Greek Orthodox archbishop and Hanan Ashrawi condemn restrictions on Christians’ movement in Jerusalem

Land, property theft and destruction / Ethnic cleansing / Restriction of movement / Attacks on Palestinian history, culture

The Wall, 10 years on / Part 3: An acre here and an acre there / Haggai Matar
972mag 13 Apr — Theoretically, Dharifa Sharreb should be pleased. When the fence was built in Jayous in 2003, Sharreb’s home was the only one on its western side, and it became completely isolated from the rest of the village. Soldiers would open the two gates in the two fences near the house three times a day, not always at the same hours, and each time for no more than two minutes. If you missed the opening, you’d have to wait for the next round. Sharreb’s children were always late for school, and every visit to the grocery — or even the hospital — cost Sharreb hours of waiting by the gate … So one may well argue that the relocation of the fence in 2008 should have benefited Sharreb … The High Court approved the new route, which still kept many lands on the ‘Israeli’ side, taking the state’s word that gates would allow farmers free access to their trees. Outside the court, however, reality looks different. Sharreb’s family, for example, has now been cut off from its lands and is yet to obtain the permits required to cross the fence.
http://972mag.com/the-wall-10-years-on-part-3-an-acre-here-and-an-acre-there/41556/

Archbishop denounces Israeli restrictions on freedom of religion in Jerusalem
MEMO 13 Apr — The Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Sebastia, Atallah Hanna, has denounced Israeli actions in occupied Jerusalem imposed due to Jewish holidays. In a press statement released on Thursday, Archbishop Hanna said, “During these days in which we live a week of pain in preparation for Easter, we have witnessed the Israeli authorities restricting the movement of the population; closing Jerusalem’s doors; and preventing movement, particularly to and from Jaffa Gate [Bab al-Khaleel] where patriarchates and churches are located.”
http://www.middleeastmonitor.org.uk/news/middle-east/3626-archbishop-denounces-israeli-restrictions-on-freedom-of-religion-in-jerusalem

IDF admits barring Palestinians’ access to own fields
Haaretz 11 Apr — The state has confirmed that, acting without a court order, the army has barred Palestinian villagers from freely accessing their farmland for two years. The admission was made in the state’s response to a High Court petition filed last year by Beit Furik residents.
http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/idf-admits-barring-palestinians-access-to-own-fields-1.423648

Settlers ‘destroy olive trees’ in Hebron
HEBRON (Ma‘an) 13 Apr — Settlers destroyed dozens of olive trees belonging to Hebron villagers on Friday, a local committee said. Settlers from Maon settlement southeast of Hebron chopped down dozens of trees belonging to Jebril Mousa Khalil, a spokesman for the popular committee against the wall and settlements said. The settlers also chased shepherds and international activists who were present at the time, following the group to nearby Tuwani village where they then began throwing stones at Palestinian homes. Israeli forces arrived in the area to protect the settlers, the popular committee said. Kharoubeh village is located directly opposite the illegal settlement of Maon.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=476197

Knesset member warns Israel about tampering with the tomb of Palestinian hero
MEMO 12 Apr — A Palestinian member of the Israeli Knesset, Jamal Zahalka MK, has warned the Israeli authorities about their plans to tamper with a cemetery in Balad al-Sheikh near the city of Haifa. The cemetery contains the tomb of the historic leader of the Palestinian resistance against the British, Izzedine al-Qassam … According to the MK, tampering with mosques, graves and holy places in Palestinian towns and villages “has been a constant feature of Israel’s approach over the past few decades”. Israel, he added, has attempted to do this in secrecy, “and it is our duty to expose and confront this dangerous violation against Islamic and Christian places in the country”.
http://www.middleeastmonitor.org.uk/news/middle-east/3621-knesset-member-warns-israel-about-tampering-with-the-tomb-of-palestinian-hero

Report on Israeli violations in the occupied city of Jerusalem
PNN 13 Apr — Preface: Most of the Palestinian neighbourhoods in the Occupied City of Jerusalem were targeted by Israeli attacks during March, 2012. The attacks included violations of their right to adequate housing, by demolishing some residences and threatening others. Also, many aggressions against individuals, including children, took place in March; these attacks included physical and verbal abuse as well as imprisonment and torture.
http://english.pnn.ps/index.php/national/1368-report-on-israeli-violations-in-occupied-city-of-jerusalem

Israel reopens entrance to town near Jerusalem
JERUSALEM (Ma‘an) 12 Apr — Israeli forces reopened the entrance to a town northeast of Jerusalem after intervention from the Palestinian Authority, officials said Thursday. The entrance to al-Ram was closed off last week after Israel’s army said Palestinians threw rocks at military vehicles.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=475949

Palestinians need freedom in Jerusalem, not Israeli permits / Hanan Ashrawi
12 Apr –…This year witnessed a particularly heated debate over the question of permits for Palestinian Christians wanting to worship in Jerusalem during Easter … what is often overlooked is that this debate fundamentally misses the point. We should not be questioning how many permits Israel, the occupying power, does or does not issue to Christians or Muslims for their religious holidays: we should be questioning the very existence of such permits at all … If we entertain this absurdity, we might as well ask the State of Israel how many permits it issues to its Jewish citizens during the celebration of Passover. The answer? Not a single one. Jews from all over the world do not require permits to visit Jerusalem. And neither should Palestinians, regardless of their religious affiliation.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=475836

Violence / Incursions

PCHR Weekly Report: 6 civilians and 2 fighters wounded by Israeli forces this week [5-11 April]
IMEMC 13 Apr — …Israeli forces used force to disperse peaceful protests organized by Palestinian civilians in the West Bank. 5 Palestinian civilians, including a journalist, were wounded. Dozens of civilians suffered from tear gas inhalation. Israeli forces conducted 52 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, during which they abducted 32 Palestinians, including 6 children … In the Gaza Strip, on 07 April 2012, two Palestinian resistance fighters were wounded by an Israeli air strike in the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah. On 08 April, a Palestinian civilian was wounded by Israeli forces while he was collecting junk in the east of Gaza City. During the reporting period, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian agricultural and residential areas in the northern and southern Gaza Strip. No casualties were reported. Israeli gunboats also opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats in the northern Gaza Strip 3 times. Israeli forces conducted three limited incursions into the Gaza Strip. Full Report here
http://www.imemc.org/article/63301

Israeli troops attack a number of West Bank communities and search homes
IMEMC 12 Apr — Israeli forces invaded on Thursday at dawn the town of Tayasser, near the northern West Bank city of Tubas. Troops searched homes and handed over orders to two men from the town requiring them to present themselves for questioning. Meanwhile in the nearby Jenin city, troops stormed homes and searched them. Local sources announced that local youth tried to stop the invading forces who responded by firing tear gas and rubber-coated steel bullets at them. No injuries were reported.
In southern West Bank, Israeli soldiers erected two military checkpoints around the city of Hebron. Troops stopped and searched Palestinian civilian cars. No arrested were reported.
http://www.imemc.org/article/63299

PA official: 3 injured in Nablus settler attack
NABLUS (Ma‘an) 12 Apr — Three people were injured by settlers on Thursday in the northern West Bank village of Yanun, a PA official said. Ghassan Daghlas, a Palestinian Authority official who monitors settlement activities in the northern West Bank, told Ma‘an that settlers threw rocks and physically assaulted villagers who were tending their land in Nablus. Five villagers were arrested by Israeli forces and taken to an unknown destination, Daghlas said. The army also fired rubber bullets and tear gas at the villagers, in support of the settlers, who were trying to prevent the villagers from accessing their land, he added. An Israeli army spokesman said that a clash occurred when Israeli civilians and Palestinians had gathered on a hill in the area.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=475860

Zionist version of same incident:
2 settlers injured in Itamar skirmish
Ynet 12 Apr — Two Israelis sustained light injuries Thursday after they were attacked by Palestinians wielding clubs on Thursday, on Hill 777, near the West Bank settlement of Itamar.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4215383,00.html

Gaza

Israel opens fire at fishing boat off Gaza coast
GAZA CITY (Ma‘an) 13 Apr — Israeli forces on Friday opened fire at a Palestinian fishing boat off the coast of the northwestern Gaza Strip. Witnesses said the gunfire caused the boat to sink, with no injuries reported.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=476166

Mahmoud, 19 years old, killed at Erez during Land Day between dreams and hopes: the words of his family
11 Apr by Rosa Schiano — On Friday 30th March, during the “Land Day,” Gaza joined the Global March in order to remember the confiscation of Palestinian lands by Israel which were protested against on the 30th March 1976 … In Gaza this event had the color of blood and the sound of Israeli bullets … A group of young people demonstrated by singing, some were there just sitting or standing, others were trying to remove a barbed wire fence, some were throwing stones  of protest, stones that could have never reached the Israeli soldiers and surely not cross the border. Nonetheless, the Israeli soldiers did not hesitate. They targeted. They fired … Mahmoud Zaqout, 19 years old, was there with us. They also shot Mahmoud, but he was hit straight in the chest. Mahmoud would have turned 20 on April 19. After that terrible day we went to visit his family…
http://palsolidarity.org/2012/04/mahmoud-19-years-old-killed-at-erez-during-the-land-day-between-dreams-and-hopes-the-words-of-his-family/

A family pays the price of Gaza’s rift
SMH 14 Apr — by Ruth Pollard, Deir Al-Balah — THE smell of smoke hangs in the air and the scorched walls and blackened floor speak to the depth of the tragedy that occurred here. Three children – Nadine, 7, Farah, 6, and 3½-year-old Sabre – died in this room when a candle they were using for light started a fire that burnt so fiercely that by the time their mother – asleep in a nearby room – was able to raise the alarm, it was too late. Five days later, a large group of men gather outside the modest two-storey house in the southern Gaza Strip neighbourhood of Deir al-Balah, the children’s grieving father, Riad Bashir, among them … The children’s uncle says all parties in this grinding war of attrition, from the Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority to its rivals Hamas, who have ruled Gaza since June 2007, to Israel and its military occupation and siege, bear some responsibility for the family’s loss.
http://www.smh.com.au/world/a-family-pays-the-price-of-gazas-rift-20120413-1wywy.html

Gaza official: More fuel coming from Egypt
GAZA CITY (Ma‘an) 11 Apr  — Muhammad al-Abadlah, a member of the gas company association in Gaza, said Wednesday there had been a noticeable improvement in fuel coming into Gaza via Egypt. Al-Abadlah told Ma‘an that the daily amount of fuel arriving through the tunnels had reached about 200,000 to 300,000 liters which is distributed throughout the districts of Gaza.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=475780

Rafah crossing to close Monday, reopen Tuesday
GAZA CITY (Ma‘an) 12 Apr — Border authorities will close the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza on Monday and reopen it the following day, officials said Thursday. Pilgrims traveling to Saudi Arabia will be able to travel on Tuesday, the border authority said. On Wednesday Maher Abu Sabha, general director of crossings in Gaza, said work at the crossing would slow down for 24 hours due to computer malfunctions on the Egyptian side. Only around 150 people left Gaza through the crossing on Wednesday, Abu Sabha said. Most days, between 700 and 800 people cross to Egypt, he added.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=476032

Egyptian security detains 3 Palestinians
EL-ARISH, Egypt (Ma‘an 12 Apr — Egyptian security forces detained three Palestinians who entered the Sinai through tunnels from Gaza, a security official said Friday. The unidentified Palestinians were caught in a police and army ambush in Beir al-Abed, where a car carrying the three was spotted, the security official said. Egypt believes the three were en route to Cairo. They are accused of paying an Egyptian smuggler about 15,000 Egyptian pounds to smuggle them from Gaza to Cairo.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=476216

Gaza family awaits new home, 9 years after demolition
EI 13 Apr by Rami Almeghari — Raed Abu al-Zomar, now a 32-year-old father of four, was uprooted from his home when Israel demolished it in 2003. Located in Rafah, a city in the southern Gaza Strip, the two-story home was where Abu al-Zomar, his parents and his eight siblings lived. At that time, the Israeli military had already knocked down and bulldozed the houses of approximately 1,500 other families along the Gaza-Egypt border during the second intifada. For many years, the Abu al-Zomar family rented several homes in different parts of the southern Gaza Strip. More recently, Abu al-Zomar, his parents and his unmarried siblings have been allocated two small apartments, close to a Saudi-funded housing project, run by the UN agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA). They have been promised a house from that project, once it is ready. ““So far, my children, who are now in school, have not lived in their own home…
http://electronicintifada.net/content/gaza-family-awaits-new-home-9-years-after-demolition-israel/11161

Running, flying — high hopes in Gaza / Julie Webb-Pullman
[photos, video] Scoop 13 Apr — Two events held in Gaza City today symbolise the tenacity and the hope that mark the Palestinian struggle for justice. In the first, a combined event held by the Ministries of Education and Detainees Affairs, over 100 people ran a marathon in support of both Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, and Al Aqsa Mosque and other holy sites … In the second event, the children of prisoners held in Israeli jails gathered outside the International Red Cross to draw pictures and write messages to their fathers. After speeches by the Minister of Detainee Affairs Dr Attallah Abu Sebah, the young daughters of two prisoners, and the mother of another, the drawings and messages were attached to balloons and released into the evening sky, along with the hopes of the children that they would float to Israel, and be received by their fathers..
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1204/S00088/running-flying-high-hopes-in-gaza.htm

Political detention / Hunger strikes

Hunger-striking prisoners moved to hospital, isolation
GAZA CITY (Ma‘an) 13 Apr — Four Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike are in an Israeli prison hospital and another two have been moved to solitary confinement, a rights group said Friday … They are held in administrative detention, and have not been tried or charged with any crime … Thiab, from Jenin, has been on hunger strike for 45 days and was hospitalized on March 28 … Halahla, from Hebron, was also hospitalized on March 28 and has been on hunger strike for 44 days ….
Meanwhile, Muhammad as-Sasek, 25, and Jafar Izz ad-Din, 42, have been moved to solitary confinement.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=476158

Eleven Palestinian political detainees continue their hunger strike
IMEMC 12 Apr — Eleven Palestinian political prisoners continued on Thursday their hunger strike, Palestinian human rights groups reported. According to the report two of the prisoners, Thaer Halahla and Bilal Thiyab, have entered on Thursday their 45th day of hunger strike.
http://www.imemc.org/article/63298

42 days of hunger strike: Take action to save Hassan Safady from dying in administrative detention
ISM 13 Apr — Today Hasan Safady entered into his 42nd day of hunger strike. Ten months ago, he was brutally arrested from his home in the old city of Nablus and has since then been kept in administrative detention. Hassan’s older brother Fouad Safady explains that their family have been denied any communication or visits to Hassan, so any information gained has been acquired through his lawyer. Since Hassan began his hunger strike he has been exposed to severe violence and beatings from prison guards. In a further attempt to silence his resistance, Hassan has been threatened with an 800 shekel fine for each day of his hunger strike. This will have devastating economic consequences for him and his family.
http://palsolidarity.org/2012/04/42-days-of-hunger-strike-take-action-to-save-hassan-safady-from-dying-in-administrative-dentition/

One Palestinian arrested, several others summoned for interrogation
TUBAS (WAFA) 12 Apr – Israeli forces Thursday arrested one Palestinian at a checkpoint south of Nablus and summoned several others for interrogation, according to security sources. They said soldiers arrested 22-year-old Luai Bani Odeh, from Tammoun north of Nablus, at the Israeli army Za‘atara checkpoint. They also said that forces summoned several Palestinians from Tayasir, near of Tubas, for interrogation by the Israeli intelligence service after raiding their houses and tampering with their belongings.
http://english.wafa.ps/index.php?action=detail&id=19532

Israeli forces arrest Palestinians from the West Bank
PNN 13 Apr — On Thursday, April 12th, Israeli forces arrested a Palestinian child among other Palestinians from the West Bank governorates. Security sources told Safa news agency that the Israeli forces arrested Thaer Nabil Ghannam, 16, from the old city and transferred him to an unknown location. Locals also said that Israeli soldiers arrested Mahmoud Nazzal, 24, from Qabatiyah village, east of Jenin on Otara checkpoint in Ramallah. Sources said that soldiers stopped him, arrested and transferred him to an unknown location, noting that he is a released prisoner who was been arrested several times on the pretext that he belonged to Hamas. Two weeks ago Israeli forces arrested his father, Mofeed Nazzal, 54, and a leader in Hamas, after they raided his house in Jenin.
http://english.pnn.ps/index.php/politics/1373-israeli-forces-arrest-palestinians-from-the-west-bank

Ministries agree financial support for ex-detainees
GAZA CITY (Ma‘an) 12 Apr — The Palestinian Authority has agreed to give financial support to prisoners detained by Israel before the Oslo Accords, an official said Thursday. The Oslo Accords led to the creation of the Palestinian Authority in 1994. The Ministry of Detainee Affairs and the Finance Ministry have agreed that former detainees who were arrested prior to 1994 will receive around 600,000 shekels ($160,000), [said] director of prisoner affairs Bassam al-Majdalawi.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=475830

Activism / Solidarity / BDS

3 hurt in Nabi Saleh demonstration
RAMALLAH (Ma‘an) 13 Apr — Palestinians and two internationals were injured during a weekly demonstration in Nabi Saleh, activists said. Usama Bilal Tamimi, 16, was injured near his eye while the unidentified internationals were injured in the hand and one of them in the back. They were taken to the Palestine medical complex. The demonstration was to support Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=476212

Israeli forces disperse demo in Bethlehem village
BETHLEHEM (Ma‘an) 13 Apr — Israeli forces suppressed a weekly demonstration on Friday in the Bethlehem village of al-Ma‘sara, a local committee said. Palestinian and international peace activists took part in a demonstration after Friday prayers, the popular committee against the wall and settlements said in a statement. Israeli forces confronted protesters as they arrived at the entrance to the village.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=476178

Italian ISM activist fights unjust deportation: Your support needed!
ISM 13 Apr — Marco Mohamed Abdelaal, a 32 year old ISM activist was arrested April 11, 2012 at the 7th Annual International Bil’in Conference on the Palestinian Popular Struggle held in the old city of Occupied Hebron. Marco was arrested with 11 other conference attendees: four Internationals and eight Palestinians, including multiple conference organizers. Marco is being held in immigration detention as he begins the appeal process for deportation on the charges of assaulting a soldier. Two of the arrested Internationals were released without charge and the third cooperated with the deportation proceedings. Two of the eight Palestinians arrested remain in jail and will face trial early next week. Appealing Marco’s deportation costs 15,000NIS (€3,041) Donate here to this important legal case.
http://palsolidarity.org/2012/04/italian-ism-activist-fights-unjust-deportation-your-support-needed/

Derail-Dump-Drown Veolia campaign in the US
13 Apr — The Davis Committee for Palestinian Rights is asking for your help by sending emails to members of the Board of Directors of the Woodland-Davis Clean Water Agency (WDCWA) to encourage them to deny Veolia Water North America the opportunity to participate as a bidder on a $3.25 million public tender for a water project to be constructed in Yolo County, California.  
http://blog.endtheoccupation.org/2012/04/derail-dump-drown-veolia-campaign-in-us.html

Nablus governor blocks import of Israeli produce
NABLUS (Ma‘an) 11 Apr — The governor of Nablus on Wednesday prevented Israeli potatoes from being introduced to the Palestinian market, in line with an agriculture ministry decision issued this month. Maj.-Gen. Jibrin al-Bakri said the decision aimed to protect national products and farmers’ livelihoods.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=475743

Anti-solidarity

Israeli, Lebanese navy cooperate to counter solidarity ships
IMEMC 12 Apr — A senior Israeli Navy official stated that the Israeli Navy has recently stepped-up its cooperation with the Lebanese Navy in an attempt to prevent solidarity ships from reaching the Gaza Strip through “Israeli territorial waters”. The official stated that should any ship sail 400 meters close to Israeli coasts, the Israeli Navy will contact its Lebanese counterpart, and the latter will prevent the ships from approaching Israeli waters, Israeli daily, Haaretz, reported Wednesday.  Haaretz added that the Israeli Navy will conduct, in the coming few days, drills that aim at countering all solidarity activities, including the possibility of solidarity flotillas heading to the Gaza Strip on the Nakba Day, May 15, and and the Naksa Day, June 4 1967.
http://www.imemc.org/article/63297

Will Israel and Lebanon’s new naval partnership last? / Allison Good
FP blog 12 Apr — Although the Arab Spring hasn’t won Israel many friends in the Middle East, Haaretz reported yesterday that its navy “recently strengthened its cooperation with the Lebanese Navy in the Mediterranean.” The partnership, Israel hopes, will prevent provocations in the form of possible pro-Palestinian flotillas to Gaza on May 15, or Nakba Day, which commemorates “the displacement of Palestinians following the establishment of Israel in 1948, and on Naksa Day, which takes place in June and commemorates the displacement of Palestinians after the 1967 war.” It’s no surprise that Israel would turn to regional multilateralism in order to avoid a repeat of the Gaza flotilla incident of 2010. Whether this friendly strategic cooperation will last, though, is an entirely different question. Israel and Lebanon may soon be engaged in nasty disputes over natural gas fields in the Levant Basin
http://blog.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2012/04/12/tk

Fly-in / Flytilla

European airlines cancel tickets of pro-Palestinian ‘flytilla’ activists
Haaretz 13 Apr — Ahead of Sunday’s planned ‘fly-in,’ Israel’s Interior Minister sends airlines list of names of blacklisted activists, threatens punitive steps if companies allow them to board Israel-bound flights … Dozens of pro-Palestinian activists were prevented from boarding Israel-bound flights on Friday, due to the fact that their names appeared on a blacklist distributed by the Israeli government to a number of European airlines. The activists were on their way to participate in a fly-in protest against Israeli construction in West Bank settlements, scheduled to take place on Sunday
http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/european-airlines-cancel-tickets-of-pro-palestinian-flytilla-activists-1.424137

Lufthansa cancels airline tickets of ‘flytilla’ participants
AFP 13 Apr — German airline informs dozens of passengers that their reservation on flight to Tel Aviv has been canceled at behest of Israel. Fly-in organizers: airline violated international law
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4215580,00.html

Pro-Palestinian activists dismiss Israeli warnings
JERUSALEM (AP) 13 Apr — Organizers of a planned pro-Palestinian demonstration said Friday they expect about 1,000 activists from Europe and North America to board flights for Israel this weekend, despite Israeli threats to deport them. Activists with the “Welcome to Palestine” campaign are set to land in Israel on dozens of flights Sunday. They say they wish to travel to nearby Bethlehem in the West Bank to participate in a week of activities, like the dedication of a school and homestays with Palestinian families.
http://news.yahoo.com/pro-palestinian-activists-dismiss-israeli-warnings-160309541.html

Israeli group calls on government to welcome fly-in activists
JERUSALEM (WAFA) 12 Apr – Gush Shalom, the Israeli peace bloc, called in a letter to Israeli Minister of Public Security Yitzhak Aharonovitch to cancel plans for flooding Tel Aviv airport with a massive police force in preparation for the arrival of the international activists. “More than a 1000 international activists are due to arrive, among them aged persons, parents with their children and handicapped people in wheelchairs. They have no intention of carrying out any provocation, and there is no need to mobilize massive police forces. All that is needed is to say the word ‘welcome’ and perhaps also give a flower,” said the group. “It is sad to note, Mr. Minister, that you – as well as the commanders of the police force for which you bear responsibility – have learned nothing from the events of the previous fly-in,” said the letter.
http://english.wafa.ps/index.php?action=detail&id=19541

Israel mobilizes special forces to deport ‘flytilla’ activists
Mondo 12 Apr — This Sunday, the Airflotilla2, or “flytilla,” organizers expect around 1,500 international activists to fly into Ben-Gurion airport in order to draw attention to Israel’s abuses to the Palestinian people….The AirFlotilla2 is an expensive direct action …  Anyone who has visited the occupied Palestinian territories understands the only way in is through an Israeli-controlled border. And travelers know, divulging to the authorities plans to enter the West Bank or Gaza, even when obvious is risky, and often will lead to a denial of entry … Activists also face challenges in their home countries. France’s Jewish Defense League (JDL) announced two days ago plans to thwart the fly-in at the departing airport. … For updates on Twitter follow @AirFlotilla2.
https://mondoweiss.net/2012/04/israel-mobilizes-special-forces-to-deport-flytilla-activists.html

Politics / Diplomacy

Palestinians rebuff Netanyahu call to resume peace talks
OCCUPIED JERUSALEM/RAMALLAH 13 Apr — The Palestinians Thursday spurned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s latest invitation to resume peace talks, insisting the Israelis freeze settlement construction first. Netanyahu Wednesday proposed to start direct talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, without any preconditions. The call followed an appeal from international mediators.
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2012/Apr-13/170105-palestinians-rebuff-netanyahu-call-to-resume-peace-talks.ashx

MK Tibi: Ambassador to US ‘liar’
Ynet 12 Apr — In letter to Foreign Ministry, Tibi demands Michael Oren retract accusation that he supports suicide bombers … In an article published by the US magazine Foreign Policy last week, titled “Israel’s Resilient Democracy,” Ambassador Oren wrote that “Israel has tolerated acts that would be deemed treasonous in virtually any other democracy. Ahmad Tibi, who once advised PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat and recently praised Palestinian ‘martyrs’ — a well-known euphemism for suicide bombers — serves as a member and deputy speaker of the Knesset.” [‘martyr’ – shaheed – does not primarily mean suicide bomber – there is a special word for that – it means anyone killed in a conflict or occupation, such as a woman killed when her house is shelled, a woman in labor whose baby dies at a checkpoint because she is not allowed through to get to a hospital, etc.]
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4215279,00.html

Egyptian religious scholars refuse to visit Jerusalem while under occupation
CAIRO, (PIC) 13 Apr — Egyptian religious scholars are unanimous in their rejection of the idea of visiting Jerusalem while it is still under occupation, because such a visit requires and Israeli visa, which means an implicit recognition of the occupation state and a step in the direction of normalisation with the usurpers. Those scholars are headed by the Grand Sheikh of al-Azhar, Dr. Ahmad al-Tayyeb
http://www.palestine-info.co.uk/En/default.aspx?xyz=U6Qq7k%2bcOd87MDI46m9rUxJEpMO%2bi1s7lNcn%2brtL%2b7VHZvQikaXFDhTnqYxSnM%2fhlkqZGmc89tedjThvArqA7IAjbu6AraTF2f2HUPR4EbU9z4i%2b8r55S29tR9dEpkHbgn%2bRHyk5JOw%3d

PA ‘shuts down’ Palestinian rights group
BETHLEHEM (Ma‘an) 12 Apr — The Palestinian Authority has shut down the West Bank branch of a human rights organization, officials said Friday. The Palestinian Human Rights Foundation, or Monitor, said that the PA interior minister, Said Abu Ali, ordered the closure after claiming the group’s activities were not consistent with the interests of the Palestinian people. The minister is basing the decision on a decree by the foreign minister, Riyad al-Malki, the group said.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=476232

Jordanian interior minister to visit Palestine
BETHLEHEM (Ma‘an) 13 Apr — The Palestinian Authority interior minister said Friday that his Jordanian counterpart Muhammad ar-Raod will visit Palestine on Saturday. “The Jordanian interior minister will come to Palestine on Saturday for a two day visit and he will discuss ways of strengthening the relationship between both countries,” PA official Hasan Alawi told Ma‘an … It is an honor to receive ar-Raod, as he is the first Arab interior minister to visit Palestine, Alawi said.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=476165

Abbas’ wife meets officials in Turkey
ANKARA, Turkey (Ma‘an) 13 Apr — The wife of President Mahmoud Abbas met with senior officials in Turkey on Thursday, the official PA news agency reported. Amina Abbas met with Prime Minister Recep Erdogan, Foreign Minister Ahmad Dawoud Oglo and Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina to discuss the latest developments in Palestine, Wafa said.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=476174

Abbas calls for NATO forces to replace Israeli troops
TOKYO, Japan (Ma‘an) 13 Apr — President Mahmoud Abbas on Friday called for NATO forces to replace Israeli troops on Palestinian land. The president’s call for an Israeli withdrawal was made during a meeting with Arab ambassadors in Tokyo, a Ma’an correspondent reported.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=476167

Abbas arrives in Japan on first leg of international tour
BETHLEHEM (Ma‘an) 12 Apr — President Mahmoud Abbas arrived in Japan on Thursday for the first leg of an international tour. Abbas discussed the latest developments concerning Palestine with several Japanese officials, including Japan’s special Middle East peace envoy Yutaka Iimura. Abbas is due to arrive in Sri Lanka on Sunday, before heading to the Maldives for two days on Tuesday.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=476000

Other news

Israeli ambassador to New York Times: Netanyanhu does not interfere in US elections
Haaretz 12 Apr — Michael Oren, Israel’s ambassador in Washington, submits letter to the editor to NYT, complaining about article detailing the close relationship between Netanyahu and likely Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney.
http://www.haaretz.com/blogs/diplomania/israeli-ambassador-to-new-york-times-netanyahu-does-not-interfere-in-u-s-elections-1.424072

Arab American oppose naming anti-Islam figure to religion commission
WASHINGTON (WAFA) 12 Apr — The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), along with over 60 partner organizations and individuals, Thursday sent a letter to three U.S. senators expressing deep concern over the appointment of Zuhdi Jasser to the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) and asking for his nomination to be rescinded, said an ADC statement.
http://english.wafa.ps/index.php?action=detail&id=19542

Israeli charity executive arrested on suspicion of embezzling millions of shekels from donors
Haaretz 12 Apr — …Operators of the charity are accused of pocketing “tens of millions of shekels” in donations and selling food earmarked for Holocaust survivors and the needy, according to court documents.
http://www.haaretz.com/weekend/anglo-file/israeli-charity-executive-arrested-on-suspicion-of-embezzling-millions-of-shekels-from-donors-1.423902

Opinion / Analysis

Palestinian polls unlikely this year / Khalid Amayreh
Al-Ahram 12 Apr — Hard political realities in the occupied territories seem to have dashed all hopes for organising Palestinian general elections next month, the erstwhile designated date for holding the polls according to an agreement reached in Doha between Fatah and Hamas a few months ago. Palestinian leaders representing various political factions have described the previously designated date as “impossible” and “clearly unrealistic”.
http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2012/1093/re2.htm

The undercover persecution of Muslim Americans / Maureen Clare Murphy
EI 13 Apr — The case of a Muslim man in Pittsburgh arrested one day before he was to publicly state he was the target of an FBI sting operation exposes the injustices in domestic terror prosecutions … A groundbreaking study by Mother Jones magazine and the Investigative Reporting Program published last year examined the prosecutions of more than 500 defendants in terrorism-related cases in the US. The investigation found that “nearly half the prosecutions involved the use of informants,” motivated by money or “the need to work off criminal or immigration violations” (“The Informants,” September/October 2011), as in the case of Hussain. Furthermore, “Sting operations resulted in prosecutions against 158 defendants. Of that, 49 defendants participated in plots led by an agent provocateur — an FBI operative instigating terrorist action.” Indeed, the report found that “With three exceptions, all of the high-profile domestic terror plots of the last decade were actually FBI stings.”
http://electronicintifada.net/content/undercover-persecution-muslim-americans/11164

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