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Abbas sends sharp reminder of power to dissolve government
The Daily Star
4/25/2006
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas sent a sharp reminder to Hamas on
Monday that he had the power to dissolve the new government, but said
he did not want to do so and would give the group more time to embrace
peacemaking. Reacting to Abbas' remarks, Hamas threatened to scrap a
truce with Israel if the moderate leader removes its month-old
government. Long-running political tensions between Hamas and Abbas'
Fatah movement descended into violence in the Occupied Territories over
the weekend in shootouts that left more than 30 people wounded. In an
interview broadcast Monday on CNN-Turk, Abbas said Hamas must recognize
Israel and talk peace to avert an economic catastrophe because of
Western sanctions.
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Completely Isolate the
Northern West Bank from the South
Palestinian Centre
for Human Rights 4/23/2006
In the early morning hours of Saturday, 22 April 2006, IOF started to
implement a complete separation of the northern West Bank from the
South. IOF restricted the movement of Palestinians in a way that has
not previously been seen since the beginning of Al-Aqsa Intifada.
According to PCHR's initial investigation and eyewitness accounts, IOF
troops stationed at Za'tara checkpoint, south of Nablus, started to
restrict the movement of civilians from the northern West Bank to
Ramallah, Jericho and the southern West Bank. Troops prevented all
civilians from crossing the checkpoint in order to travel south. Only a
small number of physicians, ambulances and elderly patients were
allowed to pass through.... It is noted that Za'tara checkpoint is
currently being developed into an "international" crossing similar to
Qalandia checkpoint...
Two Al-Aqsa militants killed by undercover IDF unit
Ha'aretz 4/24/2006
Two members of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades were killed yesterday by
undercover army troops in Bethlehem. Ahmed Muslah was killed and and a
militant who died later from wounds was one of two men arrested near
the city's psychiatric hospital. Witnesses and Palestinian security
officials said an Israel Defense Forces unit had opened fire on
Muslah's car near Palestinian security headquarters. The IDF said the
car crashed and burst into flames. Muslah had left Palestinian security
headquarters, and a gun was found in the car, the army said.
Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas yesterday canceled
anti-Hamas shows of force planned by Fatah's Al-Aqsa wing and
Palestinian security personnel in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
Following Clashes and Tension between Fatah and Hamas, PCHR
Calls for Use of Dialogue and the Law
Palestinian Centre
for Human Rights 4/23/2006
PCHR welcomes the agreement brokered by Egypt between Fatah and Hamas
last night to end tensions between the two sides and put a stop to
violence seen mainly in Gaza City, which resulted in dozens injured
yesterday. PCHR calls upon the two sides to use dialogue and legal
remedies in resolving Palestinian internal differences. Clashes broke
out on Saturday, 23 April 2006, between hundreds of students from
al-Azhar University and the Islamic University, which are located close
to each other in the west of Gaza City. The clashes began following
statements by the Head of the Political Bureau of Hamas, Khaled
Mash’al, in Damascus on Friday, in which he accused Palestinian parties
of working to undermine the Hamas-led government.
UN envoy warns of dangerous deterioration in
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Ha'aretz 4/24/2006
UNITED NATIONS - The world is witnessing a potentially dangerous
deterioration of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with an increase in
violence and a growing Palestinian fiscal crisis that could lead to
soaring poverty, the top UN Mideast envoy said Monday. Alvaro de Soto
said the dispute between the new Hamas-run Palestinian government -
which refuses to recognize Israel - and Palestinian Authority Chairman
Mahmoud Abbas - whose Fatah Party recognizes the Jewish state -
escalated to a point over the weekend where Hamas accused Fatah of a "plot" to overthrow the government and Fatah accused Hamas supporters
of inciting civil war.
Iran biggest threat since Nazis, says Israel as Ahmadinejad
provokes new outrage
The Guardian
4/25/2006
Leader calls for Jews to be sent to Europe · Threat to quit nuclear
pact ahead of UN report -- Iran's nuclear programme is the biggest
threat to Jews since the Nazi Holocaust, the Israeli government stated
yesterday, as the Iranian president renewed his calls for the
dissolution of the Jewish state. As Israel prepared to mark Holocaust
memorial day, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Iranian president, further
stirred international outrage by calling on Israeli Jews to be
resettled in Europe. "Some 60 years have passed since the end of the
second world war. Why should the people of Germany and Palestine pay
now for a war in which the current generation was not involved? " Mr
Ahmadinejad said during a Tehran press conference. "This fake regime
cannot logically continue to live. "
Thirteen Palestinians arrested across the West Bank on Monday
Ma'an News 4/24/2006
Bethlehem- Ma'an- Israeli forces arrest thirteen Palestinian citizens
in several towns and cities in the West Bank. Israeli security sources
said that the Israeli forces arrested two Palestinians affiliated to
Fatah and Islamic Jihad in Jenin, and four Islamic Jihad activists in
the city of Tulkarem. The sources added that five other Palestinians
were arrested in the city of Nablus and two Palestinians affiliated to
Hamas and Fatah in the area of Bethlehem. [end]
Palestinian prisoners may have been poisoned
Ma'an News 4/24/2006
Nablus-Ma'an- The Palestinian Prisoners’ Society in Nablus has called
for human rights and legal organisations to immediately intervene to
save the lives of 24 Palestinian prisoners being held in the Hawwara
military camp, south of Nablus. The prisoners believe that they have
been poisoned after being forced to eat a meal of fish. The Prisoners’ Society expressed their fear for the lives of the prisoners, saying
that many of them have already been taken to hospitals. In a statement
issued on Monday, the Prisoners’ Society said that the prisoners had
declared on 19 April 2006 that they would no longer eat three meals a
day. However, Israeli Border Guards were brought into the prison by
prison authorities. The Border Guards hit and tortured the prisoners
until they ate the meal, which appears to have been poisoned. [end]
Palestinian youth killed
in east Gaza Strip
International Middle
East Media Center 4/24/2006
Israeli army troops opened fire at and killed a Palestinian 18-year old
near the eastern border of the Gaza Strip, Palestinian medial and
security sources said on Monday morning. Israeli radio reported a
military source saying that the soldiers opened fire at the youth near
the Israeli border. Dr. Muawiya Hasanein, director of the emergency
room in Gaza Strip that the body was found east of Al-Qarara town, near
Bureij refugee camp. The body received several bullets and shrapnel
which made it difficult to identify. Medical sources eventually
identified the teen as Samir Abu Ariban, 18. [end]
Israel forces kill Palestinian in Gaza
AlJazeera 4/24/2006
Israel has killed three Palestinians in the last two days -- Israeli
soldiers have shot dead a Palestinian man in an exchange of fire along
the Gaza-Israel border. Israeli and Palestinian security sources said
the shootout occurred early on Monday. "A Palestinian gunman opened
fire along the Gaza border. Soldiers arrived at the scene and exchanged
fire with him. We identified a hit," a spokeswoman for the Israeli army
said. It was not immediately known if he was affiliated to a resistance
group. Israel pulled out its settlers from the Gaza Strip last autumn
but has retained control of the Palestinian territory's borders, sea
and air space.
Israelis shoot dead Gaza militant
BBC 4/24/2006
Israeli troops have shot dead an armed Palestinian militant near the
border with Gaza. The Israeli military said small arms and tank fire
were used against the man after he shot at an army patrol near the
fence surrounding the Gaza Strip. The man was the third Palestinian
killed by Israeli troops in two days. On Sunday, two members of the
militant al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades were killed during an Israeli army
raid in the West Bank city of Bethlehem. An al-Aqsa commander in
Bethlehem, identified as Abu Udai, told the Israeli news website Ynet
that Sunday's deaths would be avenged by rockets fired at the Israeli
city of Tel Aviv from the West Bank.
Palestinians: Israeli
Settlers vandalized our quarry
International Middle
East Media Center 4/24/2006
Palestinians from the village of Hawara, south of Nablus, accused
settlers on Sunday of sneaking into a quarry in the middle of the night
Saturday and torching trucks and an electrical generator used in a
local quarry, resulting in hundreds of thousands of shekels in damages.
The Hawara locals reported that late Sunday night three settlers
reached the quarry site, located under the Hawara checkpoint, and set
two new vehicles on fire as well as a generator. Mohammad Aanem, whose
family owns the quarry, said he was sleeping opposite the site, and at
close to 3:00 a. m. Sunday he identified settlers pouring gasoline on
the trucks and setting them alight. Aanem said he saw the three fleeing
towards the outpost of a nearby settlement.
Human rights workers
attacked by illegal Israeli settlers near Hebron
International Middle
East Media Center 4/24/2006
On Saturday afternoon, several international human rights workers were
attacked by Israeli settlers living illegally on Palestinian land near
Hebron, the third such attack in three weeks. In a statement from the
group, called the Tel Rumeida Project, the human rights workers state: "Tension had been building in Tel Rumeda all afternoon. Settler
children spat at, and verbally abused human rights workers in the mid
afternoon. A group of seven teenagers then threatened the same workers,
and were overheard complaining that they were "not enough," to make a
successful attack. The teenagers, who were unaware some of the human
rights workers spoke Hebrew, said they would meet at the home of Baruch
Marzel to make a plan.
Burned body found in Anata, north Jerusalem
Ma'an News 4/24/2006
Jerusalem- Ma'an- Palestinian students at Anata Secondary School,
northern Jerusalem, have discovered a charred body near their school on
Monday afternoon,Israeli Police and Border Guards arrived at the scene
and have begun investigations. The Ma'an reporter in Jerusalem said
that he was told by the school director that the body was not there in
the morning but when the students went to the yard behind the school
during the break, they found it there. The director added that the body
is of a young man who seems to have been burned to such an extent that
it was not easy to recognize it. [end]
Rafah: Emotional exhaustion among children and women
Rafah Today 4/23/2006
[With photos] Twenty-five people, mainly children in addition to eight
women, arrived at the Hospital after being affected with prostration.
Many of them were physiologically affected by the daily shelling as
well. An Israeli rocket hit the sewage system in the north of Gaza and
the whole area smells bad. A war of words has lead to the setting of
Gaza alight, again. The artillery shelling is still going on and there
have even been clashes on the campus of our University. The Islamic
University of Gaza, where I've had my last semester of studies, is
where the clashes are this time. Students and supporters of both Hamas
and Fateh movement had started the problem with verbal arguements, and
ended up with thirty-one people injured in the clashes.
Al Shifa hospital in Gaza might close down if int'l
suspension of aid continues
ReliefWeb/PNA
4/24/2006
GAZA, Palestine, April 24, 2006 (IPC) - The director of Public
Relations at Al Shifa Hospital, the largest hospital in the Gaza Strip,
Dr. Jomaa Al Saqqa, warned that the hospital might be threatened of
closing within two weeks if the Israeli closure and international
suspension of financial aid continued. Dr. Al Saqqa also referred to
the severe shortage in medicines and medical supplies in the hospital,
adding that "if this situation continues, most of our departments will
shut down in two weeks. Our storage of 200 medicines is about to run
out, and we lack basic supplies like bandages and oxygen tubes. ".... "I don't want to sound pessimistic, but we are heading for a disaster … have stopped operating on patients whose lives are endangered, and
treat only emergency conditions," the public relations director
explained.
Al Masar warns of impending humanitarian disaster in northern
West Bank
Ma'an News 4/24/2006
Gaza-Ma'an- The Al Masar National Islamic Movement has warned of an
impending humanitarian disaster in the Al-Aghwar area in the northern
West Bank as a result of no foodstuffs being allowed in for one month.
The Commissioner-General of the Movement, Dr. Ramadan Tanboura,
appealed to the UN organizations and the human rights organizations for
a speedy intervention to bring an end to Israeli policies such as the
closure of the Al-Hamra and Tayasir Barriers which has increased the
citizens' suffering. It was also reported that there has been a
blockade in this area for five years now.
Palestinian prisoners in
Damoun jail in Israel abused by guards
International Middle
East Media Center 4/24/2006
During a visit to Damoun jail, a lawyer with the Palestinian Prisoners'
Society revealed Monday that "Nakhshon Israeli unit" stormed section "3", provocatively searched the rooms and forced the prisoners out. The
prisoners told the lawyer that they live in rotten crowded rooms. The
Israeli prison guards use bloodhounds in their search campaigns in an
attempt to humiliate and frighten the arrestees. The prisoners are
currently on a hunger strike as a protest against the conditions and
medical negligence. They mentioned specifically the case of a prisoner
in section"8" who was beaten up and hit in the head, and is in medical
crisis, but has been refused medical care. [end]
Abbas calls Hamas leader Meshal a 'civil war monger'
Ha'aretz 4/25/2006
Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas launched an unprecedented
attack against Hamas in interviews with anti-Syrian newspapers in
Jordan and Lebanon and CNN-Turk that were released on Monday. Abbas
implicitly threatened to disband the Hamas government, and called
Hamas' political leader Khaled Meshal a "civil war monger" for trying,
under Syrian influence, to ignite internal Palestinian warfare. Abbas,
who is on a visit to Turkey, also hinted Monday for the first time that
he can disband the government. "The constitution gives me clear and
definite authority to remove a government from power, but I don't want
to use this authority," he said in the CNN-Turk interview that was
broadcast on Monday, but recorded before his arrival in Turkey Sunday. "Everyone should know that by law this power is in my hands. "
Hamas faces expulsion threat
The Guardian
4/24/2006
The Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, today warned that he could
remove the Hamas government from power if it failed to "face the facts" and recognise Israel. He said the Palestinian Authority had to
establish communication with Israel and renounce violence if it wanted
to avoid international isolation and a critical shortfall in aid. "The
constitution gives me clear and definite authority to remove a
government from power, but I don't want to use this authority," he told
Turkish CNN in an interview broadcast today. "Everyone should know that
by law this power is in my hands. "The Palestinian Authority has been
facing a cash crisis since the election of the Hamas-dominated
parliament.
Hamas attacks Islamic and National Factions' comments
Ma'an News 4/24/2006
Tulkarm-Ma'an- The Hamas Movement in the city of Tulkarm has expressed
its amazement at the release of a statement by National and Islamic
factions in the city denouncing Mashaal's recent comments. In a
statement, the Hamas Movement said that it disapproved of the
distribution of such statements by the Islamic and National factions in
the city while Israeli forces continue their aggressions and blockades
against the Palestinian people. The Movement added that this step came
after the agreement between all factions last Saturday to form a "dialogue" committee representing all factions so that they may discuss
all issues and problems.
Palestinian prime minister urges calm
AlJazeera 4/24/2006
Ismail Haniya, the Palestinian prime minister, has called for calm and
vowed that his Hamas government would restore order after clashes
between his faction and Fatah activists. "I call on the Palestinian
people for calm and to respect the law," Haniya told a news conference
at the health ministry in Gaza City on Monday. Clashes between Hamas
and Fatah gunmen on Sunday left four people wounded. "The government
intends to restore order, the law and end allacts that give the
Palestinians a bad image and which target public sector employees," Haniya added.... Unrest flared after Khalid Mishaal, Hamas' leader,
effectively accused Mahmud Abbas, the Palestinian Authority president
and a Fatah member, of plotting against the Hamas government...
Video - Palestinian workers go without pay
BBC 4/24/2006
Video - The United Nations has warned that Palestinians are facing a
bleak humanitarian situation, because of cuts in foreign aid. Teachers
and other public sector workers say they are not being paid. Caroline
Hawley reports from Nablus.
J'lem court: Palestinian Authority meets criteria to be
classed as a sovereign state
Ha'aretz 4/24/2006
The Jerusalem District Court yesterday ruled that the Palestinian
Authority fulfills the criteria to be legally considered as a state.
According to the verdict, the PA, in the wake of the disengagement, was
vested with authorities that constitute a sovereign body responsible
for certain parts of the West Bank and the entire Gaza Strip. "The PA
meets the main requirements that constitute a 'state'," the verdict,
written by court president Judge Boaz Okon, said. The verdict was
issued in a civil lawsuit filed by the Association of the Elon Moreh
College against the State of Israel, the PA and other entities.... The
legal implications of the ruling are that verdicts reached under
Israeli law cannot be enforced in territories under PA sovereignty.
Hamas, Fateh agree to end
internal clashes, tension
International Middle
East Media Center 4/23/2006
The Hamas-led Palestinian government and the Fateh movement, headed by
the Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, have pledged on Sunday to
work in order to end the tensions between them after their supporters
clashed in the streets of Khan Younis, in the southern part of the Gaza
Strip. Mahmoud Mojahed, Fateh spokesperson, reported that the two
factions have agreed to call on their supporters to end all forms of
tension and to strengthen the nation unity. Leaders of the two
movements started their talks on Saturday night after armed clashes
erupted between student supporters of Hamas and Fateh at the Gaza
Islamic and Al-Azhar universities. Forty students and activists of the
two movements were injured in the clashes...
Palestinians Downplay Funds Transfer Crisis
Palestine Chronicle
4/23/2006
The Palestinian minister shrugged off reports that Palestinian banks
and financial institutions had decided not to deal with funds offered
to the PA. -- GAZA CITY - The Palestinian government played down
Sunday, April 23, reports that regional and international banks are
balking at transferring funds from donors under US pressures. "The Arab
League will soon transfer $71 millions to the Palestinian Authority
through banks," Telecommunications and Information Technology Minister
Jamal El-Khodary told IslamOnline. net. He said the transfer was only
delayed by three consecutive official holidays in Egypt, the seat of
the pan-Arab organization headquarters. "Once the holidays are off, we
would get the money and be able to pay our civil servants," he added.
Fateh uproar over Hamas
leader's speech
International Middle
East Media Center 4/22/2006
Fridays' speech by Hamas Political Office leader Khalid Mashal, put
Fateh officials over the edge. They went so far as to refer to Mashal’s
words from exile in Syria to “seditious. ” Fateh called it “preparation
for civil war,” and accused Mashal of “slander, lies, fabrications, and
blind-spite. ” However, what Mashal actually said rang true for many
Palestinians, including hard line Fateh members. Yasser Abed Rabbu,
widely considered to be one of the more corrupt Fateh leaders, and
Hamas' Mohammad Nazal, engaged in a shouting match on Al Jazeera last
night after Mashal's speech, with many Fateh supporters taking the side
of Nazal. “It is a mistake for anyone to believe that by foiling the
legitimate, Palestinian elected government, will guide him to a red
carpet laid out by the Israeli American. "
Two fighters assassinated
in Bethlehem, one seriously injured
International Middle
East Media Center 4/23/2006
Two Palestinian fighters of the Al Aqsa Brigades were assassinated in
Bethlehem on Sunday after the Israeli under-cover forces stormed the
city and fired at resistance fighters of the Al Aqsa Brigades, the
military wing of Fateh movement, one fighter was injured. Israeli "special" forces invaded Bethlehem’s Mental Hospital area Sunday late
afternoon around 6:00 pm. Israeli soldiers killed one Palestinian,
Ahmed Musleh from Deheisha Camp, injuring and arresting two others.
Among the two, Daniel Abu Hamami, was pronounced dead in Israeli
Hadassah Hospital just after 8:00 pm. Ahmed Musleh was on the Israeli “wanted” list. He was from Deheisha Refugee Camp in Bethlehem. The
injured resident was identified as Arafat Abu Sha'eera. from Al Azza
refugee camp in Bethlehem.
Israeli forces arrest
three in Bethlehem, Hebron and Jericho
International Middle
East Media Center 4/24/2006
Pre-dawn raids by Israeli forces in various parts of the southern and
eastern West Bank Monday morning resulted in three arrests. In
Bethlehem, Israeli forces, backed by seven military vehicles, swept
into al-Dawha neighborhood and arrested an unknown Palestinian and led
him into an unknown location, according to local sources. In Hebron,
Israeli forces invaded al-Qafeer area in Yatta, south of the city,
besieged the house of Moussa al-Najar 42, arrested and led him into an
undisclosed spot. In the meantime, Israeli soldiers, stationed at DCO
checkpoint in Jericho, arrested Mohammad Abu Sbeih, a Palestinian who
lives in the area. [end]
Israeli soldiers attack
Palestinians at Eiba checkpoint, wounding one
International Middle
East Media Center 4/24/2006
In Nablus early Monday morning, Israeli soldiers positioned at Eiba
checkpoint, west of the city, hurled a sonic bomb at Palestinians who
were waiting at the checkpoint, wounding Mohie Ishteiwi, 22, with
shrapnel in the face. [end]
Five Palestinian youth
arrested in pre-dawn raid in Tulkarem
International Middle
East Media Center 4/24/2006
Israeli Forces raided the towns of Allar and Qafen, north of Tulkarem,
early on Monday morning. They broke into many houses, carrying out
extensive searches. Five Palestinians were arrested: Mutasim Shaded
(20), Murad Hafaiza (21), Sabit Hafaiza (20) and Mamoun Fouzi (22) from
Allar, and Ali Sabbah (23) from Qafen. [end]
Israeli forces arrest
four youths in Nablus
International Middle
East Media Center 4/24/2006
Israeli troops stormed the West Bank city of Nablus and the nearby
refugee camp of Al-Ein at dawn Monday and arrested four young men after
breaking into several homes. Local sources said that three of those
were arrested in the city while the fourth was captured at the Hawara
roadblock. National and Islamic forces and institutions in Nablus
condemned the repeated Israeli incursions into the city and its refugee
camps and denounced the international silence towards those daily raids
and arrests. [end]
Israeli artillery targets a farm in Beit Lahia, north Gaza,
killing 5 cows
Ma'an News 4/24/2006
Gaza- Ma'an- Palestinian eyewitnesses have confirmed that five cows
were killed and many others injured when Israeli artillery targeted a
farm in Beit Lahia in the north of the Gaza Strip. The witnesses added
that more than twenty projectiles were launched at the farm which
belongs to the Director-General of Palestinian Borders and Crossings,
Salim Abu Safiyeh, and that the shelling caused damages in the farm.
[end]
Palestinian security employee arrested near Jenin
Ma'an News 4/24/2006
Jenin-Ma'an- Israeli forces arrested Monday one Palestinian citizen,
Ahmad Abu Obaid (23 years) from the town of Al-Yamoun west of Jenin, at
one of the "temporary" military barriers between Ramallah and Jenin.
Abu Obaid's family said that the Israeli forces arrested their son when
he was on his way back to Jenin from Ramallah where he works in the
National Security Authority. Eyewitnesses said that Israeli forces
stopped Ahmad's car and forced him out before taking him away to an
unknown destination. It is also reported that Israeli forces prevented
Jenin's citizens from traveling from their city to other cities in the
West Bank, as a result of the decision to separate the north of the
West Bank from other cities following the bomb in Tel Aviv last week.
[end]
Palestinian policeman
arrested at Israeli checkpoint near Jenin
International Middle
East Media Center 4/24/2006
Israeli forces arrested Monday one Palestinian citizen, Ahmad Abu Obaid
(23 years) from the town of Al-Yamoun west of Jenin, at one of the "temporary" military barriers between Ramallah and Jenin. Abu Obaid's
family said that the Israeli forces arrested their son when he was on
his way back to Jenin from Ramallah where he works in the National
Security Authority. Eyewitnesses said that Israeli forces stopped
Ahmad's car and forced him out before taking him away to an unknown
destination. It is also reported that Israeli forces prevented Jenin's
citizens from traveling from their city to other cities in the West
Bank, as a result of the decision to separate the north of the West
Bank from other cities following the bomb in Tel Aviv last week. [end]
Palestinian resistance
fires two homemade shells into Israel, no injuries
International Middle
East Media Center 4/24/2006
The Al-Aqsa Martyr Brigade in Gaza Strip said they have fired two
home-made projectiles at Israeli targets in response to the
assassination of two Palestinians in Bethlehem on Sunday evening. [end]
Al-Quds Brigades launch home-made projectile at Ashkelon
Ma'an News 4/24/2006
Gaza-Ma'an-The Al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of Islamic Jihad,
launched a home-made projectile at the Israeli city of Ashkelon on
Monday afternoon. In a statement released on Monday, the Brigades said
that the launch of the projectile was in response to the Israeli
attacks and aggression against the Palestinian people. [end]
Al-Qassam Brigades to participate in new security apparatus;
leader targeted by gunmen in Jabalia
Ma'an News 4/24/2006
Gaza- The spokesman for the Izz Addin Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas'
military wing, has announced that guards protecting their leader, Ahmad
Ghandour, reported that there were some unknown armed men shooting at
Ghandour's house in Jabalia Refugee Camp. The spokesman added that the
guards searched the area and accused the armed men of trying to draw
Palestinians' attention away from what is currently happening in the
Palestinian arena. The spokesman warned those trying to attack the
Al-Qassam Brigades' leaders that the Brigades would respond with an
iron fist against them. He added that the attackers are not known to
the Brigades.
Panel calls on treasury to fund securing of towns around Gaza
Ha'aretz 4/24/2006
The interim Finance Committee decided Monday to obligate the Treasury
to transfer NIS 52 million as soon as possible to be used to complete
the securing of schools and educational institutes in towns bordering
the Gaza Strip. The money will be transferred through the Home Front
Command to 46 communities that are under constant threat of Qassam
rocket fire from the Gaza Strip. Finance Committee Chairman MK Yaakov
Litzman (United Torah Judaism) said the committee would convene again
on Wednesday to hear representatives from the Finance and Defense
Ministries on whether the money is available to fund the project. If
the money is not available, the committee will convene for an
additional meeting next Thursday.
Palestinian nonviolent
resistance continues in southern West Bank in spite of beating and
arrests
International Middle
East Media Center 4/23/2006
At least six Palestinian citizens, including one elderly, were injured,
and an unlimited number were arrested during a nonviolent demonstration
in the southern West Bank on Saturday. A number of demonstrators spoke
with PNN via telephone today confirming that Israeli soldiers attacked
and injured at least six Palestinians, including an elderly woman,
after intense beatings. Israeli forces attacked a nonviolent
demonstration against the Wall and land confiscation in the Hebron
Districts town of Yatta.... Israeli forces declared the eastern area of
the Palestinian town as a “closed military zone.... Israeli forces also
arrested four foreigners from an American Christian group and an
Israeli peace group.
Shoot-out at Palestinian ministry
BBC 4/23/2006
Hamas gunmen were summoned to assist the health minister -- Bodyguards
of the Hamas health minister have exchanged fire with gunmen at the
health ministry in Gaza City. Three people were injured in the
confrontation. It seems the gunmen were seeking better treatment for a
hospital patient, a BBC correspondent says. Although it appears this
was not an overtly political matter, the clash comes at a time of
tension in Gaza. On Sunday Fatah party supporters staged shows of
strength, following clashes with Hamas supporters on Saturday. A power
struggle has been growing between the two rival groups. Although Hamas
has just taken control of the government the presidency is still in
Fatah's hands.
Tension flares between Hamas, Fatah
AlJazeera 4/23/2006
Gaza City's Healthy Ministry office was attacked on Sunday -- Tensions
between the Hamas-led Palestinian government and the rival Fatah
faction have flared in a shootout at the Health Ministry, leaving
several people wounded. At least four people were hurt on Sunday after
armed men purportedly from al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades stormed the
ministry in Gaza City, where they were confronted by Hamas guards,
ministry officials said. But a spokesman for the brigades, which is
affiliated to the Fatah, denied the men were from the faction. He said
they were from a Gaza clan affiliated with Fatah. The guards from the
Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades chased off most of the intruders and
captured four of the men...
Two youths arrested in
Hebron
International Middle
East Media Center 4/23/2006
Israeli soldiers arrested on Sunday two youth in the Al Arroub refugee
camp, in the West Bank city of Hebron and took them to a nearby
military camp, local source in Hebron reported. Soldiers conducted
house-to-house searched in the camp, detained and interrogated several
residents before arresting the two youth. [end]
Hebron settlers assault two female international aid workers
Ha'aretz 4/23/2006
Volunteers from the international organization Tel Rumeida Project were
attacked Saturday by Hebron settlers. Members of the group said that
dozens of settlers assaulted two women volunteers as they blocked the
way to settlers who wanted to break into aPalestinian-owned store. Both
women were hurt. Two Israel Defense Forces soldiers from the Paratroops
Brigade who were nearby intervened and tried to prevent the assault.
When the soldiers called for help, the settlers cleared off. Settlers
have attacked Tel Rumeida Project volunteers three times in recent
weeks. Unlike previous assaults, many adults took part Saturday.
40 injured in clashes between Hamas, Fatah
Ha'aretz 4/23/2006
Hamas and Fatah leaders began talks last night in the Gaza Strip in an
attempt to diffuse tension between the groups, after protest marches
and armed clashes erupted between student supporters of Hamas and Fatah
at the Islamic and Al-Azhar universities in Gaza. The violence, which
resulted in injuries to some 40 students and activists, included stone-
and furniture-throwing, setting fire to offices, attacking passing cars
and marches by armed Fatah supporters in the streets of the Gaza
Strip's towns. The clashes broke out following attacks on the PA
leadership by the head of the Hamas political wing Khaled Meshal, in
Damascus, and the announcement Thursday by PA Interior Minister Said
Sayem that he was setting up a new security force that would encompass
the Hamas military wing.
Israel threatens to
reoccupy Gaza
International Middle
East Media Center 4/22/2006
As Israeli forces continue to pound the northern Gaza Strip with up to
300 artillery shells a day, Israeli officials have announced that the
military is considering re-entering the Palestinian territory in a
ground assault. Israel will reoccupy the Gaza Strip if Hamas does not
put an end to the cross-border shelling being carried out by other
(non-Hamas) resistance groups, a senior military commander says.
Major-General Yoav Galant, head of Israel's southern command, said he
was considering a range of options, including the possibility of
re-entering Gaza. Galant told the Maariv daily on Friday: "We're
talking about more aggressive military activity. If the price we have
to pay becomes unreasonable as a result of increased (Palestinian)
attacks, then we shall have to take all steps, including occupying the
Gaza Strip. "
Soldiers attack priests,
Christians while celebrating Holy Saturday in Jerusalem
International Middle
East Media Center 4/22/2006
As Greek Orthodox Palestinian Christians were celebrating the Holy
Saturday in Jerusalem, Israeli policemen attacked dozens of worshipers
and priests near the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and at the entrance
of the Old City of Jerusalem. The Palestinian News Agency WAFA reported
that soldiers and policemen present at the entrance of the Church and
the Gates of the Old City of Jerusalem barred the worshipers from
reaching the Church to celebrate the eastern Holy Saturday. Dimirty
Diliani, who heads a coalition of Palestinians Christians, reported
that soldiers attacked worshipers and priests who gathered around the
church; several residents and priests were injured. Diliani added that
the Israel is violating the international law and barring the residents
from reaching their holy sites.
Army arrests two and
turns one house into military post
International Middle
East Media Center 4/22/2006
Israeli forces arrested two Palestinian in Bethlehem and Hebron areas
in the West Bank on Saturday morning, a Palestinian source reported.
The Palestinian Prisoner’s Society in Hebron said Israeli forces
invaded Al-Arroub Refugee camp near Hebron and arrested Tareq Balasi,
20 and searched several houses in the camp. Palestinian Security source
said Mahmoud Obayat, 23 was arrested in Bethlehem when Israeli troops
stopped the car he was riding on a military roadblock on the
Bethlehem-Hebron road. Obayat is a security officer who works in Hebron
and brother of Raed Obayat who was assassinated by a special Israeli
army unit in Beit Sahour earlier in April.
Nablus Municipality
Building, dating back thousands of years, attacked by anti-Hamas Fateh
fighters
International Middle
East Media Center 4/23/2006
The Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) submitted two
strongly-worded condemnations Sunday against aggressions in Nablus.
Armed members of resistance parties, defying internal agreements, are
using weapons reserved only to fight the occupation, have attacked
ancient buildings in the northern West Bank city of Nablus. PCHR is
calling for an immediately halt to such actions, which are against the
Hamas government and in favor of Fateh member President Abbas. The call
includes to bring them to justice, as the law must apply to all. After
Hamas Political Office President spoke Friday night from his place of
exile in Syria against Fateh leaders, including President Abbas, chaos
has reigned in Palestine.
Karadi to settlers: Amona scarred police
YNet News 4/24/2006
Yesha Council heads slam police violence in meeting with police chief.
Karadi: Both sides must examine themselves -- The violent evacuation of
the unauthorized West Bank outpost of Amona left police scarred as
well, Police Chief Moshe Karadi told settlers leaders Monday. According
to Yesha Council heads, the police chief told them: "For us too, Amona
left a scar. " Karadi added that "both sides must examine themselves,
look into what took place, and learn the lessons. " This was the first
meeting between the sides and it concluded with a decision to continue
with confidence-building measures. The meeting was also attended by
senior police officials.
Olmert Cabinet choices spark revolt
The Daily Star
4/25/2006
JERUSALEM: Ehud Olmert was facing a revolt Monday in the ranks of his
Kadima party, with senior figures furious at losing out on key
portfolios to Labor rivals as the new Israeli coalition government is
drawn. Newspaper headlines made uncomfortable reading for the prime
minister-designate, with a number of top Kadima candidates in last
month's election accusing him of reneging on agreements and caving in
during coalition talks. Uriel Reichman, who had been expected to be
made Education Minister, announced late Sunday that he was quitting
political life after it became clear that the post would be one of
seven in the new Cabinet allotted to Labor.
Coalition deal sets NIS 3,884 minimum wage by July 2007
Globes 4/24/2006
The government promises to raise the minimum wage to $1,000 by the end
of its term, but the coalition agreement sets $1,000 as equivalent to
NIS 4,600. -- As “Globes” first reported yesterday, Kadima and the
Labor Party have reached a compromise on the minimum wage, which brings
a conclusion to coalition negotiations towards a close. The first NIS
500 increase to the minimum wage, which Labor chairman MK Amir Perez
insisted on, will be carried out in three increments between June 2006
and July 2007. The first NIS 250 increment will include the NIS 122
update to the minimum wage carried out in April, which means that the
minimum wage will increase by an additional NIS 128 in June.
Israelis get civilian PM and defence minister
The Guardian
4/24/2006
Labour leader Peretz in charge of armed forces · Coalition will focus
on West Bank pullback -- Israel is to have a civilian prime minister
and a civilian defence minister for the first time after it emerged
that the Labour leader, Amir Peretz, would head the armed forces.
Coalition negotiations have been going on for almost a month but the
two main parties, Kadima and Labour, agreed on the division of posts
over the weekend. The government's priority policy will be the
evacuation of dozens of settlements in the West Bank. Labour will have
the education and defence portfolios and Kadima will have finance,
interior and foreign affairs, according to reports leaked to the
Israeli media. Negotiations are continuing with other parties.
Shalom-Netanyahu rivalry heats up as the two trade barbs
Ha'aretz 4/24/2006
The dispute between Likud chairman Benjamin Netanyahu and party rival
MK Silvan Shalom intensified Monday, with the latter publicly
criticizing Netanyahu for reportedly writing a book instead of
strengthening the party. "It is inconceivable that at this moment in
time, when what it is needed is to pick the Likud up off the floor, he
is busy writing a book," Shalom told reporters in the wake of reports
about Netanyahu's writing plans. "So what do we do? Wait until he
finishes writing his book? We don't have time for that. We have to
rehabilitate the Likud. "
MK Steinitz cancels defense meeting to block al-Sana's
participation
Ha'aretz 4/24/2006
MK Yuval Steinitz (Likud), interim chairman of the Knesset Foreign
Affairs and Defense Committee, decided on Monday evening to cancel a
committee meeting scheduled for Wednesday, after he did not manage to
find a way to prevent the participation of MK Taleb al-Sana
(UAL-Ta'al). Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Dan Halutz was set to
take part in the meeting. Steinitz has demanded that al-Sana be
forbidden from sitting in on committee discussions because of his
meetings with Hamas legislators on Saturday. Steinitz asked interim
Knesset speaker MK Shimon Peres to establish a temporary committee code
of ethics that would prevent al-Sana from participating in committee
meetings.
Olmert plans major shake-up of national broadcaster
Ha'aretz 4/23/2006
Advisers to interim Prime Minister Ehud Olmert recommend closing down
Channel 1 and creating a new public television station. Their plan
calls for appointing attorney Eli Zohar to liquidate the Israel
Broadcast Authority (IBA) in its current format. Uri Shenar, the former
head of Channel 2 franchisee Keshet, would be in charge of creating the
new organization. The plan, which would involve the loss of 1,000 IBA
jobs at a cost of hundreds of millions of shekels, has the support of
the treasury's budget division. Olmert has not yet approved the
program. Olmert's aides have told Haaretz that the interim prime
minister has not ruled out any ideas that would strengthen public
broadcasting. "If someone proves to him it's possible to close IBA and
reopen it immediately, he'll go for it," one aide said.
Kadima, Labor agree to shelve plans for constitutional court
for now
Ha'aretz 4/25/2006
No constitutional court will be established in the next four years and
the make-up of the Judicial Appointments Committee will not be altered,
according to an agreement struck on Monday between Kadima and Labor.
The decision will be written into the government guidelines. Such a
court, which Supreme Court President Aharon Barak strongly opposes,
would remove the Supreme Court's authority to discuss the question of
revoking legislation that contradicts Israel's Basic Laws. The court's
justices would be chosen according to a political blueprint, or by an
electoral body in which the parties are represented according to their
relative size in the Knesset.
Shas calls for no ministers without portfolio in new gov't
Ha'aretz 4/24/2006
After Interim Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Labor Chairman Amir Peretz
decided Monday to cancels plans to nominate deputy ministers for the
new government, Shas Chairman Eli Yishai said there should be no
ministers without portfolio in the cabinet. Yishai said he was calling
on parties slated to join the government to pass on the position of
minister without portfolio and lead, under agreement, to a
reasonably-sized cabinet. This week, Kadima offered Shas three full
ministerial posts or two ministerial positions and two ministers
without portfolio. Shas claims that the offer is unfair compared to
those proposed to other large coalition partners.
Study: Career officers in bad shape
YNet News 4/24/2006
Comprehensive survey among tens of thousands of soldiers shows almost
all of them overeat, don't exercise enough --Career officers getting
fatter: A new survey undertaken by the IDF among tens of thousands of
career officers shows almost 90 percent of them face a high risk of
heart and blood disease, Israel's leading newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth
reported Monday. The reasons for the alarming figure: Overweight, lack
of physical activity, and malnutrition. Overall, 26,477 men and women
aged 25-44 took part in the study. Analysis of the results showed men
performed worse than women in almost all parameters.
Families' weekly sit-in at ICRC Gaza in support of prisoners
Ma'an News 4/24/2006
Gaza-Ma'an-Families of Palestinian prisoners continued their weekly,
Monday sit-in outside the ICRC in Gaza. Family members of prisoners
expressed hopes that the new Palestinian government will make prisoners
a top priority and will work hard to release them. Mothers of prisoners
told Ma’an that the Israeli authorities will finally allow family
members above 21 years of age to visit their sons in Israeli jails.
This is a new step as the Israeli authorities have denied these visits
for many years. [end]
Tel Rumeida Journal - Sunday 23/04/06
International
Solidarity Movement 4/24/2006
Our group was tired out after the large settler attack yesterday and
apprehensive about what might happen over the coming week. We were
hoping for a quiet day, and we got that. So here’s a description of a
quiet day in Tel Rumeida…International volunteers from EAPPI, ISM and
TRP on the streets at 7am to monitor the children travelling to school
in case of attacks by settlers. I stay close to Tel Rumeida settlement
to watch the children who live close to the settlement buildings and
have to walk down the hill past the settlement buildings and two army
posts. There have been attacks on these children, stonings and
beatings, but this morning there are none. More internationals monitor
the children as they walk down the hill toward the school. EAPPI
accompany the children to school and stay throughout the school day.
PCHR Condemns Extra-Judicial Execution of Two Palestinians by
IOF in Bethlehem
Palestinian Centre
for Human Rights 4/24/2006
On Sunday evening, 23 April 2006, Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF)
extra-judicially executed two members of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades,
the military wing of Fatah, in Bethlehem. IOF also wounded and arrested
a third member. IOF later claimed that one of the victims had died from
his wounds following his evacuation to Hadasa Hospital in Jerusalem,
but investigations conducted by PCHR refute this claim and prove that
IOF executed the victim after his arrest. This latest attack comes
after decisions taken by the Israeli political and military
establishment to continue to target Palestinian activists.
Report: 400 Palestinian
children incarcerated in Israeli jails
International Middle
East Media Center 4/24/2006
Defense for Children International – Palestine section and the Arab
human rights institution charged in a joint statement that the Israeli
occupation government was escalating its arrests of Palestinian minors.
The statement pointed out that 350 Palestinian children ranging from 13
years old to 18 years old were arrested in the first quarter of 2006
while 700 children were arrested in the year 2005. It noted that around
4,000 Palestinian minors have been arrested in the course of the
current violence (over the last 5 1/2 years) that erupted in late
September 2000 until the present year, with 400 of them still behind
Israeli bars. The statement charged that all children captured by
Israeli troops are subjected to different types of torture, including
beatings and insults at the time of arrest; then isolation, assaults,
deprivation of family visits and being sprayed with gas while in
captivity.
Palestinian family calls
for release of child from Israeli jail
International Middle
East Media Center 4/24/2006
A Palestinian family called on the International Committee for Red
Cross (ICRC) and human rights organizations to immediately intervene to
help free their son from Israeli detention. The father of the detainee
child, Muneeb Abd al-Ghani, said that Israeli Forces arrested his son,
Mou'taz, 16, of Saida town, north of Tulkarem on April 4, and detained
him at Salem Israeli detention. He added that Mo'taz is subjected to
investigation, pointing out that lawyers could not visit him and the
matter caused a state of panic among the family for his unknown fate.
Mary’s Journal: Daily Life in Tel Rumeida
International
Solidarity Movement 4/23/2006
Everyday but Friday, we are out on the street watching as children go
to school, which starts at 7. 45am. It’s usually quiet, though today
about 15 visiting settlers attacked Anna and BJ and 3 EAPPI (Ecumenical
Accompaniment Program in Palestine and Israel) people. They are not
badly hurt (one was kicked and another hit on the foot by a stone) and
are now still at the police station making a complaint. I went down to
Shuhada street to see them and on the way back called at the house of a
doctor. It has been Passover holiday and there was a closed military
zone for three days. During that time, soldiers who often use his roof
for surveillance hung an Israeli flag from his roof. They went into the
kitchen of his house, knocked everything off the bench and attached the
bottom of the flag to his kitchen window. They also abused his niece...
Settlers Attack
International
Solidarity Movement 4/23/2006
22 April- A gang of 30 militant Israeli settlers attacked a Palestinian
grocery shop today, and assaulted the owner’s son and several others.
The settlers flung sharpened metal bars as “spears” through the open
doorway smashing produce jars and knocking goods from the shelves. They
also threw stones, punched and kicked a group of Palestinian children
playing just outside, and assaulted Radi Abu Aeshah (16) who is the
owner’s son. International Human Rights workers were also attacked when
they stood between the shop-front and the gang. The settlers only
stopped when confronted by soldiers from the Israeli Army. The gang,
composed of teenagers and older boys all in Orthodox Jewish dress...
then moved off into a near-by Palestinian olive grove, where several
Palestinian families live.
Police block Armenian pilgrims from attending Easter ceremony
in Jerusalem
Ha'aretz 4/23/2006
Police prevented hundreds of Armenian worshipers from taking part in a
sacred pre-Easter ceremony at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre
yesterday. Armenian church officials said the police behaved rudely to
church members and senior clergy and arrested four Armenians near the
Old City police station, releasing them only after the Armenians
stopped the festive procession to the church in protest. Armenian
Archbishop Nourhan Manougian told Haaretz that the police only allowed
400 of 700 Armenian pilgrims to enter the church for the Ceremony of
the Holy Fire, despite the fact that all had entry permits, as required
by police, he said. "Israel always declares that it allows free access
to the holy places but in fact the police acted like a despot to the
pilgrims.... "
Soldiers Beat Non-violent Demonstrators, Arrest Three
International
Solidarity Movement 4/22/2006
At-Tuwani, South Hebron Hills - Israeli Occupation Forces beat
non-violent Palestinian, international, and Israeli demonstrators this
morning after declaring the area a Closed Military Zone. No map of the
Closed Military Zone was ever shown to the protestors. At-Tuwani
villagers, Palestinian activists, Christian Peacemaker Team members,
Operation Dove members, and Israeli activists from Ta’ayush were
protesting against the Israeli authorities’ plan to build an 80cm ‘security’ wall along one side of bypass route 317. An Israeli high
court case appealing against the wall is currently in process. Despite
this, construction continues further along the road towards Susiya.
Update on Nablus Incursions
International
Solidarity Movement 4/22/2006
Today, April 22nd, the army invaded Nablus again, which they have done
almost everyday since last Monday, evacuating soldiers in houses that
they have occupied. Today 5 people were hit with rubber bullets, one of
them below the eye. One of them was a reporter with Reuters, Ashraf
Sharwis, who was filming an armoured vehicle the open, but far from the
kids throwing stones. They hit him with a rubber bullet in the leg, and
he moved closer to the TV jeep but continued to film. Then they shot
him again in the shoulder and he was evacuated in an ambulance. At the
same time (another shot or the same bullet, I don’t know) hit a very
young kid that was standing next to the reporters and ambulance and was
not throwing stones. I would estimate his age is about 11 or 12 years
old. [end]
1 Citizen Killed and 4 Injured during a Clan Dispute in Rafah
Palestinian Centre
for Human Rights 4/24/2006
On Sunday, 23 April 2006, Mousa Mahfouz Shallouf (33) was killed by a
bullet to the neck and 4 others were injured, one seriously, during a
clan dispute over the ownership of a plot of land in Rafah. PCHR's
initial investigation indicates that at approximately 21:00 on Sunday,
a dispute erupted between members of the Shallouf clan in the Mawasi
area, west of Rafah. The incident took place over an old dispute
regarding the ownership of a plot of land, which is governmental
property. The dispute escalated rapidly into clashes involving the use
of firearms and other weapons. The clashes resulted in the death of
Mousa Shallouf and the injury of another 4. Sources at Abu Yousef
El-Najjar Hospital in Rafah indicated that one of the injuries was
serious.
Attacks on Public Institutions Continue
Palestinian Centre
for Human Rights 4/24/2006
Palestinian Gunmen Attack the Ministry of Health Compound in Gaza City
-- At approximately 14:00 on Sunday, 23 April 2005, armed clashes took
place in the Ministry of Health compound in Wehda Street, Gaza City.
The clashes took place between an armed group and a Police force
supported by a group from the Izzedeen El-Qassam Brigades (the military
wing of Hamas). The clashes resulted in 4 injuries, including 1
policeman. PCHR's initial investigation indicates that a group of 7
gunmen attempted to obtain the approval of the Minister of Health, Dr.
Basem Na'im, for a request for treatment for a patient abroad. However,
the Minister refused, stating that the request was illegal.
Attacks on Public Institutions Continue
Palestinian Centre
for Human Rights 4/23/2006
Palestinian Gunmen Attack the Municipalities of Nablus and Bani Suheila
-- In a continuation of the trend of attacking international
institutions, which has become a feature of the ongoing security chaos
in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT), gunmen from Fatah's
Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades closed down the Nablus municipality building
this afternoon in protest against the statements made by Khaled Meshal
(the head of the Hamas political bureau). And last Thursday, a citizen
threw 2 homemade grenades in the Bani Suheila municipality building.
PCHR's initial investigation indicates that at approximately 13:00 on
Sunday, 23 April 2006, a group of about 20 gunmen from the Al-Aqsa
Martyrs Brigades stormed the Nablus municipality building, firing
heavily in the air.
2 Citizens Injured by Gunfire during a Fatah March in Toubas
Palestinian Centre
for Human Rights 4/24/2006
On the evening of Sunday, 23 April 2006, Mohammad Hatem Suliman As'ad
(21) was injured by two bullets to the legs and Walid Mahmoud Abu Naser
(31) was injured by a bullet to the left leg. Both are from the town of
Toubas in the northern West Bank and they were injured by shots fired
by gunmen participating in a Fatah march in the town, organized in
protest against the statements made by Khaled Meshal. PCHR's initial
investigation indicates that at approximately 19:30 on Sunday, the two
citizens were injured as they were participating in a march in the
streets of the town. Scores of Fatah activists and supporters
participated in the protest against the statements of Khaled Meshal...
Hamas forms new security branch
By Laila el-Haddad,
International Solidarity Movement 4/23/2006
Something strange is happening in Gaza. Municipality workers are
actually working. The streets seem a bit cleaner. And for once, I
actually saw a policeman arresting a criminal in a dramatic pick-up the
other day, much to the chagrin of his gang, who stoned and shot at the
police car (futilely), and the “oohs” and “aahs” of onlookers
(including myself). In Gaza, we have become accustomed to the rule of
law-lessness. And people are sick of it-in fact 84% according to a
recent poll, place internal security as their number priority. This is
not to say that gangs and armed gunmen somehow roam the streets as in
some bad Western, as the mainstream media would make it seem. But for
sure, it is brawn and bullets that win the day, and decide everything
from family disputes to basic criminal proceedings.
Anamaria’s Journal: Not Welcome Anymore
International
Solidarity Movement 4/22/2006
I arrived at the airport 4 hours before take off. I was through check
in after just one hour and no problems. But when I went through
passport control, the woman there looked at the computer screen and
went away with my passport. She came back a few minutes later with 2
other women and asked me to follow them. A man joined them and asked me
where I have been, and what I have been doing. I answered the usual,
and they asked no more. Then I was taken to a room, where I had to
place my baggage on a table. Then they told me that they thought there
was a bomb in it. Now they had control over everything in my bags, and
also over my body. There were 7 people in the room to perform this
action.
PCHR’s Women’s Rights Unit Organizes a Lecture on Family Law
in the al-Daraj Neighborhood of Gaza
Palestinian Centre
for Human Rights 4/19/2006
In the context of the legal awareness program conducted by PCHR’s
Women’s Rights Unit, the unit organized a lecture on marriage in Family
Law at the offices of al-Ghad (Tomorrow) Development Association in the
al-Daraj neighborhood of Gaza City. At least 40 women living in the
area attended the lecture. At the beginning of the lecture, unit lawyer
Ghada al-Nazli welcomed the attendants and briefed them on activities
conducted by the unit, especially the free legal assistance service
provided to women and the legal awareness programs, which seeks to
raise the awareness of women of their rights ensured by domestic and
international laws. Unit lawyer Hanan Matar talked about the Family Law
applicable in the Gaza Strip, emphasizing its importance and relevance
to women’s lives.
Factions in Jenin call for implementation of the Cairo
Agreement
Ma'an News 4/24/2006
Jenin-Ma’an-The Islamic and National factions in the Jenin Governorate
have called for an end to all activities and campaigns that contribute
to internal conflicts and divisions, saying that such activities spark
confrontations that threaten Palestinian national unity. In a
statement, the factions called for the immediate resumption of a
national dialogue between all Palestinian factions and a commitment to
the execution of the Cairo Agreement’s decisions. The factions called
on all Palestinians to form a government of national unity and to
reconstruct the Palestinian Legislative Council as the only
representative of the Palestinian people on the basis of the political
and social programs and the struggle for an free and independent
Palestine.
Factions' Coordinator in Hebron urges Palestinians to act
responsibly
Ma'an News 4/24/2006
Ma'an- Islamic and National Factions Coordinator in Hebron, Mr. Fahmi
Shahin, has announced that the differences between the Palestinian
factions have reached a point which may support and strengthen the
enemy's front and endanger Palestinian unity. In a statement issued on
Monday, the Coordinator warned the Palestinian factions of being
dragged into forbidden territory; he said this is what the Israeli
occupation is planning for and he stressed that internal unity is one
of the sacrosanct issues which nobody is allowed to endanger. Shahin
called for Palestinian factions to stop attacking or accusing each
other and to act responsibly. He urged the factions to find practical
solutions for the Palestinian people's problems.
Interior Ministry condemns Arjoub's statements
Ma'an News 4/24/2006
Gaza- Ma'an- Palestinian Interior Ministry has condemned the statements
of the Fatah Revolutionary Council member, Jebril Arjoub, made on the
satellite channel, Al Arabiya. The Ministry's media office said that
his statements regarding the Minister of Interior's decision to form a
new apparatus transcend decency and courtesy. The Ministry considers
the statements as a "personal defamation of the Minister himself in a
time when we are trying to put an end to strife and disorder. "
Stabilizing
security in Occupied Palestinian Territory major challenge, Special
Coordinator for Middle East Peace tells Security Council
ReliefWeb/UNSC
4/24/2006
Other Council Issues Include Meeting Palestinian Needs, Addressing New
Reality on Ground since Road Map Drawn Up, Says Alvaro de Soto --
Stabilizing the security environment in the Occupied Palestinian
Territory was a major challenge, the primary responsibility for which
lay with the parties concerned, Alvaro de Soto, Special Coordinator for
the Middle East Peace Process and Personal Representative of the
Secretary-General to the Palestine Liberation Organization and the
Palestinian Authority, said in a briefing to the Security Council this
morning. He said the responsible authorities must take firm measures to
prevent terrorist and rocket attacks against Israel, end the
long-running jockeying among the Palestinian security services, and
immediately institute closer coordination among them.
Abbas seeks Turkey's aid to emerge from crisis
ReliefWeb 4/24/2006
ANKARA, April 24, 2006 (AFP) - Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas began
talks here Monday seeking Turkey's help to overcome his authority's
financial crisis and revive the Middle East peace process. In an
interview Monday with CNN-Turk television, the president of the
Palestinian Authority warned of "a threat of possible famine" in the
territories if economic assistance does not resume soon. Abbas, who met
Monday with Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, hopes to convince
Ankara to use its good relations with Israel, the United States and the
European Union to find a compromise that would allow the resumption of
financial aid to the Palestinian Authority.
Arab League to transfer $50M to Hamas-led Palestinian gov't
ReliefWeb 4/24/2006
CAIRO, Apr 24, 2006 (Xinhua via COMTEX) -- The Arab League (AL) has
said it will transfer 50 million U.S. dollars this week to the
Palestinian government led by the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas)
despite Western efforts to isolate the group, The Egyptian Gazette
reported on Monday. There were "no banking problems that would prevent
the fund from being successfully transferred on Wednesday when Egyptian
banks reopen after an expanded holiday," AL spokesman Hisham Youssef
was quoted as saying. The fund, donated by Qatar, was enough to pay
about 40 percent of the overdue March salaries to Palestinian
government employees, said the report, adding that Saudi Arabia had
also promised to give 20 million dollars to the cash-strapped
Palestinian government.
Israeli forces prevent
Palestinian youth from participating in Quaker video-conference with
U.S.
International Middle
East Media Center 4/24/2006
Israeli forces have prevented a delegation of youths from Jenin, who
were representing a Quaker youth group, from going to the city of
Ramallah for youth activities. In a phone call with Ma'an News Agency,
the delegation reported that the Israeli forces at the Za'atara barrier
prevented the delegation from entering Ramallah, claiming that the
delegation did not have a permit to cross the barrier and adding that
the city of Jenin is a "closed military area" today. It was also
reported that the delegation included youths ranging in age from 14 to
17 years and they were heading to Ramallah in order to be put in
contact via video conference with a youth group in the US State of
Minnesota with the aim of establishing relations between Palestinian
and American youths. [end]
Palestinians fan out to raise funds
AlJazeera 4/24/2006
The Palestinian president has arrived in Turkey and the foreign
minister in Kuwait on fund-raising tours. Mahmoud Abbas was on Sunday
on the first leg of a European tour, which will include Norway, Finland
and France, to discuss stalled talks for Middle East peace and aid to
his cash-strapped people. Abbas will meet Ahmet Necdet Sezer, the
Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the prime minister, and
Abdullah Gul, the foreign minister, on Tuesday. Abbas is hoping his
tour will convince donor countries to resume sending aid to the
Palestinian people to overcome a long-standing financial crisis. On
arrival, Abbas said: "We will tell our Turkish brothers what is
happening in the Palestinian territories. "
Hamas-led Palestinian government receives first aid
ReliefWeb 4/23/2006
KUWAIT CITY, April 23, 2006 (AFP) - The cash-strapped Palestinian
Authority has received 50 million dollars in aid and another 40 million
dollars was on the way, the foreign minister of the Hamas-led
government said Sunday. "We have received 50 million dollars and 20
million dollars had been received by the Arab League, while 20 million
dollars more were on the way," Mahmud Zahar told a press conference in
Kuwait. The Palestinian minister however did not elaborate on his
statement. Zahar arrived in the oil-rich emirate Sunday on a two-day
official visit as part of a regional tour to urge Arab countries to
accelerate their aid transfer to Palestinians in the face of a US-led
boycott. "I think that during the current tour, we will be able to
raise" the needed funds, said Zahar, adding that the Palestinian
government needed some 140 million dollars monthly.
PA official: U.S. preventing funds from reaching Palestinians
Ha'aretz 4/23/2006
The United States has given orders to banks not to transfer money to a
Hamas-led Palestinian government -- A stern U.S. warning to
international financial institutions has made it impossible for the
Palestinian Authority to receive funding since the Islamic Hamas group
took power, a top Palestinian official said Saturday. It was the first
time a Palestinian official has admitted the U.S. has influenced
financial institutions. Israel, the United States, the European Union,
Canada and other countries have frozen financial assistance to the
Palestinian Authority since Hamas took power last month after sweeping
January parliamentary elections. In an attempt to help the
cash-strapped Palestinian Authority make ends meet, Arab countries
pledged to give the Palestinians $55 million in monthly aid.
U.S. terrorism finance expert arrives to discuss measures
against Iran
Ha'aretz 4/25/2006
An official U.S. terrorism finance expert arrives here Tuesday to
discuss economic measures against Iran and the Palestinian Hamas
government. The official, Stuart Levey, is Under Secretary for
Terrorism and Financial Intelligence in the Department of the Treasury.
It was reported this week that Washington was planning a "financial
assault" on Iran that would include targeting Iranian bank accounts in
Europe and Iranian-owned financial institutions. Israel and the U.S.
are also cooperating in efforts to prevent the transfer of funds to the
Hamas government. Levey is in charge of financial aspects of the
administration's war on terror, mainly blocking financial channels of
international terror and imposing economic sanctions on rogue states.
Siniora links Israel leaving Shebaa to Hizbullah arms
The Daily Star
4/25/2006
BEIRUT: Lebanese Premier Fouad Siniora said in remarks published Monday
that the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Shebaa Farms could lead
to Hizbullah's disarmament. "If the U.S. and friendly countries help us
achieve the withdrawal of Israel from Shebaa Farms, it would be
possible for the Lebanese forces to be the sole owner of weapons and
arms in the country," Siniora said in an interview with The Washington
Post. The small, mountainous Shebaa Farms territory lies at the
intersection where Lebanon, Syria and Israel meet. Siniora said that
although Hizbullah has a connection to Syria and Iran, it is a Lebanese
party with national objectives, namely that Israel release Lebanese
detainees, provide Lebanon with maps of the land mines it planted in
the South and put an end to violations of Lebanese airspace and waters.
Tehran threatens to withdraw from NPT
The Daily Star
4/25/2006
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad hinted Monday Iran was considering
withdrawing from the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and said he did
not think the Security Council would impose sanctions on Iran. Amid
increasing reports of a possible U.S. military action against Iran,
Premier Tony Blair insisted Britain and the U.S. were not discussing
that option, but said a "strong signal" needs to be sent to Tehran over
its resumed nuclear program. In his latest vitriolic attack against
Israel, the firebrand leader said the "fake" Jewish state "cannot
survive" and called on migrants to the country to go back to where they
came from.
Report: Iran may prompt other Mideast states to go nuclear
Ha'aretz 4/24/2006
In a comprehensive report, most of which is top secret, a
military-civilian committee has determined that other Muslim countries
in the Middle East could follow Iran in equipping themselves with
nuclear weapons. Endorsing the report, outgoing Defense Minister Shaul
Mofaz said in remarks quoted by Army Radio on Monday that "For the
first time since the days of the nation's founding, an official
document has been placed before the leaders of Israel, setting out a
comprehensive security viewpoint, both current and long-range. "The
committee, chaired by former minister Dan Meridor and appointed by
former prime minister Ariel Sharon, recommended to Mofaz on Sunday that
Israel should maintain its policy of nuclear ambiguity...
Hamas: Bin Laden Speaks for Himself
Palestine Chronicle
4/23/2006
What Osama bin Laden said is his opinion, but Hamas has its own
positions which are different to the ones expressed by Bin Laden. '--
GAZA CITY - Hamas has spoken out to distance itself from al-Qaeda
following a statement from Osama bin Laden condemning the West for its
boycott of the new Palestinian government. In an audiotaped message
broadcast by Aljazeera on Sunday, the al-Qaeda leader said the decision
by Western governments to halt aid to the Hamas-led government and
impose other sanctions proved the West was in a "crusader war" with
Islam. Commenting on the message shortly afterwards, Sami Abu Zuhri, a
spokesman for Hamas, said the group's ideology was "totally different" from that of Bin Laden and al-Qaeda.
Malaysia: No ties with Israel unless it changes Palestinian
policies
Ha'aretz 4/24/2006
KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia won't consider establishing diplomatic ties
with Israel until it changes its policies toward the Palestinians, a
Foreign Ministry official said Monday. "Tel Aviv has yet to fulfill
certain conditions," Foreign Ministry Parliamentary Secretary Ahmad
Shabery Cheek was quoted as saying by the national news agency,
Bernama. "Therefore there is no reason why Malaysia should review its
current stand. "Ahmad Shabery, speaking in Parliament's lower house,
reiterated Malaysia's desire to see Israel resolve its conflict with
the Palestinians peacefully to turn hopes for a free and independent
Palestinian state into a reality.
Support to the Palestinians -- Norway's views
ReliefWeb/Government
of Norway 4/20/2006
1. The Palestinian elections in January provided the basis for the
Hamas-led Palestinian Authority which has now been formed. The
elections were carried out in accordance with established democratic
practice. 2. Norway supports the aim of a two-state solution, where a
viable Palestinian state and Israel are able to live side by side in
peace within secure and recognised borders. Norway has provided
substantial support to the Palestinian people and the Palestinian
Authority for many years as a means of promoting such a solution. We
hope that this support can be continued...
Solana: "Europe's unwavering support to the Palestinian
people"
ReliefWeb/European
Union 4/24/2006
Article by Javier Solana, EU High Representative for the Common Foreign
and Security Policy -- Published by Al Hayat on 24 April 2006 - Europe
has always been at the forefront in defending Palestinian national
aspirations. Long before the Road Map and the plan to set up two States
on the basis of the end of the occupation which began in 1967, the
Venice Declaration clearly identified the two-State solution as the
only stable and fair settlement of the conflict, in accordance with
Europe's interests. Since Oslo, we have sought to work in partnership
with the Palestinians to build the institutions of their future State.
The architecture of our financial and technical assistance was largely
designed with that goal in mind. It was always regarded as a
relationship between equals, reflecting shared values.
Labour Office employees in Jenin go on strike
Ma'an News 4/24/2006
Jenin-Ma'an-Employees of the Labour Office in Jenin went on strike on
Monday to protest against the Labour Minister’s decision to stop
temporary contracts. The Labour Minister has refused to allow any
employees to work for the Ministry on a temporary contract. The Ma'an
correspondent said that at least 26 employees, who currently work in
the Jenin offices, as well as 300 others in the West Bank, will have
their contracts frozen. Other employees decided to go on strike to
support their colleagues who were no longer employed. The Labour
Minister has decided to freeze the contracts of all employees on
contracts without giving an explanation. He has also stopped the
programme which provided aid to unemployed Palestinians.
Palestinian farmer kills 20,000 chickens
Ma'an News 4/24/2006
Qalqiliya- Ma'an- Palestinian farmer Jalal Zaid has been forced to kill
20,000 birds on his farm because he could no longer afford the needed
fodder. The farmer explained that the expensive cost of fodder and his
inability to sell chicken eggs as a result of the spread of bird flu
forced him to kill 20,000 of his 70,000 birds. [end]
Jeweler stopped at Rafah crossing accused of smuggling
Ma'an News 4/24/2006
Gaza-Ma’an-Director-General for Palestinian Borders and Crossings, Mr.
Salim Abu Safiyeh, has denied the widespread rumour that US $25 million
has been smuggled into the Gaza Strip via the Rafah crossing on Monday.
Speaking to Ma'an via telephone, Abu Safiyeh said that this was a
baseless rumour. What had happened was that a well-known Palestinian
merchant with 700,000 Jordanian Dinars was stopped by a police officer
at the crossing. The policeman thought that this was a large amount of
money and was not allowed to be carried through the borders. The money
was returned to the man who is a jeweler, and the case is closed. [end]
Journalists honour MENA's Egyptian correspondent Rajab
Ma'an News 4/24/2006
Gaza-Ma'an- Journalists in Gaza held on Monday a celebration in honour
of the Egyptian journalist, Ibrahim Rajab, the Middle East News Agency
(MENA) correspondent, for completing three years' journalistic work in
Gaza City. The party took place in the headquarters of the Sindicate of
Journalists in Gaza City. Rajab expressed his deep love of Palestine,
saying that Palestine has become a part of him. Rajab received a
certificate of appreciation from the syndicate in the presence of a
large number of journalists and correspondents representing local, Arab
and international news agencies and satellite TV channels. [end]
Palestinian film' through an Israeli lens
By Jim Quilty, The
Daily Star 4/25/2006
This is the second of a two-part series examining the controversy
surrounding the EuroMed Greenhouse project - a Tel Aviv-based
documentary film development center with Palestinian and Israeli core
partners. -- BEIRUT: In late 2005, Palestine's arts community learned
that a Palestinian Authority NGO called the Ramallah Film Institute
(RFI) had applied to participate in a documentary film development
project called Greenhouse. Sponsored by EuroMed's Audiovisual II
Program, Greenhouse would include Spanish, Czech and Turkish partners.
RFI's "core partner" was Israel's New Foundation for Cinema and
Television (NFCT). The news sent shockwaves through Palestine's
cultural community. --See also: Part
1 - Greenhouse: EuroMed film center built on shaky ground and Palestinian
Film Professionals Question Euromed Funding Initiative in Open Letter
Egypt resort blasts kill at least 23
AlJazeera 4/25/2006
Three bombs went off in the tourist area in Egypt's Red Sea resort of
Dahab on Monday, killing at least 23 people and wounding another 62,
many of them foreigners. Ahmad Samir, a witness in Dahab, told
Aljazeera on Monday: "Foreigners were scared and panicking. They were
asking us where to go and how to escape. "Another witness, Hamdi
Ghazala, owner of the Ghazala supermarket, told Aljazeera that the bomb
was outside his shop and damaged mainly the windows and facade. No one
inside was injured. "These were very simple explosions compared to
those in Sharm el-Sheikh. They were not powerful at all," he said.
Report: Abused Iraqi prisoners found
AlJazeera 4/24/2006
Interior ministry detainees are allegedly being abused -- US and Iraqi
inspectors say they have found new evidence of abuse in detention
centres run by Iraq's interior ministry. In November, US soldiers said
they found 173 incarcerated men in a secret interior ministry bunker,
some of them emaciated and showing signs of torture. Bayan Baqir Solagh
Jabir, the Iraqi interior minister, playeddown the findings at the
time, saying a handful of people had merely been beaten. Since then, at
least six joint US-Iraqi inspections have found abused detainees in
several other detention centres, the Washington Post reported on
Monday. A US official involved in the inspections said the Iraqi
detainees had "numerous bruises on the arms, legs and feet. "
Iraqi police recruits found dead
BBC 4/24/2006
At least 28 bodies of police recruits have been discovered in two areas
of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad. The bodies of 15 young men were found in
a truck in Abu Ghraib on the western outskirts of the city on Sunday,
according to police. The rest were discovered in the district of
Baghdady. All had been shot, officials said. Meanwhile on Monday, a
series of car bomb attacks in Baghdad left at least eight people dead
and dozens injured. There were seven attacks in all, the most deadly of
which was a double car bombing near the Mustansiriya University in the
east of the city in which five people died and 25 were injured. Another
blast near the health ministry, apparently targeting a police patrol,
left three people dead and 25 injured, including several policemen -
two of whom had been directing traffic.
Iran deals two blows to U.S. at oil talks
Ha'aretz 4/23/2006
DOHA - Iran struck two blows against the United States yesterday -
closing in on a gas deal with Pakistan and India that Washington
opposes and promising non-U.S. oil customers to keep its exports
flowing. Iranian Oil Minister Kazem Vaziri made the announcement at
talks between the world's energy producers and consumers aimed at
bringing down oil prices from a record 75 euros a barrel - their
highest level in real terms for 25 years. Increasingly strident
exchanges between the United States and Iran over the Islamic
republic's nuclear program have raised fears that the world's fourth
biggest oil exporter may halt flows, or be forced to do so by
international sanctions.
UN damns 'illegal' Iraq detention
BBC 4/21/2006
The UN says 29,565 people are detained by Iraqis and coalition forces
-- The UN's human rights official in Iraq has said the Iraqi
authorities are illegally holding thousands of people. Gianni Magazzeni
said that of the 15,000 people held under Iraqi control, little more
than half were under the jurisdiction of the justice ministry. This is
the only body with the right to detain suspects for more than 72 hours.
But he said thousands were also being detained by the interior ministry
and hundreds by the defence ministry, in clear breach of Iraqi law.
DETENTION FACTS: 29,565 people detained in Iraq / 8,300 held legally by
the Iraqi justice ministry / 14,222 held by coalition forces / 6,000
held by Iraqi interior ministry / 460 are held by Iraqi defence
ministry / More than 14,000 people are also being held by US-led
coalition forces in Iraq.
Lawyers for ex-AIPAC officials get green light to subpoena
Sec. Rice in spy case
Ha'aretz 4/23/2006
ALEXANDRIA, Va. - Lawyers for the two former AIPAC officials accused of
conspiring to receive and disclose classified defense information got
permission on Friday from the judge in the case to subpoena top
administration officials, including U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza
Rice. The lawyers for the former lobbyists from the American Israel
Public Affairs Committee, Steven J. Rosen and Keith Weissman, intend to
prove that Rice herself spoke with Rosen about matters the prosecution
argues were classified and forbidden for him to discuss. U.S. District
Court Judge T. S. Ellis III accepted the defense's claim that Rice's
testimony might be relevant to the case, but added that the secretary
can resist the subpoena and explain to the court in writing why she
does not wish to testify.
Distance Grows Between Middle East, U.S.
Washington Post
4/21/2006
As Security Tightens, Arab Nations Turn Away in Tourism, Education,
Health Care -- JIDDAH, Saudi Arabia -- The economic rift that opened
between the Middle East and the United States after the Sept. 11, 2001,
attacks has widened into a chasm. While the United States was once the
first stop for goods and services, Middle Easterners are turning to
what many see as more Arab-friendly environments in Europe and Asia.
Attention in recent months has focused on Arab investment, after
security concerns derailed the acquisition of U.S. port operations by
an Arab company, Dubai Ports World. But a decline in Middle Eastern
spending has also hit service sectors including tourism, education and
health care, triggering business-strategy shifts in such places as
Cleveland and Rochester, Minn.
Signatures on execution orders 'match Saddam's'
The Daily Star
4/25/2006
Signatures on documents linking Saddam Hussein and six of his
co-accused to the killings of 148 Shiites in the 1980s match those of
the former Iraqi president, the court heard Monday. After a 90-minute
session with Saddam and his seven co-defendants all in court, the trial
was adjourned for three weeks to May 15, when the defense is expected
to start presenting witnesses. The tribunal's chief investigative judge
Raed al-Jouhi said the prosecution had "finished submitting evidence,
though we cannot say that it has rested its case. " "The process of
prosecution will continue until a verdict is passed," Jouhi told AFP.
Nasrallah denies torpedoing Aoun's bid for keys to Baabda
The Daily Star
4/25/2006
BEIRUT: Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah denied Monday that Hizbullah had ever
put forth a name for Lebanon's presidency, dismissing speculation that
his party had "rejected" Michel Aoun as a candidate. "I urge the March
14 Forces to properly put forth Aoun's name on the national dialogue
table as a candidate, and only then they will get a proper answer from
me," Nasrallah declared during a ceremony commemorating the 28th
anniversary of Samir Kantar's abduction by Israel. "If I said 'yes' to
Aoun outside the dialogue, he would become part of a media circus and
be burned on the international scene as a candidate sponsored by 'a
terrorist group,' and if I said 'no' to Aoun, they would use it as a
fire to ignite problems between the Free Patriotic Movement and
Hizbullah-Amal's paper of understanding," he argued.
Iran opens stadiums to women
The Daily Star
4/25/2006
TEHRAN: President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announced Monday that Iranian
women can finally go to stadiums to watch sporting events, putting an
unexpected end to a quarter-century ban. "It should be planned in a way
that women are respected and are given the best places to watch
national and important games," the president was quoted as saying by
state television. In his order to the head of Iran's Physical Education
Organization, the president argued that despite reservations, "experience has proven that when women and families are allowed into
stadiums, ethics and chastity will prevail. "
Articles
Oh, Jerusalem
By Joharah Baker, Palestine Chronicle/MIFTAH 4/24/2006
Christian Palestinians from Bethlehem can only hope that one Easter or Christmas they will be allowed to walk the Via Delarosa.
It’s ironic, how for decades Palestinians and Arabs alike have sung the praises of Jerusalem, describing its golden domes, church bells and walled city and its historical alleyways that retrace the footsteps of Jesus and Prophet Mohammed’s ascension to heaven, without ever setting foot inside its borders.
For the Arabs – Muslims and Christians alike – and the Palestinians in particular, Jerusalem symbolizes much more than the aspired future capital of the Palestinian state. It is the crux of their struggle, the apex of their aspirations for liberation and the embodiment of all they hold sacred. No other city in Palestine, or the world, for that matter, can conjure up such passionate sentiments and fierce loyalty as Jerusalem among the Palestinians.
It is without a doubt, one of the most ironic – and tragic – situations of all times. Palestinian ID holders living in the Gaza Strip and West Bank, some just kilometers from Jerusalem’s celebrated walled city, will most likely never reach the Dome of the Rock to perform Friday prayers or the Church of the Holy Sepulcher for the Easter Mass. Banned by Israeli measures, which bar Palestinian ID holders from entering Jerusalem except for those few who carry an Israeli-issued entry permit, the overwhelming majority of Palestinians can only hope beyond hope that one day they might get a glimpse of the city they have so long epitomized.
Irony is a powerful tool and one Israel exploits to a tee. Imagine, a cowboy from Texas, a rocket scientist from the Ukraine or a new Jewish immigrant from Ethiopia can all enter Jerusalem unfettered, walk the aged alleys of its Old City and even visit the Aqsa Mosque compound where the magnificent gold-domed Dome of the Rock is situated. Virtual strangers to the city and its people have full rights to visit here and frolic among the aromatic smells of spices and sweets that make Jerusalem so distinct, while the city is cruelly prohibited to most Palestinians, those people who hold it dearest to their hearts.
Who's The Dog? Who's The Tail?
By Uri Avnery, Palestine Chronicle 4/23/2006
American-Israeli relations are indeed unique. It seems that they have no precedent in history. It is as if King Herod had given orders to Augustus Caesar and appointed the members of the Roman senate.
I don't usually tell these stories, because they might give rise to the suspicion that I am paranoid.
For example: 27 years ago, I was invited to give a lecture-tour in 30 American universities, including all the most prestigious ones - Harvard, Yale, Princeton, MIT, Berkeley and so on. My host was the Fellowship of Reconciliation, a respected non-Jewish organization, but the lectures themselves were to be held under the auspices of the Jewish Bet-Hillel chaplains.
On arrival at the airport in New York I was met by one of the organizers. "There is a slight hitch," he told me, "29 of the Rabbis have cancelled your lecture."
In the end, all the lectures did take place, under the auspices of Christian chaplains. When we came to the lone Rabbi who had not cancelled my lecture, he told me the secret: the lectures had been forbidden in a confidential letter from the Anti-Defamation League, the thought-police of the Jewish establishment. The salient phrase has stuck to my memory: "While it cannot be said that Member of the Knesset Avnery is a traitor, yet…"
And another story from real life: a year later I went to Washington DC in order to "sell" the Two-State solution, which at the time was considered an outlandish, not to say crazy, idea. In the course of the visit, the Quakers were so kind as to arrange a press conference for me.
When I arrived, I was amazed. The hall was crammed full, practically all the important American media were represented. Many had come straight from a press conference held by Golda Meir, who was also in town. The event was to last an hour, as is usual, but the journalists did not let go. They bombarded me with questions for another two hours. Clearly, what I had to say was quite new to them and they were interested.
I was curious how this would be reported in the media. And indeed, the reaction was stunning: not a word appeared in any of the newspapers, on radio or TV. Not one single word.
Shwayy shwayy, like prisoners in a cage
By Vera, International Solidarity Movement/International Women’s Peace Service 4/23/2006
Posted in Salfit Region
Shwayy shwayy, slowly slowly, like the Arabic of most internationals here, or, maybe better, silently silently… the Israeli government is turning the Salfit Region into one of the most enclosed areas of the West Bank.
The original sin of our relatively unknown Palestinian governorate is hosting the infamous Ariel fingers. This part of the Apartheid Wall will reach deep into the West Bank to surround one of the widest settlement conglomerates in Palestine and annex it to Israel. It is a controversial plan that even the US government has criticized more than once. But as Ehud Olmert, Israel’s new prime minister, frequently repeats: “The Ariel block will be an inseparable part of the state of Israel under any situation”.[1]
Speaking about “blocks” and not simply about settlements is a political choice. It makes clear that the area to be actually annexed for the Ariel fingers will be both the inhabited Israeli centers and all the Palestinian land that lies in between. In addition, according to a recent B’tselem report,[2] the planned barrier route not only includes the present settlements but also for their future expansion. As usual, the Israeli state has already started to create these facts on the ground.
The main entrance to the Salfit region is through Za’tara checkpoint. Until recently this was a regular junction with occasionally soldiers on guard. Since 25 September 2005, people from the northern districts of Nablus, Tulkarem, Tubas, Jenin and Qalqilya cannot cross it unless they have a permit from the Israeli government.
The checkpoint itself is being upgraded to a terminal resembling an international border crossing. There are permanent soldiers’ booths, parking spaces to confine cars and traffic lanes that allow Israeli cars to pass without being bothered by Palestinian travelers, who often need to wait for hours.
Suicide Bombings are more Newsworthy
By Raff Ellis, Palestine Chronicle 4/24/2006
What the Western media doesn’t want its audience to know is what took place in the two weeks leading up to the latest suicide bombing.
The news media jumped all over the latest suicide bombing in Israel with the voraciousness of a hungry dog on a newfound bone. That someone would give up his life in such an act is simply unfathomable to the Western mind. Why would anyone do such a thing? They must be demented or they were driven to it by fanatical fundamentalist clerics. Those are the only possible explanations.
In fact, the result of a suicide bombing and a state-sponsored killing is the same. A half-dozen kids wiped out by a bomb delivered from the safety of a high-flying airplane is really no different than the same number of innocents killed by an individual prepared to sacrifice his life in the process. The only difference is that the pilot of the high-tech bomb delivery system isn’t willing to give up his life in his act. Remote killing is so much “neater,” “cleaner” and, as it is often called, “surgical.” The problem with this type of surgery is that the patients always die. That makes no difference to the Western press; it just doesn’t merit their attention.
Of course, in the latter example the perpetrator is a staunch favorite of the U.S. and that couldn’t possibly be a factor in the media coverage could it?
The inability to fundamentally fathom the mindset of a population that has been systematically impoverished, displaced, brutalized, humiliated and killed for several decades lies at the heart of the problem. The following notion should be drummed into the heads of our politicos and their rabid Christian Fundamentalist supporters:
If you give people nothing to live for, you give them a lot to die for.
Laila’s Journal: I don’t exist!
By Laila el-Haddad, International Solidarity Movement 4/24/2006
I don’t exist!
…well, at least not according to British Airways. I was attempting to enter in my “passenger details” and country of citizenship and residence on their website for a flight I have booked next month (from Cairo, 8 hours and a border crossing away, since the Gaza airport is incapacitated-much like Sharon, and the Tel Aviv airport is off limits to Palestinians), but guess what…I don’t exist!
Palestine/Palestinian Territories (territories, what territories?..maybe “Palestinian bantustans”)/OPT/Gaza Strip/Palestinian Authority..well, none of the above mentioned options are present, and since I am the holder of a Palestinian Authority passport (which one can only get based on having an Israeli-issued ID card, or hawia…) I am a non-category.
Needless to say, I was distrought. Where in the world is Laila El-Haddad (maybe with Carmen Sandiego, hee hee) if not in Palestine, I thought? Certainly not in Israel (as one of many customer relations reps suggested). I immediately sent an email of complaint to BA, humbly suggesting that BA add Palestinian Authority, Palestinian Territories, or Palestine to their list of countries, “since there are several million Palestinians who live here and unfortunately they do not have a category in your list.”
And several days later the reply I received was: “I am sorry, we are unable to assist you with your query via email…For further assistance, please call your general enquiries department on ba.com then SELECT YOUR COUNTRY from the drop down list.
A Lobby, Not A Conspiracy
By Tony Judt, Palestine Chronicle 4/25/2006
The essay and the issues it raises for American foreign policy have been prominently dissected and discussed overseas.
In its March 23rd issue the London Review of Books, a respected British journal, published an essay titled "The Israel Lobby." The authors are two distinguished American academics (Stephen Walt of Harvard and John Mearsheimer of the University of Chicago) who posted a longer (83-page) version of their text on the Web site of Harvard's Kennedy School.
As they must have anticipated, the essay has run into a firestorm of vituperation and refutation. Critics have charged that their scholarship is shoddy and that their claims are, in the words of the columnist Christopher Hitchens, "slightly but unmistakably smelly." The smell in question, of course, is that of anti-Semitism.
This somewhat hysterical response is regrettable. In spite of its provocative title, the essay draws on a wide variety of standard sources and is mostly uncontentious. But it makes two distinct and important claims. The first is that uncritical support for Israel across the decades has not served America's best interests. This is an assertion that can be debated on its merits. The authors' second claim is more controversial: American foreign policy choices, they write, have for years been distorted by one domestic pressure group, the "Israel Lobby."
Some would prefer, when explaining American actions overseas, to point a finger at the domestic "energy lobby." Others might blame the influence of Wilsonian idealism, or imperial practices left over from the cold war. But that a powerful Israel lobby exists could hardly be denied by anyone who knows how Washington works. Its core is the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, its penumbra a variety of national Jewish organizations.
Abu Tir or Abu Tur
By Gideon Levy, Ha'aretz 4/25/2006
Israel does not remain silent in the face of terror attacks: In a consultation of ministers in the Prime Minister's Office, it was decided to respond to the attack in Tel Aviv by "stripping the residency" of three Hamas members of the Palestinian parliament who reside in East Jerusalem. In simple language, this is called expulsion. The attorney general, Menachem Mazuz, was quick to certify this abomination as "kosher." In this case, he did not need time to reach a decision, despite the fact that it constitutes collective punishment - only because "Hamas leaders failed to denounce the attack" and "some even justified it."
The fact that this not only entails the expulsion of innocent people, but also a serious violation of freedom of speech did not arouse any special interest. Several Arab MKs who met with the three candidates for expulsion were widely condemned, instead of receiving support from Jewish MKs, advocates of human rights. Because this is the essence of freedom of speech. It is measured at those very times when distasteful words are sounded, and it also applies to elected Palestinian officials. The poor policemen in Jerusalem are at their wits' end: One day they are instructed to prevent Palestinian elected officials who live in the city from traveling to the territories, and the next day they are told to expel them from the city to the territories. This is how Israel's consistent policy looks.
But the ridiculous Israeli response of "stripping residency," which was concocted by the "moderate" and "enlightened" foreign minister, Tzipi Livni, constitutes an insult to the intelligence of even those Israelis who wish to see their government "do something" against terrorism. A much more profound question arises: What exactly do we want in Jerusalem? Do we want to annex its occupied sections and pay the heavy political and demographic price of this step, or do we plan to give to the Palestinians what belongs to the Palestinians and to the Jews what belongs to the Jews.
Corporate Complicity in the Ethnic Cleansing of the Jordan Valley
International Solidarity Movement 4/23/2006
I was convinced by a friend to take a trip to the Jordan Valley this week. This is my fourth trip to Palestine but I have never visited the region and have heard relatively little about it. This is symptomatic of the condition of the valley, it is largely forgotten by the international community and is rarely visited. This isolation serves the Israeli state’s aim of annexation and ethnic cleansing of the valley.
I travelled to the Jordan valley from Ramallah. Ramallah’s cosmopolitan atmosphere contrasts starkly to the rural isolation of the valley just 45 minutes away. The valley is impossible for most Palestinians to travel to. Only Palestinians who were born in and live in the valley have ID to travel through the checkpoint. Others must apply for a permit from the army local administration (DCO). One of my Palestinian travelling companions, a worker with a local NGO, was detained at the checkpoint at the entrance to the valley while soldiers checked her permit.
As we drove through the valley toward Al Jiftlik we saw neatly cultivated fields on either side of the road, thousands of Dunums of palm trees and commercial crops like tomatoes, peppers and herbs. Scores of greenhouses stretched along the road past the illegal settlement of Mekhora. Many of the greenhouses were neighbored by packing houses owned by Carmel Agrexco.
Carmel Agrexco (www.agrexco.com) is a 75% Israeli state owned company dealing with 70% of the exports of settler fresh produce from the West Bank. A majority of their goods come from the Jordan Valley. They are able to transport their produce from packing houses in the valley to European markets within 24 hours and have distribution depots in most countries in Europe. They distribute their produce to most major supermarket chains in the UK, but like the Jordan Valley their name is not widely known. |