Monday, March 31, 2008

Headlines for 03-30-08

03-30-08 - Two Gaza militants killed in Israeli air strike: medics


03-30-08 - Israeli Settlers Shoot and Wound Palestinian Sheep and Goat near At-Tuwani Palestinian shepherds in the area and volunteers working with Christian
Peacemaker Teams report that Settler violence directed at Shepherds in the
Tuwani Area has increased sharply in March. On multiple occasions both
Settlers and Army Personnel have injured Palestinian-owned animals.


03-30-08 - Israeli settlers attack, harass, and intimidate Palestinian schoolchildren on their way to and from school The military escort in the area, which is to take the children to and
from school to ensure their safety, did nothing during the attack.


03-30-08 - Israeli settlers attack and intimidate Palestinians:


03-30-08 - Pledge to remove 50 West Bank roadblocks Israel has previously reneged on promises to ease the restrictions in the West Bank, citing security concerns.


03-30-08 - Seized Israeli soldier 'is alive' "Galid is still alive and we are treating him a in good way while the Israelis treat our prisoners badly and everyone knows that," Mr Meshaal said.


03-30-08 - Hamas chief invites Abbas for talks, says Israeli soldier alive


03-30-08 - Israel delays opening of West Bank police HQ


03-30-08 - Bedouin resist Israeli plan to build Jewish towns on ancestral lands Last month, Israeli officials returned with a new warning for Finesh and the 200 other Bedouin residents: Move, or we'll demolish your homes.


03-30-08 - Palestinian protesters clash with Israeli troops at West Bank checkpoint Several hundred protesters approached the Hawara checkpoint and scuffled with troops. The soldiers responded with tear gas and stun grenades and detained two people. There were no serious injuries reported.


03-30-08 - Israeli police detains four Palestinians in Tel-Aviv


03-30-08 - Egypt-Gaza border tunnel collapse kills Palestinian smuggler


03-30-08 - Arab Summit: Israeli actions against Palestinians 'war crimes' The Syrian-hosted Arab summit, which concluded a two-day meeting in Damascus on Sunday said in a final statement that the Israeli actions against the Palestinians are "crimes of war."


03-30-08 - Syrian President Assad to follow up Palestinian dialogue Syrian President Bashar al-Assad will follow up the dialogue between Hamas and the Palestinian National Authority (PNA), Syrian foreign minister Walid al-Muallem announced on Sunday.


03-30-08 - Palestinian protesters in Gaza demand that Egypt release Hamas militants from prison


03-30-08 - ISRAEL: A day of protests Thousands of demonstrators turned out in several cities to decry what they say is the ongoing Israeli confiscation of Palestinian land and homes.


03-30-08 - New home for ex-Gaza settlers: Deep in W.Bank


03-30-08 - Sasson slams government over outposts Attorney Talia Sasson blasted the government on Sunday for its failure to remove any of the 105 unauthorized West Bank outposts in the three years that have passed since the cabinet accepted her report on the matter. Article mysteriously dropped 30 minutes after I indexed it here.


03-30-08 - Self-defence or brutal occupation?


03-30-08 - Tulkarm Continues Land Day Commemmoration, Israeli Military injures 2


03-30-08 - DFLP stages protest on occasion of Land Day DFLP stages protest on occasion of Land Day



03-30-08 - The Mystery of American Foreign Policy Parry's review of the long-standing ties between the Israelis and the Iranians is quite educational, and it explains a lot about what is happening in Iraq today ? and, perhaps, what will happen tomorrow.


03-30-08 - US Jews attack unions over ad TWO of Australia's most prominent left-wing unions have been branded anti-Semitic in an influential Jewish-American online newsletter for linking the 60th anniversary celebration of Israel's statehood to "racism and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians".


03-30-08 - Israeli play makes link with Palestinians


03-30-08 - Bishop, a Palestinian advocate, to speak at city's Islamic centre Hundreds of Christians and Muslims are expected at London's Islamic Centre of Southwest Ontario today, to see a Christian bishop who advocates justice for Palestinians in the Middle East.


03-30-08 - No Lebanon breakthrough for Arabs An annual summit of the Arab League has ended in Syria's capital Damascus with a call for an end to the political crisis in Lebanon.


03-30-08 - 'Lemon Tree' to be distributed in US


03-30-08 - Netanyahu: No substitute for Israeli control in West Bank Opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday slammed the defense ministry's decision to ease access and freedom of movement for West Bank Palestinians, saying there could be no substitute for Israeli control in the territory.


03-30-08 - Bush upbeat on Israeli-Palestinian accord: paper U.S. President George W. Bush is optimistic Israel and the Palestinians will sign an agreement defining a Palestinian state before the end of his term in office, a German newspaper quoted him as saying on Sunday.


03-30-08 - Syria says ready in case of US military action Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem said on Sunday that Damascus was prepared for all scenarios in its worsening relationship with Washington, including the use of US military force.


03-30-08 - Village epitomizes Jerusalem quandary a Jewish neighborhood called Har Homa looms over Nuaman, threatening to swallow up the village of stone houses, olive, almond and cypress trees and patches of tilled land. Yeh, that 'Jewish neighborhood' is an illegal Israeli settlement. Gotta love the Associated Press and it's doublespeak.


03-30-08 - McPeak cites longtime admiration for Israel The Republican Jewish Coalition on Friday repeated its call on the Obama campaign to sack McPeak.


03-30-08 - Rights group: Israel is driving out Jaffa Arabs

Sunday, March 30, 2008

Headlines for 03-29-08

Israeli army shots dead Palestinian teenager in N Gaza Israeli forces shot dead a Palestinian teenager in northern Gaza Strip overnight, Palestinian medical sources said on Saturday.


Israeli troops kill 2 Gaza gunmen on border-medics Earlier, an Israeli air strike in nearby Gaza City wounded three Palestinians, hospital officials said. It was not immediately clear if they had militant affiliations.


Israel splitting Palestinian territories into cantons: Abbas "The solution which Israel is designing consists of a group of cantons on a land separated by settlements, the separation wall and roadblocks," he said.


Egypt instals surveillance cameras after Suez killing Egypt has begun installing surveillance cameras to monitor traffic through the strategic Suez Canal after the killing of an Egyptian by a US Navy-chartered ship last week, an official told AFP on Friday


Sunday, 30 March Day of Prayer for Hebron orphans Christian Peacemaker Teams in Hebron is calling for Christians around the world to make Sunday, 30 March a day of prayer for the orphans of Hebron.


Abbas: Israel undermining peace talks Israel's West Bank settlements and security fence aim to undermine negotiations on founding a Palestinian state, Mahmoud Abbas said


Army invades a Bethlehem town


Rice to push hard to improve life on West Bank


Palestinian president calls for Arab, international troops to protect Palestinians


Southern Front / IDF upping Gaza ground ops in face of heavier rocket fire Over the past week, the IDF resumed small-scale ground operations in Gaza - up to battalion-level operations, normally in areas that are no more than one or two kilometers from the border fence


Palestinian issue centerpiece at Arab summit in Damascus The 20th Arab League (AL) Summit kicked off in the Syrian capital of Damascus on Saturday, attracting only 10 heads of state of Arab countries besides President Bashar al-Assad of the host.


Israeli settlers attack Palestinian farmers near Hebron


Female Detainee on hunger strike since 17 days Al Hashlamoon is detained in Al Ramla Israeli prison and subjected to ongoing violations which include ongoing solitary confinement, barring her from receiving proper food, and barring her from showering or even changing her clothes


Duweik calls on Arab leaders to prioritize the Palestinian Cause


Mizhir: ?Abbas? upcoming visit to the US will not make a difference?


Punishing Hamas has backfired


The Palestinian 'terrorist' turned Zionist Shoebat is sometimes paid for his appearances, and he also solicits donations to a Walid Shoebat Foundation to help fund this work and to "fight for the Jewish people."....Now he and two other former extremists are set to appear along with US Senator Joe Lieberman, Ambassador to the US Sallai Meridor and other notables at an annual "Christians United For Israel" conference in Washington in July.

If this man wasn't a shill for Israel, then he wouldn't be allowed in the US, let alone allowed to give speaking engagements therein. Most 'former terrorist' Palestinians are either jailed or deported.


Syria's Assad denies meddling in Lebanon at boycotted summit


Syria, Saudi Arabia conciliatory on Lebanon


Muslim cleric who aided law enforcement faces deportation to Jordan According to Qatanani and his attorney, Claudia Slovinsky, he was detained for three months in Israel in 1993 because he had helped some Palestinian students further their schooling in Jordan, where he was then based. He was released, and eventually emigrated to the U.S. in 1996. Three years later he applied for permanent residency, but his request languished until 2006 when it was denied.



Whatever Happened to the IRA? What about Israel? How did wiping it off the map fit in with Hizballah's master plan to become a legitimate political, social and economic force in the Middle East? "There's one thing you must understand: Hizballah will never be more Palestinian than the Palestinians." Elaborating, he said that Hizballah, as well as Iran, will accept whatever settlement the Palestinians will accept, including the existence of Israel.



'Schalit negotiations semi-deadlocked' Efforts to release kidnapped IDF soldier Cpl. Gilad Schalit are "semi-deadlocked" because of Israel's refusal to release Palestinian prisoners who are serving life sentences, Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal said Saturday.


McDonell graduate fights for peace in Ramallah


Life after Seinfeld "Last year, I was in the Palestine territories and two Arabs suddenly turned and pointed at me," says Alexander, who is Jewish. "For a few seconds I must admit I was worried. But then the guys broke into a smile and began yelling, 'George, George . . .' You would have thought I was their long-lost cousin." LOL. Everybody loves George Costanza!


Syrian president slams Israel for its military offensive in Gaza

Headlines for 03-28-08

Israel says two Palestinians killed in Gaza


Hamas urges Arabs to back reconciliation push Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal, in exile in Syria, was also quoted as urging Arab leaders at their Damascus summit to support its fight with Israel. But he reiterated the Islamist group was open to a conditional truce with the Jewish state.


Terrorism judgment against P.A. vacated A U.S. federal judge vacated a $174 million judgment against the Palestinian Authority.


Waste dumping threatens West Bank Residents of Jima'in in the district of Nablus have cited concerns about Israeli vehicles unloading garbage on Palestinian grounds, al-Jazeera reported


Anti Wall protest in Al Khader village near Bethlehem


Tony Blair?s Palestine


Meshaal would consider ceasefire Hamas' leader in exile, Khaled Meshaal, said he would consider a truce with Israel.


Israeli Arabs mark Land Day Chanting "We are here to stay," more than 1,000 Israeli Arabs on Friday marched through Jaffa to commemorate the killing of six people during a 1976 protest against land confiscations.


The Gaza I live By Tom Garofalo Catholic Relief Services


Obama's Pandering to Israel; The Audacity of Hypocrisy


Palestinian, Israeli kids are cannon fodder for Rapture


Egypt upset at US over seaman shooting


Jitters over new Israel-Hezbollah war Adding to the jitters, U.S. warships recently deployed off Lebanon and Saudi Arabia advised its citizens to leave Lebanon.


UN says 'network' killed Hariri


Syria brushes off low summit turnout amid Arab rift fears Jordan on Friday became the latest US ally to announce it would send a low-level delegation to the Damascus summit, following the example of Saudi Arabia and Egypt which blame Syria for the political crisis crippling Lebanon.



PA to probe ex-Arafat aide over multi-million dollar Aqaba project


Israel seeking peace talks with Syria: minister An Israeli minister said on Friday that the Jewish state was trying to revive peace talks with Syria and that the price of a deal was the occupied Golan Heights.


Stop Using Israel As a Bludgeon Another would-be victim of this McCarthyist campaign is General Merill McPeak. He is the former Air Force chief-of-staff who said Bill Clinton was engaging in McCarthyist attacks by seeming to imply that Obama -- unlike Hillary and McCain -- is less than a loyal American. Almost immediately, McPeak was smeared as an anti-semite. The evidence: on occasion, he has suggested that Israel return to the pre-'67 lines. That's it.


Israeli-Palestinian trade suffers


Palestinians, Israelis React Differently to Saudi Plan While most Palestinians support a peace agreement proposed by Saudi Arabia, the majority of Israelis reject it, according to a poll by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research and the Harry S. Truman Research Institute for the Advancement of Peace at the Hebrew University of Jerusale


Publisher, Middle East expert remembered "My dad always wanted Americans to hear the Palestinian side of the story," George Joseph said.


Corrie's story


Retired general: ?On the fly? response strategy must change The United States is going to be in the Middle East for a long time, retired Army Gen. John P. Abizaid said Thursday.


Rice to meet Netanyahu during visit Netanyahu visited the controversial E-1 area between Jerusalem and Ma'aleh Adumim and called upon Olmert to start building there immediately despite fierce American opposition. The building plans in the area were approved when Netanyahu was prime minister but have been frozen since due to American pressure. Opposition leader Binyamin Netanyahu.
Photo: Ariel Jerozolimski
"All of Israel has been built, not because of the approval of the Arabs and the international community, but despite their opposition," Netanyahu told reporters atop a dusty hilltop. "We need the kind of leadership that would insist on this."



Clinton says would consider limited talks with Hamas


Lebanon refugees see long wait to raise camp from ashes One man was able to recover only a family photo album. Another desperately sought the key to his home in what was once Palestine. And one woman sifted for hours through the rubble but, like most others, could not salvage anything. They are among thousands of families allowed to return to the old part of the devastated Nahr al-Bared Palestinian refugee camp in northern Lebanon to recover what belongings they can before the bulldozers move in.


Headlines for 03-27-08

Israeli troops kill Hamas gunman in Gaza - medics


Demands for inquiry into Israeli shootings A criminal investigation was demanded yesterday into whether the killing of four Palestinian militants in a Bethlehem street earlier this month was an "extra-judicial execution" in violation of a ruling by the Israeli Supreme Court.


Secret tunnel unearths new Jerusalem conflict Amin al-Siyam says he is awakened nearly every night by the sound of Jewish settlers tunneling under his east Jerusalem house towards the Old City's deeply sensitive Al-Aqsa mosque compound.


MK Elon: Palestinian refugee issue fuels terrorism


Bush invites Abbas to Washington US President George W Bush has invited Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to visit Washington towards the end of April.


Grave suspicion of extra-judicial execution in Bethlehem killings


Palestinians Fear Two-Tier Road System "They took our land to build this road, and now we can't even use it," Mr. Abu Safia says bitterly, pointing to the highway with one hand as he drives with the other. "Israel says it is because of security. But it's politics."


Palestinians discuss proposal for Israel cease-fire in Egypt


West Bank Faces Toxic Waste Crisis Several weeks ago, villagers from Jima?in in the Nablus district complained that Israeli trucks were again dumping waste on Palestinian land.


Hamas, Islamic Jihad reject Egypt truce "Any truce with Israel must include the West Bank, the lifting of the siege and the opening of the border crossings,"


Palestinians protest Israeli charity closures Thousands of Palestinians in the West Bank city of Hebron protested on Thursday against Israeli raids and closures of orphanages and charities linked to Islamist group Hamas....."I deserve to be treated like any other child around the world," said 14-year-old orphan Rani Hasan during the protest. "My father is dead. Who will take care of me?"


Arab foreign ministers agree to relaunch Mideast peace plan


Palestinians puzzled by Israeli gesture for West Bank city Palestinian officials, however, said the town, Jenin, does not require additional forces. And they said Israel is still not doing nearly enough to bolster moderate Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in his life-and-death showdown with the militants of Hamas - such as removing roadblocks, dismantling illegal West Bank outposts or releasing prisoners


The Israeli army attacks a village near Hebron and kidnaps a school boy


Wounded Palestinians hospitalized in İstanbul grateful to Turkish nation


Union committee to reconsider Israeli academics boycott The University and College Union (UCU)'s national executive committee (NEC) has agreed to reconsider a boycott of Israeli academics at its annual congress in May.


Barenboim to lead concert for peace in Jerusalem Daniel Barenboim, the Israeli conductor and, since January this year, honorary Palestinian citizen, will lead 33 young Israeli and Palestinian musicians in a special "concert for two peoples" in Jerusalem today.


Migrants killed on Egypt's border Egyptian border guards have shot dead two African migrants, as they tried to cross the frontier into Israel.


UC Irvine students: Jews are safe Chancellor Michael Drake has been criticized by the Zionist Organization of America for failing to condemn specific acts of anti-Israel rhetoric on his campus as well as his appearance at this week's Hillel summit in Washington.


Boycott backer says he was threatened Gianni Vattimo, an author and philosopher, told the Italian media he had received an anonymous letter urging him to "remember" the Palestinian activist and writer Waed Zuaiter, who was killed by Israeli agents in Rome on Oct. 16, 1972.


AJC Outraged by UN Human Rights Council Election of Ziegler, Falk Oh dear.


Controversial history prof alleges Israeli ethnic cleansing Ilan Pappe, who teaches history at the University of Exeter in England, told the Georgia Straight in a phone interview from Montreal that he hopes to rouse public opinion to persuade the Canadian government to ?exert pressure? on Israel ?to end the occupation as a first step towards a lasting peace in Israel and Palestine?.


IDF: Islamic Jihad producing Grad-like rockets


Flowers, Strawberries, and Missiles Just 300 yards from the hidden eyes in the Israeli tank, Ahmed Felfel picks his strawberries. But it isn't the Israelis in the tank who worry him as much as those others who will not let him sell them.


Israeli military kidnaps two from Qalqilia


Avraham Burg, Israeli Political Leader, to Speak Here April 2


Palestinian, Jewish Friends Forge Bonds ?Walking the Walk? in Holy Land


Speaker Argues That Israel's Now Fighting Two Wars at Once The Israel Project is now successfully pitching three to four stories per day about Sederot to news outlets, he said. One way they have gotten the attacks into the news is by helping to place reporters for overnight stays with families in the town, so they can experience what happens when parents and children are awakened late at night, then forced to rush into a bomb shelter within a matter of seconds


UK group tackles anti-Israel media bias A new organization seeking to promote accurate and responsible media coverage of Israel in the UK is to be launched in London on Friday. Here we go. The UK news media are not biased. They report the situation accurately, unlike their American counterparts. That is why this group seeks to change it.


Progressives to urge Mazuz to charge Safed rabbi with incitement


Acknowledging the Past/Imagining the Future: Palestinians and Israelis on 1948 and the Right of Return


Reuters Removes Anti-Israel Blog Link The blog was removed after protests from the HonestReporting organization


Israel: Hezbollah increases rocket range Israel says Hezbollah's Iranian and Syrian patrons have steadily provided the group with large amounts of rockets since then, many of them capable of hitting central Israel. However, it has not revealed the evidence for its claims Sounds like somebody is itching to start a war.


Israel to supply cattle to Gaza amid contagion fears


Meeting Palestinian prime minister, Israel's Barak promises new gestures for Palestinians

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Headlines for 03-26-08

McCain: Israel would suffer in Iraq pullout A premature withdrawal from Iraq would endanger Israel, John McCain said.......Top Israeli officials have also said that a hasty U.S. withdrawal from Iraq would endanger Israel.
Note the source.


Israelis Blocking Medical Care in Gaza Yassir Abu Aayya, 37, suffering from heart troubles, told TIME he was turned back after refusing to reveal the whereabouts of his militant brother. "They told me I should go back and die in Gaza," he says. If these accounts are true, say human rights activists, the withholding of medical care for non-medical reasons is a form of torture.


Israeli army denying cancer patient vital treatment 'Denying passage to patients in desperate need of medical care serves no legitimate security purpose, as all patients undergo strict security checks at the crossing, and are generally gravely ill,' said Amnesty International. "Israel, as the occupying power, is responsible for the right to health and access to health care for Karima Abu Dalal and all 1.5 million residents of the Gaza Strip."


Arab summit to adopt Yemeni proposal on Palestinian reconciliation


Israel rejects Carter-Annan mediation Israel turned down an offer by Jimmy Carter and Kofi Annan to mediate a cease-fire with Hamas.


Olmert cool to Moscow summit idea Ehud Olmert played down the prospects of Israel attending a Middle East peace summit that Russia wants to host.


U.S. Navy secretary visits Israel Dr. Donald C. Winter came to Israel this week as a guest of Defense Minister Ehud Barak. He visited Israeli naval bases and Yad Vashem, and held high-level strategic discussions. This comes after a recent visit by U.S. Air Force chief. Odd.


The Israeli army kidnaps three civilians from Bethlehem


Israel Passover bomb suspect held Israeli security forces have arrested a key suspect in a suicide bombing which killed 30 mainly elderly people at a festival meal in 2002.


Palestinian rescue crews dig up bodies of two smugglers killed in Gaza tunnel collapse Palestinian rescue crews have dug up the bodies of two smugglers killed in a tunnel collapse in the southern Gaza Strip.


Update on Egnabi family and video link Following their eviction from their Hebron Old City dwelling (CPT Hebron: Israeli soldiers and settlers invade Palestinian home in Old City, 20 March, 2008), the Egnabi family has been living in one room in their building.


Frontline: Too Timid, Too Little, Too Late At one point, however, the garrulous former Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage did allude to one of the largest elephants in the living room-Israel?s far-right Likudniks-and their close alliance with the so-called neo-conservatives running our policy toward the Middle East. But Armitage did so only tangentially, referring to the welcome (if totally unrealistic) promise by Ahmed Chalabi that, upon being put in power in Baghdad, he would recognize Israel. Not surprisingly, the interviewer did not pick up on that comment; indeed, I?m surprised the remark avoided the cutting room floor.




An elderly Palestinian woman dies due to Israeli siege on Gaza


A Palestinian sniper shoots at an Israeli farmer near the border with Gaza Israeli media sources reported that a Palestinian sniper shot and wounded an Israeli farmer from the Ein Shlosha Kibutz (farm settlement) near the Gaza borders with Israel, Israeli media sources reported


Police station to be inaugurated in West Bank A new Israel Police station will be opened next week in E-1, an area that has been the site of a bitter land dispute between Israelis and Palestinians, officials said Wednesday


Gaza bakeries strike over bread prices Bakers in Gaza refused to bake bread Wednesday, charging that Hamas is keeping prices artificially low to head off unrest among their sanctions-weary people.


Fatah says Hamas must cede Gaza before talks


Olmert vows to press on with settlements


Israeli Rabbi: Seminary Shooter's Family Should 'Hang' A prominent rabbi on Wednesday called on the government to avenge the shooting attack that killed eight Jewish seminary students earlier this month, saying members of the Palestinian gunman's family should be hanged "from a high tree."


Palestinian sources: Israel pardons 36 wanted suspects Israel granted a full pardon to 36 wanted Palestinians who are members of the Fatah's al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, Palestinian sources said Tuesday.


Israel to approve security equipment for Abbas


NOAL Denounces Israeli Aggression against Palestinians Rodrigo Malmierca, the Cuban ambassador to the United Nations and president of the Coordination Bureau of the Movement of Non Aligned Countries (NOAL), denounced on Tuesday before the UN Security Council the recent aggressions of the Israeli government against the Palestinian people.



Dissolved government in Gaza decides to reappoint its ministers


Olmert threatens "painful" measures against Hamas Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Wednesday threatened "painful" measures against Hamas and ruled out talks with the Palestinian Islamist group on a possible truce.


Israeli settlers open fire at Palestinian shepherds near Hebron, injuring three sheep. A group of Israeli settlers from illegal settlement of Havet Ma'on south of Hebron city, in the southern West Bank, opened fire at Palestinian shepherds and their sheep on Wednesday midday injuring three sheep.


Blair: Middle East peace process is a race against time


Powerful lessons: Ultra-orthodox awkward squad Having threatened to walk out of the government if the negotiators so much as discussed the future of Jerusalem ? the division of which into two capitals is a sine qua non of such an agreement ? the Shas leader Eli Yishai has claimed credit for the decision to build more than 300 new homes in the West Bank settlement of Givat Zeev. This has not only infuriated moderate Palestinians who thought that settlement building would be frozen in accordance with the internationally agreed road map, but has drawn a sharp rebuke from the US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.


Israel denies knowledge of imminent Pollard release Eitan, who headed the secret Bureau of Scientific Relations that recruited and handled Pollard in the 1980s, said Monday that Pollard will be released soon.


1979: Israel and Egypt shake hands on peace deal


From 2006: CIA role claim in Kennedy killing Witnesses placed Sirhan's gun several feet in front of Kennedy but the autopsy showed the fatal shot came from one inch behind. Weird.


Experts: Sirhan Sirhan Did Not Kill RFK New forensics evidence presented Tuesday during a symposium at Foxwoods suggests Sirhan Sirhan did not fire the fatal shots that killed Sen. Robert Kennedy in 1968.


Egypt to snub Syria's Arab summit


Dovish PAC in place by April The effort will be headed by Jeremy Ben Ami, a Clinton administration official who was behind an effort last year to unite dovish pro-Israel groups into a lobby that would compete with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.


Jewish groups placed on security alert Citing an increase in threats and attacks, a U.S. Jewish security network warned its members to be alert to a "new set of circumstances."


Canada, Israel sign security declaration In a statement released by Canada?s Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Day said the declaration would help both countries address "common threats" to national security. THus does Canada further fall to the clutches of its own Israeli lobby. My condolences.


Prof taking music therapy to Palestinian children Behrens, a professor of music therapy at Elizabethtown College, is traveling to the Palestinian territories today to help children affected by war and violence cope through music therapy.


Israel probes efforts to free spy in US jail State Comptroller Micha Lindenstrauss, who leads the probe, has scheduled meetings with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and his predecessors, Ehud Barak -- now defence minister -- and Benjamin Netanyahu.


Sign of Jewish weakness The police discounted the possibility of a Palestinian attack or the settling of scores between criminals. It tied the assassination attempt to the religious beliefs of family members. Neighbors noted that the family has been holding odd ceremonies at home and the mayor was quick to clear his town of the terrible suspicion that a missionary sect got a foothold there.


Engage Israel, Hamas in two-state solution


A Devastated Town Recovers, In A Way Mohanna's house was bombed by Israel during the 34-day conflict in 2006, as were houses of most residents of Siddiqine -- an impoverished village of 6,000, about 10km inland from the coastal town Tyre. Siddiqine resembled a flattened moonscape in the bitterly cold and damp winter that followed, with more than 700 homes out of a total 1050 hit, and half that number completely destroyed.


Jail for thug who hit man with crutch Palestinian Mohammed Al Delishari was left scarred and had difficulty breathing following the assault which was captured on a security camera.


Swiss expert voted-in as human rights expert, despite controversy Hillel Neuer, executive director of UN Watch, one of Ziegler?s most persistent and vocal critics, says his appointment is a dark day for human rights. Ziegler calls the situation in the Middle East as he sees it. The pro-Israelis don't like it.


Jordan MPs introduce bill for abrogation of peace pact with Israel


Canada disputes UN's choice for Israeli monitor Some of Falk's anti-Israel writing is contained in an essay he wrote last summer. "It is especially painful for me, as an American Jew, to feel compelled to portray the ongoing and intensifying abuse of the Palestinian people by Israel through a reliance on such an inflammatory metaphor as 'holocaust' . . ." he wrote.

Oh the horror that somebody dare speak the truth about Israel.


McCain promises personal engagement in Middle East


You hear a banging noise? Armed with sticks and a broom, Palestinian boys challenge Israeli armor raiding the Balata refugee camp in Nablus, West Bank.

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Headlines for 03-25-08

Czech PM invites his Palestinian counterpart to Prague


Iran's lethal uranium plans: US Cheney, however, did not mention on what he based his accusation. That's likely because it was Israel that fed him that load of bull on one of the two recent visits therein.


Palestinians Rebuild Homes Demolished by Military in Qawewis Palestinian villagers from throughout the South Hebron Hills will gather
Friday, 28 March, in the village of Qawewis to begin rebuilding homes
demolished on 19 March, 2008 by the Israeli military. This nonviolent
solidarity action will begin at 10:00AM.


Obama 'disagrees' with ex-general adviser "I think that everybody understands that a settlement of the Arab-Israeli problem would require the Israelis to stop settling the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, and maybe even withdraw some of the settlements that've already been put there. And nobody wants to take on that problem. It's just too tough politically." Right on, Gen. McPeak.


Cheney Tells Israel He Will Counter 'Iran threat' US Vice President Dick Cheney speaking with Israeli president Shimon Peres on Sunday promised that Washington would do everything in its powers to counter Iran's 'nuclear threat against Israel'.


US queries value of UN council's Mideast meetings These "do little to help advance the cause of peace or help the Palestinian people in any tangible way," he told the 15-nation council.


Four Palestinians kidnapped in Balata refugee camp


Israel okays deployment of Palestinian forces in W Bank


PM-Cheney meeting shrouded in mystery US Vice President Dick Cheney's second meeting with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert Monday morning, like their first meeting Saturday night, was shrouded in mystery, leading to speculation among diplomatic officials that the focus was on how to stop Iran's nuclear program.


Israel-French program connects thousands of Palestinians to Israeli electricity grid Thousands of Palestinians in the West Bank are hooking up to Israel's electricity grid. The joint Israeli-French program benefits about 15,000 Palestinians in 27 villages in the northern West Bank near the town of Jenin.


Israeli army force kidnaps Palestinian farmer in northern Gaza


Egypt: 126 Palestinians wounded in Gaza fly to Turkey for treatment Egyptian state media says 126 Palestinians who were wounded in recent fighting between Israeli troops and militants in the Gaza Strip were flown to Turkey for treatment.


Israeli police ban Palestinian event Israeli police on Tuesday broke up a Palestinian event meant to promote Jerusalem as the world's next "Arab Cultural Capital."


UN chief concerned about renewed violence in Gaza


EU releases 300 million euros in aid for Palestinians


Blair says urgent need for Middle East progress Palestinians and Israelis must try to improve living conditions in the West Bank and Gaza Strip to keep the peace process alive ahead of a visit by U.S. President George W. Bush in May, peace envoy Tony Blair said on Tuesday.


Israel backs larger deployment of Palestinian forces Israel said on Tuesday it would allow up to 600 members of a Palestinian security force trained in Jordan under a U.S. programme to be deployed in a West Bank city once considered a hotbed of militant activity.


IDF nabbed wanted Palestinian involved in soldier's death The 23-year-old Salem admitted to being involved in numerous shooting attacks and explosive device attacks on IDF troops in the Nablus area. He also confessed to complicity in a car bombing directed at forces in Nablus in October 2006.


Algerian FM, Palestinian official stresses importance of Arab solidarity


First Presbyterian?s refurbished wheelchairs headed to Palestine ''We're seeing a lot of families where the monthly income is $10 to $20,'' he said. ''There's no way these people could afford a wheelchair without the love and compassion of people in this program.''


Republican Jewish group wants Obama adviser canned The Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) called on Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) Tuesday to remove military adviser and national campaign co-chairman Gen. Tony McPeak from his team, citing past statements McPeak has made about the Middle East that the RJC finds troubling.


Hamas: PA forces arrest 9 of the movement members in the West Bank


Lebanon not to attend Arab summit A government minister said parliament's repeated failure to elect a president had made it impossible for Lebanon to attend the meeting.


New research! Peace means war!


Jewish state not as Jewish by '30 Nearly one-third of Israelis will be non-Jewish by 2030, according to government projections. Oh dear.


Israel's U.N. envoy sees 'worrisome trends' Dan Gillerman, speaking to the Security Council during its monthly meeting on the Middle East, noted "a particularly worrisome trend when it comes to the discourse concerning our region. Some have a penchant for equating the lawful actions of states in defense of their citizens with the violence of terrorists whose goal is to endanger those very civilians. The world is entirely too familiar with Israel's doublespeak and hypocrisy.


Study: Peace presents risks for airlines Tuegeman said Israel did not take into sufficient consideration, when it made peace with Jordan and Egypt, that it was effectively opening up its airspace to civilian planes that easily could be commandeered by Arab terrorists for 9/11-style ramming attacks


Israeli commentator defends settlers COMPARING Palestinian calls for the eradication of Jewish settlements in the West Bank to a "judenrein" (the Nazi word for an area free of Jews), a visiting Israeli commentator has also lambasted critics who called the settlements an obstacle to peace.
Calling for the end of the illegal Israeli settlements is more like calling for the end of Israel's LEBENSRAUMISM.


Holy Land's 'suffering servants' need advocacy, solidarity, Presiding Bishop urges With an invitation to "come and see for yourself," Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori concluded her March 16-24 pastoral visit to the Holy Land recognizing the need for people worldwide to understand the plight of Palestinian Christians


A Book Americans Must Read Before Time Runs Out by Michael Scheuer "[The Gallup data shows that] contrary to what the 'They Hate Our Freedom' thesis might predict, Muslims do not recommend or insist upon changes to Western culture or social norms as the path to better [Western-Muslim] relations. ? Rather they call on the West to show greater respect for Islam, and they emphasize policy-related issues [U.S. interventionism; unqualified support for Israel; and protection for authoritarian Arab regimes]" (159).


French aliyah down under Sarkozy French Jewish emigration to Israel has plummeted since Nicolas Sarkozy took office, data suggest. Oh dear.

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Headlines for 03-24-08

Israeli troops kill Palestinian on Gaza border Israeli troops killed an unarmed Palestinian and wounded another during a clash with gunmen on the border of the Hamas-run Gaza Strip on Monday, hospital officials and militant sources said.


Cheney talks Iran in Israel; U.S. strike seen as remote it was the Iranian dilemma that topped the agenda in two meetings Cheney held with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and one with Defense Minister Ehud Barak.......if the U.S. National Intelligence Estimate published last December suggested a chasm between Israeli and American assessments, Israeli officials say the views of both sides now are almost identical......Israel also figures that the chances of the Bush administration ordering a pre-emptive military strike against Iran are virtually zero. The only such scenario the Israelis envision is if the Democratic presidential candidates appear to be far ahead of their Republican rival and Bush senses a "now or never" strike option.......the Israelis are hoping that the hard-line Cheney will push the envelope -- a role he reportedly played vis-a-vis the U.S. invasion of Iraq. One official said Cheney is seen as "a significant player" who could influence "serious issues that cannot wait."
This from the Jewish Telegraph Agency (registration is free). Israel is still trying hard to get us to attack Iran for them (like we did Iraq).


MK demands probe into rabbi who decreed against employing Arabs


'No option' ruled out over Iran nukes


Barak to Cheney: We must keep all options open vis a vie Iran Who's 'we'?


Cheney hits out at Iran, Syria as he wraps up Mideast peace push Iran and Syria "are doing everything they can to torpedo the peace process," Cheney told reporters in Jerusalem as he wrapped up a visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories before heading to Turkey.

More Orwellian BS from the king of the neocons, who do everything THEY can to torpedo the 'peace process'.


Hebron Update: 8-15 March 2008


Cheney says Syria and Iran are sabotaging talks Cheney, who for the second time in two days met the Israeli prime minister, Ehud Olmert, in Jerusalem, was on a visit intended to encourage the faltering peace talks, which, four months since they were launched, have achieved little. "It is clearly a difficult situation, in part, because I think it's true, there's evidence, that Hamas is supported by Iran and Syria and that they're doing everything they can to torpedo the peace process," Cheney told reporters after the meeting.




For road to peace, Palestinians get very different maps from U.S., Russia Mr. Cheney did not mention Israeli settlement activity in the West Bank, an end to the Israeli blockade on the Gaza Strip and support for Palestinian reconciliation talks under way in Yemen.'Painful concessions' for Mideast peace: Cheney

Commitment to Israel 'enduring and unshakable' Cheney says

However, all of those were points that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov pointedly did make.


Israel will shun Abbas over Hamas Israel threatened to cut off peace talks with Mahmoud Abbas if his Fatah faction joins forces with Hamas.


Anti-missionaries suspected in attack "They [the police], as far as I understand, do not suspect Palestinian terrorism. They suspect a Jewish anti-missionary motive," Oritz told the Post by phone from his Ariel home, minutes after returning from the hospital.


Netanyahu: If we leave Jerusalem, Iran and Hamas will take control Iran is to blame for all ills in the world, according to Israel and the neocons.


Hunkering down in Hebron Karaki is being ordered to forfeit all this because the Israeli military doesn't like her landlord.


Cheney says Hamas sabotages peace talks


Israeli settlers attack Palestinian homes in Hebron city, one Palestinian injured


Many Arabs fear McCain would continue Bush policy During a Middle East tour this month, McCain's statements on Israel also sounded alarm bells for Arabs who have long criticized Washington for not exercising enough pressure on the Jewish state to withdraw from occupied Arab land.


Messianics: Attack on boy one of many


Cheney says Hamas-Fatah deal unlikely After meeting Cheney on Sunday, Abbas said Israeli settlement expansion, roadblocks in the West Bank and assaults against militants were holding up peace talks relaunched at a U.S.-led conference in Annapolis, Maryland, last November.


Israelis to keep West Bank checkpoints Israel won't remove the hundreds of checkpoints and roadblocks it has built in the West Bank but it will look at ways to make travel easier for the Palestinians living there, the Israeli defense minister said Monday.


Remains of Jordanian soldier killed in 1967 repatriated


IDF deploys new anti-terror system around Gaza "We will be able to distinguish between terrorists and innocent civilians," another military official said. "We won't fire needlessly, yet at the same time we are responsible for protecting IDF soldiers." In 60 years (plus), they haven't been able to distinguish between terrorists and innocent civilians. Their remote control guns aren't going to make the difference, methinks.


Rice due back in Middle East next week: Cheney


Hezbollah said it will continue pursuing mediated talks with Israel on a possible prisoner swap.


Barak: We must take Hezbollah's latest threats seriously


A Mother And A Daughter Reunited Maimanah grew up in a Palestinian refugee camp. Poetess Rihab didn't know that Maimanah was one of the few survivors of the massacre, also no body knew that the mother survived too. Rihab moved to Tunis and got married there where she lived for 15 years, as the Lebanese authorities did allow her to visit Lebanon.



Saudi king favours inter-faith talks to include Judaism: report


Bishop Thomas Gumbleton visits family of imprisoned mayor in Beit Ummar He told Mayor Al Qam?s family that during his trip to the holy land, he has become more aware of the extreme injustices in the Palestinian territories.


Sde Boaz residents live in defiance of 'road map' at illegal West Bank outpost


US vessel 'shoots at Suez boat'


Saudi king to boycott Arab summit The Saudis had already indicated that King Abdullah might not attend because of a rift with Syria over the current political crisis in Lebanon.


Report: Iranian, Syrian missiles to pound Israel in next war Someone's gearing up for something.


Drake stays mum on UC Irvine anti-Semitism Michael Drake, confronted over his position at the opening plenary of Hillel?s summit Monday in Washington, issued a blanket condemnation of hate speech, including anti-Semitism, saying it had no place in society.....Drake declined to comment, however, when asked by JTA after the summit how he feels about some of the anti-Israel activity that has taken place at UC Irvine. He said the university wished to remain "content neutral." So in fact, he DID speak out on anti-Semitism, but refused to speak out about anti-Israel activity. Evidently, the JTA too conflates anti-Semitism with criticism of Israel. Not the same.


Soldier suspected as Hezbollah spy An Israeli soldier is suspected of supplying classified information to Hezbollah in exchange for drugs.


Israeli prime minister urges visiting Sri Lankan premier not to 'give in to terrorism'


Episcopal head's Gaza visit highlights plight of Palestinians A Palestinian family, including a young girl, was waiting to cross into Gaza to see relatives for the first time in two years. Although they had already secured the required permits, they were told the border had been closed. Moments later, the Presiding Bishop's delegation was granted access.


TB cases down but arguments over numbers persist The Palestinians' lack of control over their borders plays a small but not negligible role in the low tuberculosis rates in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt), health officials said.


Israel passes on U.S.-produced anti-rocket laser

Monday, March 24, 2008

Headlines for 03-23-08

Palestinian killed as tunnel collapsed under Gaza border


Israel denies offering Hamas and Islamic Jihad yearlong truce in Gaza Jerusalem officials told Israel Radio that Israel's stance regarding any period of calm was clear, saying that there was no agreement whatsoever and no negotiations over a truce.


Efrat settlement near Bethlehem to expand


Cheney urges Mid-East concessions


Egypt releases detained Hamas men


The curse of the Nablus dream house "This just isn't my home any more," says the 47-year-old Palestinian bank manager, "it might as well belong to the Israeli army."


Cheney warns Palestinians over attacks on Israel "A difficult but immutable truth must continue to be told: Terror and rockets do not merely kill innocent civilians, they also kill the legitimate hopes and aspirations of the Palestinian people," Mr Cheney said during a joint public appearance with Mr Abbas. That's hypocrisy given what Israel did to gain statehood. The British MI5 had bounty on Menachem Begin for his part, as one example.


Palestinian youth injured near Qalqilia Palestinian medical sources in Qalqilia, in the northern part of the West Bank, reported on Saturday evening that a Palestinian youth was shot and seriously injured by Israeli military gunfire as the army invaded Azzoun town, east of the city, and clashed with dozens of residents.



West Bank villagers, police clash At least four people were wounded, one of them seriously, when clashes erupted between Palestinian police and residents of a West Bank village yesterday, a security official said.



Palestinian officials accuse Israel of forging ownership documents of East Jerusalem buildings Hatem Abed al Qader, the advisor of the Palestinian premier for Jerusalem affairs, affirmed on Saturday that Israeli authorities are confiscating Palestinian-owned homes in East Jerusalem as part of ongoing annexation of the city.


Barak considering easing restrictions on Palestinians


Cheney hears Palestinian complaints Palestinians had little expectation their meetings with Cheney, a strong defender of the Jewish state, would produce anything concrete. While that was the case, the Bush administration did get another chance to nudge the two sides toward an agreement before President Bush leaves office in January.


Israel denies Italian sports delegation access to Gaza


More water conservation efforts needed, say experts Ayman Rabi from the Palestinian Hydrology Group, a non-governmental organisation, said certain West Bank areas like Hebron had been hard hit by lack of rainfall. "Already the Palestinians receive less water than is needed," Rabi told IRIN. "In the best case scenarios, in urban areas, we receive 50 litres per capita per day." According to the Israeli non-governmental organisation Btselem there is a huge gulf in water consumption levels between Israelis and Palestinians. Israel has capped the amount of water sold to Palestinians and the Civil Administration requires Palestinians in Area C, under full Israeli control after the Oslo Accords, to obtain permits to dig wells. Sometimes "illegal" wells are destroyed, forcing Palestinians to use expensive water tankers.


Abbas aide accuses Hamas of thwarting Yemeni initiative


French official sacked for anti-Israeli diatribe Bruno Guigue, deputy prefect of the southwestern town of Saintes, wrote in an online column this month that Israel was "the only state where snipers shoot down little girls outside their school gates."


Hamas says talks with Fatah to begin April 5


Hamas opposes return of PNA security forces to Gaza An Islamic Hamas spokesman said Sunday that his movement opposes the return of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) security forces to the Gaza Strip, which Hamas has been ruling since last June.


Official: Israel prepared to honor truce in Gaza


Christians sing, pray at holy sites in Jerusalem to celebrate Easter Pilgrims included Polish men in fur hats, Indian women in saris and Palestinian clergy in white and gold robes.


Fatah at odds with Hamas over meaning of Yemen deal


Zawahri urges anti-Israel attacks over Gaza - Web


Palestinian factions sign Yemen reconciliation deal


Peres: No Golan handover "Israel will never agree to return the Golan Heights, only to get, in return, Iranian-Syrian control over Lebanon," the Israeli president was quoted as telling visiting U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney on Sunday.


Easter in Jerusalem Under an 800-year-old peace agreement, two Muslim men share the power to open and close the church's 3-ton wooden doors. One holds the key; the other opens the door. Neither can agree on who plays the more important role. The spat is one tiny reflection of the complex and deep-rooted religious, political and tribal divisions that have split this holy city for centuries.


Banksy Bombs Banksy returned to the West Bank in December 2007, leaving six new drawings on the wall near Bethlehem


Hezbollah deputy chief: We have proof Israel killed Mughniyah


Hezbollah calls for Beirut rally Hezbollah is to hold a rally in Beirut to mark the end of the 40-day mourning period for its assassinated commander Imad Mughniyeh.


Internet site seeks former Swedish volunteers to act as goodwill ambassadors "Israel's public relations in Sweden are in a sad state." The Web site recently launched by the Israeli embassy in Sweden is trying to change the situation Toledano described.


Ha'aretz: Evil is not neutral Two of the most prominent personages today in the global arena, who visited Israel last week, spoke clearly and lucidly against the Iranian danger. German Chancellor Angela Merkel and U.S. Senator John McCain, the Republican presidential frontrunner, agree that the Islamic Republic in Tehran is a genuine threat to the security of Israel, the Middle East and even beyond. ....The international community is obligated to work to stop Iran before it causes a major conflagration.


$5m Ramallah hospital project delayed


Fugitive CEO hosts luxury simcha An Israeli-American millionaire on the run from the FBI threw a luxurious bar mitzvah in his African hideaway.


Indyk was Hussein's target The Pentagon said the paper provides ?strong evidence? of the links between Saddam?s regime and global terrorism. The trouble is, Saddam had nothing to do with 9/11 or Al Qaeda (as alleged by the neocons who used this propaganda to get us to go to war with Iraq). These little nuggets put forth in this recent report of late still do not prove the aforementioned, and thus do not justify the American attack on Iraq.


Treasury cautions on Iran central bank The U.S. Treasury included Iran's central bank in a cautionary advisory to financial institutions. This serves as another reminder that the Israeli lobby wields disproportionate influence over this government.


Turkey Is Against Nuclear Weapons Most, Mercan Mercan stressed that, unless the Palestinian-Israeli issue is resolved, the world will not have peace and calm. "We need to place pressure on Israel. However, the existence of Israel must be recognized by the Arabic world. You have to act as a realist," Mercan underlined.



Conflict is more than just a muddle We do not need two men cut from the same cloth as Menachem Begin and Anwar Sadat. We need Israel to stop stealing Palestinian land and driving its people into destitution, military prisons and refugee camps to expand a state that gives more and special rights to Jews.


Egyptian police arrest 13 Africans trying to cross into Israel


Olmert: We must curb infiltrations from Egypt


BD10,000 raised for Palestine A BAHRAINI organisation has raised BD10,000 for Palestinians in Gaza in just one day through a charity fundraiser yesterday.

Sunday, March 23, 2008

Headlines for 03-22-08

Turkish Red Crescent's Assistance Reaches Gaza The second part of Turkish Red Crescent's humanitarian assistance has reached Gaza on Thursday.


Palestinian talks in Yemen await Hamas response


Egypt holds talks with Gaza Islamists on truce Egypt held talks on Saturday with representatives of Hamas and Islamic Jihad from the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, part of a push for a truce between the militant groups and Israel, officials said.


Defense Minister likely to approve 80 housing units in settlement Derech Ha'avot was established in 2001 on private Palestinian land.



Fatah opposes expansion of deposed Hamas government


Cheney backs Israel over security Mr Cheney said the US would never put any pressure on Israel over issues he said would threaten its security.....Mr Olmert said that there were "many items on the common agenda" of the US and Israel including Iran and carrying on peace negotiations with Palestinians. And the settlements Israel is constantly building and expanding in Palestinian territory, do they have anything to do with Israeli 'security'? So, why hasn't the US -aside from Bush the first's attempt in the early 90s - pressured Israel on THAT matter? Furthermore, Iran does not threaten the American national interest.


Hebron Update: 1-7 March 2008 Palestinian youth, demonstrating against the Israeli military strikes in Gaza, threw stones and the Israeli military responded with tear gas, rubber bullets, and live ammunition. A twelve-year old boy was killed and many were injured mostly from the ages of 8-19 years old. Wendeln and a guest went to the Palestinian Alia Hospital to find out more about the casualties. The head doctor on the surgical floor took them to see injured youths. An 8-year-old red-haired boy sustained a chest wound with a bullet that barely missed his heart.


Germany Backs Israel All The Way Merkel did not utter a critical word about ongoing Israeli construction in settlements in the West Bank. She did not call on Israel to act with restraint in retaliating TO the rocket attacks by Palestinian militants. And she did not demand an easing of the crippling travel restrictions Israel imposes on Palestinians in the West Bank.



Poll: Rights of Palestinian women become 'less equal'


Israeli activist invited to speak after British ban Moshe Feiglin is a West Bank settler who heads a faction of the right-wing Likud party. He advocates harsh military action against Palestinians, pulling Israel out of the United Nations and encouraging non-Jews in Israel to emigrate. He is being brought to Canada by the Jewish Defence League.


Hoekstra heading to Holy Land for Easter U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Holland, has plans for his Easter break. He will be heading to Israel and North Africa on a fact-finding mission as part of a congressional delegation, he told the Daily News Friday


Free Hawai'i. Free Palestine. The Hawai?i Symposium on Palestine, "Who are the Palestinians? Remembering the Nakba," will feature faculty, guest speakers and community members sharing a narrative about Palestine that organizers say rarely gets attention.

Saturday, March 22, 2008

Headlines for 03-21-08

US to help Egypt prevent smuggling on Gaza border US helping Egypt build border fence on Gaza frontier: American officials have agreed to a $23 million aid package from which most will go towards purchasing technology to prevent the fence from being perforated and for locating underground smuggling conduits, according to information received in the Israeli political circuit. From details that were made known to Ynet, the US intends to send teams from the US Army Corps of Engineers to the Egyptian side of the Gaza-Egypt border in the near future. Theses teams will assist Egyptian forces deployed along the frontier pinpoint the locations of smuggling tunnels west of the border in the Rafah area. The United States military, rather than defend OUR borders, will instead be defending those of ISRAEL.


Bush erroneously says Iran announced desire for nuclear weapons Asked if Iran could exploit Bush's inaccurate comment for political purposes, Johndroe replied: "I'm not concerned about that. If they want to spin it a certain way, they can do it any way they want. They have still called for Israel to be wiped off the map and are in violation of three U.N. Security Council resolutions." And strangely, Israel has in fact wiped Palestine off the map, and is in violation of dozens of UN resolutions (and has been for years). No action is on the table to deal with Israel.


Bomb targets Christian pastor's home Israeli media speculated that the bomb - apparently delivered in one of the gift baskets Jews exchange on the Purim holiday that began Thursday night - might have been directed at the family's Christian missionary activities.


Pilgrims flock to Jerusalem despite troubles Israel has allowed the usual number of Christian Palestinians from West Bank communities in and around Bethlehem to enter Jerusalem for Easter. Palestinians with permits for religious worship are being allowed through, despite the closure of the border with the West Bank to coincide with the Jewish Purim holiday, which also falls this weekend.


Hamas men 'tortured by Egyptians' A Hamas spokesman said security forces had demanded to know about Hamas leaders' movements and the location of captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. The Egyptians are doing the bidding of Israel, by way of the US (finally releasing aid to Egypt).


State tells Arab Americans: report entry issues The U.S. State Department urged Americans of Arab origin to report difficulties encountered entering Israel.


The situation in Gaza has been worsening for years Health facilities in the Gaza Strip have become extremely fragile. Once the current crisis passes and is off the media's agenda, the situation will continue to worsen.


World Bank strategy for a prosperous and viable Palestinian State


Russia to convey new Hamas proposal to Israel


Israeli sanctions backfiring? The Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip has hit the business sector, farmers and those who might benefit from development projects, but helped Hamas consolidate its authority in Gaza, says a new report by the International Crisis Group (ICG).


5 Palestinian smugglers injured in tunnel collapse


Saudi king meets U.S. vice president for talks on Mideast issues


Palestinian president says follow-up peace conference 'important' "We stressed the importance of holding the follow-up conference," he told a news conference after meeting visiting Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.


Israeli settlers attempt to confiscate a Palestinian-owned store in East Jerusalem On Friday, a group of Israeli settlers attempted to confiscate a Palestinian-owned store in East Jerusalem. The Palestinian family who owned the store were surprised when a group of Israeli settlers accompanied by construction workers entered illegally and would not leave.


Villagers near Bethlehem stage a nonviolent protest against the illegal annexation wall


Russian FM calls for end to Gaza blockade, settlements Visiting Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Friday criticized Israeli settlement activity in the West Bank and called for an end to the Jewish state's "unacceptable" blockade of the Gaza Strip.


Israeli military attacks weekly Bil'in protest, authorized by Israeli government to use lethal force


Hamas leader looks to strengthen hold on Gaza


Israel to build new settler homes in West Bank: report


Israeli blockade grounds Gaza fishermen Lying on a mattress on the ground in his small brick house, Brek recalls the fateful events of March 8, when he suffered severe bullet wounds. "I was pulling up my net when an Israeli patrol boat circled twice around my boat before firing at me and leaving. I lost a lot of blood," says Brek.



Russia to supply Abbas with armored vehicles, no guns After months of delay, Russia agreed to Israeli conditions regarding the delivery of armored vehicles to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's security forces, Israeli officials said on Friday.



US hopefuls in Middle East minefield As the former state department Middle East expert Aaron Miller wrote recently in the Los Angeles Times: "No figure in American mainstream politics can be viable without being firmly supportive of Israel."


Factions fight in Lebanese camp Clashes have broken out between Palestinian factions in a refugee camp in southern Lebanon.


Israel to equip passenger aircraft with anti-missile flares to counter terror attacks Israel is to begin fitting some of its passenger aircraft with flares to counter potential missile attacks, defence officials said.


Hebron Update: 22-29 February 2008


Government will appeal Rosen-Weissman The notification of an appeal came as the sides completed the arduous process of selecting what classified information may be introduced at the trial. and the appeal may be based on prosecution objections to the breadth of information ultimately approved for use.


Iranian nuclear plan must be stopped, Barak tells Lavrov


Israel central bank to buy dollars over two years Bin Laden is laughing his balls off somewhere in a cave in Pakistan at the wholesale bankruptcy of the United States, in large part due to the wars the neocons, Israel's primo lobbyists, snookered us into fighting.


Peres to Lavrov: We don't believe Syria President Peres tells Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov that Israel distrusts Syrian peace overtures; Earlier, Lavrov meets with Assad, says Moscow peace conference aims to restart Israel-Syria talks


MIT chooses winners to forge a 'Just Jerusalem' The winners, men and women from the United States, Austria, Malaysia and the Palestinian territories, will spend three months this fall on a $50,000 fellowship at MIT trying to turn their ideas into a workable blueprint, said project director Diane Davis, an author and sociologist at MIT.




Any new war with Israel 'will be much more violent' Soon after the American destroyer USS Cole was deployed off Lebanon's shore in late February 28 to "preserve political stability," a group of young men gathered in the Southern agricultural town of Qana to voice their fears. "Everyone feels there is a war coming," said university student Salman Ismael, 22, "especially after the killing of [senior Hizbullah commander] Imad Mughniyeh and what is happening in Gaza. And now US ships come to the waters of Lebanon. Israel wants to improve her army in the Middle East after its defeat in 2006. She wants the Arabs to be scared of her."


An Open Letter to All Feminists: Support Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim Women.


Germany, Israel plan int'l summit on Iran A senior source said that Olmert had suggested holding an international conference on Iran. The two leaders decided to advance the initiative and will try to enlist other states to back it, including the United States, France, Britain, Russia and China, as well as other European states and Arab countries that are threatened by Iran's nuclear program. Israel hopes that states from the moderate Sunni bloc in the Middle East, such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan and others would take part in the conference.



'NORMAL LIFE' ESCAPES PALESTINIAN MILITANT


Germany: The Key to Iran Threat?


Easter 2008 - The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land Last week I was shocked to go with our Environmental Center to villages where the majority of their land has been swallowed up in settlements. We planted trees and visited a man who was able to keep his home because of a decision of the Supreme Court, but it has been fenced in with only 5 feet of space between him and the settlement. Why can't we live on our own land, they wonder?


Shasta High grad to talk on Palestinians When 31-year-old Janessa Gans visits her hometown this week, she'll be carrying more than a suitcase. With photographs and words, she'll bring a picture of life for ordinary Palestinians in the West Bank -- a picture she hopes fosters understanding of their struggle.


Palestine Through Our Eyes: 60 Years Since the Nakba This photo exhibit chronicles the experience of Palestinian children from a West Bank refugee camp as they visit Jerusalem, the sea, and the villages their families fled in 1948. The exhibit also includes photos and captions by Palestinian refugee children living in camps in Syria, Jordan and Lebanon


UPDATE: Blake Murphy is deported to the US Blake Murphy, an American activist from Bedford, MA, working in the West Bank, was beaten and arrested by Israeli army and police forces on Friday 14th March 2008. He has had to face a series of evidently false charges from the Israeli authorities due to his work supporting non-violent resistance to the occupation of Palestine. He was deported to the United States on Friday 21st March after a week in detention.


IPF-Bring Hamas in The Israel Policy Forum urged the Bush administration to find a way to bring Hamas into talks to end violence.


Iran puts European security 'at stake:' Sarkozy


Pollution looms at key water sources Israel's natural water sources will drop so dangerously low by the end of this year that there is a major risk of some of them becoming irretrievably polluted and thus unusable, according to the shocking new forecast from the Water Authority.


Israel, Pentagon talk arms sales Buhris also asked about the latest model F-22 stealth jet, the Jerusalem Post reported, concerned that it might face a confrontation with Iran before the JSF is ready. Congress has banned selling the F-22 abroad.


Israel wants removal from trade watch list Israel asked the United States to remove it from an intellectual property watch list.



Motorola replies to divestment group Motorola responded to a U.S. group that demanded that it end its sale of products to Israel's army and settlements.



Ackerman explains Israel remarks U.S. Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-N.Y.) explained remarks that were critical of Israel Oh dear.


Krauthammer, Tucker Carlson, Rev Wright & Other Racial Paranoids It's no secret to any of my readers that I despise Charles Krauthammer. I never liked his writing. He is a neocon. He's vicious (he ridiculed Christopher Reeve for giving seriously disabled people "false hope). And his views of the Israeli-Palestinian question are repulsive. He hates the Palestinians and would fight to the last Israeli to defeat them. I disagree with Rosenberg. Wright was right on most of what he said.


Lavrov presses peace plan The Israelis, who prefer the preeminent role the United States has taken in recent peace-brokering, were non-committal.


SCHANSBERG: The strategic logic of suicide terrorism Since many suicide attacks have been done by Muslims, it's easy to assume that ST is a "Muslim fundamentalist" thing. But Pape finds that this characteristic is involved in only about half of the cases. The leading instigators of ST - nearly one-fourth of the cases - are the Tamil Tigers, a secular group in Sri Lanka. Even among Muslims who engage in ST, about one-third of them are secular.....acts of ST have always been connected to a perception that the stronger power is occupying the weaker party's territory. (This is the weaker party's perception - regardless of the stronger party?s motive.) ST then is primarily a nationalistic response to a foreign power's control over its land.