Restriction of movement / Control Modes of control: Easter at Qalandiya / Lauren Banko
…To get any type of permit to cross into Jerusalem, even for Palestinians whose families, villages, and even streets are cut off from their neighbors by the separation wall, the applicant must meet age qualifications. Once a Palestinian child from the West Bank turns twelve years of age, he will be given a blue West Bank identity card and is banned from entering Jerusalem, even with his parents. Those West Bank Palestinians who do have permission to enter Jerusalem are not allowed further than Jerusalem into the 1948 borders of Israel. I am currently living in the town of Birzeit, close to the de facto Palestinian Authority capital of Ramallah and about twenty-two kilometers from Jerusalem, and as an American, I hold an Israeli tourist visa. As a foreigner with an Israeli visa, I usually do not have problems passing through Qalandiya checkpoint — besides the usual being treated as less than a human, or as part of a herd of cattle along with the Palestinians. http://www.palestinechronicle.com/view_article_details.php?id=16822 Hebron reflection: a morning like any other / Inger Steyrbjorn
Christian Peacemaker Teams 26 Apr — “Biladi, Biladi … my country, my country…” the Palestinians’ national anthem echoes from loudspeakers in schools all over Hebron, where Nina and I stand at the checkpoint and note how many children have their bags searched. I count the children, but I also see that today the soldier stays inside the trailer where the metal detector is, probably so I cannot see how he treats the Palestinians. The metal detector beeps for each person who passes. I hear the beep several times without anyone coming out, which means that people inside are undergoing a thorough search. A young boy waits, presumably for his schoolmate. He is trying to see what’s happening, but the brusque soldier pulls the door shut. When the door eventually opens, a small child comes out. After several walks through the detector, the boy is finally free. http://cpt.org/cptnet/2011/04/26/hebron-reflection-morning-any-other The military bars Palestinian journalist from entering Al-Aqsa Mosque
Jerusalem-Maysa Abu Ghazalih/PNN 26 Apr – On Tuesday the Israeli military banned Palestinian Journalist Farid Saleh from Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem’s old city for 15 days. The army forced Saleh to sign a ban order with a bail of 3,000 NIS (800 USD) if he violates the order. Saleh who works for the children’s TV channel, Touyor al-Janna, along with two cameramen working with him were filming a charity event for children that was taking place at al-Aqsa Mosque. http://english.pnn.ps/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=9953&Itemid=56 Israeli army harassment of the Al Ras Al Ahmar community continues
Jordan Valley Solidarity 24 Apr –Today, 1pm, Palestinian workers from Al Ras Al Ahmer were taken by the Israeli army from the village and detained at the side of the road for half an hour. Each man had his ID checked by both the army and then the police who arrived later. The men were returning home after working in a nearby settlement. The settlement is only 10 mins drive from the village but the army only opens the gate into the village twice a week. This means that every day the Palestinian workers have to drive 50 mins past the Hamara check point and on a small dirt track over the hill to reach their homes. http://www.jordanvalleysolidarity.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=240 Settlers attack Palestinians in Hebron’s Old City
Hebron (PNN) 26 Apr — Israeli settlers attacked on Tuesday Palestinians inside the Old city of Hebron, southern West Bank and injured one man. Witnesses told local media that Firas al-Khateb was attacked by settlers with gas spray and rocks near the illegal settlement of Tal Romida in Hebron old city. Doctors at Hebron hospital said that al-Khateb was slightly injured and suffered effects of gas inhalation due to the settlers attack. http://english.pnn.ps/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=9955&Itemid=64 Activism / Solidarity South Hebron Hills: Palestinians prune trees as act of resistance in Susiya
Christian Peacemaker Teams 25 Apr — On the morning of 23 April, Palestinians from the village of Susiya pruned olive trees on their land in an act of protest against land confiscation and violence by residents from the nearby Israeli settlement, also named Susiya. Six days earlier, Israeli settlers had attacked and injured a local Palestinian in the area near these olive trees. The Palestinians, accompanied by Israeli and international peace activists, began working on their trees at approximately 10:00 a.m. Almost immediately, Israeli soldiers appeared and stood above the orchards. They did not interfere with the pruning. At approximately 11:00 a.m., four Israeli settlers arrived, then four more. The soldiers, now re-enforced by Israeli police, did not allow them to approach the Palestinians pruning the olive trees. After talking with the settlers, the soldiers insisted that all Israelis and internationals leave the area. The Palestinian families were able to remain and continue working. As the Israeli and international activists slowly departed, the soldiers moved the settlers away also. By noon, the villagers had successfully completed their pruning of the olive trees. http://cpt.org/cptnet/2011/04/25/south-hebron-hills-palestinians-prune-trees-act-resistance-susiya Weekly Palestinian popular demonstrations met with harsh Israeli violence
AIC 26 Apr — 16 demonstrators were injured this past weekend in demonstrations against Israel’s occupation …The weekly demonstration in Bil‘in commemorated the second anniversary of the killing of Bassem Abu Rahmah from a tear gas canister during a village demonstration. Demonstrators carried photos of Bassem and his sister Jawaher, who was killed from tear gas inhalation during a village demonstration, and of Marwan Barghouti. The demonstration opened with the national anthem and a call for a united national front against Israel’s occupation. When demonstrators reached the Wall, soldier shot tear gas, stun grenades, rubber coated steel bullets, live bullets and 022 bullets at them, in addition to skunk water. Demonstrators succeeded in pulling down part of the Wall and placing a Palestinian flag on an army jeep. http://www.alternativenews.org/english/index.php/topics/news/3551 Volunteer in Gaza with the ISM
25 Apr — The International Solidarity Movement is appealing for activists to join our team in the besieged Gaza Strip. We are hoping that this coming month’s Freedom Flotilla along with the Italian Stay Human convoy will bring an influx of activists into Gaza who will help carry on the important work that Vittorio Arrigoni was an essential part of before his death … Those interested in joining the ISM Gaza team are required to attend a preliminary training in their home country and have communicate with the volunteers in Gaza prior to arrival. Entering Gaza is an arduous process that requires some time to be spent in Egypt. Also recommended: -Previous experience with organizing / activism, preferably in the Middle-East… gazaism@…
http://palsolidarity.org/2011/04/17347/ Activists prepare new 15-boat flotilla to Gaza
ISTANBUL (AP) 26 Apr — Pro-Palestinian activists say a planned convoy of aid ships to the Gaza Strip will be twice as big as a similar flotilla that was raided a year ago by Israeli forces, leaving nine people dead on a Turkish boat. Organizers say they hope to depart around the May 31 anniversary of the fatal raid, but say it could happen later than that. Huseyin Oruc, a spokesman for an Islamic aid group in Turkey, said Tuesday that an international coalition of 22 non-governmental organizations plans to send 15 ships with a total of 1,500 people. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110426/ap_on_re_eu/gaza_flotilla_1 International [land] convoy to Gaza
25 Apr — On the 21st April, a meeting regarding the discussions and reflections on the murder of Vittorio Arrigoni was held in Rome amongst different activists. From the gathering, the need to organize a convoy to Gaza through Egypt was decided. Let’s start this process by sharing those points: -We want to go to Gaza through Rafah Border Crossing with all in the world that need to say aloud what Vittorio used to say: Stay human! We want to do it from Egypt because, in the post Mubarak era, that border must be opened to break the siege imposed for too long on the people in Gaza….
http://palsolidarity.org/2011/04/17937/ Gaza Housing ministry: Reconstruction of razed housing ongoing despite siege
GAZA, (PIC) 26 Apr — The ministry of public works and housing in Gaza said that reconstruction of Palestinian houses razed during the Israeli war on Gaza Strip was ongoing although at a slow pace. The ministry said in a statistics report on Monday that it was proceeding in reconstructing 1327 houses out of a total of 3407 houses which were completely destroyed during that war. It said 100 of them were completed while finances for the reconstruction of 800 others in 2011 were promised. The ministry said that UNRWA offered more than 58 million dollars in cash money to refugees in Gaza to repair their homes. [End] http://www.palestine-info.co.uk/En/default.aspx?xyz=U6Qq7k%2bc Gaza: Single border crossing partially open
GAZA CITY (Ma‘an) 26 Apr — Israeli authorities opened Gaza’s Kerem Shalom crossing Tuesday to allow the limited entry of goods and humanitarian aid into the besieged coastal enclave. The opening followed several closures for Israel’s observance of the Jewish Passover holiday, and a week-long closure before, after and during a spate of border clashes. UN reports noted shortages in cooking gas and wheat following the closures. http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=382182 Egypt to re-open Rafah crossing
GAZA CITY (Ma‘an) 26 Apr– Following a one-day closure for Egypt’s spring holiday, the Rafah crossing on its border with the Gaza Strip reopened Tuesday, allowing travelers with permits to pass in both directions, officials said http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=382165 86 Palestinians enter Gaza from Cairo airport
CAIRO (Ma‘an) 26 Apr — The Palestinian embassy in Egypt announced Tuesday that 86 Palestinians were allowed to land at the Cairo International Airport. Airport staff escorted the group to the Rafah crossing and facilitated their return to the Gaza Strip. The embassy warned travelers trying to enter Gaza that Cairo’s airport would be closed from Thursday until Monday. http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=382317 Detention Israeli occupation forces arrest Palestinian writer Ahmad Qatamesh
AIC 26 Apr — In the early hours of dawn on Thursday, 21 April 2011, a large force of Israeli soldiers and intelligence officers raided the home of the prominent Palestinian writer and academic Dr. Ahmad Qatamesh 1 in Al-Bireh and arrested him. An hour earlier, Qatamesh’s wife, 22-year-old daughter and two other female relatives, including a 14-year-old child, were taken hostage by Israeli troops in another apartment to compel him to surrender himself. He was led to “Ofer” detention center in Beitunia. Ahmad Qatamesh was born in 1950 in a cave in Bethlehem to a refugee family expelled during the Nakba from the village of Al-Malihah, near Jerusalem … In 1992, he was arrested by a massive Israeli force in the presence of his then 3-year-old daughter. Accusing him of being a particularly “dangerous” national leader, the Israeli Shabak tortured and illtreated him 2 for a hundred days, an experience that he articulately exposed in his well-read prison notes titled I Shall not Wear Your Tarboush … Qatamesh’s detention was renewed continuously for almost six years, making him the longest serving administrative detainee ever. In April 1998, after a persistent public pressure campaign by Palestinian, Israeli and international human rights activists and organizations, Qatamesh was finally released. http://www.alternativenews.org/english/index.php/topics/news/3549 Israel ignoring Palestinian prisoners’ urgent need for medical help
GulfNews 26 Apr — Ramallah: The Palestinian Prisoners Club, an organisation working for the welfare of Palestinians detained in Israeli jails, has accused the Israeli authorities of intentionally neglecting the medical needs of the Palestinian prisoners in order that they eventually die of their diseases. The club on Tuesday urged international humanitarian and legal organisations to intervene immediately in the situation and help the Palestinian prisoners who needed medical help.
http://gulfnews.com/israel-ignoring-palestinian-prisoners-urgent-need-for-medical-help-1.799539 Israel turns back detainee relatives at checkpoint
RAMALLAH (Ma‘an) 26 Apt — Israeli authorities refused Tuesday allow families of detainees to pass a checkpoint to visit relatives in Israeli prisons. Three buses were en route to Majdo, Shatta and Ramon prisons inside Israel. The passengers had permits to visit their relatives, the Tulkarem Prisoners’ Society said. http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=382325 Teitel seeks conjugal visits
‘Jewish terrorist’ Jack Teitel appeals to court after Prison Service rejects request citing security reasons — [He committed] a number of severe offenses including the murder of two Palestinians http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4060835,00.html Nablus shooting Haaretz editorial: Nablus shooting is a deadly mistake until proven otherwise
26 Apr — As long as an inquiry into the death of Ben-Yosef Livnat is ongoing, it is improper to treat the shooting as a terror attack that must be avenged — The tragic death of Ben-Yosef Livnat in Nablus could have been prevented. The preliminary investigation shows that Livnat and his companions decided to visit Joseph’s tomb without coordinating their trip into the Palestinian Authority with the Israel Defense Forces. They apparently broke through a Palestinian roadblock, and Palestinian police officers shot them in response. http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/opinion/
nablus-shooting-is-a-deadly-mistake-until-proven-otherwise-1.358098 Palestinian Authority to probe shooting death of Israeli in Nablus
Haaretz 26 Apr — …Nablus Governor Jibrin al-Bakri and the heads of the Palestinian security services in the city met with their Israeli counterparts on Sunday night in an effort to calm the situation. The Palestinian Authority also announced that it was setting up a committee to investigate the incident — Palestinian Military Intelligence is investigating the killing of a Bratslav Hasid, Ben-Yosef Livnat, early Sunday morning by the Palestinian police in Nablus. The worshipers had reportedly sneaked into Joseph’s Tomb. http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/
palestinian-authority-to-probe-shooting-death-of-israeli-in-nablus-1.358074 The mystery of Joseph’s Tomb / MW
Palestine Monitor 26 Apr — Truth is one of the first casualties of this conflict, and no one should assume the violence at Joseph’s Tomb will be any different. It could happen any time but it usually occurs under the cover of the night. Settlers come down from the mountain above the Palestinian city of Nablus to pay their respects to the purported resting place of Joseph, Patriarch and 11th son of Jacob. The early morning of Sunday, April 24th should have been no different. Sometime early in the morning, close to thirty settlers packed in five cars arrived in the area around Joseph’s Tomb to pray. After these established facts, the fog of war obscures … An old mustachioed shopkeeper in Balata village near Joseph’s Tomb did not see or hear anything unusual. http://www.palestinemonitor.org/spip/spip.php?article1774 Political/Diplomatic/International news More than half of Egyptians want to cancel peace treaty with Israel
AP 26 Apr — More than half of all Egyptians would like to see the 1979 peace treaty with Israel annulled, according to results of a poll conducted by the U.S.-based Pew Research Center released Monday. According to the poll results, only 36 percent of Egyptians are in favor of maintaining the treaty, compared with 54 percent who would like to see it scrapped. http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/poll-
more-than-half-of-egyptians-want-to-cancel-peace-treaty-with-israel-1.358107 Turkey: Israel shouldn’t repeat its Gaza flotilla mistake
Haaretz 26 Apr — Speaking with the Sydney Morning Herald earlier this week, Turkish FM says it is Israel’s responsibility to lift its blockade on the Strip, saying no one nation owned the Mediterranean — Israel mustn’t attempt to stop a planned aid flotilla bound for the blockaded Gaza Strip, Turkey’s Foreign Minister told in an interview on Monday, adding that Turkey could do nothing to stop organizers from launching the flotilla. http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/
turkey-israel-shouldn-t-repeat-its-gaza-flotilla-mistake-1.358162 Netanyahu to visit London, Paris for talks
JERUSALEM (AFP) 26 Apr — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will travel to Britain and France next week for talks on the peace process, his office said Tuesday. http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=382398 Other news Jerusalem’s time tunnels / Nir Hasson
Haaretz 24 Apr — Horizontal excavations throughout the Old City of Jerusalem and Silwan are producing important archaeological discoveries, but opponents charge that they are undermining Palestinian foundations, in more ways than one
http://www.haaretz.com/weekend/magazine/jerusalem-s-time-tunnels-1.357872 ‘Gaza’s Tears’ wins Al Jazeera prize
26 Apr — Norwegian film director Vibeke Løkkeberg has won one of the main prizes up for grabs at the International Documentary Film Festival, organized by global news network Al Jazeera, for her film Gaza’s Tears … The film documents the Israeli attack on Gaza during late 2008 and early 2009 by following the stories of three children. It was described as “the ultimate antiwar film” by the Hollywood Reporter when it aired at the Toronto Film Festival. http://www.newsinenglish.no/2011/04/26/gazas-tears-wins-al-jazeera-prize/ Traditional bath offers relief to people of Gaza
GAZA, April 26 (Bernama) — Dozens of Palestinians visit Hamam al-Samra, one of the traditional baths in the Gaza Strip, every day to bathe themselves and cleanse their skin while sitting in rooms filled with high temperature steam. The bath is open on three shifts each day. The first shift in the morning is for men, the second shift in the afternoon is for women, and the third shift is, again, for men at night … As part of history, the traditional bath is located in a compound containing an archaeological site that includes the Al-Omari mosque, the old market and the Catholic church. The bath was built by the Mamaleek empire, which ruled Palestine from 1260 to 1570. http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsgeneral.php?id=581825 Analysis / Opinion Letter: Inspiring theatre must take risks / Naomi Wallace & Erin Meet
Guardian 26 Apr — Conal Urquhart gives the impression that Juliano Mer Khamis was an unpopular, quixotic outsider, disliked by most and hated by some, and a victim of irreconcilable cultural differences (A killing inspired by drama not politics, 22 April). He quotes extensively from a “fatwa-style” extremist leaflet and speaks with a “group of elderly women” . But to the public who went to the Freedom Theatre and the actors and students who participated in its productions, this Palestinian theatre was extraordinarily popular and successful. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/apr/26/inspiring-theatre-must-take-risks ‘For as long as I can, I will continue’: Hajo Meyer interviewed
EI 26 Apr — Since being interviewed by The Electronic Intifada in 2009, Auschwitz survivor Hajo Meyer has toured numerous countries to speak about his efforts to combat Zionism and his support for the struggle of the Palestinian people for freedom and equality … In a new interview with The Electronic Intifada contributor Adri Nieuwhof, 86-year-old Hajo Meyer about his continued activism in the past two years.Adri Nieuwhof: In our interview two years ago — in which you compared your childhood experiences to that endured by Palestinian youth today — you said you planned to continue to be active because you “had still so much to say.” Can you tell us more about what happened since then?
http://electronicintifada.net/content/long-i-can-i-will-continue-hajo-meyer-interviewed/9867 Costs of arming Israel can no longer be ignored / Josh Ruebner
EI 25 Apr — Israel may be forgiven for failing to realize the current fiscal woes of the United States. After all, US military aid to Israel not only sailed unscathed through this month’s passage of the 2011 budget, but reached the record level of $3 billion. The US additionally provided Israel $415 million for procurement, research and development of joint US-Israeli missile defense projects, including $205 million to fund Israel’s newly-deployed Iron Dome system. http://electronicintifada.net/content/costs-arming-israel-can-no-longer-be-ignored/9873 Palestinians not invited / Yousef Munayyer
26 Apr — When it comes to US-Israel relations, few people are more effected by the dynamics of this relationship than Palestinians. Billions of dollars in military equipment shipped from the United States to Israel most often ends up used against Palestinians. Seemingly endless American diplomatic support for Israel permits them to wantonly ignore international law at the expense of Palestinians and their land in occupied territory and refugee camps. Yet, when it comes to debating the US-Israel relationship and its implications, Palestinians are systematically excluded from the discussion. http://blog.thejerusalemfund.org/2011/04/palestinians-not-invited.html A. B. Yehoshua and Zionism identity politics / Joseph Dana
26 Apr — A.B. Yehoshua, the acclaimed Israeli fiction author, has an opinion piece in today’s Haaretz where he addresses a fundamental question: why has the Israeli-Palestinian conflict gone on for so long. For Yehoshua, the answer is simple; identity … if we understand the conflict in terms of Zionism (i.e. identity of the Jewish people, claim to the land, historical justice, etc), then we can forget about the unmitigated aggression of Israel in its maintenance of its military occupation of Palestinian land. The Palestinians merely become another people which have similar claims to the land. http://josephdana.com/2011/04/a-b-yehoshua-and-zionism%E2%80%99s-identity-politics/ Michael Oren: Israeli is the ultimate ally
Israel’s ambassador to Washington publishes article in which he numerates reasons why Jewish State is best friend America can have. ‘In return for its aid, US receives not only an armed but an innovative ally,’ he claims http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4060605,00.html JPost Editor’s Notes: The moralist / David Horowitz
22 Apr — When your enemies do not follow the rules of war… An eye-opening interview with the man who helps set the IDF’s ethical parameters [fascinating look at the thinking of the man who influences the ‘morality’ of the IDF]
http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Article.aspx?id=217479 Iraq Monday: 5 Iraqis killed, 23 wounded
At least five Iraqis were killed and 23 more were wounded in the latest violence. Also, an official at the Human Rights Ministry said that over 14,000 Iraqis have gone missing since 2003. Army forces surrounded al-Ahrar Square in Mosul this morning to prevent demonstrators from reaching it. Clashes broke out, wounding ten people. Security forces claim that they didn’t cause any injuries, but hospital sources reported some baton injuries among the wounded…. http://original.antiwar.com/updates/2011/04/25/monday-5-iraqis-killed-23-wounded/ U.S. US condemns WikiLeaks release of Gitmo files / Jason Ditz
White House officials today condemned WikiLeaks, again, for the release of classified documents that are hugely embarrassing to the administration. The latest leaks, the Guantanamo Files, detail the information the administration has and the treatment of detainees. Officials said the leaked files were “unfortunate” and condemned the various media outlets around the world for reporting their contents to the American public. They also expressed concerns about a possible backlash. And not without good reason. The documents detail a shameful number of detainees being mistreated or held under ridiculously dubious circumstances. http://news.antiwar.com/2011/04/25/us-condemns-wikileaks-release-of-gitmo-files/
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