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Yom al-Ard in Bethlehem

Bethlehem 31 March 2005


For the past few weeks, Israeli machinery and bulldozers have been working at the northern entrance of Bethlehem city to construct the Segregation Wall. The path of the wall is almost complete in the area, confiscating Palestinian land and olive groves, and segregating Palestinian houses in the vicinity. Yesterday (March 30), the residents of Bethlehem city went out to peacefully protest against the Israeli policies and the theft of their land for the on-going construction of the Segregation Wall. The demonstration was part of a national day of action to commemorate Yom Al-Ard (“Land Day”) in Palestine, commemorating the killing of six Palestinians by Israeli police in 1976 at a protest against land confiscations in the Galilee. 

DC Cinema Palestine Film Festival, April 3-May 7

31 March 2005


DC Cinema Palestine (DCCP) will present an array of insightful and provocative recent films and documentaries from and about Palestine. The films we have chosen explore the social, political, and personal issues confronting Palestinians. They illustrate what it means to be Palestinian in a world where Israeli occupation presents endless obstacles to the fulfillment of basic human rights. Our hope is that in some small way these films can contribute to a future of justice, peace, and co-existence. All donations and funds raised through the festival will be sent to the Milk for Preschoolers Program of ANERA, which feeds over 12,000 children in more than 100 preschools in Gaza with milk and biscuits fortified with nutrients and vitamins. 

World Council of Churches concerned about Israeli actions in Jerusalem

31 March 2005


The World Council of Churches is deeply concerned about actions by the Government of Israel which threaten the achievement of a just peace for both Israel and Palestine by pre-empting negotiations on the final status of Jerusalem within the framework of international law. In an open letter, WCC wrote that while world attention is drawn to its Gaza withdrawal plans, the Government of Israel has intensified unilateral programs to consolidate control over Jerusalem and other occupied territory. The Council is concerned about threats and more threats, including an absentee property law allowing confiscation of Palestinian property in Jerusalem and a new regulation to require permits for Jerusalem residents entering other parts of the occupied West Bank. 

New report: Palestinian women carry the burden of Israel's occupation

31 March 2005


Israeli and Palestinian authorities must take concrete steps to put an end to the suffering of Palestinian women, who have been affected in every aspect of their lives by the conflict, Amnesty International said in a report published today. “Palestinian women have borne the brunt of the escalation of the conflict and decades of Israeli occupation, while in Palestinian society they are subjected to a system of laws and norms that treats them as unequal members of society,” said Amnesty International. The report examines the impact of conflict and occupation on Palestinian women, as well as increased violence against women in the family and discriminatory laws and practices. 

E-1: The end of a viable Palestinian state

Jeff Halper 30 March 2005


Last week’s announcement that Israel is constructing 3500 housing units in E-1, a corridor connecting Jerusalem to the West Bank settlement of Ma’aleh Adumim, seals the fate of the Palestinian state. As a key element of an Israeli “Greater Jerusalem,” the E-1 plan removes any viability from a Palestinian state. It cuts the West Bank in half, allowing Israel to control Palestinian movement from one part of their country to another, while isolating East Jerusalem from the rest of Palestinian territory. Since 40% of the Palestinian economy revolves around Jerusalem, the E-1 plan effectively cuts the economic heart out of any Palestinian state, rendering it nothing more than a set of non-viable Indian reservations. 

Founder of "Electronic Intifada" visits CMU, Pitt

Alex Ogle 7 February 2005


EI’s Ali Abunimah spoke to about 100 people at Pitt Thursday. Earlier in the day, Abunimah had spoken at Carnegie Mellon University, where about 40 students protested his appearance. Aaron Weil, executive director of the Edward and Rose Berman Jewish University Center, expressed disappointment that Abunimah was brought to speak. Abunimah questioned what he described as the “dominant narratives” about the region that he believes the U.S government and mainstream media promote. “We are hearing about a ‘window of opportunity’ for peace,” he said, referring to the proposed summit between Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. 

OPEC approves US$2 million grant to help Palestinians affected by Separation Wall

15 March 2005


The OPEC Fund for International Development today extended a US$2 million grant to help alleviate social and economic hardship among Palestinians affected by the so-called separation wall. The grant will co-finance a major initiative that aims to generate employment, boost agricultural productivity and improve access to basic social services among the concerned communities. An estimated 210,000 people reside in towns and villages in the West Bank that have been turned into isolated enclaves as a result of the separation wall. The wall has deprived people of education and healthcare facilities and cut off many agricultural communities from their farmland. The impact on economic activity and on the welfare of the population is severe. 

UNICEF brings critical supplies to the isolated children of Al-Mawasi

30 March 2005


UNICEF today began delivery of a series of critical health and sanitation as well as education supplies to the isolated and deprived children of the Gaza Strip enclave of Al-Mawasi. More than 5,000 Palestinians - almost half of which are children - live in Al-Mawasi, which is a completely isolated area in the Gaza Strip. “Today’s delivery means that the children of Al-Mawasi will have some relief in their daily struggle,” said UNICEF oPt Special Representative Dan Rohrmann. “Reaching the un-reached is a key element in ensuring that all children’s rights are met. Two thousand children in one of the most difficult to reach areas will have essential supplies to learn, to stay healthy and to be able to play.” 

BBC reporting doesn't tell the whole story

Victor Kattan 29 March 2005


Tim Llewellyn was the BBC’s Middle East correspondent twice from 1976 - 1982 and from 1987 - 1992. Based in Beirut and Cyprus, Llewellyn covered the Lebanese civil war, the Iranian Revolution, the Tanker Wars, the first Palestinian intifada, and the first Gulf War. He was one of the first foreign correspondents to enter the camps of Sabra and Shatila after the massacres there by Phalangist Forces under the auspices of the Israeli army in September 1982. In this interview, exclusive to the Electronic Intifada, Llewellyn talks candidly about the BBC, and the pressures that organization and its correspondents are under, when reporting from the Middle East. 

What Will Be the Sharon Legacy?

Am Johal 29 March 2005


As Israeli Arabs mark Land Day this week, Ariel Sharon’s government announced what everybody already knew since last summer. The Israeli government is going to expand the Ma’aleh Addumim settlement bloc in the West Bank by 3,500 housing units. With other development measures in place, it will effectively separate the West Bank and leave any open corridor under Israeli control as well as redraw the boundaries of Jerusalem. Other policies such as the construction of Israel’s West Bank Barrier will continue unabated.