused Hamas of plotting to destroy the Palestinian Authority and preventing its territorial expansion. Nazzal spoke in response to allegations from Hamas leader Said Siyam that the Fatah-controlled Palestinian security services were being used to monitor and spy on Hamas activity." Hamas used to take long security breaks, and wake up only when there was a political opening regarding the possibility of an Israeli withdrawal from Palestinian territories," said Nazzal. He continued, "Then Hamas would hurry to carry out bombing operations, aiming to frustrate the peace efforts and allure the Israeli forces to bombard the headquarters of the PA.
Senior Haniyeh aide denies resigning from deposed government
Ma'an News Agency 8/24/2007
Bethlehem – Ma'an Exclusive – Spokesperson of the deposed Palestinian government, Ghazi Hamad, on Friday refuted reports that he has resigned from his post but said that he has been avoiding the media. Hamad, a senior aide to deposed Palestinian Prime Minister and Hamas leader, Ismail Haniyeh, spoke exclusively to Ma'an. The interview marked Hamad's first communication with the press since Hamas established control over the Gaza Strip in June of this year. Sources close to Hamad said that one of the major reasons for Hamad's withdrawal from engaging with the press is the emergence of several other Hamas spokespeople. Hamad allegedly complained that numerous Hamas members began to issue statements to the press, making his job superfluous. The source said "Hamad is not the only person to lead the media rhetoric, which has greatly increased lately.
Hamas TV attacks Fatah using cartoon mimicking Disney's 'Lion King'
The Associated Press, Ha'aretz 8/26/2007
After killing off its Mickey Mouse-lookalike, Hamas has turned to another Disneyesque character - televising a cartoon with a Lion King wannabe to portray the Islamic group's victory in the Gaza Strip over the Fatah movement. The cartoon depicts Fatah members as sneaky rats, brandishing guns and being showered with U.S. dollars, while Hamas is portrayed as a confident, calm lion that resembles Simba in the 1994 Walt Disney Co. movie The Lion King. The five-minute video, titled A message to the criminal gangs in the occupied West Bank, is the second production of the Hamas-run Al Aqsa TV enlisting a famous Disney character. In May, Hamas TV used a Mickey Mouse knockoff to preach Islamic domination to children. After an uproar among Israelis and Palestinians, that character was killed off and his weekly show replaced.
Barak offered Ayalon deputy PM slot; Fuad blocked it
Yossi Verter, Ha'aretz 8/24/2007
Defense Minister and Labor Chairman Ehud Barak was willing to cede the post of deputy prime minister to MK Ami Ayalon, but Infrastructure Minister Benjamin Ben-Eliezer blocked the move. Barak and Ayalon have been negotiating, for some time now, the terms of Ayalon's entering the cabinet as a minister without portfolio. Ayalon was to have been the minister in charge of the Israel Broadcasting Authority and chairman of the Ministerial Committee for State Control. However, Ben-Eliezer (Barak's close associate) vetoed the proposal to name Ayalon deputy prime minister. Ben-Eliezer made his opposition clear to both Barak and Ayalon, in separate conversations. Labor sources said Ben-Eliezer could not have Ayalon, a novice MK who had never been minister, skip over him on the party seniority ladder.
Tamir vows to protect schools in meeting with Sderot parents
Mijal Grinberg and Haaretz Service, Ha'aretz 8/24/2007
Education Minister Yuli Tamir on Friday guaranteed government funding to protect Sderot schoolchildren from continuous Qassam rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip, after a meeting she held in the city with concerned parents and teachers. The parentssaid that they would withrdaw their children from school if progress on fortifications against rockets was not made by the start of the school year. This could delay the start of the school year, though Tamir said this would not happen. Funding will be issued to renovate and fortify bomb shelters in public schools in the western Negev town. The government has also pledged to build new, fortified schools in Sderot; make 54 bus stops and hitchhiking posts in the city resistant to Qassam rocket fire; allocate funds for the construction of new schools and increase the number of buses chaperoning children to school.
Education min. plans to entitle every child to 12 years of school
Or Kashti Haaretz Editorial, Ha'aretz 8/25/2007
Education Minister Yuli Tamir is working on a plan to make every child in Israel entitled to 12 years of school, even after age 18. To date, the state has recognized the right of every child to 12 consecutive school years, from first through twelfth grade. Under Tamir's innovation, if pupils dropped out of a regular school, or attended an ultra-Orthodox institution that teaches a partial core curriculum, they would be able to complete their studies by age 30, according to a draft of the ministry's response to a court petition against it on the core curriculum and budgeting for Haredi education. A couple of months ago, the Israel Religious Action Center petitioned the High Court of Justice against the Education Ministry, demanding that it implement an earlier Supreme Court verdict ordering a stop to state financing for Haredi schools that do not teach core subjects.
Sderot parents storm Tamir's meeting with principals
Shmulik Hadad, YNetNews 8/24/2007
Education minister arrives at rocket-battered town in bid to discuss options for opening new school year under fire. As she meets with local school principals, several parents break into meeting, demand answers. A number of parents in the rocket-battered town of Sderot interrupted a meeting held between Education Minister Yuli Tamir and local school principals on Friday morning. Tamir arrived at the southern town ahead of the new school year as part of a series of meetings held in a bid to calm the tense atmosphere and discuss options for opening the school year under fire. Following her meetings with Sderot Mayor Eli Moyal, local school principals, parents' committee members and representatives of the Home Front Command, Tamir declared that the school year will be opened as planned.
Pardes Hannah mayor angered by Indian Jews' conversion course in town
Fadi Eyadat, Ha'aretz 8/24/2007
Pardes Hannah's mayor is up in arms over the arrival of some 100 Bnei Menashe, members of an Indian community that claims to have Jewish roots, at a religious seminary in his town. According to Mayor Haim Gaash, the Bnei Menashe arrived secretly, under the auspices of a nongovernmental organization that did not coordinate with him first." Those who organized the arrival of the members of the tribe belong to a private organization," he said. "Private organizations are not supposed to deal with new immigrants; they deal with tourists or foreign workers." The Bnei Menashe were brought to the Noam seminary by the Shavei Israel organization, which assists small Jewish communities. They will stay at the seminary for a few months while they undergo conversion, at which point they will be eligible for citizenship.
Southern Gaza suffers in stench from uncollected rubbish
Ma'an News Agency 8/25/2007
Khan Younis – Ma'an – The population of the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis are suffering in dire conditions, which threaten to escalate into a devastating environmental disaster, following a municipality workers' strike which has lasted over a fortnight. The strike is due to the non-payment of workers' salaries. As a result of the strike, uncollected rubbish is piled high in the streets creating an intolerable stench for the local inhabitants. Local resident, Muhammad 'Asuli, said that he is worried that disease could be spread through the population due to what he described as "mountains of garbage". Member of the municipal workers' union, Sa'id Astal, said officials are responsible for the terrible situation, as they failed to acknowledge the suffering of workers who had not been paid for nine months.
Burning rubbish compounds Gaza's mounting crisis
Ma'an News Agency 8/24/2007
Gaza – Ma'an – Gaza's municipality workers have been striking for two weeks in protest against the non-receipt of their salaries. In consequence, rubbish is piled high in the streets. On Friday, the Gazan population began to burn their rubbish. Local residents of Gaza complained of rubbish blockading the homes of people all over the strip. Now the thick smoke from the rubbish is blacking-out the sky. In addition, Gaza is at threat from Israeli attacks and is experiencing frequent electricity outages. A woman in Gaza, Om Abdullah, described the stench created by the burning rubbish around her home last night, "this pollution is making my children sick," she said. She continued, "My youngest children were sent to the children's clinic several times as their chests inflamed from the smoke.
The hills are alive
The Guardian 8/25/2007
The apartment blocks are going up so quickly around the outskirts of the West Bank city of Ramallah that the place seems momentarily to grow before your eyes. It makes it ever more difficult for the Palestinian lawyer Raja Shehadeh to find the original starting points for the walks he has been taking for the past quarter of a century into the Ramallah hills and beyond. Caught between the city and the flourishing of Jewish settlements here and across the rest of the occupied West Bank is a sweeping range of hills and narrow valleys that are increasingly out of bounds to Palestinians. It is what Shehadeh calls a "vanishing landscape". One recent afternoon Shehadeh, who founded the human rights organisation Al-Haq, stood on a vantage point on the western edge of the city, an area that was olive groves a few years ago.
W. Bank buses way off schedule
Nadav Shragai, Ha'aretz 8/24/2007
Buses to the settlements deep in the West Bank are not sticking to schedules, as the fleet of bullet-proof buses is dwindling. The serious scheduling problems are a result of heavy wear and tear on the aging buses, which are developing numerous mechanical problems. The Egged bus cooperative is not allowed to run ordinary, unprotected buses in dangerous areas, as defined by the defense authorities. As a result, residents in the territories must often wait for an hour or more for a bus. In addition, the settlers complain that Egged does not inform them of schedule changes resulting from the lack of bullet-proof buses. The defense and transportation ministries have stopped paying for more such buses for now due to budget constraints. The cost of protecting a bus against small-arms fire is NIS 800,000.
Jewish Settlers in West Bank Diverse
Joshua Mitnick, MIFTAH 8/25/2007
MODIIN ILLIT, West Bank — This ultra-religious city became the largest Jewish settlement in the West Bank this year, but visitors are hard-pressed to find the orange solidarity ribbons that became standard dress among settlers since Israel's uprooting of the Gaza settlements two years ago. The ultra-Orthodox and mainline settlers are both strictly religious but have different reasons for colonizing the West Bank. Nationalist settlers want to hold on at all costs to the land claimed by the Palestinians as a future state. In contrast, ultra-Orthodox are seeking West Bank real estate as a low cost alternative to crowded neighborhoods in Jerusalem." People here are all religiously Orthodox, but they don't consider themselves settlers. They don't come from the ideology of settling the Land of Israel.
Coca-Cola looking for new ideas in Israel
Ayala Tsoref, Ha'aretz 8/24/2007
One might not think of fizzy soda and advanced technologies in the same context. Yet the global Coca-Cola company does, and it's thinking of utilizing Israel's famously advanced high-tech scene to develop new technologies. Israeli innovation could be useful to Atlanta, Georgia-based Coca-Cola at many levels, from pure technology to development, science and supply solutions. Two weeks ago a team of top people from Coca-Cola's management, development and supply visited Israel for the second time, TheMarker has learned. The delegation members met with start-up entrepreneurs and people from academia as well, to discuss possible alliances with Coca-Cola. But beyond that, Coca-Cola is thinking of setting up an Israeli arm of its research and development unit.
Selling Israel by the square foot
Daphna Berman, Ha'aretz 8/24/2007
A U.S. -based company has begun selling tiny parcels of land in northern Israel over the Internet, to give American Jews a cheap way to get a "foothold in the Holy Land." Although they are just 1 square foot in size, they are marketed as being the "emotional and spiritual size" of a mountain. Since operations began in late June, "hundreds" of parcels priced at $118 each have been sold, much of it to Jews and Christians in the U.S." There are many people around the world who want to own a piece of Israel - The Holy Land - but cannot because it is too expensive, so we priced one square foot for $118 so everyone can afford it if they so desire," Alexander Spero, president of the Israel Land Development Corporation, said in a telephone interview from the company's Pennsylvania offices.
Report: Hezbollah to move its Beirut HQ to a secret location
Yoav Stern, Ha'aretz 8/25/2007
Hezbollah is to move its central HQ in the Shi'ite Dahiya quarter of south Beirut to a secret location elsewhere in Lebanon, London-based newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat reported Friday. All of the guerilla organization's offices, including its "security compound" are to be relocated. During the Second Lebanon War last summer the Israel Air Force bombed the Dahiya neighborhood in an attempt to destroy the Hezbollah command center. Asharq Al-Awsat said Hezbollah plans on turning the area occupied currently by their headquarters into a public park. The whole Dahiya quarter has of late been undergoing extensive renovation, however, Hezbollah has imposed a blackout on news of the exact work being done there. According to the newspaper report, the relocation will be completed by "the first day of 2009," some two and a half years after the Second Lebanon War.
Fadlallah accuses US of interfering in presidential polls
Daily Star 8/25/2007
BEIRUT: Senior Shiite cleric Sayyed Mohammad Hussein Fadlallah accused the US Friday of interfering in choosing Lebanon's next president, "so as to preserve its own interests in Lebanon." "It is funny how some politicians still boast about Lebanon's freedom and independence, and talk about rejecting foreign hegemony, when it is clear that the US interferes in all aspects of Lebanese political life," Fadlallah said during the weekly Friday sermon at the Imam Hassanayn Mosque in Haret Hreik. He added that all large-scale meetings which took place during the last week to discuss the presidential issue and to stress the importance of having a "made in Lebanon" presidential poll "do not conceal the fact that a number of foreign factors contribute in choosing Lebanon's next president.
Saudi Arabia envoy quits Lebanon
Middle East Online 8/25/2007
Khoja says left Beirut in face of attack warnings against Saudi embassy, his person. - BEIRUT - The ambassador of Saudi Arabia, a leading supporter of Lebanon's beleaguered Western-backed government, has left Beirut in the face of attack warnings, a senior Lebanese official said on Saturday. Abdel Aziz Khoja left on August 17 after the embassy formally notified the Lebanese foreign ministry of a "threat of attack against the ambassador's residence, the embassy or other Saudi interests in Lebanon," the official said. The Saudi embassy declined all comment but Khoja told the Saudi-owned Asharq Al-Awsat daily that "there were threats against Saudi embassy and against my person." The ambassador had already been threatened four or five times in the past, the London-based paper added.
Civilians evacuated from Lebanon camp released
Middle East Online 8/25/2007
NAHR AL-BARED, Lebanon - The wives and children of militants holed up in a refugee camp in north Lebanon have been released after being evacuated and questioned by the army, a cleric said Saturday. "The process of handing over the group of 63 women and children to their families began overnight," Sheikh Mohammed Hajj, spokesman for a group of Palestinian clerics who acted as go-betweens, said. Some of the women and children went to two Palestinian refugee camps -- Beddawi, which is close to the main northern city of Tripoli, and Ain al-Helweh in south Lebanon, he said. About 25 or 30 of them who are Syrian or Syrian-Palestinian were meanwhile headed to Syria, Hajj added. Among them are the wife and children of Fatah al-Islam chief Shaker al-Abssi, he added.
Bush: no US troop reduction in Iraq
Maxim Kniazkov - WASHINGTON, Middle East Online 8/25/2007
WASHINGTON - US President George W. Bush signaled Saturday his unwillingness to consider early US troop reductions in Iraq, saying new offensive operations there were just in their "early stages." The statement, made in his weekly radio address, followed a fervent plea by John Warner, the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, who publicly asked the president to initiate by September 15 at least a symbolic drawdown of US military forces from Iraq. Warner, a former secretary of the Navy and a widely respected authority on military affairs, suggested Thursday the president bring home up to 5,000 US troops as "the first step in a withdrawal of armed forces" in order to "send a sharp and clear message" to the Iraqi government that the US commitment was not open-ended.
Gul fails in second presidency vote
Al Jazeera 8/24/2007
Abdullah Gul, Turkey's foreign minister, has failed to gain enough votes to take the presidency in the second round of voting in presidential elections. He was always unlikely to win Friday's poll as his Justice and Development party (AFP) lacks the two-thirds majority needed to win in this round. But Gul's victory is almost certain on August 28, when only a simple parliamentary majority is required. He gained 337 votes from the 550-seat house on Friday, just 30 short of the 367 needed for victory. Gul's nearest challenger, Sabahattin Cakmakoglu from the Nationalist Action Party, received 71 votes. Barnaby Phillips, Al Jazeera's correspondent in Ankara, said the result was not a setback for Gul. "The important thing, from his point of view, is that most of the opposition parties were here.
Number of needy Somalis climbs to 1.5 million
Middle East Online 8/25/2007
Famine monitors say Somalis in need of humanitarian aid catapulted by 50 percent. - NAIROBI - The number of Somalis in need of humanitarian aid in the conflict-riddled nation has catapulted by 50 percent to 1. 5 million, famine monitors said Friday. As insecurity continues to choke the delivery of aid, the donor-funded Food Security Analysis Unit (FSAU), said the country's breakbasket regions suffered from multiple shocks spurred by poor harvest and rains, damaged irrigation infrastructure and widespread instability. "Of the 1. 5 million, 295,000 are in a humanitarian emergency requiring life-saving interventions while 490,000 are in acute food and livelihood crisis requiring livelihood support," FSAU said in a statement. "In addition, there are 325,000 people who are newly displaced in Mogadishu and 400,000...
Somali leader to step up drive against Ethiopians
Middle East Online 8/25/2007
ASMARA - Somalia's top Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) leader vowed on Saturday to wage a stronger insurgency in the capital Mogadishu until all Ethiopian troops withdraw from the war-shattered Horn of Africa nation. Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, the chief of the executive arm of the UIC, said Somalis must defend their nation against Ethiopian forces deployed in Mogadishu to bolster the feeble government. "Our country was attacked by Ethiopia, who are trying to colonise Somalia," Ahmed told said in the Eritrean capital Asmara, the base of the Somali government foes. "We have the right to defend our country. We are compelled to attack Ethiopia. They will be pushed out from Somalia and we will take back our freedom by force," he added. "We have a right to live in peace and in freedom and a right to manage our affairs ourselves.
The poets of Guantanamo
Tom Ackermann, Al Jazeera 8/25/2007
The book contains 22 poems from Guantanamo inmates -- It has been over five years since the US began locking up prisoners at its military base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The about 355 detainees have never been brought to trial, so not much has been heard from inside the jail. But a book of poems written by Guantanamo inmates has been published, revealing some of their innermost thoughts. A poem by Moazzam Begg, one of 17 Guantanamo detainees whose work is gathered in the slim volume: Freedom is spent, time is up – Tears have rent my sorrow's cup; Home is cage, and cage is steel, Thus manifest reality's unreal. Some of the poets, like Begg and Martin Mubanga, have been released. 'A special risk' - Most, however, like Sami al-Hajj, a cameraman for Al Jazeera, are still detained indefinitely.
DEVELOPMENT: Mutiny Shakes U.S. Food Aid Industry
Ellen Massey, Inter Press Service 8/23/2007
WASHINGTON, Aug 23(IPS) - One of the largest international aid organisations in the world turned the food aid industry on its head recently by declaring that they will turn down 46 million dollars in food subsidies from the U.S. government. The United States budgets 2 billion dollars a year in food aid, which buys U.S. crops to feed populations facing starvation amidst crisis or those that endure chronic hunger. But the U.S. -based CARE International has forfeited its substantial slice of the food aid pie that is the U.S. "Food for Peace" programme, claiming that the way the U.S. government distributes food hurts small poor farmers in the very communities and countries the programme is supposed to help. CARE has been one of the largest suppliers of food aid around the world for the past 50 years so its...
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When the Lights Went Out in Gaza
Tim McGirk, TIME 8/22/2007
Sources in Ramallah, one close to the Palestinian President and another from within the Fatah movement's ruling council, have told TIME that Abbas's advisers provoked the power cut by falsely warning the Europeans that Hamas was pocketing the electricity bill payments. Abbas's office has publicly denied trying to influence the Europeans; and the E.U. has declined to reveal the source of its initial allegation that Hamas was pocketing the electricity bill payments.
Last Friday, the lights went out in Gaza because the electric bill wasn't being paid. The European Union which, for humanitarian reasons, is financing the Palestinian enclave's power supply, suddenly refused to continue the subsidy because of allegations that Gaza's government - run by the Islamist party Hamas - was about to tax electricity to bolster its armed militants. Ever since those same militants ousted the forces of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas last June - thereby creating two Palestinian territories, in Gaza and in the West Bank - western governments have refused to send aid that would in any way assist Hamas's armed ambitions. And with the electricity thus tainted, the E.U. cut off payments. The Israeli power company supplying half of Gaza's fuel just as promptly shut off supplies.
On Wednesday, the lights were coming back on in Gaza. That was after Ismael Haniyeh, Prime Minister of Gaza's Hamas-led government, assured the E.U. that electricity funds were being properly utilized. The 1.5 million Palestinians who live in the tiny strip of land on the Mediterranean, however, were seething - not at Haniyeh and Hamas but at Abbas, who sat out this crisis in air-conditioned comfort farther inland in the West Bank with his supporters in Fatah, the other main Palestinian group. Why blame Abbas? Because the Gazans believe he is trying force them to rebel against Hamas and that he is doing this by breaking their backs.
Four witnesses in one day (August 20, 2007)
Freedom to Give 8/21/2007
The Holy Land Foundation Trial: The Family's Perspective
His face was cherry red. He was outraged at this mockery of a trial. Defendant Ghassan Elashi's voice was loud and clear. As U.S. District Judge A. Joe Fish and jurors exited the courtroom after a mid-morning break Monday, August 20, 2007, Elashi let out his frustration toward the unjust judge. This is an extension of the Zionist occupation. We can't win the case with this judge because he is a bigot, Elashi said. The judge later replied, We can't have outbursts like that. I'm warning you that a further outburst wont be tolerated. If another outburst occurs, you will waive your right to be present in the courtroom. The jurors followed closely as four witnesses were put on the stand. The jury box was exceptionally colorful as the 15-member jury wore bright red, green, yellow, purple and blue shirts. Maybe they were in a jubilant mood. Or maybe they were eager to learn.
Defendant Mohammad El-Mezain's attorney, Josh Dratel, continued the cross-examination of Avi by displaying several posters that the prosecutors showed the jury. He pointed out that most of the posters that the Israeli government seized from the zakat committees in occupied Palestine were created after the U.S. government shut down the Holy Land Foundation in 2001. He specifically talked about a poster announcing the death of Hamas founder Ahmad Yassin. He made clear that Israeli forces assassinated Yassin with a missile in 2004 as he was being pushed in his wheelchair on his way back from a mosque in Gaza. Dratel wanted to conclude by showing the jury a 1993 document that would prove that the Israeli government permit the construction of a Jenin hospital, which was a zakat committee project partially funded by the HLF. The government objected to the document on the grounds of hearsay and the judge sustained their objection, thereby not allowing Dratel to discuss the document. This frustrated many people, including Elashi.
Palestine since Gaza 'disengagement'
Jake Hess, ZNet 8/24/2007
This month marks the two-year anniversary of Israel's 'disengagement' from the Gaza Strip. Professor Alan Dershowitz of Harvard Law School wrote the following in September, 2005: "Israel's successful evacuation of the Gaza Strip demonstrates the desire and ability of the Israeli government to make and implement tough decisions necessary for a pragmatic peace based on a two-state solution."[1]
Dershowitz is right. Although his article misrepresents the Israeli government's intentions as benign, the Gaza 'disengagement' can only be understood as the first step in Israel's long-term objective of imposing what they call a 'two-state solution' on the Palestinians. Many analysts sympathetic to the Palestinian cause have written, correctly, that the Gaza withdrawal has coincided with settlement expansion in the West Bank. Few, however, define the political endgame Israel is moving.
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