Gaza counts cost of war as more than 360 factories destroyed or damaged

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Written by Harriet Sherwood in Gaza Harriet Sherwood in Gaza

Published: 22 August 2014 22 August 2014

Thousands of acres of farmland and cattle also wiped out with damage estimated at three times that of 2008-9 conflict

[Photo]
Mohammed Al Tebani inside his factory in Gaza, which made ice cream among other sweets, and was destroyed by targeted shelling. Photograph: Sean Smith for the Guardian

Gaza's economy will take years to recover from the devastating impact of the war, in which more than 360 factories have been destroyed or badly damaged and thousands of acres of farmland ruined by tanks, shelling and air strikes, according to analysts.

Israeli air strikes on Gaza have resumed since a temporary ceasefire brokedown on Tuesday after rockets were fired from Gaza. The Israeli Defence Force said it launched air strikes on 20 sites on Friday morning and Gaza health officials said two Palestinians were killed in an attack on a farm.

Almost 10% of Gaza's factories have been put out of action, said the Palestinian Federation of Industries. Most other industrial plants have halted production during the conflict, causing losses estimated at more than $70m (£42m), said the union of Palestinian industries. The UN's food and agriculture organisation (FAO) said about 42,000 acres of croplands had sustained substantial direct damage and half of Gaza's poultry stock has been lost due to direct hits or lack of care as access to farmlands along the border with Israel became impossible.

More than 9% of the annual fishing catch was lost between 9 July and 10 August, it added.

"The initial indications are that economic damage caused by the war is three times that of the 2008-9 conflict," said Gaza-based economist Omar Shaban, referring to the Israeli military operation, codenamed Cast Lead. "It's huge."

Read more: Gaza counts cost of war as more than 360 factories destroyed or damaged

Oppose the Gaza Massacre! Protest Dinner & Movie with Sen. Cory Booker and Sen. Jeff Merkley

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Written by AUPHR AUPHR

Published: 22 August 2014 22 August 2014

Why have dinner and a movie with Cory Booker and Jeff Merkley for $1000 when you can protest their support for the Gaza Massacre outside for free!

We call on Oregonians of conscience to come out in protest of the continuing support for the siege and massacre of Gaza by United States Senators.  We have an opportunity to confront both Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley and New Jersey Senator Cory Booker (and doubtless other key Oregon Democrats) for their vigorous support of Israel's current campaign of serial war crimes.

They say their event is about standing up to special interests! Well, that is why WE will protest them!

Protesters will begin gathering at 4:30pm in time for the 5:10pm $500/plate dinner and continue until the movie at 6:30pm.

Protest will start at:  Ya Hala at 8005 SE Stark St, Portland

Protest will continue at: Academy Theatre, 7818 SE Stark St, Portland

Perhaps Merkley and Booker will see us as dessert before the movie!

Sponsored by: Americans United for Palestinian Human Rights (AUPHR), Jewish Voice for Peace - Portland (JVP), Students United for Palestinian Equal Rights (SUPER)

Facebook Link: https://www.facebook.com/ical/event.php?eid=272453246283461

Read more: Oppose the Gaza Massacre! Protest Dinner & Movie with Sen. Cory Booker and Sen. Jeff Merkley

PROTEST! BLOCK THE BOAT, TACOMA!

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Written by Peter Miller Peter Miller

Published: 22 August 2014 22 August 2014

Hi all,
The situation is fluid but it looks like the Zim ship that was blocked from unloading in Oakland is coming to Tacoma Washington or maybe even Portland!
Peter

BLOCK THE BOAT TO GAZA was an amazing success in Oakland, and turned the boat around. Now we must follow it up the coast, thus BLOCK THE BOAT, TACOMA For now, get details from the original organizers ofBlock the Boat for Gaza

Friday, August 22at 8:00pm in CDT
Tomorrow
Here is a link to information about the efforts to block the Zim ship coming to Tacoma to unload after leaving Oakland. This page will be updated as this situation changes by the hour:

    http://blocktheboatnw.wordpress.com/

The call is for folks to be there tomorrow afternoon and potentially ongoing.
Organizers have  heard that it may be possible that if they are not able to unload there, they may attempt to do so in Portland, but  they haven’t be able to verify that yet.

Also a Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/events/530669670411666/

‘Common Dreams’ website traps Hasbara troll spewing anti-Semitism

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Written by Annie Robbins Annie Robbins

Published: 21 August 2014 21 August 2014

A Jewish graduate student at Harvard posting virulently anti-Semitic comments at various internet forums, allegedly “to gauge how pervasive anti-Semitism” is online, has been busted by the progressive website Common Dreams (CD).  

Investigative journalist Lance Tapley leaves few stones unturned in his report “The Double Identity of an ‘Anti-Semitic’ Commenter” except the identity of the culprit. “Let’s call the student Jason Beck”, Tapley says, protecting the perpetrator. 

Read more: ‘Common Dreams’ website traps Hasbara troll spewing anti-Semitism