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Today in Palestine! ~ Headlines ~ |
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Land, property, resources theft and destruction/Ethnic cleansing/Settlers
Palestinians under U.S. pressure over settlement condemnation appeal
RAMALLAH, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is
under the pressure of the United States to withdraw a Palestinian appeal
to the UN Security Council calling for condemning the Israeli
settlement in the occupied Palestinian territories, a senior official
said on Monday.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-02/15/c_13731960.htm
IDF colleges in east Jerusalem? 'Dangerous move'
Defense Ministry plans to relocate army college complex from Glilot to
area partly within boundaries of Arab neighborhood Wadi al-Joz. Rights
group: This will aggravate already complicated situation in capital.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4028664,00.html
Machsom Watch activist: Removing checkpoints doesn't remove the occupation
Susan Lourenco has volunteered for the Machsom Watch organization for
seven years, so she is familiar with virtually every Israeli army
checkpoint in the West Bank. She is extremely well-acquainted with the
Hawara crossing near Nablus - one of the symbols of the occupation and
its control over the Palestinian civilian population - having spent many
long hours there together with other women active in the organization.
http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/features/
machsom-watch-activist-removing-checkpoints-doesn-t-remove-the-occupation-1.343471
Israel closes northern West Bank road; deny report that checkpoints will be dismantled
Over the weekend, Israeli troops erected new earth mounds blocking the
Nablus-Beit Iba road, a road which had been closed by Israeli
authorities until international intervention by the Quartet for Mideast
Peace, protests and lawsuits led to its opening in 2010. Also this
weekend, Israeli military officials told the Tel Aviv-based news site
Ynet that there were no plans to dismantle the West Bank's two largest
internal checkpoints, Huwwara and Beit Furik.
http://www.imemc.org/article/60648
Israel revokes more Jerusalem al-Quds IDs
Palestinians of East Jerusalem al-Quds are facing a daily struggle to
hold on to their residency as according to the Jerusalem center, in 2010
alone, around 191 Palestinians were stripped of their Jerusalem/Al-Quds
IDs by Israel.
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/165263.html
Large Group of Armed Settlers Attempts to Enter Beit Ommar
Late Sunday night at around 10pm, on February 13, 2011, a large group of
about 50 armed Israeli settlers attempted to enter the Palestinian
village of Beit Ommar to harass residents. The settlers arrived in the
area near the military tower at Beit Ommar’s entrance. Dozens of
villagers, including activists with the Palestine Solidarity Project and
the National Committee, also came to the area to defend their village.
After a stand-off that lasted more than one hour, the Israeli Military
ordered the settlers to leave the village. On January 28th, 2011,
another group of settlers from Bat Ayn invaded the area shooting live
ammunition. 17-year-old Yousef Ikhlyal was shot in the head while
working on his family’s farmland. Yousef died of his wounds the
following day in a Hebron hospital. His killers have still not been
brought to justice.
http://palestinesolidarityproject.org/2011/02/14/
large-group-of-armed-settlers-attempts-to-enter-beit-ommar/
Palestinian Quarry Ordered to Close Due to Settler Action
A Palestinian quarry in Beit Fajjar, south of Bethlehem, is to close due to "enforcement activities" by the Israeli authorities.
http://www.imemc.org/article/60644
Settlers uproot olive tree saplings, IOF troops raid southern Gaza
Jewish settlers uprooted dozens of olive tree saplings in Beit Ummar
village, north of Al-Khalil, on Monday, local sources reported.
http://www.palestine-info.co.uk/En/default.aspx?xyz=U6Qq7
'Defense Ministry keeping lawmakers in the dark about West Bank construction laws'
Refusal to answer lawmakers' queries violates the law, Knesset research center says.
http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/defense-
ministry-keeping-lawmakers-in-the-dark-about-west-bank-construction-laws-1.343441
Violence and Aggression
Worker Injured By Army Fire In Gaza
Palestinian medical sources reported Monday that a worker was mildly
wounded by Israeli army fire near the northern border of the Gaza Strip.
http://www.imemc.org/article/60646
Detainees
Two 14-year-olds arrested in Bil'in
Feb 13, 2011-- On Saturday, Occupation forces arrested two young boys in
Bil’in. Mohammed Faisel al Khatib and Amir ‘Aiysi Yasin, both 14 years
old, were arrested by soldiers on the pretext that they were too close
to the Apartheid Wall.
http://stopthewall.org/latestnews/2474.shtml
Border Police Officers arrest 11-yr-old boy
Inside the Military Repression of Nabi Saleh: Arrest of Children from Joseph Dana on Vimeo.
This video was shot by a woman in the village of Nabi Saleh in the
Occupied West Bank, where the military's targeting of children has
become routine and a chief tactic of military repression. The video was
originally shared by Joseph Dana on +972 blog; you can read Dana's story here..
http://www.palestinemonitor.org/spip/spip.php?article1686
Voices from the Occupation - East Jerusalem
On 12 January 2011, Luai (15), from Silwan, voluntarily attended an
interview at Al Mascobiyya Interrogation Centre, and was detained.
http://www.dci-pal.org/english/doc/press/Voices_2011-02-14_Silwan.pdf
Hamas: 7 supporters detained by PA
BEHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- Hamas officials in the West Bank accused PA security
forces of arresting seven party members for political reasons, the
Islamist movement said in a statement Tuesday. The arrests were carried
out in the West Bank districts of Jenin, Nablus and Tubas, the
statement said.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=360187
Health of two detainees worsen due to torture by PA interrogators
The health of detainee Samer Jaber, 30, has deteriorated badly as a
result of his exposure to excruciating torture at the hands of
interrogators from the PA intelligence apparatus.
http://www.palestine-info.co.uk/En/default.aspx?xyz=U6Qq7k%2b
Najah Univ. professor: Megiddo prisoners coerced into strip seaches
Mohammed Ali al-Saleebi, a professor of law at the Al-Najah University,
marking his release from the Israeli Megiddo Prison told our
correspondent the prison was rife with heated searches.
http://www.palestine-info.co.uk/En/default.aspx?xyz=U6Qq7k%2bcOd
Mandela institution to file complaint against Israeli visit ban to prisoners
The Mandela institution has launched international contacts with the aim
of establishing a legal committee that would file a complaint against
Israel at international courts.
http://www.palestine-info.co.uk/En/default.aspx?xyz=U6Qq7k%2
Siege/Humanitarian Issues
Gazans hope for free border
The fall of the regime in Egypt has raised hopes in the Gaza Strip, as
Palestinians look for an easing of restrictions at the border. Before
Egypt's mass demonstrations began, it would allow up to 500 Gazans a day
to enter Egypt. But only patients, foreign passport holders and people
who had special co-ordination with Egyptian intelligence. The Rafah
crossing has been closed for the last few weeks and patients can not get
out of Gaza for treatment. Al Jazeera's Nicole Johnston reports from
Gaza.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-SlyCQ1iLs&feature=youtube_gdata
Up to 150 Palestinians stranded in Egypt
EL-ARISH, Egypt (Ma'an) -- A Palestinian stranded in the Egyptian city
of El-Arish said Monday that up to 150 Gaza residents were waiting for
the Rafah crossing to open to return to the Gaza Strip. Egyptian
authorities closed the Rafah border crossing when mass anti-government
protests erupted across Egypt in late January. The demonstrations led to
the ouster of veteran strongman Hosni Mubarak on Friday. Mubarak handed
power to the military, but the interim Egyptian government has yet to
reopen the border terminal.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=359988
Footage: army wakes children to photograph them
Israeli TV aired rare footage, filmed by B’Tselem volunteers, of a new
military method: soldiers enter homes in Nabi Saleh at night, waken
minors over the age of 10, photograph them and leave.
http://www.btselem.org/English/Video/20110214_
CDP_Army_photographs_and_arrests_Nabi_Saleh_minors_at_night.asp
Violations Bulletin - Issue 5 - January 2010
DCI-Palestine's monthly bulletin on child rights violations.
http://www.dci-pal.org/english/display.cfm?DocId=1789&CategoryId=1
The WHO: Gaza drug shortage a threat to survival of hospitals
The World Health Organization said a shortage of medicines required in
the Gaza Strip poses a threat to the survival of hospitals there.
http://www.palestine-info.co.uk/En/default.aspx?xyz=U6Qq7k%2bcOd87M
Racism and Discrimination
Knesset passes Bishara bill: 'There's a limit to the madness'
Bill meant to deny pension payments from MK who fled Israel after being
suspected of aiding Hezbollah passes final readings by 36-11 vote. MK
Barakeh: Legislation fueled by 'dark urges of lowly politicians'.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4028624,00.html
Activism/Solidarity/Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions
Release Ameer Makhoul and all Palestinian Political Prisoners Immediately!
Palestinian human rights defender Ameer Makhoul was sentenced to nine
years in prison. This is a capricious sentence based on a plea bargain
made after Ameer was abused.
http://www.alternativenews.org/english/index.php/topics/news/3299-
release-ameer-makhoul-and-all-palestinian-political-prisoners-immediately-
Commemorate Land Day 2011 by Joining the Global BDS Day of Action 30 March
Feb 12, 2011-- The BDS National Committee (BNC) is calling on you to
unite in your different capacities and struggles to join the Global BDS
Day of Action on Land Day, 30 March 2011, in solidarity with the
Palestinian people's right to self determination on their ancestral
land.
http://stopthewall.org/latestnews/2473.shtml
Biweekly Repression Update
Feb 14, 2011-- This update contains exerts from testimony gathered by
PCHR about the killing of Odai Qadous in Iraq Burin. Over this period,
two youth were killed by settlers in Beit Ummar and Iraq Burin. Arrests
in protesting villages continued to rise this week, with 9 arrested in
Beit Ummar, 3 in al Nabi Saleh and 3 in Bil’in, as Occupation forces
target village youth in an attempt to weaken the weekly protests.
http://stopthewall.org/latestnews/2475.shtml
Weekly Anti-Wall Protest Update - February 11
Feb 13, 2011-- Large demonstration in Ni’lin in solidarity with the
Egyptian revolution. Bil’in remembers its martyrs, and al Nabi Saleh
protests despite military orders. Popular committee in al Ma’sara calls
for the activation of the popular resistance across the West Bank.
Injuries from tear gas canisters reported in several villages. [MORE]
http://stopthewall.org/latestnews/2476.shtml
Solidarity visit to striking municipal employees in Jenin
Feb 15, 2011-- Stop the Wall organized a solidarity visit to municipal
workers in the Jenin governorate who have been on strike for the past
consecutive weeks, and on hunger strike for the past three days. Workers
are demanding that the Ministry of Local Government, along with the
head and the council of the Jenin Municipality commit an interpretation
of the law governing local bodies that guarantees employees and workers
stable employment and dignified living.
http://stopthewall.org/latestnews/2479.shtml
Beit Ommar Demonstrators Protest Settlers, Vow Solidarity With Egypt
On February 12, 2011, Beit Ommar villagers, supported by Israeli and
international solidarity activists, surprised the Israeli military by
demonstrating in a different area near the settlement of Karmei Tsur.
The area chosen is closest to where Israeli settlers are building new
houses on land that legally belongs to Beit Ommar farmers. This week
Beit Ommar residents were joined by representatives from popular
committees throughout the West Bank, including the villages of An-Nabi
Saleh, Hebron, Susiya and Towana.
http://palestinesolidarityproject.org/2011/02/14/
beit-ommar-demonstrators-protest-settlers-vow-solidarity-with-egypt/
Solidarity with the Egyptian and Tunisian revolutions in Bethlehem
Feb 15, 2011-- On Sunday, nearly one hundred Palestinians gathered
Manger Square to stand in solidarity with Egyptian and Tunisian
revolutions, and current movements in Yemen and Algeria. Participants
carried Palestinian, Egyptian and Tunisian flags and shouted slogans for
the victory of the two revolutions, haling the great accomplishments
that have been achieved by both Egyptians and Tunisians.
http://stopthewall.org/latestnews/2477.shtml
Report from Sheikh Jarrah’s 65th weekly demo
It took the Planning Committee of the Jerusalem City Council less than
fifteen minutes to approve plans for the next wave of evictions in
Sheikh Jarrah. We knew it was coming. Six large Palestinian
families—some fifty souls– are to be expelled from their homes, the
houses will be demolished, and thirteen apartment units will then be
built for Israeli settlers. We know the families, we know the
neighborhood, and we know the meaning and intention of this move, a
further step in the ethnic cleansing the government is intent on
carrying through in Sheikh Jarrah. They probably feel that this moment,
with all eyes focused on Egypt, is a good time to act. Some 90,000
housing units for Jews have been built in Jerusalem on private
Palestinian land, taken over for this purpose. More are coming.
http://theonlydemocracy.org/2011/02/report-from-sheikh-jarrahs-65th-weekly-demo/
Interview
with Omar Barghouti and Hind Awwad about the growing Palestinian
Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaign against Israel.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugpFZpC36Zk&feature=player_embedded
#BDS: Largest Brazilian Trade Union backs Boycott!
"In an important gain for the global movement for boycott, divestment
and sanctions (BDS) campaign against Israel, Brazil’s largest Trade
Union Confederation (CUT), voiced its support of the BDS call and called
for the suspension of Israeli-Brazilian economic agreements and
military ties on January 28.
http://youthanormalization.blogspot.com/2011/02/bds-largest-brazilian-trade-union-backs.html
#BDS: Cultural boycott of Israel taking hold in S Africa
"Despite complaints. 5fm which is run by the state broadcaster, the SABC
decided to continue airing the advert, saying it was treating it as any
other advertising. It would not however discuss details of the
complaints it received or from whom exactly.
http://youthanormalization.blogspot.com/2011/02/bds-cultural-boycott-of-israel-taking.html
#BDS: EU-Israel Data-Sharing Plan Condemned
"The Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) today condemned the
decision of the European Commission which stated that “Israel provides
an adequate level of protection of personal data”, thus giving the green
light for “the transfer of personal data of EU citizens to Israel”.
http://youthanormalization.blogspot.com/2011/02/bds-eu-israel-data-sharing-plan.html
#BDS: The Boycott VEOLIA Campaign
"The campaign against Veolia is intensifying. This follows the Russell
Tribunal on Palestine findings that Veolia is liable for serious
violations of international human rights and humanitarian law. There is
an added urgency because Local Authorities in both South and North
London are currently considering Veolia for major contracts.
http://youthanormalization.blogspot.com/2011/02/bds-boycott-veolia-campaign.html
#BDS: Resisting Pinkwashing: Queers Won’t Hide Israel’s Dirty Laundry
While
emphasizing the thriving gay community in cities such as Tel Aviv in
order to portray Israel as an oasis of gay freedom and democracy in the
Middle East, Israel advocacy groups use colonialist language to suggest
that Israel is surrounded by “backwards” homophobic, uncivilized Arabs,
including Palestinians. Blaming “fundamentalist Islamic beliefs,” groups
such as Stand With Us (SWU), a Right Wing Israeli advocacy
organization highlights the violence that gay Palestinians face from their families and authorities in Palestine. Of course, they never mention the violence all Palestinians, whatever their sexual orientation, face from the Israeli government."
http://youthanormalization.blogspot.com/2011/02/bds-resisting-pinkwashing-queers-wont.html
#BDS: AHAVA: STOP BREAKING PALESTINIAN HEARTS!
"On Saturday 12 February, boycott campaigners staged a Valentine’s Day
picket outside Ahava. Shop staff quickly called the police and displayed
a closed sign thus even further discouraging custom during the time we
were there. Many people were attracted to our brightly coloured broken
heart-shaped signs that read “Ahava: Stop Breaking Palestinian Hearts”,
“Settlements are Heartless”, “Apartheid is Heartless” and ”Occupation is
Heartless”.
http://youthanormalization.blogspot.com/2011/02/bds-ahava-stop-breaking-palestinian.html
Israeli activists urge international artists to boycott Eilat music festival
Activists argue that if the festival takes place as planned, it will help Israel present an image of normalcy.
http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/
israeli-activists-urge-international-artists-to-boycott-eilat-music-festival-1.343451
US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation, "Obama Gives Israel Too Much Love in Valentine's Day Budget"
The US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation today criticized the Obama
Administration for giving Israel "too much love" in its FY2012 budget
request to Congress. The budget request, delivered today to Capitol
Hill, contains a record-breaking $3.075 billion in military aid to
Israel. . . . The US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation is
organizing a multi-year campaign to end U.S. military aid to Israel. On
its interactive web site, www.aidtoisrael.org,
users can view how much money their cities, counties, Congressional
districts, and states provide in military aid to Israel, and determine
how much health care, education, housing and jobs training this money
could purchase instead.
http://mrzine.monthlyreview.org/2011/israel140211.html
Political Developments/News
US military chief reassures Israel after Egypt revolt
JERUSALEM (AFP) -- The top US military commander reassured Israeli
leaders on Monday that military ties between the allies remain as strong
as ever in the face of the changes sweeping the Middle East.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=360145
'Dysfunctional' Palestinian cabinet resigns
The Palestinian cabinet resigned yesterday, in an apparent attempt by
President Mahmoud Abbas to demonstrate political reform after the
uprising in Egypt. The shake-up could bolster Mr Abbas's standing among
Palestinians, dissatisfied with a cabinet regarded as dysfunctional.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/
dysfunctional-palestinian-cabinet-resigns-2215077.html
Analysis: PA cabinet changes show Abbas is freaking out
The PA president is worried that the tsunami that swept the Tunisian and Egyptian presidents from office could hit Ramallah.
http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=208186
Palestinians to wind up peace talks unit after leaks (AFP)
AFP - The Palestine Liberation Organisation has decided to wind up its
Negotiations Support Unit after damaging leaks about the concessions it
was prepared to make to Israel, an official told AFP on Monday.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110214/wl_mideast_afp/israelpalestinianspeacejazeera
Ashkenazi: Israel must be careful with its assessments of the Arab world
Speaking just after he stepped down as IDF chief, Ashkenazi says he is
worried by the weakening status of moderate leaders in the region.
http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/ashkenazi-israel-
must-be-careful-with-its-assessments-of-the-arab-world-1.343425
Establishing sovereign Palestinian state non-negotiable right: Jordan FM
AMMAN, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Jordan on Monday stressed that the creation
of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state is a non-negotiable
right that will lead to attaining security in the region and the world.
Jordan's Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh stressed in a press conference
with his Italian counterpart Franco Frattini Monday the importance of
creating an independent Palestinian state at the borders of 1967 with
east Jerusalem as its capital.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-02/15/c_13731992.htm
FM to Ashton: First solve Iran problem, then Palestinians
Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman told visiting EU Foreign Policy Chief
Catherine Ashton on Tuesday that "the main problem at present, in the
Middle East, in the world, is the problem of Iran."
http://www.jpost.com/Headlines/Article.aspx?id=208325
Other News
Gaza’s Mubarak hospital to be renamed ‘Tahrir’
GAZA CITY, Palestinian Territories — A major Gaza hospital named after
Hosni Mubarak is to be rebaptised “Tahrir” after the Cairo square at the
centre of the uprising which felled the Egyptian leader. “The Mubarak
hospital for children in Khan Yunis is to be renamed Tahrir hospital in
honour of the Egyptian revolution in Tahrir Square,” Yussef al-Mudallah,
director general of the Hamas-run health ministry, told AFP. The
hospital, one of the biggest in southern Gaza, was named after Mubarak
in honour of the close ties between the Palestinian Authority and the
Egyptian regime. The Egyptian president was driven out on Friday after
18 days of mass civilian protests, in a move welcomed by Gaza’s Hamas
rulers and celebrated across the enclave. The epicentre of the protest
movement was Cairo’s Tahrir — “Liberation” in English — Square.
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticleNew.asp?col=§ion=middleeast&
xfile=data/middleeast/2011/February/middleeast_February535.xml
In
Gaza today a Governmental decision decrees the changing of the name of
Mubarak Hospital in Khan Younis city to Tahrir "Liberation" Hospital.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=555579&id=119275738102852
PA agrees to pay compensation for death of Jewish settlers
The Palestinian Authority has agreed to compensate the families of two
Jewish settlers killed in a resistance operation 15 years ago, Israeli
Radio said Tuesday.
http://www.palestine-info.co.uk/En/default.aspx?xyz=U6Qq7k%2bc
NGOs call for press freedom in Palestine
RAMALLAH (Ma'an) -- A group of 17 Palestinian non-profit and civil
society groups announced the formation of a "coalition to defend freedom
of expression" in Palestinian areas, a statement said Monday. Press
freedoms were at the "top of the agenda," and would be strengthened
through a series of "initiatives to achieve its goals," according to the
statement, which did not go into detail.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=359984
Lebanon
Israel increases activity on Blue Line, breaches Lebanese airspace: reports
BEIRUT: Israel ratcheted up its activities close to the Blue Line
Monday, violating Lebanese airspace, according to reports from the
south. Reports also suggested Israel was bolstering its border patrols
in the region from which two of its soldiers were abducted by Hezbollah
in 2006, sparking the devastating month-long war which followed.
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=1&article_id=124907
West cannot be counted on for justice: Jumblatt
BEIRUT: Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblatt warned
parties against relying on the international community to support
justice and freedom as he hailed Egypt's popular uprising that led to
the fall of President Hosni Mubarak's regime.
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=1&article_id=124911 |
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