Concern for Gaza patients who cannot go abroad for treatment1 Jul 2007JERUSALEM, 2 July 2007 (IRIN) – Many Palestinian patients in the Gaza Strip have been unable to access health care and advanced medical treatment since 9 June, when the Rafah crossing to Egypt was closed. The medical infrastructure in Gaza is not able to provide certain services to its residents, including many types of surgery, and the Palestinian ministry of health refers patients to hospitals in countries such as Egypt and Israel. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2003 some 7,844 cases were referred abroad, of which 62.5 percent were sent to Egypt for treatment via Rafah.
Economic siege of Gaza leading to humanitarian crisis1 Jul 2007PCHR is gravely concerned for the tightened siege imposed on the Gaza Strip by Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) through the closure of all border crossings, including the Rafah International Crossing Point on the Egyptian border. PCHR warns of the consequences of the policy of collective punishment practiced against the Palestinian civilian population. PCHR calls upon all states and all humanitarian organizations to immediately take steps to pressurize IOF to allow the normal flow of basic supplies into the Gaza Strip to avoid an imminent crisis.
Volvo: Symbol of safety or human rights abuses?1 Jul 2007The automotive manufacturer Volvo writes on its website that is has the vision of being “the most desired and successful premium car brand by creating the safest and most exciting car experience,” and “choosing a car is about the comfort and safety of your passengers, most especially your children.” However, the Palestinian people in Israel, including the Bedouins, and the occupied territories might have another view on Volvo, whose vehicles were used by Israel to destroy the homes of Bedouin villagers in the Naqab (Negev). Adri Nieuwhof reports for EI.
Consolidation of Jerusalem annexation continues with the Light Rail1 Jul 2007*An international tender was issued in 2000 for preliminary qualification for the construction and operation of the first line of the Light Rail Transportation system. As early as 2001, land belonging to Palestinians in the East Jerusalem neighbourhood of Shu’fat was confiscated by the Jerusalem Municipality for the future light rail. Utilities work was completed in 2005, and on 17 July 2005, two French companies signed an agreement with the Israeli government.
New Israeli air strikes on Gaza kill seven30 Jun 2007The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) lunched two air strikes on targets in the Gaza Strip yesterday. Two attacks targeted a metal workshop in the middle Gaza refugee camp of al-Maghazi, killing four Palestinians and destroying the workshop. Earlier, another attack targeted a car in south Gaza’s town of Khan Younis, killing three. According to the Center’s initial investigations, at approximately 8:10pm on Saturday, 30 June 2007, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at a metal workshop in the al-Maghazi Refugee Camp when the owners and workers were inside it.
Audio: Crossing the Line interviews USS Liberty survivor28 Jun 2007This week on Crossing The Line: June 2007 marked 40 years of the anniversary of the 1967 War, when Israel began its occupation of the Palestinian territories. During their war with surrounding Arab countries, Israel also attacked one of its closest allies in the world, the US. In an event that has rarely been mentioned, Israel bombed the US Navy ship, the USS Liberty, for over two straight hours leaving Americans dead and injured. Crossing the Line host Chris Brown speaks with retired naval officer Dave Lewis who was aboard the USS Liberty and recalls the events which unfolded on that day, 8 June 1967.
Lebanese army fires on nonviolent demonstration, kills two28 Jun 2007Today, during the second day of a three-day peaceful protest in the Palestinian refugee camp of Baddawi in solidarity with Palestinian refugees from Nahr al-Bared, the Lebanese army opened fire on the protesters in Baddawi refugee camp, killing two people and injuring 25, seven critically. A peaceful protest began within the Baddawi Palestinian refugee camp in north Lebanon. The protesters had signs reading “Nahr al-Bared is in our soul” and “Nahr al-Bared, we won’t forget you.” The protesters were calling for an end to the violence.
Tony Blair: A true friend of Israel28 Jun 2007“A true friend of the State of Israel,” said Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert of his outgoing British counterpart Tony Blair. He was appointed this week as special envoy for the Middle East Quartet with a portfolio focused on Palestinian economic and political reform. “Tony Blair is a very well-appreciated figure in Israel,” said Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni. According to an Israeli government statement, Israel “will provide [him] with all necessary assistance in order for him to carry out his duties.” EI’s Arjan El Fassed looks at Blair’s history and finds that it does not bode well for the Middle East’s future.
Economic downturn in Beit Umar and Hebron28 Jun 2007The following is a report on a field visit to the Network, Advocate and Resist (NAR) program in Hebron, meeting with several members of the Local Popular Committee (LPC): The purpose of our field visit was to get acquainted with the Network, Advocate and Resist (NAR) work in Hebron. The impact of the Wall/barrier is devastating to the local community. A Palestinian Hydrology Group representative mentioned how they organize resistance events; farmers and landowners talked about their troubles, resulting in modest requests.
World Council of Churches intensifies efforts to end occupation28 Jun 2007From 18 – 20 June in Amman, Jordan, more than 130 representatives from churches and Christian organizations attended a conference entitled “Churches together for peace and justice the Middle East” organized by the World Council of Churches (WCC). The WCC unites more than 340 churches in over a hundred countries and territories, representing about 550 million Christians. “Churches have woken up to the issues in the Middle East like never been before. Another time we woke up is when we fought apartheid in Africa; this is another apartheid,” WCC general secretary Reverend Dr. Sam Kobia told The Jordan Times after the conference.
Egypt loses diplomatic ground with Hamas27 Jun 2007CAIRO, Jun 27 (IPS) – Almost two weeks after the takeover of the Gaza Strip by Palestinian faction Hamas, attempts by Cairo to resolve the crisis have so far come to naught. But while government officials say mediation efforts are still under way, some commentators question the ability of Egypt—a longtime supporter of Hamas rival Fatah—to mediate impartially. “Egypt’s open support of Fatah has cost it all credibility as an arbitrator,” Gamal Zahran, political science professor at Suez Canal University and speaker for the independent bloc in parliament told IPS.
Plight of Palestinian refugees in border camps worsens27 Jun 2007DAMASCUS/BAGHDAD, 27 June 2007 (IRIN) – The plight of Palestinian refugees fleeing violence in Iraq and stranded in camps on the Syrian-Iraqi border is continuing to deteriorate as the summer heat intensifies and a solution remains elusive. There is currently one camp on the Syrian side of the border, one in no-man’s land and one on the Iraqi side of the border housing Palestinian refugees.
The failing of Gaza27 Jun 2007Transportation is one of the few sectors of Gaza’s economy that is relatively constant. No matter how dire the financial situation, collective taxis are always shuttling people along the main roads of the Gaza Strip. This past week saw an exception to even this rule, reflecting the severe desperation of Gaza. There are a few reasons for this. Many people are afraid of what the future may bring. Militarily, Hamas has shown its domination over Fatah by ousting the latter in 48 hours. Philip Rizk writes from Gaza.
US Congress to curb Bush enthusiasm for Abbas26 Jun 2007WASHINGTON, Jun 26 (IPS) – US President George W. Bush threw his full support behind President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority (PA) last week, declaring the Fatah leader “the president of all the Palestinians.” With Hamas, the Islamist political party backed by Iran and described by the US as a terrorist organization, firmly in control of Gaza, the administration is now attempting to bolster Abbas, who formed a new government in the West Bank following the Hamas takeover in Gaza.
Boycott and divestment gains ground in Northern Ireland26 Jun 2007Northern Ireland’s biggest trade union, the Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance, unanimously passed all five motions on Palestinian solidarity discussed at the 2007 annual delegate conference. These motions contained: severe condemnation of Israel, a commitment to boycott and divestment and support for Trade Union Friends of Palestine and the Enough campaign against Israeli Occupation. NIPSA has been at the forefront of the campaign within the trade union movement in Northern Ireland to raise awareness of the Palestinian cause.
Israeli forces kill at least 11 Palestinians in Gaza incursion26 Jun 2007In the early morning hours of Wednesday, 27 June 2007, IOF conducted two incursions into the town of Khuza’a to the east of Khan Yunis and into Sheja’eya Quarter in the eastern part of Gaza City. Up to the publication of this report, these incursions resulted in the death of 11 Palestinians. Among those killed are six civilians, including two children and two brothers. In addition, 50 Palestinians, mostly civilians, have been injured. In the afternoon, IOF withdrew from Sheja’eya, leaving behind considerable destruction.
Audio: Crossing the Line gets reports from Nahr al-Bared25 Jun 2007This week on Crossing The Line, as the crisis in the Nahr al-Bared Refugee Camp enters its fifth week, host Chris Brown gets two reports from correspondents Dr. Marcy Newman and Sharif Bibi who are in Lebanon working with Palestinian refugees from Nahr al-Bared. Brown also speaks with Kathryn Webber, a student leader at DePaul University who is part of an ongoing protest to rescind the tenure denial of Professor Norman G. Finkelstein.
Divide and rule, Israeli style25 Jun 2007What if regime change was not the point of the sanctions on the Hamas government? And if so, what goals were Israel and the US pursuing? The parallels between Iraq and Gaza may be instructive. After all, Iraq is the West’s only other recent experiment in imposing sanctions to starve a nation. And we all know where it led: to an even deeper entrenchment of Saddam Hussein’s rule. True, the circumstances in Iraq and Gaza are different. Nevertheless, it may be that the US and Israel drew a different lesson from the sanctions experience in Iraq. Jonathan Cook analyzes the US and Israel’s designs on Palestine.
Dozens made homeless as police demolish Bedouin houses25 Jun 2007At least 20 houses in two Bedouin-Arab villages were destroyed on 25 June by Israeli security forces, leaving over 150 people homeless. Some 1,500 police and special forces converged on the two small villages, which together have a population of about 1,000 people from the al-Qi’an family, and conducted the demolitions. “The children went to school and the men to work. Only the women stayed home,” said Azam al-Qi’an, aged 16, whose home was destroyed.
Foes in Gaza, roommates in Cairo hospital24 Jun 2007“You see, both Ahmad and I are staying in the same room at this hospital, where we are being treated for wounds we have sustained during infighting. I am a Hamas supporter, while he is with Fatah,” said Ibrahim, who was shot with several bullets in his body. Ahmad, the Fatah supporter and preventive security personnel of the al-Tuffah neighborhood in central Gaza City, said it all with his sad eyes. “What fault has my son committed to be in such a situation? May God take revenge on those who have beaten him,” said a bearded man, Ahmad’s father. EI contributor Rami Almeghari reports from Cairo.
Gazans stranded at Rafah border, North Sinai towns24 Jun 2007CAIRO, 24 June 2007 (IRIN) – Up to 2,500 residents of the Gaza Strip are stranded on the Egyptian side of the border crossing at Rafah and in the towns of al-Arish and Rafah in the North Sinai governorate, aid agencies say. The border area between Egypt and the occupied Palestinian territories (OPT), which has been sealed off to media and tourists following an escalation in violence in Gaza, is continuing to host Palestinians unable either to cross to their home territory or return to Cairo. Many of the travellers are attempting to return following medical treatment in the Egyptian capital.
Finkelstein case: Academic freedom loses to Israeli lobby24 Jun 2007As an untenured assistant professor on this campus, who thought serious scholarship would find a site of articulation within the university named after St. Vincent de Paul, I have questioned not only my DePaul colleagues’ commitment to academic freedom, but the motivations and rationalizations of many of my colleagues who remain silent in the wake of the grave injustice that took place on 8 June 2007, when Finkelstein and Larudee received their denial letters from President Dennis Holtschneider. Matthew Abraham writes for The Electronic Intifada.
UN warns of food shortages unless key crossing point reopened21 Jun 2007JERUSALEM, 21 June 2007 (IRIN) – The Gaza Strip will face a general food shortage within two-four weeks if the main commercial Karni Crossing is not reopened, the UN has warned. “For a crisis to be avoided, commercial and humanitarian food stocks must be replenished regularly and reliably,” a report on the humanitarian situation in the Gaza strip issued by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) on 20 June said. Aid workers say most food supplies in Gaza arrive through Karni Crossing.
Collective punishment of Palestinian civilians in Lebanon21 Jun 2007As Mohammad trudged towards the Lebanese army checkpoint on the outskirts of the Nahr al-Bared Palestinian refugee camp, he thought the nightmare of the last three weeks was finally over. Unable to flee as gun battles and shelling razed their neighbors’ homes, Mohammad’s family had been stuck inside the camp since fighting first broke out between the Islamic militant group Fatah al-Islam and the Lebanese army. The army checkpoint was supposed to provide a safe haven for these desperate Palestinian civilians. Instead, Mohammad claims, this is where his journey of torture began. Sophie McNeill reports for Electronic Lebanon.
Challenges of returning refugees to destroyed camp21 Jun 2007BEIRUT, 22 June 2007 (IRIN) – Aid groups are preparing to return Palestinians to the ravaged Nahr al-Bared refugee camp in northern Lebanon, though it remains unclear whether a breakthrough in talks between the army and Fatah al-Islam is imminent. Even if fighting between the army and Sunni militant group Fatah al-Islam does end soon, tough challenges remain, aid agencies warn. Unexploded ordnance and rubble imperil the refugees’ way home.
Electronic Intifada