And other news from Today in Palestine:
Land theft and destruction/Ethnic cleansing
Israel To Expropriate 30 Dunams Near Hebron
The Israeli Authorities decided to illegally expropriate 30 Dunams of Palestinian lands that belong to villagers of Beit Ola, near the southern West Bank city of Hebron.
http://www.imemc.org/article/59113
Mayor: Israeli forces confiscate land near Hebron
Hebron – Ma’an – Israeli soldiers issued orders barring residents of four small villages in the southern West Bank from their land, mayor Suleiman Al-Adam said Sunday. The orders declared the agricultural land a closed military zone, and ordered farmers and others working on the land to evacuate. The soldiers also confiscated farming equipment, a statement by Beit Ula’s mayor said.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=298497
Palestinian villagers battle plans to wall them in (AFP)
AFP – Omar Hajaj says he will soon be caged "like a zoo animal," with an electric fence encircling his house and his village hemmed in by the notorious West Bank barrier.
http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/mideast/*http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100711/wl_mideast_afp/mideastpalestinianconflictbarrier
Senior Palestinian calls Jerusalem a "time bomb" (Reuters)
Reuters – A senior Palestinian figure said on Sunday that rising tension with Israel over settlement building in the Jerusalem area was a "time bomb" that was eroding trust between the two sides.
http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/mideast/*http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20100711/wl_nm/us_palestinians_israel_jerusalem
Tibi: Destroy the wall
Jerusalem – Ma’an – Palestinian Knesset member Ahmad Tibi called on international rights groups to take immediate action against Israel’s disregard for the International Court of Justice’s opinion on the illegality of the wall Friday. Tibi and fellow MK Mohammad Barakeh had participated in the hearing six years ago at the Hague, where he said it was "obvious that the wall has tear apart Palestinian lands … The wall has divided the Palestinian families as it was built between them.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=298084
Israeli court extends Abu Tier detention
Bethlehem – Ma’an – The detention of Jerusalem lawmaker faced with deportation Mohammed Abu Teir was extended until Wednesday by an Israeli district court, during the PLC member’s afternoon hearing. The official was stripped of his Jerusalem residency rights in late June, and was given until 2 July to leave his native city or be deported. Two days later he was detained by Israeli forces, and remains in Israeli custody.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=298669
Switzerland presses Israel to cancel expulsion: Hamas legislator
RAMALLAH, July 11 (Xinhua) — Switzerland is pressing Israel to cancel its decision to expel three Hamas-aligned lawmakers and a former Hamas minister from East Jerusalem, one of the four legislators revealed on Sunday. Ahmed Atwan, the legislator, told Xinhua that a Swiss delegation visited his colleagues and him in the protest tent they erected in East Jerusalem and informed them of the pressure they practice on Israel to annul the expulsion order.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2010-07/11/c_13394754.htm
Israeli FM to Palestinians: Take Israel’s Arabs
Israel’s foreign minister says a peace deal with the Palestinians should include handing areas where Israel’s Arabs live over to Palestinian control. Avigdor Lieberman said a peace accord should be based on "population exchanges, not land for peace." The Palestinians claim the West Bank, Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem for a state, but they have indicated readiness to swap some land in the West Bank for territory in Israel.
http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2010/07/11/113628.html
93% of Likudniks support continued Falash Mura aliya
The overwhelming majority of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s Likud party support the continued aliya of the Falash Mura community from Ethiopia and more than half believe that delays to their immigration over the past few years stem from discrimination and racism, according to a report received by The Jerusalem Post on Sunday.
http://www.jpost.com/Headlines/Article.aspx?id=181085
Israel’s Outrageous Settlement Enterprise, Stephen Lendman
B’Tselem, the Israeli human rights organization, addressed it in its July 2010 report titled, ‘By Hook and By Crook: Israel’s Settlement Policy in the West Bank’, ahead of a July 6 meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Obama, their fifth – a shameless love fest endorsing Israeli crimes, Obama saying Israel has "got to be able to respond to threats or any combination of threats in the region," ones it manufactures to pursue ruthless, lawless policies, nonviolent civilians the victims.
http://palestinechronicle.com/view_article_details.php?id=16126
Solidarity/Activism/Boycott, Sanctions and Divestment
Hebron Palestinians: Go dance on your own streets
Leftists, Palestinians protest against IDF soldiers’ mock dance during patrol in West Bank city, which became YouTube hit.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3917831,00.html
Hebron ‘dance protest’ against Israeli soldiers and settlers
Over 100 Palestinians together with international solidarity activists gathered in Hebron this Saturday to protest against the closure of Shuhada street. As a response to the infamous Youtube video of soldiers dancing near the illegal settlement of Tel-Rumeida, some protesters staged a dance protest: three dancers took the role of soldiers and searched and “arrested” three Palestinians.
http://palsolidarity.org/2010/07/12892/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+palsolidarity+%28International+Solidarity+Movement%29
Irtas rally marks the sixth anniversary of the International Court of Justice ruling against the Wall
July 11th, 2010– the popular committee against the Wall and settlements in The village of Irtas organized a protest which commemorated the 2004 Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice which ruled that Israel’s construction of the Wall was illegal under international law.
http://stopthewall.org/latestnews/2318.shtml
6 years after the ICJ ruling: Ni’lin still steadfast against the Wall
On Friday July 9th, 2010, the village of Ni’lin’s weekly protest against the Wall and settlements commemorated the sixth anniversary of the International Court of Justice’s ruling which declared Israel’s construction of the Wall illegal under international law.
http://stopthewall.org/latestnews/2316.shtml
‘Unprecedented police brutality’ at East Jerusalem protest
Left-wing activists protest weekly alongside Arab residents of Sheikh Jarrah over settlers’ takeover of locals’ homes.
http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/unprecedented-police-brutality-at-east-jerusalem-protest-1.301039?localLinksEnabled=false
Separate sit-ins in Ramallah
Ramallah – Ma’an – Two sit-ins demonstrations are scheduled to be held in the central West Bank city of Ramallah in front of the headquarters of the Palestinian Legislative Council. The first is organized by the nongovernmental committee which monitors elections to call on President Mahmoud Abbas to cancel his decision to postpone local elections. The second is organized by the Union of Bus Companies to ask the transportation minister to stop a decision to establish 35 new private bus companies.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=298642
Jordanian workers urged to avoid dealing with Israeli, U.S. goods
AMMAN, July 10 (Xinhua) — A top anti-normalization Jordanian committee grouping opposition parties and professional associations on Saturday urged the Jordanian general federation of trade unions to boycott and not to cooperate with Israel and the United States. The committee urged Jordanian workers to shun from loading or unloading Israeli goods at all Jordanian land and sea ports and airports and called on them to refuse to deal with ships heading to Israel.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2010-07/10/c_13393769.htm
Libya preventing Gaddafi Jr. from joining ship
Al-Sharq al-Awsat newspaper reports country’s authorities have restricted takeoff of private flights in bid to prevent Libyan leader’s son from joining aid vessel attempting to reach Gaza.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3918530,00.html
Jordanian activists plan Gaza aid convoy
AMMAN — Jordanian activists and trade unionists plan to head to Gaza on Tuesday through the Egyptian border town of El-Arish carrying aid relief and medical supplies to the blockaded Palestinians, organisers said. “More than 150 people and 30 vehicles with aid, medicines and clothes will leave Amman for Gaza on Tuesday morning,” Wael Saqqa, head of the Jordan Engineers Association, told AFP on Sunday.
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/darticlen.asp?xfile=data/middleeast/2010/July/middleeast_July179.xml§ion=middleeast&col=
32 faculty, 200+ students sign Penn State petition condemning flotilla raid, Philip Weiss
Today on NPR Martin Indyk told Scott Simon that during his last visit to Israel he saw Israelis feeling isolated by world opinion over the flotilla raid and wanting their government to respond to the criticism not with force. And Indyk concludes, lobbyistically, that the answer is for Obama to cultivate Netanyahu and the Israelis all the more. Why? when people are responding to savage conditions for Palestinians. The isolation of this conduct is the achievement of the grass roots. Here’s the Penn State petition, with signatories (many of the names Jewish, by the way)
https://mondoweiss.net/2010/07/32-faculty-200-students-sign-penn-state-petition-condemning-flotilla-raid.html
BDS campaign wants Israel to abide by international law
Boycott Divestment and Sanctions strategy arises from realisation that the occupation will not end unless Israelis understand it has a price.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jul/11/israeli-academic-boycott-commentary
Barghouthi: Resistance our strategic choice
Palestinian National Initiative leader Mustafa Barghouthi said Saturday that talks with Israel have failed, speaking at a rally calling for the reopening of Ash-Shuhada Street in Hebron. "We are here in Hebron to stress that resistance is our strategic choice as negotiations with the right-wing Israeli government have failed," Barghouthi told party members, residents, and international peace activists gathered for the demonstration.
http://www.palestinemonitor.org/spip/spip.php?article1479
Violence and Aggression
Gaza farmers face live fire
As a Libyan backed aid ship sails for the Gaza Strip, another group of international activists has been defying the blockade, but this time on the land. Foreigners acting as human shields have been helping farmers in Gaza harvest their crops. About 30 per cent of Gaza’s arable land is on the border with Israel and the area has been declared a buffer zone by the Israeli army. Palestinian farmers risk being shot with live fire for working their fields. Nicole Johnston reports from Bani Salah.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYS5EYEb91s&feature=youtube_gdata
Druze protesters clash with police searching restaurant in Golan village
Several Druze residents from the Golan village of Majdal Shams were wounded Sunday evening in clashes with Israel Police, according to eyewitnesses … According to the head of the northern district unit police force, "20 officers attempted to carry out a search and were attacked by hundreds of village residents."
http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/druze-protesters-clash-with-police-searching-restaurant-in-golan-village-1.301306?localLinksEnabled=false
Israel army to investigate death of Palestinian protester
Bethlehem – Ma’an – Israel’s military will investigate the 2009 shooting death of an unarmed Palestinian protester in the occupied West Bank, Israeli activists said Monday. Major General Avichai Mandelblit ordered the Military Police Investigation Unit to investigate the death of Bassem Abu Rahma, 30, who was killed when a high-velocity tear-gas canister struck him during an anti-wall demonstration in the village of Bil’in, near Ramallah, in April 2009.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=298708
PCATI and Adalah: "Exposed: The Treatment of Palestinian Detainees During Operation Cast Lead"
The Public Committee Against Torture in Israel and Adalah: The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel, released, today, a special report "Exposed" which discusses violations of detainee rights during "Cast Lead".
http://www.imemc.org/article/59111
The Siege (Gaza & West Bank)/Humanitarian and Human Rights
Industrial Fuel – Needs Vs. Supply – June 13 – July 10
http://www.gazagateway.org/2010/07/industrial-fuel-needs-vs-supply-june-13-july-10/
Goods – Needs Vs. Supply – June 13 – July 10
http://www.gazagateway.org/2010/07/goods-needs-vs-supply-june-13-july-10/
Israel bans Gaza woman from studying human rights in West Bank, Amira Hass
The flow of goods into Gaza may have eased – but for Palestinians, restrictions on movement remain tight.
http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/features/israel-bans-gaza-woman-from-studying-human-rights-in-west-bank-1.301372?localLinksEnabled=false
Unwelcome Guests: Palestinian Refugees in Lebanon
For over 60 years, Palestinian refugees in Lebanon have been denied their basic rights. Al-Shabaka Policy Advisor Dalal Yassine examines the legal status of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon and the "Right to Work" Campaign. She argues that greater coordination between Palestinian and Lebanese civil society organizations and solidarity groups in the Palestinian Diaspora is required in order to change the country’s laws.
http://al-shabaka.org/policy-brief/refugee-issues/unwelcome-guests-palestinian-refugees-lebanon?page=show
400 Israeli settlers enter Nablus village
Nablus – Ma’an – More than 400 Israeli settlers under military guard entered a village near the northern West Bank city of Nablus on Sunday. Israeli forces closed the area for the duration of the event, and Palestinians were unable to leave Orta village between 10 p.m. Sunday and 3 a.m. Monday, village councillor Hasan Awad said. An Israeli military spokeswoman said the settlers entered the area to visit holy sites, adding that they were escorted by Israeli soldiers for their protection. She said the village was not closed.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=298678
Israel‘s Arab Helpers
MESS Report / Shin Bet visits West Bank cities to boost security ties with PA
Yuval Diskin travels to Jenin and Ramallah as a guest of the Palestinian Authority security service.
http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/mess-report-shin-bet-visits-west-bank-cities-to-boost-security-ties-with-pa-1.301345
Flotilla Fallout
Israel: Mistakes over flotilla raid
Internal probe faults Israeli navy for poor planning over attack on Gaza-bound convoy.
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2010/07/201071255657605124.html
Israeli court hears petition to scrap Turkel Committee
Bethlehem – Ma’an – Israel’s High Court of Justice heard an appeal on Sunday, filed by the Israeli peace movement Gush Shalom, requesting the dismissal of the Turkel Committee, appointed by the Netanyahu government to investigate Israel’s raid on an aid flotilla. Gush Shalom said in a statement that it wants an independent judicial commission of inquiry to be appointed by the president of the court. "We have no intention to withdraw the appeal. The justification for it is clearer than ever" former Knesset member and Gush Shalom Director Uri Avnery said.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=298770
Knesset to vote on rescinding Arab MK Zoabi’s privileges
Knesset’s House Committee recommended revoking her privileges after she participated in the Gaza-bound aid flotilla that resulted in an IDF raid.
http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/knesset-to-vote-on-rescinding-arab-mk-zoabi-s-privileges-1.301481?localLinksEnabled=false
MK Haneen Zoubi: I Joined The Flotilla To Show Israel Is Not A Democracy
First she faced bullets on the Mavi Marmara. Then it was death threats and chants of "terrorist" and "traitor" in the Knesset. The campaign to have her immunity and citizenship taken, even public calls for her to be executed.
http://www.palestinemonitor.org/spip/spip.php?article1480
Political/Other Developments
Netanyahu: peace deal unlikely to be in place by 2012 (AFP)
AFP – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an interview broadcast Sunday that it was unlikely a peace deal with the Palestinians could be implemented by 2012.
http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/mideast/*http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100711/wl_mideast_afp/mideastdiplomacynetanyahu
Netanyahu to discuss peace moves with Mubarak
OCCUPIED JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that he would head for Egypt this week in order to update Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on latest developments in talks with the Palestinians.
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&categ_id=2&article_id=116920
Hamas leader denies progress on swap
Bethlehem – Ma’an – Senior Hamas leader Salah Al-Bardawil says there has been no progress on a prisoner exchange with Israel.
Al-Bardawil said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was simply repeating the same conditions in recent days and the Israeli media were going along for the ride. "Israeli media outlets are toying with the emotions and feelings of the Israeli public," he said.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=298615
Amreeka, Amreeka: U.S. Congress United in its Support of Israel, says Republican Minority Whip
U.S. Republicans and Democrats differ on nearly every issue in the U.S. Congress but are united in their support of Israel, Congressman Eric Cantor (R-VA) told a congregation of U.S. Jews on Saturday.
http://www.haaretz.com/jewish-world/u-s-congress-united-in-its-support-of-israel-says-republican-minority-whip-1.301299
Arad: Obama’s remarks our insurance policy
National security advisor tells Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee that ‘US is strategically committed to Israel’s security – Obama made it clear in his own voice, the administration made it clear in writing’.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3918589,00.html
Other News
Most Palestinians Believe Proximity Talks To Fail: Poll
RAMALLAH, July 12 (Benama) — Most Palestinians believe the US-led indirect talks between Israel and the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) would fail, a poll showed on Monday. According to Xinhua news agency, the survey, conducted by the West Bank-based Palestinian Center for Public Opinion (PCPO), said 53 percent of the surveyed expected the negotiations that started in May would fail, 37 percent said the proximity talks would be successful and 10 percent refused to answer the question.
http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsworld.php?id=512979
IDF to probe death of Palestinian protester at West Bank rally
Military Advocate General back-pedals, orders probe into death of protester who was killed by a tear gas canister at a demonstration in Bil’in in April 2009.
http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/idf-to-probe-death-of-palestinian-protester-at-west-bank-rally-1.301484
Syrians in Golan detain 3 Israeli soldiers: TV
DAMASCUS, July 11 (Xinhua) — Syrian citizens in the Israeli- occupied Golan Heights captured three Israeli soldiers during a security mission by an Israeli force in the territory, Al Jazeera news channel reported. The Syrian TV confirmed the report, saying the Israeli soldiers were in a mission to storm houses of two Syrian families in Majdal Shams village when the local citizens seized them inside one of the two houses.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2010-07/12/c_13394852.htm
Lawyers file case against Israel with Moroccan prosecutor (AFP)
AFP – A group of lawyers launched a legal bid Monday to have senior Israeli figures arrested if they ever step foot in Morocco over the Jewish state’s offensive in the Gaza Strip 18 months ago, a spokesman said.
http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/mideast/*http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100712/wl_mideast_afp/mideastconflictgazamoroccoisraeljustice
‘Israel’s status worst since 70s’
Israel‘s current standing in the United Nations is the worst it has been in nearly forty years, said Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Gabriela Shalev, in an interview with Army Radio on Sunday. "Our situation in recent months can be compared to the 1970s, when Zionism was being called racism," said Shalev.
http://www.jpost.com/International/Article.aspx?id=181055
Britain opens probe into death of Egyptian Mossad spy
An official investigation into the death of Egyptian Mossad agent Dr. Ashraf Marwan will begin today in London. The investigation, to be conducted by a coroner, follows a request made by Marwan’s family, who blame the Mossad for his assassination. Marwan’s widow, the daughter of former Egyptian president Gamal Abdel Nasser, gave an interview Sunday in which she said the Israeli espionage agency was responsible for her husband’s death.
http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/britain-opens-probe-into-death-of-egyptian-mossad-spy-1.301354?localLinksEnabled=false
IDF officer charged with seducing underage girls
Eyal Nahum indicted for contacting some 4,000 girls aged 10-16, offering to teach them about sex. Police say officer had sexual relations with four of his victims.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3917911,00.html
Conversions bill sets Netanyahu on collision course with U.S. Jews
American communities outraged, claiming PM broke personal promise to ensure bill granting Orthodox rabbis a monopoly on conversion in Israel would not become law.
http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/conversions-bill-sets-netanyahu-on-collision-course-with-u-s-jews-1.301338?localLinksEnabled=false
Police arrest Women of the Wall leader for praying with Torah scroll
Anat Hoffman, the women’s prayer group leader, was arrested for holding a Torah scroll in violation of a High Court ruling on prayer at the Western Wall.
http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/police-arrest-women-of-the-wall-leader-for-praying-with-torah-scroll-1.301457?localLinksEnabled=false
Analysis/Opinion/Human Interest
Witch-hunt begins in Israeli schools and colleges – Jonathan Cook
Hundreds of Israeli college professors have signed a petition accusing the education minister of endangering academic freedoms after he threatened to “punish” any lecturer or institution that supports a boycott of Israel. The backlash against Gideon Saar, a member of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party, comes after a series of moves which suggest he is trying to stamp a more stridently right-wing agenda on the Israeli education system. The education minister has outraged the 540 professors who signed the petition by his open backing of a nationalist youth movement, Im Tirtzu, which demands that teachers be required to prove their commitment to right-wing Zionism.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=298800
‘Street apartheid’ in Jerusalem
Mahmoud Alami, a Jerusalem taxi driver, knows the city like the back of his hand. He knows the neighborhoods, the streets. And he knows the stop lights. There’s one in particular that troubles him not professionally but personally. It stands between Beit Hanina, a Palestinian neighborhood, and Pisgaat Zeev, an Israeli settlement. "It stays green for [settlers] for five minutes. But to go in and out of Beit Hanina? Only two or three cars can pass," Alami says. "It’s too short. It causes a lot of traffic jams."
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=298613
"Life for Palestinians in Israel is complicated in every respect"
Basma Fahoum — an activist with the organization Who Profits from the Occupation? — recently sat with The Electronic Intifada contributor Adri Nieuwhof and discussed what it means to be a Palestinian in Israel and her the ongoing efforts for her community to realize their rights.
http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article11364.shtml?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+electronicIntifadaPalestine+%28Electronic+Intifada+%3A+Palestine+News%29
It’s official: Israel has gotten away with it — again
Netanyahu will head home with a smile on his face, satisfied that he has been given full blessing to continue his destructive policies. As for the Palestinians? They will continue to be blockaded in Gaza, squeezed in East Jerusalem and faced with threats of expulsion, deportation and, for Palestinian citizens of Israel, calls to strip them of their citizenship.
http://www.salon.com/news/israel/index.html?story=/politics/war_room/2010/07/09/israel_gets_away
Mya Guarnieri: Israeli Victimhood: A Threat to the Jewish State
The siege mentality. It’s dangerous line of thinking that dismisses others’ suffering and, simultaneously, breeds a culture of impunity. We’re under attack, the thinking goes, so we must use any means necessary to defend ourselves–from violently boarding the Freedom Flotilla to the brutally executed Operation Cast Lead to the ongoing siege on Gaza.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mya-guarnieri/israeli-victimhood-a-thre_b_641908.html
A Black-Palestinian Liberation Theology?, Dallas Darling
When President Barack Hussein Obama reiterated that the Israeli blockade of Gaza was unsustainable, and when he announced an economic aid package worth millions of dollars for the beleaguered Palestinians, I asked myself: “Why Not a Black-Palestinian Liberation Theology?” (President Obama also addressed concern over the use of Israeli weapons against Palestinians, and the need of an “international mechanism” consisting of Egypt, Turkey, Israel, and of course, the Palestinian Authority.
http://palestinechronicle.com/view_article_details.php?id=16121
In the ‘clash of civilizations’, Israeli accountability means Western accountability, Jimmy Johnson
The thrust of the ‘Clash of Civilizations’ thesis is that in the post-Cold War world there are inherently opposed forces based primarily upon ethnic or religious identity and that future of conflict will be along these lines. In this thesis the West’s power will be threatened by Sinic, Islamic, Latin American or some other discretely-defined civilization, or a combination thereof. This Us vs. Them, our civilization versus theirs, basis for conflict is almost totally devoid of political content. Us must fight Them precisely because we are Us and they are Them, other reasons (natural resource control, ideological differences, imperial/anti-imperial efforts, etc.) being merely coincidental, not causative. In the Israel and Palestine case this amounts to a permanent conflict between Israelis and Palestinians simply because they are Israelis and Palestinians. This is, of course, a kind of gibberish. But it’s very powerful gibberish as gibberish is the lingua franca of Western political leaders, though there are a variety of accents. Thus when former Spanish PM José María Aznar penned a recent editorial in the The Times titled "If Israel goes down, we all go down," it’s worth parsing.
https://mondoweiss.net/2010/07/in-the-clash-of-civilizations-israeli-accountability-means-western-accountability.html
What’s Normal under Occupation?, Kara Newhouse – The West Bank, Palestine
‘For 122 days I heard the voices of tortured people, the shouting of tortured people, the crying of tortured people. The first days in that time, I could not sleep. I could not do anything, because I could not stop hearing the voices of tortured people. But after maybe 100 days, I got used to that situation, so I could sleep very well, and I started thinking there is nothing that can bother me. I started laughing a lot with my mate in my horrible cell and my family when they came to visit me.’
http://palestinechronicle.com/view_article_details.php?id=16127
The Unchallenged Power of the Israel Lobby, JAMES ABOUREZK
I picked up a copy of a memoir written by the long-gone CIA Director, George Tenet. On the first page of the book’s preface, Mr. Tenet described what it was like on the day after the World Trade Towers had exploded as a result of the terrorists’ actions on 9-11-01.
http://www.counterpunch.com/abourezk07122010.html
Strenger than Fiction / Is Israel alienating the Jews of the world?
Israel’s lawmakers and politicians are blissfully unaware of what goes on outside their narrow fishpond, and they have no clue about the effect of their actions on the wider world.
http://www.haaretz.com/blogs/strenger-than-fiction/strenger-than-fiction-is-israel-alienating-the-jews-of-the-world-1.301515?localLinksEnabled=false
"Beware of Small States": journalist David Hirst interviewed
Veteran Middle East correspondent David Hirst, author of the seminal work on the Palestinian plight The Gun and the Olive Branch, has a new release: Beware of Small States, an equally important book on Lebanon’s complex tragedy. The Electronic Intifada contributor Robin Yassin-Kassab interviews Hirst on his work and views.
http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article11383.shtml?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+electronicIntifadaPalestine+%28Electronic+Intifada+%3A+Palestine+News%29
Iraq
Sunday: 10 Iraqis Killed, 10 Wounded
At least 10 Iraqis were killed and 10 more were wounded in light attacks across central and northern Iraq. Meanwhile, The water minister has warned that Iraq needs to spend over $1 billion to revive its water sector. Also, arrests warrants were issued for PMOI members.
http://original.antiwar.com/updates/2010/07/11/sunday-10-iraqis-killed-10-wounded/
Inside Iraq – Joe Biden’s Iraq visit
Joe Biden, the US vice president, has made his first visit to Iraq since the country’s elections. But will his visit break the post-election impasse? And what are the real reasons behind Iraq’s political deadlock?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBbMSkCX7YY&feature=youtube_gdata
Lebanon
Hezbollah chief’s speeches sway Israeli opinion more than any Arab leader
Hassan Nasrallah is the first Arab leader in 30 years to affect the Israeli public through his rhetoric, according to military intelligence report.
http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/hezbollah-chief-s-speeches-sway-israeli-opinion-more-than-any-arab-leader-1.301347?localLinksEnabled=false
No apologies for praising decency
After the recent passing of Sayyed Mohammad Hussein Fadlallah, this newspaper commented on several of the most noteworthy aspects of the cleric’s career and thought. As the official period of condolences ended this weekend, we can say that Fadlallah’s passing itself became noteworthy, as a political minefield for diplomats and media professionals alike.
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&categ_id=17&article_id=116912
Israel’s Terrorist of the Week, or Anything to Take the Onus of Israel Making Peace…
Netanyahu: Iran is the ultimate terrorist threat today
Prime Minister tells U.S. television that ‘irrational regimes’ like Iran can’t be given nuclear capability, says it is a mistake to think it can be contained.
http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/netanyahu-iran-is-the-ultimate-terrorist-threat-today-1.301304
Netanyahu: Only US military threats can stop Iran from making nukes
Diplomacy and sanctions won’t stop Iran from building a nuclear warhead, according to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
http://rawstory.com/rs/2010/0711/netanyahu-military-threats-stop-iran-building-nukes/
Envoys: Turkey, Brazil brokering Iran nuclear deal
Turkey and Brazil are trying to revive a stalled atomic fuel deal with Iran in an attempt to help the Islamic Republic avoid new UN sanctions over its nuclear program.
http://www.sundayszaman.com/sunday/detaylar.do?load=detay&link=209051&bolum=104
U.S. and other World News
Inside Story – Is the US an honest broker in the Middle East?
Following the meeting between Binyamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, and Barack Obama, the US president, Inside Story asks if the US is an honest broker in the Middle East and if there will be any progress in the peace process.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9cGYHpKl6Q&feature=youtube_gdata
Jewish student caught painting Swastikas on her own door then claiming Anti-Semitic Attack
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLt5U7VcHw8&feature=player_embedded
Saudi Arabia’s betrayal to Islamic world
July 10, (Pal Telegraph – By Kourosh Ziabari) The king of Saudi Arabia Malek Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz whose clandestine connections with the families of Osama Bin Laden and George W. Bush have made him a notorious and unpopular figure in the Islamic world has recently made unbelievably controversial remarks which leaved no doubt that this tyrannical monarch is moving towards ushering himself as the new stooge of the United States in the Persian Gulf region.
http://www.paltelegraph.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6669:saudi-arabias-betrayal-to-islamic-world&catid=67:editorials&Itemid=138
Omar Khadr fires U.S. lawyers in protest
Omar Khadr, the Canadian accused of terrorism, has fired his American lawyers – throwing his war-crimes trial, scheduled for next month, into disarray and creating a political conundrum for both the Canadian and U.S. governments.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/omar-khadr-fires-us-lawyers-in-protest/article1632158/
U.S. Muslim Travelers Warned of ‘Forced Exile’
CAIR today issued an advisory to American Muslims—whether citizens, permanent residents or visa holders—warning of the risk of “forced exile” when traveling overseas or attempting to return to the United States. Muslim travelers are urged to know their legal rights if they are placed on the so-called “no-fly list.”
http://www.theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php/features/articles/advisory_u.s._muslim_travelers_warned_of_forced_exile/0018137
US Denies Visa To Colombian Journalist
Hollman Morris, who produces an independent TV news program called "Contravia," has been highly critical of ties between illegal far-right militias and allies of outgoing President Alvaro Uribe, Washington’s closest ally in Latin America.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/07/08/ap/latinamerica/main6659312.shtml
No Dominion: The Lonely, Dangerous Fight Against Christian Supremacists Inside the Armed Forces
In his fight against British imperialism, Mahatma Gandhi described the life cycle of successful civil disobedience: "First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win." Mikey Weinstein, the 55-year-old founder of the Albuquerque, New Mexico-based Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF), likes to quote it, knowing full well he’s crossed the line into a bloody-knuckle brawl. Over the past year, Weinstein and his organization have recorded a tremendous string of victories in the fight against Christian supremacists inside the armed forces.
http://www.truth-out.org/no-dominion-the-lonely-dangerous-fight-against-christian-supremacists-inside-armed-forces61214
Muslims, stars and stripes
If you’re going to get punched in the face, at least let it be for your opposing empire, not celebrating it: Southern Calif. Muslim Called ‘Raghead,’ Assaulted by July 4th Revelers.
http://ikhras.com/?p=333
Fidel Castro makes rare appearance
Fidel Castro, the leader of Cuba’s communist revolution, has appeared in public for the first time since handing over power to his brother four years ago, according to local bloggers and the media. New photographs showed him wearing a tracksuit and smiling as he chatted with workers at a scientific think-tank in Havana, the capital, on Saturday.
http://english.aljazeera.net//news/americas/2010/07/201071154048438930.html
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