NEWS: News Updates

International letter to Obama: give money to Israel only if it obeys law

January 19th, 2013

Jewish Voice for Peace has initiated a public letter to President Obama asking him to act on an obvious principle: Israel should not receive state money from the US (or any country) if it does not comply with national and international laws. This follows a letter from 15 Christian leaders saying 'unconditional U.S. military assistance to Israel has contributed to this deterioration (of peace prospects)'. JfJfP endorses the public letter to Obama. To sign, click on link in posting. The letter will be delivered on Inauguration Day, January 21.

Popular protest and prisoners versus the Palestinian elite

January 19th, 2013

There has long been a leadership deficit for Palestinians write Ramzy Baroud. Not because individual Palestinians are weak or corrupt but because any leadership has to compromise in order to be recognised internationally. So the gulf between that elite and the people is growing as protests such as the tent villages (other posts) and prisoner hunger strikes (1-3 here) spread. Last, JfJfP is holding a public meeting on Popular Struggle in Palestine with Saeed Amireh from Nil'in village.

Violent Israeli reaction to dignified tent protesters

January 19th, 2013

The photos confirm the stories in this post: after Palestinians created Bab Al-Shams, with the consent of the Bedouin owners, the police arrested them, arrested them again when they returned, injuring both protesters and photographers, then bulldozed the camp. Undeterred, a new camp has been created, Bab al-Karamah - Dignity. JfJfP issues statement supporting the right of Palestinians to resist Israeli settlement building.

Don’t despair; Israel does have a living opposition

January 18th, 2013

There is no party political force which can prevent Israel's getting its most authoritarian regime ever after next week's election. You are, says Larry Derfner, for the Occupation and every war Israel starts, or against them. Only those who are against constitute an opposition -it's vital to know it does exist (1) . Don Futterman thinks there's some hope in the centre-left. (2).

Israel builds for permanent block to Palestinian state

January 18th, 2013

Although Col. Arieli argues that settlements need not prevent a 2-state solution (link in post) a report from Peace Now (3) says the hectic building under Netanyahu is a deliberate block to an independent Palestine. 1, Netanyahu pledges not to make any settlers leave W.Bank. 2, an overview from Reuters.

Volvo turns blind eye to use of its machines to demolish Palestinian homes

January 17th, 2013

ICAHD knows of 598 Palestinian structures (houses, mosques, community facilities) that were demolished in 2012 (3). How was such an immense amount of destruction carried out? Adri Nieuwhof documents the use of Volvo machines, with IDF assistance, to do that work - and how Volvo can't plead ignorance or helplessness (1 and 2). Al Haq has produced a new report on banning settlement produce, full of useful facts. For technical reasons we only post the Media Release here (4). At the end, we've included notice of a conference organised by JBIG as activism on BDS is close to its theme of Palestine solidarity and Jewish opposition to Zionism .

Netanyahu is leading Israel to pariah status – Obama

January 17th, 2013

Jeffrey Goldberg, in an article for Bloomberg news (1) describes what he believes to be President Obama's views on PM Netanyahu - that he is captive to the settler lobby and doesn't know what 'Israel's best interests are'. In Israel this has been taken to be an intervention in Israel's election, unacceptable to Likud, applauded by Livni (2). Reuters gives an account of the whole episode (3).

Why G4S should win the award for world’s worst company

January 16th, 2013

Who does more damage to human rights, Goldman Sachs, Shell or G4S? John Grayson and Adri Nieuwhof throw their weight behind G4S, a company which 'privatises warfare, benefits from the occupation of Palestinian lands, enables the detention of Palestinian children - and seven more reasons . Look left to Action Alert for more information on the Public Eye vote.

New York Times hurriedly removes dirty word from headline

January 16th, 2013

A sharp-eyed Twitter user spotted a surprisingly direct headline about Palestine and took a screen shot of it; and then a few hours later noticed it had become unsurprisingly bland and euphemistic. Guess which word the New York Times readers may not read or hear? Ali Abuminah provides the evidence.

Truth about PA ‘hidden’ from western journalists

January 16th, 2013

The fact that Khaled Abu Toameh works for the very right-wing Gatestone Institute does not detract from his argument about double standards within the Palestinian Authority. It is only surprising that he imagines that western journalists see the PA as that unique thing among governments - a paragon of virtue, or that their moral failings invalidate the arguments for Palestinian independence.

How to remove settlements as a block to 2-state negotiations

January 16th, 2013

In his 'Expert View' Col. Arieli , an executive member of the Council for Peace and Security, argues that the settlements in the West Bank are sufficiently separate and inhabited by Israelis with no ideological motivation to stay, that they could be excised under any peace agreement; those near the border with Israel could be incorporated into Israel under a 1:1 land swap deal. Thus in his view they do no constitute an insuperable barrier to a negotiated two-state solution.

Agenda: Fatah/Hamas reconciliation, armed resistance, PLO reform

January 15th, 2013

Talks are proceeding in Cairo between top representatives of Fatah and of Hamas. Some issues are straightforward - importing building materials - and some have previously brought talks to an end - how Fatah and Hamas can have a productive and co-operative co-existence . But recent agreements between the two groups and an agreement to reform the PLO suggest the auguries are better this time.

Bab al-Shams: a new and important form of resistance

January 14th, 2013

The Bab al-Shams encampment in its brief life inspired and enthused people in Palestine and round the world. Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad praised the activists saying that “the Palestinian steadfastness make the most important part in resisting the occupation and settlement.” PA personnel including Saeb Erekat and Hanan Ashrawi were prevented from reaching the 'village'. The protesters were removed on the orders of Netanyahu/Civil Administration, but as a form of resistance which does more than say no, the image has taken wing.

Israel’s woman of courage – and keeping the truth hidden

January 14th, 2013

Regular readers will be familiar with the charges against Balad MP Haneen Zoabi - that she is a traitor, terrorist, enemy of the state etc. She is also charged with ignoring bread-and-butter issues in preference for the high-profile issues of Arab/Jewish conflict. Larry Derfner, 1 and 2, goes in search of the truth. Meanwhile, Israel's Attorney General has long known that Zoabi played no part in violence on the Mavi Marmara, but chose to say nothing (3) though his role gives him particular responsibility for questions of culpability.

Digging for dirt: the campaign against Stephen Sizer

January 14th, 2013

The Reverend Stephen Sizer has long been the target of hate campaigns as an outspoken critic of Israeli state abuses of Palestinian human rights. The Board of Deputies has lodged a complaint against him for antisemitism, attracting a small hue and cry from anti-Sizer bloggers. Craig Murray finds someone whom he is 'convinced is a good man'. 2nd, we examine one of his posts denounced for an antisemitic link to find which sources the Rev. Sizer actually treats as authoritative,