NEWS: News Updates

 

 

Avigdor ‘the Suspect’ resigns

December 15th, 2012

Although he has been facing indictment on serious charges for some time, Avigdor Lieberman was still juggling with his pre-election team until the last minute - which was on Friday. With a reputation as a bully and a racist the foreign minister had a few admirers outside Israel but inside he stood for the most anti-Palestinian voters in the country,

How and why we came to govern Gaza

December 14th, 2012

This is the 2nd part of the interview with Khaled Meshaal, Hamas leader, in which he speaks about the organisation, factional struggles, taking part in politics and the independence of local acts of resistance. It takes place 9 months before the launching of Operation Cast Lead which he clearly did not anticipate.

How the US manipulated Palestinians and got Hamas

December 14th, 2012

One of three long pieces about Gaza history this week - what else have you got to do over Christmas? - this 2008 one detailing the manipulation by the US security apparatus, blinded by its own mindset, of Palestinian affairs. The resulting civil war entrenched Hamas control of Gaza (see Meshaal above). Be careful of what you wish for.

What Europeans can do: keep out Israeli settlers and their products

December 12th, 2012

Gershon Baskin explores what steps Europeans might take to put their words of disapproval into action. He thinks this would make Europe more influential in Israel ( although as most Israelis associate Europe with antisemitism it is unlikely to be a favourable influence). UPDATE: Lieberman invokes Holocaust.

Mindful destruction – no bread, no circuses, no dentist in Gaza

December 12th, 2012

The dust clears from Operation Pillar of Defence. We see how thoroughly the IAF smashed all Gaza's amenities. And that's when the targets were Palestinian people. No-one can get insurance for war damage in Gaza. Eve Bartlett reports. Photos from Eve Bartlett and Ryan Rodrick Beiler.

Who aimed to “freeze the political process” so no state could be set up?

December 12th, 2012

As a festive Chanukah offering we bring you Stephen Shalom's Gaza Quiz. No marks for getting the right answers but congratulations if you read this website so thoroughly you know at least half the facts about Israeli policy towards Gaza which the quiz provides. Sorry - it's not a fun read.

Something’s shifted in the Palestinian stalemate

December 12th, 2012

UPDATE Week of riots in West Bank. Photos 1st, Ynet report last. With a recent new energy in Palestinian politics there is again talk of Fatah/Hamas reconciliation. Statements of intent for a single Palestinian leadership are common. At this moment, Joharah Baker thinks something might shift. Through talks or riots?

MPs from all parties urge Hague to act on Israeli law-breaking

December 12th, 2012

Stuck inside the world of diplomatic niceties and still clinging to the belief that Netanyahu will respond to cross words from the British FCO, William Hague was attacked from all sides at the last parliamentary question time for his refusal to go beyond giving the Israeli ambassador a stern talking to.

It was the best of interviews, it was the worst of interviews

December 11th, 2012

In his 'Tale of Two Interviews' Habib Bhatta describes two CNN interviews. One with Shimon Peres is sycophantic and focuses on his youthful looks and abilities. One with Khaled Meshaal focuses on violence (Hamas's) and killing civilians (Hamas again.) Both interviews ignore Israeli culpability for any deaths.

Fire first, think later

December 11th, 2012

Gershon Baskin argues that by initiating the recent round of fighting with the assassination of al-Jabari, Israel strengthened the idea of weapons and intransigence over the pragmatism which had been emerging in Hamas - witness Meshaal's change of tone. He lays out the steps that can be taken for progress.

Gifts of water cisterns from Poland destroyed by Israeli bureaucrats

December 10th, 2012

Poland is one the few E.European countries to have active NGOs and a sympathy for Palestinians. Polish Humanitarian Action had restored a Palestinian water cistern - only to find that the Civil Administration had ordered its destruction - along with many other rural amenities. Poles have been shocked reports Amira Hass.

PA wants to start negotiations with Israel

December 10th, 2012

Saeb Erekat, negotiator for the PA, said at the weekend that they will work with international officials to restart negotiations with Israel, strengthened by their new UN status. Meanwhile, President Abbas says they will ask the ICC to prosecute Israel if it continues to violate agreements and Hamas vows to go its own way (see post below) .

Hamas celebrates 25 years with rocket and vow to gain all Israeli land

December 10th, 2012

Meshaal makes an inflammatory and celebratory speech at a rally for Hamas' 25th anniversary vowing Hamas will free every inch of the land from the river to the sea from Israeli control: a challenge to Fatah as well as Israel. Whether the demogoguery was as showy but flimsy as the flags and replica rocket, who knows? UPDATES 2, Observer corrects its wrong translation , 3,4, commentary by Richard Silverstein and Uri Avnery.

Defining non-Zionist Jewishness

December 10th, 2012

In Judith Butler's understanding, Zionism is opposed to the Jewish diaspora traditions of co-existing with others,of nations of mixed identities and the non-macho man. Carlo Strenger, in this review of her latest book, enjoys her use of Jewish thinkers such as Arendt and Primo Levi but is critical of her view of Zionism as a monolith.

Zoabi: “We don’t have the privilege to be indifferent.”

December 10th, 2012

MK Hanan Zoabi surprises Israelis who have swallowed the denunciations of her as a terrorist and of her party, Balad, as a 'hostile minority' - which a member of Yisrael Beitenu is trying to get banned. Zoabi has been campaigning to get Arabs to vote in January; a ban would confirm their exclusion from any political process.