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Chasing mirages in the Middle East

Hasan Abu Nimah 18 February 2009


The peace mirage, however, is all deception with no fascination. The so-called “peace process” and the resulting negotiations long ago became ends in themselves: profitable or self-serving for the participants and failure-disguising for all concerned. For Israel, it is ideal to give the impression that it is engaged in peace talks while it continues to occupy and colonize Palestinians and deny their rights, as if the situation on the ground would have no effect on any negotiations. Hasan Abu Nimah comments. 

Did Egypt sabotage deal over Gaza, Shalit?

Amal Ghazal 18 February 2009


As Israel and Hamas continue Egyptian-mediated talks on a Gaza truce deal, Cairo has emerged not as a mediator or an honest deal maker; its interests meet those of Israel to the extent that it is functioning as a broker on behalf of Israel. It may even have gone as far as to undermine an emerging French-mediated prisoner exchange. Amal Ghazal analyzes for The Electronic Intifada. 

Organize for boycott Israel day of action

19 February 2009


We call on all to unite our different capacities and struggles in a Global Day of Action in Solidarity with the Palestinian people and for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) against Israel on 30 March 2009. The mobilization coincides with the Palestinian Land Day, the annual commemoration of the 1976 Israeli massacre of Palestinians in the Galilee in struggle against massive land expropriation, and forms part of the Global Week of Action against the Crises and War from 28 March 28 to 4 April. 

Boston Palestine Film Festival extends deadline for 2009 submissions

17 February 2009


The Boston Palestine Film Festival (BPFF) is now accepting entries for its third annual festival to be held in October of 2009. BPFF seeks to present the extraordinary narrative of a dispossessed people living in exile, under military occupation and siege, and within Israel. Palestinian cinema represents a powerful means of interpreting the collective identity, historic struggle and surreal challenges that Palestinians face. 

Gaza's forgotten elderly

17 February 2009


At the nursing home of al-Wafaa Hospital in the northeastern Gaza Strip, frail women lie curled in their beds, most of them bedridden. In Gaza’s close-knit society, nursing homes are not very common, as most people prefer to care for their elderly family members at home. However, the patients at al-Wafaa have nowhere else to go. While many reports have been released on the effect of the conflict on children, other vulnerable groups such as the elderly and disabled are often disregarded. 

Queer activists call for boycott of Tel Aviv film festival

17 February 2009


Queers Undermining Israeli Terrorism (QUIT!), a San Francisco Bay Area solidarity group, is calling on international Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans and Queer filmmakers not to participate in the Tel Aviv International LGBT Film Festival this June. QUIT!’s call for filmmakers to respect the cultural boycott of Israel initiated by more than 100 organizations of Palestinian civil society. The call has been joined by members of South West Asian and North African Bay Area Queers and a founder of Trikone, the largest South Asian LGBT organization in the world. 

Hampshire officials: investment decision didn't single out Israel

Sigmund Roos, Ralph Hexter and Aaron Berman 16 February 2009


The following statement was sent to The Electronic Intifada in response to the 12 February 2009 press release issued by Students for Justice in Palestine at Hampshire College that claimed Hampshire College divested from companies on the grounds of their involvement in the Israeli occupation of Palestine. 

Egypt on offensive after critical Al-Jazeera coverage

Adam Morrow and Khaled Moussa al-Omrani 16 February 2009


CAIRO (IPS) - Coverage of Israel’s recent war on the Gaza Strip by regional news stations has reflected longstanding political divisions within the Arab world. Qatar-based Al-Jazeera’s reporting drew a particularly angry response from Egypt. “Coverage of the Gaza conflict by certain Arab language news channels aggravated the rift between the Arab ‘moderate’ and ‘rejectionist’ camps,” Mohamed Mansour, professor of mass media at Cairo University told IPS. 

Hamas providing emergency relief in Gaza

16 February 2009


GAZA CITY, occupied Gaza Strip (IRIN) - The Hamas government in Gaza has said it is trying to help thousands of Palestinians who lost their homes and/or loved ones in the 22-day Israeli offensive which ended on 18 January. According to deputy minister of social affairs, Sobhi Redwan, Hamas has so far spent an estimated $50 million on emergency relief assistance, but more aid is needed.