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International Middle East Media Center
Israel
Apologizes To Turkey After Insulting Its Ambassador
IMEMC 13 Jan 2010 -
Thursday January 14, 2010 - 00:26, The Israeli Foreign Ministry issued
on Wednesday an official apology to Turkey and its ambassador after
Israel’s Deputy Prime Minister, Danni Ayalon, insulted him over a
Turkish TV Show depicting Israeli agents operating in Ankara.
American
Journalist Denied Re-entry to Israel, Deportation Imminent - UPDATE.
IMEMC 13 Jan 2010 -
Thursday January 14, 2010 - 00:18, Ma'an have released a further
statement on status of the potential deportation of chief editor, Jared
Malsin.
Israeli
Court Sentences Islamic Movement’s Head To Nine Months
IMEMC 13 Jan 2010 -
Wednesday January 13, 2010 - 22:28, The Israeli District Court
sentenced on Wednesday Sheikh Raed Salah, head of the Northern Branch
of The Islamic Movement, to nine months after “convicting him of
incitement”.
The
Israeli military kidnap two civilians as they crossing borders into the
West Bank
IMEMC 13 Jan 2010 -
Wednesday January 13, 2010 - 19:29, Two Palestinian civilians from the
same family were kidnapped by the Israeli military on Wednesday at dawn
as they were crossing the borders between Jordan and the West Bank.
Chief
Editor of major Palestinian news Agency detained - IMEMC Exclusive
interview
IMEMC 13 Jan 2010 -
Wednesday January 13, 2010 - 17:20, Following the detention of Jared
Malsin, Ma’an News Agency’s chief editor at Ben Gurion yesterday, IMEMC
spoke with George Hale, an editor at Ma’an.
Three
injured as soldiers attack farmers in southern West Bank
IMEMC 13 Jan 2010 -
Wednesday January 13, 2010 - 17:14, Two farmers and a child were
injured on Wednesday at dawn when Israeli troops attacked villagers
from Safa, southern West Bank, as they protested the destruction of
their land.
Israeli
forces raid home in East Jerusalem
1/13/2010 -
Jerusalem - Ma'an - Israeli forces raided a house in occupied East
Jerusalem, searching for weapons, on Wednesday. Sources say Israeli
troops stormed the home of Samir Abu Farha in order to detain his son,
Mu'tasem, 23, and search for weapons. Mu'tasem was not present during
the search and forces handed his parents a summons order, calling on
their sun to turn himself over to the police. Mu'tasem is a taxi driver
who refused to work around the area of an Israeli excavation site
around the Al-Aqsa Mosque and was honored by Sheikh Raed Salah, who was
banned from entering Jerusalem for six months by Israeli intelligence
last week. [end]
Sheikh
Raed Salah sentenced to 9 months by Israeli court
1/13/2010 -
Bethlehem - Ma'an/Agencies - Sheikh Raed Salah, the leader of the
Islamic Movement in Israel, was sentenced on Wednesday to nine months
in prison and another six months probation in Jerusalem's Magistrates'
Court, Israeli media reported. Sheikh Salah was accused of spitting on
an Israeli officer in 2007 at the Dung Gate, in the Old City, occupied
East Jerusalem, and in addition to the sentence, was ordered to pay the
officer 7,500 Israeli shekels. "We reject the court's ruling. It
doesn't frighten us. We will continue to have the occupation removed
from al-Aqsa," the Israeli daily Ynet quoted Sheikh Salah as saying.
"This is a hefty sentence in order to make clear to the convicted the
gravity of the offences he committed," saidJudge Yitzhak Shimoni wrote
in the verdict. Palestinian Israeli Member of Knesset Mohammad Barakeh
also visited the court house.
Children
of Nablus Municipality member detained at Allenby
1/13/2010 - Nablus -
Ma'an - Israeli troops detained the son and daughter of member of the
Nablus Municipality Khulud Al-Masry late Tuesday night at the Allenby
Bridge crossing, as they returned from a visit to Jordan, Al-Masry told
Ma'an. Daughter Safa, 20, and son, Sahib, 23, were taken to Petakh
Tikva prison and HaSharon prison respectively and were denied access to
lawyers, Al-Masry said, adding that she was not allowed to see her son.
Safa studies Social Work at the An-Najah University in Nablus and is
engaged to be married in April while Sahib is a recent graduate from
the Jordanian University, Al-Masry added. [end]
Israeli
troops seal off Nablus area, erect flying checkpoints
1/13/2010 - Nablus -
Ma'an -Israeli troops closed all military checkpoints in and out of
Nablus Wednesday evening and erected barriers on several roads leading
out of the city, witnesses said. The closure affected civilians as well
as Palestinian Red Crescent ambulances, sources said. Security
officials noted Israeli "red alerts" in the area but declined to
elaborate. Witnesses said flying checkpoints were erected at Bathan
road in Nablus, at the south end of the Nablus-Ramallah road and at the
north end of the Jenin-Nablus road, they closed the Beit Furiq
andHuwara checkpoints entirely, and checked all cars exiting the area.
Israeli forces said they were tracking "wanted" Palestinians. . . . .
Free
Gaza activists to make third run
1/13/2010 -
Bethlehem - Ma'an - The Free Gaza Movement will send at least six boats
into the besieged Strip in an attempt to break Israel's blockade, a
statement released by the organizers said on Tuesday. The flotilla will
include two boats donated by a Turkish NGO, in addition to a cargo ship
purchased with donations from Malaysia and will be loaded with cement,
water filtration systems and paper "all essential reconstruction
materials denied entry to Gaza by Israel," the statement said. In
August 2008, the Free Gaza Movement sailed two boats into Gaza without
Israeli or Egyptian permission and was the first of international aid
convoys seeking to draw attention to Israel's siege on the Strip which
began with Hamas' takeover in 2007. As a result, limited amounts of
humanitarian and medical aid have been allowed through Gaza's borders
with Israel, which are sporadically opened.
US
announces support for Egypt’s wall
1/13/2010 -
Bethlehem - Ma'an - The US administration in Washington announced on
Tuesday its support for the construction of an underground steel wall
on the Egyptian borders with Gaza, to prevent the smuggling of weapons.
Spokesman for the US Foreign Ministry Gordon Duguid said "We have seen
that Egypt is carrying out activities which will help stop weapons
smuggling into Gaza. We believe that weapons smuggling should stop, and
that measures taken to stop that weapons smuggling should be - could be
carried out. "A substantial amount of humanitarian aid is transferred
through the smuggling tunnels and Duguid noted that "We also support
greater access for humanitarian supplies to get into Gaza. There are
established channels for that, and those established channels should
not be hindered by Hamas or any party in Gaza. " The spokesman
reiterated that the US wishes to see Hamas "stop using the border
crossings as methods of smuggling weapons. "
Zakarneh:
Employees dying or retiring before real wages given
1/13/2010 - Ramallah
- Ma'an - Palestinian workers will die before they receive adequate
compensation for their work, Palestinian Workers' Union leader Bassam
Zakarneh said in a letter to the Council of Ministers Wednesday. The
letter, addressed to the council's Secretary General Dr Na'eem Abu
Al-Hums, outlined the demands of union employees, including adjustments
to the wage scale, retirement package adjustments and unemployment
benefits. He noted the letter was the third since 2005, and accused the
government of denying the requests of employees. Zakarneh denounced
earlier government action that saw the Civil Service Law amended
"without coordinating with the unions or the legislative members. "He
wondered how the director was "given his position if he is not
recognized as a director" by the people. . . . .
Israeli
bulldozers destroy agricultural land near settlement
1/13/2010 - Hebron -
Ma'an - Israeli troops bulldozed four dunums of agricultural lands in
Safa village north of Hebron Tuesday night, following an effort by
Palestinian farmers to plant olive trees in the valley near Beit Ummar.
Earlier Tuesday, troops advanced on the farmers planting trees, who
responded to the encroachment by throwing rocks. According to an
Israeli military spokesperson, the troops responded with "riot
dispersal" mechanisms. Locals said a five-year-old planting trees
suffered from shock when a tear gas canister detonated beside him.
Media spokesman for the Palestinian solidarity project Muhammad Awad
said troops uprooted trees and destroyed land on property belonging to
the Abu Maria family and his brothers. An Israeli military spokeswoman
said construction equipment did enter the area, but that it was there
"extracting a stuck IDF vehicle. " . . . .
Fayyad
launches settlement good boycott fund
1/13/2010 -
Bethlehem - Ma'an - Caretaker Prime Minister Salam Fayyad launched on
Tuesday the National Dignity Fund, as part of an initiative undertaken
by the Palestinian Authority to rid the Palestinian market of
settlement goods at a ceremony in the Red Crescent headquarters in
Al-Birreh, Ramallah. The National Dignity Fund aims at increasing the
availability of Palestinian produce in local markets, in addition to
strengthening their presence in global markets as an alternative to
goods made on illegal Israeli settlements, Fayyad said during his
speech. "The liberalization of the domestic and global markets from
products settlements is a collective responsibility that requires
concerted efforts at all official and popular levels, the Palestinian
authority will be the first supporter for these efforts" Fayyad said.
The Ramallah-based prime minister applauded the stance of countries. .
. Related: 136
tons of settlement products seized in Ramallah
Two
Gaza crossings opened; limited export allowed
1/13/2010 - Gaza -
Ma'an - Israeli authorities opened the Kerem Shalom and Karni crossings
into southern and northern Gaza respectively on Wednesday, a
Palestinian border crossing official said. The official, Raed Fattouh,
said that 77 truckloads of humanitarian aid is to be transferred into
Gaza via Kerem Shalom, adding that one truckcarrying flowers and two
carrying strawberries would be allowed to exit Gaza for export abroad.
Through the Karni crossing, 89 truckloads of wheat and animal feed will
be delivered to the Gaza Strip, he added. [end]
Gaza
bomb squad detonates left-behind explosives
1/13/2010 - Gaza -
Ma'an - The de facto police bomb squad unit detonated 1,200 kilograms
of explosives on Tuesday, which was left behind by Israeli forces last
winter. The bomb squad regularly searches for explosive materials and
regularly performs controlled detonations. [end]
Haniyeh:
Israeli threats are ’psychological warfare’
1/13/2010 - Gaza -
Ma'an - De facto government Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh on Tuesday
ruled out the possibility of Israel launching a major military
offensive in the Gaza Strip. "Israeli threats are psychological
warfare," Haniyeh said, addressing his cabinet during its weekly
session. The deposed prime minister further called on the international
community to "leash Israeli aggression and bring an end to the security
chaos which Israeli leaders are creating. "Haniyeh added that his
government had several choices to respond to Israeli violations, and
called on Palestinian factions to enter into dialogue to ensure
national unity to protect Palestinian interests, which are "the best
means of preventing any possible Israeli aggression. " Concerning the
Egyptian soldier shot dead at the Rafah border following clashes,
Haniyeh said "the government decided to open a comprehensive
investigations. . . "
Abu
Al-Gheit: Either 2 states or 1 state for 2 peoples
1/13/2010 - Cairo -
Ma'an - Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmad Abu Al-Gheit asserted on
Tuesday evening that Egypt insists on the establishment of an
independent Palestinian state on the territories occupied in 1967 with
East Jerusalem as its capital, Egyptian media reported. Abu Al-Gheit
explained that his recent visit to Washington with Chief of
Intelligence Omar Suleiman was undertaken to compel the US
administration to exert pressure on both the Palestinian and Israeli
sides to agree on Egypt's call for renewed peace talks, he said
speaking in an interview with Egypt's Channel 2. "Egypt has one of two
solutions: Either two states living side by side, or one state for two
peoples," Abu Al-Gheit explained, additionally warning of a third
solution which he believes Israel to be planning - the displacement of
the Palestinians into Jordan's borders.
Egypt:
No foundation for trilateral summit
1/13/2010 -
Bethlehem - Ma'an - Cairo has informed the US that no ground has been
laid to prepare for a trilateral summit between President Mahmoud
Abbas, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Natanyahu, brokered by Egyptian
President Hosni Mubarak, according to the Arab media on Wednesday.
Foreign Minister Ahmad Abu Al-Gheit and Chief of Intelligence Omar
Suleiman informed US Foreign Minister Hillary Clinton on Tuesday that
it is too early to hold a summit and prepare for talks, the source told
the London-based daily Al-Hayat. [end]
Tourism
police return Israeli tourist
1/13/2010 -
Bethlehem - Ma'an - Palestinian Authority Tourism Police stopped an
Israeli tourist, fearing for his safety, wearing a religious Jewish
hood and amongst a group of Russian tourists preparing for a tour of
Bethlehem, the Palestinian police reported. The Israeli citizen, 75,
from Lod, was informed that he may be in danger should he enter the Old
City of Bethlehem and that he should return to the checkpoint,
according to the police's public relations office. Israel forces
regularly warn Israeli citizens not to enter areas under PA control,
for fear that they may be threatened by Palestinians. Palestinian
security forces detain all Israelis who enter Palestinian cities and
call on a military liaison to return the concerned party to Israeli
forces. . . . .
Hamas
accuses Egypt of slander over soldier death at Rafah
1/13/2010 - Gaza -
Ma'an - Hamas leader Salah Al-Bardawil denounced Egyptian Foreign
Minister Ahmad Abul Gheit's comments relating to the shooting of an
Egyptian solider at the Rafah border as an "advanced judgment" on
Wednesday. "Is there a relation between the death of the Egyptian
soldier and the Palestinian side? . . . We assured previously that our
nation and our resistance and our Palestinian police put all its power
to face the Israeli occupation only and they were never an enemy to
Egypt. What is said about Palestinians killing the Egyptian solider is
totally rejected," Al-Bardawil said in a statement. "We called on
Egyptian and Palestinian authorities to investigate in this accident
and track the killer of the Egyptian soldier when the incident
occurred. " The Hamas leader added that the Minister of Health's
undersecretary, Dr Tareq Al-Mahlawi, in Sinai concluded that the
Egyptian. . .
Russian
delegation visits Jericho
1/13/2010 - Jericho-
Ma'an - A delegation of Russian experts visited the West Bank city of
Jericho on Wednesday to work on implementing the construction of a
museum and garden, in coordination with the Jericho Municipality. Head
by Victor Sobolov, the delegation of senior Russian officials met with
Jericho Mayor Hasan Saleh and a number of municipality officials. Saleh
expressed hope that the project will encourage tourism in the city,
particularly amongst Russian tourists. Russian Ambassador to the
Palestinian Authority Sergei Kozlov said "this project is the fruit of
the cooperation between the two sides. This project with achieve more
for the flourishing of this historical city. " . . . .
Egyptian
media to broadcast Ma’an Hebrew press review
1/13/2010 -
Bethlehem - Ma'an - A Palestinian weekly program, hosted by Nasser
Laham, is to be broadcast on Egyptian television, Ma'an revealed on
Wednesday. Following a meeting with Abdul Latif Al-Menyawi, general
manager for Egyptian TV's news department signed a contract with the
Ma'an Network on whereby the Nile Channel will broadcast A Review of
the Hebrew Press, presented by Nasser Laham, editor in chief of the
Ma'an News Agency. The program, which specializes in Israeli affairs,
has been broadcast for the past ten years on local Palestinian
television by Ma'an, and weekly on Palestine TV for the past two years.
"This is the first time that a Palestinian program is being purchased
by a significant station like the Nile Channel. This is just the
beginning of Arab media cooperation with the Ma'an Network," said Laham.
136
tons of settlement products seized in Ramallah
1/13/2010 - Hebron -
Ma'an - Palestinian customs officials confiscated and destroyed
approximately 136 tons of materials used to manufacture asphalt en
route from an illegal Israeli settlement near the West Bank city of
Ramallah on Wednesday. Haitham Zein, an official for the public
relations department for Palestinian customs said 94 tons of asphalt
and 43 tons of base for tarmacking roads were confiscated in separate
raids. "Fines were imposed on the owners of these materials, and wrote
pledges vowing not tobringing them from the settlements into
Palestinian markets. The two cases were transferred for investigation
by the customs officers," he said. Zein added that the customs
department is committed to the decision taken by the Palestinian
Authority to prohibit the entry of settlement goods into the
Palestinian markets. Related: Fayyad
launches settlement good boycott fund
Hamas:
PA security detained 5 affiliated in West Bank
1/13/2010 -
Bethlehem - Ma'an - Hamas announced on Tuesday that Palestinian
Authority security services detained five of the movement's affiliates
across the West Bank, according to a statement. Hamas' statement said
that PA forces detained Mohammad Ar-Rabi in Qalqiliya, adding that he
had been released from Beitounia prison two weeks prior, as well as
Wissam Bakeer and Sari Urabi in Ramallah, also following two weeks of
release. Fadi Khattab, from Tulkarem, and Adnan Hamarsheh, fron Jenin,
were also detained, the statement concluded. [end]
Mash’al:
Tables set for Palestinian reconciliation
1/13/2010 -
Bethlehem - Ma'an - Head of the Hamas politburo Khalid Mash'al told
Al-Arabiyah TV conditions are ripe for Palestinian national unity. All
that remains necessary is "one bold step from some of the Arab
countries to collect Fatah and Hamas officials and made them meet in
addition to the other Palestinian parties," Mash'al said. Mash'al
encouraged If Egypt to force a meeting between Hamas and Fatah, saying
the outstanding issues could be "solved in hours," abd added that unity
would help Palestinians defend themselves against Israel. "The
circumstances are set and we are ready to solve all the problems; a
Palestinian-Palestinian meeting will be the start," he said. Talks have
been stalled between Hamas and Fatah since October, when controversy
over the handing of the UN-mandated Goldstone report at the Human
Rights Commission by the Fatah-controlled Palestinian Authority bungled
the adoption of the report by the UN.
Why
has the price of cigarettes increased in the West Bank?
1/13/2010 - Nablus -
Ma'an - Companies that import cigarettes have complained that, despite
a rise in consumer prices, companies have not received the profit and
accused the Palestinian Authority treasury of being the main
beneficiary. Companies say that the PA has added a 1 Israeli shekel
increase to the price of a pack, while the PA claims it to be only an
0. 14 Israeli shekel rise. According to Fuad Shubaki, director of the
PA's customs' department in the West Bank, three reasons led to the
jump in cigarette prices; a decision taken by the PA, an initiative
from the World Health Organization aimed at encouraging smokers to
quit, and that the PA is bound by financial agreements with the Israeli
government,known as the Paris Agreement, which states that the PA must
raise prices in conjunction with Israeli increases in tobacco prices.
Taxi
drivers protest fixed fare
1/13/2010 -
Bethlehem - Ma'an - Dozens of taxi drivers from the southern West Bank
cities of Hebron and Bethlehem who cover the daily service between both
cities organized on Wednesday morning a sit-in in front of the offices
of Bethlehem governorate, protesting at the introduction of fixed rates
for their route. Head of Bethlehem Taxi Drivers' Union Ahmad Jabir and
the director of the governor's office, Salih Subih, attended the sit-in
and listened to the taxi drivers' demands on improving their living
conditions. Jabir explained that the Palestinian Ministry of Transport
fixed the travel fare from Hebron to Bethlehem, both ways, at 7 Israeli
shekels which, cannot cover the taxis' expenses given the high prices
of diesel. The union had sent numerous complaints to the Ministry,
Jabir said, who never replied to their protests.
Ha'aretz 13 Jan 2010 - Lebanon officials: Bomb exploded at entrance of building, wounded three students waiting for school bus.
Hamas to Gaza militias: Stop firing rockets at Israel
Ha'aretz 13 Jan 2010 - Ismail Haniyeh says adhering to cease-fire with Israel protects Gazans from IDF attacks.
Barak tells Hezbollah: War with Israel not worth your while
Ha'aretz 13 Jan 2010 - Defense minister makes remarks to soldiers during a tour of the northern border on Tuesday.
Hezbollah denies drug trafficking to fund Israel attacks
Ha'aretz 13 Jan 2010 - Lebanon-based group deems Der Spiegel report 'false fabrication' and 'tool manipulated by Zionists.'
Report: 8 IDF troops fell asleep while patrolling Lebanon border
Ha'aretz 13 Jan 2010 - Battalion troops, which included two commanding officers, had in the past complained of sleep deprivation.
Hamas: Gaza bombmaker killed in work-related blast
Ha'aretz 13 Jan 2010 - Two others injured; Palestinian sources initially claimed casualties were caused by IAF missile strike.
IDF denies reports it attacked northern Gaza
Ha'aretz 13 Jan 2010 - Palestinians say three militants killed in IAF strike on Strip; Gaza rocket hits Israel for fifth consecutive day.
'Iron Dome rocket defense system will take years to deploy'
Ha'aretz 13 Jan 2010 - 'Watch your step,' Barak warns Hamas over rockets; Hamas: Palestinian attacks are response to Israeli aggression.
Egypt says Israel's plan for border fence 'not our concern'
Ha'aretz 13 Jan 2010 - Cairo denies link between Israel's barrier and its own wall now being constructed between Egypt and Gaza.
Druze MK seeks immunity in indictment over Syria meeting
Ha'aretz 13 Jan 2010 - Balad's Said Naffaa says meetings in Syria arguing fall under his duties as a member of Knesset.
Bank of Israel forecasts 3.5% growth rate for 2010
Ha'aretz 13 Jan 2010 - Bank says global recovery upped demand for Israeli goods; cautions that could scale back the forecast.
Palestinian terror cell head gets 2 life sentences
Ha'aretz 13 Jan 2010 - Mohammed Abu-Sneina convicted of heading group that murdered two Jerusalem cops in 2008.
Israel to build NIS 1.5b fence along Egypt border
Ha'aretz 13 Jan 2010 - Netanyahu approves plan to prevent migrant workers from infiltrating and 'ensure Jewish character' of Israel.
Israel
Detains Ma'an's Chief English Editor
Uruknet January 13,
2010 - Ma’an News Agency, the largest independent news network in the
Palestinian territories, is deeply concerned that its chief English
editor, Jared Malsin, an American citizen, was detained upon arrival at
Israel's Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv on the
afternoon of Tuesday, 12 January 2009. He is slated for deportation to
Prague at 6:05 am...
Has
Obama given tacit approval to Israel’s next Gaza massacre?
Uruknet January 13,
2010 - When Israel was destroying Gaza in December 2008, Obama was
preparing to take office as president. Progressives around the world
turned to him to use his surging diplomatic power to pressure Israel to
end the massacre. He stayed silent, for days and weeks, the negative
space created by his newfound lack of words filled with the...
Israel
restricting Palestinian lawyers' access to detainees
Uruknet January 13,
2010 - Israel is prohibiting Palestinian lawyers and the relatives of
Palestinian detainees from reaching a military tribunal via the
Beitunia checkpoint west of Ramallah. The prohibition, which has been
in effect for the past three days, means that Israeli police are
requiring Palestinians to use the Qalandiyah crossing 20 kilometers
away, where they must produce an entry...
Detention
of young Palestinian children up 40%
Uruknet January 13,
2010 - According to the latest figures compiled by DCI-Palestine from
sources including the Israeli Prison Service (IPS) and temporary
Israeli army detention facilities, the number of Palestinian children
detained in Israeli prisons and detention centres inside Israel and the
Occupied Palestinian Territory at the end of December 2009, was 305...
DCI-Palestine remains concerned by the high number...
A
second Gaza war around the corner?
Uruknet January 13,
2010 - Israel is once again complaining that its "security" is being
threatened by new eruptions of violence along the border with Gaza.
About two dozen Qassam rockets were fired at Israel from Gaza in recent
days. Although they fell in (and may have been deliberately targeted
at) open areas, causing no damage or injuries, Israel took revenge...
JUST
HOW LOW CAN ZIONISTS GO?
Uruknet January 13,
2010 - On-line image in the background is from Israel’s Haaretz
website, screen captured by yours truly. The photo of the little girl
in the small ad above "Special offers" is actually a little Palestinian
girl photographed in Gaza on January 4, 2009. Look at this! Some slick
Jew "charity" ad to feed "desperate hungry Israeli children" is...
Israel’s
New Rocket Defence System The Screw Turns Tighter Still on Gaza
Uruknet January 13,
2010 - Israel unveiled "Iron Dome" last week, a missile-defence system
that is designed to strike a knock-out blow against short-range rockets
of the variety fired into Israel by Hamas and Hizbullah. In the short
term, Iron Dome is supposed to herald the demise of the rocket threat
to Israeli communities near Gaza four years after Hamas won...
Child’s
death brings the number of the siege’s martyrs to 368
Uruknet January 13,
2010 - The number of Palestinians whose deaths are attributable
directly to the siege of the Palestinian territory comes to 368. One of
the most damning statistics of the Israeli-led siege on Gaza was
added-to on Monday when a three year-old boy, who was not allowed to
travel abroad for treatment, died. Mayssara Hussam Ibrahim Musa
suffered from...
New
IOA scheme to confiscate 70% of Wadi Hilwa in OJ
Uruknet January 13,
2010 -- The Israeli occupation authority (IOA) controlled municipality
of occupied Jerusalem has endorsed a new scheme that would confiscate
70% of Wadi Hilwa valley in the holy city. The Wadi Hilwa information
center said in a study published on Wednesday that the total area of
the Wadi is 548.5 dunums out of which 18.7% are residential
neighborhoods...
Israeli
troops seal off Nablus area, erect flying checkpoints
Uruknet January 13,
2010 – Israeli troops closed all military checkpoints in and out of
Nablus Wednesday evening and erected barriers on several roads leading
out of the city, witnesses said. The closure affected civilians as well
as Palestinian Red Crescent ambulances, sources said. Security
officials noted Israeli "red alerts" in the area but declined to
elaborate...
Israeli
Prohibitions Against Free Expression and “Enemy Alien” Contacts
Uruknet January 13,
2010 - Adalah is the legal center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel
advocating on their behalf in a nation affording rights only to Jews.
In September 2009, its report titled "Prohibited Protest" exposed how
Israel’s law enforcement authorities restricted free expression
protests against Operation Cast Lead. It shows how police, the State
Prosecutor’s Office, General Security Services (...
Jamal
Juma' Has Been Released
Uruknet January 13,
2010 - Jamal Juma’, the coordinator of the Stop the Wall Campaign has
been released yesterday evening after a month long detention in Israeli
jails. He had been called for interrogation and then arrested on
December 16. Yesterday, the military court decided for Jamal’s release.
Like for the other Palestinian human rights defenders in Israeli jails,
there was...
Ramallah, January 13, 2010 (Pal Telegraph) - On the hilly road between Nablus and Ramallah, tens of workers have spent their day on a mound to build the first Palestinian residential complex which will provide shelter for some 40,000 people. The Rawabi (hills) City is said to be the first ambitious project the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) has started to...
Egypt's steel wall threatens Gaza's lifeline
Gaza, January 13, 2010 (Pal Telegraph) - Cairo's move to pressure Hamas threatening more humanitarian disasters in Israeli-besieged Gaza. The construction of a new underground wall and recent border clashes have frayed relations between Hamas and Egypt and could threaten Gaza's main lifeline in Gaza, analysts say. Citing national security, Egypt is now building an underground iron wall in a...
Abbas “No negotiations with settlements underway”
Ramallah, January 13, 2010 (Pal Telegraph) - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday said he will not resume peace talks with Israel unless it stops settlement activities in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Abbas told reporters in Ramallah: "There are no negotiations with settlement underway. We won't accept the resumption of the negotiations without the full suspension of the...
Israel Detains 15 Palestinians in West Bank
West Bank, January 12, 2010 (Pal Telegraph) - Israeli occupation forces launched inspections missions in the West Bank early Tuesday morning kidnapping 12 Palestinians from different governorates. Israeli military sources said that Israeli occupation forces kidnapped 15 "wanted" Palestinians, adding, "The detainees were transferred to the relevant security investigation body. Israeli occupation forces carry out daily arrest operations in the...
Gaza: accidental blast kills Hamas fighter
Gaza, January 12, 2010 (Pal Telegraph) - A Palestinian fighter, Thaer Khader,21, from the armed wing of Hamas, Ez Ed Din Al Qassam, has been killed in an accidental bomb explosion in the northern Gaza Strip. Three other members were also injured in the blast, Ez Ed Din Al Qassam said in a statement. Hamas had initially said the explosion...
The National 13 Jan 2010 - Impasse in Israeli-Palestinian negotiations and Hamas-Fatah reconciliation expected to feature prominently in talks between two countries' heads.
West Bank land sales by Church spur uproar
The National 13 Jan 2010 - Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III broke promise to end the selloff, some speculate to win the recognition of his status by Israel.
Iron Dome anti-missile scheme increases pressure on Gaza
The National 12 Jan 2010 - Israel is putting a multimillion-dollar defence system to intercept short-range rockets around Gaza, but analysts have questioned the economic justification.
AlJazeera 13 Jan 2010 - Tel Aviv officially apologises for official's humiliation of Turkish ambassador.
US denies role in Iran murder
AlJazeera 12 Jan 2010 - Tehran blames US and Israeli "mercenaries" for physics professor's death in blast on Tuesday.
Alternative Information Center
Israel Detains Ma'an's Chief English EditorAlternative Information Center 13 Jan 2010 - Ma’an News Agency , the largest independent news network in the Palestinian territories, is deeply concerned that its chief English editor, Jared Malsin, an American citizen, was detained upon arrival at Israel's Ben Gurion International Airport near...
Jamal Juma' Has Been Released
Alternative Information Center 13 Jan 2010 - Jamal Juma’, the coordinator of the Stop the Wall Campaign has been released yesterday evening after a month long detention in Israeli jails. He had been called for interrogation and then arrested on December 16. Yesterday,...
Dexia Stops Financing Settlement Construction in the West Bank: Another Success for the BDS Campaign
Alternative Information Center 12 Jan 2010 - On 30 December, the French-Belgian financial group Dexia announced it will stop financing Israeli settlement construction in the occupied West Bank. On 7 January, the news was confirmed with a statement by 69 associations, which have...
PNN 12 Jan 2010 - In 2009, Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts, became the first American higher educational institution to successfully pressure its Board of Trustees to divest from Israel-tied mutual funds. The victory came three decades after the college similarly disinvested from funds linked to apartheid South Africa. Across North America, student-led Palestine activism groups have used the methods formulated by the Palestinian-led call for boycott,...
Work Begins on First Planned Palestinian City
PNN 12 Jan 2010 - ATARA, West Bank -- Work crews have broken ground on what they hope will be the first modern, planned Palestinian city -- a step that officials say will help build an independent state in spite of the current deadlock in the peace process with Israel.Since last week, machine operators have been hard at work, taking chunks out of a rocky hillside near...
Israel arrests foreign activist in West Bank raid: lawyer
PNN 12 Jan 2010 - Israeli security forces arrested a foreign activist in a raid in the West Bank town of Ramallah overnight, her lawyer said on Monday. Immigration police accompanied by Israeli soldiers carried out the late-night operation to seize Eva Novakova, a Czech citizen, from her home in central Ramallah, lawyer Omer Shatz told AFP. Her visa had expired, but that's not a reason for...
Turkey demands apology from Israel over envoy 'slight'
PNN 13 Jan 2010 - Turkey has demanded that Israel apologise over what it called the discourteous way its ambassador was treated during a diplomatic meeting. Israel summoned Turkey's ambassador to rebuke him over a TV series but ensured he was photographed on a lower chair. In response, Turkey has summoned the Israeli ambassador to Ankara to express its annoyance . The foreign ministry has also insisted it...
Jeruslalem Post 13 Jan 2010 - Teenage children of two Hizbullah operatives hurt in apparent assassination attempt in Kfar Fila.
Palestinian fighting spreads in Beirut suburb
Jeruslalem Post 13 Jan 2010 - Factions exchange fire over Furqan mosque; fiscal, family feuds fueling flare-ups. (The Media Line)
Ma'an editor denied entry into Israel
Jeruslalem Post 13 Jan 2010 - American editor for Palestinian news agency set for deportation after "suspicious signs" identified.
The ABCs of biological warfare and terror agents
Jeruslalem Post 13 Jan 2010 - Background: Only a small amount is needed to wipe out hundreds of thousands in an urban area.
'IDF prisons woefully inadequate'
Jeruslalem Post 13 Jan 2010 - Comptroller's report cites young staff and abused prisoners; IDF implementing recommendations.
Analysis: Saudis seek illusory 'third way' in regional dimplomacy
Jeruslalem Post 13 Jan 2010 - The current round of talks is the latest stage in Syria's return from the cold in terms of its reintegration into the mainstream of Arab diplomacy.
Israeli mother of 4 flees Gaza
Jeruslalem Post 13 Jan 2010 - Dressed in hijab, woman leaves "smuggler" husband, crosses border.
Work begins on first planned Palestinian city
Jeruslalem Post 13 Jan 2010 - Without Israeli approval of a short stretch of road, the $500-million project may never get off the ground.
'Ayalon's political career is ruined'
Jeruslalem Post 12 Jan 2010 - Israel Beiteinu officials say deputy FM will not rise in party ranks after treatment of Turkish envoy.
IPS JERUSALEM, Jan 13 (IPS) - One year after the devastating attack on Hamas in Gaza a new wave of reports castigating Israel for war crimes has emerged.
MIDEAST: Gaza Extremists Drifting Towards al-Qaeda?
IPS RAMALLAH, Jan 11 (IPS) - Two separate bomb attacks on Internet cafes in Gaza last week have served as an uncomfortable reminder that extremist groups within the coastal territory may be stronger than the comparatively moderate Hamas organisation which rules the strip.
MIDEAST: Israel Cool to New U.S. Pressure
IPS JERUSALEM, Jan 11 (IPS) - In the past, whenever there was even a semblance of pressure from Washington on Israel, nerves in Jerusalem went all a-jangle.
MIDEAST: Sale of Land to Israel Threatens to Split Church
IPS RAMALLAH, Jan 8 (IPS) - Israel’s bid to keep occupied East Jerusalem under its sovereignty and prevent its incorporation into a future Palestinian state has been boosted over the years with the acquiescence of the Greek Orthodox Church.
PCHR
International Solidarity Movement
Israeli authorities deny American journalist entry1/14/2010 - International Solidarity Movement - The English Desk at Ma'an News Agency, the largest independent news network in the Palestinian territories, is deeply concerned that its chief editor, Jared Malsin, an American citizen [and graduate of Yale University], was detained on Tuesday afternoon upon arriving at Israel's Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv. He is slated for imminent deportation. In what can only be explained as a retaliatory measure for Malsin's reporting on Palestine, his long-term girlfriend, Faith Rowold, a two-year, registered volunteer with the Lutheran Church in Jerusalem, was also seized and placed in a holding cell pending deportation. Israeli security agents have prevented the couple from making calls, and lied to concerned American consular staff, denying that the two were even being held. While the US Embassy is protesting both incidents, and is in constant contact with our staff on the ground,. . . .
Female students of Madama school subject to constant harassment from Israeli army
1/13/2010 - International Solidarity Movement - 12 January - Israeli Occupation Forces entered the northern West Bank village of Madama last night, damaging 5 houses and terrifying residents. The military has upped their presence in Madama in recent weeks, with the harassment of female students on their way to school becoming commonplace, and the creation of a new roadblock separating hundreds of farmers from their land. Approximately 20 soldiers entered the village late last night in military jeeps, the explosion of sound bombs announcing their arrival. The Israeli Occupation Forces remained in the village for approximately 2 hours. The exterior of 5 Madama homes were damaged during the incursion. The Israeli army is a regular presence in the village. The girls school as become a frequent target for military harassment and intimidation, situated on the northern edge of the village and a mere 100 metres from the Israeli-only road that runs east to Yitzhar settlement.
Grassroots activist Wa’el Al-Faqeeh to stand trial January 19
1/13/2010 - International Solidarity Movement - Political prisoner Wa'el Al-Faqeeh has been detained without charge by Israeli authorities for over a month, and is now facing trial in Salim military court on the 19th of January. The abduction of Al-Faqeeh from his home, along with 4 other activists in the Nablus region, marked the beginning of the recent surge in Israel's targeting of leaders of Palestinian popular resistance. On the night of December 9th 2009 over 200 Israeli soldiers entered the northern West Bank city of Nablus. Their mission: to round up a list of local grassroots activists, whose promotion of popular struggle Israel had no answer for. Amongst those taken was 45 year old Wa'el Al-Faqeeh, when 50 soldiers stormed his home, pointing their weapons at him and his family as though the man they had come to arrest embodied a formidable threat. But those who know Al Faqeeh know that he worked tirelessly - and on a largely voluntary basis - in defense of human rights and the promotion of the strategies and philosophy of Palestinian non-violent resistance.
Ni’ilin Activist’s Home Raided
1/13/2010 - International Solidarity Movement - At approximately 1:30 am three military jeeps and over a dozen soldiers invaded the village of Ni'ilin and surrounded the home of elementary school teacher and organizer Mohammed Amirah. Two officers and a handful of soldiers than entered Amirah's home, carefully went through his family's belongings and questioned him about his family, occupation and phone numbers. After about an hour in Amirah's residence, the soldiers have left, and headed out of the village. In the past week the army has staged night-raids into Ni'ilin every single day with no exception, and tonight's raid follows the arrest of three prominent Ni'ilin activists last night. Background: Israel began construction of the Wall on Ni'lin's land in 2004, but stopped after an injunction order issued by the Israeli Supreme Court (ISC). Despite the previous order and a 2004 ruling from the International Court of Justice declaring. . . .
Join the sail to Gaza this spring
1/13/2010 - International Solidarity Movement - Free Gaza Movement, 12 January - ‘We're Sailing Again - Join Us!' - This spring, the Free Gaza Movement is sending at least six boats to Gaza to break Israel's illegal blockade on 1. 5 million Palestinians. This blockade constitutes an act of collective punishment, a crime prohibited under international humanitarian law. Gaza's man-made and internationally perpetuated crisis is set to deepen as Egypt builds an Iron wall 30 meters deep and 20 meters high on the southern Rafah border, closing off the final route for Palestinians to get basic supplies. The urgency of breaking the blockade grows by the day, as Palestinians living in this prison are denied their most basic rights. Our mission will include two boats committed by a Turkish NGO plus a cargo ship purchased with donations from the Malaysian people. This ship will be loaded with cement, water filtration systems and paper. . . .
Open letter to Bono: entertaining apartheid Israel…U 2 Bono?
1/13/2010 - International Solidarity Movement - Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI) - Dear Bono, The Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI) was deeply disturbed to learn that that you are scheduled to perform in Israel this coming summer. Two years ago, you were invited by Israeli President Shimon Peres to attend a conference in Israel marking Israel"˜s contributions to medicine, science, and conservation; we urged you then, as a prominent activist on issues of global inequality and a campaigner for basic human rights, to say no to Israel, especially since the invitation coincided with celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of the founding of the state. [1] You did not go to Israel then; we call on you now not to grant legitimacy to a state that practices the most pernicious form of colonialism and apartheid. "
Free Abdallah Abu Rahmah
1/13/2010 - International Solidarity Movement - Popular Struggle Coordination Committee - On the night of International Human Right Day, Thursday December 10th, at 2am, Abdallah Abu Rahmah was arrested from his home in the West Bank city of Ramallah. Seven military jeeps surrounded his house, and Israeli soldiers broke the door, extracted Abdallah from his bed, and, after briefly allowing him to say goodbye to his wife Majida and their three children "” seven year-old Luma, five year-old Lian and eight month-old baby Laith, they blindfolded him and took him into custody. Abu Rahmah did not find himself behind bars because he is a dangerous man. Abdallah, who is amongst the leaders of the Palestinian village of Bil'in, is viewed as a threat for his work in the five-year unarmed struggle to save the village's land from Israel's wall and expanding settlements. Last summer Abdallah was standing shoulder to shoulder in his village. . . "
Do Orthodox couples have happier, sturdier marriages?
Ha'aretz 13 Jan 2010 - Poll conducted by Orthodox Union reveals less divorce, more satisfaction among Orthodox than other sectors.,
Turkey PM: Israel's apology is satisfactory
Ha'aretz 13 Jan 2010 - Turkey terms Israel's second apology for humiliating Turkish ambassador 'expected, desired response.',
Jewish communities mobilize following Haiti earthquake
Ha'aretz 13 Jan 2010 - Jewish organizations in U.S., Canada, Dominican Republic rally to provide relief for thousands of victims.,
Tens of thousands feared dead in Haiti quake; 8 Israelis missing
Ha'aretz 13 Jan 2010 - Israel sends aid as Haiti braces for death toll in strongest Caribbean earthquake in 200 years.,
ANALYSIS / Turkish envoy 'has never been more humiliated'
Ha'aretz 13 Jan 2010 - Turkish envoy arrived with positive intentions; 3 months later, it's doubtful any optimism remains.,
ANALYSIS / Iran scientist likely killed by opponents of nuclear program
Ha'aretz 13 Jan 2010 - The possibility that Western, or even Israeli, spy agencies are behind the killing is supported by precedent.,
Iran: We had information Israel, U.S. intended to attack us
Ha'aretz 13 Jan 2010 - Israel mum about death of Iranian scientist Massoud Ali Mohammadi, killed in a blast on Tuesday.,
Jordan demands return of Dead Sea Scrolls 'seized' by Israel
Ha'aretz 13 Jan 2010 - Jordan has asked the UN to force Israel to hand over Dead Sea Scrolls, which it says Israel stole.,
Egypt official: Conditions not right for peace summit
Ha'aretz 13 Jan 2010 - Official quoted in Al-Hayat: Egypt FM told Clinton that parties aren't ready for tripartite meeting.,
Members of the Bauhaus movement cooperated with the Nazis, too
Ha'aretz 13 Jan 2010 - It was Ehrlich who planned the gated entrance to the camp where around 50,000 prisoners died.,
Worst earthquake in 200 years hits Haiti
Ha'aretz 13 Jan 2010 - Rescue workers fear thousands dead; Foreign Ministry reports no Israelis in the area at time of quake.,
PA sets up fund for boycotting products made in settlements
Ha'aretz 13 Jan 2010 - According to figures, $500 million worth of settlement goods reach Palestinian territories every year.,
The Guardian 13 Jan 2010 - Human rights groups report better treatment after Palestinian prime minister orders new policy but arbitrary arrests increasing Palestinian security forces in the West Bank have improved their treatment of Hamas prisoners and ended torture but there...
Letters: Israel and protests against the wall
The Guardian 12 Jan 2010 - In recent months Palestinians campaigning against the wall in the occupied West Bank have been targeted as part of a vicious crackdown on their freedom of expression and association. Residential areas affected by the wall –...
Galloway right to relish Egypt expulsion | Ajmal Masroor
The Guardian 12 Jan 2010 - In making an enemy of Hosni Mubarak's regime, George Galloway has taken a lead western governments should follow George Galloway was deported from Egypt on Friday as "persona non grata" by the Egyptian authorities, accusing him...
George Galloway deported from Egypt
The Guardian 12 Jan 2010 - Respect MP has spent past month travelling from London to deliver aid and supplies to Gaza Strip George Galloway was today deported from Egypt after plainclothes police officers refused him re-entry into the Gaza Strip and...
Welcome to Palestine, Avigdor | Nicholas Blincoe
The Guardian 12 Jan 2010 - Settlers such as Avigdor Lieberman have been offered the chance to remain in a future Palestinian state. Will he accept? Dear Avigdor, Can you believe, we are neighbours yet we have never met? I wish that,...
Ha'aretz 13 Jan 2010 - Raed Salah jailed for 9 months following assault on policeman during February 2007 Temple Mount protests.
Haaretz English print edition begins distribution of the Forward in Israel
Ha'aretz 13 Jan 2010 - The January 24 issue of Haaretz-IHT will include the first lsrael edition of the Forward.
Israel to simulate biological warfare attack
Ha'aretz 13 Jan 2010 - A two-day exercise simulating a response to a biological warfare attack will begin Wednesday in the Dan region. The exercise, which will be the largest of its kind in Israel's history, will be carried out in Tel Aviv, Ramat Gan and Holon, seeks to evaluate the ability of the Home Front, medical services, rescue teams and municipal authorities to respond to conditions created by a biological catastrophe caused either by terrorists or by some kind of accident. ...
From now on, only Israeli music to be played at schools
Ha'aretz 13 Jan 2010 - Education Minister Gideon Sa'ar (Likud) Tuesday instructed school principals to play only Israeli music over loudspeakers to mark study breaks and to use Israeli songs more frequently in school ceremonies. ...
Comptroller: Israel losing PR battle in Arabic to Al-Jazeera
Ha'aretz 13 Jan 2010 - Report by Micha Lindenstrauss also finds fault with transport planning for emergency, military prisons.
Relief Web 13 Jan 2010 - Source: UN Security Council
Al Mezan condemns IOF attacks on Gaza; calls for international intervention to ensure protection of civilians
Relief Web 13 Jan 2010 - Source: Al Mezan Center for Human Rights
OPT: Atfaluna Newsletter January, 2010
Relief Web 13 Jan 2010 - Source: Atfaluna Society for Deaf Children
Freedom in the World 2010: Global Erosion of Freedom
Relief Web 13 Jan 2010 - Source: Freedom House
ISRAEL ANNOUNCES NEW 'WALL' ALONG BORDER WITH EGYPT
Relief Web 12 Jan 2010 - Source: Missionary International Service News Agency
OPT: Hamas seeks to lower tension with Egypt, Israel
Relief Web 12 Jan 2010 - Source: Reuters - AlertNet
YNet News 13 Jan 2010 - Ankara says willing to move past diplomatic incident between Deputy FM Ayalon, Turkish Ambassador Celikkol; credits Jewish state's president with orchestrating crisis' solution
8 Israelis still missing in Haiti as death toll rises
YNet News 13 Jan 2010 - Missing Israeli mother, son found unharmed; six additional Israelis reported missing. IDF medical aid mission set to leave for disaster zone, build field hospital
Fatah fears Israel to renounce security agreements
YNet News 13 Jan 2010 - Palestinian Authority orders several wanted men released as part of amnesty agreement with Jewish state to return to jail
'Iran knew Israel, US planned terrorist acts'
YNet News 13 Jan 2010 - Iranian parliament speaker says US-based pro-monarchy group has claimed responsibility for bombing that killed nuclear physicist near his Tehran home, adding group controlled by CIA
Officer: IDF on brink of abyss over draft dodging
YNet News 13 Jan 2010 - Army's Personnel Directorate chief says number of Jewish youths evading military service may reach 40% over next decade
IDF holds simulation of biological warfare attack
YNet News 13 Jan 2010 - Joint Medical Corps, Health Ministry, hospital teams hold mass casualty drill aimed at raising awareness to biological warfare. 'Contaminated' patients evacuated to isolated hospital wards
Daily Star 13 Jan 2010 RIYADH: Syrian President Bashar Assad started talks with Saudi King Abdullah on Wednesday that could see a renewed push for reconciliation between Iran-backed Hamas and the US-backed Palestinian Authority. Riyadh has been trying to convince Syria to loosen its alliance with Iran and adopt a more Arab-focused foreign policy, with officials hinting at financial aid for Syria and a resumption of investment there in return.
Yemen says security forces killed Al-Qaeda cell leader
Daily Star 13 Jan 2010 SANAA: Yemeni government forces killed an Al-Qaeda leader in an overnight shootout in a southeastern province and militants hit back with an ambush that killed two soldiers and wounded four on Wednesday, security officials said.Yemen has intensified operations against Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) since the group said it was behind a failed December 25 attempt to blow up a Detroit-bound US airliner.
Israel sends formal apology to Turkey
Daily Star 13 Jan 2010 OCCUPIED JERUSALEM: Israel on Wednesday apologized to Turkey over an insult to its ambassador in an attempt to defuse the latest crisis between the two nations. On Monday, Israel's deputy foreign minister summoned the Turkish ambassador to complain about a TV show. The ambassador was forced to sit on a low sofa without a handshake.
Tense relations with Egypt threaten Hamas' Gaza lifeline
Daily Star 13 Jan 2010 GAZA CITY: The construction of a new underground wall and recent border clashes have frayed relations between Hamas and Egypt and could threaten the Islamist movement's main lifeline in Gaza, analysts say. Since Hamas seized power in Gaza in 2007 it has relied on smuggling tunnels under the border with Egypt to defy Israeli sanctions and its leaders have used frequent trips to Cairo to escape international isolation.
UN, Egypt protest Italy's treatment of African migrants
Daily Star 13 Jan 2010 ROME: UN human rights officials said Tuesday that they were worried about Italy's deep-rooted racism against migrants following clashes in a southern town between African farmworkers, residents and police. Hundreds of Africans fled the farm town of Rosarno in the underdeveloped southern region of Calabria in trains, cars and caravans of buses arranged by authorities.
China backs Palestinian state as Saudi Arabia says Israel blocking peace
Daily Star 13 Jan 2010 China on Wednesday endorsed efforts to create an independent Palestinian state as Saudi Arabia hardened its accusations that Israel is trying to prevent a settlement of the Middle East conflict. "China will continue its support for the Palestinian effort to establish an independent state," Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said on a visit to Riyadh.
Iranian money talks - with protest slogans
Daily Star 13 Jan 2010 DUBAI: Facing hard-line forces on the streets, Iran's anti-government demonstrators have taken their protests to a new venue: writing "Death to the Dictator" and other opposition slogans on bank notes, while officials scramble to yank the bills from circulation. There's no way to calculate how much Iranian currency has been scribbled on or stamped with dissident messages.
Larijani says Iran knew Israel, US planned 'terrorist acts'
Daily Star 13 Jan 2010 TEHRAN: Iran received information days ago that Israeli and US intelligence intended to carry out "terrorist acts" in Tehran, its Parliament speaker said on Wednesday, after the killing of a university scientist. Washington has rejected Iran's allegations of US involvement in Tuesday's bombing that killed professor Massoud Ali-Mohammadi near his home in the Iranian capital as absurd.
Palestinian Information Center
Why not Somalia? Why not Darfur? Why not Mars?PIC 13 Jan 2010 - Zionist spin doctors are visibly upset by growing world awareness about the manifestly cruel Israeli-Egyptian blockade of the Gaza Strip.
Abbas asks Israel to halt settlement for short time to resume negotiations
PIC 13 Jan 2010 - Mahmoud Abbas softened his refusal to resume negotiations with Israel without settlement freeze and called on Israel to halt settlement activities for a certain period.
Anti siege gov't committee: Senior European delegation to visit Gaza
PIC 13 Jan 2010 - The head of the government committee to break the siege, Hamdy Shaat, said that a senior level European delegation is expected to visit Gaza Strip next Friday.
Ramahi hails Erdogan's daring stands
PIC 13 Jan 2010 - MP Dr. Mahmoud Al-Ramahi, the secretary of the Palestinian legislative council, lauded the "daring and honorable" stands of Turkish premier Recep Erdogan.
Israel sentences Sheikh Salah to nine months in prison
PIC 13 Jan 2010 - The Israeli magistrates court on Wednesday sentenced Sheikh Ra’ed Salah to nine months in prison, in addition to a six-month suspended sentence on allegations of leading protests.
IOF troops detain son, daughter of Nablus municipality member
PIC 13 Jan 2010 - IOF arrested Suhaib, 23, and Safa'a Al-Masri, 20, the offspring of Nablus municipal council member Khulud Al-Masri while returning from medical treatment in Jordan on Tuesday.
Egypt to build 23 watchtowers along borders with Gaza
PIC 13 Jan 2010 - The Egyptian authorities are planning to construct 23 watchtowers supplied with bullet proof glass windows and electronic devices along the borders with Gaza Strip.
Sabri warns of Israeli plan to deprive Palestinians of living in J’lem
PIC 13 Jan 2010 - Sheikh Ekrema Sabri, the preacher of the Aqsa Mosque, warned that Israel plans to deprive more than 125,000 Palestinian citizens from the right to live in the occupied city of Jerusalem.
AOHR: Egypt hunts and kills Gaza tunnel workmen every week
PIC 13 Jan 2010 - The Arab organization for human rights (AOHR) in Britain revealed that the Egyptian authorities every week hunt and kill the Palestinian workmen inside Gaza tunnels through spraying poison gas.
New IOA scheme to confiscate 70% of Wadi Hilwa in OJ
PIC 13 Jan 2010 - The Israeli occupation authority (IOA) controlled municipality of occupied Jerusalem has endorsed a new scheme that would confiscate 70% of Wadi Hilwa valley in the holy city.
LA Times 13 Jan 2010 - Tehran blames the West and Israel, saying the attack was a bid to slow Iran's nuclear program. Colleagues say he was a government critic and that hard-liners killed him to silence the opposition. A powerful bomb blast killed an Iranian scientist outside his north Tehran home Tuesday, a mystery-shrouded assassination that quickly triggered a round of highly charged accusations with potentially serious political repercussions.
L.A. radio host John Farahi is accused of swindling investors
LA Times 12 Jan 2010 - In a lawsuit, the SEC alleges Farahi and his firm targeted the Iranian American community in a $20-million fraud scheme. The host of a popular Persian-language radio talk show was accused by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission of defrauding investors out of more than $20 million in a long-running investment scheme that targeted the Iranian American community.
New York Times 13 Jan 2010 - Acting at the behest of officials, Israel’s deputy foreign minister issued on Wednesday a second apology to Turkey for embarrassing its ambassador.
Blast Kills Physics Professor in Tehran
New York Times 13 Jan 2010 - Iran’s state media blamed the U.S. and Israel for the death of a professor. It seems doubtful that he worked on Iran’s nuclear program.
Students Say Professor Was Government Critic
New York Times 12 Jan 2010 - Two students at Tehran University said that a professor who was apparently assassinated on Tuesday Iran had been outspoken in recent months in support of antigovernment student demonstrators.
World Briefing | Middle East: Gaza: Bomb Blast Kills Militant
New York Times 12 Jan 2010 - A Palestinian militant was killed Monday in an accidental bomb explosion in the northern Gaza Strip, Hamas said.
Panel Ties Ally of Iran Leader to Protester Deaths
New York Times 11 Jan 2010 - A parliamentary panel said Tehran’s prosecutor was responsible for the beating deaths of three imprisoned protesters last summer.
Israeli Planes Kill 3 Militants in Gaza Strike
New York Times 11 Jan 2010 - The airstrike struck a group of gunmen in the central Gaza Strip who Israel said was preparing rocket fire.
Palestine Monitor - 13 Jan 2010 - Alarming news was reported last week in both Palestinian and Israeli newspapers, accounting a new Israeli military offensive on the Gaza Strip. (See the article by Bradley Burston, appeared on Haaretz “Israel's looming war in Gaza: Can Obama stop it before it starts?) http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages... MP Dr...
After a month long detention in Israeli jails, Jamal Juma is free
Palestine Monitor - 13 Jan 2010 - Jamal Juma', the coordinator of the Stop the Wall Campaign has been released yesterday evening after a month long detention in Israeli jails. He had been called for interrogation and then arrested on December 16. Yesterday, the military court decided for Jamal's release Jamal Juma' comments...
Settling into Sheikh Jarrah
Mondoweiss - 13 Jan 2010 - The al-Kurd family property and tent (Photo: Andrew Kadi) On this beautiful and sunny day, a group of us were going on a tour of various areas, including East Jerusalem, with an acquaintance as our tour guide. As the tour wound down, I realized we were...
Jews in recovery (or why liberal American Jews might help to imagine a binational future)
Mondoweiss - 13 Jan 2010 - What did I do on my vacation? I stood on a hillside in northern Israel crying with a bunch of Jews. You can see a few of us in the picture above, a week ago today. Miriam’s at the left, then Rabbi Brian Walt, then Emma,...
Getting to the root of the conflict
Mondoweiss - 13 Jan 2010 - On January 11, the delegation I’m traveling with visited with Mohammed Jaradat of the BADIL Resource Center for Palestinian Residency and Refugee Rights. He speaks in a deep, resonant voice and has sparkling olive green eyes that twinkle as he presents. He explains to the delegation...
A tear for Anne Frank in Cairo
Mondoweiss - 13 Jan 2010 - member of Gaza Freedom March, Cairo, Dec. 28, 2009 Related posts: Update from Cairo: Gaza Freedom March rejects Egyptian offer to allow only 100 protesters into Gaza Cairo meets the movement, with tears and chaos and exaltation Stymied in Cairo–still something is gelling among the international...
Former students blast their professor for blessing Gaza in print
Mondoweiss - 13 Jan 2010 - The following is on Jerry Haber’s great site, Magnes Zionist : his summary of a letter that has been leaked widely. It is a stunner: eight former students of Moshe Halbertal dispute his attack on the Goldstone Report in the New Republic . Note that many of these...
Israel Detains Ma'an's Chief English Editor
Alternative Information Center - 13 Jan 2010 - Ma’an News Agency , the largest independent news network in the Palestinian territories, is deeply concerned that its chief English editor, Jared Malsin, an American citizen, was detained upon arrival at Israel's Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv on the afternoon of Tuesday, 12 January 2009....
Jamal Juma' Has Been Released
Alternative Information Center - 13 Jan 2010 - Jamal Juma’, the coordinator of the Stop the Wall Campaign has been released yesterday evening after a month long detention in Israeli jails. He had been called for interrogation and then arrested on December 16. Yesterday, the military court decided for Jamal’s release.
Dexia Stops Financing Settlement Construction in the West Bank: Another Success for the BDS Campaign
Alternative Information Center - 12 Jan 2010 - On 30 December, the French-Belgian financial group Dexia announced it will stop financing Israeli settlement construction in the occupied West Bank. On 7 January, the news was confirmed with a statement by 69 associations, which have formed the Belgian committee “Palestine occupée—Dexia impliquée” (“Palestine occupied—Dexia implied”)....
Articles
Will Egypt’s underground wall end the Gaza tunnel trade?
Lina Attalah, Electronic Intifada 1/8/2010
...the water element...has convinced many that the wall will be invincible.
Driving parallel to the borderline between Egypt and Gaza, one can spot the machinery behind the conspicuous wall construction project meant to stop ongoing smuggling through underground tunnels.
Some 80 meters away from the borderline, there were two cranes and a spiral driller. Four trucks loaded with sand and two with iron panels had just arrived on site. The usual silence of the borderland is broken by the sounds of this equipment and the few workers around them. People in the area say the wall will be dug between 18 and 25 meters deep and will extend all the way between the Egyptian-controlled Rafah and the Israeli-controlled Kerem Shalom border crossings with Gaza.
The wall is meant to hack the tunnel structures, which extend from the Egyptian side of the border to the Gaza’s side for distances that range between 400 meters and 1,700 meters. With many prohibitions on the ground, the tunnels have become a lucrative underground alternative. The wall construction portrays the depth of this underground urbanism, bringing the conflict between smugglers and the security to the forefront.
According to smugglers in the area, the process kicked off 25 days ago, when workers came to uproot the few olive trees lined up on the construction site. The wall basically consists of a series of iron panels placed along the 13.8-kilometer borderline. The panels are overlapping and held together with molded steel connections. Smugglers said the panels will also include sensors to detect any movement. A faint hope for smugglers remained as they thought they could still run their tunnels underneath this 20-meter wall. more.. e-mail
Israel’s treatment of Ethiopians ‘racist’
Jonathan Cook, The National 1/5/2010
NAZARETH, Israel // Health officials in Israel are subjecting many female Ethiopian immigrants to a controversial long-term birth control drug in what Israeli women’s groups allege is a racist policy to reduce the number of black babies.
The contraceptive, known as Depo Provera, which is given by injection every three months, is considered by many doctors as a birth control method of last resort because of problems treating its side effects.
However, according to a report published last week, use of the contraceptive by Israeli doctors has risen threefold over the past few years. Figures show that 57 per cent of Depo Provera users in Israel are Ethiopian, even though the community accounts for less than two per cent of the total population.
About 90,000 Ethiopians have been brought to Israel under the Law of Return since the 1980s, but their Jewishness has subsequently been questioned by some rabbis and is doubted by many ordinary Israelis.
Ethiopians are reported to face widespread discrimination in jobs, housing and education and it recently emerged that their blood donations were routinely discarded.
“This is about reducing the number of births in a community that is black and mostly poor,” said Hedva Eyal, the author of the report by Woman to Woman, a feminist organisation based in Haifa, in northern Israel. “The unspoken policy is that only children who are white and Ashkenazi are wanted in Israel,” she said, referring to the term for European Jews who founded Israel and continue to dominate its institutions. more.. e-mail
A Gaza Diary
Chris Hedges, Harper's Magazine, Bint Jbeil 10/1/2001
REPORT, October 2001
Thursday morning, June 14, Jerusalem
The artist Joe Sacco and I are driving up through the Jerusalem Hills to Beit Agron, the government-run press building. Beit Agron was the first place I visited in 1988, when I moved to Jerusalem as the Middle East bureau chief for the Dallas Morning News. I had no office, no staff, and no experience in the Middle East. I had arrived from Lausanne, where for four months I had studied Arabic. My teacher, an Egyptian, used to write on the board phrases such as "The Arabs are good. The Jews are bad." I later took the Hebrew University conversational Arabic course, taught by a kind and gentle Palestinian professor, Omar, who became a close friend.
Arabic is a delicate and beautiful construct. The language is poetic, magical, with calls and responses, ornate greetings and salutations, for everything from eating to entering a house. When someone brings you food you say, "May God bless your hands." If offered a coffee you say, "Coffee always," meaning may we always drink coffee during moments like this. Seven years later, now the Middle East bureau chief for the New York Times, I had spent 600 hours of study and reached the conclusion that mastery of Arabic was a lifelong pursuit. A little of it, though, goes a long way. After being captured by the Iraqi Republican Guard in Basra in 1991 during the Shiite uprising following the Gulf War, I was able to recite strings of bad Arabic jokes and talk about my family. I wrote Omar a thank-you note when I was released.
Joe and I pass the rusting hulks of crude Israeli armored vehicles, left as a monument to the 1948 war that made possible a Jewish state. We skirt the old walled city, its quadrilateral shape and network of streets laid out by the Roman emperor Hadrian. In the distance stands the Jaffa Gate, where, in 1538, in ornate and cursive Arabic, an inscription was placed by Suleiman, the second Ottoman ruler of Jerusalem.... more.. e-mail
Israel ratcheting up the pressure on Gaza
Electronic Intifada: 13 Jan 2010 - Even if the Iron Dome missile-defense system unveiled by Israel last week is little more than a new development in Israel's program of psychological warfare against Gaza, the pressure is most definitely building on Hamas on several fronts. Israel has significantly tightened its chokehold on the enclave over the past year. Jonathan Cook reports.
A second Gaza war around the corner?
Electronic Intifada: 13 Jan 2010 - Israel's recent aggressions look ominously like the 4 November 2008 attack on Gaza, which killed six persons and shattered the four-month-long truce meticulously respected by Hamas. Predictably, Hamas and other factions retaliated for that Israeli provocation and then Israel used their response to justify its massacre of 1,400 people in Gaza this time last year. Hasan Abu Nimah comments.
Bono: Don't cross Palestine's picket line
Electronic Intifada: 13 Jan 2010 - The Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel to Bono: Your appearance in Israel would lend to its well-oiled campaign to whitewash all the above grave violations of international law and basic human rights through "re-branding" itself as a liberal nation enjoying membership in the Western club of democracies.
Don't forget Free Gaza Movement women
Electronic Intifada: 12 Jan 2010 - Although I appreciate Asa Winstanley's warm review of To Gaza with Love (4 January 2010), he left out every woman involved in the organization and founding of the Free Gaza Movement. I'm dismayed that the review shows yet another attempt to turn the story into a "good-old boy tale" instead of what was a primarily a female initiative.
In Gaza: 9 Jan 2010 - With over 90% of Palestinian children in Gaza suffering PTSD, and over 80% severe poverty in the Strip, Nidal Abu Leila is but one of many children dramatically affected by the 23 days of Israeli warfare on Gaza. Prior to the December 27 to January 18 Israeli massacre of Gaza–during which Israel used its power as the 4th largest military, unleashing an arsenal of F-16 bombing, Apache and tank shelling and machine gun fire, shelling from Israeli warships in Gaza’s sea, bulldozing and explosive– Nidal was a normal boy of 10 years. He ran, he played, he studied, he was as mischievous and energetic as life in Gaza under siege...
Palestine Chronicle: 13 Jan 2010 - By George S. Hishmeh – Washington D.C. So Barrack Obama does not want to use his stick, much as this approach has been effective in the past especially in settling Arab-Israeli disputes. This was clearly pointed out by his special Middle East envoy, George J. Mitchell, when he recalled that recent U.S. presidents have done so with notable success. His adamant refusal carries a high price which may in the end compel him to change his mind. One obvious reason is the arrogant statement of the right-wing Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, who declared on Tuesday that Israel would never cede control of united Jerusalem nor retreat to the 1967 armistice lines. For the record, Israel had pledged to do so under the Roadmap, a peace plan sponsored by the so-called Quartet of nations – – European Union, Russia, the United States, and the United Nations. Netanyahu was obviously reacting inelegantly to a remark made by Mitchell in an eye-opening television interview which must have touched a raw Israeli nerve and subsequently prompted an official U.S. whitewash. Mitchell , in response to a question about likely U.S. pressure on Israel, had recalled, intentionally or unwittingly, that “under American law, the United States can withhold support on loan guarantees to Israel.” Moreover, Israel’s loudmouth ambassador in Washington, Michael Oren, argued that Mitchell’s vision of peace within two years was “unrealistic and might prove counterproductive.” His point: “We know from our experience that state-making takes a long time.” It sure does if one...
Patience?
Palestine Chronicle: 13 Jan 2010 - By Hatim Khatib Oh, the sheer luxury and satisfaction of demonstrating for others. It's nearly the same as caring for the sick when the caretaker is in the most excellent health. It’s a cleansing exercise, bounteous in its healing powers of the soul and conscience. It is especially recreative and morally empowering when the practitioner chooses cathartic causes with appeal and history, and more especially so when he or she, achieving absolution, retires to opulence and security far removed from the dangers and perils to which those for whom he had demonstrated are condemned. I wish I could, in my lifetime, have the chance to demonstrate without being the subject of the demonstration. Two weeks ago I was at a vigil in Washington, DC for Palestine. After marching and chanting for a while, the marchers concentrated on a street corner and resumed chanting “Free Gaza,” “Let Gaza Live,” “Free Palestine,” “End the Occupation Now.” I’m always aware of the people standing and walking beside me, and how loud and emphatic their chanting is. I also find myself obligated, as a Palestinian, to chant as loudly as I can to compensate for those who don’t for reasons of their own—timidness or sheer embarrassment, among others. The vigilants were mostly Americans. Both good and bad. Good because Americans were largely absent at events like this only a short while ago, and bad because of the notable absence of Palestinians and other Arabs. A woman near me leaned over and said, “We should...
Shlaim's Israel and Palestine - Book Review
Palestine Chronicle: 13 Jan 2010 - By Jim Miles Israel and Palestine - Reappraisals, Revisions, Refutations. Avi Shlaim. Verso, London, 2009. This is a thought provoking if not fully developed work on the ongoing situation in Palestine/Israel. Avi Shlaim has compiled a set of his writings from previous publications that in a broad way cover the events of the region, with a brief look at the Balfour Declaration before jumping forward to look at the UN Partition Plan of 1947 and its resulting sequence of events. Avi Shlaim self professes to be of the school of revisionist historians and his writing fully supports that claim. Throughout the writing one of the themes is the Israeli use of military power to solve its problems, a solution much preferred to negotiations and compromise. A corollary of this is that when negotiations were used, they were mainly as a mask to delay a solution while the ongoing status quo built more settlements and evicted more Palestinians from their homes and farms, especially after the 1967 war. Another thematic reminder that reiterates throughout the work is that of the asymmetric power - mainly military - that reinforces the previous idea, but also adds the knowledge that there is no balance in the situation, that Israel holds all the power, to the point that “a voluntary agreement between the parties is simply unattainable;” and as seen within the Oslo agreement the Palestinians would have been “subject to the provisions of Israeli law…and military orders… rather than international law.” International Law One...