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Historical Vote to boycott Israel by the American Anthropological Association
American Anthropological Association to boycott Israel
American Anthropological Association logo credit/wikipedia
“DENVER, Nov. 20 — In a historic vote Friday night, the American Anthropological Association at its annual business meeting resoundingly approved a resolution to boycott Israeli academic institutions by a vote of 1040-136. The resolution will now be forwarded to the full membership for a final vote by electronic ballot in the coming months.”
The anthropologists against the resolution issued today the following statement after the vote was published by the organization they insist that it is injustice to boycott Israel when Palestine is not even a state.
“We, the undersigned anthropologists, oppose the recent call by some of our colleagues to boycott Israeli academic institutions. Today, there is a state of Israel but not yet a Palestinian state: this injustice should be rectified as soon as possible. ”
From all the movement of solidarity with Palestine today historical vote put Palestine at the at the level of Israel as a state.
Now is not only Prof Ilan Pappe the Israeli scholar telling the world that Israel is ethnic cleansing the indigenous population of Palestine, the AAA now can vouch that claim as well.
Since 2012 the issue of Palestine/Israel conflict was on the conversation in the organization and finally on 2014 the AAA sent a team of Anthropologists research team to Palestine and the Occupied Territories (Israel) to find facts of claims made by writers, journalists, activists and Palestinians regarding the situation. A report was issue on October 1, of the findings and today in their annual meeting the members of the AAA gave their scientific opinion and vote to boycott Israel.
Principles and Recommendations for Potential Action:The American Anthropological Association is a scholarly society with commitmentsto academic freedom and to protecting the personal welfare of professional anthropologists and other academics all over the world.We find that the policies and practices of the Israeli government placesignificant limitations on academic freedom and have led to substantial deprivations in the health and welfare of Palestinians in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip, as well as within Israel itself.
The resolution enjoins the Association not to enter into any formal collaborations with Israeli academic institutions. Individual Israeli scholars may continue to participate in AAA conferences and publications. Moreover, individual AAA members will remain free to determine for themselves whether and how to apply the boycott in their own professional practice.
As heirs to a long tradition of scholarship on colonialism, anthropologists affirm, through this resolution, that the core problem is Israel’s maintenance of a settler colonial regime based on Jewish supremacy and Palestinian dispossession. By supporting the boycott, anthropologists are taking a stand for justice through action in solidarity with Palestinians.
Today’s historic result is due to over three years of organizing within the Association to educate and mobilize members to stand against Israel’s widespread, systematic, and ongoing violations of Palestinian rights, as well as to protest the complicity of Israeli academic institutions in these abuses. The vote was also a powerful act of protest against U.S. support for Israel’s actions.
Read the report here
Israel Breaking Palestinian Bones and Article 32 of the IV Geneva Convention
IV GENEVA CONVENTION, RATIFICATION O 1949
Part III: STATUS AND TREATMENT OF PROTECTED PERSONS
SECTION I – PROVISIONS COMMON TO THE TERRITORIES OF THE PARTIES TO THE CONFLICT AND THE OCCUPIED TERRITORIES.
ARTICLE 32 – PROHIBITION OF CORPORAL PUNISHMENT, TORTURE, ETC.
The High Contracting Parties specifically agree that each of them is prohibited from taking any measure of such a character as to cause the physical suffering or extermination of protected persons in their hands. This prohibition applies not only to murder, torture, corporal punishment, mutilation and medical or scientific experiments not necessitated by the medical treatment of a protected person, but also to any other measures of brutality whether applied by civilian or military agents.
The principle stated in Article 27 of absolute respect for the human person might have constituted a sufficient guarantee for protected persons in itself. However, the memory of the barbaric acts of which there were only too many examples in the two world wars showed the need to strengthen this principle and to prohibit expressly all acts contrary to it.
C. Corporal punishment and mutilation.- These expressions are sufficiently clear not to need lengthy comment. Like torture, they are covered by the general idea of “physical suffering.” Mutilation, a particularly reprehensible and heinous form of attack on the human person, is also included in the list of “grave breaches’ and is mentioned formally in Article 147 among “acts willfully causing great suffering or serious injury to body or health.” Furthermore, it is expressly forbidden by Article 3 of the Convention.
The four 1949 Conventions have been ratified by 196 states, including all UN member states, both UN observers the Holy See and the State of Palestine, as well as the Cook Islands.
Will violations of International of International Law will send Israel to the ICC?
Who or what is the ICC?
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The International Criminal Court (ICC), located in The Hague, is the court of last resort for prosecution of genocide, warcrimes, and crimes against humanity. Its founding treaty, the Rome Statute, entered into force on July 1, 2002.
Who is watching Israel?
“Israeli forces killed at least 15 Palestinian civilians in the West Bank, most in circumstances that suggest the killings were unlawful. Israeli authorities destroyed homes and other property under discriminatory practices, forcibly displacing hundreds of Palestinian residents in West Bank areas under Israeli control, as well as hundreds of Bedouin citizens of Israel.” Human Rights Watch
“Israeli forces committed war crimes and human rights violations during a 50-day military offensive in the Gaza Strip that killed over 1,500 civilians, including 539 children, wounded thousands more civilians, and caused massive civilian displacement and destruction of property and vital services.” Amnesty International 2014 Report
“The ICRC started work in Israel and the occupied territories in 1948, following the first Israeli-Arab conflict. Its presence became permanent in the aftermath of the 1967 war. The organization focuses on the protection of civilians and the welfare of detainees held in Israeli and Palestinian places of detention, and helps the most vulnerable. The ICRC supports the Palestine Red Crescent Society and the Magen David Adom (the Israeli National Society).” ICRC in the Palestinian Occupied Territories
Mainly these three organizations have the legal authority to investigate, and collect evidence that can help to prove the allegations of human rights violations in the occupied territories, but due to the wide spread International Solidarity Movement, its members live in the occupied territories, are both; victims and witness of Israel crimes, for several years its member has been collecting evidence against Israel.
“As we demand that Israel acknowledges and respects international law and put an end to apartheid and its occupation, we must also stand firmly against any form of prejudice, regardless of the target. We oppose any form of bigotry directed at people based on ethnicity, physical appearance, origin, gender, sexuality, physical ability, age, religion and are not limited to just these concerns. We support full equality of all people and expect all ISM volunteers to adhere to these beliefs and take a strong stance against anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and Zionism. In line with a 2012 Palestinian declaration, we object to the baseless use of the term anti-Semitism as a tool for stifling criticism of Israel or opposition to Zionism, partly as this falsely conflates being Jewish with support for an ideology, Zionism, or the colonial and apartheid policies of a state, Israel.” International Solidarity Movement
Celebrities for Palestine; Gideon Levy on Real Journalism
Gideon Levy, journalist and author
Gideon Levy, journalist and author, born in Occupied Palestine in 1953 in Tel Aviv, is an Israeli anti-Zionist that has made his mission to write everything about the Israeli occupation, and the dehumanization of Palestinians. He is without a doubt a courageous man, a man of integrity that puts the truth before his own personal security.
“As the late Goldwyn Mayer phrased once, After the Holocaust the Jews has the right to do what ever they want. It took me some years to realize that this old outcome of ongoing process very systematic of dehumanizing the Palestinians which enable the Israelis to feel good about themselves, to feel moral to feel even democrats while, when it comes to the Palestinians they behave so different, I can tell you is a deep conviction that any Israeli, left, right, center does not treat the Palestinians as not equals.” Excerpt from an interview for the film “How we can solve the Palestinians Israeli Problem” by Sami Moukaddem
Gideon Levy is a rare voice of courage in an Israeli media generally supine towards the political establishment. Since 1988, he has written the “Twilight Zone” column for the Israeli daily Haaretz, documenting unflinchingly the myriad cruelties inflicted on the Palestinian people under occupation. Electronic Intifada
Levy was the recipient of the Euro-Med Journalist Prize for 2008; the Leipzig Freedom Prize in 2001; the Israeli Journalists’ Union Prize in 1997; and The Association of Human Rights in Israel Award for 1996.
They haven’t succeeded in silencing me, said Levy.
“I will continue to write about the brutality of this war, about the atrocities, the mass killing of civilians and the horrifying destruction in Gaza.”
Dehumanization allows Israel to strengthen its occupation and deny Palestinians rights, said Levy.
“Gideon Levy is the most hated man in Israel – and perhaps the most heroic. This “good Tel Aviv boy” – a sober, serious child of the Jewish state – has been shot at repeatedly by the Israeli Defense Force, been threatened with being “beaten to a pulp” on the country’s streets, and faced demands from government ministers that he be tightly monitored as “a security risk.” This is because he has done something very simple, and something that almost no other Israeli has done. Nearly every week for three decades, he has traveled to the Occupied Territories and described what he sees, plainly and without propaganda. ” The Independent, September 24, 2010
“My modest mission,” he says, “is to prevent a situation in which many Israelis will be able to say, ‘We didn’t know.’” And for that, many people want him silenced.
For some Israelis, he is seen as a brave disseminator of the truth. But many others condemn him as a propagandist for Hamas. And his columns for the Tel Aviv-based Haaretz newspaper have made him, arguably, one of the most hated men in Israel.
“When I joined Haaretz newspaper, I started to visit the occupied territories,” Levy says. “I immediately realized this was what I wanted to do; to understand the brutality and inhumanity of the Israeli occupation.”
“I figured out three things. First, this was the biggest drama facing the state of Israel. Second, this story was not being covered by the Israeli media. And third, this was going to be my life mission – to report about the Israeli occupation to Israeli readers who did not want to know what was really happening
there.”
Israeli journalist Gideon Levy argues that Middle East peace will never come until the Israeli government drops its rejection of basic Palestinian rights. “Sure Israel wants peace, Israel just doesn’t want a just peace,” Levy says. “It is all about justice. You look backward and you ask yourself in which stage, in which moment, was Israel willing to give up the occupation? Give me one example in which there was a genuine readiness to put an end to the occupation. It was never there. It was all about gaining time and maintaining the status quo — namely the West Bank occupied, Gaza under siege, peaceful life in Israel. … If you want the ultimate proof for it, it’s the [West Bank] settlements. Israel never stopped building settlements, and [in doing so] says to the Palestinians and the world, [we] have no intention to give up this piece of land.” Levy also discusses why he has received threats after calling on Israeli Air Force pilots to refuse to bomb Gaza, and why he sees a potential Palestinian effort to take Israel to the International Criminal Court as a positive step.
Gideon Levy (21:53)
This is 1 part of 7 of Gideon Levy Presentation in Toronto.
Celebrities For Palestine use the universal language of music for a just cause – Hamed Zamani
Hamed Zamani #CelebritiesForPalestine from Iran
Hamed Zamani’s live performance in Isfahan to mark the International Quds Day (July 25, 2014)
Hamed Zamani attended as a guest in the penning ceremony of “Children of Gaza Are Children of Iran Show” for supporting the oppressed children of Gaza, which was held on August 4, 2014.
There is no news that Iran is a country that supports Palestinian without having to hide their support. We could not expect less of their celebrities that can openly speak out their mind regarding Palestine.
Celebrities in other parts of the world are not bound to the yoke of Hollywood, which it is a town run by Jews, correctly asserted by Mel Gibson and Gary Oldman, which remarks had got them into the hot sit in the American media, controlled by Jews, mostly.
There is no crime to say it, but the crime is when celebrities are single out for speaking against Israel’s crimes committed against the innocent population of Gaza. Celebrities in US live their artistic live with a invisible single cord around their necks, for some inexplicable reason you see photos of celebrities praying in the Kotel wall in the occupied side of Palestine, Jews or not. It is as, if they have to “show their support” for Israel photographing themselves by the whaling wall, also it is almost obligatory for celebrities to take photos with the Israeli Prime Minister in turn. Not Iranian celebrities’ case! It is your talent that buys your fan’s heart not your support for Israel.
Most of Zamani’s songs are based on national and religious themes, defending the values of Iran’s Islamic Revolution., said PRESS TV
Last August 4, where the first Iran TV “Children of Gaza Are Children of Iran” show was broadcasted, Zamani was a guess to the show, here is what one his fans has to say:
This was so touching!! I hope inshallah the people of Gaza, especially the children, are able to see this and know we love them and that they to us “the children of iran”! Also, when I say that Br. Zamani is as rare as gem, This is proof. Him and I are the same age, and yet he speaks and thinks so much wiser mashallah! The hadith from the Holy Prophet (swaw) is so powerful and needs to be read and acted. I agree with him that we can help in our ways! as he is doing with his beautiful music and awareness. I am moved by this interview and the singing live was wow! I cried, only because the truth hurts me so much. Inshallah one day soon there will be peace for the innocent. As Always, Thank you to Br. Zamani for doing what he does best, and to his english based website. Mashallah to you all! May Allah always be with you. Amaneh
The TV show “Children of Gaza Are Children of Iran” — produced for supporting the oppressed children of Gaza — broadcasted its first episode on August 4, 2014 simultaneously on different IRIB TV channels.
Hamed Zamani appeared as a guest on the first show
“I’m the voice of voiceless”; this is what Hamed Zamani told in describing his role in the music area. In his opinion, part of the people and their beliefs and ideals – which are Hamed Zamani’s beliefs and ideals indeed – have been ignored in most of musical works, while this group of people form a big part of society that were deprived from having an artist who addresses their values and intellectual concerns explicitly and with no preciosity or concealment. Hence, Hamed Zamani has always tried to express the concerns of this type of music audience in the form of art, through making songs with sublime themes about Islam and Infallible Imams (A.S), Islamic revolution, Holy Defense, martyrs and war veterans, struggling with the Global Arrogance and International Zionism, resistance against pressures and sanctions imposed by enemies, martyrs of nuclear technology, and many other similar notions which have been less considered or completely ignored in other artists’ works. (From his official Website)
Who is Bassem Abu Rahmah in 5 Broken Cameras
Posted on January 15, 2013 by Akashma Online News
Oscar Nominated Film 5 Broken Cameras
This important documentary Film 5 Broken Cameras brings you the story of the life of struggles in Bil’in, a small Village of 1800 residents in Palestine. Bil’in it is just an example of the situation lived in Palestine, a situation sustained for 65 years.
Every family in Palestine has somebody injured, in jail, or killed. Every face has a story. Palestine is not a place of people invented as some ignorant people said.
Bil’in residents have continued to withstand these injustices despite the frequent night raids of Israeli soldiers in the town followed by an increasing number of arrests of inhabitants and of activists. But now, the army has toughened the oppression by systematically arresting members of the Bil’in committee in charge of organizing the non-violent resistance actions. The aim of the arrests is to discourage Bil’in residents and reduce their resistance to the occupation.
By supporting Bil’in, you will help its inhabitants to continue their struggle and maintain hope in their fight for liberty. This site is dedicated to all people of good will – Palestinian, Israeli and the internationals who fight side by side against the injustices endured by the people of Bil’in.
Bassen Abu Rahmah RIP-One of Bassem’s ideas was to fly a kite during a protest, symbolizing the freedom that Palestinians are striving for.
Bassem Abu Rahmah (Phil), known for his Charisma, beautiful smile and kindness. A pacifist struggling to keep his land.
Who Was Bassem Abu Rahmah?
Bassem Abu Rahmah was a 30-year-old Palestinian from the town of Bil’in in the occupied West Bank. Nicknamed “Elephant”, he was known to friends and family for his charisma and kindness, and for his creative ideas for protesting Israel’s confiscation of lands belonging to local residents for the construction of its separation wall, which has had a devastating impact on the lives of Bil’in’s residents, cutting them off from their farmlands and grazing pastures, restricting their movement and their access to employment, education and health care. One of Bassem’s ideas was to fly a kite during a protest, symbolizing the freedom that Palestinians are striving for.
What happened to Bassem?
On April 17, 2009, while taking part in a weekly peaceful protest against the building of the wall, Bassem was struck in the chest and killed by a high-velocity tear gas canister fired by Israeli soldiers in an incident that was caught on videotape.
Bassam Abu Rahmah, who was killed within minutes of receiving a direct hit to the chest from an IDF-fired high-velocity tear gas cannister at a regular Friday anti-Wall demonstration on 17 April 2009.
The day that he was killed was like most Fridays in Bil’in, however on this occasion several Israeli peace activists who had joined the weekly protest became trapped in a no-man’s land dividing Israeli soldiers and village residents. Amidst the confusion, Bassem went to help them, calling on the soldiers to stop firing tear gas and allow the Israeli protesters to escape to safety. Instead, the soldiers fired an extended-range tear gas canister directly at him, hitting him in the chest and knocking him unconscious.
There were no ambulances in Bil’in that day. After a car arrived to take Bassem to hospital, Israeli soldiers shot tear gas at it, forcing villagers to carry his body a distance to the waiting car. During the 30 minutes it took for him to reach the hospital, Bassem died.
What was the Official Israeli Response?
The Israeli army claimed that Bassem’s death was an accident and that the tear gas canister that killed him had hit a wire and changed direction in air. A similar claim was made by Israeli authorities after American citizen Emily Henochowicz lost an eye after being hit in the face by a tear gas canister fired by Israeli troops during a demonstration in May 2010. In July 2010, the Israeli Army’s Judge Advocate General announced that it would open an investigation into Bassem’s death after his family threatened to petition the Israeli High Court of Justice. The results have yet to be released.
The Israel Defense Forces first said Abu-Rahma was in a group of Palestinians hurling rocks at troops. But video footage showed him shouting, not throwing rocks, when he was shot.
Video footage filmed during the April 2009 protest against the separation fence in the Palestinian village of Bil’in also showed IDF troops firing tear gas canisters directly at demonstrators while in the presence of commanding officers. See 5 Broken Cameras
U.S. Involvement
Along with other more advanced and lethal weaponry, the U.S. is a primary supplier of tear gas canisters and dispensers for Israeli forces and other repressive regimes across the region. A number of non-violent Palestinian and international activists, including American citizens, have been seriously wounded or killed by Israeli soldiers using American-made tear gas canisters and launchers. A month before Bassem’s death, American Tristan Anderson was seriously injured after being hit in the head with a high-velocity tear gas canister fired by Israeli troops at a demonstration in the West Bank town of Ni’lin.
The video shows plainly that the demonstrators were not violent. Here is a rough translation of the words on the video, supplied by an anonymous friend: The demonstrators are telling the soldiers in Hebrew that there are children and Israelis present and they are asking them not to shoot. Bassem is shouting “Listen, wait a minute, wait a minute!” before he falls to the ground. The soldiers then fire another round of tear gas as the demonstrators yell that he is injured and needs an ambulance.
In the longer video, as [Mohammed] Khatib is arguing with the soldier, you can clearly hear the soldier say, “Do you want more gas?” They can see someone is on the ground and bleeding and because they know it’s a Palestinian, they don’t care.
And the soldier is telling Khatib “Are you going to shut up?” as Khatib pleads with him to stop shooting. The Israeli who’s next to Bassem right after the shooting is just saying, “There’s an injured man, bring an ambulance quickly.” He asks Bassem where he was hit. The demonstrators also repeat throughout, this is a non-violent demonstration. The soldiers merely respond with tear gas.
Bassem Abu Rahmah like the other Bil’in Villagers and the International Activist, and Israel Activities risk their life every Friday to protest the Occupation. Please Watch 5 Broken Cameras, Watch this video, enough evidence to be presented at the ICC in its due time. RIP Bassem
Follow the narrative of “5 broken cameras” as it was made, planned, edited and made in a documentary as a final piece of art, 5 broken cameras presskit, gives you the most intimates details and difficulties presented with the reality of the Israeli occupations and continuous nigh raids and harsh tactics of the IDF trying to stop Bi’lin Village from demonstrating on Fridays after pryers in front of the illegal wall.
The Evidence of A Crime
More Stores……..
Emat Burnat Palestinian Filmaker take you on a road of desperation, occupation, outrage and tears. In 5 years IDF (Israel Soldiers) destroyed 5 cameras, but he continue filming Palestinian Struggles. 5 Broken Cameras
They started this war 7 years ago protesting the Land grab for Settlements and the construction of the Apartheid Wall. They are not deterred by the gas, arrests, the bullets, the bullying and the death. Every Friday after prayer they gather by the Wall pacifically protesting the stealing of the Land. 5 Broken Cameras Exposes Israel True Colors
Bil’in protesters oppose a ‘horrible, horrible wrong’ — Michael Moore
Posted on January 12, 2012 by Akashma Online News
by Theodore Sayeed
UPDATED By Marivel Guzman

I have been activist for a few years now. I consider myself part of the Palestinian Solidarity Movement, and like Bil’in resistance fighter, I m an advocate for non-violence movement. It is difficult to witness the struggle of Palestinians fighting their battle with a Palestinian flag and a camera.
Bil’in residents decided to wage a non-violent resistance war against the stronger army of the Middle East.
They started this war 7 years ago, protesting the Land 6 for Settlements and the construction of the Apartheid Wall. They are not deterred by the gas, arrests, bullets, bullying, and death. Every Friday after prayer, they gather by the wall, pacifically protesting the stealing of the land.
I have been sharing photos and videos taken from the villages in West Bank, Gaza and West Jerusalem, images that could be rated R by the MPAA(Motion Picture Association of America) by its violent content. The violence is recorded in every one of the videos shoot by the residents and by the International Community of activists volunteering to be live witness of the Israel Occupation, internationals that take their own doses of beating, gas, bullets, arrests, and sometimes death. 5 Broken Cameras Exposes Israel True Colors

Phil was known as The Elephant, and his name was Bassem Abu Rahman. RIP Killed April 07, 2009
Michael Moore tweeted his followers to watch the film about Palestine that launched earlier in the departed year called 5 Broken Cameras. Twice. The chieftain of cinematic guerrilla activism sings it up as “one of the best films of the year” and “that rare documentary that has the power to move many. Pls watch!”
“Watch one of the best films of the year, “5 Broken Cameras,” the story of a Palestinian farmer who picks up a camera” MMFlint
Moore reveals a deeper connection to the film than suggested by those lonesome tweets. It took home the best picture award at the Traverse City Film Festival founded by Moore in his native Michigan. And he’s spoken at a number of screenings in the US. A video of one such pre-screening talk shows the extent of his directorial admiration for Emad Burnat’s film and the significant Israeli obstacles he has had to climb to showcase the debut Palestinian talent.
I was able to get Emad to Traverse City, Michigan. He’d gone to the airport in Tel Aviv, and they wouldn’t let him leave. And so we had to get him to Amman to get on a plane there. But because I run a large international network of terrorists we were able to make this happen (laughs). I have been a huge advocate for this film for the better part of the last year. I was just telling Tom (the event’s co-organizer) downstairs that if I were the third Koch brother and had their resources … I would send a copy of this film to every home in America. And I believe that within 24 hours, if people would watch it, public opinion on this issue would change dramatically. This film is so powerful in its humanity, in its heart, its belief in non-violence as the way to succeed.
When Emad and his family were in Traverse City, Terry George, who made Hotel Rwanda, and I were introducing the film and then we did a Q&A afterwards and Terry said something I thought was really very true: every now and again a documentary comes along that after you see it you won’t discuss it as a documentary, you will discuss it as a work of art, a work of cinema, a movie. And we feel very strongly that this is one of those movies. This is one of the best movies I’ve seen this year, of all movies, not just documentaries. And their struggle goes on as you will see. This man is not a documentary filmmaker – he’s a farmer. And the film that you are about to watch is a film made by a farmer. With no training whatsoever. And I don’t even think that they have a theater in their town, so I don’t even know what he’s seen.
So that makes it even more amazing as you watch this film, and you’re realizing that sometimes if you have that, whatever that is in you, whatever you have to say, you want your voice heard, and he found the medium to do that, quite accidentally: because his son, Jibreel, was born in 2005 and he picked up a used home video camera; and started you know wanting to film his son growing up but things started happening, they (Israel) started building the wall to bleed their town, so he started filming that, and the title of the film, as is probably self-evident, in terms of what happens to his cameras. One thing we did in Traverse City town is that when he left, we sent him a brand new camera (laughs) so he could keep filming. It was a small price to pay for trying to “right” a horrible, horrible wrong.
So I’m really happy that he came here tonight to watch this; and I encourage you in terms of not only your appreciation of the art of this film, but also when you leave here, when you think about this tomorrow, to do what you can to help other people who don’t have five broken cameras, don’t have a voice. We (Americans) are the funders of what you are about to see.
“As Israeli settlers begin building homes and erecting a barrier wall in the West Bank village of Bil’in, a Palestinian farm worker documents the town’s resistance to the new settlement. Over the course of several years, the townspeople clash with the Israeli Defense Force, and tensions mount as the wall remains and the building continues.” 5 Broken Cameras
Discover Bil’in
Bil’in is a Palestinian village that is struggling to exist. It is fighting to safeguard its land, its olive trees, its resources… its liberty.
By annexing close to 60% of Bil’in land for Israeli settlements and the construction of Israel’s separation wall, the state of Israel is strangling the village. Every day it destroys a bit more, creating an open air prison for Bil’in’s inhabitants.
Supported by Israeli and international activists, Bil’in residents peacefully demonstrate every Friday in front of the “work-site of shame”. And every Friday the Israeli army responds with violence, both physically and psychologically.
Bil’in residents have continued to withstand these injustices despite the frequent night raids of Israeli soldiers in the town followed by an increasing number of arrests of inhabitants and of activists. But now, the army has toughened the oppression by systematically arresting members of the Bil’in committee in charge of organizing the non-violent resistance actions. The aim of the arrests is to discourage Bil’in residents and reduce their resistance to the occupation.
By supporting Bil’in, you will help its inhabitants to continue their struggle and maintain hope in their fight for liberty. This site is dedicated to all people of good will – Palestinian, Israeli and the internationals who fight side by side against the injustices endured by the people of Bil’in.
Since I watched the trailer of 5 Broken Cameras I got inspired to shared as a great film without knowing, that this reality film was being nominated for the best documentary in our Oscar 2013. 5 Broken Cameras it is simple, real, painful as Palestinian reality is. If you have the chance “watch it”, go to Alive Mind Cinema and download it, Group Screen it, show it in your College Campus. Reality sting, but this is the only way to educate the public regarding Occupied Palestine.
“Alive Mind Cinema shares a large chunk of the proceeds with the filmmakers, who are often the best spokespeople for their cause, as in the case of 5 Broken Cameras. We also support many organizations through partnerships, free screenings, education, etc.” Elizabeth Sheldon from Alive Mind Cinema.
Emat Burnat Palestinian Filmaker take you on a road of desperation, occupation, outrage and tears. In 5 years IDF (Israel Soldiers) destroyed 5 cameras, but he continue filming Palestinian Struggles.
Now for first time in history, Palestine Occupation has come out to the light of an audience silenced by Israel Propaganda Machine. 5 Broken Cameras in the hands of a Palestinian farmer bring you the painful Palestinian truth.
An extraordinary work of both cinematic and political activism, 5 BROKEN CAMERAS is a deeply personal, first-hand account of non-violent resistance in Bil’in, a West Bank village threatened by encroaching Israeli settlements. Shot almost entirely by Palestinian farmer Emad Burnat, who bought his first camera in 2005 to record the birth of his youngest son, the footage was later given to Israeli co-director Guy Davidi to edit. Structured around the violent destruction of each one of Burnat’s cameras, the filmmakers’ collaboration follows one family’s evolution over five years of village turmoil. Burnat watches from behind the lens as olive trees are bulldozed, protests intensify, and lives are lost. “I feel like the camera protects me,” he says, “but it’s an illusion.”
Democracy Now interview with Palestinian Filmmaker/Farmer/Activist Emat Burnat and Israel Filmmakers/Activist David Davidi, they walk us to the making of 5 broken cameras, which it is an everyday reality in Bil’in Palestine.
Repression and Arrest on Videos Everyday Bil’in Struggles
Israel done it again DIME and Depleted Uranium in Gaza
Posted on December 06, 2012 by Akashma Online News
Israel Used Depleted Uranium Munitions During Gaza Offensive
by Richard Silverstein on December 6, 2012 ·
Hassan Doghmosh suffers severe burns after his Gaza City neighborhood was bombed last month.(Anne Paq / ActiveStills)
I’m beginning to read reports from Gaza that indicate that the IDF may have used depleted uranium munitions during its recent assault. A local journalist writes in Electronic Intifada about the grotesque forms of some of the victims’ wounds. He (incorrectly, I believe) associates them with chemical weapons like white phosphorus:
Among those receiving treatment in Nasser hospital in Khan Younis is a man who was hit by an Israeli drone that struck a farm owned by his family in southern Gaza. A friend of his was killed in the attack. “I was hit directly in my abdomen and two legs,” said the man, who is in his thirties and asked not to be named.
Baker al-Derdy, the head nurse in Nasser hospital, said that when this man was first admitted, there was “a strange smell, almost chemical” from him. Al-Derdy pointed to other indications that Israel may have used chemical weapons during its offensive.
“Some of the symptoms we have seen are abnormal,” al-Derdy added. “The type of burns that appear on the bodies suggest that the weapons employed were not conventional. The burns go deep into the skin and the skin itself turns blue. And I can tell you that the burns hit even the third layer of the skin.”
…Ashraf al-Qedra, a spokesperson for the health ministry in Gaza…acknowledged that some of the burns witnessed were deeper than those associated with conventional weapons.
“We in Gaza and health bodies in the West Bank do not have laboratories where we could properly examine what types of weapons have been used in Israeli attacks,” al-Qedra said. “But according to what we have seen so far, it appears that Israel used some explosive weapons or ammunition that caused burns and deep wounds. In most cases of those killed, we have seen that bodies were either torn apart or completely burnt out. Also, many of those injured have had their lower or upper limbs amputated.”
DIME weapons were first used against Gaza by Israeli drones in the summer of 2006, when Palestinian medical personnel reported that it significantly increased the fatality rate among victims. Shortly after the DIME weapons were also trialled during the first week of the war in Lebanon in July 2006.
Making clear that I’m neither a doctor nor a weapons specialist, the general description of these savage wounds reminds me much more of the DIME munition developed by the U.S. and used by the IDF in Gaza in 2006.
There are reports that Israel is using a new weapon in the Gaza strip. More specifically, the claim is that Israel is using something called a DIME weapon. Say what? Yes, DIME weapons are real, it stands for Dense Inert Metal Explosive. In a nutshell a DIME weapon is a bomb or missile that detonates with powerful and lethal explosive power confined to a small area. The idea being to minimize “collateral damage” when using military weapons in urban areas. Yes, this is a humane killing device, science marches on!DIME-Dense Inert Metal Explosive
I posted several times about this horrific weapon. The Gaza Interior Ministry, in the midst of the fighting, released a statement claiming it had recorded high rates of radioactivity at bombing sites, claiming that unconventional weapons were used against a civilian population:
Major Hazem Abu Murad, assistant director of explosives engineering and member of the Committee to document war crimes, revealed that the occupation used radioactive materials in the explosives with which it had bombed the Gaza Strip.
Abu Murad told the Interior Ministry that the weapons with which Israel targeted Gaza contain heavy elements, including the Uranium, tungsten, aluminum and nickel”, and pointed out that these materials raise the temperature in the center of the explosion to 7 thousand degrees Celsius, and boost the destructive ability of the shell.
He also pointed to the types of weapons used by the occupation during the recent aggression on the Gaza Strip, noting that among those weapons there are three types of ammunition which have been used for the first time.
If true, and I have no way of knowing whether Hamas’ claim was based on scientific testing, tungsten would be indicative of the use of DIME. The presence of uranium might lead in a different direction, as the IDF has weapons that contain depleted uranium. Here are some of its characteristics:
Depleted uranium is very dense…Thus a given mass of it has a smaller diameter than an equivalent lead projectile, with less aerodynamic drag and deeper penetration due to a higher pressure at point of impact. DU projectile ordnance is often incendiary because of its pyrophoric property.
…Depleted uranium is favored…because it is self-sharpening and pyrophoric. On impact with a hard target…the nose of the rod fractures in such a way that it remains sharp. The impact and subsequent release of heat energy causes it to disintegrate to dust and burn when it reaches air…When a DU penetrator reaches the interior of an armored vehicle, it catches fire, often igniting ammunition and fuel.
Further support for the thesis of its use by the IDF is a report to me from an Israeli source confirming the IDF used depleted uranium in Gaza. My source cannot confirm whether DIME was used or not.
The UN Human Rights Commission has asked member states to curb the use of such weapons and a paper prepared for the body argued that they may contravene numerous international treaties. The European Parliament called for a ban on DU munitions.
Here are some of their health effects:
Normal functioning of the kidney, brain, liver, heart, and numerous other systems can be affected by uranium exposure, because in addition to being weakly radioactive, uranium is a toxic metal. DU is less toxic than other heavy metals such as arsenic and mercury.[65] It is weakly radioactive but remains radioactive because of its long half-life.
…British Army doctors warned the British…Ministry of Defence that exposure to depleted uranium increased the risk of developing lung, lymph and brain cancer, and recommended a series of safety precautions.
This seems perfectly in synch with the typical practice of the IDF to exploit whatever weapons appear convenient and effective, no matter how controversial or even illegal their use might be, especially against a largely civilian population. This holds true for cluster bombs, white phosphorus and DIME, all of which Israel has employed during attacks on civilian areas of Lebanon and Gaza.
By the way, I’ve read several mainstream journalists claim that less than half those killed in Gaza were civilians. This is not true. Gaza human rights groups have counted 183 fatalities of whom 103 were civilian.
Under the Bombs and Under Attack still Gaza, Palestine – More allegations were brought to the light of the world when According to a Norwegian MD who was working at a Palestinian hospital in Gaza during the recent 2009 Cast Lead war the type of injuries that were inflicted on war casualties ,during this campaign, were different than anything that he has seen before in a war theater and he has seen quite a few conflagrations over the past thirty years. Another Norwegian doctor named DR. Gilbert told the Oslo Gardermoen that “there is a strong suspicion that Gaza is now being used as a test laboratory for new weapons.”
Victory for Palestine-Israel defeat in front of the International Community
Posted on November 29, 2012 by Akashma Online News
Israel suffers humiliating defeat at UN
November 29 2012 Palestine Become State
A New beginning for Palestine, their next step Full Membership as a Member State. Majority of the countries had express their desire to support Palestine as a full member with rights and responsibility in the floor of the UN.
“The moment has arrived for the world to say clearly: enough of aggression, settlements and occupation,” said Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian Authority, as he called on the 193-member body to “issue a birth certificate of the reality of the State of Palestine”. Indeed, following Israel’s latest aggression against the Gaza Strip, the international community now faced “the last chance” to save the long elusive two-State solution, he said, adding: “the window of opportunity is narrowing and time is quickly running out”.
Palestine by Majority Vote become State, even thought today it is not full membership open the door for a more clear resolution allowing Palestine to self determination, sovereignty and use and exploitation of its Natural resources.
The world are celebrating The International Day of Solidarity with Palestine.
Today by almost unanimous decision the General Assembly of the UN approved Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas Bid to Upgraded Palestine Non member observant status To Non State Observant, many Palestinians around the world are not happy with this transition thinking that Mahmoud Abbas has betrayed the Palestinian cause. But one step at the time, and this Victory should be savored and use it to energize to keep fighting for the just and fare recognition of Palestine as a sovereign, independent State with all the benefits that grant this body of the UN.
In Gaza streets the celebration started as soon as the news were announced, “Now I hear shooting in the streets expression of this news today,You know, when the joy of the Palestinian people firing in the air” Shady Alassar, Gaza, Palestine.
Personally I m completely against the Two State solution, I more like the Final Solution for Israel- off course I m talking about the entity not the people…but at these moments Palestine needs this. It is the moment to grab the attention of the world. So I m pushing very hard, like I did Last year when Mahmoud Abbas submitted the Draft for Statehood. Off course I named the article “Palestine Bid Member State hijacked”, because the stream media made all this chaos on the news on the “Non State Member” instead of full Member Statehood as Mahmoud Abbas drafted their Bid last November, but the rumors rolled with all the pressure from the country leaders, and the misinformation started growing this campaign pressing with this Mahmoud Abbas to change his decision to bid for “Non State Member”.
The Palestinians Council was pressured to re evaluated this opportunity that according to few Pro Israel analysts a gift to Palestinians.
Palestine has never been in position to chose an advantageous offer from Israel, and 65 years ago when the Palestinians Arab Population were expelled from their lands, and ignored the “UN offers” to declared a Palestinian state side by side with their “Jews Neighbors” it has always been a wound hard to heal for Palestinians. The Palestinian resistance had always seen two state solution as a betrayal and it is, because accepting a Palestinian State on the land that Israel has left for Palestinians it is legitimizing the illegal State of Israel.
Many could see this as give away of the lands stolen in 1948, when UN resolution 181 partition Palestinian, creating an exodus of expelled Palestinians the greatest of political issues afterwards. Every political move over the years has been impeded by the right of return. A right that it has to been respected, but the conditions on the ground, set up by the unconditional support of the word leaders and the Arab puppets of the middle east.
The overwhelmed majority had showed their support for Palestine, the people in their majority believes that this should have been an opportunity to claim full Statehood Membership for Palestine, but this is just the strategy of Palestinians leaders to win the heart and minds of the people of the world then keep pushing for the next stage that it is Full Member Statehood.
Then the touchy subject comes to the mind of Palestinians that have opposed the creation of Israel in the first place, because then the UN, the world in general , and the Palestinians will be legitimizing Israel. The Two State solution those magic words bring mixing emotions to the Political spectrum.
Will give a triumph to Israel, but will be temporal, I m almost sure, very sure that Israel is in decline.
Israel can not support their bloody campaign of Victim hood any longer.
The Reality and the truth i in the faces of the leaders and the people. We the people are making this possible. S o, this is what I think.
We congratulate the Palestinian People, they seen clearly today that their plight is being heard, now they know that the illegal occupation has been acknowledged on the Floor of the United Nations.
The majority of the delegations expressed their desire to see the end of the Israel occupation of Palestinians Lands. They want to see an end of the violence, the halt to the illegal settlements that according to International Law are illegal.
The transfer of settlers it is a war crime. The majority expressed their concern regarding Israel unwillingness and the lack of seriousness on the peace talks. Many of the delegations spoke of the threat in the Middle East with the belligerent actions of Israel that undermine peace not only in Palestine but in the whole region.
Long Live Free Palestine.
Palestine Bid Member State hijacked
Posted on November 28, 2012 by Akashma Online News
Some excerpts from The Australian
UPDATED Posted by Marivel Guzman
September 21, 2012 Mahmoud Abbas Bid for Palestine Statehood
In 2011 Mahmoud Abbas applied for Statehood, as a full State not the non-member observer state that the UN and all the Western Countries are talking about.
Palestine it is already observer member since 1974 with no right not vote on issues of important. The Media is hijacking Palestine Bid for Statehood. All the propaganda being distributed in the major Paid Media Outlet are lies, they trying to convince Mahmoud Abbas to bid for Non-Member observer, trying to enticed Mr Abbas to abandon his intention to bid for Statehood. All the buzz going around telling Palestinians that if Abbas bid it will lose money, saying which country will vote yes and No, all it is sick Israel-US propaganda.
It is up to All of us in the free world, to speak, to protest, to boycott, to question against the US or any other country that do not agree with the Independence of Palestine.
There is no more time for mockery “Peace Talks”, they were never intended to solve the conflict but to continue the occupation which some how in the road of 65 years has become “Legal”, go figure how the “Elite” understand democracy and freedom for others. All we know is that UN (Club of 5) were never partners for peace, not for the Palestinians or for no one. Now the best they can do is to stay on the sidelines and let the people to choose their destiny.
THE bid for UN recognition tonight could bring Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas new diplomatic weight and tools, but also cost his people hundreds of millions in much-needed cash.
The Arabs States will gladly give money to Palestine if Israel is out of the way. US should stop giving any money to Israel and fix its own economy.
Mr Abbas is assured of triumph at the UN General Assembly when he seeks backing for his bid to go from “observer entity” to “non-member observer state”. The US and Israel will be unable to spoil his big day. These are the enticing goodies offerings to Mr Abbas. The PR is strong against Palestine, but after the triumph in Gaza, the energy is contagious, and the open support from Iran is a strong additive to this race for independence.
The Palestinians have focused on getting support from European nations. France came through yesterday when Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius told parliament the country would vote for the resolution. Portugal will also vote yes and Switzerland will probably back the resolution, but Germany is expected to vote no or abstain. Britain’s position remains unclear. Julia Gillard said on Tuesday that Australia would abstain.
“Victory will not give the Palestinians a vote at the 193-member assembly. But they will be able to join UN agencies and sign treaties for which the UN Secretary-General is the record keeper.” The farce seems credible, but do not let the smoke to blur the mirror. If Mr Abbas summit the Bid for Statehood how was originally intended, it gives all the rights on the floor of the United Nations.
The vote “implies recognition of statehood and it gives them certain privileges” and “a certain prestige”, said Vera Jelinek, dean of New York University’s Center for Global Affairs.-this wording is misleading, the observer status was recognized since 1974, when Yasset Arafat was invited to speak on the floor of the United Nations. This remind me of another hijacked moment. On November 11 this year Palestinians were commemorating the 8th Anniversary of Yasset Arafat death, but instead Palestinians in Gaza were running for cover, as Israel assault was already started, not the November 14 date that was widely publicized.
The Palestinians will be able to go to UN conferences open to all states and to vote like other states. The Vatican used its observer status to raise sensitive issues at UN conferences on women and population.
The most valuable prize for Mr Abbas could be recourse to the International Criminal Court. The prospect of an ICC prosecutor looking into Israeli actions in Gaza and the West Bank was one of the Israeli government’s major worries, diplomats said.
And it is a threat that Palestinian UN envoy Riyad Mansour dangled yesterday.
If Israeli authorities did not “respect resolutions of the Security Council, continue to illegally build settlements, which is a war crime from the point of view of the ICC and the Rome statute, then we will consult with all of our friends” over how to bring Israel into compliance.
The ICC is not a UN agency, however.
The legal apparatus of ICC only work if any of these instances are meet:
1.- If the State is signatory of the Rome Status. As of July 2012, 121 state are states parties to the Statute of the Court.Israel voted against the adoption of the Rome Statute but later signed it for a short period. In 2002, the United States and Israel, “unsigned” the Rome Statute, indicating that they no longer intend to become states parties and, as such, they have no legal obligations arising from their signature of the statute.
Israel states that it has “deep sympathy” with the goals of the Court. However, it has concerns that political pressure on the Court would lead it to reinterpret international law or to “invent new crimes”. It cites the inclusion of “the transfer of parts of the civilian population of an occupying power into occupied territory” as a war crime as an example of this, whilst at the same time disagrees with the exclusion of terrorism and drug trafficking. Israel sees the powers given to the prosecutor as excessive and the geographical appointment of judges as disadvantaging Israel which is prevented from joining any of the UN Regional Groups.2.- If a offense it is committed in the State being charge with a war crime. And under the present legal terms, the crimes are committed in Palestine, not Israel.
3.- If the UN security council summit the charge to the ICC. We know for a fact that the 15 member of the UN security council will never summit a draft to the ICC to file a complain against Israel. At least not for the moment. Israel enjoys of full backing of the Western Nations whose blind support had shadowed any resolutions that will bring Israel to comply with its International Obligations.
There is no real advantage for Palestine unless is recognized as a Full State Member. The benefits will be vary in degree, if it is recognized State with full benefits, Palestine will be able to shop for small and big weapons. The Oslo accord limit Palestine from acquiring weapons. Another of the benefits will be getting loans from the IMF.
The binding of the Oslo and David accords will be expired which make Palestine free to deal with the world, to explode its own natural resources, to dig for water and control it, which it is one of the biggest issues that Palestine faces today. Israel control 95 % of the water of Palestine.
Israel will have no excuse to expel Palestinians from West Bank, or to control the Jordan and Egyptian borders. All these only if the UN enforced the resolutions agreed on regarding Israel on previous resolutions, resolutions that had been ignore by Israel.
Once a state Palestinians citizens will obtain the State Status and the stateless status will be obsolete giving benefits in foreign countries.
All the foreign agencies will have to put Palestine back in the map.
The signatories of the Rome statute which set up the ICC would have to carry out their own vote first to accept the Palestinians, diplomats said.
ICC membership could be “a little trickier”, said Ms Jelinek. “I am not sure whether it would accept a ratification from an observer state in the UN.”
Mr Abbas wants super-observer status at the UN to boost Palestinian recognition and force Israel back into talks.
The US and Israel could also inflict financial damage on the Palestinians. This will be the best thing that can happen to Palestine. Once Israel out of Palestinians lands, Palestine can work its national resources that amount to 7 billions annually
US law bans financing for any international body that recognizes a Palestinian state. When the Palestinians were voted on to the UN Cultural and Educational Organization last year, the US administration withdrew more than $US70 million in funding.
The cost of the Iron Dome single intercepting missile is 90 millions US dollars. US spent 1 billion 275 millions in the Iron Dome in 2012. Palestine it is self sufficient if Israel stop stealing its National Resources.
The disinformation going around is a real knock out of Israel against Palestine, there is no Indefinite Veto Power, the Security Council will make a recommendation on the Request from Palestine Authority to Be accepted as a Full Member of the UN being the 194 state. But the real power is in the General Assembly of the UN, that needs 3/4 of of the countries to pass a resolution. And nothing is written in stone, any compromise reach on this historic resolution should be implemented and could be change for the good of the parties involved. Especially for Palestinians that have always get the worse part in any accords in the past. And by the way, those accords should be obsolete, they were never implemented from Israel part, but were forced on the Palestinians. We the People Stand for Justice and Peace; Palestine UN State 2011
Mahmoud Abbas, president of the Palestinian authority, will discuss the application later this week at the UN General Assembly. While France, one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, has come out in support of Palestine, the United States has already signaled that it will attempt to block the bid.
Victoria Nuland, US spokesperson for the Department for Defense, said, “We disagree with our oldest allies [the French] on the topic, and they know it. But it’s their choice how to move forward”.
Nuland added that the only way for the two-state solution to work is if Israel and Palestine first commit to peace talks. She indicated that the US would vote ‘no’ in the assembly.
Palestinians will go to the UN on September 23...Do not believe in rumors
A Strategy for Israel in the 1980′s…Read this article in entirely and see how the agenda is been followed to the last step. So do not get discourage, we keep fighting, we moving to a new era
People we do not know.…….We interact few times in the walls, in the channels, the spaces and we call ourselves, friends, brothers, comrades. We go to extreme lengths to fight for your rights, to fight for your country, to fight for your causes. We stand strong for a reason we do not completely understand, other than doing social justice to peace and friendship. What really Happen to all of us?, that suddenly we raise our voices for your flag, for the protection of your individual liberties, your civil rights
Obama dancing to the Tune of Israel
Posted on November 20, 2012 by Akashma Online News
Another Massacre in Gaza; election times for US and Israel, innocents used as steps to win
Obama gave Netayahu the green light to attack Gaza. This makes Obama, Netayahu partner in crime and recipient to the International war court in the Hague.
On Telephone conversation on November 11, 2012 Obama and Abbas had a chat on the phone. The white house briefing talks of two states solutions, which is nothing new except that there is no solutions only delays from Israel part. Many see this as time buying for Israel to grab more land so, the “facts on the ground” become an irreversible fact. The “facts on the ground” are the expansion of the settlements, which by UN resolutions, and international law are illegal.
Does Obama care for Palestine side of the solution?. Palestinians have to give up the right of return. Why? The answer is very simple one, there is no more land for Palestinian State.
Then we have the settlements, those facts in the ground are taking almost 85 % of Palestine Land. So we are talking of a physical impossibility. The dress up diplomacy of the leaders dancing Israel tune is hypocritical, insulting to the intellect and an ongoing catastrophe for Palestinians.
“In his discussion with President Abbas, President Obama reaffirmed his commitment to Middle East peace and his strong support for direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians with the objective of two states living side by side in peace and security. He also reiterated the United States’ opposition to unilateral efforts at the United Nations.”
Now we continue with the tune of Israel moving the strings, modulating the lies to fit its cruel endowment of death in the Gaza Strip.
The Paid Media as always parroting Israel lies without even editing the errors in the dates. Take this for instance the most widely publicized lies of Israel; The Rockets from Gaza, and the beginning of this latest assault on the population.
“Israeli officials say the airstrikes are aimed at ending months of rocket fire out of the Hamas-ruled territory. Israel began the offensive with an unexpected airstrike that killed Hamas’ military chief, and since then has targeted suspected rocket launchers and storage sites.”
If you are not following the real News coming out of Gaza you are a soft target for these lies. Long before this Operation Cloud started, Israel had already being killing Palestinians on everyday basis. Hamas official was assassinated on November 14, but Israel had already started the heavy areal bombing since November 7. The dates do not match the lies, specially the deaths can not be faked, the number of Palestinians victims had been raising every day since Israel was inserted in Palestine. The attacks had been occurring long before Israel was declared state by the UN in 1948.
This excerpt correspond to October 2012 on the Occupied Palestine Blogs, solely dedicated to record Palestinian casualties.
Update Oct 24, 2012
In the past 3 days, Israel assassinated 7 Palestinians and wounded several more. The incitement about alleged rockets attacks is great. Yet, Israel (as below overview shows) does not need no rocket attack at all to violate Palestine on daily basis.
The propaganda machine is working overtime to convince this world of the threats of resistance’s rockets which are legally and rightfully deployed as self-defense to which Palestine is entitle by the powers of International Law, 4th Geneva Convention and 1907 The Hague Agreements.
- Resistance mortars or rockets have by the way killed 21 Israeli in 11 YEARS | Fact
- Israel killed 2300 Palestinians and wounded 7700 in the last 5 years only.
The following Timeline and report was prepared by PCHR Palestinian Center For Human Rights for the Israel violations and attacks on Gaza since August 2011.
October 24 Update it is just one example of Israel murders inside Gaza territory. Every time that Gaza factions had negotiated a cease of fire with Hamas and Israel, Israel has been the one braking it, then it turns around and publishes lies around the world, which the Paid Media is eager to distributes as the truth.
For Palestinians the only truth that they can publish is the Name and age of the victims in every one of Israel attacks. On the other side Israel has no victims to publish, so it has to keep repeating the same lie over and over again. So much it had repeated its own lies that we wonder is they already had believed it to be truth.
While the word is busy discussing the News, discussing if it is truth that Hamas is terrorist group, or If there are actual rockets coming in from Gaza to Israel, Israel is busy bombing Gaza Strip. Since I began writing this article 4 days ago, more than 50 people had died from Israel missiles and drones attacks and more than 1000 people are injured.
There is is really no News to report, because Gaza is an old case that does not qualify to be News any more.
I m sorry Gaza, I mourn your dead and accompany with your suffering. RIP the innocents that had already claim their piece of Palestine.
UN independent expert calls for boycott of businesses profiting from Israeli settlements
Posted on October 26, 2012 by Akashna Online News
Posted on UN News Center
Special Rapporteur Richard Falk. UN Photo/Jess Hoffman
A United Nations independent expert Richard Ralk today called on the world body’s General Assembly, as well as civil society, to take action against Israeli and international businesses that are profiting from Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory.
“My main recommendation is that the businesses highlighted in the report – as well as the many other businesses that are profiting from the Israeli settlement enterprise – should be boycotted, until they bring their operations into line with international human rights and humanitarian law and standards,” the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories, Richard Falk, said in a news release issued as he presented a report on his work to the Assembly.
Highlighting the activities of companies such as Caterpillar Incorporated of the United States, Veolia Environment of France, G4S of the United Kingdom, the Dexia Group of Belgium, Ahava of Israel, the Volvo Group of Sweden, the Riwal Holding Group of the Netherlands, Elbit Systems of Israel, Hewlett Packard of the USA, Mehadrin of Israel, Motorola of the USA, Assa Abloy of Sweden, and Cemex of Mexico, the Special Rapporteur noted that a wide range of Israeli and international businesses are involved in the establishment and maintenance of the Israeli settlements.
“All Israeli settlements in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, have been established in clear violation of international law,” said Mr. Falk.
“Yet today Israeli settlements control over 40 percent of the West Bank and between 500,000 and 600,000 Israeli citizens are living in Palestinian territory,” he added. “In the last 12 months alone, the settler population has increased by over 15,000 persons.”
He drew the Assembly’s attention to developing international law and standards concerning businesses and human rights, including the UN Global Compact and the UN Guiding Principles on Businesses and Human Rights.
“The principles outlined in the Global Compact are clear,” Mr. Falk said. “Businesses should support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights and ensure that they are not complicit in human rights abuses.”
The Global Compact is a strategic policy initiative for businesses that are committed to aligning their operations and strategies with ten universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption. The Guiding Principles, endorsed by the Human Rights Council, provide a global standard for preventing and addressing the risk of adverse impacts on human rights linked to business activity.
Mr. Falk also noted guidance developed by the International Committee of the Red Cross that points to the prospect of corporate and individual criminal responsibility for violations committed during a situation of armed conflict.
“In short, businesses should not breach international humanitarian law provisions. Nor should they be complicit in any breaches. If they do, they may be subject to criminal or civil liability. And this liability can be extended to individual employees of such businesses,” the Special Rapporteur said in presenting his report.
Mr. Falk noted that he had written to all the businesses mentioned in his report, and that positive responses were received from some of them.
“It is encouraging to be informed that Assa Abloy has moved its Mul-T-Locks factory from the West Bank to Israel, and that the Dexia Group, G4S, and Cemex are looking for ways to bring their operations into line with their commitments under the UN Global Compact,” he added.
Independent experts, or special rapporteurs, are appointed by the Geneva-based Human Rights Council to examine and report back on a country situation or a specific human rights theme. The positions are honorary and the experts are not United Nations staff, nor are they paid for their work.
News Tracker: past stories on this issue
UN human rights expert speaks out on Israeli ruling on Rachel Corrie verdict
Palestinian Killed, Three Wounded, As Army Air Strikes Khan Younis
Sunday November 06, 2011 01:56Palestinian medical sources reported that the Israeli Air Force fired, on Saturday evening, missiles into Khan Younis, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, killing one Palestinian and injuring at least three others.
The Body Of Abdullah Mhanna – Image Palestine-Info
Local sources reported that the army fired at least two missiles at a group of fighters on the Al Quds Brigades, the armed wing of the Islamic Jihad, in Al Qarara town, east of Khan Younis. The army then fired rounds of live ammunition into the area.
The slain resident was identified as Abdullah Eid Mhanna, 22, member of the Al Quds briagdes; three residents suffered moderate injuries.
The Al Quds brigades stated that, contrary to Israeli army claims, its fighters did not fire shells into Israel, and did not intend to.
On Saturday morning, one resident was moderately wounded when Israeli soldiers opened fire at farmers in an area near the Nahal Oz crossing, east of Gaza.
The resident was identified as Mohammad Hamad, 23; he was shot in his right thigh; several residents suffered panic attacks.
Eyewitnesses reported that the army was not provoked in any way, and that the farmers were taken by surprise when the soldiers opened fire at them while working in their lands. Fearing for their lives, the farmers left their farmlands and went back home.
Israeli sources claimed that, on Friday at night, a shell was fired from Gaza into Asqalan (Ashkelon) causing no damages or injuries.
by Saed Bannoura – IMEMC & Agencies
Related Post…
Youth Injured by Israel Fire in Gaza – Eyewitnesses reported that Israeli forces randomly opened fire at Palestinian citizens and farmers near “Nahal Oz” zone, wounding one resident identified as Mohammed Ibrahim Hamad, 23 years old; his injury was described as moderate.
“The army was not provoked, soldiers just opened fire at the farmers east of the Gaza Strip, they fled the scene fearing further attacks by the army”, an eyewitness said.
Late Friday, Israeli security sources claimed that a Palestinian home-made projectile was launched into the beach of city of Asqalan.
Hamas called on the Arab League – to break the siege imposed on the Gaza Strip in response to Israeli piracy against international solidarity activists who were trying to break the siege by sailing to Gaza.
The movement said in a statement, on Friday following the Israeli navy’s action against the two aid boats, We strongly condemn the Zionist piracy against the international activists acting in solidarity with our besieged people. We consider this Zionist act a crime and a violation of international laws and conventions.”The movement added that the continued siege against the Gaza Strip and the targeting of aid convoys are crimes added to Israel’s long list of crimes against the Palestinian peopleThe movement called on the Arab League to end the siege and called on the UN to shoulder its responsibilities towards the Zionist crimes against the Palestinian people and to immediately end the siege.
In the Mist of Deception The blind throw Punches to the Wind
Posted on July 13, 2011 by Marivel Guzman
Israel is finding enemies in every citizen of the world. The New Non-Violent Movement is causing a roar in Israel Intelligence and logistic centers, they do not know how to proceed with this “New Thread”. Peace Activists around the world are holding Israel by the horns.
Now finally the rest of the world is noticing the true colors of Israel, those hues of madness never seen before. For years Israel managed to escape the public opinion using all type of Propaganda money can buy.
Are they a thread for Israel? Millions of peace activists changing minds and hearts regarding Israel, for years even the activists were shy away from the Palestine-Israel conflict as the news coming from Israel were seldom and vague and the tourists from around the world only destination was Jerusalem and the Israel controlled side of Palestine. No one really could know what was really happening inside the military zone of Gaza.
For years Israel have controlled every bit of information and the minds were set for years against Palestinians. “Terrorists Militants” were the common terms used in the news, no one will wonder, now the perception have completely changed, now we know that close to 10 thousands Palestinians are inside Israel jails for opposing the occupation, more than 600 of those are children as young as 12. Now we know the nightly incursions inside the occupied territories, the IOF’s braking doors and arresting dissenters.
The panorama inside an occupied land is not easy to picture if you are not living in. But now with the internet, the cell phones, cameras and easy access to public forums and the social networks the obscurity of the oppression has been exposed. Now we see how ugly the mentality of the occupier really is, they can not deny their true colors.
The flotillas fiasco has giving the world the Truth.
The detention of more of 100 peace activists in the last couple days has shown the world the reach of the dirty hand of Israel.
The bending of the government of Greece to the wishes of Israel.
The theater can not be seen any other way.
Like the fronts used during the WWII for the Red Cross, where the occupier forces will presented a rosy picture for the cameras and they will leave behind the horror of the prisoners camps.
Well, Israel insists in showing the rosy pictures, but she can not control the flow of Real pictures coming out of Palestine. Now we all know and we are acting upon, and she can not stop us all.
Israel is a Case of Political Failure, Predictable as its Tactics
Posted on July 16, 2011 by Marivel Guzman
Omar Karem
Palestinians survey a structure targeted by Israeli air strikes, that locals say is a car maintenance facility and the Israeli military says is a weapons manufacturing site in Gaza City July 13, 2011. [Photo/Agencies
When Palestinians Christians started showing support for the Palestinian cause, a number of Christian Churches were targeted around the world by “Muslim Mob”, when Ortodox Jews started supporting Palestine and speaking in that regard, Synagogues around the world were targeted by “Muslim Mobs”. It is obvious for us that have been following the conflict more closely that this “attacks” are purposely done by Israel or her supporters. And off course these attacks are never are claimed by Palestinians factions or Palestinians supporters.
We know that the resistance factions inside Palestine have their own agenda and work very much on their own. The elected government of Gaza, Hamas does not control those factions. The same way that the IOF forces can not control the radical actions of the settlers that continuously harass Palestinians inside the occupied territories.
There is something well known in the world of World News, when an attack is successfully or unsuccessfully done by any Palestinian Resistance Groups inside Israel or the Palestinian Occupied Territories, there is a sort of pride of telling the world who perpetrated the attack, even if they did not achieve their goal, which ever it could have been. They feel that standing against this powerful Entity and her army is a duty because they are fighting against an entity that have stolen their land and is continuously murdering their love ones. They tell the world that they did it, that they try. There has never been an attack from the Palestinian resistance that was not been claim, except if that attack was not from one of them.
There are rumors that some of the groups working inside Gaza and West Bank are undercover Israeli agents pretending to be Palestinians and they live inside Palestine and work against Palestine, those rumors can not be confirm, but who will say “Yes I m Spy”, Israel collaborators are usually put to death, so is unlike it that we will ever know if they really exist. But we know that some groups act against Palestine long term interest, even thought they think to serve a purpose.
The resistance groups inside Palestine usually do not agree with most of the agreements signed by their respective leaders, they feel betrayed by their leaders that most of the times end up being pressure by the US or the European Union to suppress their own people. Not that they have any other choice, their hands seems to be tied up most of the time.
An ordinary Palestinian sees the conflict with their simple mind and their struggles transpire in their everyday life. The people of Gaza are being targeted by missiles, sonar bombs, an strangulating economy that is asphyxiating them, a social infrastructure destroyed, Israel drones do not distinguish between a school, a mosque or a home, their drinking water is polluted, dirty waters running in front of their houses, high incidence of radiation from Israel bombs, cancer related to radiation, psychological trauma in most of the population, high unemployment rate, youth lost to uncertain future that engage in violent acts and drugs. I mean we can go on and on and lay out all the deficiencies of their everyday life and they see it as simple as ‘End Up the Occupation’, do not sign agreements with the enemy, because in their mind Israel is the enemy, they do not understand the Game of Politics that always goes against their simple well being, their future, their bare necessities never meet, their human rights violated, how could they understand or accept that their leader is not acting in Palestinians behalf? But who in their right mind will accept to be exiled, starved, make refugee, make homeless, murdered and not complain about it? Who Would?
Israel recent attacks in Gaza seems to follow the same pattern of the 2009-2010 massacre, where more than 1500 Palestinians got killed. The attacks never really ended since Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005 they only got more vicious. They have better war technology than they did in 2005, their experiments are being perfected. The damages are more lethal, and what the UN Club is doing? Nothing, absolutely nothing. What the US is doing? they are making more difficult for Palestine to survive another year, but even against all the odds, the international community of peace and social activists and Palestinians are getting ready for September, the big date for the drafted resolution to be presented In the UN, for Palestine to be finally recognized as a Free Nation.
Flotilla Turned Covoy
Posted on June 22, 2011 by Marivel Guzman
On Jun 19, 2011 the Convoy arrived in Gaza Strip through the land crossing of Rafah Border. The Boat was docket on Al-Arich Port of Egypt and some of the cargo allowed into Gaza.
On June 6, Dr. Issam Mustafa Cordinator of the Mission spoke to- Humanitarian voice
The humanitarian convoy “Miles of Smiles 3” Schedule to arrive Gaza after a week
The humanitarian convoy “ Miles of Smiles 3” left Italy today in its way to the Egyptian seaport of Alexandria, and is expected to reach it by next Sunday 12/6/2011.
Dr.Issam Mustafa, the coordinator general of the campaign, in a statement to “humanitarian voice” ,has reaffirmed that the convoy, laden with medical equipment ,and 4000 packet of milk for children missing in Gaza.
Dr. Mustafa added that the convoy’s organizers will purchase the needed medicines for Gaza from the Egyptian markets, noting that $ 500,000 were allocated for this humanitarian purpose.
He explained that the organizers of the campaign are slated to arrive in Cairo on Wednesday 15/6/2011 and will leave on Friday 17/6/2011, in their way to the coastal enclave.
He went on saying that the participants in the campaign will enter Gaza on Sunday 19/6/2011 and leave on Saturday 25/6/2011,according to the decided program, noting that 72 solidarity activists, from many Arab, Muslim, and foreign countries ,are participating in this convoy.
From his part, Muhammad Sawalha, the chairman deputy of the International Campaign to End the Siege of Gaza and of Advocacy with Palestine , has hailed the organizational efforts of “Miles of Smiles 3” convoy , especially their integrated working and team spirit.
He emphasized that those concerted efforts are progressing in parallel with efforts to launch the big event “Freedom Flotilla 2” slated to set sail by the end of this month.
It’s worth to mention that the participants in “ Miles of Smiles 3” are representing a number of charities from many countries : Britain, Bahrain, Jordan, Lebanon, South Africa , and others…..
Small convoys are easier to manage and if they arrive every month easing the blockade, Gazans will benefit a great deal, specially if the convoys bring medicine and medical supplies that are a scarce products in the strip. And off course will be better that all the cargo will be entering directly to Gaza, so all the product could be bought in the countries of origin of the peace activists.
And still will be better if Gaza Illegal Blockade from part of Israel will be lifted once and for all and allow Gazans to import and export their own product.
Gaza Strip is a beautiful enclave in the Mediterranean Sea and should be a touristic attraction and capture revenues from that industry.
Gaza being one of the oldest regions in the world is worth it to visit, and will be better as a tourist and for pleasure trip. Not that the activists don’t enjoy their stay but the experience will be more rewarding for them and for Gaza.
Their 3 miles nautical fishing enclave is a joke, there is no fish enough to serve this growing population of close of 2 millions. We make a call to all the leaders of the world to pressure Israel to stop this inhumane political punishment.
Palestinians had already mend their differences now is time for Israel to mend hers..There is no need for blockade, the excuse is childish and non sense, because the tunnels are open borders for arms if they wanted to import them, but they are more in need to import basic items.
Do your share and help to raise awareness of this inhumane siege.
The “Stay Human Convoy” (Convoglio Restiamo Umani.) leaves the Gaza Strip.
Posted by Omar Karem
At 13:00 (Italian time) on May 17 the 73 Co.R.Um activists left the Gaza Strip through the Rafah border Crossing, headed towards Cairo, from where they will depart for Italy. The convoy entered Gaza, Palestine through the only free open border to the world, Rafah.
The “Stay Human Convoy” (Convoglio Restiamo Umani.) leaves the Gaza Strip after 5 days of really! emotional living the life with The population of Gaza, that received them with their known good heart and open arms.
The delegation of 73 activists crosses the Rafah border crossing to come back to Egypt, after spending five days in Gaza.
Gaza on May 12 after a long journey through the Sinai Desert, with the aim of returning to the place where Vittorio Arrigoni spent the last 3 years of his life. “We’re going to Gaza, Vittorio is with us”,
During their stay in Gaza, the Convoy took part in numerous meetings and initiatives, always accompanied by the Palestinian Population, who led them through the places recounted by Vittorio Arrigoni, in a Gaza that still shows all the signs of the destruction wrought by the Israeli bombings of Operation Cast Lead in 2008/2009. Among the many encounters, there was a meeting with the Gaza’s media-activists, with the aim of creating a multimedia platform that will continue the work of direct testimony initiated by Vittorio via a web site.
THEY MEET ALSO;
Palestinian and international bloggers and journalists.
Furthermore, Co.R.Um took part in the demonstration of May 15th at the Erez Crossing,
controlled by Israel, in the day where in all the occupied Palestinian territories the “Nakba”,
the catastrophe, is commemorated. These demonstrations were repressed by the Israeli Army everywhere, and in particular in Gaza, where one person was killed and 200 were injured. In the hours after the demonstration a delegation from the convoy visited the injured at the hospital were they were taken.
In the same day, at the Gaza Harbour, there was a commemoration one month after Vittorio’s death.
participated, together with the Palestinian fishermen, with whom
they had already held meetings during the week.
Welcome to Gaza video about Palestine history, Via Omar Karem ‘Welcome to Gaza’ is a documentary about Gaza city located on the
Mediterranean Sea Coast in the far southwest of Palestine. The film reviews the ancient city dated to more than 5000 years. Further, it reviews the aspects of life which is full of vitality and liveliness; in addition to the hospitality of its people and the scenes of tolerance and love among people of the city,
http://www.facebook.com/FreeGazaTodayhttp://www.facebook.com/FreeGazaToday
When is Nakba Day? Every day! My Palestinian friend answered to me….
Posted on May 8, 2011 by Marivel Guzman,US and Omar Karem, Gaza
What it is worse? Do live exiled in a foreign land, or to be prisoner in an exiled land
We can give excuses for history to have changed its curse, after all history was already written, the Holy Land was already there before Israel was created, La Terra Santa was a common name given by the Santa Church, the official Name, la Santa Sede, The Vatican that powerful state inside that Rome that ruled the life of Jews, Gentiles, believers and unbelievers since long before Jesus was even crucified. Then why the Santa Sede did not intervene in the protection of the holy shrine, the holy sepulcher, The Church of the Trinity those Holy places that were so important to preserve.
I asked my friend in Gaza, when is Nabka? and he replied Everyday is Nakba for us in Palestine. Those words are hunted words that live in every Palestinian inside the occupied land and in the exile, how can they forget that in May 15, 1948 somebody strange to Palestine land sat on a table and wrote a in a language foreign to Palestinians that their lands was theirs no more, that the graves of their grandparents now belongs to other people, those people that say they own the land by God will. Intelligent people, thinkers of this era, pagans, Atheist, Muslims, Buddhists, and every other human being that does not subscribe by mother lineage or convenience, or does not claim to be Jew, we all see the ugliness of that decision that with the power of a pen disposesed in an instance the life and identity of a whole Nation.
Nakba day is a day of mourning but not only on May 15 of every year, the mourning is a continuous feeling, every time one Palestinian is killed defending his life, his family, his land. Every time one Palestinian land get ravaged by the bulldozer, Every time a family is evicted from their home in East Jerusalem to make “home” for a “Jew family”. Nabka is an everyday struggle in the life of Palestinians even the ones in the exile, because for some reasons they are denied of the most of the basic rights specially in the Arabs countries. They claimed to served the rights of Palestinians in the exile, not allowing them claim citizenship or owing land. Israel and the Club of 5 seems not to worry for their continue struggles.
The ordinary citizens of the world just started taking note of the Palestinian Plight. Lets hope that Nakba will find soon a closed chapter and begin a new life for Palestinians. September is a day to mark in our calendar. By September more than 153 countries will have recognized Palestine as an independent State and the Palestinians Collision will draft a resolution to present to the UN to officially vote on the right of Palestinians to have their own State, globally and officially recognized. Lets Hope and lets keep the pressure word wide with Israel to stop dragging the inevitable, the situation is unsustainable for Israel. Very soon even the US have to stop its blatant and blind support for this pariah State that is Israel.
If England could not support its apartheid State in South Africa after the global boycotts and pressure of the people, so the US will have to recognize that can not and should not shove Israel in the throats of the people. Israel and their supporters are looking for a gloomy future, marching in suckles to the International Criminal Court of the Hague and very soon to respond in the Jerusalem Trials.
Cornerstone church “honor to israel” service disrupted!!!
san antonio community organizers stood in solidarity with palestine on may 15 2011 and disrupted Cornerstone Church’s “honor to israel” service performed by john hagee.
There is so much a sand castle can stand, the wind and the water of the ocean eventually will destroy it, Israel is seeing that they pushed to hard in the intelligent of the people, and they can not support the lie any longer. The pressure is mounting, the Arab Revolutions that have sweep the middle East should be a lesson for Israel and her supporters, and even to the puppets Arab leaders that the people have got enough. WE THE PEOPLE, are speaking a language of Unity, something that the leaders were not used to hear. The fold is down for great segments of society around the world, does not matter the culture we belong to. Peace, Justice are Universal Rights of all of us, the Citizens of Earth.
Gaza Was and Still Lives, Under Occupation and Under Attack We Still Gaza,Palestine
Posted on April 9, 2011
by Marivel Guzman
Oldest as Time Itself
The name Gaza means “strength and prevalence”
Gaza is one of the world’s oldest living cities. It is a city held to be of major strategic importance. It was the only overland route between Africa and Asia, which led Egypt to establish, in 3500 B.C., the citadel of Tell Sakan on the banks of the Wadi Ghazzeh, some 12km from the modern city.
We know that back in 2007 when the European Donors cut the money destined to the Palestinian Authorities, The PA was in hardship, and the holding of the Taxes from the Israeli government put the
government in more stress, but now 4 years later the situation have changed, the money given to the Palestinian Authority and the Loans and Help from the US government are in place, we are appealing for justice and distribution of the money owned to us by just cause. Gaza Families whose salaries were withhold by the PA in 2007. More than 100,000 Gazan still waiting for salaries to be paid
The Military Occupation that has kept us from prospering as a Nation is already a rope in our necks, and by adding an undeserved punishment from The PA government Gaza is put in an unusual situation, and the conditions worsen by the lack of central support, and World Support.
Unemployment in Gaza
The last estimates of the population in Gaza 1,657,155 (July 2010 est.)
0-14 years: 43.9% (male 374,110/female 354,088)
15-64 years: 53.5% (male 453,253/female 432,855)
65 years and over: 2.6% (male 17,326/female 25,523) (2011 est.)
These numbers might seem meaningless to you if you overlook them, but the working age in Gaza due the siege, military occupation is from 12 years and up, you can see children as young of 12 years old picking rubles close to the border of Rafah to make a few shekels to support their families, thousands of families in Gaza do not have a male head of household, either because he was killed, or is incarcerated, So more and more children and women are in the necessity to work to provide for their families. In a regular country where the legal age is 18 a 50% of unemployment will means a completely paralyzed society, but for Gaza after so many years under military occupation and more than 4 years of crippling siege their residents have survived and have shown the to the world their tremendous surviving spirit. But that by no means is a motive to keep ignoring their plight. Israel has gone away with so much injustice and ignore her obligations as an occupier power because sadly the Club of the United Nations even have set rules and regulations for bullies countries that wish to occupy illegally another people’s land.
Their residents in their attempts to survive have to resource to all types of occupations, working in the tunnels being on of the most dangerous of all the occupations, but when you have a family to feed you need to do what ever is available. United Nations seems to ignore what Gaza is suffering.
They venture dangerously close to the border fence to unlock metal and steel rods from their demolished home heaps. They are Gaza’s recyclers, and in a Strip where unemployment hovers at nearly 50 percent and poverty soars over 80 percent, environmental considerations are far from their minds. They do this work out of necessity.Yousef, 14, leads two of his younger brothers in
They come by the hundreds every day to sand dunes and rubble sites to sift for pebbles, stones and sand that can be used in making concrete blocks. They lean into trash bins across the Gaza Strip, and wade through piles of rubbish scavenging for plastics, metals and any bits worth reselling.
their daily hunt for concrete materials off the highway between Khan Younis and Deir al-Balah.
Gaza is plagued by poverty, malnutrition and unemployment 3 factors that are like a ticking bomb for the population, without counting the health conditions and the environmental damage due to continuous bombing with plutonium and others unknown chemicals that on recent years have done multiples mutations in newborns and caused fertility problem in their population.
The toxic waste one of the main concerns in Gaza, Israel air strikes have destroyed most of the sawyer system making a hazard problem comparable to a radiation explosion, the waste is being mix with the clean water reservoirs. Palestine is being forced to buy water from Israel as its drinking water is contaminated. And the lack of resources and legal binding from drilling for more wells put Palestine in a more difficult situation.
1967, when Tel Aviv occupied Gaza, the forces built three sewage treatment facilities there, which failed to treat most of the inflowing waste. The system was poorly modified during the 1980s.
Gaza, home to close to 1.7-million Palestinians, is currently almost four times more populous than the 80s but still dependent on the system.
The already dysfunctional facilities were further damaged during Israel’s frequent incursions over the past four years.
The damage done to the waste water-treatment facilities in the northern Gaza City during a December 2008-January 2009 war by Israel made some raw sewage find its way into the ground water sources, our reporter noted. The offensives also killed more than 1,400 Palestinians and
While dumping parts of its wastes in the coastal sliver and hogging its water supplies, Israel has made it extremely difficult for Gaza to bring in waste disposal equipments.
inflicted a damage of above USD 1.6 billion on the strip’s economy.
Tel Aviv, meanwhile, continues to aggravate the problem by partially disposing of its waste water in the Gaza valley. Israel’s all-out land, aerial and naval blockade, meanwhile, blocks the entrance of food, medical fuel and electricity supplies to the coastal sliver.
Gaza’s Coastal Aquifer yields more than 500 million cubic meters of water of which a little over a tenth is allocated to Gaza residents, and the rest is taken by Israel.
One of the groundwater wells in Khan Younis area in the Gaza Strip under regular monitoring program by the research shared project between the University of Heidelberg and the Gaza Governorate. Water is sampled and analyzed in both Gaza and Heidelberg for anions, cations, heavy metals and organic contaminants. (Credit: Environment and Information Center at Gaza Governorate, Gaza)Drinking Water In Gaza Strip Contaminated With High Levels Of Nitrate
Groundwater is the only source of drinking water for the majority of people living in the Gaza Strip. In babies younger than six months, nitrate can lead to methaemoglobinaemia, to diarrhea and to acidosis. The WHO therefore recommends keeping nitrate levels to 50 milligrams per litre or less. 90 per cent of their water samples were found to contain nitrate concentrations that were between two and eight times higher than the limit recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) The Global Organizations spend their millions of dollars making rules, making Reports, collecting Data but most of their resources is a waste of money and efforts because their findings and recommendations are completely ignored or shelved. Israel does not care for the damage that it inflicting to the environment, and to the people, IF EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) was in charge of Palestine, by this time Israel would have been forced to paid hundreds of billions of dollars in Fines.
War induced environmental threats continue to confront the population of Gaza: Health hazards resulting from the fractured sewage system caused by the bombings and toxic radiation contamination caused by Depleted Uranium (DU) and other Heavy Metal weaponry are manifesting at a staggering speed.
DIME weapons were first used against Gaza by Israeli drones in the summer of 2006, when Palestinian medical personnel reported that it significantly increased the fatality rate among victims. Shortly after the DIME weapons were also trialled during the first week of the war in Lebanon in July 2006.
Gaza is being used as a human experiment by Israel. There are reports from 3 Universities that conducted studies in bodies of martyrs and found Toxic and carcinogenic metals, able to produce genetic mutations, have been found in the tissues of people wounded in Gaza during Israeli military operations of 2006 and 2009. The research has been carried out on wounds provoked by weapons that did not leave fragments in the bodies of the victims, a peculiarity that was pointed out repeatedly by doctors in Gaza. This shows that experimental weapons, whose effects are still to be assessed, were used.
“Nobody – says professor Paola Manduca, spokesperson for the New Weapons Research Group, genetics teacher and researcher at the University of Genoa – had never conducted bioptic analysis on tissue samples from wounds. We have focused on wounds made by weapons that do not leave fragments, as the doctors from Gaza reported on them repeatedly. We wanted to verify the presence of metals that remained on the skin and in the derma. It was suspected that these metals were present in the weapons that leave no fragments, but it had never been demonstrated before. To our surprise even the burns provoked by white phosporus contain high amount of metals. Moreover, the presence of these metals in the weapons implies that they have been dispersed in the environment, in unknown amounts and range; they have been inhaled by the victims and by bystanders, thus constituting a risk for survivors and for people that were not directly hit by the bombing.”
Hot topics
There are reports that Israel is using a new weapon in the Gaza strip. More specifically, the claim is that Israel is using something called a DIME weapon. Say what? Yes, DIME weapons are real, it stands for Dense Inert Metal Explosive. In a nutshell a DIME weapon is a bomb or missile that detonates with powerful and lethal explosive power confined to a small area. The idea being to minimize “collateral damage” when using military weapons in urban areas. Yes, this is a humane killing device, science marches on!DIME-Dense Inert Metal Explosive
More allegations were brought to the light of the world when According to a Norwegian MD who was working at a Palestinian hospital in Gaza during the recent war the type of injuries that were inflicted on war casualties ,during this campaign, were different than anything that he has seen before in a war theater and he has seen quite a few conflagrations over the past thirty years. Another Norwegian doctor named DR. Gilbert told the Oslo Gardermoen that “there is a strong suspicion that Gaza is now being used as a test laboratory for new weapons.”
DIME EXPLOSION-Dense Inert Metal Explosive
The suspicion as expressed by many medical doctors is the use of what the US Army calls DIME, Dense Inert Metal Explosive. This weapon was originally designed by the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories to inflict severe damage on people but cause lighter destruction on buildings. Dr. Brommant , a German Doctor , who was also present in Gaza, describes the injuries that he has witnessed by saying that “It seems to be some sort of explosive or shell that disperses tiny particles that penetrate all organs, these miniature injuries, you are not able to attack them surgically.” Those who are lucky to survive the initial injuries are most likely to develop RMS a deadly cancer related to the tungsten tiny particles.
Bodies with dead tissues and no apparent wounds; ‘shrunken’ corpses; civilians with heavy damage to lower limbs that require amputation, which is nevertheless followed by unstoppable necrosis and death; descriptions of extensive internal wounds with no trace of shrapnel, corpses blackened but not burnt, and others heavily wounded that did not bleed.
Many of these descriptions suggest the possibility that the new weapons used include ‘direct energy’ weapons, and chemical and/or biological agents, in a sort of macabre experiment of future warfare, where there is no respect for anything: International rules (from the Geneva Convention to the treaties on biological and chemical weapons), refugees, hospitals and the Red Cross, not to mention the people, their future, their children, the environment, which is poisoned through dissemination of Depleted Uranium and toxic substances released after oil and chemical depots are bombed.
Angels Of Death – The Nazi Doctors
Gaza, Palestine unique situation needs to be brought to the attention of the world, Israel uses Gaza as a tool of control to manage the “Peace Talks” conditions.
After all the analysis of Gaza conditions, seeing how malnutrition have made so much struggles in the health of the children, the elderly and pregnant woman.
The use of banned and illegal weapons on its population, the lack of clean drinking water, the destruction of its infrastructure including the purposely destroyed sewer system, the systematic bombing of their camps and cities using toxic chemicals that could be regarded as Chemical Weapons under United Nations Atomic Agency IF inspected, the psychological trauma of all Gaza Residents, the lack of safe housing and shelter, the shortage of everyday food supplies, the deliberately destruction of their agricultural lands, and ultimately the siege that do not allow them to run for refugee as other populations have done when their countries are invaded, attacked or plagued with internal conflicts.
Gaza is unique in every aspect of their struggles.
And as if their plight is not enough, the US and “ALLIES” named their Elected Party Official as a terrorist Organization with the only purpose to control more their lives not allowing friendly countries to freely help Gaza with their economical struggles.
The International Community, activist, independent media outlets, bloggers and peace activists that have followed Gaza situation, have worked arduously to raise awareness on the Truth about Israel Occupation and latest invasion of Gaza giving its residents hopes to change their lives. Gaza that enclave in the Mediterranean Ocean was one of the oldest places on Earth and Gaza Still Stand. They do not lose hopes that soon the World as a whole will see them as equal, their humanity still intact still praises the raise of the sun on that beautiful Gaza Sea, they pray everyday for a better tomorrow, their hopes are intact.
Gaza was and still Lives, Under Occupation and Under Attack still Stand Gaza Palestine.
Welcome to Come, Come To Gaza and meet the friendliest people in the planet.
The Raising Phoenix is the symbol of Gaza, Palestine.
Gaza gets a reminder of 2008-2009 war
Original Post by Omar Ghraieb
Friday 8, 2011, 2:04 AM (Gaza, Palestine)Israeli warplanes, warships and tanks continued their vicious and continuous assault on Gaza.
They targeted medics, 2 were injured while rushing to one of the targeted places by Israeli shelling using an ambulance. More residential areas and houses were also targeted.
Medics reported that 6 were dead in Gaza while 40 others got injured, from which many are women and children. Some of the injured were in a critical state while some others suffered from a life long disability due to heavy and direct shelling.
Israeli tanks approached from western and northern areas into Gaza, they shelled and targeted homes then opened sporadic fire before leaving.
Palestinian resistance declared cease-fire that starts at 11 pm Gaza time but it was one-sided, Israel didn’t oblige instead they responded by continuous shelling and air raids.
They re-raided the border line between Gaza and Egypt. Egyptian local news sources reported that a shell fell on a land inside Egyptian Rafah but with no reported injuries.
All dead and injured in Gaza were civilians.
Huge power outages took place in Khan Younis and Rafah after Israel’s heavy shelling on Gaza, many power lines and converters were damaged.
Explosions, sporadic fire and Israeli warplanes were heard till 3 am of April the 8th.
It looks like the upcoming days will bring more assaults and attacks.
So to be continued….
Posted by Omar Ghraieb at 2:04 AM
Reactions:
Israel carried out mass shelling on Gaza
Israel assaults Gaza again
Gaza, April 7, Israel carried out mass shelling on Gaza using full force and all war tools.
Israel used warplanes (F16s, Apaches and drones), warships and tanks to bomb Gaza non-stop for consecutive 3 hours targeting most of Gaza. Israel shells fell on residential areas targeting houses belonging to Qudaih, Al Manasra and Hellis families.
Israel also used full force to raid Rafah, Gaza intl, airport, Khan younis, Zaytoon neighborhood, Deir Al Balah, Jabalya, Shujae’ya, Qarara and several others places.
Adham Abu Salmeyah, Health Ministry official, One Gazan died, Mahmoud Al Manasra, 50, and over 25 got injured till now. A guy also reached the hospital aleady amputated after being directly hit by an Israeli shell, 2 farmers were also injured when a shell fell on their farm.
Israeli forces targeted most of Southern Northern and Eastern Gaza.
Palestinian resistance fired earlier a mortar that fell on a bus in Nahal Oz injuring a number of Israelis, they continued responding back to Israel’s vicious attack by firing some Grad rockets and mortars.
Israeli shells fell on residential homes, a hospital, farmed lands, a factory, an ambulance, power generator in Khan Younis causing power outages and Al Rayes Mountain.
Israel has been targeting Gaza for the past two days with over night air raids but with no reported injuries.
Israel’s shelling on Gaza continues while the Palestinian resistance also trying to continue responding.
Mohamed Al Madhoon, a journalist, also got injured during Israel’s mass shelling on Gaza and his situation is critical.
To be continued ……
Posted by Omar GhraiebApril 7, 2011 Gaza,Palestine at 6:07 PM
Resistance Is the Right to The People to Exist With Prospect For Peace
Posted on March 28, 2011 by Marivel Guzman
How to subsist without resistance, when the law of the jungle is enforced on the weak of the world?
We have the West with its mighty Army of paid soldiers and hungry mercenaries enforcing ‘Democracy’, planting death and destruction. Ravaging the land they chose to destroy. They bend the will of the people using the most horrifying methods men have invented in the last 100 years.
US and its Allies went to Iraq and have killed close to a million people, destroyed the infrastructure of one of the oldest and most advance societies of the World. Iraq with its glorious history, it wealth, pride and natural resources taken as a booty as ordinary theft. They invented all the preliminary excuses to corner the government of Sadam Hussein, they enforced a no fly Zone In the North and in the South of Iraq, destroyed all Military Power of Iraq, they got the UN to imposed terrible sanctions, the Oil was to be sold to the Agencies specified by the UN only, in a term of 10 years Iraq was economically destroyed, military destroyed so when US and Allies invaded it was easy pray.
Now we have the story repeating itself with another Oil Producer Country this time is Libya in the North of Africa and one of the 10 exporter of Oil, in this case as the African Oil Producer are in a specific situation they have this Light Oil Crude, cheap and easy to Refine. The US and Allies prepare the territory with a fake civil war, CIA style and once the situation is right, again they are using the UN to imposed a No Fly Zone, where the only missiles that kill will be that of US and Allies.
Who gives the right to the UN to sign death sentences of unarmed population,
Who say that they have the right to disposed of the Natural Resources of a Sovereign Country?
Israel The Other Bully in the Block, every year with made up excuses, force the US or the UN to brake up a government or two.
Israel has kept Palestine isolated from the world, has kept Palestine unable to defend herself, her society destroyed, her economy to receive crumbs from the International Community, her agricultural lands ravaged, her people terrorized, incarcerated and tortured, and as if all the horrors that Palestinians live every day are not enough Israel has made believe the world that they are the terrorist. So outrageous for the people that knows the truth, it is unbelievable that the West and its allies knowing the truth they have financed and armed Israel.
The UN Club of 5 knowing the truth, they have kept a blind eye on the massacres perpetrated by Israel, the murders of Palestinians citizens, the target assassinations of her leaders all being cover up and ignore by the international body that suppose to enforce human rights around the world, the International body that supposed to enforce peace.
Lies that Stick, Struggles that Sell. The Media Broke Out the Silence
Posted on March 29, 2011 by Marivel Guzman
Palestine Youth Broke the Silence! Not after the Tunisia Revolution and certainly not after the Egyptian Revolution.
“Palestinian youth have been inspired by uprisings in Arab countries, Pushing for a Palestinian Tahrir” Aljazeera Channel
I don’t think so, [Aljazeera] Palestinian youth have plenty of inspiration to uprise in their own merit. I think 63 years are few generations of struggles, pains, death, suppression and oppression being from their own leadership, but mostly from Israel IDF soldiers. The Palestinian Youth of today have suffered more than other youth around the world, and I don’t think that the inspiration born out of Tunisia or Egypt.
Palestinian youth have been resisting their own internal struggles they have been in the walls of facebook, youtube, myspace and other networks for years, in these days you taking notice of them is different because it seems that you the ‘Big Networks’, the ‘Big Media’ never have paid attention to their cries.
That you the Streamedia are writing about them it is a different story, and you did it because it sound juicy for your ratings.
The Struggles of Palestine
When the Youth Of Gaza Broke Out Manifesto first made the light to the streammedia, it was the first time that the manifesto was in the wires and it was not the first time the youth of Gaza broke the silence (GYBO). They have been braking the silence in their struggle with Israel with the world, they have been dying in front of your cameras and they have been called the perpetrators, they have been fighting with bare hands and rocks against tanks and you the media have been calling them the terrorists, they have been incarcerated and tortured and you have been silenced.
You the media is the one that broke the silence on January when the activists in the worldwide in a bold move sided with them and we all push for their voices to be heard. When you saw that they were making waves then you took advantage of their light and you decided that the story was good enough to be written about it.
They did not inspire out of Jasmin Revolution or the Tahrir Square, NO! Sandy Tolan, you picked up that title because it is catchy and sounds good and will be grab in the crawler of the web.
Now there are conflicts with the two main political parties in Palestine, from one side we have the Palestinian Authority closure of more than 300 NGOs in West Bank, charities that Hamas over the years has financed and sponsored, and they [Hamas] were doing the right thing in the Occupied Territories, but the egos got lose and the PA could not accept Hamas’victory without inflicting low punches, without seeing that the only losers are the Palestinians. Since 1982 Hamas is the organization that has been in charge of most of the health and social life of Palestine.
The United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in the occupied Palestinian Territory, Maxwell Gaylard, today voiced his concern about the forced closure on 30 November by the local authorities in Gaza of all Gaza-based offices of the non-governmental organization Sharek Youth Forum.
“I am very concerned about the recent forced closing of Sharek Youth Forum in Gaza. Sharek is an important NGO partner of the United Nations in its work on behalf of children and the youth in Gaza”, Mr. Gaylard said.
Mr. Gaylard noted that “Sharek’s work forms part of the many important activities carried out by civil society organizations in the occupied Palestinian Territory promoting development and the protection of human rights.“
He stated that freedom of association and freedom of expression are fundamental rights protected by international law as well as the Palestinian Basic Law and expressed his hope that Sharek would be permitted to continue its work in Gaza without further delay or undue hindrance.
Statement by Maxwell Gaylard,
United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in the occupied Palestinian Territory
On the Closure of Sharek Youth Forum in the Gaza StripJerusalem, 7 December 2010
Since 2007 the Fatah-dominated government in the West Bank has also closed more than 300 Hamas and Islamic-linked charities and NGOs.
I don’t see the UN raising the flag for the 300 Charities closed down in West Bank by the PA, not that Sharek Youth Forum be less important, but my note is in the context of marking the double standards used to emphasize the wrongs of one political party vs the other one, Hamas over their favorite Fatah.
The PA that is being cracking down on the resistance in the West Bank pleasing and serving the interest of Israel. Maybe the goal is toward “The Peace Talks” but we all know that Israel does not recognized Abbas as a “Peace Partner.”
Seriously speaking Israel does not know the meaning of peace.
And let’s mention also the continuous arrests of peaceful protesters in West Bank and Jerusalem, but not from the PA but from IDF forces that without mercy use lethal force to stop the demonstrators from expressing their opposition to the illegal Wall, the closure of Shuhada Street in Hebron, the demolitions of homes in East Jerusalem, the dispossession of homes, the illegal arrests of Palestinians and other very serious issues that the UN keep ignoring, even the murder of internationals is not a serious topic for our “Peace Keepers in New York Headquarters.”
Where is the Big Media in these important events that take place inside Palestine? Why don’t you Brake the Silence and exposed Israel Once and for all?..Will be the day that we will be celebrating Earth Day.
The next excerpts was taken from an article published by Aljazeera, I bring it to you because it has some good information, I do not agree with the way they portray the youth of Palestine taking the merit of their struggles, but now they are taking their time to give you a taste of the occupation with the “Big Media flavor”. Even thought in their article I see the youth of West Bank is not Numb as the great majority of the population, they [youth] see the situation from their young minds from different perspective.
“If you look at our social situation, people in Ramallah don’t care, mostly speaking,” says Dina Shilleh, a 27-year-old piano teacher who returned with her parents from Serbia during the heady early days of Oslo. “If they can go out, they have their car, they have their house, they can dress nicely, that’s kind of what it’s about. There’s a lot that’s been sedated. Because in the end you want to live. It’s like, hey, how long do you want to keep fighting? My grandparents fought, my parents fought. Am I gonna do it? My kids? It would have to be something that would really spark the people to get out of this numbness.”
I personally have experienced the disinterest from some Palestinians here in California and in Ramallah, they simply don’t care, they can come to the US, they work, eat and entertain themselves as long as they are not taking the heat from the IDF they care less for Gaza or for the struggles of Shuhada Street residents or East Jerusalem.
It is disappointing but also I see they are tired of fighting, they lived the occupation in their worse times, what can we do to wake up their dreams of freedom again?
Aljazeera Article published March, 05, 2011
On a cool January evening at the height of Tunisia’s Jasmine Revolution, Najwan Berekdar and a few friends were sitting at a smoky café in Ramallah, puffing on water pipes and strategising. “We were talking about what’s happening in Tunisia, and we decided, maybe this is the momentum – we should use it,” Berekdar remembers weeks later from her office at Sharek, a youth-oriented Palestinian NGO. “We were, like, five people. We were sitting with our laptops and we said, ‘Okay, let’s make an event.’ We wanted something to encourage people to go out.” Within days, masses of Egyptians began filling Tahrir Square, and 27-year-old Berekdar, her friends and like-minded Palestinian youths were even more inspired. “We wanted to send this message that it is time for us to do something. And obviously we can do it. Look at other people. If they managed to do it, we can do it.” The demonstrations these Palestinian youths helped organized were quickly banned, sometimes with clubs, by a Palestinian Authority (PA) with deep historic and political ties to the Tunisian and Egyptian dictatorships. But then other groups began forming their own demonstrations. And Berekdar and her friends, through email loops and a face-to-face “thinking group” of about 20 academics and intellectuals, organized new protests. “We were suppressed by the PA a second time and a third time,” she says. Soon Palestinian authorities began to investigate the group. “One of our group members was called by the police, and by the intelligence, and by – I don’t know, we have four security forces, I think,” Berekdar says. (Actually, there are five.) “They stayed at his home until one in the morning.” The mukhabarat assumed the young man was the ringleader, Berekdar recalls with amusement. They pressed him for details of the hierarchy of what is in fact a loose, ever-shifting coalition that only recently got a name: Hirak Shebab, or Youth Movement. It is an informal, mostly leaderless group – a concept the centralised PA does not seem to grasp. As Berekdar spoke, at 1:30 on a recent afternoon, an email came in from a friend. About the demonstration that day at 6:00: Should they do it at Manara Square in the centre of Ramallah or outside the Muqata, the PA headquarters? Berekdar was not sure. Scarcely four hours before the event, she seemed unhurried, and confident of Hirak Shebab’s ability to get sufficient numbers to show up at the last minute. Berekdar is trying to involve young people, both unaffiliated and from different Palestinian parties, including Hamas. She estimates that so far about 2,000 people connect with the group’s message pushing for democracy and fundamental change. “It’s about changing the whole discourse of the Palestinians,” she says. “It is time for us to start doing something. Because obviously the political leadership is not doing anything.” The ‘pulse of Palestine’ In the revolutionary spirit spreading across the Middle East, Palestinian youth groups have become a small but important catalyst in a building wave of discontent with PA repression and complicity in a failed “peace process” backed by the US. The groups’ actions are sparked not only by events in the region, but by the US veto of the UN Security Council’s condemnation of Israeli settlements. A widening circle of Palestinian groups are calling for an end to negotiations with Israel, an end to the political division between the West Bank and Gaza and wholesale reform of the PA and the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO). Some advocate dissolving the PA completely. “Fatah and Hamas have failed Palestinian society,” says Nader Said, a Palestinian pollster and political analyst. Youth, he says, “represent the pulse and conscience of Palestine”. In Gaza, Said says, young people “are the ones who have demonstrated in the middle of the shooting, covering their faces with paper bags,” so that security forces would refrain from possibly shooting a brother or cousin. “They are the soul of the Palestinians,” but by themselves, “they’re not strong enough to carry the emancipation agenda.” Yet the message is resonating well beyond the youth groups. As Palestinians under a 43-year occupation watch their Arab neighbours fight for democracy, pressure increases on the PA to reform itself – or at least, to appear to do so. Faced with the threat of the US veto, the PA sought to burnish its resistance credentials by refusing to yield to American pressure to call off the Security Council vote. And Salam Fayyad, the prime minister, recently sent a message to Palestinian youth via Facebook, asking for input as he forms a new Palestinian cabinet. Within hours, he received hundreds of replies – some supportive, some sceptical. “Now suddenly they’re this nationalistic body that’s clinging to Palestinian rights?” scoffed Diana Buttu, a Palestinian lawyer and former PA negotiator, in a recent interview. “They’ve put their finger to the wind, and realised that the wind has changed. Right now you don’t want to be seen as the one nation that’s clinging to the United States. So they had to do something.” But others say the pressure from emerging Arab democracies, and what one insider called the “betrayal” by the US, may force the PA to turn inward, and thus make the kind of core changes it has long resisted. “We do not want an authority that is a buffer between the people and the occupation,” says Qais Abu Leila, a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council and a founder of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine. “We need a Palestinian Authority that is part of the people and a continuation of the struggle against occupation.” Abu Leila believes the shifting political landscape may force the PA to confront its increasingly undemocratic, authoritarian character. “We are now facing the danger of the emergence of more or less police regimes” in Gaza and the West Bank. Under the PA, he says, “gradually the democratic checks and balances of government are fading away”. ‘A quiet colonisation’ Fundamental change within the PA, if it happened, would likely include a reassessment of its security cooperation with Israel. Some coordination of visas and safe passages, and movement of Palestinian police between West Bank towns, would continue, reformers say. More draconian measures seen as collaboration with Israel’s occupation could be suspended. These include the extralegal arrest and detention of hundreds of Palestinians, and incidents of torture, documented by Palestinian human rights groups, in the name of fighting terrorism and preventing a Hamas takeover in the West Bank. Human Rights Watch recently called on the US and EU to suspend aid to the PA “pending concrete steps to end a culture of impunity for security service abuses, including torture”. But a Palestinian decision to suspend security cooperation would likely have huge financial consequences. In recent years the US has spent nearly half a billion dollars in training and “professionalising” key parts of a 25,000-strong Palestinian security apparatus under three-star American general Keith Dayton. The money flow would likely reduce to a trickle if basic principles of the arrangement were suspended. Some analysts believe the PA could survive possible cuts in US funding, especially if the EU stepped into the breach. Others are sceptical. “The PA is a security subcontractor for Israel,” says Buttu. Despite the pressure the PA is facing, she does not foresee any change. “The whole aim is to allow Israel to have a very quiet occupation, a very quiet colonisation.” “We alleviated the occupation from its responsibility,” agrees Ali Jarbawi, a longtime critic of the authority who recently joined the government as the Palestinian minister of planning. “And they [Israelis] are living happily ever after when you go to Dizengoff Street and sip wine with the yuppies at these sidewalk cafés. As if the West Bank does not exist. As if Gaza does not exist. As if the Palestinians do not exist.” Jarbawi believes the two-year state-building plan the PA put in place in 2009, overseen by Fayyad, should be given a chance to work – but only until September 2011. Jarbawi insists there must be a limit to official Palestinian patience. “You can’t keep the negotiation track open forever, and keep the dependency on aid also open forever, so the world is paying for the continuation of the occupation. And at the same time they are building settlements on the ground, eating what’s supposed to become our state.” Jerusalem: ‘The next Tahrir?’ After September, Jarbawi says, the Palestinian strategy could include an end run around the US, through an appeal to the other members of the “Quartet” – the EU, Russia and the UN – to recognise a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders. Already nine Latin American nations have stepped forward. “Brazil, through this letter, recognises the Palestinian state on the 1967 borders,” Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the then Brazilian president, wrote to Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president, in December. Other options Jarbawi envisions include asking for an international presence in the West Bank, building a new, nonviolent intifada – “one million people walking down the streets, chanting for an end to occupation” – or even dissolving the very authority in which Jarbawi now works. “That has to remain a viable option,” he says. Abu Leila believes dissolving the PA is unrealistic. But he insists the pressure for reform has become too great to ignore. “There is an almost universal recognition that there must be radical change in Palestine, and that it must start with ending the division” with Gaza, he says, echoing comments by Berekdar and many others. He calls this step essential “in order to face the occupation and a hostile policy adopted by the US. The PA could organise the Palestinian society in a way that could fuel the struggle against the Israeli occupation. This is a meaningful option.” This may be starting to happen. In February, Tawfiq Tirawi, a member of the Central Committee of the PLO and until recently the PA security chief, called for “days of rage” protests against the American veto in the Security Council. “They consider themselves the masters of the world,” said the man who until recently helped coordinate security arrangements with Israel and the US. “They [the Americans] call for democracy and freedom. They say that they want this for all nations of the world, but when it comes to the Palestinian people, it just evaporates. The interest of our people is the most important thing. We will say no to the Americans if it is not in the interest of our people.” Some Palestinians believe a nonviolent popular uprising is coming in Palestine – whether backed by the PA or not. “Resistance has always been a unifying force,” says Hani Masri of Badael, the Ramallah think-tank. “The youth, they are telling the leadership, either you will be changing or you will be changed.” Masri and others are discussing mass mobilisations, including 50,000 to 100,000 Palestinians marching peacefully to Qalandia, the checkpoint between Jerusalem and Ramallah that now resembles an international border crossing. Beyond that, he asks, “why can’t we turn Jerusalem into the next Tahrir?” Weekly protests in the Palestinian towns of Bili’in, Budrus and Nili’in have already received international attention as focal points of a nonviolent Palestinian resistance. But whether mass mobilisations will actually take place to confront the Israeli occupation is another matter. High price of confrontation “The big question today is whether the Palestinian society has the juice to create a real civil disobedience, refusing-the-occupation campaign,” says Gershon Baskin, the co-director of the Jerusalem-based Israel-Palestine Center for Research and Information, and a strong advocate of the two-state solution. “There are 24,000 Palestinians working in settlements. Two Rami Levi supermarkets opened up in the West Bank, and many of the shoppers are Palestinian. If you’re going to wage a campaign to simply say we’re not cooperating any more with the occupation, then what that means is you’re not going to work in Israel any more, you’re not going to work in the Israeli settlements … You’re going to have confrontation with the occupation. And that has a very high price.” Would Palestinians, so dependent on the foreign-funded jobs and services that Buttu calls “donor heroin,” be willing to forego the sharp reduction in aid that would surely accompany a new strategy of confrontation? “In the short term we would really pay a heavy price economically,” Buttu agrees. “For one thing, you wouldn’t see people sitting around in nice cafés like this,” she says, smiling ironically while sitting in Ramallah’s Café de la Paix. But confronting the occupation “would definitely unite people who are not united now”. “Something could spark it,” Baskin says. “Who would have predicted Tunisia, Egypt, Libya? But I don’t see Palestinian society having the energy today to do it. Israelis and Palestinians today feel much more comfortable pushing a ‘like’ button on their Facebook page than going out to the street.” That may or may not be true. As major checkpoints have come down recently, the occupation has loosened around Ramallah, Nablus and Jenin, and relative freedom within a small portion of the West Bank has created a sense of limited breathing room. For some Palestinians, quality of life has gone up. Some say the “donor heroin” has created a sense of comfort, even complacency, in the small enclave inside the West Bank. “If you look at our social situation, people in Ramallah don’t care, mostly speaking,” says Dina Shilleh, a 27-year-old piano teacher who returned with her parents from Serbia during the heady early days of Oslo. “If they can go out, they have their car, they have their house, they can dress nicely, that’s kind of what it’s about. There’s a lot that’s been sedated. Because in the end you want to live. It’s like, hey, how long do you want to keep fighting? My grandparents fought, my parents fought. Am I gonna do it? My kids? It would have to be something that would really spark the people to get out of this numbness.” And yet, when Hirak Shebab organised demonstrations at Manara Square recently, Dina answered the call. “We need a new leadership,” she says, recalling her chants against the occupation and in favour of democracy. “We need a new idea.”
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You Are Missing the Point: IT’s not Religious Intolerance
Posted on November 12, 2011 by Marivel Guzman
Hello every one.
I think a lot of people seems to be missing the point.
Palestine is an occupied land. Occupied by Israel.
Does not matter which way you want to paint Israel, the people that live in Israel, at least the Europeans Jews that came after the partition of Palestine, are the reason that Palestinians homes are being demolished, they are the reason that there are 4.5 Palestinians Refugees in neighboring countries, they are the reason that settlements exist in Palestine.
There were Arab Jews before the partition of Palestine, and they were living just fine, the problems for them and Muslims started when Palestine was divided and stolen from native Palestinians. Please do not get me wrong, many Jews that have sympathized with the Palestinian’s struggles also have also lost their homes and some are being incarcerated, specially the most devoted Jews that do not accept the state of Israel to being forced upon the people.
There is a very true statement that said: “There can not be peace without justice” and as long as the land is not returned to Palestinians, there could be no Peace.
Resistance to the Occupation is a Crime, IOF does not need excuse to kidnapped Palestinians, if they are between 12 to 60 years old, that is a crime
We can sing along all we want trying to promote tolerance of religion, co-habitat between Jews, Christians and Muslim tolerance but again you are missing the point, this conflict it not about religion, that notion is the propaganda machine- sold-story for mass consumption, this is about land dispossession, cold murder, natural resources stolen, humiliation,marginalization, discrimination, the apartheid wall, impunity, and on top of all that settlements inside Palestine Land. What is left after the partition of 1948 , after the other annexation of the 1967 war, after the construction of illegal settlements in areas purely Palestinians being razed for settlement use.
Hamas the political party in Gaza, the legal representative of Gaza should be recognize as such, If I like it or not my opinion does not change the situation in Gaza. Hamas like any other political party have followers and detractors.
We can not change the fact that Hamas or any Palestinian to have a valid claim for not accepting Israel, after all Israel was an entity imposed to the Palestinians in 1948. So, why should they recognized the entity that came to take their land?
So people, the story does not end with the youth of Gaza being known around the world, the truth should be known complete: Palestine needs her land back for the Palestinians, for us, for the ones crowded in 40 kilometers of land (1.5 millions) Gaza, and for the ones expelled, exiled, refugees around the world. Omar Karem, Gaza, Palestine
And when they Tear the Wall Down it will be the beginning when they dismantle all the settlements inside West Banks, When they return Jerusalem then we will be talking of Peace Process, before all that take place, Israel is playing just a game to take more land and keep the world occupied with religious intolerance and TV made up Terrorists, Karem said.
Omar Karem is a Palestinian living in Gaza, Palestine and contributor for Akashma News.
Mahmoud Abbas in Gaza, surprise visit?!
Posted On March 17, 2011 by Akashma Online News
By Marivel Guzman in Collaboration with Omar Karem
The situation in Gaza is looking hazily, after the set back for the people on March 15 for Reconciliation, and the steeps attacks from Israel, and Hamas the poorly handling of the situation on the date of March 15 that ended with arrests, broken bones and anger between the people, the mood is between sadness and disappointment.
The March 15 Date was sought from the youth and the most actives Palestinians that were hoping to mend the differences between the two factions; Hamas in Gaza and Fatah in West Bank. Neither of them raised to the occasion.
There are reports that Mahoumud Abbas the representative of the PA in West Bank and Internationally recognized figure for Palestine, will be visiting the besieged Gaza Strip. This came as a surprise for some that heard the news with disbelieve, they are afraid that Mahoumud Abbas will bring too much of his security forces and they engage in a violent clashes as have been seen in the past with many casualties from both sides.
Palestinian Authority is calling for September Elections, but being Gaza in a complete siege, the chances of wining any seats are slim, because Hamas is not allowed to travel to West Bank to make any kind of Political Campaign. We must wait to see what this visit will bring for Gaza. Besides being Hamas designated “Terrorist Organization” they will be no finance support for the campaign as it was in 2007, which Hamas run with the blessings of Israel and the US, no one understand why after winning the elections, US put Hamas in the “terrorist list”, worth to mention that the US has changed the definition of terrorism.
We hope that Israel does not use this encounter as a excuse to send its “Groups” to stir violence, it is known in Palestine that there are certain groups financed by Israel to send rockets to Israel and to charade violence acts, used them always very strategically to either get International support or to trash Hamas or PA.
The future of Gaza and West Bank is at Odds, after the first attempt of the people to bring their leaders to reconcile their differences and work as one force. The youth of Gaza and West Bank won’t lose the hope and still planing more marches to bring their leaders to work together for a United Palestine.
A question remain; Will Abbas be allowed to cross the Eretz Crossing, between West Bank and Gaza, but controlled by Israel, or he will be forced to travel out from Jordan and take a plane to Egypt? Lucky him, that Egyptian authorities just lift the ban for Palestinians to travel across their territory to cross to Gaza.
With all the turmoil in Gaza, the continuous attacks from Israel, and the sequels of the Egyptian Revolution where the basic products double in prices, the population is not in a position to prepare a welcome party.
Unity March 15 a date to remember
Posted on March 15, 2011 by Omar Karem, from Gaza, edited by Marivel Guzman
Opinion
Gaza City, photo by Omar Karem
Thanks to all Palestinians that turned out today for the great March 15 March that markes the beginning to demand for a united Palestine.
The protesters were oppressed by the government forces. Was a little set back but the battle is not lost.
The youth, the women, the men, came in big numbers to demand unity and they will come out again; tomorrow, next week, until unity is achieved.
Battles are not easy to win said Leila Khaled, the Palestinian heroine that fought with Yosef Arafat during the 70s. She will tell you is not easy.
Today was a great day for Palestine, no matter what the outcome, it is a change, for first time lots of women are taking charge of the affairs of their land. Thousands of women were mixed with the crowd of men.
They know they must not be afraid, they are all Palestinians. Hamas, AFLP,FATAH, every one no matter the party they follow, they are all Palestinians, we are all Palestinians.
One Palestine Nation united to fight against the common enemy, ‘The Occupier’, ‘The IOF’ ,’Zionism’,’Ignorance’,’Division,’ those are the real enemies of the people.
Gaza City, photo by Omar Karem
Today the turn of events are only a show of the government to exercise power over the people, “Intimidation won’t work with us,” said a Palestinian, “We are feed up with Israel, even without uniform we know them, they can beat us and incarcerated us, but we wont stop,” he said.
They (Palestinian police) need to stop and unite with us. This fight is not against our government, it is against the division.
The security forces of Gaza are shooting to the air, shooting to the feet of the crowd. The government is afraid, of course they are afraid. Every government should be afraid of its people not the other way around. They need to prove themselves worthy to stay in power and if they have not done it the people is speaking loudly and demonstrating in the street and demanding unity.
It is not going to be easy for Hamas or the PA to contain the discontent because now we know that the power is with ourselves. If tomorrow, we all come to the streets, they won’t be enough bullets, or sticks to scare us. Today we celebrate that we can gather together, I don’t see it as a defeat to the people, No..it is a lesson, for us, for the government, to take notice that the actions are all recorded in history in our land. We must continue to work together to bring us as one Nation, we won’t stop.
We Palestinians are resolved to bring Palestine Unity.
“To really respond to the practices of the occupation, there should be unity behind the leadership that can address the world with one voice, to once and for all end the occupation and establish a Palestinian State as a strategic option for peace” – Issam Samour-Coordinator of Christian Relieve in Gaza, Palestine
The day’s events both exposed Palestinian divisions and underscored the popular desire for political reconciliation between Gaza, controlled by Hamas, and the West Bank, controlled by the Palestinian Authority under Mahmoud Abbas amd his Fatah party. -The New York Times
Naji Shurrab, a political science professor at Al Azhar University in Gaza, which is unofficially affiliated with Fatah, said on Tuesday that ending the Fatah-Hamas split was beyond the capacity of the youths to correct. “The division is like cancer; the later you are in treating it, the more it spreads,” he said. –New York Times
The main stream media is ready to blame the set backs of the youth of Palestine on the people. They are mute when Israel is bombing our cities or killing us but as soon as the occasion arise they are ready to make headlines. We should ignore them all along, until they bring us the Truth.
We could feel the joy in the last few days in Palestine, all the videos that we shot in Palestine, people in the streets talking about March 15, Unity Day, Reconciliation day. It euphoria was overwhelming, the talks of a nation ready to emerge.
The people is what it make the nation not the leaders. Palestine is One, One land. The Holy Land is Only one. “We the People” make it.
Please stop the fights, come with us, all the fathers, and sons, that work for the respective governments, see us we are you, you are us. We are Palestine.
Palestinian youth at the Unity March photo by Omar Karem
Abu Yazan and other youth leaders, however, insist that unity is required to effectively resist the occupation and that political reform would significantly improve quality of life in the meantime. The slogan for the March 15 event is “End the division. One people against zionism.”
Ali Abdul Bari, a 24-year-old leader of Esha (Wake Up), a liberal, secular group devoted to promoting human rights, tells a story to illustrate just how deep the divide is. His group posted a sign demanding elections near the destroyed Palestinian Parliament building in downtown Gaza City. It was removed by Hamas 90 minutes later, despite the permit they had obtained. Later, many group members were interrogated or had their backgrounds checked. Pam Bailey
We must have high hopes that this movement wont stop, that today was a minor set back, but tomorrow a new day will come, bringing hopes. Specially that we will be commemorating Rachel Corrie day.
Come tomorrow March 16 to the streets to remember her memory, her martyrdom, we will celebrate her life, praise her memory for her sacrifice to our land.
Rachel Corrie
Please come with no banners, no flags, no colors, security forces please do not give bad image to the world. Do not copy the practices of Israel, we are tired of repression and oppression. Support us, in the new Palestine Nation that we all try to build.
Tomorrow is a new day, to rectify the errors, to take lessons of the past. Inshallah
Laila Khaled-Palestinian Resistance Hero-March 8 Internation Woman’s Day
Posted on March 8, 2011 by Marivel Guzman
from original posted by Thee *FREE ARAB VOICE* February 2, 1999
Leila Khaled (also Layla Khalid), long-time activist and Central Committee member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), was born on April 9, 1944 in Haifa, Palestine. Her family left Haifa as refugees to Lebanon on April 13 1948, just before the State of Israel was established
In this issue of the Free Arab Voice we interview Laila Khaled.
Laila Khaled is a Palestinian Arab woman, an activist, fighter, and a leader that has become now a familiar part of the Palestinian psyche. She turned almost overnight from another refugee in Lebanon into an unfurled Palestinian flag. Unlike others who folded their flags though, she remains as true to the faith today as when she was fifteen, only smarter. Understanding what she has to say is tantamount to understanding what many Palestinians have to say.
We will not rain on her parade. She will introduce herself by herself.
[This interview was conducted for the Free Arab Voice (FAV) by Ibrahim Alloush ].
Introduction:
FAV: Welcome Laila Khaled. Would you like in the beginning to introduce us briefly to yourself: your position in the PFLP (Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine), the Palestinian Woman’s Union, and the Palestinian revolution?
Laila: I’m a Palestinian woman of Lebanese origin, my belonging is Arab, and hence my belonging is Palestinian. I joined the Arab Nationalist Movement early, early with respect to me, cause I was barely 15 years old then.
I moved to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine since its inception in 1967, and continue to be with them until today.
I was a member of the Union of Palestinian students, in the Administrative Committee, when I was still a student in the American University of Beirut in 1963. In 1974, I became a member in the General Secretariat of the Palestinian Woman’s Union. Also I’ve been a delegate in the Palestinian National Council [parliament] since 1979. FAV: What’s your official position in the PFLP?
Laila: I’m a member in the Leadership Council of the PFLP. “Who Are the Palestinians?”:
FAV: We’re not going to well long on that military operation you partook in, and which drew fame and glory. We have surpassed that stage in a sense. We’re in a different stage now, perhaps even at your own personal level. Would you give us a quick glimpse though about that operation so our younger readers may get an idea about what happened then? When exactly, and what was your role in it?
Laila: It was one of the operations undertaken by the PFLP to hijack airplanes. I was the first woman to participate in one, but the PFLP had done a few before. One of those was the hijacking of an El Al flight from Rome to Algeria. The PFLP took this path under the motto of “Going after the Enemy Everywhere”, as one of the tactics or phases of the armed struggle. The main goal behind these operations was to pose a big question to the world: who are the Palestinians? At the time Palestinians were being treated merely as refugees who may need humanitarian aid. So we got showered with tents, UNRWA programs, and so forth!
The other goal behind these operations was to release our political prisoners from “Israeli” jails. From 1968 until 1970, the PFLP performed operations abroad to achieve those two goals. But having posed the question of who are the Palestinians, the answer was not in the final analysis to be answered by the operations themselves but by the Palestinian revolution. There was now a big commotion. People all over the world were asking who those were who were hijacking airplanes and what they wanted.
Regarding the second objective of releasing prisoners, we succeeded in that respect partially. Had we had a liberated base from whence we could have held planes and passengers, and from whence we could have exchanged and negotiated, we could have succeeded much more. The Arab regimes had a clear position of not supporting us, and of compromising us as needed to white wash any affiliation with us.
I participated in two of these operations. One was the hijacking a TWA that Isaac Rabin was scheduled to be on. At the time he was the “Israeli” Ambassador in the U.S. That flight was supposed to go through Rome. We boarded the plane there, and re-directed the plane to Damascus, Syria. Unfortunately however, Rabin was not on board!
FAV: When was this?
Laila: This was in August 1969.
FAV: What happened after you came to Damascus?
Laila: When we came to Damascus, the airport we landed in was still not in use so we inaugurated it. We blew up the cockpit.
FAV: None of the passengers were hurt though!
Laila: No, no, not at all! That was made very clear throughout. We had strict directives not to hurt any passengers or members of the crew at all. Only in the case of clear self-defense, we were told, will you repel anyone who attacks you.
FAV: So you released the passengers upon arrival to Damascus?
Laila: Immediately. We told them to get off calmly, and showed them how to do it safely. Then we handed ourselves over to the authorities. We said we admit having done this, and would like to tell you why we did what we did.
FAV: The second operation you took part in?
Laila: The second one was an El Al plane. Now that’s a different story because it’s an El Al! An “Israeli” thing per se! That flight was carrying Ahron Yarev, the head of “Israeli” Military Intelligence at the time. We boarded that flight in Amesterdam. It was supposed to be headed to New York, but we were going to turn it back east. We had just inaugurated an airport near Amman, Jordan, that became known as the Airport of the Revolution where we had held three planes there already, and we were going to bring our El Al plane there too. But the pilot took us to London instead, and our comrade from Nicaragua, Patrick Aurguillo, was killed there.
FAV: What went wrong?
Laila: What went wrong was that we were to be four doing this, but only two of us, Patrick and me, managed to get on board. Because Yarev had bodyguards too we simply got outnumbered and outgunned. The route the plane took was not the one we thought they would. Landing in London was totally unexpected. We bet that they won’t come near us. I was in charge of the operation and had two hand grenades. I didn’t think they would ever dare to come near me, but it seems that “Israelis” think lightly of dying as well.
They attacked the two of us, and managed to kill Patrick savagely. I wasn’t shot, but tackled and beaten. Media reports later indicated that the body of the plane was riddled with eighty bullet holes. Patrick had one handgun and I had two grenades, so guess who was doing most of the shooting?
FAV: Then?
Laila: The Brits took me. The very following day however a Palestinian guy from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, hijacked a BOAC plane to Beirut because he couldn’t handle the thought of me getting arrested. He requested to talk to the PFLP when he got to Beirut International Airport, and asked them where he should go with the plane. The pilot didn’t know how to get to the Airport of the Revolution because it wasn’t in the official charts. So, he was given directions. Then I was released in exchange, along with a couple of other comrades, after 28 days in custody. All this also raised the political question worldwide of who we were and what we sought.
A Critical Evaluation:
FAV: How do you respond to those who say that this particular type of operations did not help out very much, but had in fact hurt the Palestinian cause? Sure we got the attention of the world, but it was perhaps negative attention, the kind that’s not very good for us?
Laila: There’s an intrinsic difference between armed struggle as one of the main strategies to overcome the enemy, and these transient tactics which we employed only during a very brief period. On the internal Palestinian level, other groups condemned our earlier tactics only to end up adopting them after we abandoned them totally in 1970, as Fatah did with the “Black September” organization! So these were short-run tactical measures that can and should easily be given up if needed.
Anyway, hijacking planes was not the only type of overseas operations we engaged in. In 1972 for example, the PFLP hit the oil tanker Coral Sea which was clandestinely carrying Arab oil & gas (butane), from one of the Gulf states, to “Israel”. It took about a year of careful surveillance and planning to ascertain the route and method by which Arab oil went to “Israel”. But nobody likes to talk about this.
FAV: Where did this happen?
Laila: The Red Sea. Let me also add here that this operation cost “Israel” a great deal in terms of maintaining tight security. From that point on, every tanker that went out to sea had to have military escort, by planes sometimes. Protecting their energy supplies became a real pain.
FAV: So do you call now for resuming this type of operations?
Laila: Now circumstances are different. Every act has to serve a political end. Hijacking airplanes is NOT in our best interest today. Anyway, we in the PFLP totally quit that after the Central Committee took a resolution to that effect in 1970. In this regard I would like to mention, with great admiration and respect, the contributions of the martyr Wadi3 Haddad, who is also one of the founders of the Arab Nationalist Movement. I owe this man most for having taught me how to love Palestine.
FAV: But you continue to be today for the continuation of the armed struggle to liberate Palestine?
Laila: There is a simple and clear formula that I follow which doesn’t require much theorizing. Since there is still today an enemy that raped and cast us out of our land, there is no language to communicate with him but that which he understands best. He talks the language of terror, so we have a legitimate right to resist. History, reality, and the whole world concede the people’s right to resist occupation. That’s all there’s to it.
The Calculus of War and Peace:
FAV: Some say Arafat obtained more for the Palestinian people, with his readiness to condemn and cooperate against Palestinian “terrorism”, than what we have obtained from decades of operations which cost us tens of thousands of martyrs, injured, prisoners, not to mention international public opinion. How would you respond to that?
Laila: Arafat lost and made us lose with him.
FAV: How come? Some say he obtained a small piece that could later become the nucleus of a Palestinian state? Can’t this become a foothold from whence we may liberate the rest? Didn’t he bring back about forty thousand Palestinians with him from Tunisia?
Laila: Arafat as the epitome of a stratum of leaders of the Palestinian movement that embraces the same way of thinking, has chosen to favor its personal interests over those of the people. Consequently they deemed their own return to Palestine, under humiliating conditions, synonymous with the “right of return”.
We have in Palestine today about three million Palestinians. These have conducted one of the greatest uprisings in the world. Their problem was never the right of return for Arafat and a small group with him. Our problem has always been that we are a people that have had its land occupied and that was forcibly evicted from that land.
The Zionists built their state on our land. Our problem can be summarized in two points:
1) sovereignty over the land,
2) the return of refugees.
This is the essence of the Palestinian problem. Now let’s see what Arafat did. Arafat got the legitimacy to speak for Palestinians from the blood of our martyrs, and from our suffering. He got legitimacy because he adopted initially the strategy of armed struggle. Then he stopped halfway. When this stratum got some perks and privileges, they balked on the notion of resistance. Our leadership was spoiled into submission, among other things. They liked hotels, travel, official receptions at their honor and what have you too much. But at the same time they were selling their own selves out.
Those selling themselves out can’t be said to be “obtaining” anything for their people, can they now? It’s true that “Israel” re-deployed its forces in this alleged solution. But even before that was done, Arafat had to sign on to the enemy’s right to exist on our land. That is a negation of the all the precepts of Palestinian struggle.
The PFLP’s Stand on the Existence of “Israel”:
FAV: But some claim that the PFLP has shifted, and is no longer totally opposed to the principle of “Israel’s” right to exist if that meant a sovereign Palestinian mini-state on the side. Is that true?
Laila: Let’s judge the PFLP on the basis of its documents, and I’m part of the PFLP. When we say that we agreed to the program of Palestinian national consensus:
1) the right of return,
2) self-determination, and
3)The Palestinian state. That means a Palestinian state on the land occupied in 1967, not Haifa. But here are our documents, and our strategy, and here’s the Palestinian National Charter that Arafat compromised. They all talk of liberating Palestine from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea.
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FAV: So this is what the PFLP remains formally committed to today?
Laila: Of course. We haven’t changed. We believe in liberation in stages, but we believe in our historical right to all of Palestine as well.
Laila Khaled Prevented from Flying in December to the Palestinian Conference in Damascus:
FAV: With respect to the Palestinian National Charter, there were reports that you were on a plane headed from Amman to Damascus earlier in December 1998, when you were asked to get off the plane right before take-off by Jordanian authorities.
What happened there?
Did they get nightmares from the mere thought of Laila Khaled on a plane?
Was it a matter of flashbacks from the sixties or is it more complicated than that?
Laila: I still travel by airplane by the way : ) : ) I don’t frighten anyone there. I was actually headed for Beirut, not Damascus, to participate in the Second Arab meeting for the post-Peking Women’s conference. No body told me why I was not allowed to fly that day, but I think they expected me to be going to the Palestinian opposition meeting in Damascus that convened on the 12th of December to re-endorse the Palestinian National Charter.
But in fact the real reason is Wye River, and the security deals that took place behind the scenes between the security apparatuses in Jordan and “Israel”. Laila Khaled is a Palestinian activist, and for her to travel and express her views here and there just doesn’t fly very well with the authorities. So they harass me as a member in the Palestinian opposition, not as an individual. But eventually, I traveled again later on, and nobody stopped me
FAV: So what if they thought you were going to participate in the opposition conference in Damascus? What’s their beef?
Laila: I wasn’t the only one prevented from going to Damascus last December. All the delegates headed to that opposition Conference from Jordan were intercepted and turned back. Specifically, 53 delegates were turned back. I left several days before the conference date because I was going to attend another in Beirut, then go to the conference in Damascus.
FAV: But why? What’s the point of preventing you and those people from attending the conference in Damascus?
Laila: The point as expressed rather comically by the Jordanian Minister of the Interior, Nayef al Qadi, was that those 53 delegates were going to Syria to say stuff that was “contrary to the security of Jordan”.
The response to that is straight forward:
The Palestinian opposition was simply going there to discuss its position and options after Arafat went ahead with the annulment of the Palestinian National Charter. That’s all. But let’s not forget I live in a state that has signed an agreement with “Israel” in Wadi Arabah. This agreement, or maybe one of its secret appendices, entailed that the opposition be oppressed, as long as that is done with all the “democratic means” available to the system!
[We will later go back and discuss in depth with Laila Khaled’s the Peking Woman’s Conference and her position on the question of Woman’s Liberation. There’s about 30 minutes of tape here that FAV will reproduce separately due to the extreme importance and the independent nature of that subject- FAV].
Future Strategies for Palestinian Action:
FAV The position you occupy now Laila Khaled in the Palestinian memory and the Palestinian conscience forces us to pose all the hardest questions to you. The Palestinian activism has reached a predicament at this point as is evident.
Can we say that the old forms of struggle have fallen?
Is there a need for new forms to replace them? If so, what are some of the features of these new forms? In short what is a good strategy for Palestinian action for the coming period?
What is to be done? Whence do we begin?
Laila: You posed the question of whence do we begin, so let me say here that we’re not starting out from zero. Every time a new leadership arrives at the scene, it doesn’t study the phase preceding it, and assumes that history began with it. Since the Balfour Declaration in 1917, we’ve had a series of uprisings and leaders in Palestine, culminating in a major armed revolt under the leadership of the Qassam in 1936.
Then there was Abdul-Qader al Husseini in 1948, then el Hajj Amin, and in the sixties the present PLO leadership emerged. We need to study therefore our history and draw hard lessons as much as we need to thoroughly evaluate the previous phase of the Palestinian struggle.
We may have entered a new phase though, characterized by a political settlement in favor of the enemy. The cornerstones of Palestinian activism have been upturned. The precept that the Zionist enemy is occupying our land has been clouded with false rhetoric about peace. The notion of armed struggle has been distorted as well by those who signed shameful agreements, like Arafat and his group.
We have to study thus the previous phase in a comprehensive and careful manner. We have to examine where we hit and where we missed. The great achievement the Palestinian people has perhaps been the Palestinian national identity. We learned how to resist, but the strategies of action now will have to be different from the ones we adopted before. The notion of armed struggle itself though remains necessarily constant because this enemy has not changed its nature.
This enemy does not seek peace. It is still racist, expansionist, and violent.
FAV: What is it that should change then?
Laila: Only the mechanisms have to change, not the objectives. The strategy of armed struggle has to carry on from one generation to the next. It has to remain a historical struggle on all fronts. The military front is not currently open, while the usual measures like demolishing homes, confiscating land, arresting activists, air raiding south Lebanon, and killing civilians continue. We still have Palestinian and Lebanese funerals daily. This means the enemy does not understand any other language.
FAV: This is regarding the objectives of the Palestinian action. How do we get there?
Laila: The objectives of the PLO have not been achieved, including the right of return, self-determination, and the Palestinian state. Some say we still have to uphold those betrayed objectives, and I’m one of those. The problem now is that this [Palestinian] opposition, which is made up of Islamic, nationalist, and leftist components IS NOT UNITED IN ONE PROGRAM OF ACTION.
We don’t have to unite them ideologically. They do have to find a way however to deal jointly with the two most important current issues of Palestinian struggle:
First, how to confront and escalate the fight against the occupation, and second how to tackle the contradiction with the limited self-rule authority of Arafat whose main task is to provide security for the occupation, and to oppress Palestinians. We can’t adopt the same approach in dealing with the two. I don’t think twice about the legitimacy of resisting the occupation by all means necessary.
FAV: How do you respond to people like Edward Said and Azmi Bshara who insinuate sometimes that we need new approaches to Palestinian activism, for example by opening up Palestinian organizations to “Israelis” who recognize “Israel’s” right to exist, yet support Palestinian rights!
Laila: We have to look at the tasks of every concentration of Palestinians in the light of its own circumstances. We have a goal that unites us all, which is to liberate Palestine. But there’s about a million Palestinians right now living in the land occupied in 1948. Those will have tasks that are different from the ones to be addressed by the Palestinians of Lebanon.
In the former, the Palestinian struggle focuses on removing the discrimination they suffer under “Israel”. But in Rou7ah and Um Es-sa7ali when “Israelis” tried to confiscate more land and to demolish homes a while back, the reaction of the Palestinians of 1948 made the Shin Bet report to the “Israeli” government that after fifty years of “Israeli” rule, nationalist feelings among the Arabs of “Israel”, as they call them, are on the rise.
It’s true there are a couple there that call themselves “Israelis”, but the Palestinians of 1948 have overall preserved their Palestinian Arab national identity. Within the framework of the overall objective, these people have the local objective of achieving equality before the law in “Israel”…
FAV: But we can’t generalize the tasks of the Palestinians of 1948 to other Palestinians?
Laila: Yes, that part of our people will have different local objectives because it has different local circumstances. We are a dispersed people you know. Those in the West Bank and Gaza will have different tasks as well.
FAV: So the idea of including “Israelis” in our struggle applies only to the Palestinians of 1948, right?
Laila: No, no, no! Neither including nor excluding, no! I’m talking about something totally different. I’m talking about a relevant Palestinian program for action. I said there are general Palestinian objectives for all Palestinians, and then there are particular Palestinian objectives specific to the local circumstances for each concentration of Palestinians. For example, what is right now the main concern of a Palestinian in Lebanon who is not allowed to work? S/He wants to make a living. But even s/he is trying to observe the general objective of preserving his Palestinian national identity.
He remains steadfast in the refugee camp as a Palestinian under very harsh conditions. His tasks however will have to be different from those of a Palestinian in Gaza, who has to deal with persecution by Arafat’s PNA, and the Zionist occupation. Local strategies have to be decided locally, not imposed from without. There has to be coordination though between the local parts so each complements the other.
FAV: But where do the “Israelis” who allegedly support our rights fit into all this? Some say that our main task on the general level now should be to intensify our efforts amongst Americans and “Israelis”. How do you respond to that?
Laila: Look, there are hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in North America. The main task of that group is to publicize the Palestinian cause and win support. They also have the additional task of not forgetting, and letting their kids forget who they are and where they came from.
They should think about coming back in the long-run. It’s high-time we learned from our enemies, isn’t it? But let’s also not forget here that this is part of the overall struggle. The children of the West and Gaza didn’t peddle theories about winning over the West in the uprising. They peddled stones. And they won the support of the world nevertheless. The essential thing is to not forget that the things that created the conflict with Zionists are still there. They’re not gone. The land is still occupied and the people are still dispersed.
That’s why we revolted. These agreements are like some ash over the coals. Pour a little gasoline and we revolt again. The gasoline is how to make our local tasks complement each other. The axis of the combined work should be to hit the enemy on the head through and through. They only withdrew from south Lebanon because they were shipping back too many coffins. So coffins is what they understand. And we should make no apologies here because our own graveyards are full. Before preachers try to teach you about the humanity of our enemy, teach them about how we have been dehumanized. They said: “The Palestinians don’t exist”! We have been subjugated to a process of extinction here. Now they’re even talking about making genes-smart bombs that kill only Arabs. These people are not about coexistence.
They still have their kids sing in Kindergarten: this bank of the Jordan River is ours, and the other one too! Why are you asking us to change?
FAV: ..and the “Israelis” that support our struggle!
Laila: This is something that concerns the Palestinians of 1948. It is not a task on the national level, except insofar as it contributes to flaming differences within “Israeli” society, and weakens the occupation. Full stop. But I don’t tell our Palestinian masses there to go to the booth to vote for Labor or Meretz. These still say our land is theirs.
I CHALLENGE ANY OF THE PARTIES THAT CLAIM TO SUPPORT PALESTINIAN RIGHTS IN ‘ISRAEL’ TO SAY THAT JERUSALEM IS OURS. None of them do. So what the heck? We don’t need more empty slogans from “Israelis” who claim to be supporting us. The United Nations resolution that recognized “Israel” tied that recognition to the return of refugees. But that was not observed because in this jungle the strong imposes its code. Let those “Israelis” who say they support us call for our return. Look, if you want to note with appreciation a large demonstration by “Peace Now”, fine. But don’t fantasize.
FAV: Are you willing to share Jerusalem?
Laila: No way and never. I want to go back to Haifa where I was born. What are you talking about?
—————————————————————————————————————–
We can not negate that the PLO headed by Yasef Arafat put Palestine in the Map again, if it was not for him the Palestinian Plight could have been ignored maybe until now. Even if we did not like the methods used by the PLO was the only way that Israel and her supporters were going to negotiate with him. And even if we disagree with the agreements Yassef Arafat was forced to accept we need to understand the circumstances of those agreements.
Not everything was done because personal preferences of Yassef Arafat, most of the documents that he signed were the less of the evils. I do not doubt for one moment that when Yassef enter the United Nations conference he have in his mind to sell Palestinian Identity. For the contrary he enter the conference with his head high and his rifle by his side. And after that day the whole world started speaking about Palestine again.
Even thought after the years the light shed on Palestine will diminish again, the Resistance took form, because the PLO brought energy to the old struggle. We can not deny the power that Yasser Arafat had and have in the young Palestinians. He never wanted divisions, he always spoke as Palestine as one nation, and that we also own to him and his group.
Our woman hero Laila Khaled fought along with Yasser Arafat and she knew the situation, and the agreements in its time, she speaks of her disapproval in some of the issues, I wonder if she have had the power of the pen, if another Palestine have resulted.
We can never underestimate the power of woman intuition. That is another story.
ISRAEL ATTACKED GAZA TODAY
Posted on February 28, 2011 by Omar Karem
Israel Tanks Entered Gaza Today February 28, 2011 their aims to Close the Roads that Connect Egypt and Rafah Gaza, Palestine
yesterday they attacked some people in Magazi camp no death were reported .
Israel now trying to take the time to make something inhumane in Gaza. Trying to inflict fear into the people, that are gathering together to end the internal divisions.
For the last few weeks the unrest can be felt in Palestine as all the people are Uniting to reconciled their differences between their views on the conflict and the aim of Israel to keep the division alive.
All the people inside Palestine and outside are raising their voices for ONE PALESTINE, There is one road to peace, Israel must end the occupation and Palestine be one Nation.
The US and the UN Club need to come to the realization that their support for Israel needs to end if they want to build lasting peace in the Middle East. As the situation is the middle east is concern the people are taking their lands back and the US needs to see itself isolated in its attempt to keep the dictators in place.
Israel is the only danger that we see in the middle east and in the world. Their lobbyists groups around the world are finally exposed and and there is no secrecy.
Gaza Faces a Strong Protest Lead by Young People To End Internal Division
Posted by on February 28, 2011 by Marivel Guzmans in collaboration with Omar Karem
Square of the Unknown Soldier in Gaza City
Gaza, Palestine(Akashma Web Blogs) The Day is March 15, 2011, Palestine Youth have made a call to all sectors of Palestine Society to come forward and unite as one force, forgetting differences of the past. Hamas as the leading Party in Gaza and Fatah as representative of West Bank they should unite their confidence with the people that is tired of so much violence, division and diversion. The occupation have for 62 years worn out their energy, is time to regain their fighter spirit that have characterized Palestinians but United as one Force, because the enemy have rejoice with their division and used it against them. “The People United will not be Defeated” is has been a slogan of fighters for centuries, lets remember that and be One Nation. Gaza and West Banks are districts of Palestine, and Palestine is One.
Gaza is under attack, Israel have stepped up her attacks in the Besieged Gaza Strip and even under such circumstances the Youth of Gaza leading “The Initiative Call Home” staged a protest in the Square of the Unknown Soldier in Gaza City before they were ordered to evacuated the Plaza. The protest led by Young Palestinians to end the internal divisions is a sign that the Revolution that started in Tunisia and Egypt has sparked the light in Palestine. There is not to say that they did not want to brake the old rule, but with the air of Revolution and the global support is a good moment to engage the world in their calls for Freedom.
The protest was broken up by security agencies of the Government by force, today they organized a sit-in group where
Young People peacefully gathered to demand an end to the internal divisions, in the Square of the unknown soldier in Gaza City, Palestine. Their demands have been growing stronger since last December when the Youth of Gaza Broke Out, a movement started growing support around the world, when they declare in their Famous “Gaza Youth’s Manifesto For Change” made public by blogger, Opinion Maker Online Newspaper and many others News Outlets around the world.
Such Manifesto was not welcome for factions inside Palestine and for many activists around the world, they saw in this Youth Manifesto more divisions, but in reality was a desperate call for a change.
“F**k Israel!,F**k USA! F**k Hamas!, F**k Fatah!, F**k UN. F**k UNWRA.
We, the youth in Gaza, are so fed up with Israel, Hamas, the occupation, the violations of human rights and the indifference of the international community! We want to scream and break this wall of silence, injustice and indifference. Like the Israeli F16’s breaking the wall of sound; we want to scream with all the power in our souls in order to release this immense frustration that consumes us because of this f*****g situation we live in.” Excerpt from the Gazan Youth’s Manifesto for change.
Said Hassan Farhat, one of the coordinators of youth initiative “Call Home” Monday, said that the security services of the Government blocked a sit in the courtyard of the Unknown Soldier in Gaza City to end the internal division in Palestine.
He said in a telephone Farhat told “together”: “A group of young people and the founders of “The Initiative Call Home” visitor in the courtyard of the soldier carrying Palestinian flags and posters but the police officers asked the protesters to withdraw from Square to the young people that started gathering in the Square of the Unknown Soldier.”
Farhat Said: “Despite the rejection of young men to withdrawal they were resolute to sit-in, police officers intensified their presence in the place, and was attended by four security agents dressed in civilian clothes that mix with the crowd and arrested Ahmed Arar coordinator of The Initiative Call Home among the demonstrators and took him to an unknown place and in addition to three others activists.”
Demands to End the Division:
From here we call on the governments of the West Bank and Gaza to respond to the legitimate demands of the people:
1 – the release all political detainees in the prisons of the PA and Hamas
2 – the end of all forms of media campaigns against each others
3 – the resignation of the governments of Haniyeh and Fayyad to re-build a government of national unity agreed by all Palestinian factions representing the Palestinian people.
4 – the restructuring of the Palestine Liberation Organization to contain all the Palestinian factions and get back to its initial aim: Palestine’s freedom
5 – the announcement of the freeze of negotiations until the full compatibility between the various Palestinian factions on a political program
6 – the end of all forms of security coordination with the Zionist enemy
7 – the organization of presidential and parliamentary elections simultaneously in the time chosen by all the factions
To Be or Not To Be
The initiative called for protests to call home in the West Bank and Gaza Strip and abroad to end the division.
For his part, said Mizan Center for Human Rights; “Had been almost a heavy police presence in the yard of the Unknown Soldier in Gaza City at around the morning of Monday of February 28, and they beat the coordinator of the campaign Call Home Ahmed Atawneh, where eyewitnesses have reported that he had been beaten before being stopped by police and transport out of the place and the whereabouts where unknown.”
This pool of about (20) people, including journalists on Monday morning, in response to a call launched by the campaign “Call Home”. The invitations were distributed via the Internet and short messages via mobile phones.
The invitations Identify Square Unknown Soldier as a center for gathering in the Gaza Strip, after the lifting of the sitters banners people want to end the division, people want to end the occupation, end the internal division is the way to building a Palestine State), according to eyewitnesses, one police personnel to Atawneh and got between them altercation then the police beat him and when journalists tried to take pictures of the attack warned members of the police take any photos.
The participants broke up the rest of the demonstration after the security forces attack, and came to the place in a civilian silver car and Atawneh was forced to step out and taken to an undisclosed location.
Mizan Center for Human Rights in a statement received by the Agency “together” connote concern over the use of force in the resolution of a peaceful gathering, adding that the Public Meetings Law No. (12) for the year 1998, provides special protection measures to ensure the right of citizens to organize public meetings, without the requirement to obtain a prior authorization, where only actions on the notice in writing to the governor or police chief before (48) hours in advance of the date of the meeting and for the police to make its observations on the details of peaceful assembly for the purpose of protecting and ensuring the safety of participants, and without prejudice to the right to freedom of peaceful assembly, before they are in writing, in the absence of receipt by the Organization of any written answer has the right to organize public meeting in a timely manner. Which is what I think they Astvuoh organizers notify the Ministry of the Interior.
PCHR calls upon the dismissed government in Gaza to open an investigation into the incident, calling for meetings to facilitate the peaceful and protected by the law enforcement bodies.
According to Hassan Farhat, a participant in the sit-in, and the Last Sunday morning in the courtyard of the soldier, that the coordinator of the campaign has notified the Ministry of Interior, under the book was delivered in the ministry’s headquarters complex, located in government ministries (Abu Khadra) on 02.24.2011, did not receive a response.
It is noteworthy that the activist Hassan Farhat has a “memorandum of review issued by the Department of custody and interrogation in the Internal Security Agency should come as 2/3/2011 in the central governorate.
Farhat also pointed out that the activity has not been implemented in the West because of calls to the security organs of the coordinators who have declared their names earlier.
The unrest inside Palestine have been felt since December after the Manifesto of the youth of Gaza Broke out, in a response to the unwelcome for their request the Youth of Gaza released a second document on January 05, 2011.
“We’re NOT calling for a political coup, let’s be clear on this. We’re young people who want to work for the PEOPLE, we denounce the misery we live in, we denounce their division, and reject their fight, because they are not helping us. But more than Fatah and Hamas, who remains Palestinians just like us, ABOVE ALL we denounce the Occupier & its puppet the International Community who fails, day after day, in its duty to impose sanctions on “Israel”. From Do not Distort Our Speech
Such divisions are sweet deal for Israel who entertained the idea for many years to brake down Palestine in two Lands and disengage completely from Gaza.
Hezbollah Strong Army
Gaza have become a liability for Israel as their policies and political ideas are back up by Hezbollah a strong political party in Lebanon and sworn enemy of Israel. Israel was defeated by Hezbollah back in 2006 and they have become stronger than ever.
If There got to be Freedom in any society, Justice must be the base of the same. Human Rights is an inalienable right of every human being, being Gaza, US, Germany, Lebanon, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba(should not exist),Cuba, China, Iran, Mexico, Congo, Russia..or any place on Earth that humans co-habit under any authority of any type.
The right to disagree, the right to have a different opinion, or different feelings is a right that we all humans have a primordial born right, it calls dissent from the Status Quo, governments of the world dissenters are not criminals, they are free minders that choose their own path, and oppression only make them more aware of the situation that you want to force them to be.
This right is inalienable is part of the human rights that we all must enjoy as a citizen of this Earth.
Palestine-Israel War
Posted On February 27, 2011 by Omar Karem
| 1948 | 1956 | 1967 | 1968 | 1973 | 1982 | 1987 | 2000 | 2006 |
United Nations Security Council
First Arab-Israeli War , 15 May 1948
Arab opposition to an Israeli state began after the Balfour Declaration 1917, which supported the idea of a Jewish national homeland. In the 1920s there were anti-Zionist riots in Palestine, after the British mandate government allowed thousands of Jews to immigrate to Palestine from all over the world.
In 1936 an Arab revolt led to a British royal commission that recommended partition (approved by United Nations 1947), but rejected by the Arabs.
When it became clear that the British intended to leave by May 15, leaders of the Yishuv decided (as they claim) to implement that part of the partition plan calling for establishment of a Jewish state. In Tel Aviv on May 14 the Provisional State Council, formerly the National Council, “representing the Jewish people in Palestine and the World Zionist Movement,” proclaimed the “establishment of the Jewish State in Palestine, to be called Medinat Israel (the State of Israel) … open to the immigration of Jews from all the countries of their dispersion.”
On May 15 the armies of Egypt, Transjordan (now Jordan), Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq joined Palestinian and other Arab guerrillas who had been fighting Jewish forces since November 1947. The war now became an international conflict, the first Arab-Israeli War.
The Arabs failed to prevent establishment of a Jewish state, and the war ended with four UN-arranged armistice agreements between Israel and Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria. The frontiers defined in the armistice agreements remained until they were altered by Israel’s conquests during the Six-Day War in 1967.
“Battle of the Roads“. The Arab League sponsored Arab Liberation Army, composed of Palestinian Arabs and Arabs from other Middle Eastern countries, attacked Jewish communities in Palestine, and Jewish traffic on major roads. The Arab forces mainly concentrated on major roadways in an attempt to cut off Jewish communities from each other. Arab forces at that time had engaged in sporadic and unorganized ambushes since the riots of December 1947, and began to make organized attempts to cut off the highway linking Tel Aviv with Jerusalem, the city’s only supply route. The Arab Army cut off supplies and controlled several strategic vantage points overlooking the sole highway linking Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, enabling them to fire at convoys going to the city. By late March 1948, the vital road that connected Tel Aviv to western Jerusalem, where about 16% of all Jews in the Palestinian region lived, was cut off and under siege.
April 6-12, 1948 : Operation Nachshon. The Haganah decided to launch a major military counteroffensive to break the siege of Jerusalem. On 6 April the Haganah and its strike force, the Palmach, in an offensive to secure strategic points, took al-Qastal, an important roadside town 2 kilometers west of Deir Yassin. But intense fighting lasted for days more as control of that key village remained contested.
April 9, 1948 : Throughout the siege on Jerusalem, Jewish convoys tried to reach the city to alleviate the food shortage, which, by April, had become critical. On 9 April 1948, IZL-Lehi forces attacked Deir Yassin, as part of Operation Nachshon to break the siege of western Jerusalem. On Deir Yassin massacre, Irgun and Lehi members attack the Arab village of Deir Yassin, killing between 100 and 120 Arabs civilians.
May 15, 1948 : Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Egypt, Transjordan, Holy War Army, Arab Liberation Army, and local Arabs attack the new Jewish state with the intent of destroying it. The resulting 1948 Arab-Israeli War lasts for 13 months. By the end of the war, about 700,000 Palestinian Arabs leave as refugees for a variety of reasons among them, including: avoidance of crossfire, anticipation of war, expulsion, and the Jews massacre against number of Arab villages.
June 1948 : Violent confrontation between the Israel Defense Forces under the command of David Ben-Gurion, and the paramilitary Jewish group Irgun known as The Altalena Affair results in the dismantlement of the Irgun, Lehi, and all Israeli paramilitary organizations operating outside the IDF.
April 1949 : Israel concludes Armistice Agreements with neighboring countries. The territory of the British Mandate of Palestine is divided between the State of Israel, the Kingdom of the Jordan (changed from Transjordan) and Egypt.
Ben Gurion orders 1,500 combat soldiers to liberate the road to a besieged Jerusalem. In early 1948, David Ben Gurion commands a concentrated force of 1,500 soldiers to puncture the road leading to a besieged Jerusalem. The operation, called “Nachshon Operation”, was a turning point in the Independence War: This was the first time that the defense forces were commanded to conquer an area that was defined as Arab territory.
Suez campaign , 29 Oct – 4 Nov 1956
During the 1950s there was considerable tension between Israel and Egypt, which, under President Nasser, had become a leader in the Arab world. His nationalization of the Suez Canal 1956 provided an opportunity for Israel with Britain and France, to attack Egypt and occupy a part of Palestine that Egypt had controlled since 1949, the Gaza Strip , from which Israel was forced by UN and US pressure to withdraw 1957 .
In 1973 Egypt joined Syria in a war on Israel to regain the territories lost in 1967. The two Arab states struck unexpectedly on October 6, which fell on Yom Kippur , Israel’s holiest fast day .
After crossing the Suez Canal the Arab forces gain a lot of advanced positions in Sinai Peninsula and Golan Heights and manage to defeat the Israeli forces for more then three weeks.
Israeli forces with a massive U.S. economic and military assistance managed to stop the Arab forces after a three-week struggle and defeat with the cost of many casualties,and the Arabs strong showing won them support from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) and most of the world’s developing countries.
Israel, forced to compete with the nearly unlimited Arab resources, was faced with a serious financial setback. Only massive U.S. economic and military assistance enabled it to redress the balance, but even American aid was unable to prevent a downward spiral of the economy.
In an effort to encourage a peace settlement, U.S. President Richard M. Nixon charged his secretary of state, Henry Kissinger, with the task of negotiating agreements between Israel and Egypt and Syria. Kissinger managed to work out military disengagements between Israel and Egypt in the Sinai and between Israel and Syria in the Golan Heights during 1974.
Six-Days war , 5-10 June 1967
War of Attrition 1968 – 1970
During the 1950s there was considerable tension between Israel and Egypt, which, under President Nasser, had become a leader in the Arab world. His nationalization of the Suez Canal 1956 provided an opportunity for Israel with Britain and France, to attack Egypt and occupy a part of Palestine that Egypt had controlled since 1949, the Gaza Strip , from which Israel was forced by UN and US pressure to withdraw 1957 .
In 1973 Egypt joined Syria in a war on Israel to regain the territories lost in 1967. The two Arab states struck unexpectedly on October 6, which fell on Yom Kippur , Israel’s holiest fast day .
After crossing the Suez channel the Arab forces gain a lot of advanced positions in Sinai Peninsula and Golan Heights and manage to defeat the Israeli forces for more then three weeks.
Israeli forces with a massive U.S. economic logistic and military assistance managed to stop the Arab forces after a three-week struggle and defeat with the cost of many casualties,and the Arabs strong showing won them support from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) and most of the world’s developing countries.
Israel, forced to compete with the nearly unlimited Arab resources, was faced with a serious financial setback. Only massive U.S. economic and military assistance enabled it to redress the balance, but even American aid was unable to prevent a downward spiral of the economy.
In an effort to encourage a peace settlement, U.S. President Richard M. Nixon charged his secretary of state, Henry Kissinger, with the task of negotiating agreements between Israel and Egypt and Syria. Kissinger managed to work out military disengagements between Israel and Egypt in the Sinai and between Israel and Syria in the Golan Heights during 1974.
October War , 6-24 Oct 1973
From 1978 the presence of Palestinian guerrillas in Lebanon led to Arab raids on Israel and Israeli retaliatory incursions.
On 6 June 1982 Israel launched a full-scale invasion. By 14 June Beirut was encircled, Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and Syrian forces were evacuated mainly to Syria 21-31 Aug.
In Feb 1985 there was a unilateral Israeli withdrawal from the country without any gain or losses incurred. Israel maintains an occupied area called as a ‘security zone’ in South Lebanon and supports the South Lebanese Army Militia of Lahad, both were occupying the south of Lebanon to defend Israelis from Palestinian attacks, and both carried out number of massacres against Lebanese and Palestinian people.
Israel’s complicity in massacres in two Palestinian refugee camps increased Arab hostility and many other massacres like Beirut, Nabattiyeh, Abbasiyeh, Qana with hundreds of Lebanese civilians killed by Israelis. Talks between Israel and Lebanon , between Dec 1982 and May 1983, resulted in an agreement, drawn up by US secretary of state George Shultz, calling for the withdrawal of all foreign forces from Lebanon within three months. Syria refused to acknowledge the agreement, and left some 30,000 troops, with about 7,000 PLO members, in northeast, Israel retaliated by refusing to withdraw its forces from the south.
Meanwhile the problems in Lebanon continued. In 1984, under pressure from Syria, President Gemayel of Lebanon abrogated the 1983 treaty with Israel , but the government of national unity in Tel Aviv continued to plan the withdrawal of its forces. Guerrilla groups of the Lebanese resistant on south of Lebanon started their resistant against the Israeli occupation since 1985 when the main important resistant group in Lebanon which is Hezbollah was founded. Most of the withdrawal was complete by June 1985 except the south of Lebanon of what so called the ‘security zone’. The south of Lebanon was liberated by resistant operations when Israel withdraw in 25/5/2000. Israel still occupying Shebaa farms and other small areas until today.
Lebanon invasion , 1982
Palestinian uprising refers to a series of violent incidents between Palestinians and Israelis between 1987 and approximately 1990.
On December 8, 1987, an uprising began in Jabalya where hundreds burned tires and attacked the Israel Defense Forces stationed there. The uprising spread to other Palestinian refugee camps and eventually to Jerusalem, the eastern part of which was and is occupied by Israel. On December 22, the United Nations Security Council condemned Israel for violating Geneva Conventions due to the number of Palestinian deaths in these first few weeks of the Intifada.
Much of the Palestinian violence was low-tech; dozens of Palestinian teenagers would confront patrols of Israeli soldiers, showering them with rocks. However, at times this tactic gave way to Molotov cocktail attacks, over 100 hand grenade attacks and more than 500 attacks with guns or explosives. Many Israeli soldiers were killed this way. The IDF, in contrast, possessed the latest weaponry and defense technologies.
In 1988, the Palestinians initiated a nonviolent movement to withhold taxes collected and used by Israel to pay for the occupation of territories. When time in prison didn’t stop the activists, Israel crushed the boycott by imposing heavy fines while seizing and disposing of the equipment, furnishings, and goods from local stores, factories, and even homes. On April 19, 1988, a leader of the PLO, Abu Jihad, was assassinated in Tunis. During the resurgence of rioting that followed, about 16 Palestinians were killed. In November of the same year and October of the next, the United Nations General Assembly passed resolutions condemning Israel.
As the Intifada progressed, Israel introduced various riot control methods that had the effect of reducing the number of Palestinian fatalities. Another contributor to the high initial casualties was Yitzhak Rabin’s aggressive stance towards the Palestinians (notably including an exhortation to the IDF to “break the bones” of the demonstrators). His successor Moshe Arens subsequently proved to have a better understanding of pacification, which perhaps reflects in the lower casualty rates for the following years.
Attempts at the peace process in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict were made at the Madrid Conference of 1991.
Intifada , 1987 – 1991
On September 28, 2000 the Israeli opposition leader Ariel Sharon, with a Likud party delegation, and surrounded by hundreds of Israeli riot police, visited the mosque compound of the Al-Haram Al-Sharif (Temple Mount) in the Old City of Jerusalem. The mosque compound is the first Qibla of Muslims and the third holiest site in Islam. It also contains the area for the most holy site in Judaism. The pretext for Sharon’s visit of the mosque compound was to check complaints by Israeli archeologists that Muslim religious authorities had vandalized archeological remains beneath the surface of the mount during the conversion of the presumed Solomon’s Stables area into a mosque.
A group of Palestinian dignitaries came to protest the visit, as did three Arab Knesset Members. With the dignitaries watching from a safe distance.Palestinians saw Sharon’s visit as an assault on the Al-Aqsa Mosque. For this reason, the whole conflict is known as the Al-Aqsa Intifada. On September 29, 2000, the day after Sharon’s visit, following Friday prayers, large uprising broke out around Old Jerusalem during which several Palestinian demonstrators were shot dead. Already in the same day, the September 29, 2000, demonstrations broke out in the West Bank. In the days that followed, demonstrations erupted all over the West Bank and Gaza.
Al-Aqsa Intifada 2000 –
On September 28, 2000 the Israeli opposition leader Ariel Sharon, with a Likud party delegation, and surrounded by hundreds of Israeli riot police, visited the mosque compound of the Al-Haram Al-Sharif (Temple Mount) in the Old City of Jerusalem. The mosque compound is the first Qibla of Muslims and the third holiest site in Islam. It also contains the area for the most holy site in Judaism. The pretext for Sharon’s visit of the mosque compound was to check complaints by Israeli archeologists that Muslim religious authorities had vandalized archeological remains beneath the surface of the mount during the conversion of the presumed Solomon’s Stables area into a mosque.
A group of Palestinian dignitaries came to protest the visit, as did three Arab Knesset Members. With the dignitaries watching from a safe distance.Palestinians saw Sharon’s visit as an assault on the Al-Aqsa Mosque. For this reason, the whole conflict is known as the Al-Aqsa Intifada. On September 29, 2000, the day after Sharon’s visit, following Friday prayers, large uprising broke out around Old Jerusalem during which several Palestinian demonstrators were shot dead. Already in the same day, the September 29, 2000, demonstrations broke out in the West Bank. In the days that followed, demonstrations erupted all over the West Bank and Gaza.
Israel-Gaza Conflict 2006
Israel maintains that it mobilized thousands of troops in order to suppress Qassam rocket fire against its civilian population and to secure the release of Corporal Gilad Shalit. It is estimated that between 7,000 and 9,000 heavy Israeli artillery shells have been fired into Gaza since September 2005, killing 80 Palestinians in 6 months. On the Palestinian side, approximately 1,000 Qassam missiles are believed to have been fired into Israel.
Israel has stated that it will withdraw from Gaza and end the operation as soon as Shalit is released. The Palestinians say the assault is aimed at toppling the democratically elected Hamas-led government and at destabilizing the Palestinian National Authority, citing the targeting of civilian infrastructure such as a power station and the captures of government and parliament members.
After Israel’s unilateral disengagement plan, pulling 9 thousand settlers from Gush Katif in the Gaza Strip in the summer of 2005, tensions had remained high in Gaza due to the continued shelling of areas in Israel with Qassam rocket attacks launched by Palestinians from Gaza into areas such as the Israeli city of Sderot, reported to have exceeded 800 rockets in the past seven months. Between the end of March and the end of May 2006, Israel fired at least 5,100 artillery shells into the Gaza Strip Qassam launching areas in an attempt to stop them from firing.
On June 9, during or shortly after an Israeli operation, an explosion occurred on a busy Gaza beach, killing eight Palestinian civilians.Other Israeli missile attacks included one on the Gaza highway on June 13 that killed 11 Palestinians and injured 30, and on June 20 that killed 3 Palestinians and wounded 15.
Hamas formally withdrew from its 16-month ceasefire on June 10, and began openly taking responsibility for the ongoing Qassam rocket attacks.
On June 24, 2006, Israeli commandos entered the Gaza Strip in the first capture raid into the Strip since Israel pulled out of Gaza in September 2005. In the raid they captured two Palestinians, identified by neighbors as brothers Osama Muamar, 31, and Mustafa, 20, who Israel claims are Hamas militants. Noam Chomsky has claimed in a recent interview that these two Palestinians were civilians, a doctor and his brother. Chomsky claims not to know the fate the kidnapped men.
CHOMSKY: There’s a theme that goes way back to the origins of Zionism. And it’s a very rational theme: “Let’s delay negotiations and diplomacy as long as possible, and meanwhile we’ll ‘build facts on the ground.'” So Israel will create the basis for what some eventual agreement will ratify, but the more they create, the more they construct, the better the agreement will be for their purposes. Those purposes are essentially to take over everything of value in the former Palestine and to undermine what’s left of the indigenous population.
On June 25, 2006, armed Palestinians crossed the border from the Gaza Strip into Israel via a makeshift tunnel and attacked an Israel Defense Forces post. During the morning attack, two Palestinian militants and two Israel Defense Force soldiers were killed and four others wounded, in addition to Corporal Gilad Shalit, who suffered a broken left hand and a light shoulder wound. Hamas claimed that the attack was carried out in response to the death of the Ralia family on north Gaza beach a few weeks before.
Shalit’s captors issued a series of statements demanding the release of all female Palestinian prisoners and all Palestinian prisoners under the age of 18. The statements came from Ezz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades (the military wing Hamas), the Popular Resistance Committees (which includes members of Fatah, Islamic Jihad and Hamas), and the Army of Islam. More than 8,000 Palestinians are held as prisoners by the Israel Defense Forces and Israel Prisons Service. Approximately two thirds of these prisoners were convicted in court, while around ten percent are held without charge.
A Nation Under Siege
Posted on February 22, 2011 by Marivel Guzman
Palestine: A Nation Under Siege
Life is not easy in Gaza, Palestine. Palestinians are in a continuous battle for survival, Physical and Emotionally. Israel makes sure that the population feel unsafe on their persona and their future.
The psychological war that Israel wages against her people is more provocative than the physical one.
Israel continual excursions in Gaza air space and in West Bank keep the population in an upheaval situation every day. The destruction of Gaza dwellings and the complete disruption of their social life have made Palestinians to look for ways to heal their uncertain condition as a ‘Nation’ under the grip of a military power that have drained the natural resources and the energy of the people of the Holy Land.
For more than Six Decades, Palestinians parents have tried to give their children a better future, they have tried to send their children to foreign schools and Universities, or have them married to other Palestinians that have ‘successfully’ established in the ‘Exile’, two main reasons push them to do this:
– To save them from their uncertain future
– Guarantee the future of Palestine.
The seed and future of a Nation reside in every human.
Culture of Palestine.
Anybody that have made it outside of Palestine have the responsibility in their hands to grow as a Nation on the exile and to keep the history of the land from being corrupted, as well as the costumes, and traditional recipes intact.
Every year few Palestinians manage to escape the daily struggle that is living inside a Territory Occupied by a Military Power, specially the people of Gaza where every day more and more try to cross to freedom using what they called Under the Line (illegally crossing from the tunnels). Another modality of human trafficking with their consent but without the authorization of their local Government.
The series of Tunnels that started as illegal corridors to import products, goods and construction material to Gaza, have become part of the official Gazan bureaucracy as Hamas control the import/export of products and they issue permits to dig tunnels.
The people that have escaped through the tunnels have exhausted all the official mechanism such visas, medical care and scholarships as a last resort they use the tunnels to leave, not easy task because they see themselves exposed to the greed of the tunnel operators that take bribes as a payment, after all they are exporting prohibited merchandise. and they encounter another obstacle the handles in Egyptian side that have to be paid as well, and
transported them to the closest Port to take Ships to sail out of Egypt or to the Airport, every step of the way is a risky business for Palestinians as they are not well perceive by the Egyptian authorities, the sentence for being in Egyptian territory is 6 months to a year, step price to paid for trying to get a better future.
“As all of us watched recently on CNN, BBC and Aljazeera news networks, Gaza is being subjected to a new style of holocaust. What the Gazans have to counter the IDF’s state-of-the art high-tech weapons with? They have their right to resist, and they improvise in making their primitive missiles. After all, they are imprisoned by the IDF.
Gazans are denied the necessities of existence. Why? Don’t we campaign for animal protection? Don’t we argue with the Japanese over whaling, don’t we pass laws against foxhunting? Why then ignore what is happening to the millions of refugees from Palestine? They are under attack on daily basis, for demanding the implantations of the UN resolutions that definitely granted them the right to return to their homes. The irony is that the same resolutions gave birth to the State of Israel!”
Dr. Saeb Shaath is a writer, thinker and public speaker on Middle Eastern affairs, and a former diplomat
For the ones hat choose to stay in Palestine or have no other options to leave, life in Palestine is double jeopardy, resisting the occupation inside Palestine is painful, dramatic and sometimes deadly.
The Palestinians that have got out of Palestine on Student Visas or other type of Visa and they have expired them, or simply they got to another country illegally they still face many obstacles that the host countries place on them, their stateless situation make them target of the draconian Immigration Laws that many countries have adopted in the last 15 years, thousand of Palestinians are in Immigration detention facilities around the world, when their Visa expired and their Passport expired they lost their ability to travel, some of them being in infinite detention until their status change, if they have any family or friend that pay for lawyer they have a slim chance to leave those detention camps but for many their only hope is that Palestine Become a state so they can return.
The world is changing their view on the Palestine-Israel conflict and every day more and more people around the world are adding their efforts to the global resistance, against the occupation, being virtual activist or International Observer we all are taking part of Palestine struggle.
May soon all of our brother Palestinians enjoy of freedom of movement and freedom to chose their own destiny as a Free Nation.
Gaza and West Bank As One Nation. Viva Free Palestine.
Gaza Heart and Mind
By: Kamal Sobeh Posted by Marivel Guzman
How can a Gazan person present himself if his image had been distorted due to the negative thinking that made him sterile and destroyed his abilities for imagination and creativity?
How can he even see, if he is wearing black glasses as thick as windshield glass with layers of rust that had been accumulated in his mind and heart?
And how could he walk if his prosthesis is also truncated.
By hundreds in Gaza they ask themselves? is not the same for the others? as they do not dare to question the others, whom have the infallibility of their command and the key to life.
In Gaza nothing is going according to the requirements of a decent life, and happiness.
We are talking about people that have the ability to adapt rapidly, who, if given 500 dollars today have the ability to survive tomorrow.
The people have become aware that there is another basic requirement to live that goes beyond food and clothing, the incentive to live, which they are losing every moment.
He could not imagine himself on a trip with his sons because he simply does not have a permit to leave Gaza’s barbed wires.
He could not imagine his son, as a journalist struggling with his pen to write against the corruption that prevents such things as justice, purity and freedom, because the advocates of justice and freedom in and around Gaza have their own law, which prevents others from speaking the truth.
This is the bleak picture cameras can pick up if approached from Gaza borders, and the question arises, what is needed from the Palestinian Gazans to do in order to live their life with dignity, freedom, justice and security?.
Gimpse from outside Gaza
For more than 60 years since 1948, the Palestinians didn’t exclude anything; they tried Expulsion, Loss, Displacement, War and finally Peace.
At the end, the Palestinians succeeded in making peace with the world, but a small question remained: Is it not better to make peace amongst them selves?
The Palestinians in Gaza didn’t understand that their case rests on three pillars namely: National domestic alignment, Arab alignment, and International alignment, and the relationship between these alignment, is sequential in the sense that the second axis does not arise only if the first axis is based, and so on.
Another small question: Where do the Palestinian pillars rest on his case?
He destroyed the first axis by internal conflict, exhausted all the ingredients,
therefore the Arab axis became unable to take up the cause torn.
He awaits the opportunity to escape from his duties because it is tied up at the same time for his own interests and thus become the international situation is less supportive of the Palestinian cause.
So Palestinians in Gaza are important for teeth of internal conflict and the loss of they case which was lost with the hope of freedom, justice and peace.
Therefore the Palestinians must bring peace to themselves before attempting to achieve a comprehensive peace with others. Furthermore, the world must bequeath dignity, respect, freedom and security to the Palestinians, and contribute to halt the conflict and put an end to the violation of the daily humane rights abuses.
The world will find that the Palestinian is just a person that dreams of raising his children and dreams to show them the future sky free of the dust of war, to show them the green land without the contamination of blood stains and dreams of flowers before they trampled under the tanks.
However, most importantly, the Palestinians in Gaza have to be free from all negative and wrong ideas.-
Should King Abdullah invite Netanyahu to Riyadh?
Posted on 14 September by Marivel Guzman by Original Post on 09. Sep, 2010 by Raja Mujtaba in Gaza Today
By Alan Hart
Natayahu and King Abdullah
The suggestion that he should was made by Thomas L. Friedman in his column for the New York Times on 7 September. My first response was to say to myself, “That proves Friedman doesn’t understand the complexities of the conflict and is at least a little bit bonkers.”
But the more I thought about it, the more it seemed to me that King Abdullah should do what Friedman suggested. In a moment I’ll get to what I think the Arabs and the Palestinians especially would have to gain without losing anything, but first here’s the essence what Friedman wrote.
He noted that eight years have passed since the Arab peace initiative pushed by Abdullah when he was Crown Prince was presented to, and approved by, an Arab League summit in Beirut. (It offered a full and final peace, including the normalizing of relations between the entire Arab region and Israel, in exchange for a complete Israeli withdrawal from all territories occupied in 1967, including East Jerusalem, and a “just solution” to the Palestinian refugee problem).
Friedman then commented that the plan has been “floating out there in the ether of diplomatic possibilities” ever since its approval in 2002. “It is time to bring it out of the air. King Abdullah should invite Mr. Netanyahu to Riyadh and present it to him personally.”
Friedman went on:
“Abdullah need not go to Jerusalem, as Anwar Sadat did, or recognize Israel. He can, though, still have a huge impact on the process by simply handing his plan to the leader for whose country it was intended. I can’t think of anything that would get these peace talks off to a better start. It feels to me as though Netanyahu is taking this moment seriously, but he is still very wary. By handing him the Abdullah plan, the Saudi monarch would unleash a huge peace debate in Israel. It would make it more difficult for Netanyahu to continue settlement building – and spur an Israeli public that is also still wary to urge Netanyahu to take risks for peace and support him for doing so. Netanyahu is the only Israeli leader today who can deliver a deal.
“The Saudis can’t just keep faxing their peace initiative to Israelis. That has no emotional punch. It actually says to Israelis: if the Saudis are afraid to hand us their plan, why should we believe they’ll have the courage to implement it if we do everything they suggest? Israelis are isolated. Seeing their prime minister received by the most important Muslim leader in the world in Riyadh would have a real impact.
“Both Israelis and Palestinians are going to have to do something really hard to produce a two-state solution. Saudi officials have developed a reputation in Washington for being experts at advising everyone else about the hard things they must do, while being reluctant to step out themselves. This is their moment – to do something hard and to do something important.”
Netanyahu has apparently said that he will go anywhere for peace, so let’s suppose for the sake of discussion that King Abdullah does invite him to Riyadh and he goes.
Either at his meeting with Abdullah to take personal delivery of the Arab peace plan or afterwards, Netanyahu would say there was one element of it that was completely unacceptable to all Israelis – the proposal that a just solution to the Palestinian refugee problem should be on the basis of UN Resolution 194 of 11 December 1948. Its key words are the following:
“… the refugees wishing to return to their homes and live at peace with their neighbours should be permitted to do so at the earliest practicable date, and that compensation should be paid for the property of those choosing not to return and for loss of or damage to property which, under principles of international law or in equity, should be made good by the Governments or authorities responsible.”
Down the years (and consistent with its Nakba denial), Israel has put two fingers up to Resolution 194 and denied the Palestinians a right of return, on the grounds that conceding the right would be an act of national suicide. As it was put, for example, by Likud spokesman Zalman Shoval in March 2007, “If 300,000-400,000, or maybe a million, Palestinians would invade the country, that would be the end of the state of Israel as a Jewish state.”
A truth, which all of Israel’s leaders have known for many years, is that the Palestinian right of return does not have to be an obstacle to peace unless they want it to be. Under the pragmatic Arafat’s leadership, the decision was taken to accept that in the event of a genuine and viable two-state solution, the right of return would have to be limited to the territory of the Palestinian state. Though they could not say so in public, Arafat and his leadership colleagues were completely aware this would mean that probably not more than 100,000 refugees would be able to return and that the rest would have to settle for compensation.
Another truth is that Jerusalem does not have to be an obstacle to peace unless Israel’s leaders want it to be. If they don’t want Jerusalem to be divided again, the Arabs will say, “Okay. Let it be an open, undivided city and the capital of two states.”
My point so far is that if Netanyahu did go to Riyadh, he would discover that the Arab peace plan of 2002, subject only to clarifications of the flexibility of the Arab position on the right of return and Jerusalem, actually offers what a rational Israeli government and people would accept with relief.
What would the Arabs and the Palestinians especially have to gain if King Abdullah did invite Netanyahu to Riyadh and he went?
In one scenario, and assuming that most Israelis are not beyond reason (an assumption I do not make), it might unleash what Friedman described as a “huge peace debate in Israel.” And that just might open the door to peace on terms virtually all Palestinians and most other Arabs and Muslims everywhere could just about accept.
In another scenario – continued Israeli rejection of the Arab peace plan of 2002 – it would enable King Abdullah and all of his Arab brothers at leadership level to say to the world, and America especially, something like: “Now you cannot be in any doubt about what the obstacle to peace is – Zionism. If you really want peace, you must now play your part and use the leverage you have to call and hold Zionism to account for its crimes.”
If that didn’t mobilize support in the Western world for an acceptable measure of justice for the Palestinians and peace for all, nothing ever will.
Footnote:
Some readers will say that a genuine and viable two-state solution, even if it was possible, is unacceptable because it would not provide the Palestinians with enough justice. My response is quite simple. One state for all is by far the best solution for all; but because of the reality of the existence of a nuclear-armed Zionist entity, the two-state solution is the best deal the Palestinians are ever likely to get.
Alan Hart has been engaged with events in the Middle East and their global consequences and terrifying implications – the possibility of a Clash of Civilisations, Judeo-Christian v Islamic, and, along the way, another great turning against the Jews – for nearly 40 years…
He’s been to war with the Israelis and the Arabs, but the learning experience he values most, and which he believes gave him rare insight, came from his one-to-one private conversations over the years with many leaders on both sides of the conflict. With, for example, Golda Meir, Mother Israel, and Yasser Arafat, Father Palestine. The significance of these private conversations was that they enabled him to be aware of the truth of what leaders really believed and feared as opposed to what they said in public for propaganda and myth-sustaining purposes.
It was because of his special relationships with leaders on both sides that, in 1980, he found himself sucked into the covert diplomacy of conflict resolution…Now Alan is an Institution in himself.
Lauren Booth Letter to Israel
Lauren Booth’s Letter To Israel
by Marivel Guzman (videos) 10:52
Journalist Lauren Booth In Gaza
Journalist Lauren Booth was on the first Free Gaza voyage and stayed to work in Gaza after the boats left.
Her heartfelt letter to the people of Israel should be read by everyone who hopes for peace in the Middle East.
This stunning video tribute to her words was designed and produced by the Free Gaza movement.
Make sure to share, every one has the right to know what The Moral Army of Israel is capable of.
Every one that knows has the obligation and the moral duty to inform others of the crimes committed in Occupied Palestine.
We need to raise our voices and stand for Justice and Peace. Palestinians needs your support.
The Samouni Family is one example of the thousands of families massacred in Gaza and in West Bank. This is not an isolated case, this is one that was known to the world.
Fighting occupation in Palestine: Palestine is facing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis.
The UN reports that 70% of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza are now living in acute poverty, a figure comparable to poverty levels in sub-Saharan Africa. Over 50% are now dependent on food aid.
Palestinians are not victims of a natural disaster. The poverty they are suffering is an acknowledged product of the Israeli occupation. According to the UK government’s Department for International Development: “Poverty in the Occupied Palestinian Territories is a product of occupation and conflict.” Only by ending the occupation can the root causes of poverty be addressed.
Israel’s recent assault on the people of Gaza in late 2008/early 2009 demonstrated the brutality of Israel’s army. The assault left over 1400 people dead and thousands more injured. It marked the culmination of a policy of collective punishment practised by Israel against the people of Gaza over the past 2 years.
Israel imposed a state of siege on Gaza in 2007 turning the world’s most densely populated area of land into the world’s most densely populated prison. John Dugard the former UN special rapporteur for human rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territories described the situation in Gaza before the attack as “collective strangulation” of a people.
Yet this is nothing new. Over the last 61 years Israel has continuously acted in defiance of UN resolutions, international law and global outrage. Through the continuing occupation, Israel has engaged in excessive and disproportionate force, house demolitions, targeted assassinations, detention of minors, detention without trial, attacks on water supplies, violation of the right to food and attacks on medical personnel and equipment. This, alongside the systematic and deliberate destruction of schools, hospitals, water systems, farmland and the building of an illegal Separation Wall, has destroyed any semblance of a Palestinian economy.
In addition, millions of Palestinians are still living with human rights abuses and crushing poverty in refugee camps as a result of the ‘nakba’, or catastrophe in which hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were driven from their homes 61 years ago in the displacement that made the state of Israel possible.
The international community has largely ignored international law with respect to Israel’s crimes. Instead the British government amongst others has rewarded Israeli aggression with financial, military and diplomatic support.
The British government continues to license the sales of arms of Israel and in the first nine months of 2008 licensed the sale of 27 million pounds worth of military equipment.
As Israel’s principal trading partner, the European Union has been called on to suspend the trading preferences which Israel enjoys as a result of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. The Agreement is based upon respect for human rights, yet UN representatives have made clear these rights are regularly violated by Israeli forces.
Palestine is in crisis. We must put pressure on our government to play its part and end the injustice.
source:http://www.waronwant.org/campaigns/fighting-occupation-in-palestine
Do not forget that on 30 March 2009 is the Global Day of Action for Boycott Divestment and Sanctions against Israel. All over the world demonstrations and actions will be taking place calling for an end to Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestinian and in solidarity with the Palestinian people.
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