Shadi Fadda brings us today's headlines relating to Palestine and other news from around the internet.
Land theft / Settlers
Settlers take over Palestinian home in Old City, change locks
Israeli settlers began an illegal squat in a Palestinian home in the Old City of Jerusalem on Friday morning, following a court order expelling the elderly Palestinian occupant and granting settlers partial access to the building. Fatima Dahoody, 80, in whose name the home is registered, was staying at the house of her son in Beit Hanina when settlers entered her Old City residence and changed the locks. They are now refusing to leave, witnesses said. A Magistrates court in Jerusalem ruled Dahoody out of the home on 25 January, and granted Israeli settlers access to part of the building in shifts, 8am-8pm for men and 8pm-8am for women.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/
Palestinians irate over new Jerusalem tram (AP)
Palestinian Authority fears new light rail to further entrench Israeli control over east J'lem, plan to raise issue in Arab League summit in March. Meanwhile, Palestinians call for boycott of companies involved in project
http://www.ynetnews.com/
Activism / Solidarity
Palestinians in Israel rally against evictions, home demolitions
Hundreds of Palestinian living in Israel rallied in Lod's city center following Friday prayers to protest the Israeli policy of home demolition and eviction of Palestinians. Sheikh Raed Salah, head of the Islamic Movement in Northern Israel, was in attendance and delivered a speech to the protesters, which included clerics, leaders of Palestinian Israeli political parties, members of Knesset and Palestinians from Ramla, Jaffa and Lod.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/
Village children gassed while taking refuge from military in An Nabi Saleh, 5 taken away in ambulances
ISM, 29 January 2010 Over 20 village residents – including 14 children – were targeted by Israeli soldiers in a volley of tear gas and rubber coated bullets as they took refuge in the Tamimi family house in An Nabi Salih. The residents were not part of the weekly demonstration and children from surrounding houses had gathered there for safety. One boy was hit in the stomach with a [hot] gas canister. Earlier, near 12:30PM, Israeli soldiers blocked the nonviolent demonstration as they attempted to reach a spring recently taken by settlers from the nearby Jewish-only Hallamish settlement.
http://palsolidarity.org/2010/
Call for international day of action to reopen Shuhada Street to Palestinians
(with short video) Open Shuhada Street On 25 February 2010 activists and organizations from around the world will join together in solidarity with the Palestinian residents of Hebron, through local protests, and petitions to the Israeli Government. We will be calling to re-open Shuhada Street to all Palestinians, bring life back into the city of Hebron, and to end the Occupation. For more information about the campaign and to find out how to get involved please go to www.openshuhadastreet.org/
http://palsolidarity.org/2010/
Military uses live ammunition on Burin demonstration
A demonstration against the Israeli order to halt construction of a nearly-completed mosque today, on threat of demolition, drew local, regional and international supporters in addition to attendance by the Palestinian Authority Minister of Religion ... When it became apparent that the villagers intended to hold their ground amidst the tear gas the IDF soldiers began shooting rubber-coated steel bullets, and soon .22 caliber, live ammunition could be heard buzzing through the air and bouncing off the gravel on the ground.
http://palsolidarity.org/2010/
Detentions
Israeli forces seize protester in Bil`in
A demonstrator was arrested by soldiers who shot live ammunition during his apprehension in the West Bank village of Nil'in on Friday, the Popular Struggle Coordination Committee reported ... Dozens of Palestinian and international protestors, including parliamentarian and former Information Minister Mustafa Al-Barghouti, who chairs the Palestinian National Initiative, reportedly suffered tear-gas inhalation as Israeli forces fired canisters at the crowd, which numbered around 100.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/
Egyptian security blacklisted Gaza police officer
Egyptian authorities had blacklisted head of the Khan Younis police patrol unit Ibrahim Ma'roof, Egyptian security sources revealed on Saturday. Ma'roof was detained no a number of charges which sources would not elaborate on, but said that he was involved in a number of disturbances against Egyptian security forces. Ma'roof was detained at the Rafah crossing on Thursday as he returned from Egypt with his father who was undergoing treatment. The sources added that Ma'roof remains under investigation in the port city of Al-Arish and will be transferred to Cairo for further questioning.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/
Hamas: PA detained 2 party affiliates in West Bank
Hamas officials said Palestinian Authority forces detained two party affiliates from locations in the West Bank, as a stalemate between the rival governments continues to prevail. A statement from Hamas said Wael Al-Ali was detained from Tulkarem and Abdullah Adas from Ramallah. Last week during a visit to the Hebron detention center, one Hamas affiliate, detained in an earlier PA raid, sent a message to party officials via Ma`an's correspondent. He asked that Hamas leaders "don’t give the Israeli occupation free information by publishing detainees’ names in the West Bank. With this you are revealing to them information about activists. We appreciate your performance, but don’t endanger us by publishing our names.”
http://www.maannews.net/eng/
Extra-judicial assassinations / Other violence
Israeli media: Mossad responsible for Al-Mabhouh assassination
A four-person squad of Israeli Shin Bet and Mossad operatives arrived in Dubai on European passports to assassinate Muhammad Al-Mabhouh, an alleged liaison between Iran and Hamas, Israeli media reported on Saturday. According to the Israeli news-site Inyan Merkazi, the assassination squad interrogated Al-Mabhouh in his hotel room before killing him. The squad returned with "precious information" attained following Al-Mabhouh's interrogation, which was focused on arms deals between Hamas and Iran, as well as how arms are smuggled into the West Bank, the news-site reported.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/
Mash`al vows to avenge Al-Mabhouh
Hamas leader in exile Khaled Mash`al on Friday vowed to avenge the death of Mahmoud Al-Mabhouh, who was killed days earlier in Dubai, allegedly by Israeli forces. After the funeral in Al-Yarmuk refugee camp south of Damascus, Mash`al said "we will avenge this man. If you [Israel] were happy for assassinating a great man who bravely assassinated your soldiers, then this happiness is going to pass.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/
Armed groups in Gaza claim responsibility for shelling Israel port
Various paramilitary groups in Gaza claimed responsibility for firing eight shells at the port of Ashkelon, Israel, a joint statement issued by the groups said. The attack was undertaken in retaliation for "the assassination of the Al-Aqsa Brigades leaders in Nablus by Israeli forces," the statement said ... An Israeli military spokesman said that they were "not familiar" with any such attacks on the port.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/
***Female soldiers break their silence
Six years after first collection of Breaking the Silence testimonies, organization releases booklet of testimonies from female soldiers who served in territories. Stories include systematic humiliation of Palestinians, reckless and cruel violence, theft, killing of innocent people and cover-up. Here are only some of testimonies -- "...when I arrived there was another female there with me, she was there before me…everyone spoke of how impressive she is because she humiliates Arabs without any problem. "
http://www.ynetnews.com/
Humanitarian crisis / Blockade
Man killed in Gaza tunnel following electric shock
A Palestinian died from an electric shock sustained in a tunnel on the border between Gaza and Egypt on Saturday afternoon. Muawia Hassanen, head of the emergency and ambulance services in Gaza said that Ashraf Al-Atar, 23, died upon arrival at the Abu Yousef An-Najjar hospital in Rafah. Last Thursday, Ramzi Al-Aqra', 21, died when a tunnel collapsed in Rafah, south of Gaza.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/
Egyptian police shut down tunnel south of Rafah
Al-Arish - Ma`an - Egyptian authorities shut down a smuggling tunnel and detained three individuals allegedly attempting to sneak into Israel along its southern border on Friday, police said. Egyptian security sources said the closed tunnel was 100 meters south of "international mark No. 5" near Rafah crossing, and noted the goods smuggling portal was empty, with no goods or smugglers nearby. Police said the tunnel was likely an old one, only 20 meters deep and likely no longer in use. During the tunnel shut down police also located what they said were three African immigrants attempting to gain entry into Israel.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/
Gaza pedestrian crossings see low numbers
Thursday and Friday at Rafah saw 123 Palestinians return to Gaza, mainly patients finished medical treatment, including 11 denied transport from the Cairo airport to several destinations and deported to the Strip, officials said. On Friday, a report said, an UNRWA delegation of 10 officials were stuck on the Egyptian side of Rafah, while 23 individuals were permitted to leave the Strip.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/
Floods bring more misery for tented communities in Gaza (IRIN)
Heavy rain and flooding on 25 January badly hit tented communities in Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza; al-Mughraqa, a town six kilometers southwest of Gaza City; and Ezbet Abed Rabbo, east of Jabaliya town in northern Gaza, said Hamas officials. UNRWA described conditions in al-Mughraqa as "shocking." Most of the residents there have no land of their own and live in shelters or tents with their livestock, on which they depend for their livelihoods.
http://electronicintifada.net/
Assault on Gaza / Goldstone report
PA to probe alleged Hamas Gaza war crimes
The Palestinian Authority said it will set up a committee to investigate claims of Hamas war crimes committed during Gaza's operation Cast Lead, Israel Radio reported on Saturday. The intention to investigate alleged Hamas war crimes was stated by Palestinian UN envoy Riyad Mansour on Friday, as he handed over to the United Nations a preliminary report on the fighting pitting Hamas against Israeli forces in Gaza Strip last winter.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/
PA submits official reply to UN over Goldstone allegations
The Palestinian Authority submitted an initial report explaining how the body will carry out investigations into alleged Palestinian war crimes, representative of Palestine to the UN Riyad Mansour said Friday ... Earlier in the week the de facto government in Gaza said it would have a 52-page document ready "soon" but did not give a deadline for submission to the UN ... On 5 November, the UN General Assembly decided by overwhelming majority to give Israel and the Palestinians three months to start “credible investigations” about the alleged war crimes during the war on Gaza.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/
Israel: Gaza flour mill was justified military target
In response to Goldstone report Israel says Hamas fired on troops from mill, forcing return of fire; adds that claims IDF struck sewage plant are false, and that strike on home of Al-Ashkar family targeted weapons storehouse
http://www.ynetnews.com/
Politics / Diplomacy
Fatah: Leaders have right to visit Gaza freely
"Gaza isn’t owned by anybody, and Fatah leaders can visit it whenever they want," party member and central Gaza Strip governor Abdullah Abu Samhadana announced on Saturday. The words marked a change of tune for the leader, who on 20 January chastised Fatah leaders seeking to enter Gaza and renew their image, saying "Gaza is not a hotel you can just check in and out of at will." His comments follow a de facto government pronouncement Friday that would force Fatah leaders seeking entry into Gaza to arrange permits with the local government.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/
Fayyad: Hamas policy, not rhetoric, in line with PA terms
The actions of de facto government security belie enough of a similarity to those of the Palestinian Authority forces to warrant a look at an informal agreement on security unity, caretaker Prime Minister Salam Fayyad told reporters Saturday.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/
Hamas seeking to develop relations with Jordan, says Az-Zahhar
Member of Hamas' politburo Mahmoud Az-Zahhar said that the Islamist movement is seeking to develop unique relations with Jordan. During a speech at the Jordanian Hospital in Gaza, Az-Zahhar said "after we liberate our land, we will remove the borders but we will not take an Arab country as an alternative to our land..."
http://www.maannews.net/eng/
Israeli injustice
'State siphoned off Palestinian workers' insurance money' / Ben Hartman
According to the report, compiled by the workers’ rights organization Kav LaOved, between the years 1970-1994 over NIS 1 billion was withheld from Palestinian workers’ salaries in order to pay their national insurance, but in practice, the report states, the money was instead funneled to the Finance Ministry and used to pay National Labor Union fees, even while the workers were not given membership in the union.
http://www.jpost.com/Israel/
Other news
Open checkpoint shortens Tulkarem commute for Palestinians in Israel
The Jubarah checkpoint will open for Palestinian citizens of Israel on Saturday, the civil liaison office announced, shortening the drive into Tulkarem from the At-Tayba checkpoint by 20 kilometers ... The Palestinian civil liaison department in Tulkarem said Israel informed them of the decision Friday evening.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/
New UNRWA head lays out program of continued reform
...Grandi praised the work of his predecessor, Karen AbuZayd, and stressed that his program would be an extension of hers ... Grandi emphasized his priority to “rebuild Nahr Al-Bared camp as soon as possible,” in Lebanon, and make sure regular funding was secured to provide security for the refugees and the governments in Jordan and Syria.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/
Analysis / Opinion
"Together we can end this occupation": Jody MacIntyre interviewing Saber Zanin
The Israeli military recently dropped hundreds of leaflets warning Palestinian residents from the village of Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip not to travel within 300 meters of the border -- the distance of Israel's so-called "buffer zone." In response, local activists marched to and nonviolently demonstrated inside the "buffer zone" against the illegal action. The Electronic Intifada contributor Jody McIntyre recently spoke with demonstration organizer Saber Zanin.
http://electronicintifada.net/
World isn't buying Israel's explanations anymore / Aluf Benn
"Your situation isn't good," said a high-ranking European diplomat recently. "No one believes Bibi [Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu] and we don't want any connection with [Foreign Minister Avigdor] Lieberman. Only a dramatic and surprising diplomatic move, like [former prime minister] Ariel Sharon's disengagement, will change the impression." A few hours later, Time magazine published an interview with U.S. President Barack Obama, in which he expressed disappointment with Israel's unwillingness to make "bold gestures" toward the Palestinians.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/
"Our community is at risk": an interview with Ittijah's Ameer Makhoul
Adri Nieuwhof: Please introduce yourself and Ittijah. Ameer Makhoul: I am the general director of Ittijah, the network of Palestinian civil society organizations within the borders of Israel. Ittijah unites the majority of the organizations of the Palestinians who remained in the homeland. One major goal is to organize Palestinian community efforts in the context of creating unity among Palestinians.
http://electronicintifada.net/
AI: Public remarks ignore Palestinian nonviolence movement's roots / Edith Garwood
Remarks made by Bono, New York Times columnist Nicholas D. Kristof, and President Barack Obama [Cairo speech] stating they hoped Palestinians would find their Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK) or Gandhi completely ignore Palestinian nonviolent resistance to brutal oppression. The presumption that the Palestinian struggle is mainly violent is disturbing. And the dismissal of the people who have sacrificed time, money and even their lives to fight injustice with nonvolence is callous.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/
Should Palestinians give up on negotiations? / MJ Rosenberg
... Netanyahu's announcement yesterday that Israel intends to annex Ariel, a West Bank settlement of 15,000 that is 25 miles deep into the West Bank, could be the death knell for negotiations. The Ariel announcement means that the borders of Israel would extend so far into the West Bank that a contiguous Palestinian state could not be created. For their part, Palestinians resist negotiations because they have gone nowhere and succeed only in taking the onus off Israel during them.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/
Iraq
Friday: 2 Iraqis, 1 US soldier killed, 6 Iraqis wounded
Excerpt: At least two Iraqis were killed and six more were wounded in light prayer day violence. Also, a U.S. soldier died of non-combat injuries; the death is under investigation. Meanwhile, Tony Blair testified at the Iraq Inquiry, two American tourists were arrested in Mosul, and the southern clans may boycott upcoming elections. Former Prime Minister Tony Blair defended his decision to send British troops to Iraq during testimony at the Iraq Inquiry. He said that he did not want regime change, but was concerned by Saddam’s flouting of U.N. resolutions. Blair also used the unrelated Sept. 11 Attacks in the United States to justify engaging Iraq.
http://original.antiwar.com/
Al Jazeera Video: Inside Iraq - Iraq's Kurdistan
How will the newly appointed prime minister keep his promises and turn things around? Corruption in Kurdistan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
Other Mideast
Egyptian football's pious turn / Osama Diab
The national team is increasingly flaunting its Muslim religiosity. Where does that leave Christian, let alone secular Egyptians?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/
Dubai's shameful record on rape / Nadia Khalife
The arrest of a British woman allegedly raped in Dubai mirrors harsh Middle Eastern attitudes to women and sexual assault
http://www.guardian.co.uk/
U.S. and other world news
CAIR video on FOX news: Shocking details of slain imam's autopsy
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 1/30/10) The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today reiterated its call for an independent investigation into the death of a Michigan imam, or Islamic religious leader, who a leaked autopsy report has revealed was shot 21 times and then handcuffed during an October FBI raid in Detroit.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
Al Jazeera - The Listening Post: The bin Laden tapes
This week on the Listening Post: the debates and the ethics of airing material from Osama bin Laden - and how Al Jazeera is criticised for airing when as other news outlets are not, as when the BBC aired IRA tapes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
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www.TheHeadlines.org
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