Amal Hamamdeh, photo by Efrat Nakash
Military Trial of 17-year old Amal Hamamdeh from Mufakarah. Charge: Spilling Water on Soldier, Assaf Oron
As reported here, during home demolitions in the cave-dweller village of Mufakarah, two young women who resisted nonviolently were arrested and charged with “assaulting soldiers” under the Israeli Occupation’s draconian martial law. The older of the two, Sausan Hamamdeh, reached a plea bargain in December resulting in a fine. When reporting on that development, we were fairly confident that her 17-year-old cousin Amal Hamamdeh would see her charges dropped. After all, she just tried to hand Sausan a water bottle to wash her pepper-sprayed eyes, and when soldiers interfered some water were spilled on them. We were wrong.
link to theonlydemocracy.org
As reported here, during home demolitions in the cave-dweller village of Mufakarah, two young women who resisted nonviolently were arrested and charged with “assaulting soldiers” under the Israeli Occupation’s draconian martial law. The older of the two, Sausan Hamamdeh, reached a plea bargain in December resulting in a fine. When reporting on that development, we were fairly confident that her 17-year-old cousin Amal Hamamdeh would see her charges dropped. After all, she just tried to hand Sausan a water bottle to wash her pepper-sprayed eyes, and when soldiers interfered some water were spilled on them. We were wrong.
link to theonlydemocracy.org
and other news from Today in Palestine:
Attacks on Palestinians defending their land / Land Theft / Destruction / Apartheid / Refugees
Attacks on Palestinians defending their land / Land Theft / Destruction / Apartheid / Refugees
What happened on the 10th of January in Jericho
I would like to thank all of you who stand with us, who have showed amazing support these past three days and demanded our immediate release from Israeli military jail. I hope that we will be able to free Omar Dar Ayoub from Nabi Saleh soon, as well. Although Omar was arrested together with the other four of us on Wednesday, only a short time after finally having been released from military jail as part of the “prisoner swap”, Omar, alone, was remanded until Sunday. We need Omar out NOW, together with all political prisoners.
link to palsolidarity.org
Settlers construct buildings and use public land as dumps
Whether Settlers have construction permits or not, they continue with new construction as they are not held legally accountable and are not threatened with housing demolition. Moreover, settlers turn the Palestinians’ public buildings into dumps for their trash as is the case in Wadi Hilweh, Silwan. A group of settlers living in Wadi Hilweh had a permit to repair one of their roofs however; they instead expanded their construction to reach 120 square meters . Settlers also got a permit for a 165 sq. m. addition, including a kitchen and a bathroom, to an existing building in the neighborhood of Wadi Hilweh. At the same time, Palestinian residents of Silwan are completely prohibited from building.A Palestinian who owned a house that has been demolished stated that “the settlers manipulate the laws of occupation conspiring with the Jerusalem Municipality; hence Wadi Hilweh is considered a green area where construction is forbidden. The Jerusalem Municipality issues construction permits to build additional kitchens and bathrooms on huge areas fit to build castles; on the other hand I am deprived of building one room on a 9 meter area.” He added, “if I leave a rubbish sack in the street the Municipality employees will come accompanied with Israeli troops and hand me a ticket; isn’t this discrimination by itself?”
Jewish settlers assault Palestinian shepherd, Jerusalemite youth
Jewish settlers assaulted a Palestinian shepherd in the northern Jordan Valley and threatened other shepherds against bringing their sheep for grazing near the Maskiot settlement in that area.
link to www.palestine-info.co.uk
Jewish settlers burn the car of Palestinian woman
Jewish settlers torched the car of a Palestinian woman in Tal Al-Rumaida suburb in downtown Al-Khalil on Sunday, local sources said.
Whether Settlers have construction permits or not, they continue with new construction as they are not held legally accountable and are not threatened with housing demolition. Moreover, settlers turn the Palestinians’ public buildings into dumps for their trash as is the case in Wadi Hilweh, Silwan. A group of settlers living in Wadi Hilweh had a permit to repair one of their roofs however; they instead expanded their construction to reach 120 square meters . Settlers also got a permit for a 165 sq. m. addition, including a kitchen and a bathroom, to an existing building in the neighborhood of Wadi Hilweh. At the same time, Palestinian residents of Silwan are completely prohibited from building.A Palestinian who owned a house that has been demolished stated that “the settlers manipulate the laws of occupation conspiring with the Jerusalem Municipality; hence Wadi Hilweh is considered a green area where construction is forbidden. The Jerusalem Municipality issues construction permits to build additional kitchens and bathrooms on huge areas fit to build castles; on the other hand I am deprived of building one room on a 9 meter area.” He added, “if I leave a rubbish sack in the street the Municipality employees will come accompanied with Israeli troops and hand me a ticket; isn’t this discrimination by itself?”
Israeli Embassy in Paris says had no foreknowledge of the French parliament's report, which was published two week ago, and thus did not refute it or work to moderate it.
link to www.haaretz.com
Settlement Construction Causing the Slow Demise of the Two-State Solution
A tour of several European Capitals by the Palestinian President has given several politicians a sterner voice. This is welcome at a time when the two-state solution is steadily slipping through the fingers of the world leaders, and will soon be out of reach completely; at least through the medium of negotiations and peace. There is always war of course, which must be avoided at all costs.
link to www.imemc.org
Settlement Construction Causing the Slow Demise of the Two-State Solution
A tour of several European Capitals by the Palestinian President has given several politicians a sterner voice. This is welcome at a time when the two-state solution is steadily slipping through the fingers of the world leaders, and will soon be out of reach completely; at least through the medium of negotiations and peace. There is always war of course, which must be avoided at all costs.
link to www.imemc.org
Violence
Jewish settlers assault Palestinian shepherd, Jerusalemite youth
Jewish settlers assaulted a Palestinian shepherd in the northern Jordan Valley and threatened other shepherds against bringing their sheep for grazing near the Maskiot settlement in that area.
link to www.palestine-info.co.uk
Jewish settlers burn the car of Palestinian woman
Jewish settlers torched the car of a Palestinian woman in Tal Al-Rumaida suburb in downtown Al-Khalil on Sunday, local sources said.
link to www.palestine-info.co.uk
Palestinian family goes on hunger strike to protest settler violence
According to the Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT), Hana Abu Haikel has gone on hunger strike on behalf of her family to protest both settler violence and the Israeli army's failure to stop settler attacks on Palestinians and their property. CPT reports that the Abu Haikel family has filed 500 complaints against settlers and have received no response from Israeli authorities.
Palestinian family goes on hunger strike to protest settler violence
According to the Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT), Hana Abu Haikel has gone on hunger strike on behalf of her family to protest both settler violence and the Israeli army's failure to stop settler attacks on Palestinians and their property. CPT reports that the Abu Haikel family has filed 500 complaints against settlers and have received no response from Israeli authorities.
P.A Security Attack, Arrest Palestinian For Participating In Protest
Ad-Dameer, the Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association, issued a press release denouncing the Palestinian Security Forces for arresting and attacking a Palestinian youth on Sunday, for participating in a non-violent protest denouncing the Palestinian-Israeli talks in Amman.
Israeli forces invaded the Jenin refugee camp and the city of Jenin, in the northern West Bank, on Monday morning and abducted one Palestinian. Separately, two Palestinian men were taken from the Jenin checkpoint later in the day for alleged possession of weapons.
Tadamun: IOA blackmailing prisoner
Ad-Dameer, the Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association, issued a press release denouncing the Palestinian Security Forces for arresting and attacking a Palestinian youth on Sunday, for participating in a non-violent protest denouncing the Palestinian-Israeli talks in Amman.
link to www.imemc.org
Human rights advocate stabbed in Gaza
GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- A human rights advocate was stabbed by unknown assailants in Gaza City after receiving threats over his authorship of an article critical of Palestinian resistance movements. Mahmoud Abu Rahma, international relations director at Gaza-based Al Mezan Center for Human Rights, was attacked by masked men and stabbed multiple times while walking back from his brother's house on Friday night, he told Ma'an on Tuesday. He received 12 stitches in a Gaza hospital and is recovering from his wounds.
link to www.maannews.net
Human rights advocate stabbed in Gaza
GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- A human rights advocate was stabbed by unknown assailants in Gaza City after receiving threats over his authorship of an article critical of Palestinian resistance movements. Mahmoud Abu Rahma, international relations director at Gaza-based Al Mezan Center for Human Rights, was attacked by masked men and stabbed multiple times while walking back from his brother's house on Friday night, he told Ma'an on Tuesday. He received 12 stitches in a Gaza hospital and is recovering from his wounds.
link to www.maannews.net
Political Detainees
WEST BANK, January 16, 2012 (WAFA) – Israeli Forces Monday arrested 21 Palestinians across the West Bank, according to various reports. Israeli soldiers raided Palestinian houses in Azzoun, a village in the Qalqilia area, and arrested 12 Palestinians, locals said. They also arrested released prisoner Mohammad Radwan for few hours then released him after being severely assaulted by Israeli interrogators. He was transferred to hospital for treatment. Palestinian security sources told WAFA that Israeli soldiers raided village in the Hebron governorate, south of the West Bank, and arrested seven Palestinians after searching their homes and tampering with their content.
link to english.wafa.ps
Israeli forces 'detain 12' in Qalqiliya village
QALQILIYA (Ma'an) -- Israeli forces detained 12 people in Qalqiliya village Azzun on Monday, a detainees group said. Qalqiliya detainees society said in a statement that four people were later released, and told the group they were badly beaten by the soldiers. Among the group detained were children and recently-released prisoners, the society said, condemning the detentions as "unacceptable and against human rights." An Israeli army spokesman said forces detained nine people in Azzun.
Israeli forces abduct 3 Palestinians in Jenin areaIsraeli forces 'detain 12' in Qalqiliya village
QALQILIYA (Ma'an) -- Israeli forces detained 12 people in Qalqiliya village Azzun on Monday, a detainees group said. Qalqiliya detainees society said in a statement that four people were later released, and told the group they were badly beaten by the soldiers. Among the group detained were children and recently-released prisoners, the society said, condemning the detentions as "unacceptable and against human rights." An Israeli army spokesman said forces detained nine people in Azzun.
Israeli forces invaded the Jenin refugee camp and the city of Jenin, in the northern West Bank, on Monday morning and abducted one Palestinian. Separately, two Palestinian men were taken from the Jenin checkpoint later in the day for alleged possession of weapons.
RAMALLAH, January 16, 2012 (WAFA) - The Euromid Observer for Human Rights Sunday released in a statement documentation of Israeli forces’ violations of human rights committed against Palestinian minors during interrogation and detention. Euromid Observer documented testimonies of torture practiced against minors during interrogation in the West Bank and Jerusalem, which included psychological pressure, scolding, sleep deprivation, as well as delay or denial of legal counsel. The Israeli authorities’ interrogation of Palestinian minors is often done within the framework of arbitrary arrest, as interrogations mainly focus on the minors’ participation in non-violent demonstrations, said Euromid statement.
The IOA has tried to blackmail a Palestinian prisoner into accepting deportation in return for his freedom, the international Tadamun foundation for human rights said on Monday.
link to www.palestine-info.co.uk
Prisoner society: Palestinian detainees still denied proper medical treatment
The Palestinian prisoner society said the Israeli prison administrations persist in not providing Palestinian jailed patients with the appropriate medical treatment.
link to www.palestine-info.co.uk
'0xOmar' demands Israeli apology
Saudi hacker says 'Nightmare' group capable of targeting any Israeli website, demands deputy FM retract 'death threat.' Ayalon: We won't be intimidated, threatened or silenced.
Protest rallies waiting for Netanyahu in the Netherlands
Palestinian activists in the Netherlands called for protest rallies against the visit of Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu to Amsterdam.
Palestinians for Dignity: Saeb Erekat, Go Home
Under the pouring rain, Palestinians for the first time took part in a protest right in front of the Palestinian Authority compound Al-Muqata’a, which has become to symbolize, as one of the more lavish foreign funded state-building projects, an illusion of authority under the Israeli occupation. In her article describing the PA’s spatial organization of state structures, Linda Tabar quotes an official who describes the Muqata’a as an image “of grandeur that creates the impression we have a state.”
Abusing East Jerusalem Children
Last July, B'Tselem published a report titled, "No Minor Matter: Violation of the Rights of Palestinian Minors by Israel on Suspicion of Stone-Throwing." It discussed their abusive treatment. From 2005 through 2010, "at least 835 Palestinian minors were arrested" and faced military court trials for alleged stone-throwing. Thirty-four were aged 12 - 13, 255 aged 14 - 15, and 546 aged 16 -17. All except one were convicted. Due process and judicial fairness were denied. In violation of international law, Israel treats children like adults. Some aged 10 or younger are arrested, intimidated, tortured, or otherwise abused.
link to sjlendman.blogspot.com
Tibi's limerick on MK Michaeli's 'plumbing' earns him suspension
Knesset Ethics Committee suspends MK from Knesset activity for one week after he makes ' hurtful, humiliating' speech with 'chauvinist sexual connotations.' Tibi says he is being punished because he is Arab.
Veteran Israeli settler says democracy is obstacle (AP)
Source: Khaled Meshal to resign as Hamas chief after upcoming vote
Senior Hamas analyst praises Hamas leader for passing organization reigns to next generation of leaders.
link to www.haaretz.com
Israeli PM: Palestinians not interested in talks (AP)
AP - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu charged Monday that the Palestinians have no interest in restarting peace negotiations, suggesting that newly resumed contacts between the sides are producing little progress.
link to us.rd.yahoo.com
Insurgents kill 5 policemen in western Iraq (AP)
AP - Insurgents attacked a checkpoint in western Iraq on Tuesday, killing five policemen, police and hospital officials said.
link to us.rd.yahoo.com
Iraqi Shi’ites Targets of New Violence: 24 Killed, 42 Wounded
At least 24 Iraqis were killed and 42 more were wounded in attacks across the country. The worst two took place in predominantly Shi'ite neighborhoods, intensifying fears of a new sectarian war.
The Neediest Cases: Iraqi Refugees Find Hardships in Brooklyn
Zahra Nahim and Fawzi Hasab fled Baghdad when their sons were killed and have struggled in America with illness, language and poverty.
link to feeds.nytimes.com
Corruption in Iraq: 'Your son is being tortured. He will die if you don't pay'
Ghaith Abdul-Ahad reports from Baghdad where families of innocent detainees face extortion from corrupt officials. The walls of Um Hussein's living room in Baghdad are hung with the portraits of her missing sons. There are four of them, and each picture frame is decorated with plastic roses and green ribbons as an improvised wreath for the dead. Um Hussein had six children. Her eldest son was killed by Sunni insurgents in 2005, when they took control of the neighbourhood. Three of her remaining sons were kidnapped by a Shia militia group when they left the neighbourhood to find work. They were never seen again.
Tunisian ex-PM says Ben Ali wanted to kill protestors
LE KEF, Tunisia — Tunisia’s ex-prime minister Mohamed Ghannouchi told a tribunal Monday that toppled strongman Zine El Abidine Ben Ali had wanted to kill at least 1,000 protestors demanding his exit. Ghannouchi appeared as a witness in the trial probing manslaughter charges against Ben Ali and his key aides, held in Le Kef, some 170 kilometres (106 miles) north-west of the capital Tunis. The military tribunal is looking into the shootings of protestors in the central-west towns of Thala and Kasserine where 22 demonstrators were killed.
Saudi Arabian Gay Man Arrested For Using Facebook To Meet Men
As British prime minister, David Cameron visits Saudi Arabia today, activists report the plight of a man arrested by the religious police who may face corporal punishment. Activists are concerned for the safety of a 30-year-old man arrested by the religious police in Saudi Arabia for using Facebook to date other men.
Saudi Arabia and Iran spar over oil embargo
Saudi oil minister dismisses Iranian threat to block Strait of Hormuz in case of international oil embargo on Tehran.
Iran tells Gulf states not to lift oil output
Country's OPEC envoy threatens "consequences" if neighbouring states make up for oil shortfall caused by sanctions.
Reports of Mossad role in assasination shine light on Israeli hypocrisy, Alex Kane
Reports that the Israeli Mossad were behind the recent assassination of an Iranian scientist continue to be published. Israeli media today is full of articles summarizing a Sunday Times (UK) report that gave details of the Mossad operation in Tehran.
Leveretts: False flag in Iranian hit likely disguises U.S., Philip Weiss
Flynt and Hillary Mann Leverett say it's likely that the killing of the Iranian scientist was carried out by an Iranian extremist group, Jundallah, with the support of the U.S. government.
link to www.palestine-info.co.uk
Prisoner society: Palestinian detainees still denied proper medical treatment
The Palestinian prisoner society said the Israeli prison administrations persist in not providing Palestinian jailed patients with the appropriate medical treatment.
link to www.palestine-info.co.uk
Gaza
Haneyya receives Miles of Smiles members
Palestinian premier Ismail Haneyya received in his office in Gaza city on Monday members of the Miles of Smiles 8 aid convoy that carried medical and humanitarian assistance to the Gaza population.
Palestinian premier Ismail Haneyya received in his office in Gaza city on Monday members of the Miles of Smiles 8 aid convoy that carried medical and humanitarian assistance to the Gaza population.
A kidnapped soldier has been returned for over a 1,000 Palestinians but Tel Aviv continues to fall back on the fact that Hamas is still in power.
link to gulfnews.com
Blockade dictates types of flowers grown in Gaza, Mohammed Omer
Israel’s ongoing blockade has suffocated countless export industries and continues to dictate the types of crops grown in Gaza, including flowers.
link to electronicintifada.net
Gaza Shiites Claim Hamas Persecution
Masked Hamas police beat and detained members of the Gaza Strip's tiny Shiite community during a religious commemoration last week, a follower and local rights groups said Tuesday, accusing their Islamist rulers of religious intolerance. It was the first claim of harassment by a group of Shiite worshippers against the territory's mainstream rulers, who are Sunni Muslims. Hamas officials, who have close ties with Shiite Iran, denied the allegations.
link to abcnews.go.com
2009 War on Gaza
17 January 2009 – The Al Ashqar family
“Madleen refuses to sleep by herself; she will only sleep in her parent’s room” says Nujoud, “she’s afraid to be by herself at all. The other day we were in the garden and I asked her to go to the bedroom to bring something. She refused to go without me.”
Blockade dictates types of flowers grown in Gaza, Mohammed Omer
Israel’s ongoing blockade has suffocated countless export industries and continues to dictate the types of crops grown in Gaza, including flowers.
link to electronicintifada.net
Gaza Shiites Claim Hamas Persecution
Masked Hamas police beat and detained members of the Gaza Strip's tiny Shiite community during a religious commemoration last week, a follower and local rights groups said Tuesday, accusing their Islamist rulers of religious intolerance. It was the first claim of harassment by a group of Shiite worshippers against the territory's mainstream rulers, who are Sunni Muslims. Hamas officials, who have close ties with Shiite Iran, denied the allegations.
link to abcnews.go.com
2009 War on Gaza
17 January 2009 – The Al Ashqar family
“Madleen refuses to sleep by herself; she will only sleep in her parent’s room” says Nujoud, “she’s afraid to be by herself at all. The other day we were in the garden and I asked her to go to the bedroom to bring something. She refused to go without me.”
Activism / Solidarity / BDS
Saudi hacker says 'Nightmare' group capable of targeting any Israeli website, demands deputy FM retract 'death threat.' Ayalon: We won't be intimidated, threatened or silenced.
Al-Akhbar contacted the self-proclaimed “Saudi hacker” named 0xOmar through an email the hacker posted online. The hacker spoke about his motivation for carrying out these cyber-attacks, the group he belong to, why Israel is his target, his/her responses to Ayalon’s statements, and what he envisions as the endgame.
Palestinian activists in the Netherlands called for protest rallies against the visit of Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu to Amsterdam.
Under the pouring rain, Palestinians for the first time took part in a protest right in front of the Palestinian Authority compound Al-Muqata’a, which has become to symbolize, as one of the more lavish foreign funded state-building projects, an illusion of authority under the Israeli occupation. In her article describing the PA’s spatial organization of state structures, Linda Tabar quotes an official who describes the Muqata’a as an image “of grandeur that creates the impression we have a state.”
link to lifeonbirzeitcampus.blogspot.com
The Sundance Film Festival begins later this week in Utah. How exciting to get the announcement that the film fest has picked up Praxis Films' The Law in These Parts.
Palestinian artists strike Jerusalem’s streets again with message for "occupiers and our people", Matthew Cassel
Tonight, Palestinian street artists struck again – as they had promised to do – this time in southern Jerusalem, or more specifically “in Talpiot, an Israeli commercial area, built on Palestinian land of Baqaa and Beit Safafa.”
link to electronicintifada.net
Sundance Film Festival to feature doc on system of control in longest-running occupationTonight, Palestinian street artists struck again – as they had promised to do – this time in southern Jerusalem, or more specifically “in Talpiot, an Israeli commercial area, built on Palestinian land of Baqaa and Beit Safafa.”
link to electronicintifada.net
The Sundance Film Festival begins later this week in Utah. How exciting to get the announcement that the film fest has picked up Praxis Films' The Law in These Parts.
A UAE attempt to buy Israeli drones is "shameful," a leading BDS activist told Al-Akhbar. “The UAE establishment was caught several times normalizing relations with Israel, in sports, in diamonds, in retail, and even in academia, but this is by far the worst instance of this shameful normalization,” said Omar Barghouti, Palestinian human rights activist and co-founder of the Boycott Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign against Israel.
Lebanese activists want Lara Fabian concert cancelled after pro-Israel gig
Activists call for British musician to boycott Israel
Israeli activists who have answered Palestinian civil society's call for boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) on Israel have issued the following letter, asking British musician James Blake to cancel his scheduled performance in Tel Aviv on January 27. They also point out that the planned show will take place not far from the Gaza Strip, which is under a cruel and illegal blockade, as well as Silwan, where Israeli forces abduct children from their beds at night...
The Lebanese government is under pressure to nix an upcoming performance in Lebanon by a prominent Belgian singer after footage emerged of her performing at an event to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Israel.
Israeli activists who have answered Palestinian civil society's call for boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) on Israel have issued the following letter, asking British musician James Blake to cancel his scheduled performance in Tel Aviv on January 27. They also point out that the planned show will take place not far from the Gaza Strip, which is under a cruel and illegal blockade, as well as Silwan, where Israeli forces abduct children from their beds at night...
Owners of Duty Free America, a large chain of duty-free shops that operates in 13 airports, pledged half of NIS 330,000 Netanyahu raised.
link to www.haaretz.com
Globe theatre defends hosting controversial Israeli company
Campaigners criticise programming of Habima's Merchant of Venice over company's record of playing Israeli settlements. Shakespeare's Globe has defended programming an Israeli theatre company that has faced criticism for performing to "exclusively Israeli audiences" in West Bank settlements. Habima Theatre, which was founded in Moscow in 1913 with the express hope of performing in Israel in Hebrew, is scheduled to perform as part of the theatre's Globe to Globe festival – part of the World Shakespeare festival and Cultural Olympiad.
link to www.guardian.co.uk
Globe theatre defends hosting controversial Israeli company
Campaigners criticise programming of Habima's Merchant of Venice over company's record of playing Israeli settlements. Shakespeare's Globe has defended programming an Israeli theatre company that has faced criticism for performing to "exclusively Israeli audiences" in West Bank settlements. Habima Theatre, which was founded in Moscow in 1913 with the express hope of performing in Israel in Hebrew, is scheduled to perform as part of the theatre's Globe to Globe festival – part of the World Shakespeare festival and Cultural Olympiad.
link to www.guardian.co.uk
Racism / Discrimination / Sexism
Abusing East Jerusalem Children
Last July, B'Tselem published a report titled, "No Minor Matter: Violation of the Rights of Palestinian Minors by Israel on Suspicion of Stone-Throwing." It discussed their abusive treatment. From 2005 through 2010, "at least 835 Palestinian minors were arrested" and faced military court trials for alleged stone-throwing. Thirty-four were aged 12 - 13, 255 aged 14 - 15, and 546 aged 16 -17. All except one were convicted. Due process and judicial fairness were denied. In violation of international law, Israel treats children like adults. Some aged 10 or younger are arrested, intimidated, tortured, or otherwise abused.
link to sjlendman.blogspot.com
Tibi's limerick on MK Michaeli's 'plumbing' earns him suspension
Knesset Ethics Committee suspends MK from Knesset activity for one week after he makes ' hurtful, humiliating' speech with 'chauvinist sexual connotations.' Tibi says he is being punished because he is Arab.
link to www.ynetnews.com
Shmuel Eliyahu comes from a long and prestigious rabbinical line; his father, Mordechai, was chief rabbi of Israel, and he is now chief rabbi of Safed, or Tsfat in Hebrew, a largely Jewish town in the northern Galilee region of Israel. Eliyahu, who identifies as ultra Orthodox and religious Zionist, has earned notoriety over the years for his very public and very offensive statements about non-Jews – read Palestinians– in Safed. Safed, noted as the center of Kabbalah, a branch of Jewish mysticism, is one of Judaism’s four holy cities and has seen an influx of ultra Orthodox Jews in recent years. Palestinians have also been migrating to the town as students in Safed College, which now has a roughly equal balance of Jews and Palestinians. The most recent controversy is Eliyahu’s call on Safed’s Jews, last October, not to rent rooms or apartments to Palestinians. He signed a petition, known as the “rabbis’ letter,” bidding landlords to turn away Palestinian tenants, signed by 18 other rabbis, many from Safed. 50 other rabbis lent their verbal support for the letter.
AP - Israel's democracy has long been a point of pride for its citizens — setting the country apart in a region of autocratic governments. But veteran settler leader Benny Katzover says democracy is getting in the way of what he believes is a higher purpose.
Hundreds of ultra-Orthodox Protesters Block Roads, Throw Stones in Beit Shemesh
Religious “Haredi” Jews clashed on Sunday with Israeli Policemen in Beit Shemesh, a city in central Israel that has in recent weeks become the flashpoint for conflict between secular/moderate majority, and minority of conservative religious Jews.
Gal-On mentions reports about coalition chairman MK Zeev Elkin giving information to settler leadership that wound up in the 'Price Tag Situation Room.'
Decision follows secret meeting between IDF Chief Rabbi and religious Zionist rabbis, at which the latter demanded Brig. Gen. Rafi Peretz's resignation.
Religious “Haredi” Jews clashed on Sunday with Israeli Policemen in Beit Shemesh, a city in central Israel that has in recent weeks become the flashpoint for conflict between secular/moderate majority, and minority of conservative religious Jews.
Former Israeli President Moshe Katsav To Be Defended By Yoram Shefte, Lawyer For Nazi War Criminal John
JERUSALEM -- An Israeli attorney who defended an accused Nazi-era war criminal has joined the legal team of the disgraced former president, Moshe Katsav, an associate of the lawyer said Sunday. Yoram Sheftel will help Katsav in a last attempt to overturn a rape conviction that sent him to prison last month, courts officials said. Tal Malik, an attorney at Sheftel's law firm, confirmed he would help defend Katsav.
JERUSALEM -- An Israeli attorney who defended an accused Nazi-era war criminal has joined the legal team of the disgraced former president, Moshe Katsav, an associate of the lawyer said Sunday. Yoram Sheftel will help Katsav in a last attempt to overturn a rape conviction that sent him to prison last month, courts officials said. Tal Malik, an attorney at Sheftel's law firm, confirmed he would help defend Katsav.
Political Developments
Source: Khaled Meshal to resign as Hamas chief after upcoming vote
Senior Hamas analyst praises Hamas leader for passing organization reigns to next generation of leaders.
link to www.haaretz.com
As Israeli, Palestinian envoys meet for third time in Amman, PA negotiator reiterates demand for settlement freeze; sides reportedly agree to meet again on Jan. 25, a day ahead of Quartet deadline.
Israeli PM: Palestinians not interested in talks (AP)
AP - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu charged Monday that the Palestinians have no interest in restarting peace negotiations, suggesting that newly resumed contacts between the sides are producing little progress.
link to us.rd.yahoo.com
Netanyahu says chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat "keeps talking and talking" to media; PM says parties agreed to be discreet; Abbas in London complains Israel hasn't put any proposals forward.
link to www.jpost.com
Jordan's Abdullah: Israel realizes need to revive Mideast peace talks immediately
In interview with Washington Post, Jordanian King says 'cautiously optimistic' about progress in recent low-level talks, adding Israel must choose between 'apartheid' and democracy.
link to www.haaretz.com
Jordan's Abdullah: Israel realizes need to revive Mideast peace talks immediately
In interview with Washington Post, Jordanian King says 'cautiously optimistic' about progress in recent low-level talks, adding Israel must choose between 'apartheid' and democracy.
link to www.haaretz.com
Britain's Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg: Settlements are 'vandalism' of efforts to establish Palestinian state; British PM to Abbas: time is running out to restart a peace process.
LONDON, January 16, 2012 (WAFA) - President Mahmoud Abbas Monday said that Britain’s balanced relations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority are important and qualify it more than any other country to play a key political role in the Middle East. During a meeting with British Prime Minister David Cameron in London, Abbas said that Palestinians always need the British role, as they need its assistance.” He added that the two-state-solution must be reached through negotiations, expressing hope that the meeting in Jordan between Palestinian and Israeli negotiators will have a positive outcome.
The PA just never learns: Palestinians will not extend Quartet deadline
The Palestinian leadership rejected comments by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to extend the deadline for peace negotiations to start set by the Mideast Quartet.
In two-day hearing, prosecutors will discuss whether to indict the Foreign Minister on charges of fraud, breach of trust, money laundering and witness tampering; final decision not due for months.
Other Mideast News
Insurgents kill 5 policemen in western Iraq (AP)
AP - Insurgents attacked a checkpoint in western Iraq on Tuesday, killing five policemen, police and hospital officials said.
link to us.rd.yahoo.com
At least 24 Iraqis were killed and 42 more were wounded in attacks across the country. The worst two took place in predominantly Shi'ite neighborhoods, intensifying fears of a new sectarian war.
Zahra Nahim and Fawzi Hasab fled Baghdad when their sons were killed and have struggled in America with illness, language and poverty.
link to feeds.nytimes.com
Ghaith Abdul-Ahad reports from Baghdad where families of innocent detainees face extortion from corrupt officials. The walls of Um Hussein's living room in Baghdad are hung with the portraits of her missing sons. There are four of them, and each picture frame is decorated with plastic roses and green ribbons as an improvised wreath for the dead. Um Hussein had six children. Her eldest son was killed by Sunni insurgents in 2005, when they took control of the neighbourhood. Three of her remaining sons were kidnapped by a Shia militia group when they left the neighbourhood to find work. They were never seen again.
link to www.guardian.co.uk
Mubarak trial adjourned until Wednesday
Adjournment comes hours after defence lawyer for former president said Mubarak was "clean and could do no wrong".
Mubarak trial adjourned until Wednesday
Adjournment comes hours after defence lawyer for former president said Mubarak was "clean and could do no wrong".
LE KEF, Tunisia — Tunisia’s ex-prime minister Mohamed Ghannouchi told a tribunal Monday that toppled strongman Zine El Abidine Ben Ali had wanted to kill at least 1,000 protestors demanding his exit. Ghannouchi appeared as a witness in the trial probing manslaughter charges against Ben Ali and his key aides, held in Le Kef, some 170 kilometres (106 miles) north-west of the capital Tunis. The military tribunal is looking into the shootings of protestors in the central-west towns of Thala and Kasserine where 22 demonstrators were killed.
Human rights groups say more than 400 children have been killed in Syria's crackdown on anti-government unrest - some of them deliberately. The BBC's Fergal Keane speaks to some of those affected in neighbouring Lebanon and Jordan.
As British prime minister, David Cameron visits Saudi Arabia today, activists report the plight of a man arrested by the religious police who may face corporal punishment. Activists are concerned for the safety of a 30-year-old man arrested by the religious police in Saudi Arabia for using Facebook to date other men.
The Royal statements of reform and the general amnesty of some prisoners that took place last year in the Saudi Kingdom received a lot of media attention. But one might argue that the strikes which took place at several private and government institutions were by far the most important social actions in Saudi Arabia last year.
link to english.al-akhbar.com
Rick Perry: Turkey is being ruled by what many perceive to be Islamic terrorists
Vying for the support of South Carolina’s Republicans at the latest Republican debate, the Texan governor calls for zeroing out the foreign aid the U.S. provides the NATO member.
link to www.haaretz.com
Rick Perry: Turkey is being ruled by what many perceive to be Islamic terrorists
Vying for the support of South Carolina’s Republicans at the latest Republican debate, the Texan governor calls for zeroing out the foreign aid the U.S. provides the NATO member.
link to www.haaretz.com
Iran
Saudi oil minister dismisses Iranian threat to block Strait of Hormuz in case of international oil embargo on Tehran.
Country's OPEC envoy threatens "consequences" if neighbouring states make up for oil shortfall caused by sanctions.
The next phase of the assassination war is liable to turn international scientific conferences into arenas of assassination.
Reports that the Israeli Mossad were behind the recent assassination of an Iranian scientist continue to be published. Israeli media today is full of articles summarizing a Sunday Times (UK) report that gave details of the Mossad operation in Tehran.
Flynt and Hillary Mann Leverett say it's likely that the killing of the Iranian scientist was carried out by an Iranian extremist group, Jundallah, with the support of the U.S. government.
The world’s press is choc-a-bloc with “if” questions about Iran and war. Will Israel attack? Is Obama, coerced by domestic politics in an election year, being dragged into war by the Israel lobby? Will he lunch the bombers? Is the strategy to force Iran into a corner, methodically demolishing its economy by embargoes and sanctions so that in the end a desperate Iran strikes back. As with sanctions and covert military onslaughts on Iraq in the run up to 2003, the first point to underline is that the US is waging war on Iran. But well aware of the US public’s aversion to yet another war in the Middle East, the onslaught is an undeclared one.
Analysis / Op-ed
Twitter reveals JNF’s approach toward Palestinian Bedouin
In a tweet that was later deleted, the Jewish National Fund says Bedouins in unrecognized villages are “living on someone’s land illegally.” The JNF has been taking part in evacuations of Palestinians in East Jerusalem and in foresting actions aimed at preventing the Bedouin from accessing their lands; last month, a JNF board member resigned, citing “violation of human rights” by the organization.
In a tweet that was later deleted, the Jewish National Fund says Bedouins in unrecognized villages are “living on someone’s land illegally.” The JNF has been taking part in evacuations of Palestinians in East Jerusalem and in foresting actions aimed at preventing the Bedouin from accessing their lands; last month, a JNF board member resigned, citing “violation of human rights” by the organization.
link to www.promisedlandblog.com
Government Press Office doing PR for the settler movement
It seems that every state agency in Israel is becoming a tool in the effort to further colonize the West Bank and deepen the control over the lives of Palestinians. Soon after the government reached an internal “deal” with the settler movement that would keep the families who settled in a so-called “illegal” outpost on the ground, the Government Press Office – once in charge of handling press cards and other bureaucratic duties – is now engaging in propaganda efforts on behalf of the settlers.
Government Press Office doing PR for the settler movement
It seems that every state agency in Israel is becoming a tool in the effort to further colonize the West Bank and deepen the control over the lives of Palestinians. Soon after the government reached an internal “deal” with the settler movement that would keep the families who settled in a so-called “illegal” outpost on the ground, the Government Press Office – once in charge of handling press cards and other bureaucratic duties – is now engaging in propaganda efforts on behalf of the settlers.
Is AIPAC Persuading Americans to Break the Law?, Clive Hambidge
Habituation writes James Austin M.D 'means that repeated stimuli yield a decreasing response.' Conversely and importantly he goes on, 'Sensitization implies that responses increase when stronger stimuli are repeated.' For in this understanding, 'we are addressing the basis of the freshness of vision of the artist or poet; focusing on the possible ways to relieve the depressed person held in the grip of a dreary grey world', or indeed a Nation, Palestine, gripped by the dreary politics “free of law” of an increasingly violent Israel. Moreover, “some people habituate consistently; others do not.” (Austin). It is crucial then that we, the right minded, faced with propaganda “habitually” spewed forth by the State, organs of the State and influencers of the State like American Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) to become “Enmeshed in a propaganda system of awesome effectiveness.” (Chomsky), in “locutions” pernicious and with a distinct narrative of organized violence, sucking us into the undertow of American Israeli hegemony, that we ask this simple question if “There is an intimate interdependence of intellect and morals. Given the equality of two intellects-which form the most reliable judgments, the good, or the bad hearted?” (Emerson). Having answered this satisfactorily, to know then “by our public force can we share and know the nature of things” (Emerson) we thereby free ourselves from the propagandists, and come upon this aphorism: it’s the law stupid! For “the law is the basis of the human mind. In us, it is inspiration; out there in Nature we see its fatal strength. We call it the moral sentiment” (Emerson).
link to palestinechronicle.com
Dean Obeidallah: An Insight
[Ikhras Note: Unsurprisingly alleged comedian Dean Obeidallah has failed to digest the irony of someone that launches a career as a nominal Muslim Arab on the far fringe of American pop culture dismissing the dedicated work of an American solidarity activist because she doesn't share an Arab-Islamic heritage. Ethnicity is a chance of birth and religious persuasion is a personal choice. You don’t have to be a Palestinian, an Arab, or a Muslim to recognize and be part of the struggle against Zionism and injustice in Palestine. Our universal human values should lead all of us to accept and promote a shared global responsibility for fighting against injustice, racism, ethnic cleansing, occupation, imperialism, and war wherever it may exist. In this special guest submission ikhras friend Tammy Obeidallah shares her personal experience with Obeidallah and makes it clear that Palestine is not a punch line for aspiring American comedians, it is a morally compelling cause that has enlisted people of conscience from all backgrounds.]
link to ikhras.com
[Ikhras Note: Unsurprisingly alleged comedian Dean Obeidallah has failed to digest the irony of someone that launches a career as a nominal Muslim Arab on the far fringe of American pop culture dismissing the dedicated work of an American solidarity activist because she doesn't share an Arab-Islamic heritage. Ethnicity is a chance of birth and religious persuasion is a personal choice. You don’t have to be a Palestinian, an Arab, or a Muslim to recognize and be part of the struggle against Zionism and injustice in Palestine. Our universal human values should lead all of us to accept and promote a shared global responsibility for fighting against injustice, racism, ethnic cleansing, occupation, imperialism, and war wherever it may exist. In this special guest submission ikhras friend Tammy Obeidallah shares her personal experience with Obeidallah and makes it clear that Palestine is not a punch line for aspiring American comedians, it is a morally compelling cause that has enlisted people of conscience from all backgrounds.]
link to ikhras.com
My name is the Australian Zionist lobby and I enjoy lying about Israeli history, Antony Loewenstein
Think about this for a moment. The average Australian citizen barely hears about the Zionist lobby except when it’s whinging about supposed anti-Semitism and suggesting an acclaimed British TV compares Jews to Nazis. The hyperbole of these Jews would be laughable if it didn’t seriously frame all us Jews as victims. And Israel, of course, is the eternal angel, bravely fighting for its existence by occupying Palestinians and using white phosphorous on civilians in Gaza.
Think about this for a moment. The average Australian citizen barely hears about the Zionist lobby except when it’s whinging about supposed anti-Semitism and suggesting an acclaimed British TV compares Jews to Nazis. The hyperbole of these Jews would be laughable if it didn’t seriously frame all us Jews as victims. And Israel, of course, is the eternal angel, bravely fighting for its existence by occupying Palestinians and using white phosphorous on civilians in Gaza.
link to antonyloewenstein.com
Rick Santorum Views on the Middle East, Ali Younes
In town hall meeting during campaign stop in Greenville, South Carolina, last Saturday, Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum said to me, in response to my questions, that he supports attacking Iran with missiles, rockets and other weapons in order to stop it from developing nuclear weapons. On the issue of Palestinian -Israeli conflict he added that the issue is an internal Israeli matter and that Israel can do whatever it wants and no one should interfere in their internal affairs. Ostensibly, Santorum does not hide his ultra conservative views when it comes to the US foreign policy particularly over Iran and Israel. He in the same breath argued to the crowed why they should not elect a moderate, a reference to presidential candidate Mitt Romney when they vote in the primary later this week.
link to palestinechronicle.com
Rick Santorum Views on the Middle East, Ali Younes
In town hall meeting during campaign stop in Greenville, South Carolina, last Saturday, Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum said to me, in response to my questions, that he supports attacking Iran with missiles, rockets and other weapons in order to stop it from developing nuclear weapons. On the issue of Palestinian -Israeli conflict he added that the issue is an internal Israeli matter and that Israel can do whatever it wants and no one should interfere in their internal affairs. Ostensibly, Santorum does not hide his ultra conservative views when it comes to the US foreign policy particularly over Iran and Israel. He in the same breath argued to the crowed why they should not elect a moderate, a reference to presidential candidate Mitt Romney when they vote in the primary later this week.
link to palestinechronicle.com
www.TheHeadlines.Org
Those IDF tuff guys, it must be terrifying to be threatened with some water not even directed at you. A 17 year old girl is to be criminalised for defending herself – how can any of you morons even think this is remotely acceptable? I suppose you were just acting ‘under orders’, like those other fascists and their wheedling excuses.
Military trial for 17-year-old girl, charged with… Spilling Water on Soldier
How ironic, after this: link to 972mag.com
Maybe Amal will also be suspended from the Knesset plenum and committees for a month. Then again, MK Michaeli didn’t have her cave demolished (pre-emptively, of course).
I thought of the same.
The angry women in Knesset who deliberately spilled water on a Palestinian gentleman because he said something that she did not like.
Is she going go be charged with an aggravated assult??
>> As reported here, during home demolitions in the cave-dweller village of Mufakarah, two young women who resisted nonviolently were arrested and charged with “assaulting soldiers” under the Israeli Occupation’s draconian martial law.
I guess these young women hadn’t heard that IOF soldiers suffer from a Holocaust-related “collective psychological complex”, and that instead of resisting non-violently while the frightened soldiers destroyed their home, they should have sought “a counseling approach, to reduce the power of the fear in the complex.”
link to mondoweiss.net
You are all missing the point!
Israeli soldiers are so sweet and nice they are practically made of sugar. Water would dissolve them away, so it constitutes a serious assault on htem.
(Mind you, we all know from Signs that aliens can be detroyed by water as well, so just maybe …)
That is a good one RoHa, I look at it a little differently. Sort of like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, when she “liquidated” (the wizards term) the wicked witch –
LIQUIDATING WICKEDNESS
If it were only that easy, inadvertently of course …