Jewish Journal - report on J Street Conference
...The Obama administration seemed to have a different message for the group: We have your back.
Debating pro-Israel money
It’s not every day that two Jewish congressmen politely debate whether Jewish political contributions control U.S. policy in the Middle East.... Rep. Bob Filner (D-Calif.) told the story of voting against a 1994 resolution condemning the hateful and anti-Semitic speech of Khalid Abdul Muhammad, at the time a top lieutenant of Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan. Filner said he couldn’t condemn the speech because of the First Amendment—“How can Jews survive without the First Amendment?” he asked—and was the only Jewish member of Congress to vote against it.
Filner said the vote hurt him among Jewish supporters, costing him $250,000 in contributions per election cycle.
“That kind of money is an intimidating factor. I raised a lot less money in succeeding years, but my conscience was cleared,” he said to huge applause.
As the discussion among Filner and Reps. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), Jared Polis (D-Colo.) and Charles Boustany (R-La.) continued, Polis cautioned that “we need to be careful to not give cover” to those “who think there is a Jewish conspiracy” to control U.S. foreign policy. Filner retorted by citing two members of the Congressional Black Caucus—Earl Hilliard of Alabama and Cynthia McKinney of Georgia—who were defeated with the help of pro-Israel donors.
“That intimidates people,” Filner said.
Polis responded by saying that the pro-Israel lobby is no different than any other single-issue interest group in American politics, from labor unions to low-tax proponents like the Club for Growth to supporters of gun rights.
“This is not unique to American politics,” Polis said about the pro-Israel lobby. “Nor is this even one of the most influential groups in either of the parties.”
But Filner persisted, arguing as an example that labor unions were at least providing health benefits for the members—but on Israel, members of Congress “are taking positions that can lead to war” based only on how it affects their campaign coffers. Full story
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Mel Levine: Obama “Well Understands”
From left: Bruce Herschensohn, Steven Spiegel, Mel LevineJewish Journal - former congressman Mel Levine (D-CA) at J Street conference
Let me begin with a candid personal statement and an acknowledgement of my own point of view, or personal reference point.
What has driven my involvement in Middle East issues throughout my adult life has been my commitment to work for Israel’s security and survival [ie. not for American interests and principles]. To anyone familiar with my legislative record, this will come as no surprise.
...For those of us who care deeply about Israel’s future, nothing less than achieving the two state solution will enable Israel to attain its most important national security objectives...
...One of my most treasured possessions is a letter I received from then Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin on my retirement from Congress, thanking me for my effective support for Israel. Full story
Jerusalem: Israeli forces raid evicted family's tent
Ma'an
Israeli police raided and dismantled on Wednesday a sidewalk tent set up by a Palestinian family evicted by Israeli orders from their East Jerusalem home in August.
....The Al-Ghawis were one of two families from the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of East Jerusalem forcibly evicted, whose homes were then handed over to Israeli settlers. More than 50 members of the two extended families were thrown into the street.
The Al-Ghawi and Al-Hanoun families have been sleeping in the street near their former homes ever since the incident while they petition to be returned to their homes.
The international community condemned the evictions, which took place a few blocks from the consulates of the UK, US, and other world powers. Full story
Israeli police raided and dismantled on Wednesday a sidewalk tent set up by a Palestinian family evicted by Israeli orders from their East Jerusalem home in August.
....The Al-Ghawis were one of two families from the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of East Jerusalem forcibly evicted, whose homes were then handed over to Israeli settlers. More than 50 members of the two extended families were thrown into the street.
The Al-Ghawi and Al-Hanoun families have been sleeping in the street near their former homes ever since the incident while they petition to be returned to their homes.
The international community condemned the evictions, which took place a few blocks from the consulates of the UK, US, and other world powers. Full story
EU renews permits for Nativity Church deportees
Ma'an
European Union foreign ministers will extend residence permits for Palestinians deported after the 2002 siege of the Church of the Nativity, the EU announced on Tuesday.
The EU foreign ministers made the decision at a meeting on common foreign policy in Brussels, the sixth time the permits have been renewed.
In 2002 European states agreed to take in 13 Palestinian men as part of a deal that ended a weeks-long standoff at the Bethlehem church, where Palestinian fighters took refuge from an Israeli military incursion. Other fighters involved in the incident were sent into exile in Gaza, where most remain. Full story
European Union foreign ministers will extend residence permits for Palestinians deported after the 2002 siege of the Church of the Nativity, the EU announced on Tuesday.
The EU foreign ministers made the decision at a meeting on common foreign policy in Brussels, the sixth time the permits have been renewed.
In 2002 European states agreed to take in 13 Palestinian men as part of a deal that ended a weeks-long standoff at the Bethlehem church, where Palestinian fighters took refuge from an Israeli military incursion. Other fighters involved in the incident were sent into exile in Gaza, where most remain. Full story
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Only Jews deserve dignity?
Kibush - YNET
Shulamit Aloni slams decision not to indict Border Guard officers who abused Arabs
On a hot summer day, two Border Guard police officers walked around the holy city of Jerusalem without any particular mission. At one point they decided that it would proper to prove their authority and respectful position to themselves and to the Palestinians. The officers proceeded to nab two Palestinians, yelled at them, and demanded that they salute “their majesties” numerous times.
Next, they made them face a wall [with their arms and legs pulled apart and got on with the task of displaying the beauty the power of Israeli police. They] pulled out a camera, in case their colleagues won’t believe them. They beat the Palestinians on their head and nape time and again, they lifted their shirts, removed their pants, continued to hit them, kicked them in the rear-end, and showed these Arabs [Arabushim (a derogatory term equivalent to “towelheads”) as the Minister in charge of the police called them] how strong they are and how loyal they are to their job as the Jewish Border Guard.
And so, these police officers continued to take pleasure in abusing, beating up, humiliating, and photographing it. They did this until they got tired, and then, satisfied and gleeful, decided to let their victims go.
Such abuse, which is accompanied by photos and glee, must not be disregarded. A representative of the victims turned to the State Prosecutor’s Office and demanded to bring the honorable Border Guard officers to justice on charges of abuse, humiliation, and assault.
Given the photographs and testimonies, these “heroes” indeed deserve to be put on trial for the offenses they committed: Misuse of authority and assault, which carry a prison term of two years or more. Moreover, there are suspicions that additional offences were committed in terms of physical and emotional abuse, as well as acts that border on sexual abuse.
Extraordinary response
Yet here we were surprised: The State Prosecutor decided not to look into the matter. The response was so impressive that it would be proper to distribute in on posters, so everyone will see and know.
According to State Prosecutor’s Office, the materials available in the case, including the videos, indeed show “improper conduct” on the part of the police officers. However, as the case in question involved very light beating that caused no real damage, prosecutors found no basis for intervention, leaving the matter to be treated by the police’s internal affairs unit. Full story
Shulamit Aloni slams decision not to indict Border Guard officers who abused Arabs
On a hot summer day, two Border Guard police officers walked around the holy city of Jerusalem without any particular mission. At one point they decided that it would proper to prove their authority and respectful position to themselves and to the Palestinians. The officers proceeded to nab two Palestinians, yelled at them, and demanded that they salute “their majesties” numerous times.
Next, they made them face a wall [with their arms and legs pulled apart and got on with the task of displaying the beauty the power of Israeli police. They] pulled out a camera, in case their colleagues won’t believe them. They beat the Palestinians on their head and nape time and again, they lifted their shirts, removed their pants, continued to hit them, kicked them in the rear-end, and showed these Arabs [Arabushim (a derogatory term equivalent to “towelheads”) as the Minister in charge of the police called them] how strong they are and how loyal they are to their job as the Jewish Border Guard.
And so, these police officers continued to take pleasure in abusing, beating up, humiliating, and photographing it. They did this until they got tired, and then, satisfied and gleeful, decided to let their victims go.
Such abuse, which is accompanied by photos and glee, must not be disregarded. A representative of the victims turned to the State Prosecutor’s Office and demanded to bring the honorable Border Guard officers to justice on charges of abuse, humiliation, and assault.
Given the photographs and testimonies, these “heroes” indeed deserve to be put on trial for the offenses they committed: Misuse of authority and assault, which carry a prison term of two years or more. Moreover, there are suspicions that additional offences were committed in terms of physical and emotional abuse, as well as acts that border on sexual abuse.
Extraordinary response
Yet here we were surprised: The State Prosecutor decided not to look into the matter. The response was so impressive that it would be proper to distribute in on posters, so everyone will see and know.
According to State Prosecutor’s Office, the materials available in the case, including the videos, indeed show “improper conduct” on the part of the police officers. However, as the case in question involved very light beating that caused no real damage, prosecutors found no basis for intervention, leaving the matter to be treated by the police’s internal affairs unit. Full story
Daily Situation Report: Oct. 25, 2009
PMG
Israeli occupation forces
Israeli occupation forces
- conducted 19 raids into Palestinian territory
- detained kidnapped people
- confiscated property
- injured 8 civilians
- conducted 3 attacks against Palestinians, burning olive trees
- fired a mortar toward the border with Israel Full report
Israeli police arrest Greek diplomat in Sheikh Jarrah
Palsolidarity
On Monday 26 October 2009 at 4pm, a group of about 40 – 50 international and Israeli citizens, taking part in a tour organised by the Alternative Information Centre visited the Palestinian neighbourhood of Sheikh Jarrah. They gathered outside of the house of the Gawi family which was recently forcefully evicted from their house, only for it to be taken over by settlers.
On Monday 26 October 2009 at 4pm, a group of about 40 – 50 international and Israeli citizens, taking part in a tour organised by the Alternative Information Centre visited the Palestinian neighbourhood of Sheikh Jarrah. They gathered outside of the house of the Gawi family which was recently forcefully evicted from their house, only for it to be taken over by settlers.
Israeli police units summoned by the settlers occupying the Gawi family house, arrived at the scene and responded to what they claimed was an illegal demonstration by clearly disproportionate violence. In an attempt to disperse the crowd, the police arrested four participants of the tour – an Israeli rabbi, Yehiel Grenimann from Rabbis for Human Rights, a Greek diplomat, Tina Strikou and two international activists.
...Background
The Gawi and Hannoun families, consisting of 53 members including 20 children, have been left homeless after they were forcibly evicted from their houses on 2 August 2009. The Israeli forces surrounded the homes of the two families at 5.30am and, breaking in through the windows, forcefully dragged all residents into the street. Full story
Israeli military negligence again exposes young Palestinian children to threat of attack from Israeli settlers
Palsolidarity
On Tuesday 27 October 2009, Palestinian school children from the villages of Tuba and Maghayir Al Abeed did not attend school in At-Tuwani due to threat of violence from Israeli settlers from the Israeli settlement of Ma’on and the illegal Israeli outpost of Havat Ma’on. Internationals from Christian Peacemaker Teams and Operation Dove made repeated calls to the Israeli military, who were mandated by the Israeli Knesset to escort the children from Tuba and Maghayir Al Abeed to the area school in At-Tuwani. After waiting forty five minutes for the Israeli military to arrive, the children and the internationals began walking a longer route to school at 8:15 am, fifteen minutes after the start of the school day. However, four adult Israeli settlers, one masked and armed with a slingshot, in addition to settlers in a pickup truck, blocked their way. Full story
On Tuesday 27 October 2009, Palestinian school children from the villages of Tuba and Maghayir Al Abeed did not attend school in At-Tuwani due to threat of violence from Israeli settlers from the Israeli settlement of Ma’on and the illegal Israeli outpost of Havat Ma’on. Internationals from Christian Peacemaker Teams and Operation Dove made repeated calls to the Israeli military, who were mandated by the Israeli Knesset to escort the children from Tuba and Maghayir Al Abeed to the area school in At-Tuwani. After waiting forty five minutes for the Israeli military to arrive, the children and the internationals began walking a longer route to school at 8:15 am, fifteen minutes after the start of the school day. However, four adult Israeli settlers, one masked and armed with a slingshot, in addition to settlers in a pickup truck, blocked their way. Full story
Lawyers in EU draw up list of alleged IDF war criminals
Ha'aretz
Human rights lawyers and pro-Palestinian activists in a number of European countries hold lists with names of Israel Defense Forces soldiers allegedly linked to war crimes committed during Operation Cast Lead in the Gaza Strip. Existing legislation enables arrest warrants to be issued against these officers if they enter those countries.
...The other nations who have lawyers collecting information on the matter include the Netherlands, Spain, Belgium and Norway, whose laws, as well as Britain's, allow the issuance of arrest warrants against foreign citizens suspected of war crimes...
...a small number of names of IDF officers is already on a British police watch list, and that when they arrive in Britain the authorities will issue an arrest warrant that will lead to their possible detention.
...The IDF did not wish to specify the instructions it has given to officers before they travel abroad. In practice, many of the officers who participated in the Gaza operation have been asked to consult with legal experts at the Foreign Ministry, where they are instructed how to behave abroad and where they need to lower the profile of their identity; in some cases they are advised not to visit certain countries. Full story
Human rights lawyers and pro-Palestinian activists in a number of European countries hold lists with names of Israel Defense Forces soldiers allegedly linked to war crimes committed during Operation Cast Lead in the Gaza Strip. Existing legislation enables arrest warrants to be issued against these officers if they enter those countries.
...The other nations who have lawyers collecting information on the matter include the Netherlands, Spain, Belgium and Norway, whose laws, as well as Britain's, allow the issuance of arrest warrants against foreign citizens suspected of war crimes...
...a small number of names of IDF officers is already on a British police watch list, and that when they arrive in Britain the authorities will issue an arrest warrant that will lead to their possible detention.
...The IDF did not wish to specify the instructions it has given to officers before they travel abroad. In practice, many of the officers who participated in the Gaza operation have been asked to consult with legal experts at the Foreign Ministry, where they are instructed how to behave abroad and where they need to lower the profile of their identity; in some cases they are advised not to visit certain countries. Full story
Rights group: Israel exploits and cheats foreign workers
Ha'aretz
About 30,000 migrant workers hired by farms in Israel pay thousands of dollars to middlemen for their jobs but earn less than the minimum wage and are cheated out of overtime, according to an Israeli rights group report.
The rights group Kav LaOved says the workers come mostly from Thailand but also Nepal, Sri Lanka and the Palestinian Territories. Full story
About 30,000 migrant workers hired by farms in Israel pay thousands of dollars to middlemen for their jobs but earn less than the minimum wage and are cheated out of overtime, according to an Israeli rights group report.
The rights group Kav LaOved says the workers come mostly from Thailand but also Nepal, Sri Lanka and the Palestinian Territories. Full story
Israeli mogul Gaydamak sentenced to jail in France for gun-running
Ha'aretz
A French court on Tuesday sentenced Russian-born Israeli mogul Arcadi Gaydamak, who is also a French citizen, to six years in prison and a five million euro fine for his role in illegal arms deals in the 1990s.
Gaydamak was being tried in the affair alongside another 40 suspects, including ministers, government clerks and other well-known public figures in France. Full story
A French court on Tuesday sentenced Russian-born Israeli mogul Arcadi Gaydamak, who is also a French citizen, to six years in prison and a five million euro fine for his role in illegal arms deals in the 1990s.
Gaydamak was being tried in the affair alongside another 40 suspects, including ministers, government clerks and other well-known public figures in France. Full story
The Danger of Towing the Line Behind Israel
CounterPunch - Bouthaina Shaaban
...Had scholars found the time to examine Israeli racist statements against Arabs, they would have been surprised by the volume, implications and objectives of such statements which express deep hatred.
The latest of these statements was made by Dan Schueftan, a lecturer in Tel Aviv University in a special course for high ranking officials at political and security institutions, when he said:
...Had scholars found the time to examine Israeli racist statements against Arabs, they would have been surprised by the volume, implications and objectives of such statements which express deep hatred.
The latest of these statements was made by Dan Schueftan, a lecturer in Tel Aviv University in a special course for high ranking officials at political and security institutions, when he said:
“The Arabs are the biggest failure in the history of the human race. There’s nothing under the sun that’s more screwed up than the Palestinians. And those who do not say so subject themselves to miserable political correctness (October 21, 2009).”...I refer readers to the lecture given by Avi Dechter, the Israeli security minister on September 4, 2008, when he said:
On the Iran-Iraq war, Schueftan says that it was “seven years of pure pleasure!”
“No one can deny that we have achieved a lot on this arena (Iraq). We have even achieved more than we planned for. We should recall what we wanted to achieve from the beginning of our intervention in Iraq since the early 1970s. Our strategic goal is still not allowing this country to restore its Arab and regional role because we are the first to be affected. We are trying to keep Iraq outside the circle of Arab countries. We are negotiating with the Americans to prevent Iraq from ever returning to the position of being in confrontation with Israel. The American administration is keen on securing our interests and providing these guarantees through different means. Our overriding equation in our strategic movement in Iraq is based on undermining Arab capacities in the main Arab countries in order to achieve national security for Israel”.He adds:
“Iraq is disintegrating as a military power and united country. Our strategic objective is to keep it divided. Neutralizing Iraq by maintaining its current condition is of special strategic significance to Zionist security”. Full story
Israel demolishes Palestinian houses in east Jerusalem
AFP
Israel on Tuesday razed five Palestinian houses in occupied east Jerusalem, defying international calls to halt the demolitions in the disputed city, the municipality said.
...The international community has never recognised Israel's claim to east Jerusalem, which the Palestinians want as the capital of their future state. Full story
Israel on Tuesday razed five Palestinian houses in occupied east Jerusalem, defying international calls to halt the demolitions in the disputed city, the municipality said.
...The international community has never recognised Israel's claim to east Jerusalem, which the Palestinians want as the capital of their future state. Full story
Palestinians Behind Bars with No Recourse to Justice
IMEMC - By Christoph Schult — Spiegel.de
Hundreds of Palestinians are kept behind bars in Israel without charges having been filed and with no access to a fair trial. Not even their lawyers are allowed to look at the evidence. Some governments in the West have expressed their concern, but the Israelis haven't budged.
The cell is only a few square meters in size and there are no windows. A mattress lies on the floor; a hole in the floor for prisoners' needs, cynically called a "Turkish toilet" is next to it.
Mohammed Othman has been held in Kishon Detention Center in northern Israel for almost a month. But neither he nor his lawyer knows exactly what he is being accused of. Othman is locked up as an administrative detainee -- called Maazar Minhali in Hebrew -- and is one of around 335 Palestinians currently in the same position.
According to a report from the human rights organization B'Tselem, more than a third of such administrative detainees remain behind bars for longer than six months, a further third longer than a year. Eight percent stay locked up for at least two years. The Israeli army has confirmed the numbers, but emphasizes that they have been dropping in recent years. Full story
Hundreds of Palestinians are kept behind bars in Israel without charges having been filed and with no access to a fair trial. Not even their lawyers are allowed to look at the evidence. Some governments in the West have expressed their concern, but the Israelis haven't budged.
The cell is only a few square meters in size and there are no windows. A mattress lies on the floor; a hole in the floor for prisoners' needs, cynically called a "Turkish toilet" is next to it.
Mohammed Othman has been held in Kishon Detention Center in northern Israel for almost a month. But neither he nor his lawyer knows exactly what he is being accused of. Othman is locked up as an administrative detainee -- called Maazar Minhali in Hebrew -- and is one of around 335 Palestinians currently in the same position.
According to a report from the human rights organization B'Tselem, more than a third of such administrative detainees remain behind bars for longer than six months, a further third longer than a year. Eight percent stay locked up for at least two years. The Israeli army has confirmed the numbers, but emphasizes that they have been dropping in recent years. Full story
The Invisible Soldiers
Forward
In many Jewish communities, it’s easier to name an American serving in the Israel Defense Forces than in our own military...
...Now the volunteer armed forces are filled mostly with Protestants from middle America. Officially, just 4,677 of the 1.47 million currently in the active military identify themselves as Jewish. Experts say that the true number is more than twice that amount...
An even greater problem is that military sacrifice in Iraq, Afghanistan or elsewhere is not equally shared by all Americans. While the representation of disadvantaged minority groups in the armed forces has decreased in the last decade, and the educational level of new recruits has increased, those who serve are not reflective of the nation as a whole when it comes to geography, race and class. In this sense, the Jewish disconnect is not unusual. After all, only a handful of members of Congress have sons or daughters on active duty. Full story
In many Jewish communities, it’s easier to name an American serving in the Israel Defense Forces than in our own military...
...Now the volunteer armed forces are filled mostly with Protestants from middle America. Officially, just 4,677 of the 1.47 million currently in the active military identify themselves as Jewish. Experts say that the true number is more than twice that amount...
An even greater problem is that military sacrifice in Iraq, Afghanistan or elsewhere is not equally shared by all Americans. While the representation of disadvantaged minority groups in the armed forces has decreased in the last decade, and the educational level of new recruits has increased, those who serve are not reflective of the nation as a whole when it comes to geography, race and class. In this sense, the Jewish disconnect is not unusual. After all, only a handful of members of Congress have sons or daughters on active duty. Full story
[Israeli] Deputy FM doesn’t fear UK arrest threats
YNET
VIDEO - Deputy Foreign Minister Daniel Ayalon has decided to continue his visit to London despite a warning that an arrest warrant may be issued against him, Ynet learned Tuesday evening.
VIDEO - Deputy Foreign Minister Daniel Ayalon has decided to continue his visit to London despite a warning that an arrest warrant may be issued against him, Ynet learned Tuesday evening.
The Israeli Embassy in the British capital received a warning on Monday that a request had been filed to issue an arrest warrant against the Israeli official. The embassy informed the deputy foreign minister, who is in Britain on a visit as part of Israel's public relations efforts. Full story
State Dept.: Israel still discriminates against non-Jews
Ma'an
Israel continues to discriminate against its religious minorities legally, financially and culturally, according to a US State Department review on worldwide religious freedom released on Monday.
In its 2009 International Religious Freedom Report, the department said that despite last year's documentation of Israel's prejudice against minorities, the "status of respect for religious freedoms by the Government was unchanged during the reporting period."
..."Non-Jewish holy sites do not enjoy legal protection under it because the Government does not recognize them as official holy sites." Full story
State Department - International Religious Freedom Report 2009
Israel continues to discriminate against its religious minorities legally, financially and culturally, according to a US State Department review on worldwide religious freedom released on Monday.
In its 2009 International Religious Freedom Report, the department said that despite last year's documentation of Israel's prejudice against minorities, the "status of respect for religious freedoms by the Government was unchanged during the reporting period."
..."Non-Jewish holy sites do not enjoy legal protection under it because the Government does not recognize them as official holy sites." Full story
State Department - International Religious Freedom Report 2009
Israeli task force to formulate Goldstone counterattack, PR strategy
Ma'an
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu initiated the creation of a task force with the mandate of accruing suggestions for countermeasures against the UN-mandated Goldstone report and its allegations of war crimes committed by Israeli forces, media sources reported Tuesday.
...The team of professionals is also expected to put together public relations strategies to mitigate international attention to the 1,400 Palestinians killed by Israeli forces during the 22-day offensive, Haaretz reported. Full story
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu initiated the creation of a task force with the mandate of accruing suggestions for countermeasures against the UN-mandated Goldstone report and its allegations of war crimes committed by Israeli forces, media sources reported Tuesday.
...The team of professionals is also expected to put together public relations strategies to mitigate international attention to the 1,400 Palestinians killed by Israeli forces during the 22-day offensive, Haaretz reported. Full story
Israeli forces detain four minors, three young men in WB raids
Ma'an
At least seven Palestinians were detained by Israeli forces in the West Bank on Tuesday, officials in the Palestinian police confirmed. Full story
At least seven Palestinians were detained by Israeli forces in the West Bank on Tuesday, officials in the Palestinian police confirmed. Full story
Israel's desert prison inmates face night raids, solitary confinement
Ma'an
Sixty five of the 750 Palestinians detained in Israel's Nafha, or Negev, prison are in solitary confinement, lawyer with the Detainees Society Ala Abu Sitteh reported Tuesday following a visit to the facility. Full story
Sixty five of the 750 Palestinians detained in Israel's Nafha, or Negev, prison are in solitary confinement, lawyer with the Detainees Society Ala Abu Sitteh reported Tuesday following a visit to the facility. Full story
Contaminated water causes illness near Bethlehem
Ma'an
A mounting number of Battir village residents are being confirmed with parasites, local medical officials said Tuesday, blaming contaminated drinking water for the now more than 70 cases. Full story
A mounting number of Battir village residents are being confirmed with parasites, local medical officials said Tuesday, blaming contaminated drinking water for the now more than 70 cases. Full story
Amnesty: Israel denying Palestinians' water rights
Ma'an
Israel is denying Palestinians the right to sufficient water through discriminatory policies, the human rights group Amnesty International said in a report released on Tuesday.
“Israel allows the Palestinians access to only a fraction of the shared water resources, which lie mostly in the occupied West Bank, while the unlawful Israeli settlements there receive virtually unlimited supplies,” said Donatella Rovera, Amnesty’s researcher on Israel and the Palestinian territories in a statement.
“In Gaza the Israeli blockade has made an already dire situation worse,” she added.
...Some 180,000-200,000 Palestinians living in rural communities have no access to running water and the Israeli army often prevents them from even collecting rainwater.
“In contrast, Israeli settlers, who live in the West Bank in violation of international law, have intensive-irrigation farms, lush gardens and swimming pools,” Amnesty said in a statement announcing the release of the report. Full story
Amnesty Report
Israel is denying Palestinians the right to sufficient water through discriminatory policies, the human rights group Amnesty International said in a report released on Tuesday.
“Israel allows the Palestinians access to only a fraction of the shared water resources, which lie mostly in the occupied West Bank, while the unlawful Israeli settlements there receive virtually unlimited supplies,” said Donatella Rovera, Amnesty’s researcher on Israel and the Palestinian territories in a statement.
“In Gaza the Israeli blockade has made an already dire situation worse,” she added.
...Some 180,000-200,000 Palestinians living in rural communities have no access to running water and the Israeli army often prevents them from even collecting rainwater.
“In contrast, Israeli settlers, who live in the West Bank in violation of international law, have intensive-irrigation farms, lush gardens and swimming pools,” Amnesty said in a statement announcing the release of the report. Full story
Amnesty Report
UN official: Israel must end Gaza blockade
Ma'an
Israel must immediately open its borders with the Gaza Strip in order to ease Palestinians’ suffering, the top United Nations relief official in Gaza, John Ging, said on Monday.
Ging, the director of operations of the UN Relief Works Agency (UNRWA) in Gaza, said opening the crossings is an urgent priority.
As winter approaches, he said, there will be a critical need for construction materials such as cement and glass in order to rebuild houses, schools, and other buildings that were damaged or destroyed by Israel’s offensive last winter.
Construction materials are among of numerous items Israel bans from entering Gaza. The coastal Strip has been under an Israeli-imposed blockade since June 2007. Full story
Israel must immediately open its borders with the Gaza Strip in order to ease Palestinians’ suffering, the top United Nations relief official in Gaza, John Ging, said on Monday.
Ging, the director of operations of the UN Relief Works Agency (UNRWA) in Gaza, said opening the crossings is an urgent priority.
As winter approaches, he said, there will be a critical need for construction materials such as cement and glass in order to rebuild houses, schools, and other buildings that were damaged or destroyed by Israel’s offensive last winter.
Construction materials are among of numerous items Israel bans from entering Gaza. The coastal Strip has been under an Israeli-imposed blockade since June 2007. Full story
Save the Children: Israeli policies displacing children in rural areas
Ma'an
Intolerable living conditions in the West Bank and Gaza are driving families to abandon their land and homes, displacing children and resulting in low-quality living situations, a Save the Children UK report warned Tuesday.
The report warned of the danger of children being driven from their homes, over and above their usual warning of the detrimental effects of home demolitions on children and families.
The report found families in areas including most of the rural West Bank and the Gaza border area suffer from daily shortages of food and water, high unemployment, financial insecurity, family separation with relatives working and living in cities where they can find work, and children unable to go to school because of travel difficulties or the necessity that they work agricultural land or herd animals as heads of households are away.
"We always knew that life was tough in these areas, but this new research has shown just how bad things are. Many families we spoke to were at breaking point...” Full story
Intolerable living conditions in the West Bank and Gaza are driving families to abandon their land and homes, displacing children and resulting in low-quality living situations, a Save the Children UK report warned Tuesday.
The report warned of the danger of children being driven from their homes, over and above their usual warning of the detrimental effects of home demolitions on children and families.
The report found families in areas including most of the rural West Bank and the Gaza border area suffer from daily shortages of food and water, high unemployment, financial insecurity, family separation with relatives working and living in cities where they can find work, and children unable to go to school because of travel difficulties or the necessity that they work agricultural land or herd animals as heads of households are away.
"We always knew that life was tough in these areas, but this new research has shown just how bad things are. Many families we spoke to were at breaking point...” Full story
Nine injured as settlers rampage through olive harvest
Ma'an
Nine Palestinians were injured and one was detained on Tuesday when dozens of Israeli settlers attacked farmers were harvesting olives in the West Bank village of Qaryout, south of Nablus, according to witnesses, local officials, and medics.
According to sources in the village, the incident began when dozens of Israeli settlers assaulted farmers working near the Israeli settlement of Shavout Rachel.
After the initial attack, both soldiers and settlers stormed the village, clashing with Palestinian residents who defended the area by throwing stones at the marauding groups. Soldiers fired bullets and tear gas, residents said. Full story
View Video / Settlers clash with Palestinian "security threat" olive growers
Nine Palestinians were injured and one was detained on Tuesday when dozens of Israeli settlers attacked farmers were harvesting olives in the West Bank village of Qaryout, south of Nablus, according to witnesses, local officials, and medics.
According to sources in the village, the incident began when dozens of Israeli settlers assaulted farmers working near the Israeli settlement of Shavout Rachel.
After the initial attack, both soldiers and settlers stormed the village, clashing with Palestinian residents who defended the area by throwing stones at the marauding groups. Soldiers fired bullets and tear gas, residents said. Full story
View Video / Settlers clash with Palestinian "security threat" olive growers
Monday, October 26, 2009
Obama’s Big Jewish Speech
Jewish journal
The White House announced that President Barack Obama will attend the largest gathering of North American Jewish community leaders... the 2009 General Assembly (GA) of the Jewish Federations of North America in Washington, D.C. on Monday morning, November 9.
“...Top Israeli government officials and other leaders from the worlds of politics, business and philanthropy are also scheduled to speak. The GA, which takes place November 8-10, is one of the largest annual Jewish communal gatherings in North America.
The sudden decision to address a significant and high profile Jewish audience comes as poll numbers show Obama’s popularity declining among Jewish voters...
.... it may also be no coincidence that the subtly more supportive stance has taken shape since veteran Middle East expert Dennis Ross moved into a White House role more proximate to the president.
“The administration has stumbled, no doubt about it,” a senior AIPAC figure who strongly supports Obama told me this week. “The ferocity of the settlement freeze demand, most especially as stated by Secretary of State Clinton, and the failure to highlight Israel’s historical territorial legitimacy in Obama’s Cairo speech in June - these were mistakes. And now they’re recalibrating.”
Doubtless the General Assembly speech is part of that strategy. Though Obama won close to 80 percent of the Jewish vote in November, his support among Jews has cooled...
...Among Jews, his support level is still a healthy 64 percent - but far lower than it once was....At the GA, he will have to find the words to reaffirm his strong support for Israel, to use his rockstar, Nobel Prize-winner status on the world stage to make the moral case for a strong Jewish state, to rally the world against a corrupt Iranian regime bent on acquiring nuclear weapons, and to advance his vision of Mideast peace in a way that does not isolate or single out Israelis. Full story
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Who´s afraid of Richard Goldstone? - Goldstone Report & The Struggle of the Palestinian People
Address by Ronnie Kasrils, in Cape Town, to NADEL (National Association of Democratic Lawyers of South Africa)
...Whilst it was expected that the apartheid era security services and generals would be afraid of the man, ironically in the aftermath of the release of the UN Report on Gaza, this life-long friend of Israel, a professed Zionist himself, has been vilified by Netenyahu and the Israeli Government; by the Chief Rabbi of South Africa; and in equally hysterical terms by many fellow Jews. It seems that this unlikely candidate for "self-hating Jew" has become top of their list. Full story
Ni’lin demonstrates against the Apartheid Wall
Palsolidarity
More than 200 demonstrators attended the weekly demonstration against the Apartheid Wall in Ni’lin [on Friday]... there was a large number of international solidarity activists, who are currently in Palestine for olive harvest. There was a delegation from the Norwegian foundation BLETZ and around 20 to 30 other internationals from different countries...
...Once the demonstration reached the Wall, they were met with large quantities of tear gas and rounds of rubber coated steel bullets. Israeli soldiers wounded six people. One Norwegian solidarity activist was shot in his arm and received treatment on the spot. A resident of Ni’lin (20 years old) was seriously injured when he was shot in his jaw with a rubber coated steel bullet. He was taken to Ramallah hospital immediately for treatment. Full story
Israeli Forces kill Palestinian near Awarta
Palsolidarity
A 29 year old man was killed by the Israeli Occupation Forces ... Thursday 22 October, outside Awarta village in the southern region of Nablus. Mohammad Abed Ar-Rahman Qawariq suffered a violent death when he was thrown from his car as it was rammed by a military jeep.
Mohammad, 29 years old, was born and lived in Awarta and worked as a labourer in Israel. He leaves behind a widow and two children, one of 2 years and one of 3 months. At 4pm yesterday he drove to meet his family in their olive groves along a small road (used exclusively for farming purposes and until now has always been accessible to Palestinians) to the east of Awarta and passed two Israeli military jeeps. According to eyewitnesses, the jeeps took off after him, the first immediately attempting to ram his car from behind. Full story
previous story
A 29 year old man was killed by the Israeli Occupation Forces ... Thursday 22 October, outside Awarta village in the southern region of Nablus. Mohammad Abed Ar-Rahman Qawariq suffered a violent death when he was thrown from his car as it was rammed by a military jeep.
Mohammad, 29 years old, was born and lived in Awarta and worked as a labourer in Israel. He leaves behind a widow and two children, one of 2 years and one of 3 months. At 4pm yesterday he drove to meet his family in their olive groves along a small road (used exclusively for farming purposes and until now has always been accessible to Palestinians) to the east of Awarta and passed two Israeli military jeeps. According to eyewitnesses, the jeeps took off after him, the first immediately attempting to ram his car from behind. Full story
previous story
An Interview with Bill and Kathleen Christison Palestine in Pieces
CounterPunch
in 1979, Kathleen and Bill Christison retired from the CIA, where they worked as analysts. Ever since then, they've had an unorthodox retirement, to say the least. With only a couple relatively brief interludes, they've dedicated what could have been years of relaxation to fighting perhaps the most uphill battle imaginable: trying to bring the plight of the Palestinians to the public eye.
The media—not just the New York Times, but other print and electronic media and various opinion-molders like Thomas Friedman—have fallen for this scam and indeed have been knowingly participating in it.
The objective is to delude us all...
We are meant to forget that the occupation in the West Bank and East Jerusalem continues and is continually being reinforced, that Israel launched an unprovoked murderous assault on Gaza early this year, that Israel continues to dominate ever aspect of Palestinian daily lives. Full story
in 1979, Kathleen and Bill Christison retired from the CIA, where they worked as analysts. Ever since then, they've had an unorthodox retirement, to say the least. With only a couple relatively brief interludes, they've dedicated what could have been years of relaxation to fighting perhaps the most uphill battle imaginable: trying to bring the plight of the Palestinians to the public eye.
The media—not just the New York Times, but other print and electronic media and various opinion-molders like Thomas Friedman—have fallen for this scam and indeed have been knowingly participating in it.
The objective is to delude us all...
We are meant to forget that the occupation in the West Bank and East Jerusalem continues and is continually being reinforced, that Israel launched an unprovoked murderous assault on Gaza early this year, that Israel continues to dominate ever aspect of Palestinian daily lives. Full story
U.S. Senate Approves Security Grant Funding Increase
Jewish Times
The U.S. Senate approved an increase in funding for the protection of religious organizations.
The U.S. Senate approved an increase in funding for the protection of religious organizations.
The conference report for 2010 passed Tuesday includes $19 million in funding for a grant program to improve security for non-profits and religious institutions...
Jewish groups, including United Jewish Communities and the Orthodox Union, had lobbied for the funding increase and are lauding its passage. Full story
[Wikipedia founder, Skype president] Meet for President’s Conference
Wikipedia co-founder Jimmy Wales in IsraelJewish Times
...The Facing Tomorrow conference, hosted by President Shimon Peres, begins Tuesday and will look at creating a better future for Israel, Jews around the world and the rest of the world.
Peres, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Quartet’s Mideast envoy, Tony Blair, will address the opening program.
...Intellectuals and experts such as Baron David Mayer de Rothschild; Josh Silverman, global president of Skype; and Jimmy Wales, founder of Wikipedia, also will address the group. Full
Discussions on Wikipedia entries on Israel are here and here
U.S. Senate passes hate crimes bill
JTA
The U.S. Senate passed legislation expanding federal involvement in investigating hate crimes.
...Supporters say the legislation will allow federal authorities to pursue hate-crimes cases when local authorities are either unable or unwilling to do so.
The U.S. Senate passed legislation expanding federal involvement in investigating hate crimes.
...Supporters say the legislation will allow federal authorities to pursue hate-crimes cases when local authorities are either unable or unwilling to do so.
The measure was attached to the 2010 Defense Department authorization bill... The House of Representatives passed the measure earlier in the month; President Obama has said he will sign it.
Numerous Jewish groups worked for more than a decade on passing the bill, chief among them the Anti-Defamation League.
In a statement, the ADL called the Senate's final approval "a landmark achievement" and "cause for celebration."
"This legislation is the most important, comprehensive and inclusive federal hate crime law enacted in the past 40 years," said ADL national chair Glen Lewy and ADL national director Abraham Foxman in a statement. Full story
J Street absorbing Brit Tzedek chapters
JTA
The left-wing lobby J Street is absorbing Brit Tzedek v'Shalom's chapters and rabbinic wing.
The left-wing lobby J Street is absorbing Brit Tzedek v'Shalom's chapters and rabbinic wing.
J Street, a pro-Israel group founded 18 months ago, has been in merger negotiations with the older group for months.
Brit Tzedek v'Shalom, or the Alliance for Peace and Justice, was founded seven years ago to lend grass-roots support to dovish pro-Israel groups in Washington. It claims close to 50,000 members in 41 chapters in more than 30 states. It also has a rabbinical cabinet made up of more than 1,000 rabbis. Full story
US State Dept spokesman misrepresents Goldstone Report
IMEMC
In a press briefing at the US Department of State Friday, spokesperson Ian Kelly told reporters that the US government had a problem with the UN Human Rights Commission Report authored by Richard Goldstone because, according to Kelly, the report gives "a one-sided mandate to look into the Israeli side of it only, without giving an opportunity to the authorities themselves to look into it".
But even a cursory look into the Goldstone Report's recommendations shows that it does, in fact, call for domestic investigations by both the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority into human rights violations by both sides. The report very clearly recommends that Israel and Hamas both conduct domestic investigations of the violations documented in the report, and states that if this is not done within six months, that the matter be taken up by the International Criminal Court.
The report, commissioned by the UN Human Rights Council, was mandated to explore allegations of human rights violations by both the Israeli military and Palestinian resistance groups during Israel's 3-week long invasion of Gaza in January of this year. During that invasion, over 1400 Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces (over 80% of whom were civilians who did not engage in any resistance), while 4 Israeli civilians were killed by Palestinian resistance fighters. Full story
In a press briefing at the US Department of State Friday, spokesperson Ian Kelly told reporters that the US government had a problem with the UN Human Rights Commission Report authored by Richard Goldstone because, according to Kelly, the report gives "a one-sided mandate to look into the Israeli side of it only, without giving an opportunity to the authorities themselves to look into it".
But even a cursory look into the Goldstone Report's recommendations shows that it does, in fact, call for domestic investigations by both the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority into human rights violations by both sides. The report very clearly recommends that Israel and Hamas both conduct domestic investigations of the violations documented in the report, and states that if this is not done within six months, that the matter be taken up by the International Criminal Court.
The report, commissioned by the UN Human Rights Council, was mandated to explore allegations of human rights violations by both the Israeli military and Palestinian resistance groups during Israel's 3-week long invasion of Gaza in January of this year. During that invasion, over 1400 Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces (over 80% of whom were civilians who did not engage in any resistance), while 4 Israeli civilians were killed by Palestinian resistance fighters. Full story
Soldiers Detain 3 Palestinians And Five Israeli Activists In Hebron
IMEMC
Israeli soldiers detained on Sunday three Palestinians and five Israeli peace activists during a peaceful protest in support of local farmers who are subjected to constant attacks and violations by the Israeli settlers in the Hebron area.
...Eyewitness reported that the army used excessive violence against the peaceful protesters, and attacked them with baton and rifle butts. Several protesters were wounded. Full story
Israeli soldiers detained on Sunday three Palestinians and five Israeli peace activists during a peaceful protest in support of local farmers who are subjected to constant attacks and violations by the Israeli settlers in the Hebron area.
...Eyewitness reported that the army used excessive violence against the peaceful protesters, and attacked them with baton and rifle butts. Several protesters were wounded. Full story
PLO chief urges Israel to reign in incitement
Ma'an
Dr Saeb Erekat, the PLO's chief negotiator, on Sunday called on the US and Europe to demand that Israel end incitement against worshipers in occupied East Jerusalem.
"The international community must intervene and demand an end to Israeli incitement," Erekat said in a statement. "Otherwise we fear that violence may spiral out of control."
At least 30 Palestinians were injured and some 20 were arrested following the arrival of Israeli forces at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem's Old City on Sunday morning. Nine Israeli police officers were also hurt in the clashes, which sparked amid announcements from right-wing Jewish groups and individuals, including Israeli parliament members, vowing to "ascend" the compound area under armed guard.
"This latest assault on the Al-Aqsa compound is part of a systematic and deliberate policy of incitement," Erekat continued, condemning what he termed Israel's latest violence against Palestinian worshippers in the holy city. "By escalating tensions to the point of violence, the Israeli government is looking for an escape clause to avoid meaningful negotiations." Full story
Dr Saeb Erekat, the PLO's chief negotiator, on Sunday called on the US and Europe to demand that Israel end incitement against worshipers in occupied East Jerusalem.
"The international community must intervene and demand an end to Israeli incitement," Erekat said in a statement. "Otherwise we fear that violence may spiral out of control."
At least 30 Palestinians were injured and some 20 were arrested following the arrival of Israeli forces at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem's Old City on Sunday morning. Nine Israeli police officers were also hurt in the clashes, which sparked amid announcements from right-wing Jewish groups and individuals, including Israeli parliament members, vowing to "ascend" the compound area under armed guard.
"This latest assault on the Al-Aqsa compound is part of a systematic and deliberate policy of incitement," Erekat continued, condemning what he termed Israel's latest violence against Palestinian worshippers in the holy city. "By escalating tensions to the point of violence, the Israeli government is looking for an escape clause to avoid meaningful negotiations." Full story
Haniyeh appeals for Arab, Muslim support for Al-Aqsa
Ma'an
De facto Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh called several Arab and Muslim leaders around the world on Sunday to enlist their support in ending Israeli intrusions into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem. Full story
De facto Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh called several Arab and Muslim leaders around the world on Sunday to enlist their support in ending Israeli intrusions into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem. Full story
Former PA minister arrested in Old City
Ma'an
Hatim Abdul Qader, the former Palestinian Authority minister of Jerusalem affairs, was arrested on Sunday on suspicion of disorderly conduct, an Israeli police spokesman told Ma'an.
His arrest came as clashes between Israeli police and Palestinian youths erupted anew at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem, after officers and special forces deployed to the compound. Full story
Hatim Abdul Qader, the former Palestinian Authority minister of Jerusalem affairs, was arrested on Sunday on suspicion of disorderly conduct, an Israeli police spokesman told Ma'an.
His arrest came as clashes between Israeli police and Palestinian youths erupted anew at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem, after officers and special forces deployed to the compound. Full story
Missing Palestinian fighter found alive in prison?
Ma'an
Muhammad Issa Abu Ghaniyya, born in 1953, missing since 1969, and presumed dead for decades, may have been seen alive in an Israeli prison, according to his family.
...The prisoner said Abu Ghaniyya was in a wheelchair and held primarily in solitary confinement for the past 40 years. Full story
Muhammad Issa Abu Ghaniyya, born in 1953, missing since 1969, and presumed dead for decades, may have been seen alive in an Israeli prison, according to his family.
...The prisoner said Abu Ghaniyya was in a wheelchair and held primarily in solitary confinement for the past 40 years. Full story
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