and other news from Today in Palestine:
Land, property, resources theft and destruction / Ethnic cleansing / Settlers
Israel to build more East Jerusalem homes
JERUSALEM (AFP) 14 Feb — Jerusalem’s municipal council on Monday approved the construction of 120 new homes in the Jewish settlement neighbourhood of Ramot in occupied east Jerusalem, a councillor told AFP … The vote came on the eve of a visit by EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, who has said that east Jerusalem settlement building harms the prospects for Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110214/wl_afp/israelpalestinianspeacesettlerjerusalem
Beit Ummar residents say harassed by settlers
HEBRON (Ma‘an) — A small group of armed settlers entered the town of Beit Ummar Sunday night, local sources said, describing a tense scene in the area and closed roads in and out … Town spokesman Mohammad Ayyad Awad said two armed settlers and a few others were walking around the residential area, causing residents to fear leaving their homes.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=359782
IOA planning establishment of 19 synagogues in OJ
OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, (PIC) 14 Feb — The Israeli-controlled municipality of occupied Jerusalem is planning to build 19 Jewish synagogues in Jabal Abu Ghuneim south of the holy city, Hebrew press reports said on Monday. Ha’aretz quoted inhabitants in the suburb as saying that the decision would mean turning the suburb in the future into a purely Jewish haredi neighborhood.
http://www.palestine-info.co.uk/En/default.aspx?xyz=U6Qq7k%2bcO
Violence
Palestinian injured in Gaza
GAZA, Feb 14 (WAFA) — Israeli forces shot and injured an 18-year-old Palestinian on Monday while he was collecting gravel north of Gaza Strip, medical sources said. Israeli forces stationed near the fence separating Gaza from Israel opened fire at a group of Palestinians collecting gravel injuring one Palestinian, according to witnesses. Medical sources said that the young Palestinian was shot in the leg and transferred to a hospital in north Gaza. His condition was described as moderate.
http://english.wafa.ps/index.php?action=detail&id=15185
Israeli police refuse murder victim Jerusalem burial
JERUSALEM (Ma‘an) 14 Feb — Israeli authorities are still refusing to return the body of a Palestinian murdered in Jerusalem on Friday, relatives of the victim said. Husam Rweidi, 24, was stabbed to death early Friday morning by a mob of Ultra-Orthodox Jews in Jerusalem’s city center. The victim’s cousin Firas Baydoun said Monday that Israeli police summoned Rweidi’s father, Hussein, to the Russian Compound interrogation center in Jerusalem to discuss funeral arrangements. Israeli police told Hussein his son’s body would be delivered to Qalandia checkpoint, and that he must be buried in the West Bank and not in Jerusalem, Baydoun said.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=360045
Detention / Incursions
Israel detains two Palestinians during a raid in Hebron
West Bank, (Pal Telegraph) 14 Feb — Israeli forces detained Monday two Palestinian youths from Hebron in the south of The West Bank. Security sources told that two Palestinians known as Raed El-Shwamra and Ahmed Baruosh,25, were captured after raiding their homes, leading them to an unknown destination. Israeli soldiers also severely beat Osama Ghannam from Al-Tarrama in Hebron as they broke into his house and searched its content. Witnesses told that a group of settlers attacked a house owned by Mazen Masouda in the east of Hebron. Israeli forces also raided Bani Naim and Halhoul towns and several neighborhoods in Hebron and stopped civilians’ vehicles to verify their ID cards.
http://www.paltelegraph.com/palestine/west-bank/8467-israel-detains-two-palestinians-during-a-raid-in-hebron.html
Hamas: PA detained 4 supporters
BETHLEHEM (Ma‘an) 14 Feb — Hamas leaders in the West Bank accused the Palestinian Authority security services Monday of detaining for supporters for political reasons, and called for their release. The four were detained from Hebron overnight, a statement from the Islamist party said.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=359869
4 Hebron residents sentenced to lifetime of hard labor
HEBRON (Ma‘an) 14 Feb — A Palestinian Authority court on Monday sentenced four Hebron residents convicted of treason to a lifetime of hard labor, sources in the court told Ma‘an. The sentence was based on Article 110 of the 1960 Palestinian penal code and may be appealed, court officials said.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=360032
Activism / Solidarity
Channel 2 covers Bil‘in, Palestinians are nowhere to be seen / Haggai Matar
…I made sure the crew was filming when [Khatib] gave a speech to the protesters at the outset of the demonstration, in the heart of the village, when he spoke about Bil‘in’s solidarity with Jonathan Pollak. I explained to the researchers and the film crew who were with me for the march that it’s important they talk to him, and they did in fact interview him afterwards. Later, at the end of the demonstration, a veteran activist, Wajee Burnat, who was filmed as he received medical treatment, found the film crew and gave a heart-felt speech about his family’s lands which lay on the other side of the fence, explaining that even if the fence is moved as is planned, it will not return all of their lands. But somehow, Khatib, Burnat, and all the other Palestinians just fell aside in the news piece, when it was broadcast last night. The full news item can be viewed here [Hebrew].
http://972mag.com/israels-channel-2-covers-bilin-palestinians-are-nowhere-to-be-seen/
Siege / Restriction of movement
Hamas-Fatah rivalry behind Gaza medical shortages
RAMALLAH (IRIN) 14 Feb — The main reason for the worsening shortages of essential drugs and medical supplies in the Gaza Strip is that the Palestinian Authority ministry of health in the West Bank has not delivered enough drugs and medical supplies to Gaza, according to the World Health Organization, international aid organizations and Gaza health ministry officials … Spokesperson for the PA health ministry Omar Al-Nasser told IRIN $19 million of the PA health ministry’s 2010 budget of $43 million was spent in Gaza. “We refuse to talk to officials from Gaza,” said Al-Nasser. “
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=359970
West Bank – Jordan crossing to close Wed a.m.
JERICHO (Ma‘an) 14 Feb — The Palestinian Border Police Administration announced Monday that the Allenby Bridge Crossing and the Al-Karama crossing between the West Bank and Jordan would be closed on Wednesday morning. The closure will affect travelers going in both directions between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. on 16 February for what officials said was an Israeli military training exercise.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=359927
Zahar to Egypt: Open Rafah crossing to goods, vehicles
JPost 14 Feb — Hamas leader in Gaza Mahmoud al-Zahar called on Egypt to provide electricity and water to the Gaza Strip and to open the Rafah Crossing to allow free movement of goods and vehicles to and from the territory , Israel Radio reported on Monday. Zahar said Egypt should open for renegotiation its peace treaty with Israel so that it would be allowed to deploy troops throughout Sinai.
http://www.jpost.com/Headlines/Article.aspx?id=208141
Israel opens 2 crossings for imports
GAZA CITY (Ma‘an) 14 Feb — Israeli authorities informed Palestinian liaison officers in Gaza City that two crossing terminals would be opened for limited goods transport on Monday, with an expected total of 320 truckloads of goods to enter.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=359797
Reprisals
Gaza militants fire projectile into Israel
(AFP) 14 Feb — Militants from the Gaza Strip fired a projectile into the Eshkol settlement of southern Israel on Monday, the Israeli army said, but there were no reports of casualties. A military spokesman said it was not immediately clear if the object was a mortar shell or a locally-produced Qassam rockets.
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/5591/World/Region/Gaza-militants-fire-projectile-into-Israel.aspx
Racism / Discrimination / Repression
‘I said I was from Sudan and was attacked’
Ynet 14 Feb — Ali Alhira, who was stabbed in back and stomach by eight men with skullcaps, recounts moments of horror from his hospital bed. ‘They assaulted me and my brother without any reason, and no one did anything.’ I’m sorry I ever came to Israel, he adds
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4028142,00.html
Top Israeli intellectuals to state: Probe rabbi’s alleged link to Rabin assassination
Authors, Israel Prize laureates urge the investigation of rabbi Dov Lior, wanted by police for questioning for his support of a book justifying the killing of non-Jews.
http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/top-israeli-intellectuals-to-state-probe-rabbi-s-alleged-link-to-rabin-assassination-1.343215
Protecting Israel from its citizens / Avirama Golan
Haaretz 14 Feb –The parliamentary investigative panel to examine organizations’ funding sources actually have no interest in questions of legality and constitutionality. All they want is to delegitimize protest and political opinions, and to scare us.
http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/opinion/protecting-israel-from-its-citizens-1.343274
Israeli lecturers urge state to probe university’s alleged anti-leftist policies
Haaretz 14 Feb — Bar-Ilan University faculty members urge Council For Higher Education to examine claims by lecturers that they were denied promotion because of leftist political activities and opinions.
http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/israeli-lecturers-urge-state-to-probe-university-s-alleged-anti-leftist-policies-1.343236
Political developments
Abbas asks Fayyad to form new government
RAMALLAH (Ma‘an) 14 Feb — Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad tendered his government’s resignation Monday, just months before local and legislative elections are expected to be held … Following the resignation, Abbas asked Fayyad to work to appoint a new cabinet … Officials said at least one new ministry would be created, under the tentative title the Ministry of Civil Society, while seven others would change, including the ministries of health, agriculture, tourism, foreign affairs.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=359808
Hamas: PA cabinet shuffle ‘superficial’
GAZA CITY (Ma‘an) 14 Feb — The Palestinian Authority cabinet shuffle is a “superficial change with no hint of reform,” Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said Monday.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=360016
Hamas, Fatah officials say talks could continue
BETHLEHEM (Ma‘an) 14 Feb — Hamas leader Ismail Radwan told rival Fatah leader Nabil Shaath that if intentions were genuine, unity talks between the parties could resume. The breakthrough comment came on a national radio broadcast on the Ma’an network, after Shaath told Radwan that the parties shared the concerns put forward by the Islamist party over “understandings reached in the Damascus agreement.”
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=359874
Arab summit in Baghdad on March 29
CAIRO (AFP) 14 Feb — Arab heads of state will hold their annual summit in Baghdad on March 29, Iraq’s ambassador to the Arab League told reporters on Monday … It will be the first summit of the 22-member body since the resignation of Egypt’s president Hosni Mubarak, who led the regional powerhouse for 30 years.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=359916
Abbas: Targeting Qatar over leaked papers over
RAMALLAH (Ma‘an) 14 Feb — President Mahmoud Abbas issued a decree on Sunday, banning local media and officials from abuse and slander of the emir of Qatar and the emirate’s government. The announcement came a day after the resignation of PLO negotiations chief Saeb Erekat, who had made several accusations against the both targets, the most recent of which included allegations that the nation had holdings in companies active in Israeli settlement construction.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=359851
Lieberman: I, not Netanyahu, choose Israel’s ambassadors
Haaretz 14 Feb – Foreign Minister rejects reports that Uzi Arad was planning to leave position of national security adviser to replace Ron Prosor as envoy to London.http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/lieberman-i-not-netanyahu-choose-israel-s-ambassadors-1.343359
Friedman: White House disgusted with Israel
Ynet 14 Feb — Senior New York Times columnist describes Israeli cabinet as ‘out-of-touch, in-bred, unimaginative and cliché-driven’; says Jerusalem unable to adjust to changes in Egypt
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4028189,00.html
Analysis / Opinion
For Palestinian police in West Bank, Israel is still laying down the law / Amira Hass
14 Feb — Head of European mission training PA police acknowledges that in training, everything is done with the approval of State of Israel … “Any equipment we bring in has to be approved by the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories. In addition, the police force works under the mental programming of life under occupation. The reality on the ground affects how they see the future. When I meet my counterpart, the head of the Palestinian police force, for example, he is genuinely concerned about the absence of [Israeli] concessions. The absence of concessions makes it difficult to motivate members of his force when they carry out the mission of maintaining law and order…”
http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/features/for-palestinian-police-in-west-bank-israel-is-still-laying-down-the-law-1.343269
Israel and the sudden return of land for peace / Bradley Burston
14 Feb — When the revolution began in Egypt, many in Israel expected it to fail. What is more telling, though, is that so many in Israel quietly wanted it to. … Abruptly, and as a direct result of revolution in Egypt, Land for Peace has returned. Some of the very rightists who for years have pointed to hasty, unilateral Israeli withdrawals from Lebanon and Gaza as proof that no withdrawal can ever work, that pullouts lead only to war, have changed their tune overnight.
http://www.haaretz.com/blogs/a-special-place-in-hell/egypt-israel-and-the-sudden-return-of-land-for-peace-1.343319
Iraq
Sunday: 3 Iraqis killed, 12 wounded
Parliament filled several important posts today but failed to vote on the defense, interior and national security portfolios. Meanwhile, at least three Iraqis were killed and 12 more were wounded in new violence. In one incident, Iraq’s first reported self-immolation protest occurred, significantly ratcheting up demonstrations that have taken place in recent days.
http://original.antiwar.com/updates/2011/02/13/sunday-3-iraqis-killed-12-wounded/
Young Iraqis send valentine to leaders
BAGHDAD (AFP) 13 Feb — Young Iraqis are to hold a Valentine’s Day rally on Monday to call on their leaders to love the war-battered country rather than rob its resources, an organiser told AFP. “We do not want Valentine’s Day to be only one day of love but a celebration for reform, democracy, citizenship and freedom,” said Karnas Ali, a young engineer.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110213/wl_mideast_afp/iraqvalentinecorruption
Other Mideast / Arab world
Middle East and North Africa rocked by protests
NICOSIA (AFP) 14 Feb — Shock waves from the ouster of presidents in Tunisia and Egypt continued to roll across North Africa and the Middle East on Monday, with peoples long subject to autocratic rule demanding to be heard … Following is a breakdown of events, both current and planned, in the Arabic-speaking world and in Iran.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110214/wl_afp/mideastmaghrebunrestpolitics
Food, demography are invisible drivers in Egypt uprising
PARIS (AFP) 14 Feb — Huge population growth and food insecurity count among the factors that fuelled the revolution in Egypt and serve as a caution for other countries facing human and environmental overload, say analysts.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=359822
Egypt protests continue in the factories / Hossam el-Hamalawy
Guardian 14 Feb — Egypt’s striking workers won’t entrust the transition to democracy to the generals who were the backbone of the dictatorship
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/feb/14/egypt-protests-democracy-generals
Egypt army orders protesters out of square
(Reuters) 14 Feb — Military delivers ultimatum to dozens of committed demonstrators in Cairo to leave Tahrir Square and let life get back to normal or face arrest
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4028252,00.html
Egypt presidential hopeful: Peace treaty with Israel is over
Haaretz 14 Feb — Dr. Ayman Nur, a secular and liberal member of the opposition, tells Egypt radio that it would behoove the new government to renegotiate the terms of the Camp David accord.
http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/egypt-presidential-hopeful-peace-treaty-with-israel-is-over-1.343341
Libya’s Kadhafi urges refugee ‘march on Palestine’
TRIPOLI (AFP) 13 Feb — Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi on Sunday urged Palestinian refugees to take advantage of current unrest sweeping across the Arab world and stage a march on the Palestinian territories … “This is not a call for war,” Kadhafi said, however, urging Palestinian refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Libya and Syria to head for “the Palestinian borders, olive branches in hand in a sign of peace.”
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110213/wl_mideast_afp/libyaisraelpalestinianspolitics
Lebanon’s Hariri moves into opposition ranks
BEIRUT (AFP) 14 Feb — Six years after the murder of his father, Lebanon’s outgoing premier Saad Hariri was Monday to announce a shift into opposition ranks after Hezbollah forced the collapse of his frail government.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110214/wl_mideast_afp/lebanonpoliticshariri
US honors Hariri memory, backs tribunal
(AFP) 14 Feb — President Obama says any attempt to interfere with probe into former Lebanese PM’s murder or fuel tensions within Lebanon ‘must not be tolerated’
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4028144,00.html
