Category Archives: Gaza

UN report finds errant Palestinian fire responsible for child’s death during Gaza fighting, but parent and human rights group maintains Israel is responsible

Posted on March 12, 2013 by Adam Horowitz

The U.N. Human Rights Council has issued a report on the November 2012 Israeli attack on Gaza. Although the 17-page report excoriates both Israel and Palestinian forces for numerous violations of international law during the fighting, the headline from the report has been a finding that BBC employee Omar al-Masharawi’s 11-month-old son Omar was most likely killed by an errant Palestinian missile rather than Israeli fire. Masharawi’s grieving photo was one of the most indelible images of the fighting and the story behind the photo is becoming another battle over the narrative of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Posted in Gaza, Israel/Palestine, Israeli Government, Occupation | 91 Comments

In photos: Gaza International Women’s Day rally for Palestinian detainees

Posted on March 12, 2013 by Joe Catron

After a weekly sit-in by families of Palestinian detainees in the courtyard of the International Committee of the Red Cross’ Gaza Strip headquarters Monday morning, demonstrators rallied on the street outside to mark International Women’s Day and Mother’s Day.

Posted in Activism, Gaza, Israel/Palestine, Israeli Government, Occupation | 7 Comments

In photos: Gaza fishermen undertake protest flotilla to tell Israel — ‘Return the stolen boats!’

Posted on March 5, 2013 by Joe Catron

Several hundred Palestinian fishermen rallied on the Mediterranean Sea Sunday, March 3rd, sailing a flotilla of more than 50 boats from the Gaza seaport to the northern town of Beit Lahia and back to demand the return of 36 fishing boats seized by Israel.

Posted in Flotilla, Gaza, Israel/Palestine, Israeli Government, Occupation | 9 Comments

In pictures: Hundreds join ‘Expose AIPAC’ to protest AIPAC Policy Conference

Posted on March 4, 2013 by Sasha Gelzin

Yesterday more than 200 people gathered to protest in front of the AIPAC Policy Conference in Washington DC.

Posted in Activism, American Jewish Community, BDS, Gaza, Israel Lobby, Israel/Palestine, Israeli Government, Occupation, US Policy in the Middle East, US Politics | 10 Comments

In photos: Every Monday, families of Palestinian detainees gather in Gaza’s Red Cross

Posted on February 28, 2013 by Joe Catron

Every Monday morning families of Palestinians detained by Israel gather in the courtyard of the International Committee of the Red Cross’s Gaza Strip headquarters. In 2011, an organizer said that the event, which began after the redeployment of Israeli forces following the Oslo accords in 1994, “could enter the Guinness book of records for the longest running weekly sit-ins in the world.”

Posted in Activism, Gaza, Israel/Palestine, Israeli Government, Occupation | Comments Off

In pictures: Thousands in Gaza protest the prison death of Arafat Jaradat

Posted on February 24, 2013 by Joe Catron

Following the death of a young Palestinian father in an Israeli prison, four days after he was arrested, there have been widespread Palestinian protests, including one in Gaza, demanding that “the international community pressure the occupation to release all of our detainees in Israeli prisons’

Posted in Activism, Gaza, Israel/Palestine, Israeli Government, Nakba, Occupation | Tagged | 3 Comments

Documents reveal how US let Israel off the hook over ‘execution’ of American Furkan Dogan

Posted on February 22, 2013 by Alex Kane

In May 2010, 18-year-old American citizen Furkan Dogan (above) was shot at point-blank range by Israeli naval commandos as he was standing on the deck of a ship and filming the violent raid on the flotilla to Gaza. The Center for Constitutional Rights has published materials acquired through the Freedom of Information Act which document the U.S. government’s actions in the aftermath of the flotilla attack. They provide compelling evidence of how the U.S. government abandoned one of its own citizens who was killed by the Israeli military.

Posted in Activism, Flotilla, Gaza, Israel/Palestine, Middle East, Turkey, US Policy in the Middle East, US Politics | Tagged | 49 Comments

A ‘period of calm’ isn’t calm inside Gaza

Posted on February 22, 2013 by Adam Horowitz

A graphic by Ben White illustrating Israeli violations of the most recent Gaza ceasefire and ongoing Israeli attacks on the West Bank.

Posted in Gaza, Israel/Palestine, Israeli Government, Occupation | 1 Comment

To the holy land we belong and to Jerusalem we will return

Posted on February 20, 2013 by Iman Sourani

“Shocked” is a word that describes that feeling I had when I read about the Islamic buildings recently demolished on the northern side of Buraq Square by Israeli occupation authorities just meters away of the Aqsa Mosque.

Posted in Gaza, Israel/Palestine, Israeli Government, Nakba, Occupation, On the ground reports | 13 Comments

Following Palestinian call, protests held in 40 European cities demanding end to international trade with Israeli agribusiness

Posted on February 9, 2013 by Adam Horowitz

In Europe, protests targeted Mehadrin, a large Israeli export company that supplies citrus fruits, dates and other fresh produce to supermarkets across Europe. The company operates in illegal Israeli settlements, is involved in the theft of Palestinian land and water and employs Palestinian workers forced to work in illegal settlements in unsafe conditions for as little as €11 per day.

Posted in Activism, BDS, Gaza, Israel/Palestine, Occupation, Reports/Video | 6 Comments

In pictures: Farmers rally for Israeli agriculture boycott in Gaza ‘buffer zone’

Posted on February 9, 2013 by Joe Catron
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Hundreds of Palestinian farmers marched to the Gaza Strip’s Israel-imposed “buffer zone” this morning, where they rallied and planted olive trees. The demonstration, organized by theUnion of Agricultural Work Committees (UAWC), was part of a global day of action for boycotts of Israeli agricultural companies organized by UAWC, other Palestinian agricultural organizations, and the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) National Committee.

Posted in Activism, Gaza, Israel/Palestine, Occupation, On the ground reports | 2 Comments

Life under the F16s in Gaza

Posted on February 6, 2013 by Rawan Yaghi

Rawan Yaghi describes life in Gaza under the constant threat of Israeli F16s: I was fourteen when the AbuSelmeyyas’ house was attacked by an F16 air strike. My body shivers as I write this. The attack killed the father and mother and seven of their children, Nasrallah 4, Aya 7, Yahya 9, Eman 12, Huda 14 who was my classmate in primary school. I wasn’t allowed to see any news about the attack. I heard from my brother that day that the bomb was directly dropped on the room where the mother and the children were. I also heard about their body parts being found in the buildings next to their house. I was only fourteen. What did I know.

Posted in Gaza, Israel/Palestine, Israeli Government, Occupation, On the ground reports | Tagged | 7 Comments

UN investigation to probe ‘unlawful killings’ by drones in Palestine, Pakistan and Yemen

Posted on January 26, 2013 by Alex Kane

The United Nations’ special rapporteur on human rights and counter-terrorism, Ben Emmerson, has announced an investigation into US, UK and Israeli drone strikes. The areas covered by the investigation include the occupied Palestinian territories, Pakistan, Somalia, Yemen and Afghanistan, the main countries that bear the brunt of drone strikes.

Posted in Gaza, Israel/Palestine, Middle East, US Policy in the Middle East, US Politics, War on Terror | 16 Comments

Don’t believe the (liberal Zionist) hype: Israel’s elections ratified the apartheid status quo

Posted on January 24, 2013 by Alex Kane

The liberal Zionist wing of the American Jewish community are deluding themselves about the results of the Israeli elections. Both J Street and Americans for Peace Now are hailing the outcome of the elections as a decisive move towards the “peace process.” The reality is completely different. The Israeli government will remain committed to the status quo of apartheid. Above, Tzipi Livni of the Hatnuah party (right) speaks with Labor Party leader Shelly Yacimovich.

Posted in American Jewish Community, Gaza, Israel/Palestine, Israeli Government, Settlers/Colonists, US Politics | 63 Comments

Report from Beit Lahiya: Israel continues to break the ceasefire in Gaza

Posted on January 24, 2013 by Jenny Linnell

A ceasefire was announced on November 21st, ending eight days of horrific bloodshed in Gaza. Has the delicate truce held over the past two months? It depends who you ask. While there has not been a single report of a rocket fired out of Gaza since the ceasefire went into effect, four Palestinians have lost their lives and over 80 have been injured by Israeli forces in that time period. Above, Abdullah Marouf, 18, was shot in the right leg by Israeli forces on Monday, fracturing both his tibia and fibula.

Posted in Gaza, Israel/Palestine, Occupation, On the ground reports | Tagged | 8 Comments

Lupe Fiasco removed from inauguration event after criticizing Obama

Posted on January 21, 2013 by Adam Horowitz

Lupe Fiasco was removed from the stage at an Obama inauguration event after he performed his song “Words I Never Said” which criticizes President Obama for remaining silent during Operation Cast Lead.

Posted in Activism, Gaza, Israel/Palestine, Media, Reports/Video, US Policy in the Middle East, US Politics | 21 Comments

Hold Israel accountable for aggression and war crimes in Gaza

Posted on January 14, 2013 by James Marc Leas

This article will show that neither “Operation Cast Lead” or “Operation Pillar of Defense” actually defended Israel or Israeli civilians. It will also show that Israeli political and military leaders have a non-violent strategy to stop rocket fire that actually works.

Posted in Gaza, Israel/Palestine, Israeli Government, Media, Occupation, US Policy in the Middle East, US Politics | 11 Comments

Israel violates Gaza ceasefire again, kills student near Jabalia refugee camp

Posted on January 14, 2013 by Kate

Gaza Official: Israeli forces kill man, wound another in Gaza GAZA CITY (Ma‘an) 11 Jan — Israeli forces fired at the northern Gaza Strip on Friday, killing one man and injuring another, medics said. Gaza health ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qidra … Continue reading →

Posted in Gaza, Israel/Palestine, Occupation, Today in Palestine | Comments Off

Jews for Palestinian right of return

Posted on January 5, 2013 by Adam Horowitz

A statement from Jewish activists, writers, artists and academics calling for “all supporters of social justice to stand up for Palestinian Right of Return and a democratic state throughout historic Palestine — “From the River to the Sea” — with equal rights for all.”

Posted in Activism, American Jewish Community, BDS, Gaza, Israel/Palestine, Nakba, Occupation, One state/Two states | 77 Comments

Palestine wishes you a happy new year

Posted on December 31, 2012 by Nour O. El Borno

Nour O. El Borno recalls new year in 2009 as Israel bombarded Gaza during Operation Cast Lead and wonders if 2013 will only bring more Israeli violence.

Posted in Gaza, Israel/Palestine, Occupation, On the ground reports | 13 Comments

‘Save Samer, he is dying’: Samer Issawi and the plight of Palestinian hunger strikers

Posted on December 26, 2012 by Malaka Mohammed

Malaka Mohammed talks with Samer Issawi’s family after he has been on hunger strike for 152 days. Mohammed also gives updates on other Palestinian hunger strikers Jafar Azzidine, Tarek Qa’adan, and Yousef Yassin.

Posted in Egypt, Gaza, Israel/Palestine, Occupation | Tagged | 4 Comments

Why should I be accused of being Westernized?

Posted on December 24, 2012 by Sameeha Elwan

“Westernized” is very often the first accusation pointed in your face when attempting to discuss or even try to raise gender matters in our society.” Especially if it stems from someone who has just come back from abroad, let alone it being a woman. I cannot deny that being abroad for the first time in my whole life has put me in a very serious confrontation with my own identity not only as a Palestinian, or as a Muslim but also as a woman.

Posted in Arab Spring, Gaza | 25 Comments

What ceasefire? Israeli soldiers shoot five Palestinians in latest in series of violations

Posted on December 24, 2012 by Alex Kane

The ceasefire agreement that ended the assault on Gaza stipulated that Israel ‘should stop all hostilities in the Gaza Strip.’ But the military has fired on Palestinians near the border and detained fishermen in clear and brazen violations of the ceasefire deal.

Posted in Gaza, Israel/Palestine | 8 Comments

When It Hits Home: Abdelmalek’s story

Posted on December 22, 2012 by Abrar Agil

Living in the UK, Abrar Agil never really knew her cousin Abdelmakek in Gaza. But after he was seriously injured in the latest Israeli attack, Agil traveled to Gaza to meet him and hear his story.

Posted in Gaza, Israel/Palestine, Occupation, On the ground reports | Tagged | 5 Comments

Living under drones in Gaza

Posted on December 20, 2012 by Rawan Yaghi

Israeli drones in Gaza now carry out “warning attacks” in which they partially destroy a building to warn occupants to evacuate within three minutes. Terrifying

Posted in Gaza, Israel/Palestine, Israeli Government, Nakba, Occupation, US Policy in the Middle East | 4 Comments