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Boycott group to UNESCO: Protect heritage of all cultures

17 February 2008


The following is an open letter sent to Director-General of UNESCO Koichiro Matsuura on 14 February 2008: On behalf of the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel, we are writing to express our deep concern about your statements, quoted in The Jerusalem Post, during your recent visit to Israel. These statements were one-sided, completely ignoring Israel’s continuous crimes against Palestinian history and heritage. 

Open letter: "Award for tolerance" hides story of discrimination

15 February 2008


The following letter was sent by Montreal filmmaker Malclom Guy to the Rendez-Vous du Cinéma Québecois on 12 February: I accepted the invitation from the Rendez-Vous du Cinéma Québecois to join this year’s jury in good faith. But after examining in more detail the political and financial basis of the prize I must refuse to have my name associated with it. Behind this noble sounding “award for tolerance” hides a story of intolerance, division and discrimination. 

"Shocking" rate of malnutrition in donor-dependent Gaza

15 February 2008


“We receive 20-25 new referrals every day, and we see approximately 350 children a week here at the centre. Last year we treated more than 8,400 children here in Gaza city, plus another 8,000 children at our centre in Khan Younis. All of them were under five years old, and all of them were malnourished.” Najah Zohod is the Nutritional Director of the Ard al-Insan Child Nutrition Center in Gaza City. 

British commentary pages ignore Gaza's plight

15 February 2008


Arab Media Watch expresses concern at the lack of critical commentary in the British press on Israel’s recent decision to intensify its siege of the Gaza Strip by withholding vital fuel supplies and increasing military attacks. Israel’s actions have resulted in civilian deaths, a worsening humanitarian crisis, the breach of Gaza’s border with Egypt, and bleaker prospects for the resumption of peace talks. Nonetheless, there has been no comment whatsoever in The Sun, Daily Mail, Daily Mirror, Daily Star and Evening Standard. 

"I feel as if I were living in South Africa"

Saady Abu-Hatoum 14 February 2008


“On behalf of the landowners, the Shahadeh family, and the residents of the village of al-Mashhad, I want to send a message to people everywhere — the Jewish National Fund, to the Nazareth Illit Municipality, to the Members of Knesset and the government, and to the residents of Israel. We don’t want the [Land Day] events of 1976 to repeat themselves, but I have to say that not one meter of land will be taken from us unless we die on our lands.” 

No Valentine break for Gaza flower producers

Mohammed Omer 14 February 2008


RAFAH, Gaza Strip, 14 February (IPS) - After generations of occupation, Valentine’s Day has meant little in the Gaza Strip. But the flowers that lovers presented in Europe has. Majed Hadaeid, 43, knows that better than most, as he watches livestock make a meal of the flowers he had hoped to export to Europe. “I have 130 dunams [32 acres],” he says. “All carnations, in 30 different colors, and varieties yielding 16-17 million blossoms per year.” 

Living, but in denial

Sami Hermez 14 February 2008


I cannot remember a time, especially in the last three years, when the collective that comprises Lebanese social life was not anticipating some form of political violence, elevated at times to an outright expectation of civil war. Traversing through different parts of Lebanon the conversation is the same: will war break out? When? Who will start it? Who will fight? Sami Hermez comments for Electronic Lebanon. 

How the EU helps Israel to strangle Gaza

David Morrison 13 February 2008


How is Israel able to strangle the Gaza Strip when there is supposed to be an international crossing between Gaza and Egypt not controlled by Israelis? David Morrison looks at how the Agreement on Movement and Access, signed more than two years by Israel and the Palestinian Authority, allowed Israel to control the border without being physically present through the the agreement’s European Union third party mechanism. 

Lebanese government's plan to rebuild Nahr al-Bared

13 February 2008


BEIRUT, 13 February 2008 (IRIN) - The government launched a preliminary master plan on 12 February to rebuild Nahr al-Bared Palestinian refugee camp in northern Lebanon, destroyed in a battle last year between the army and militant Islamists. Prime Minister Fouad Siniora said losses from the battle were great on all levels. “As we release the preliminary plan, we look to the Arab and international communities to meet us with the necessary assurances and funding to ensure its success.” 

A new struggle for life after war

Rebecca Murray Tyre, Lebanon 13 February 2008


Tyre enjoys a reputation as a laid back summer resort with a “liberal” lifestyle in the heart of south Lebanon — with its striking Roman ruins, ancient Christian fishing harbor, and bustling beachfront. But during the off-season — and compounded by the negative impact of the summer 2006 conflict with Israel, the ongoing political crises in Beirut and skyrocketing prices nationwide — the town’s family-owned retail shops and businesses, farmers and fishermen barely make a living. Rebecca Murray writes from the southern Lebanon city.