Attacked by an Israeli drone
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- Written by Wafa al-Radia Wafa al-Radia
- Published: 28 December 2009 28 December 2009
- Hits: 3181 3181
In a short film by Medical Aid for Palestinians, Wafa al-Radia tells how she and her sister were attacked by an Israeli drone last year during the Gaza conflict
Source: Medical Aid for Palestinians and Palestinian centre for human rights
More illegal homes planned in E Jerusalem
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- Written by BBC News BBC News
- Published: 28 December 2009 28 December 2009
- Hits: 3076 3076
Israel has announced plans for nearly 700 homes in mainly Arab East Jerusalem - despite Palestinian and international demands that it freeze building there.
The move follows plans announced last month for 900 homes on occupied land in Gilo, south of Jerusalem.
Israel occupied East Jerusalem in 1967 and later annexed it, in a move not recognised internationally.
The Palestinians, who want to locate their future capital in East Jerusalem, condemned the move.
They said the plans showed Israel was "not ready for peace".
Israel's housing ministry announced on Monday that it has invited contractors to bid on the construction of 198 housing units in Pisgat Zeev, 377 homes in Neve Yaakov and 117 dwellings in Har Homa, which are built on land captured in the 1967 Arab-Israeli war.
It is part of an invitation to bid for contracts on 6,500 housing units across the country.
The new buildings will make apartments cheaper and more affordable for young families, the Israeli Housing Ministry said.
Last month, Israel announced a 10-month suspension of new building in settlements in the occupied West Bank, under heavy pressure from the US.
But the right-leaning government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made it clear that it does not regard Jewish areas in Jerusalem as settlements and the restrictions do not apply there.
The Palestinians have refused to resume peace talks without a complete halt to settlement building in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
'Eternal capital'
In November, US President Barack Obama warned that Israel's plans to build 900 new homes in Gilo, to the south of Jerusalem, would create a "dangerous situation".
Mr Obama told Fox News that additional settlement construction made it harder for Israel to make peace in the region and "embitters the Palestinians".
"The Israeli government proves every day that it is not ready for peace," said Nabil Abu Rdainah, a spokesman for Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.
But Israel says that East Jerusalem is part of the "indivisible and eternal" Israeli capital.
Israel's annexation of the east of the city has never been recognised by the international community.
About 500,000 Israelis live in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, in settlements illegal under international law.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/middle_east/8432267.stm
Published: 2009/12/28 10:48:34 GMT
© BBC MMIX
French Delegates Take Over the Boulevard in Front of French Embassy in Cairo
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- Written by Gaza Freedom March Gaza Freedom March
- Published: 28 December 2009 28 December 2009
- Hits: 3279 3279
What: A contingent of several hundred French activists takes over the boulevard in front of the French embassy, demanding buses to go to Rafah
When: Sunday, December 28, late evening. A group of French activists from the solidarity group EuroPalestine take over Mourad Street, the boulevard in front of the French Embassy in Cairo, next to the Four Seasons Hotel. They occupied the street with tents for 4 hours, stopping traffic, demanding buses to take them to the Gaza strip, forcing the French Ambassador to come and negotiate on their behalf.
Read more: French Delegates Take Over the Boulevard in Front of French Embassy in Cairo
Gaza Solidarity Actions in Portland, January 1st and January 9th
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- Written by AUPHR AUPHR
- Published: 27 December 2009 27 December 2009
- Hits: 3313 3313
March-Rally & Report Back
Saturday, January 9 @ 12 Noon
Gather at Pioneer Court House Square march to Portland State University
1 Year Commemoration of Assault on Gaza & Student Report Back
Justice for Gaza! US out of Middle East! End US Funding for Apartheid!
We need Jobs and Education
Not Wars and Occupation
Noon-Gather at Pioneer Court House Square
1 pm- March to Portland State University
1:30 pm- Indoor Rally at Portland State University Smith Building #296/298
Performers:
Political Folk Musician - David Rovics
Palestinian-American Poet - Shady Athamneh
Bethlehem Theater Presentation
Speakers:
Sarah Hassouneh- Portland State University
Jessica Campbell- Oregon State University
Michael King- Lane Community College
Allison Weir- of ifamericansknew.org
Peter Miller - of AUPHR.ORG
Saed Bannoura- of IMEMC.ORG
Rosa M. Navarro - American University in Cairo
Sponsored by: Students United for Palestinian Equal Rights, Americans United for Palestinian Human Rights, Peaceful Response Coalition, Palestine Action Group, PDX Peace, and the International Socialist Organization
(email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for further information, tables available for organizations)
Read more: Gaza Solidarity Actions in Portland, January 1st and January 9th
Israel must realize they cannot break the spirit of those who fight for freedom and justice
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- Written by Adam Horowitz Adam Horowitz
- Published: 24 December 2009 24 December 2009
- Hits: 3291 3291
Today Archbishop Desmond Tutu released a statement regarding Abdallah Abu Rahmah’s arrest and indictment:
Statement from Desmond Tutu on Bil’in activist Abdallah Abu Rahma
24 December 2009
Elders’ chair, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, has expressed his deep concern about the arrest and indictment of Abdallah Abu Ramah of Bil’in and has called for his unconditional release.
Abu Rahma is a school teacher and coordinator of the Bil’in Popular Committee against the Wall and Settlements, which has carried out a five year campaign of non-violent protest and legal challenge against the wall that separates Israel from the West Bank.
“My fellow Elders and I met Abu Rahma and his colleague Mohammad Khatib in August when we visited Bil’in,” said Desmond Tutu. “We were impressed by their commitment to peaceful political action, and their success in challenging the wall that unjustly separates the people of Bil’in from their land and their olive trees. I call on Israeli officials to release Abu Rahma immediately and unconditionally.”
Abu Rahma was arrested by Israeli soldiers at 2 a.m. on 10 December 2009 and indicted on 22 December 2009 on several counts stemming from his leadership role in the Popular Committee. On 15 September Mohammad Khatib was severely beaten during a raid attempting to arrest Abu Rahma. Since 23 June 2009, 31 residents of Bil’in have been arrested.
“Abu Rahma’s arrest and indictment is part of an escalation by the Israeli military to try to break the spirit of the people of Bil’in,” said Tutu. “But they must realize that they cannot break the spirit of those who fight for freedom and justice.”
Abu Rahma met six members of The Elders on 27 August 2009. The Elders visited the site of Bil’in’s weekly demonstrations near the separation barrier and also saw the memorial site paying tribute to Abu Rahma’s cousin Bassem Abu Rahma who was killed when he was hit in the chest by a tear gas canister during one of the demonstrations. (see photo)
The Elders who visited Bil’in were Desmond Tutu, Ela Bhatt, Gro Brundtland, Fernando Henrique Cardoso, Jimmy Carter and Mary Robinson. For more information go to www.theElders.org/middle-east