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Today in Palestine! ~ Headlines ~ |
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Land, property, resources theft and destruction / Ethnic cleansing / Apartheid
Israel's interior minister seeks to extend ban on family unification
Haaretz 14 July -- Order stipulates that unification between Israeli
citizens and Palestinian partners to be prohibited except in cases where
Palestinian male partner is over 36 or Palestinian female is over 26;
order significantly limits citizens' ability to live together with
Palestinian spouse -- Interior Minister Eli Yishai is expected to ask
the government next week for a six month extension of the order banning
family unification. This order significantly limits the ability of a
citizen to live together with a Palestinian spouse. The order's
practical meaning is the prevention of unification of hundreds of
families, particularly Bedouin ones in the Negev.
Some Knesset members have called it a draconian order and a threat to
civil liberties.
http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/
israel-s-interior-minister-seeks-to-extend-ban-on-family-unification-1.373100
Yovel outpost: Israel retroactively approves theft of private land
[with
photos] B'Tselem 14 July -- The Yovel outpost, established in 1998,
lies west of Qaryut and south of
the Eli settlement. The 12 permanent dwellings in the outpost were built
without a permit, without an outline plan, and partially on private
Palestinian land. The declaration of state land was made in an attempt
to approve retroactively the construction and to overcome the claims
made in petitions to the High Court of Justice by the Palestinian
landowners together with Israeli organizations. In September 2005, Peace
Now petitioned the High Court in objection to the illegal construction
in the outpost, and in April 2009, Yesh Din petitioned the court
regarding the construction of the access road.
http://www.btselem.org/topic-page/14-july-11-yovel-outpost-israel-retroactively-approves-theft-private-land
Jerusalem
Issawiya of East Jerusalem resists home demolition
Jerusalem/PNN Exclusive/By SWK
14 July - White plumes of smoke streak across the sky saturating the
air with tear gas, a common sight in the East Jerusalem town of Issawiya
[Eissawiya, Isawiya, 'Aissawiya, etc. العيسوية
] that has become notorious for resisting home demolitions ... Israeli
zoning policies allow for Palestinians to build on just 13% of the land
in East Jerusalem. This 13% is already densely inhabited and doesn’t
leave much room for new infrastructure or expansion for existing
residence. The Jerusalem Municipalities website states "The Municipality
of Jerusalem demolishes buildings or parts of buildings for
reasons of urban planning, not for security matters." The website also
claims that houses are only demolished when not yet inhabited and when
built without a permit on land that interferes with public plans for
infrastructure like schools, parks and roads. Citizens
of East Jerusalem say this is not the case. Issa Nasser, a resident of
Issawiya, tells PNN of his cousin’s house situated between preexisting
homes that was demolished 3 times. On the third demolition the man threw
himself from the top floor resulting in permanent paralysis and is now
confined to a wheelchair. "We apply for permits” Nasser states, “But
they are not given to us, we have children, what can we do?" ... 94% of
all housing permits requested are denied. Palestinians
are forced to build illegally because they are not granted permits,
granting permits would interfere with the plan set out by the Jerusalem
Municipality entitled Jerusalem 2000. This long term plan for the city
openly intends to keep the Palestinian population in Jerusalem at 30% by
2020, a statistic that seems unlikely at the current growth rate of the
Palestinian population.
http://english.pnn.ps/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=10443&Itemid=63
Palestinian house demolition (Part 1)
Jeff Halper of ICAHD
in 2008, using a four times demolished house in Anata, East Jerusalem as
an example -- very affecting Interview with homeowner Selim: "I have
seven kids, and me and my wife - we are nine people living in this house
... At 2 o'clock in the afternoon we are eating our lunch, and suddenly
I see our room surrounded by soldiers ... More than 200 soldiers came to
kick up out! ... It's not your house now, you have 15 minutes to take
your belongings and family out..." [Excellent explanation by Halper of
the 'quiet transfer' going on. Parts 2 and 3 available under YouTube's
'suggestions' at right of video.]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMLzF9VpSKg&feature=related
VIDEO: Issawiya home demolition
AIC 13 July 2010 - [there are dozens of videos of demolitions on
YouTube, most watched only a few times. But it's necessary to see
something like this to understand the human cost, and to see just how
coldly and mechanically the destruction is carried out]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kutAK1TE70
VIDEO: Issawiya, a suffocated Palestinian village in East Jerusalem
AIC
from
2008 -- [shows the geography of the village's problem] From atop the
hillside, the crux of Issawiya's problems becomes evident, its decisive
location. Circling around you see the Israeli military base, the tower
of Hebrew University, the Jewish settlement of French Hill, and an
Israeli military detention center. Next to the detention center is the
Ring Road, vast land appropriated from Issawiya to build the E-1
settlement bloc, and in the distance, the imposing Jewish settlement of
Maale Adummim. In the middle of all this, cramped and constricted, lies
Issawiya.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myTrSLxnfpg
IOA imposes $900,000 in fines on Jerusalemite children in past 10 months
OCCUPIED
JERUSALEM (PIC) 14 July -- The Israeli occupation authority has imposed
900,000 dollars in fines on Jerusalemite children in Silwan for throwing
stones at Israelis vehicles and settlers over the past ten months.
Fakhri Abu Diab, a member of the committee for the defense of Silwan
real-estate, said in a press release on Wednesday that the Israeli
courts blackmail the Silwan inhabitants by imposing heavy fines on their
children, because they know the families would be forced to pay
the fines to secure the release of their children. He said that many
Jerusalemites go in debt to secure the money while others could not and
their sons remain in jail.
http://www.palestine-info.co.uk/En/default.aspx?xyz=U6Qq7k%2bc
Settlers
VIDEO: Soldiers stand by while settlers attack ‘Asira al-Qibliya
B'Tselem 14 July -- On 3 July '11, at midday, settlers attacked the
village of 'Asira al-Qibliya, claiming villagers had started a fire near
the Yitzhar settlement. The attackers were armed with sticks and pieces
of piping, some had covered their faces, and two carried weapons. They
threw stones
towards the village and broke some twenty olive trees. They injured one
Palestinian by beating him. Villagers came to the spot and responded by
throwing stones at the attackers.
http://www.btselem.org/beating-abuse/3711-video-soldiers-stand-settlers-attack-asira-al-qibliya
In West Bank, settler violence seen on the rise
HUWARA, West Bank (Reuters) 14 July – Scorched hillsides and charred
olive groves near Nablus pinpoint the latest acts of arson by hardline
Jewish settlers against Palestinians who say they are ever more the
victims of such attacks in the West Bank. "The olive tree is the only
source of income for farmers," said Mohammad
Zeban, a Palestinian farmer, lamenting the damage inflicted on hundreds
of olive trees by a recent fire near the village of Huwara. "They want
to annihilate us." Settler-related incidents resulting in Palestinian
injuries and damage to property are up by 57 percent this year,
according to the U.N. Office
for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, which documents violence
in the Palestinian territories. Palestinian officials say that is a
worrying sign of deepening hostility
which they fear could trigger wider violence as hardline settlers
increasingly appear to be a law unto themselves and frustration grows
over the evaporating prospects for peace ... To Palestinians, the
increasing frequency and audacity of settler attacks is an inevitable
result of the support their movement enjoys from a right-wing Israeli
government whose foreign minister is himself a
settler ... Palestinians have been injured by settlers this year at
double the rate of 2010, he said. So far this year, 178 Palestinians
have been stoned, run down or shot at by settlers, compared to a total
of 176 for the whole of 2010. Three Palestinians have been killed by
settlers this year.
http://old.news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110714/wl_nm/us_palestinians_israel_settlers
Barak considers emergency laws against rightists
Ynet
14 July -- Defense Minister Ehud Barak on Thursday instructed his legal
adviser to look into the possibility of using old emergency laws to
curb rightist attacks on IDF soldiers ... Some 10 days ago, Brigadier General Alon's vehicle was attacked by
several
youths at Tapuach Junction in the West Bank. Alon left the scene after
right-wing activists encircled his car and began kicking it,
while resorting to slurs and chanting "traitor."
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4095554,00.html
Gaza
Israeli airstrike injures 5 at Rafah border
RAFAH
(Ma‘an) 14 July -- Five Gazans were injured Thursday and a sixth is
reported missing after an Israeli warplane attacked a tunnel at the
Egyptian-Palestinian border near Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. The
attack took place at dawn,
local witness said ... Israeli planes were reportedly targeting the
transfer of cement and building materials into the Gaza Strip. An
Israeli army spokeswoman said that the attack was in response to "the
firing of rockets at residents in southern Israel" and terrorist
activity at the Rafah border. It is understood that the tunnel was
destroyed in the attack.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=405081
Witnesses: Airstrikes across the Gaza Strip
GAZA CITY (Ma‘an) 15 July -- Israeli warplanes raided the southern Gaza Strip late Thursday, targeting sites belonging to Hamas near Khan Younis and west of Gaza City, witnesses said. [Tweet from @yelkhoudary (Yasmeen El Khoudary): 2 children injured from #Israel's unjustified attacks on #Gaza tonight.]
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=405363
6 rockets hit Israel; IDF strikes Gaza
Ynet
15 July 00:29 -- Qassams fired from Strip explode in open areas in
southern Israel throughout day; no injuries reported. IDF reportedly
strikes Hamas targets late Thursday
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4095255,00.html
Unknown military faction fires projectile at Sderot
GAZA
(Ma‘an) 14 July 17:49 -- A previously unknown armed faction announced
Thursday that it had fired a homemade projectile at the Israeli city of
Sderot from the Gaza Strip. The faction calls itself "Sarayah
Palestine", a statement received by Ma‘an said. It launched the
projectile at 7.00 a.m
Thursday. The attack was in response to Israeli aggression and threats
against the Palestinian people, the statement added.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=405204
VIDEO: International solidarity boat crew attacked off Gaza coast / Hama Waqum
Mondoweiss/CPSGAZA
14 July -- I am writing this exactly twelve hours after I was attacked
by an Israeli warship, off the Gaza coast. As a member of the Civil Peace Service,
I board the Oliva boat around twice a week to monitor Gazan fishermen’s
human rights. But today, it wasn’t just the fishermen who were targeted.
We approached a cluster of hasaka fishing boats that were being
attacked with water cannons at midday on July 13. As we got closer all I
could focus on was the officer manning the machine gun, covered from
head to toe with black, which struck me as very medieval, if you know
what I mean.
Our boat, along with the fishing vessels, was around two miles out to
sea, well within the three-mile fishing limit imposed by Israel.
http://mondoweiss.net/2011/07/international-solidarity-boat-crew-attacked-off-gaza-coast.html
PFLP leader returns to Gaza after 42 years
GAZA
CITY (Ma‘an) 14 July -- A senior leader of the Popular Front for the
Liberation of Palestine, Salah Mohammad, returned to Gaza [from Algeria]
on Thursday after 42 years of forced absence. Senior leaders of the
PFLP received Salah at the Rafah crossing and he is set to receive
guests at his home in the Ash-Shate refugee camp.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=405322
Gaza blockade keeps Saleh away from sea / Rami Almeghari
EI 14 July -- For five years now, Saleh has only been able to
sail for short distances. Most of the time, it sits idle in a parking
lot for boats near a sea port to the west of Gaza City.aleh is the name of a large boat that belongs to Abu Ayman Kabaja, a 56-year-old fisherman and father of five children, all of whom
have worked in Gaza’s fishing industry for many years ... Saleh is one of about 25 similar boats in the area that used to
sail from Gaza before Israel imposed the maritime blockade. These boats
are all out of regular use as a result of the siege on Gaza.
http://electronicintifada.net/content/gaza-blockade-keeps-saleh-away-sea/10170
In Gaza: Lucky to have water
[photos]
Wet clothes are actually a blessing, for me at least in Gaza. I only
wear them indoors, or sometimes underneath outer layers, and they do
what non-existent air-con or fans-wanting-electricity can’t: cool me
down for a bit ... Free Gaza says:
“Most family homes have running water for less than six hours a day, and
almost a third of homes have no running water at all.” And my Gaza
family themselves have to pump water via a series of hoses, pumps and
motors (dependent on electricity and town water flow) to their rooftop
for family use. [this post goes on to include information about both the
depletion and deterioration of Gaza's water and the effect of Israeli
border shootings on farmers - well worth reading]
http://ingaza.wordpress.com/2011/07/14/lucky-to-have-water/
Detention
British court looks into Sheikh Raed Salah's bail Friday
London
(PIC) 14 July -- Sheikh Raed Salah's bail appeal will be heard at the High Court tomorrow morning Friday 15 July at 10.30am. A
protest will be held outside the Royal Courts of Justice, the Strand,
London WC2A 2LL at 10am. The
protest is calling for the release of Sheikh Raed who remains in
detention at HMP Bedford, despite mounting political pressure on the
Home Secretary, Theresa May. Last week, a petition of over 10,000
signatures was handed into the Home Office calling for Sheikh Raed's
release. Sheikh Raed Salah remains determined to clear his name.
http://www.palestine-info.co.uk/En/default.aspx?xyz=U6Qq7k%2
IOF soldiers detain Palestinian youth in Nablus, storm Al-Khalil
NABLUS
(PIC) 14 July -- Israeli occupation forces (IOF) arrested a Palestinian
youth in the Nablus village of Til at dawn Thursday after wreaking havoc
in his home and other houses in the village. Other IOF soldiers stormed
Al-Khalil city, installed roadblocks and search citizens for their IDs.
Local sources said that the troops detained a number of young
men for field interrogation then released them.
http://www.palestine-info.co.uk/En/default.aspx?xyz=U6Qq7k%2b
Administrative detention extended against two Palestinian prisoners on Thursday
AL-KHALIL
(PIC) 14 July -- Israeli occupation authorities have extended the
administrative detention of Palestinian prisoner Zawadi Sha‘ban
Shalalideh, 48, from Sa‘eer in Al-Khalil province, for an additional
four months on Thursday. It was the third time his term in
administrative detention was extended since he was first arrested ten
months back. Shelaledeh is a father of eight and school teacher who
suffers various illnesses. He was arrested several times by Israeli
authorities and currently sits in the Ofer prison.
The same day, a
military tribunal in the Negev extended the administrative detention
period of Hamas leader Raafat Jameel Nasseif, 45, for six months,
Nasseif's family told our correspondent. It marked the sixth time his
detention term has been extended. Nasseif has been sitting in the Negev
prison since March 2009.
He also suffers from health conditions.
http://www.palestine-info.co.uk/En/default.aspx?xyz=U6Qq7k%2Bc
Senior prisoner returned to isolation after prison fake-out
NABLUS
(PIC) 14 July -- Longtime Palestinian prisoner Nael al-Bargouthi, 54,
was returned to isolation in the Ramon prison on Tuesday for the second
time in a two week timespan. Apparently, the prison administration faked
out prisoners by releasing him to quell wide-ranging protests.
http://www.palestine-info.co.uk/En/default.aspx?xyz=U6Qq7k%2b
Events organized for children of Palestinian detainees
RAMALLAH
(Ma‘an) 14 July -- The Palestinian detainees center in Qalqiliya said
Wednesday that they had organized an evening of entertainment for the
children of Palestinian prisoners who live in the city. The event was
sponsored in cooperation with the Palestinian Woman's Center, a
Christian youth organization and the prisoners' mothers committee. Head
of the detainees center in Qalqiliya Lafi Nasura said that the event
shows solidarity with prisoners in Israeli jails and sends a message to
the world that Palestinians don't forget their prisoners and will always
support them.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=405104
Activism / Solidarity
Songs tear down fences in Izbat Tabib
ISM 13 July -- On July 13th villagers in the small town of Izbat Tabib wanted to protest against the illegal Israeli construction of barbed wire fences
outside the village, preventing farmers from tending their lands and
olive trees ... the villagers and activists from ISM helped each other
tear down the fences, this continued for around half an hour, until the
arrival of Israeli military jeeps with about 20 soldiers. The cutting of
the fences halted, and together the villagers and activists prevented
the entry of the soldiers into the village by means of peaceful singing
and demands for Palestinian rights to their rightful
land.
http://palsolidarity.org/2011/07/19523/
Israelis and Arabs to march in Jerusalem in support of Palestinian independence
Haaretz 14 July -- Thousands of Israelis and Palestinians are expected
to take part in a march on Friday, titled 'March for Independence'
calling for the recognition of a Palestinian state. The organizers of
the march said that the recognition of Palestine as an independent state
should come before negotiations, and not as a result. The event
represents a rare cooperation between the left-wing Solidarity movement
and the popular committees of East Jerusalem. The organizers claim that
this is the first Jewish-Arab event of its kind to be held in Jerusalem
since 1991.
http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/
israelis-and-arabs-to-march-in-jerusalem-in-support-of-palestinian-independence-1.373239
Israel expands its borders into Europe / Dahr Jamail
AJE
12
July - Recent clampdowns on Palestinian solidarity activists underscore
Israel's ability to outsource its security operations -- On July 11,
Israel announced it was not interested in having the United Nations
become involved as a mediator in its maritime border issues with
Lebanon. But when it comes to recruiting other countries to assist in
the enforcement of its naval blockade of Gaza, or having international
airlines deny entry to passengers destined to the occupied
territories from flying, Israel is keen to have other countries help.
[includes map showing the approximate location of the flotilla vessels,
including descriptions of what happened to each boat]
http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/features/2011/07/2011712891421784.html
Boycott law (see also Analysis / Opinion)
PA to boycott companies heeding Boycott Law
Ynet
14 July -- Palestinian economic minister threatens to boycott Israeli
companies, says Boycott Law is 'part of the mechanism of the occupation'
... According to Abu Libdah, "The decision made by the
Israeli government to approve this law proves Israel is setting the
ground for the option of one, bi-national state."
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4095208,00.html
Meretz party marks settlement goods at Israeli supermarkets
Haaretz
14 July -- The New Movement-Meretz's operations headquarters and youth
division made their way through supermarkets across Israel Wednesday,
marking products manufactured in the settlements. The move is part of a
campaign intended to warn the public against purchasing goods
manufactured in the settlements, and comes in response to the boycott
law passed in the Knesset this week ...P arty Secretary-General Dror Morag said the struggle today is not solely about
settlement goods, but the "essence of democracy."
http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/
meretz-party-marks-settlement-goods-at-israeli-supermarkets-1.373218
Dozens of Israeli law professors protest unconstitutional boycott law
Haaretz
14 July -- 32 academics sign petition aimed at Attorney General Yehuda
Weinstein; Netanyahu maintains that he 'approved the law' and is
'against boycotts' aimed at Israel.
http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/
dozens-of-israeli-law-professors-protest-unconstitutional-boycott-law-1.373152
Netanyahu opposes parliamentary investigations of Israeli human rights organizations
Haaretz 14 July -- After supporting the controversial boycott law, PM
announces he will vote against the initiative for a parliamentary
inquiry into funding sources of Israeli human rights organizations.
http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/
netanyahu-opposes-parliamentary-investigations-of-israeli-human-rights-organizations-1.373257
Political / Diplomatic / International news
Arab League to request full Palestinian membership at UN
Reuters 14 July --Security Council set to hold open debate on Middle
East on July 26, but Israel has made it clear that it opposes any
unilateral Palestinian declaration of statehood.-- The Arab League will
apply to upgrade the Palestinians to full member status at the United
Nations, according to a draft statement from a league meeting in Qatar
on Thursday. "It was decided to go to the United Nations to request the
recognition of the state of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital
and to move ahead and request a full membership," said the communiqué, a
copy of which was obtained by Reuters.
http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/
arab-league-to-request-full-palestinian-membership-at-un-1.373210
Dignitaries visit Israel to fight Palestinian statehood bid
Jerusalem
(JTA)
14 July -- A group of dignitaries including a former prime minister and
a Nobel Peace Prize winner came to
Israel to pledge to fight the Palestinian bid for statehood recognition
at the United Nations.The group came as part of the Friends of Israel
Initiative, which seeks to rally international support for Israel.
http://forward.com/articles/139868/
Fatah: Israel extorts European countries for UN bid
BETHLEHEM (Ma‘an) 14 July -- Palestinian movement Fatah accused Israel
Thursday of exploiting economic conditions in some European countries in
order to
persuade them to vote against the Palestinian UN bid for statehood in
September. Fatah spokesman Dr. Fayez Abu Eitah told Ma‘an that the
decision by Netanyahu to provide preferential treatment to Romanian and
Bulgarian laborers amounts to political extortion. It is understood that
the Israeli PM has offered Romania and Bulgaria a favorable share in
the Israeli labor market and a deal to bring laborers
from the two countries to Israel in a bid to win their vote as the
Palestinians go to the UN this September.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=405186
PLO condemns UNESCO for listing Jerusalem as Israel's capital
RAMALLAH
(Xinhua) 14 July -- The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) on
Thursday condemned listing Jerusalem as Israel's capital on the website
of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
(UNESCO). Identifying Jerusalem as Israel's unified capital "is a
procedure against humanitarian and international legitimacy and the
Security Council's resolutions that consider East Jerusalem as an
occupied city," said the PLO in a statement.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-07/14/c_13985774.htm
PA recognizes South Sudan
BETHLEHEM
(Ma‘an) 14 July -- Palestinian Authority minister of Foreign Affairs
Riyad Al-Maliki said Thursday that the PA has recognized the new state
of South Sudan.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=405327
Hezbollah: Lebanon will not let Israel seize its natural gas
Haaretz 14 July -- Deputy secretary general of Hezbollah says Lebanon
will protect its rights in face of Israeli threats as Israel-Lebanon
conflict on their maritime economic border escalates.
http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/
hezbollah-lebanon-will-not-let-israel-seize-its-natural-gas-1.373201
Other news
Tawjihi results to be announced by end of next week
GAZA
CITY
(Ma‘an) 13 July -- The vice-minister for Higher Education in the Hamas
government, Dr. Muhammad Abu Shuqair, said Wednesday that he expects the
Tawjihi results to be announced by the end of next week ... All grading
will be completed by next Tuesday and the results will be announced in
the West Bank and Gaza Strip at the end of next week, Shuqair added.
Over 89,000 students completed their Tawjihi exams on July 3 in the West
Bank and Gaza.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=404835
Israeli kindergartners now have to sing the national anthem every week
Haaretz
14 July -- From September Jewish nursery and kindergarten teachers to
raise Israeli flag and sing 'Hatikva' according to new Education
Ministry directives; teachers also required to instruct children on
state symbols ... According to the Education Ministry, the directives
will not be implemented in the Arab sector. "We are conducting
discussions in the Preschool Department to see how we can adapt [the
directives] to this sector," the ministry said.
.
http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/
israeli-kindergarteners-now-have-to-sing-the-national-anthem-every-week-1.373094
Israel air force pilots head to US to test-fly new military aircraft
Haaretz 14 July -- An Israel Air Force delegation recently visited a
United States Marine Corps base in North Carolina in order to test out
the new V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft ... the IAF will have to replace
the Sikorsky helicopters sometime toward the end of the decade, and will
have to decide between upgrading the Sikorsky or choosing the V-22.
http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/
israel-air-force-pilots-head-to-u-s-to-test-fly-new-military-aircraft-1.373190
Haredi radio to play women's voices?
Ynet
14 July -- According to compromise reached with Second Authority for
Television and
Radio, Kol Barama station will broadcast special programs presented by
women. But radio official states, 'We'll let women speak only under
certain conditions and in times of emergency' -- The issue
was addressed following complaints filed with the Second Authority
against the station's refusal to have women present programs or call in
as listeners. According to a recent Ynet
report, the radio station's special programs for women are presented by
men, and female listeners are asked to send in recipes and questions by
fax.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4094336,00.html
Poll: Obama's ratings plummet in Arab world
Haaretz
13
July -- According to the poll, both the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
and US interference in the region are seen as the biggest obstacle to
peace and stability -- A new poll shows a sharp decline in support of
President Obama's policies in the Middle East.
The poll, which was conducted by the Arab American Institute in six
Middle Eastern countries, shows Obama’s ratings at 10% or less
http://www.haaretz.com/news/middle-east/poll-obama-s-ratings-plummet-in-arab-world-1.373067
Analysis / Opinion
Boycott law proves Israel's one-state vision / Mairav Zonszein
972mag
14
July -- More than anti-democratic, the boycott law is indicative of
Israel’s de facto annexation of the West Bank -- Everyone who is up in
arms about the passing of the boycott law this week has been emphasizing
the severity of its violation of freedom of expression and dialogue.
While this is of course true, what is even more alarming about the law,
which has gone largely unmentioned in the press or by organizations
opposing it, is what it says about the State’s relation to the territory
under its control: The boycott law makes no distinction between Israel
and the Occupied Territories and thus is in effect a legalization and
normalization of the occupation, the total erasure of the Green Line and
the moratorium on the two-state solution (in case this was not already
clear).
http://972mag.com/boycott-law-proves-israels-one-state-vision/
Israel's McCarthy coalition is on a dangerous power trip / Carlo Strenger
Haaretz blog 13 July -- The flood of anti-democratic laws that were
proposed, and partially implemented, by the current Knesset, elected in
February 2009, constitute one of the darkest chapters in Israeli
history. The opening salvo was provided by Foreign Minister Avigdor
Lieberman’s Yisrael Beiteinu party with its Nakba law, that forbids the
public commemoration
of the expulsion of approximately 750,000 Palestinians during the 1948
war.
Since then, a growing number of attempts were made to curtail freedom of
expression and to make life for human rights groups more difficult. The
latest instance is the boycott law that is passed this Monday by the Knesset, even though its legal advisor believes it to be a problematic infringement on freedom of speech.
http://www.haaretz.com/blogs/strenger-than-fiction/
israel-s-mccarthy-coalition-is-on-a-dangerous-power-trip-1.373049
Forward editorial: We can't say this
We
could get in trouble for this. Not in New York City, where this
editorial is being written, because legitimate comment is protected
under the First Amendment. But our editorials, along with many other
stories and columns in the Forward, also appear every Sunday in the
English edition of the Haaretz newspaper in Israel. And now, with a new
anti-boycott law approved by the Knesset and due to take effect in less
than 90 days, the boundaries of free speech and legitimate expression
have grown unpredictably and suffocatingly tight. So, for example, if we
say something like: We can understand why reasonable people could
advocate a boycott of products made in Israeli settlements in the West
Bank because those settlements are deemed illegal under international
law and because a boycott is a peaceful way of expressing a moral
concern — well, if we say something like that, we could be sued and held liable in civil court.
http://www.forward.com/articles/139822/
Why Israelis must fight against the boycott law / Gideon Levy
Haaretz 14 July -- With the new boycott law the meager Israeli discourse
will become even more threadbare due to the silencing laws; this may be
the last call to boycott those who are boycotting Israeli democracy ...
One doesn't buy stolen merchandise. Period. We can and must say that
out loud, before this disgraceful law was passed and even more so after
it was passed.
According to the new law of the new Israel, whose image is becoming
distorted at alarming speed before our amazed eyes (and the eyes of the
world ), it will be forbidden to say that ... Now
we call not only on those who consider the damage caused by the
settlements to be decisive, but also those who fear for the character of
the country and the society in which they live - to boycott.To boycott,
boycott and boycott. Not only the products of injustice, but the unjust
regime as well. This law must now be boycotted.
http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/opinion/why-israelis-must-fight-against-the-boycott-law-1.373135
The boycott law is fascist / Alon Idan
Haaretz
14
July -- The widely held view that the slew of anti-democratic laws
legislated by the 18th Knesset is a slippery slope to Fascism in the
future is disingenuous. The Boycott Law is Fascism: it is a
categorically anti-democratic law whose goal is to annul any possibility
of legitimate protest.
http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/opinion/the-boycott-law-is-fascist-1.372960 |
| For further information contact Shadi Fadda |
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