On 24 November Israeli occupation forces demolished two homes, a mosque and a barn, killing livestock, and arrested two young women in the village of Umm Fagarah, in the South Hebron Hills in the occupied West Bank.
“Law Enforcement” Destroys Prayer House, Homes, School – Just Because They’re for Arabs, Assaf Oron
Last Thursday, November 24, employees of the Israeli company “E.T. Legal Services”, hired by the deceptively named “Civil Administration” arm of Israel’s military Occupation regime in the West Bank, demolished a mosque. Among other things.
http://theonlydemocracy.org/2011/11/law-enforcement-destroys-prayer-house-homes-school-just-because-theyre-for-arabs/
The Israeli Army decided to demolish a home that belongs to resident Nawal Al Jahaleen in Jabal Al Mukabber area, in occupied East Jerusalem.
http://www.imemc.org/article/62580
Lift Travel Ban on Human Rights Defender, B’Tselem
Israeli authorities in the West Bank should lift the travel ban imposed since 2006 on West Bank resident Shawan Jabarin, the director of the Palestinian human rights group Al-Haq, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and B’Tselem said today. Israeli authorities violated Jabarin’s due process rights in imposing the ban and have not produced any evidence that would justify continuing to restrict him from travel, the groups said.
Organized chaos and bare life (*): The non-story of the night raids
There exists a general, intentional, cleverly constructed misunderstanding surrounding the true nature of the Israeli occupation. Some say it’s a simple dispute over land, like many others in the world; other think the conflict is about national independence for the Palestinians, prompting statements like, “The Basques and the Kurds aren’t independent either, so why do people pick on Israel?” But the occupation is something else. It is the ongoing military control over the lives of millions, and everything that comes with it: The lack of civil rights, the absence of legal protection, and perhaps more than anything else, a sense of organized chaos, in which the lives of an entire civilian population is run at the mercy of soldiers 18 to 20 years old. Most of the time, it’s almost hard to explain how bad it is for those who haven’t seen it with their own eyes.
http://www.promisedlandblog.com/?p=4136
Political Detainees / Interrogations / Other Prisoner News
On November 24, the Israeli army broke into the South Hebron Hills village of Umm Fagarah, demolishing several huts and detaining two girls.
http://www.alternativenews.org/english/index.php/topics/news/3940-two-girls-detained-livestock-crushed-in-umm-fagarah
Silwan secretary-general of Fatah Adnan Ghaith was summoned for investigation by Israeli police on 24 November, in Oz police station on Al-Moqaber. Ghaith was interrogated about his activities and correspondences during his 8 months of exile from Jerusalem this year, which he spent in Ramallah. He was also threatened by interrogators to cease all political work, lest he be punished again.
Israeli intelligence summonses two female ex-detainees for interrogation
The IOF violently stormed at dawn Sunday the homes of two Palestinian women released as part of the swap deal between Hamas and Israel and handed them summonses from the intelligence.
Israel blocks visit to Palestinian prisoner
Israeli occupation forces blocked a visit to Palestinian prisoner Sheikh Jamal Abul Haija by his daughter Sajeda on Monday without giving reasons.
Self-Education: Story of a Palestinian Prisoner, Ben Lorber and Khalil Ashour
On the third floor of the Nablus Municipality Library, there sits a room of over 8,000 books set apart from the rest. Many of these books are very old and tattered; many of them, in lieu of a normal face, are adorned with images taken from old National Geographic or Reader’s Digest magazines. Some are laboriously written by hand. The spines of the books show a variety of languages, from Arabic to English, French and Spanish. ‘The New English Bible’ is flanked by ‘The Great American Revolution of 1776’ on one side and ‘The Diary of Anne Frank’ on the other; across the aisle, Edward Said’s ‘Orientalism’ and ‘The Greek Myths’ look on silently, next to ‘Elementary Physics’ and a study of ‘The Chinese Road to Socialism’.
Aruri: 2nd stage of exchange deal should take place by 19 December
Political bureau member of Hamas Saleh Al-Aruri has said that Israel should set free the second batch of Palestinian prisoners by 19 December in accordance with the exchange deal.
Prisoners write to Abbas demanding PA support
BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) — Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails sent a letter to President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday demanding support from the Palestinian Authority in their fight for better conditions. The letter highlighted that Israel had enacted punitive policies against prisoners since the swap deal in October between Israel and Hamas, and said the situation for detainees was “on the verge of explosion,” a statement from a prisoners’ society said.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=440440
Official: Fatah, Hamas to release political prisoners
GAZA CITY (Ma’an) — Fatah and Hamas are in talks to release political prisoners in a bid to end all outstanding disagreements, an official said Monday. “(President Mahmoud) Abbas gave instructions to the director of the Palestinian Authority’s general intelligence service, Majid Faraj, to release Hamas-affiliated detainees stated in a list received from Hamas,” Fatah affiliated lawmaker Faysal Abu Shahla told Ma’an.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=440342
Egyptians take to the polls, many Palestinians hope Egypt’s future foreign policy will be more sympathetic to their cause. Hamas is an offshoot of Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood party. It is expected to do well in the elections that started on the 28th November. There is some concern that if the Muslim Brotherhood wins in Egypt and Hamas grows stronger, human rights in the Gaza Strip could suffer. After the Egyptian revolution, the military council announced it would re-open the Rafah border crossing with Gaza. This is the only crossing not controlled by Israel. Many Palestinians would also like to see Egypt establish a full commercial crossing at Rafah. Al Jazeera’s Nicole Johnston reports from Gaza.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoxWKj6rxbU&feature=youtube_gdata
The Gaza Strip is a small coastal enclave that is frequently bombed, destroying and damaging houses, agricultural land and businesses. But under the blockade that Israel imposes, construction material is banned from entering Gaza. Although a small amount of building materials does enter, it is assigned from the outset to internationally recognised organisations, making it seemingly impossible for regular Palestinian civilians to rebuild.
Virtually all military court cases in West Bank end in conviction
Report shows the military appeals courts decidedly favor the prosecution, with judges accepting 67 percent of prosecution appeals, as opposed to only 33 percent of appeals filed by the defense.
For years, Israel ignored African refugees rather than making a legal framework to process the requests of asylum seekers. Now, the state is building a detention center to simply lock them up.
BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) — UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said Tuesday that a Palestinian state was “long overdue,” in a statement to mark the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. “The need to resolve this conflict has taken on greater urgency with the historic transformations taking place across the region,” Ban said. The UN chief said that a solution to the conflict must end the Israeli occupation that began in 1967 and establish two states with Jerusalem as a shared capital.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=440368
Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo Donates Sport Boots for Palestinian Children Foundation
Real Madrid forward, Cristiano Ronaldo, showed his concern to the Palestinian children in Gaza by donating his sports shoes to the Palestinian kids foundation.
Original enclosure (ronaldo_with_palestinian_
Israel Declared an Apartheid State in “People’s Court”
…a panel of eminent jurists serving on the Russell Tribunal on Palestine heard testimony from expert witnesses regarding the apartheid practices of Israel against the Palestinian people.
PCHR Strongly Condemns WHO’s Decision to Conduct a Conference in Jerusalem
The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) condemns in the strongest possible terms the decision of WHO Europe to conduct an official conference in Jerusalem, hosted by Israel. The first World Health Organisation (WHO) European Conference on the New European Policy for Health is to take place on the 28–29 November 2011.
Just prior to Thanksgiving, US Campaign coalition member group DePaul University Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) announced an important victory in its campaign against the sale of Sabra hummus in university dining halls. Earlier this year, DePaul SJP launched a campaign to have Sabra hummus removed from campus dining halls because it is partially owned by the Strauss Group, which provides material and financial support to Israeli military units. After an inquiry into the activities of the Strauss Group, the university elected to continue selling Sabra hummus. However, the university has quietly introduced the sale of an alternative brand of hummus in the university’s dining halls providing students with the opportunity to make ethical consumer purchases.
Europeans hold 60 ‘Boycott Israel’ actions in 10 countries
In a European Day of Action under the banner ‘Take Apartheid off the Menu’, human rights activists in ten countries held actions on Saturday calling on consumers to boycott food products made in Israeli settlements, and urging supermarkets to stop carrying Israeli settlement-made products.
BDS success or health problem? MF DOOM mysteriously cancels Tel Aviv show
The Israeli news site Walla! reports that British-American rapper MF Doom canceled his Tel Aviv show, less than 24 hours before he was scheduled to take to the stage.
Citizens Sue Minnesota State Board of Investment for Illegal Investments in Israel Bonds
The lawsuit asserts that investment in Israel Bonds by the SBI is both unlawful and imprudent, and further contends that such investment violates the Minnesota statutes that control the types of foreign investments that the SBI is permitted to make.
Cornel West & Rosemary Ruether launch petition to stop Marc Ellis’s dismissal from Baylor University, Adam Horowitz
Mondoweiss contributor Marc Ellis is under threat of losing his job at Baylor University under pressure from new university president Kenn Starr (yes, that Kenn Starr). Cornel West and Rosemary Ruether have started a petition on Change.org to support him:
Lieberman vows to stop release of Palestinian tax funds
FM fervently opposes transferring tax revenues to Palestinian Authority, says money is used to fund housing for terrorists.
Rockets ‘fired from Lebanon hit Israel’
Several Katyusha’s fired from southern Lebanon landed in Israel, but there were no casualties, Israeli army says.
Israel hits suspected Lebanon rocket sites
Missiles land in the town of Ayta Shaab after rockets launched from south Lebanon strike northern Israel.
Hezbollah denies involvement in rocket fire on north
Militant Shiite group says had nothing to do with Katyusha fire on western Galilee; IDF says event likely an isolated incident
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4154670,00.html
Al-Qaida linked group claims responsibility for Katyusha fire against Israel
UNIFIL deploys extra troops and patrols along border, after four rockets launched into Israel overnight; no causualties reported in rocket fire, Israel responds with artillery rounds.
http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/al-qaida-linked-group-claims-responsibility-for-katyusha-fire-against-israel-1.398495?localLinksEnabled=false
Blast strikes pipeline carrying gas to Jordan and Israel, in the latest of a series of attacks on the export route.
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/11/2011112814513873795.html
The Egyptian revolution that toppled Hosni Mubarak had particular resonance in Israel. The country lost one of its closest allies in the region, and a loyal partner in security and now with the Muslim Brotherhood poised to make great gains in the elections, Israel’s long-standing peace treaty with Egypt is again coming into question. Al Jazeera’s Tony Birtley reports from Sinai.
Mosireen, “Sayed Mohsen Abdel-Ghani, 17 Years Old, Tortured by Egypt’s Army and CSF” (Video)
On Sunday, 20 November, Sayed was arrested on Mohamed Mahmoud Street. For four days, the Central Security Forces and the army tortured him.
Egyptians demand an end to military rule
Egyptians have started casting their ballots in the first parliamentary elections since former president Hosni Mubarak was toppled in a popular uprising earlier this year. Over 50 political parties are contesting the elections, along with thousands of candidates running as independents. But the preparations have been marred by a new wave of demonstrations, as protesters occupied Cairo’s Tahrir Square to demand the military council that replaced Mubarak hand power to a civilian government. Mike Hanna reports from Cairo on protesters demanding an end to military rule.
Egyptians in Alexandria are going to the polls for Egypt’s first parliamentary vote since its revolution. Beside the mediterranean shore of Egypt’s coastal city, the variety of campaign banners erected represent members from more political parties than in the time of Egypt’s ousted president Hosni Mubarak, where the ruling National Democratic party was the main attraction. Al Jazeera’s Jamal Elshayyal takes a closer look at the political landscape of Egypt’s second largest city.
Large numbers, including a high turnout of women, go to the polls in the first election since the fall of Hosni Mubarak.
Women come out in full force for Egypt elections
Egyptians voted for the first time since their Arab Spring uprising ousted former-leader Hosni Mubarak; and people say it’s the calmest vote they’ve ever seen in heavily armed upper Egypt. And it’s not only men who are casting ballots. Women, both Muslim and Christian, have come out in full force to vote – an unusual scene in this conservative region of the country where women don’t normally play a prominent role in politics. What’s more, there were no signs of violence or coercion. Some election violations did occur as few parties continued to campaign even as voting was underway. For the most part, however, voting went smoothly. Al Jazeera’s Rawya Rageh reports from Assiut, Upper Egypt.
Government Association Breaks Egypt Election Law: Urges Tourism Workers to Vote for a Specific Bloc
The Red Sea hotel authority urged tourism-sector employees to vote for the Egyptian Bloc to counter Islamist blocs in the area. Statements issued by the Egyptian Hotel Association of the Red Sea Tourism Chamber in Luxor urging regional tourism-sector employees to vote for theEgyptian Bloc electoral alliance have surfaced on the net. Statement no. 718 included names of Egyptian Bloc’s candidates in Luxor, Red Sea, Fayoum and Port Said. Although government authorities are banned by law from supporting any candidate or bloc, the statement was even signed by their chairman in a clear violation of the law.
Egypt’s plethora of political parties
No matter what one’s political leanings may be, Egypt appears to have a party to cater for them. On Monday, Egyptians will make their political choice heard when polls open for the country’s first post-revolution election. Over 50 political parties, along with thousands of independent candidates are running in the election. Al Jazeera’s Sherine Tadros reports from the Egyptian capital, Cairo, on the political choices that Egyptians have not had the opportunity to select from for almost half a century.
From onions, to milk, to shoe polish bombs, protesters in Cairo are coming up with new ways to counter the regime’s new weapons of stifling dissent.
For a boy on the streets of Cairo, revolution is his only hope
Hosni Mubarak’s ouster has done nothing to change the plight of Ibrahim Shaban — and many others among Egypt’s 3 million homeless children. But revolution is still in the air, feeding his dreams. Ibrahim Shaban said he was 15, but he looked much younger in his pajama pants and sweat shirt with the worn-away rhinestones, dirt caked on his bare feet, a knife scar on his face. He strolled through the crowds in Tahrir Square the other day, watching banners unfurl, listening to speeches. He sometimes sounded like a miniature rebel, distilling the nation’s rage in his narrow body.
Elections in the Midst of Revolution, Hesham Sallam
The resurgence of mass demonstrations in Egypt, in Tahrir Square and beyond, has raised many question marks in the minds of outside observers about what has often been described as “Egypt’s democratic transition.” Many question how Egypt will be able to advance its so-called journey toward democracy when the persistence of demonstrations and extended sit-ins seems to be “stifling” Egypt’s first post-Mubarak elections scheduled to commence today and last for three months. This perception happens to coincide with the SCAF-sponsored narrative that these demonstrations are simply a conflict between Tahrirists—who do not want the elections to happen because of their limited electoral fortunes—and the “elections now” camp led by the SCAF—along with political parties that are itching to try their luck at the ballot boxes. Demonstrators in Tahrir, the story goes, are standing in between Egyptians and their freedom to decide their own fate through free and fair elections, as well as their ability to build democratic institutions. Many mainstream international media outlets have adopted one variation of this narrative or another: basically boiling the issue at hand down to “Egypt is in crisis and its elections are at risk.”
http://www.jadaliyya.com/pages/index/3304/elections-in-the-midst-of-revolution
There are an estimated eight million Egyptians living abroad, all taking an interest in what is happening back at home. With the unrest and elections taking place, many fear and hold hope for the future. Al Jazeera’s Will Jordan reports from Doha
The lead story in yesterday’s Times was titled “U.S. Urges Egypt to let Civilians Govern Quickly” and was about a new stance by the Obama administration pressuring Tantawi and the SCAF to get out of the way of the Egyptian people. Well nine times in that piece, reporter Helene Cooper states what the American government cares about most, the treaty with Israel. In fact, the last word in the article is Israel.
Qatar FM belittles Baharain’s deaths: ‘Barely 3 or 4 deaths’ he says!
Deaths in Bahrain have been said to be between 54 (Bassiouni’s fact findings) and 87 (Opposition)
http://friday-lunch-club.blogspot.com/2011/11/qatar-fm-belittles-baharains-deaths.html
Retrial of medical workers accused of incitement to overthrow the government adjourned until January 9.
http://english.aljazeera.net//news/middleeast/2011/11/20111128151732782828.html
Bahraini medics face retrial over protests
Bahraini doctors on Monday will face a retrial on charges of attempting to topple the monarchy and inciting hatred against the regime during the protests, quashed in March. The 20 medics, some of whom were forced to make televised confessions against each other, face prison sentences of up to 15 years for their involvement in the protests. An independent report released on Tuesday called for their trials to be reviewed. Al Jazeera’s Nick Clark spoke to Dr. Nada Deif – who was sentenced to 15 years – about her case.
Rights group criticizes new Bahrain commission
A new national commission formed by King Hamad al-Khalifa took action on a report on human rights abuses last week is not credible, the Bahrain Center for Human Rights said. Khalifa issued a decree on Sunday to form a national commission that would implement the recommendations of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI). Nabeel Rajab, head of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights, said that while he supports the formation of a commission, the newly-appointed body lacks credibility.
Wife of Bahraini Political Prisoner Condemns U.S.-Backed Regime For Killing, Torturing Protesters
Bahrain is the forgotten uprising. It does not seem to figure on the agenda of any state or party. Few still remember that the Syrian regime had also supported the suppression of the Bahraini uprising: it even supported the Saudi/UAE military intervention (Syria was hoping to win favor with Saudi Arabia and GCC members and to count on their support in a future suppression within its own borders).
More video of the protests in Qatif, Saudi Arabia
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1eU_5IMO25Q&feature=uploademail
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cV1M8e8bEOo&feature=uploademail
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/nov/28/deadly-shootings-saudi-arabia-arab-media
Patrick Cockburn: Iran is not the monster it’s made out to be – yet
World View: By blaming the street protests at home on their Shia neighbour, Sunni-dominated Saudi Arabia and Bahrain are playing with fire
Revolt in Qatif, Saudi Arabia, Max Ajl
Historically Saudi Arabia’s eastern provinces have been the most rebellious, and Qatif, a Shi’a city in the east of Saudi Arabia, has a particularly strong history of civic engagement. There have been mass demonstrations there over the past few days, with the government responding brutally, accusing those involved in the unrest of being foreign agents.
Demonstrators break into Tehran compound during anti-British protests, burning the UK flag and forcing staff to flee.
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/11/20111129132554123213.html
Iran passes law to expel British ambassador
Iran’s Guardians Council approved a parliamentary bill downgrading diplomatic ties with Britain and demanding the expulsion of the British ambassador in Tehran. The Guardians Council must confirm that laws are in accordance with Islamic and constitutional rules before they are put into effect. Iran’s foreign ministry must now apply the law. ”After discussions, members of the Guardians Council have passed the law unanimously,” Guardians Council spokesman Abbas Ali Kadkhodaei said. Britain said it would respond “robustly.”
Arab League approves Syria sanctions
The Arab League overwhelmingly approved sanctions Sunday against Syria to pressure Damascus to end its deadly eight-month crackdown on dissent, an unprecedented move by the League against an Arab state. The Arab League overwhelmingly approved sanctions Sunday against Syria to pressure Damascus to end its deadly eight-month crackdown on dissent, an unprecedented move by the League against an Arab state.
Syria calls Arab sanctions a “declaration of economic war”
Syria’s foreign minister has responded harshly to sanctions imposed on his country by the Arab League. Al Jazeera’s Nisreen El-Shamayleh reports from Jordan.
Inside Story – The impact of economic sanctions on Syria
Arab states try to cut commercial ties with President Bashar al-Assad’s government in response to violence in Syria. We discuss with guests Ashraf Al-Moqdad, Patrick Seale, and Kamal Wazne.
Reuters – Iran, its crucial anti-Israel alliance with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad at risk from an uprising against his rule, has chosen a “wait and see” policy driven in part by concern not to alienate anyone who might succeed him, analysts say.
Iraq’s Parliament Bombed; 29 Killed Across Country
Bombers staged several attacks against government and security forces today. Among them was a probable assassination attempt at the parliament building in Baghdad. That one was overshadowed by another at a prison just north of the capital, in which dozens were left dead or wounded. Less successful attacks targeting a Turkmen politician and a Sahwa commander also took place. Overall, at least 29 Iraqis were killed and 57 more were wounded.
Officials say at least 19 people are killed and many others injured in an attack in Taji, 25km north of Baghdad.
AP – The sounds of cars honking, shoppers shuffling and children laughing and playing drums fill the air in Hurriyah, a Baghdad neighborhood where machine gunfire and death squads once kept terrified residents huddled in their darkened homes.
UAE pardons jailed activists
Emirates pardons five activists convicted previous day for insulting country’s leadership, group’s lawyer says.
Kuwait’s prime minister resigns along with his government, following a growing row with his parliamentary opponents about alleged corruption.
Nobel laureate urges Yemen crackdown probe
Tawakkul Karman calls for International Criminal Court to investigate violent suppression of dissent by president.
VIDEO: ‘I spoke to Gaddafi before he died’
In the short time between Colonel Gaddafi’s capture and his death in September, rebel fighter Mohammed Sheba had the chance to speak to the deposed Libyan leader.
NATO helicopters and fighter jets attacked two remote Pakistani military outposts on Saturday killing at least 24 Pakistani soldiers. The air strike took place along the Afghanistan border in Pakistan’s tribal district of Mohmand. Pakistan has said the attack was unprovoked, but a senior Kabul-based Western official claims NATO and Afghan forces came under fire and responded in self defense. Pakistan responded Saturday by blocking vital supply routes for U.S.-led troops in Afghanistan, and demanded the United States vacate a base used to launch drone attacks. We speak with Glenn Greenwald, constitutional law attorney and political and legal blogger for Salon.com. “We may never know what happened here. … But what is clear is that the endless war that the United States has been engaged in since 9/11 does not seem to be in sight of ending. Quite the contrary, it seems to be escalating by the week,” Greenwald says.
Are Muslims allowed rights?
The New York Police Department and the FBI’s targeting of Muslim communities is unfounded and must stop, authors say.
Israel is top destination for Congress, including 12 Texans, 26 times, Philip Weiss
Glenn Greenwald: Is Obama Fulfilling the Neocon Dream of Mass Regime Change in Muslim World?
Political blogger Glenn Greenwald recently wrote about retired General Wesley Clark’s recollection of an officer telling him in the weeks after the Sept. 11 attacks that the then U.S. Secretary of Defense had issued a memo outlining a plan for regime change within five years in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Iran. We play an excerpt of Clark’s comments and ask Greenwald to respond. “What struck me in listening to that video … is that if you go down that list of seven countries that he said the neocons had planned to basically change the governments of, you pretty much see that that vision, despite the perception that we have a Democratic president and therefore the neo-conservative movement is powerless, is pretty much being fulfilled,” Greenwald says.
They took the two women because they wanted to “liberate” them, don’t you know that this is what Israel does for Palestinian women (sarcasm)? They liberate them with false trials and imprisonment.
One thing you always go away with here Seham, generally speaking, is a view of what is systemically taking place – look at all of the active oppression in all of these areas. Imperialism and its minions at work everywhere, that is why we will need all of the people to undo these tragedies. Thank you for that confirmation again with your hard work.
All for the coming of Moshiach I imagine.
Who said that being White and non-Moslem doesn’t pay?
Anders Breivik was today declared insane by a court in Sweden. As a result, he will not spend time in prison, but instead will receive psychological/psychiatric help until he is no longer a danger to society. A court will review his case every three years to decide whether to extend his confinement in a mental hospital or to release him.
Remember Jared Loughner?