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Pro-Palestinian Activists Sail Into Gaza
Two boats carrying dozens of international activists and aid sailed into the Gaza Strip in defiance of an Israeli blockade on Saturday. (Aug. 24) Two boats carrying dozens of international activists and aid sailed into the Gaza Strip in defiance of an Israeli blockade on Saturday... more
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Palestinian Athlete Refuses to Breathe Same Air as Israeli Team
BEIJING -- A Palestinian Olympic swimmer has declared he will not "breathe the same air" as the Israeli athletes... [more]
--TheSkunk.org BEIJING -- A Palestinian Olympic swimmer has declared he will not "breathe the same air" as the Israeli athletes... [more] ... more -
Will Your Vote Be Counted in 2008? Electronic Voting Machines and the Privatizatio...
With less than a month before Super Tuesday, every vote counts. But will every vote actually be counted? One-by-one, states across the country are finding critical flaws in the accuracy and security of electronic voting machines. We speak with Clive Thompson, the author of a New York Times Magazine cover story titled ?Can You Count on Voting Machines?? With less than a month before Super Tuesday, every vote counts. But will every vote actually be counted? One-by-one, states across the... more
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Sick Palestinians 'asked to spy'
Israeli security agents are putting pressure on some Palestinian medical patients to become informants, according to a human rights group.
Physicians for Human Rights says it has documented about 30 cases of people from Gaza being denied treatment for not providing information.
The Tel Aviv-based group says this breaches international law.
An Israeli official dismissed the claims, saying patients were only questioned as a security measure.
The report says that Palestinian patients have "become an accessible and important target for the GSS [General Security Services] for the purposes of recruiting and gathering information".
The group cites cases in which patients were summoned for questioning and others where patients did not come to a crossing for fear of being arrested.
Read more... Israeli security agents are putting pressure on some Palestinian medical patients to become informants, according to a human rights gr... more -
BBC NEWS | Middle East | 'Four killed' in Gaza explosion
A powerful explosion by a beach in the Gaza Strip has killed at least three Palestinians, including a young girl, Hamas officials and medics say.
At least 20 people were reportedly injured by the blast, which destroyed a car close to the coast in Gaza City.
Reports said the blast was the third in Gaza on Friday. Violence in the area has fallen since the militant group Hamas seized power in Gaza in 2007.
Unconfirmed reports said the men killed were Hamas fighters.
The series of bombings amounted to one of the most serious outbreaks of deadly violence since Hamas took power.
MYSTERIOUS BLASTS
Earlier on Friday, a bombing outside a cafe in Gaza City killed one person and injured four others, Palestinian police reported.
Aftermath of bombing of cafe in Gaza City
There have been a number of attacks on cafes in the Gaza Strip
The blast, just after midnight local time, caused extensive damage.
It was unclear why the area was bombed, but there have been attacks on internet cafes, music shops and Christian institutions in Gaza in recent months.
Police also reported a bombing near the home of Marwan Abu Ras, a Hamas official who issues fatwas, or religious edicts, in Gaza. No-one was injured.
The militant Hamas movement seized control of Gaza by force more than a year ago from the Fatah movement of Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the Palestinian Authority.
I wonder how Hamas and the PA will spin this to blame "the Zionists." A powerful explosion by a beach in the Gaza Strip has killed at least three Palestinians, including a young girl, Hamas officials and ... more -
New museum to display rich Palestinian history
Jawdat N. Khoudary will open the first museum of archeology this summer in Gaza. The aim is to show Palestinian patriotism and how the now "Gray Gaza" was once a thriving multicultural crossroad.
The exhibition will be in a hall made of saved stoned from old houses, discarded wood ties from former railroads, bronze lamps and marble columns. Jawdat N. Khoudary will open the first museum of archeology this summer in Gaza. The aim is to show Palestinian patriotism and how t... more -
Obama Tours Israel, Meets Barak
The Democratic nominee-in-waiting is on a tour of the Mideast and Europe, a journey financed by his campaign and designed to reassure skeptical voters back home of his ability to serve as commander in chief. The Democratic nominee-in-waiting is on a tour of the Mideast and Europe, a journey financed by his campaign and designed to reassure ... more
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Israel trying to suppress forthcoming "scathing" report on its policies ...
The United States security coordinator for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, retired general James Jones, is preparing an extremely critical report of Israel's policies in the territories and its attitude toward the Palestinian Authority's security services.
A few copies of the report's executive summary (or, according to some sources, a draft of it) have been given to senior Bush Administration officials, and it is reportedly arousing considerable discomfort. In recent weeks, the administration has been debating whether to allow Jones to publish his full report, or whether to tell him to shelve it and make do with the summary, given the approaching end of President George Bush's term.
Jones was appointed by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice following the Annapolis peace conference last November. His assignment was to draft a strategic plan to facilitate stabilization of the security situation, as a necessary accompaniment to Israeli-Palestinian final-status negotiations. In this context, he assessed the PA security forces in the West Bank, whose reform is being overseen by another American general, Keith Dayton. Jones has visited the region several times and met with senior Israeli government officials and army officers. The United States security coordinator for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, retired general James Jones, is preparing an extremely cr... more -
Palestinian Takes Front Loader on Jerusalem Rampage
A Palestinian man from east Jerusalem rammed a construction vehicle into three cars and a city bus in downtown Jerusalem near the luxury hotel where presidential candidate Barack Obama is supposed to stay Tuesday night as he kicks off a visit to Israel. The attacker injured four people before an Israeli civilian shot and killed him, police and witnesses said. A Palestinian man from east Jerusalem rammed a construction vehicle into three cars and a city bus in downtown Jerusalem near the luxu... more
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Palestinian orphanages 'under siege'
"The Israeli military has begun shutting down orphanages, schools, bakeries and other organizations associated with the Islamic Charitable Society (ICS). In response, the ICS has received support from Nobel Peace Laureate Mairead Corrigan Maguire, among others.
• The Israeli military alleges that the ICS has links with Hamas, which is designated as a terrorist organization. The ICS has cited documents where the Palestinian Authority has approved the organization's work, denying the claim that it is affiliated with any terrorist organization.
• Israel and Hamas recently agreed upon a six-month cease-fire, to begin at 6 A.M. on Thursday. The ceasefire only applies to the Gaza strip, whereas the Islamic Charitable Society operates primarily in the West Bank.
240 Orphans are about to lose their shelter and care, 1700 children are about to loose their education, and an additional 4000 students and 5000 needy families are about to loose their support base. They all rely on the facilities and care provided by The Islamic Charitable Society (ICS) in Hebron which runs 2 orphanages, 3 schools, 2 bakeries (to provide food for the orphanages), a dairy, a sewing workshop, a big mall and a 30 apartment building.
These facilities are not likely serve the community much longer as the Israeli Military has issued closure and confiscation orders on all property of the Islamic Charitable Society. Why? Because the Israeli Military accuses the ICS of being connected to Hamas, despite the fact that they have provided all requested certifications. The books of the ICS are open to inspection by the authorities and are audited by the Palestinian Authority, the schools fall under full supervision of the Palestinian Ministry of Education and the curriculum is identical to that taught in Palestinian Authority Schools.
The case has been brought before the Israeli High Court which still has to decide on the matter. Normally this would mean that one cannot act until the verdict is made. In this case however, the military did not have the patience to wait for this and acted under a so-called ‘emergency regulation’.
The Israeli Military raids have started on March 6th when the central warehouse in the Al-Harayeq area was targeted and everything needed to supply for the children and families was confiscated. The gates of the nearly completed girls’ school were welded shut and one of the two bakeries which provided bread for the children was ransacked; all equipment was destroyed.
Members of the Christian Peacemaker Team (CPT) and other internationals started to spend the night at the orphanages to ensure that their would be an international presence to document the violations. In the mean time the orphans have been evacuated and are staying with relatives, it is unknown if and when they will be able to return to their homes.
As expected the raids did not stop and so far the Israeli Military has returned three more times. First, on April 15 to destroy the second bakery and to set the oven on fire with its own fuel. Second, on April 30 to destroy the sewing workshop of the girls school; confiscating and ruining all equipment and even cutting up the sewing tables. The destroyed materials were later found in the city dump. Third, on June 5 to raid the ICS branches in Beit Ula and Shuyuk (close to Hebron) in order to confiscate and ransack schools, kitchens, kindergartens and administrative offices. Materials were not only destroyed, some were confiscated, amongst them orphan’s files, examinations and even birth certificates from the school.
Nobody knows when the next raid will be and what type of destruction this will bring. However, many people are standing up to save the orphanages from destruction and the AIC supports these initiatives. Next week it is my turn to spend the night.
If you would like to know more or find out how you can support the Hebron orphans, please visit their website at http://hebronorphans.blogspot.com." "The Israeli military has begun shutting down orphanages, schools, bakeries and other organizations associated with the Islamic C... more -
Italy: Mosques must recognize Israel
Italy may take its discriminatory practices to a new level, calling for measures to make mosque leaders quit unless they recognize Israel.
Action must be taken so that mosque supervisors recognize Israel, said European Affairs Minister Andrea Rochi.
We must force those who do not recognize Israel to leave the mosques, he added, according to Italian news agency Il Tempo.
Criticism has been leveled at Italy as it has failed to end fingerprinting gypsies as part of a census program, despite a European Parliament (EP) recommendation to stop.
Many Muslims around the world do not recognize Israel, saying the United Nations had no right to allow the establishment of a state in a land that has long belonged to the Palestinians. Italy may take its discriminatory practices to a new level, calling for measures to make mosque leaders quit unless they recognize Isr... more -
Israeli military kills U.N. worker
The UN is demanding an investigation into how the Israeli military killed one of its Palestinian school teachers by blasting open the front door of her Gaza home with explosives in the presence of three of her children.
Wafer Shaker al Daghma, 34, a teacher at a local UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) elementary school, was killed last Wednesday as she stood preparing to open the wooden door of her home to the troops. According to UNRWA and relatives who found her body, the military used an explosive device on the door which blew most of her head from her body. They then confined the traumatised children – aged from two to 13 – for five hours while the body lay outside the door of the room where they were held.
The nation calling itself "Israel" is not the Israel of the bible. The should be held accountable for all their terrorist acts. The UN is demanding an investigation into how the Israeli military killed one of its Palestinian school teachers by blasting open the ... more -
Palestinian group to sue UK over Israel
A Palestinian youth group (Watanuna) announced Saturday that it plans to demand compensation from the British government for "committing a series of crimes" against the Palestinians.
"We hold Britain responsible for the suffering of the Palestinian people over the past 60 years," Ubeidat said. "It's time for Britain to bear the moral and political responsibility for this suffering. The British people should be among the first to support the rights of the Palestinians."
Representatives of the Watanuna (Our Homeland) Palestinian Youth said the biggest crime the British government committed was when it promised a homeland for the Jewish people in the 1917 Balfour Declaration. A Palestinian youth group (Watanuna) announced Saturday that it plans to demand compensation from the British government for "com... more -
my grandfather wearing the kuffiyyeh
lina this is for you
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Muslims raise cash for Palestinians
The Muslim community has raised £15,000 through two dinner-fundraisers & collecting money at Bolton's Mosques for humanitarian aid for Palestinians in Gaza via Islamic Relief.
At one of the dinners MP Dr Brian Iddon, gave a presentation about his experiences in Gaza which he visited earlier this year:
He said: "Conditions in Gaza are bleak, with little or no fuel for public services, including garbage collection and ambulances. People have to walk to work, often arriving late, including doctors, nurses and teachers.
"Food distribution is down to the basics and, recently, the UN were unable to distribute food at all. Around 80% of Gazans now rely on charities and the UN to distribute their basic food supplies."
He added: "If electricity fails at al-Shifa hospital for 30 mins, 80 people die and, if it fails for a week, 250 people die."
He added:
This collective punishment on the imprisoned people of Gaza is illegal under international law." The Muslim community has raised £15,000 through two dinner-fundraisers & collecting money at Bolton's Mosques for humanitaria... more -
Obama reaches out to Pro-Israel group
Introduced as the nominee of the Democratic Party, Senator Barack Obama drew several standing ovations from a vastly Jewish crowd at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee’s annual policy conference in Washington on Wednesday, talking tough on the Iranian threat to Israel while also promising that he would lead in pursuing a peace settlement in Israel.
Mr. Obama endorsed a two-state, Israel-Palestine settlement, and took an implicit poke at President Bush. He was speaking, as did John McCain before him on Monday, to a policy conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a major lobbying organization for Israel.
“I won’t wait until the waning days of my presidency,” Mr. Obama said. “I will take an active role and make a personal commitment to do all I can to advance the cause of peace from the start of my administration.”
As president, he added: “I will work to help Israel achieve the goal of two states, a Jewish state of Israel and a Palestinian state, living side by side in peace and security.”
Shortly after he spoke, his former rival, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton came a touch closer than she did last night to acknowledging that he is the nominee of the party. She vouched for Mr. Barack’s friendship and concern for Israel, but did not call him the nominee.
“Let me be very clear,” she said, “I know Senator Obama will be a good friend of Israel.”
Mr. Obama defended his stance that he would negotiate with the nation’s enemies, but coupled that with a pledge of unstinting support for Israel’s security. He also promised to send military hardware to Israel under the same conditions governing NATO nations.
He talked tough on Iran, describing it in terms suggestive of a rogue nation. He made clear that he would place the military might of the United States behind Israel in the event of an Iranian attack on the Jewish state. Introduced as the nominee of the Democratic Party, Senator Barack Obama drew several standing ovations from a vastly Jewish crowd at t... more -
The OTHER forgotten Jewish homeland
Years before the creation of Isreal there was another Jewish homeland created especially for Jews which is even bigger that Israel...
Created in the 1920's the autonomous Jewish region is in Russia it -Birobidzhan was created by Stalin due to Jews demanding it.
However Jews form the minority here, as Jewish numbers are dwindling due reasons like immigration to Israel kicking off in 1990's. Valery S. Gurevich, Deputy Chairman of the government of this Jewish Autonomous Region says:
"The Jews don't form the majority here...but as we like to say jokingly: you have the right not to be Jewish...but you have to live like one,".
Israel was created in 1948, as a haven for Jews, however the creation of the state has resulted in many Palestinians being displaced and many conflicts. However most Palestinians and Israelis just want to live in peace. Years before the creation of Isreal there was another Jewish homeland created especially for Jews which is even bigger that Israel... ... more -
Muslim builds Jewish Temple for free!
A Palestinian-American Muslim Fadil Bayyari will build the first permanent temple for the Reform Jewish congregation in Fayetteville for free!
It is likely without his genrosity the congregation may not of been to afford to build it, reports the NY times and according to ABC news its saved Temple Shalom at least $250,000.
Fadil Bayyari said:
“To me, it’s a place of worship,” said Mr. Bayyari, 55. “In my mind and in my religion, I believe in Judaism as part of Islam. We believe in Abraham. We believe in Moses. In the Koran, there’s lots of talk about Isaac and Joseph. I am always fascinated by this, and I always feel I have a relationship with this faith. And knowing what’s happened in the Middle East, what better way to build bridges?”
"Abraham is our forefather," Bayyari said. "We're first cousins. How we got to hate each other is beyond me."
The Jewish Temple is being named Temple Shalom (Hebrew for preace), for more info please visit:
www.atempleofpeace.com A Palestinian-American Muslim Fadil Bayyari will build the first permanent temple for the Reform Jewish congregation in Fayetteville f... more -
Salaam Shalom Educational Foundation Good News for Peace
* EDUCATING FOR PEACE ON THE WEST BANK
Our work with the Palestinian Kindergarten Teachers in the West Bank has been most fruitful and gratifying. These dedicated women understand the potential impact this education can have on themselves, their students and their community. Plans are being made for these teachers to journey in May to C...
* JEWISH AND ARAB STUDENTS PERFORM GRIMMS FAIRY TALES IN ENGLAND
As you read these words our tenth grade Jewish and Arab students are busy working hard - far from their home in Israel. In the bucolic Cotswalds of Gloucestershire, England our students are rehearsing scenes and practicing the lines of Grimm’s Tales written by England’s esteemed poet Carol Ann D...
* A BREATHROUGH EXPERIMENT
The Goal of Salaam Shalom is to develop a generation of youth in the Middle East who can think outside the box, who are open to new ideas and experiences in order to generate new solutions to the old, entrenched problems troubling the Middle East. Ours is a cutting edge program whose purpose is to b...
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Brought to you by your friends at TouchArt.net and OneEarthBlog.blogspot.com * EDUCATING FOR PEACE ON THE WEST BANK ... more
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