Hale Demands Abbas To Void U.N Move
U.S. Envoy, David Hale, has officially demanded on Wednesday, Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, to void the plan to head to the United Nations to seek international recognition of statehood, and told him that Washington opposes the move.
Obama urged to wield U.N. veto against Palestinians (Reuters)
Reuters – President Barack Obama should say clearly and publicly the United States will use its veto on the U.N. Security Council to block any Palestinian bid to gain U.N. membership, a senior Republican lawmaker said on Wednesday.
Israel’s UN Ambassador Held 70 Meetings With Counterparts
As part of Israel’s campaign to foil the Palestinian bid at the United Nations this month, Israel’s Ambassador to the U.N. held seventy meetings with his counterparts trying to convince them to vote against the move.
Israelis could face trial in the Hague if Palestinian statehood recognized at UN, experts warn
According to the statute of the court, the direct or indirect transfer of an occupier’s population into occupied territory constitutes a war crime.
And more news from Today in Palestine:
Israel’s right-wing prepares for UN recognition of Palestine
Coalition chairman MK Zeev Elkin (Likud) blasts IDF top brass for siding with Palestinians rather than the government.
http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/israel-s-right-wing-prepares-for-un-recognition-of-palestine-1.383130?localLinksEnabled=false
Palestinians deploy Obama speech in U.N. campaign (Reuters)
Reuters – President Barack Obama is an unlikely participant in a Palestinian campaign to drum up support for a bid to win U.N. recognition of their statehood — a diplomatic move opposed by both his administration and Israel.
http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/mideast/*http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110907/wl_nm/us_palestinians_israel_obama
Egypt rallies support for Palestinians at UN
Cairo lobbies members of Non-Aligned Movement to support Palestinian statehood bid, but Belgrade meeting ends with no official declaration.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4118830,00.html
Fatah leader in Turkey ahead of UN vote
RAMALLAH (Ma’an) — Fatah leader Nabil Shaath met Tuesday with senior Turkish officials to discuss the Palestinian leadership in Ramallah’s bid for membership at the UN, officials said. Shaath held a series of discussions as a special envoy for President Mahmoud Abbas in talks about the September bid in the UN, Israel’s blockade on Gaza and a UN report criticizing Turkey and Israel. Shaath described the talks as deep and positive. He said the visit included passing along Abbas’ thanks for its support for the Palestinian cause and its efforts to declare a Palestinian state in the UN.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=418059
China Supports Palestinian UN Bid
China declared Wednesday that it supports the Palestinian statehood bid at the United Nations, considered the move as “unalienable legitimate Palestinian right”, and that the move will boost peace in the region.
http://www.imemc.org/article/61972
Palestinians have a plan B for U.N. statehood drive
It’s generally expected that the United States will veto the Palestinian bid for full member status at the United Nations Security Council next month, but the Palestinian government thinks it has an ace up its sleeve — a workaround option that would bypass the U.S. veto and allow it to secure U.N. recognition, says the PLO’s top representative in Washington.
http://thecable.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2011/09/06/palestinians_have_a_plan_b_for_un_statehood_drive
Hamas ‘opposes popular protests’ in support of UN bid
GAZA CITY (Ma’an) — Popular Resistance Campaign coordinator Mahmud Az-Ziq said Wednesday Hamas is refusing to allow any mass protests in Gaza in support of the UN bid. Hamas has informed factions in Gaza that they are not in favor of any popular action to support the bid, Az-Ziq said.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=418450
Land, property, resources theft & destruction / Ethnic cleansing / Apartheid
Peace Now: Settlement construction rate double national rate
Movement publishes report based on aerial photos, on-site visits, claims construction rate on West Bank settlements double that of rest of country.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4118903,00.html
PA: Israeli forces destroy 3 wells near Nablus
NABLUS (Ma’an) — Israeli forces demolished three water wells Thursday in the village of Naseriya, east of Nablus, the official Palestinian Authority news agency WAFA reported. The wells were owned by Muhammad Wahdan Abu Luay, Najeh Zaid and Nabil Judeh.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=418571
Al Walajeh: Demonstrators , Military clash over olive trees uprooted
Bethlehem – PNN – The Israeli Military attacked a group of Palestinian, Israeli and international activists, participating in a peaceful demonstration against the enlargement of the wall in Al-Walajah, North West of Bethlehem. For the second day running, the Israeli Military cut and uprooted the olive trees of the area around West Bank’s village of Al-Walajah. The dredging works were carried out in the area of Ain Joazh, where the Israeli Military is completing the building of the apartheid wall.
http://english.pnn.ps/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=10649&Itemid=60
Israel’s Response to Statehood Bid: More Settlements
Ramallah — Israeli occupation authorities are speeding up their plans to expand construction in the occupied Palestinian territories. Defense Minister Ehud Barak approved on Monday the construction of 277 additional housing units in Neuman neighborhood in the settlement of Ariel, north of the West Bank. These units are part of a plan to build 430 additional settlement units. According to Haaretz newspaper, the housing units were previously approved, but the designated land had not been presented to the investors. Following Barak’s announcement, the settlement administration can allocate the plots for construction that is expected to end in three and a half years. According to the plan, 100 housing units will be reserved for settlers who were relocated from the Nitzarim settlement in Gaza Strip.
link to English Al-Akhbar
Model of Resistance: Hebron Area Family against Israeli Colonisation, Settler Violence
While the Israeli colonisation project in the West Bank is increasing and eating away at Palestinian lands, the Palestinian popular resistance continues its daily struggle.
http://www.alternativenews.org/english/index.php/topics/hebron/3800-model-of-resistance-hebron-area-family-against-israeli-colonisation-settler-violence-
New AIC Film- Sumoud: The Struggle for al-Araqib
Israel has demolished the Bedouin village of al-Araqib nearly 30 times in the span of one year. Despite seemingly insurmountable odds, residents have rebuilt their homes and have vowed to remain on their ancestral lands.
http://www.alternativenews.org/english/index.php/topics/11-aic-projects/3801-new-aic-film-sumoud-the-struggle-for-al-araqib
Settlers
Price Tag: Mosque vandalized, cars torched
Anonymous vandals spray paint West Bank village mosque overnight in response to Migron outpost razing. Two cars set on fire in nearby village
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4119694,00.html
Soldiers, Settlers Attack Nablus
Israeli soldiers invaded, Thursday morning, the northern West Bank city of Nablus and demolished three wells, while army bulldozers uprooted farmlands in the Nablus district. Armed Israeli settlers also wrote graffiti on a local mosque.
http://www.imemc.org/article/61976
Israeli Apartheid Regime Violence
Israeli air bombing of car in Gaza kills resistance fighter
Palestinian resistance fighter from Al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of Islamic Jihad, was killed on Wednesday evening in the Gaza Strip when an Israeli aerial attack targeted his car.
link to Palestinian Information Center
Witnesses: Overnight raid on Gaza
GAZA CITY (Ma’an) — Israeli warplanes struck a site east of Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip overnight Wednesday without any injuries reported, witnesses told Ma’an. Eyewitnesses said that an Israeli surveillance plane fired a missile towards a group of militants east of Jabalia refugee camp. The group were located by a rocket launch site which was damaged in the raid, witnesses added. An Israeli army spokeswoman said there were no reports of any air strikes overnight.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=418484
Israeli Soldiers, Police Attack Beit Ommar Fruit Vendors
On 6th September, at 11:00 am, a group of Israeli soldiers and police attacked a group of fifteen local farmers who were selling local fruits at the entrance to Beit Ommar village, on the Route 60 highway. The soldiers then proceeded to confiscate and destroy 15 large stalls of the locals’ produce (consisting of tomatoes, plums, grapes and peaches) without citing any reason or justification. Farmers estimated the cost of the damage at around $10,000. More worrying for the vendors is the possibility that Israel intends to permanently prevent them from selling their fruit on Route 60, the main highway connecting Jerusalem to Bethlehem and then Hebron.
http://palestinesolidarityproject.org/2011/09/07/israeli-soldiers-police-attack-beit-ommar-fruit-vendors/
Torture campaign precedes against Silwans residents and provokes them to confrontations
Collective punishment and torture campaign precede against the Palestinian in Silwan and in particular to Beir Ayoub neighborhood . The Israeli forces conducted stopping the Palestinian vehicles and torturing citizens occasionally with the beginning of the educational new year. Lately, the Israeli Authorities has been trying to practice embitterment over Palestinians in each occasion or their important incidents. For example, they cut electricity off the streets , set up check points to the entrances of the town and prevent the citizens of moving and coming back for their town with their private vehicles in addition to the settlers attempt of making concerts in their settlement centers at the time of Ramadan night prayers “Taraweeh” this was an attempt to hide Ramadan identity for the town especially at the nights of the feast. At the nights of the feast and the first day, the Israeli forces merged wide arrests .Moreover, yesterday, the Israeli Authority and at the beginning of the Educational year conducted wide range of traffic tickets and closed an elementary school in Abu tour the closest neighborhood to Silwan justifying this act by practicing terrorism in the mentioned school.As a reaction the kids throw stones towards the Israeli Forces which preceded their scheduled torture.
http://silwanic.net/?p=19828
Why dig deeper if you can just bomb civilians in Gaza? The Mysterious Raid on Eilat: Why No One Wants to Dig Too Deep, Karl Vick
A month after an unusual terror attack killed eight Israelis along a desert highway approaching the Red Sea, the incident remains shrouded in mystery, especially in Gaza, where Israeli officials insist the complex, military-style attack was orchestrated but where no group has taken responsibility. “Usually the problem is more than one group takes credit after a successful operation,” says Taheri Al-Nunu, a spokesman for Hamas, the militant group that governs Gaza. Hamas had immediately denied knowledge of the attack, and hurriedly surveyed the other militant groups operating in the enclave. “All of them denied it.”
http://old.news.yahoo.com/s/time/20110908/wl_time/08599209231000
Siege on Gaza & rest of Palestine
Unpaid salaries add to Gaza woes, Gregg Carlstrom
Business owners say conditions are “miserable” because both Hamas and Fatah are months behind on payroll.
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/09/201197202759546348.html
Turkish Red Crescent tries to solve Gaza water problem
The Red Crescent helped renovation of some parts of the water supply networks in the city center in the last two years. Turkish relief agency, Red Crescent, has been trying to find a solution to the water problem in Gaza Strip. The Red Crescent helped renovation of some parts of the water supply networks in the city center in the last two years. Halim Sertac, chairman of Red Crescent’s Office in Gaza, told the A.A correspondent, “we have undertaken building of new water reservoirs to be used in city water supply and to irrigate the arable areas in the city of Rafah. We have completed the first reservoir of 2,000 cubic metres. It serves more than 50 thousand Palestinian people. The second one with a capacity of 3,000 cubic metres is about to be completed. It will serve nearly 150 thousand people in Rafah.” Acici added that they also targeted to rehabilitate arable areas in cooperation with the Gulf Countries Cooperation Council and the Islamic Development.
http://www.worldbulletin.net/?aType=haber&ArticleID=78503
Israel chokes Palestinian trade, says UN study
West Bank trade remains largely isolated from global markets due to restrictions imposed on the movement of goods, according to a July 2011 study by the UN Conference on Trade and Development.
http://electronicintifada.net/content/israel-chokes-palestinian-trade-says-un-study/10352?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+electronicIntifadaPalestine+%28Electronic+Intifada+%3A+Palestine+News%29
Detainees
Israeli court sentences two Jerusalemite minors to jail
The Israeli central court in occupied Jerusalem sentenced two Palestinian Jerusalemite minors to 15 months behind bars for throwing stones at Israeli vehicles.
link to Palestinian Information Center
The kidnapping of a ten year old child and assaulting him
A little time ago, the Israeli forces from the undercover units kidnapped a ten years old child, named Mahmoud al Abbasi, from Ein Alouzeh neighborhood in Silwan. Although there was the vehicle of the settlers that witnessed this, the militia still passed in front of the under cover unit’s vehicle from Ein Al Lozeh neighborhood and did not stop when masked undercover men attacked Mahmoud al Abbasi and beat him brutally, as shared by other eye witnesses. According to the surrounding neighbors, Mahmoud continued to be assaulted by being dragged and beaten as the Mitilia of Settlers expressed their happiness for this act.
http://silwanic.net/?p=19892
4 Palestinians detained in northern West Bank
JENIN (Ma’an) — Israeli forces detained four people in the northern West Bank overnight Wednesday, witnesses and the Israeli army said. Security sources told Ma’an that Israeli forces detained Muhammad Ghannam and Fadi al-Balshi, both in their twenties, from Jaba village northwest of Jenin. Soldiers also raided al-Araqa village in Jenin, witnesses said, storming a number of houses without any detentions reported.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=418502
PPSF member detained at Ramallah checkpoint
NABLUS (Ma’an) — Israeli forces detained a member of the Palestinian Popular Struggle Front late Wednesday after holding him at Atara checkpoint north of Ramallah. PPSF member Monadel Hanini told Ma’an that Israeli forces detained Awni Abu Ghosh, 50, while he was on his way back to Jerusalem, where he lives, from Nablus.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=418463
Boycott, Sanctions & Divestment/ Solidarity
Uncovered: Israel’s role in planned US lawsuit to fight BDS, Ali Abunimah
An exclusive investigation finds that pro-Israel activists, backed by an Islamophobic pro-Israel group and with the knowledge of the Israeli government, is planning to take legal action to force the Olympia Food Co-op to rescind its historic decision to boycott Israeli products.
link to Electronic Intifada
MK Rotem: Investigate Israeli Leftist Group Who Visited Ramallah
MK David Rotem asked Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein to investigate 20 Israeli leftists who visited PA chief Abbas in Ramallah Sunday.ists who visited PA chief Abbas in Ramallah Sunday.
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/147607#.TmgWwtSwUUU
US National Building Museum Cancels Caterpillar Award Ceremony
Due to pressure from social justice groups across the country, the National Building Museum has canceled a public award ceremony to present Caterpillar Inc. with the 2011 Henry C. Turner Prize.
http://www.alternativenews.org/english/index.php/topics/news/3806-us-national-building-museum-cancels-caterpillar-award-ceremony
French street artist launches new project in West Bank
BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) — The French street artist responsible for adorning the separation wall with giant portraits of grinning rabbis, imams, Israelis and Palestinians has returned to the West Bank with a new project. The artist, known only by his initials JR, has launched his latest project ‘Inside Out’ globally, and it arrived in Palestine on Monday. He has installed booths in Bethlehem and Ramallah where people can have their photo taken and printed in black and white as huge posters.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=418101
Peaceful CODEPINK Demonstrator Files Suit Against Netanyahu’s Supporters
Rae Abileah, a peaceful demonstrator who was physically attacked and injured on May 24, 2011, while protesting the occupation and oppression of Palestinians during the speech of Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, filed a civil action in District of Columbia Superior Court today [ed. August 18, 2011] against the unknown individuals who attacked her in the House Gallery, and caused her serious physical injury.
http://blog.endtheoccupation.org/2011/09/peaceful-codepink-demonstrator-files.html
Divesting from Israel’s Occupation, Ida Audeh
In September, the University of Colorado Board of Regents will be presented with a petition urging it to remove from the university’s stock portfolio all companies that profit from Israel’s occupation of the West Bank (including East Jerusalem) and the Gaza Strip. Launched by CU-Divest and signed by nearly 2,000 students and human rights activists, the petition states that the university’s $1.7 billion investments “may violate the University’s commitment to human rights and social justice.”
http://palestinechronicle.com/view_article_details.php?id=17086
Racism / Discrimination
Israel police shut kindergarten fearing it will become terror hub
“After I became convinced that the building in Abu Tor was destined to be used for Hamas activities, I am ordering it shut until October 4, 2011,” read the order posted on the buildings door.
http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/israel-police-shut-kindergarten-fearing-it-will-become-terror-hub-1.383126?localLinksEnabled=false
Israel banned the call to prayer from the Ibrahimi Mosque 47 times during Ramadan
The Israeli occupation authorities in the West Bank prevented the call to prayer (Adhan) being made at the Ibrahimi Mosque in the city of Hebron 47 times during the holy month of Ramadan. The reason given for this curtailment of religious freedom was that the call “disturbed” illegal Israeli settlers in the city.
http://www.middleeastmonitor.org.uk/news/middle-east/2802-israel-banned-the-call-to-prayer-from-the-ibrahimi-mosque-47-times-during-ramadan
Political / Diplomatic / International
Hamas to PA security services: Lift ban on resistance in West Bank
Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri has called on the PA security to lift the ban on resistance in the West Bank in response to a wave of attacks against Palestinians by Israeli settlers and soldiers.
link to Palestinian Information Center
Hamas official: No direct contacts with Israel
GAZA CITY (Ma’an) — Hamas said Wednesday that the truce with Israel, which has mostly held for two weeks, was coordinated with Palestinian factions and not directly with Israeli authorities. The lull “was not a joint decision with Israel,” said Hamas lawmaker Salah Bardawil. Hamas is not consulting with Israel about the “Palestinian national consensus” to restore calm. If the resistance acts outside the deal, the results will be negative, he said.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=418355
Israeli ambassador returns to Egypt
Yitzhak Levanon back in Egyptian capital after tense period during which widespread protests held in front of embassy.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4118864,00.html
Secret trial revelations prompt US-Israeli diplomatic storm
A court case against a translator who leaked US government secrets was conducted in secret because it centred on the revelation that the FBI had eavesdropped on Israeli embassy phone calls, it was revealed yesterday.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/secret-trial-revelations-prompt-usisraeli-diplomatic-storm-2350370.html
Official: Israel faces cyber threat
JERUSALEM, Sept. 7 (UPI) — The man in charge of Israel’s electricity said Wednesday his country needs to prepare for a possible cyberattack. Maj. Gen. Yiftach Ron-Tal of Israel Electric Corp. told the Jerusalem Post the Israel’s enemies may have already succeeded in installing viruses in computer systems that control military and civilian infrastructure.
“Israel is under a threat and we could already have experienced a silent infiltration that will be activated when the enemy wants,” Ron-Tal said. “We need to be prepared for the possibility that critical infrastructure will be paralyzed.”
http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2011/09/07/Official-Israel-faces-cyber-threat/UPI-52811315399615/#ixzz1XJbJje4a
Top U.S. official: Hamas must release Gilad Shalit unconditionally
Following meeting with Noam Shalit in New York, U.S. envoy to the UN Susan Rice says Hamas holding IDF soldier in violation of international humanitarian law, ‘basic decency’.
http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/top-u-s-official-hamas-must-release-gilad-shalit-unconditionally-1.383207?localLinksEnabled=false
Other News
Italian activist’s murder trial due to start in Gaza
GAZA CITY (Ma’an) — The first session of a murder trial for the suspected killers of Italian activist Vittorio Arrigoni is due to start on Thursday in a Gaza court, a Ma’an correspondent reported. The Italian activist and journalist was murdered after being kidnapped by a group that identified itself as Salafist, on April 15, 2011.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=418483
PCBS: Illiteracy rates drop in Palestinian territories
BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) — The Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics published results on Thursday showing that illiteracy rates have decreased in the Palestinian territories. A study showed that illiteracy rates in the occupied Palestinian territories dropped from 13.9 percent in 1997 to 5.1 percent in 2010, PCBS said. Demographic factors directly affected illiteracy rates, the report showed. The illiteracy rate for men is 2.4 percent and 7.8 percent for females. The highest illiteracy rate was found in people over 65, at 54.4 percent, while it stood at 0.8 percent in the 15-24 age group.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=418453
Turkey/Israel
Erdogan: We will not let Israel disrespect Turkey, no matter the price
Comments come on the heels of Turkey’s expulsion of top Israeli diplomats, suspension of all military deals.
http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/erdogan-we-will-not-let-israel-disrespect-turkey-no-matter-the-price-1.383110?localLinksEnabled=false
Turkish presidential adviser: Palmer recommendations don’t concern us
A Turkish official has hinted that Ankara could take more punitive measures against Israel if Tel Aviv continues to reject Turkish conditions for ending the diplomatic crisis between the two countries. The Turkish presidential adviser, Ersat Hürmüzlü, told Radio Israel on Tuesday, September 6, that the ball is currently in Israel’s court after Ankara decided to downgrade the Israeli diplomatic representation in Turkey to the level of second secretary. “Turkey is awaiting Tel Aviv’s response to this step, and if Israel continues in its intransigence toward Turkey’s demands, Ankara will take further steps.”
http://www.middleeastmonitor.org.uk/news/europe/2800-turkish-presidential-adviser-palmer-recommendations-dont-concern-us
Israel warns Erdogan will be committing ‘diplomatic mistake’ if he visits Gaza
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he may visit the Gaza Strip next week in conjunction with his scheduled visit to Cairo after talks with the Egyptian Foreign Ministry.
link to Palestinian Information Center
Ya’alon takes on Erdogan
Vice premier addresses tensions with Turkey, asking crowd at Tel Aviv conference: ‘How can you trust a government that consorts with Iran and Hamas?’
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4119102,00.html
‘Turkey violating international law’
Israeli state officials insist Ankara’s announcement of suspension of trade ties with Israel purely declarative, bears no economic significance. Israel can sue Turkey for violation of international law, legal expert claims.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4118779,00.html
What’s bad for Israel is good for Egypt: Egyptian trade delegation to visit Turkey mid-September
The Federation of Egyptian Chambers of Commerce is organizing a visit to Turkey with the aim of attracting foreign investment into Egypt and supporting Egyptian exports to Turkish markets. The FECC announced on Tuesday, September 6, that the trip is scheduled to take place from September 17th through to the 12th. It is to comprise a high-ranking delegation of Egyptian entrepreneurs who will be meeting a number of their Turkish counterparts to discuss the trade deficit crisis that has negatively affected trade between the two countries.
http://www.middleeastmonitor.org.uk/news/middle-east/2799-egyptian-trade-delegation-to-visit-turkey-mid-september
Israeli politicians, media and intelligence push for more conflict with Turkey, Max Blumenthal
The “Periphery Doctrine” has been a cornerstone of Israel’s strategic approach to the Middle East since the state’s foundation. Devised by David Ben Gurion and Eliahu Sassoon, an Israeli Middle East expert who became Israel’s first diplomatic representative in Turkey, the doctrine was based on maintaining alliances with non-Arab states and ethnic minorities in the region as a counterweight to pan-Arabism. Though three countries — Iran, Ethiopia, and Turkey — became key regional allies of Israel, Ben Gurion was keenly aware that the relationships were temporary, and could not substitute for peace with Israel’s Arab neighbors (something Ben Gurion ironically tried to manufacture through his “activist” foreign policy of unilateral military strikes and disproportionate force). From Turkey’s perspective, the relationship with Israel was never a proper strategic alliance, but rather a means of establishing leverage against nationalistic Arab governments.
http://maxblumenthal.com/2011/09/my-latest-in-al-akhbar-english-israeli-politicians-media-and-intelligence-push-for-more-conflict-with-turkey/
The UN Palmer Inquiry and Israel’s Attack on the Mavi Marmara, Daragh Murray
The UN released its report, “Secretary-General’s Panel of Inquiry on the 31 May 2010 Flotilla Incident” on Friday, 2 September 2011. The report addressed issues relating to Israel’s attack on the Mavi Marmara – which left 9 Turkish civilians dead, and some 55 others wounded – and concluded, amongst other things, that Israel’s blockade of the Gaza Strip is lawful and that Israel’s attack on the Mavi Marmara was justified, but involved excessive force. The panel then recommended that Israel issue an “appropriate statement of regret,” and offer compensation.
http://www.jadaliyya.com/pages/index/2564/the-un-palmer-inquiry-and-israels-attack-on-the-ma
Turkey Crisis Provokes Israeli Army Anger at Lieberman, Juan Cole
The crisis between Turkey and Israel deepened on Monday, allegedly provoking severe tensions between the Israeli officer corps and the far right-wing Minister of Foreign Affairs, Avigdor Lieberman. There was also disarray among the officers over an allegation by one general that the Middle East might be moving toward comprehensive war, an assessment that was firmly rejected by the Israeli chief of staff and the minister of defense.
http://www.juancole.com/2011/09/turkey-crisis-provokes-israeli-army-anger-at-lieberman.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+juancole%2Fymbn+%28Informed+Comment%29
Palestine/Israel Wikileaks
Leaked cable suggests PA hid torture death
NEW YORK (Ma’an) — Palestinian security officials privately offered American diplomats candid details about the 2009 death of a detainee while they publicly refuted allegations of torture, according to a US diplomatic cable recently released by WikiLeaks. Suspected Hamas member Haitham Amr, a nurse at a Hebron hospital, died less than a week after the PA’s General Intelligence division arrested him in June 2009.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=418136
Wikileaks: Fayyad suppressed Ramallah demonstrations during 2008-9 Gaza war
A “classified” diplomatic cable leaked by Wikileaks revealed that PA Prime Minister Salam Fayyad deployed 500 security officers to quell protests in Ramallah during Israel’s 2008-9 aggression on Gaza.
http://www.palestine-info.co.uk/En/default.aspx?xyz=U6Qq7k%2bcOd87MDI46m9rUxJEpMO%2bi1s7pPQ8z6Jy8se9%2bznQzDXYZP0eE9fxv7jKdYZw6tJKWi9D06C4MmU5StlpFZzq9lWDV9JOVAvw8psW3NX4mE%2faMkVazejNofyQsWmUFVulYFg%3d
New Wikileaks cable shows Israel’s West Bank blockade
In a 2009 cable, American diplomats complain that Israel is not issuing work visas for Palestinian companies’ foreign employees. While most people who follow the news from Israel and the Palestinian territories know well enough that Israel blocks travel to and from Gaza, it is always surprising how few are aware that all exists and entries to the West Bank are also controlled by Israel. In fact, while Gaza has a land border with Egypt, which allows a certain flow of people and goods, the Israeli blocked on the West Bank is absolute.
http://www.promisedlandblog.com/?p=4110
Analysis/Op-ed
The crime of apartheid, Frank Barat
In order to keep Israel a “Jewish” state, racist policies amounting to apartheid have been used against Palestinians.
http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/opinion/2011/09/20119512464643225.html
The Quartet’s envoy is no longer relevant
The Quartet’s envoy to the Middle East, Tony Blair, is trying to improve his perpetually tarnished image and convince the world that his job actually matters. Speaking at the International Conference on Economic Regional Cooperation in Tel Aviv, he said that he was optimistic about the prospects for peace in the region. He said that he was working to get the Israelis and the Palestinians back to the negotiating table and the only way to resolve the conflict was the creation of a viable Palestinian state (How many times have we heard this before?). Tony Blair was hosted at the conference by Silvan Shalom, the Deputy Prime Minister in an Israeli government which no longer bothers to hide its contempt for the “peace process” and the very idea of peaceful coexistence with the Palestinians and its opposition to the creation of anything resembling a viable Palestinian state.
http://www.middleeastmonitor.org.uk/articles/middle-east/2797-the-quartets-envoy-is-no-longer-relevant
‘Hands at your side like a soldier,’ first-graders belt out ‘Hatikvah’ –at NY school with public funding
Bear in mind that NY shut down the Arabic-language school in Brooklyn, the Kahlil Gibran academy. Well Nina Porzucki reports for PRI’s The World on the new Hebrew language academy charter school in Brooklyn– which is largely supported by public funds but as the Forward says, came about through the persistent efforts of Michael Steinhardt, who is pro-Israel. The Porzucki story begins with first-grade music hour at the school.
https://mondoweiss.net/2011/09/hands-at-your-side-like-a-soldier-first-graders-belt-out-hatikvah-at-ny-school-with-public-funding.html
New book explores Israel’s military legal system, Joseph Dana
The Israeli military legal system is one of the modt under reported yet crucial components of Israel’s system of control over Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. Since 1967, Israel has controlled the entire area of the West Bank using two forms of legal enforcement based on two different legal codes – one for Israeli settlers and one for Palestinians. Palestinians are subjected to military law administered by the Israeli army. Far from providing justice for Palestinians, the military legal system functions as a foundational control mechanism over Palestinian life in all realms. In a new book from Pluto Press, Israeli professor Anat Matar and Palestinian lawyer Abeer Baker edit a collection of informative essays regarding the military justice system and Palestinian prisoners in Israel.
link to Joseph Dana
Israeli Oppression Continues While Talking Peace – by Stephen Lendman
No wonder Palestinians want and deserve statehood, as well as full UN membership to be able to seek World Court redress, and be able to sue under Genocide Convention provisions, and why not. Israel’s lawless hypocrisy is shameless given what goes on daily – bombings, killings, mass arrests, settlement expansions, dispossessions, and other civil and human rights abuses on an ongoing basis. More on that below. On September 5, ahead of the September General Assembly meeting, Netanuyahu predictably said he wants peace talks restarted with no chance whatever of succeeding like all previous attempts for decades because Israeli violence is official policy.
http://sjlendman.blogspot.com/2011/09/israeli-oppression-continues-while.html
The Mossad in Hollywood Movies, Asad AbuKhalil
Someone should write a study of the portrayal of Mossad agents in US movies. Israel’s spy agency has a special place in US popular culture. It is rather bizarre, if you think about it. It is unimaginable that Turkish intelligence or Syrian intelligence would be heroically portrayed in American culture. But the centrality of Israel in the American imagination is unmatched. No country has achieved that status: not even the UK. No one speaks of a British lobby as they speak of the Israeli lobby.
link to English Al-Akhbar
NYT’s Keller implies Iraq War aimed to save Israel from a ‘holocaust’, Matthew Taylor
NYT Executive Editor Bill Keller pens a tortured mea culpa about his support for the Iraq War, stopping short of a full apology because he “couldn’t have known better at the time.” Along the way, he drops this stunning revelation about where his and his colleagues’ priorities lie…
https://mondoweiss.net/2011/09/nyts-keller-infers-iraq-war-aimed-to-save-israel-from-a-holocaust.html
ATFP Finds More In Common With Zionist Fanatics Than Palestinian-Americans
Ghaith Al-Omari, who recently represented The American Task Force on Palestine (ATFP) at the Iftar dinner hosted by the Israeli Ambassador, will be discussing the UN Palestine vote along with David Makovsky from the Washington Institute of Near East Policy (WINEP), the “think tank” of the American-Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). Although the stated objectives of the ATFP is to work for peace between two peoples all it seems to have achieved is a close working relationship between the three individuals that run this shop and the various components of the pro-Israel lobby. The only individuals with whom the ATFP collaborates or maintains friendly relations are pro-Israel extremists whose views not only fall outside the scope of any reasonable debate, but are clearly beyond the pale.
http://ikhras.com/2011/09/atfp-finds-more-in-common-with-zionist-fanatics-than-palestinian-americans/
Hussein Ibish Treads Very Carefully, Boycotts Press TV
Hussein Ibish has taken umbrage at Iran’s Press TV for misrepresenting what he said and decided he will no longer be giving interviews to the English-language Iranian network. After the interview, Press TV posted Ibish’s latest appearance on its website with the following title: “US main obstacle to peace in Palestine.” Hussein found this title “outrageous” and thundered “the headline attributed to me a sentiment which I absolutely do not agree with and did not either say or imply and which I find completely ridiculous.”
http://ikhras.com/2011/09/hussein-ibish-treads-very-carefully-boycotts-press-tv/
Israel’s Anti-democratic Enterprise, George Polley
Israel as a Jewish state is unworkable for one simple reason: non-Jews are treated differently than Jews, leaving non-Jews in a lesser-than position in which they have fewer rights than Jews, and are required to carry a special identification card that identifies them as non-Jews, and must be surrendered whenever requested by a Jewish authority.
http://palestinechronicle.com/view_article_details.php?id=17088
Other News
US names aid czar for post-revolt Arab states (AP)
AP – The Obama administration has named a senior official to head a new office that will oversee U.S. assistance to Arab nations going through democratic transitions after popular uprisings toppled their longtime autocratic leaders.
http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/mideast/*http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110907/ap_on_re_us/us_us_mideast
Report: NYC police eyes 250-plus mosques in city
Secret document highlights how New York Police Department obtained intelligence on 250 mosques, Muslim students using undercover informants to canvas Islamic population of America’s largest city
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4118406,00.html
Irvine 11’s trial begins with both sides citing 1st Amendment
Irvine 11 case pits the free speech rights of the Israeli ambassador to the United States against those of a group of Muslim college students accused of disrupting his speech. Prosecutors and defense attorneys both argued free-speech rights Wednesday during opening statements in the criminal trial against Muslim college students accused of plotting to disrupt a speech by the Israeli ambassador to the United States.
http://feeds.latimes.com/%7Er/latimes/middleeast/%7E3/MR_nkaGUpZM/la-me-irvine-eleven-20110908,0,455301.story
Pols take paid speaking engagements in support of Iranian terror group
An Iranian political group designated by the State Department as a terrorist organization is offering large payments to orators willing to speak at events on their behalf. Among those with connections to the organization, Mujahideen-e Khalq (MEK), are Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s chief foreign policy adviser and liberal politician Howard Dean.
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/09/07/pols-take-paid-speaking-engagements-in-support-of-iranian-terror-group/
Discovered Files Show U.S., Britain Had Extensive Ties with Gaddafi Regime on Rendition, Torture
Human Rights Watch has uncovered hundreds of letters in the Libyan foreign ministry proving the Gaddafi government directly aided the extraordinary rendition program carried out by the CIA and the MI6 in Britain after the 9/11 attacks. The documents expose how the CIA rendered suspects to Libyan authorities knowing they would be tortured. One of the most prominent suspects rendered to Libya was an Islamic militant named Abdelhakim Belhaj, who is now the military commander for the Libyan rebels. At the time of his capture in 2004, Belhaj was a member of the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group, a group that had ties to al-Qaeda. We speak to Peter Bouckaert, the emergencies director at Human Rights Watch, who helped find the documents in Tripoli, and Gareth Peirce, a well-known British human rights attorney who has represented numerous Guantánamo prisoners as well as WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.
http://www.democracynow.org/2011/9/7/discovered_files_show_us_britain_had
RBS involved in conference on Middle East weapons sales
The Royal Bank of Scotland’s is sending delegates to a conference promoting weapons sales to the Middle East.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/politics/rbs-involved-in-conference-on-middle-east-weapons-sales-2350423.html
Iraqi civilian died after ‘gratuitous violence’ by UK troops
A civilian who died in British custody in 2003 in Iraq suffered “an appalling episode of serious gratuitous violence” at the hands of British soldiers, an independent inquiry found on Thursday. The treatment of 26-year-old hotel receptionist Baha Mousa represented a “very serious breach of discipline” by members of the army, said retired judge William Gage, who led the three-year probe.
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/09/08/iraqi-civilian-died-after-gratuitous-violence-by-uk-troops/
www. TheHeadlines.org
