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Amandla Ngawethu! South Africa and Palestine compared

Jeff Handmaker, Bangani Ngeleza and Adri Nieuwhof 8 February 2005


Sometimes the relevance of making comparisons between the liberation movements in South Africa and Palestine is questioned. Jeff Handmaker, Adri Nieuwhof and Bangani Ngeleza argue that, while the situations are by no means identical, sufficient similarities exist for Palestinians and their solidarity counterparts to draw relevant experiences and strategies that helped form the conditions for peace negotiations in South Africa. It is the massive land dispossession and disproportionate situation that has existed both for black South Africans and for Palestinians, reinforced by policies and actions designed to destroy their dignity, which have formed the primary motivators in both liberation struggles. 

Palestinian election success auspicious, but situation remains fragile, says Kofi Annan

7 February 2005


The year had begun auspiciously with the success of the Palestinian presidential election, but the situation still remained fragile, the Secretary-General of the United Nations said this morning at the opening of 2005 session of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian people. Now it was important to encourage the parties to deepen their political dialogue and match their positive words with action on the ground. Mr. Annan urged all Member States to help the parties meet their commitments and strengthen their cooperation, so that the opportunity for progress towards peace now at hand was firmly grasped. The United Nations would continue to work with its partners for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace. 

Audio: Ali Abunimah speaks in Pittsburgh

4 February 2005


EI co-founder Ali Abunimah gave a lecture at the University of Pittsburgh. His appearance at Carnegie Mellon University was picketed by about a dozen pro-Israel students, most of whom went in to hear his lecture. He talks about the latest developments in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. What is the significance of the election of Mahmoud Abbas and of Israel’s plan to “disengage” from Gaza? What are the latest developments on the ground in the occupied territories? Has the two-state solution failed and should we be seeking a single state as a way to fulfil the rights and aspirations of Israelis and Palestinians? 

Is Hamas going mainstream?

Khalid Amayreh 1 February 2005


Despite Israel’s efforts to destroy Hamas, including assassination of most of its top leaders, the resistance movement was able to emerge victorious in local elections held in 10 Gaza towns and villages last week. With a Hamas’ victory in Gaza’s local elections, and its earlier good performance in the West Bank local elections on 23 December, it is likely the movement will be encouraged to participate fully in July’s legislative elections. It remains unclear if the strengthening of Hamas through the ballot boxes will push the movement towards more moderation, as some observers have suggested. Khalid Amayreh reports from the West Bank. 

In bed with Israel: EU's close relationship with Israel supports abuse

Arjan El Fassed 11 March 2005


Amid international efforts to flourish the peace industry, Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende is due next week to visit Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas. Under the past Dutch presidency of the European Union (EU), the Dutch government has put a lot of efforts to enhance the EU involvement in the Middle East diplomatic process. However, the costs of these efforts have been enormous. Instead of providing incentives to ensure Israel respects international humanitarian law, under the leadership of the Netherlands, Israel received rewards without withdrawing one single soldier from Gaza. 

Why Zionism today is the real enemy of the Jews

Avi Shlaim 4 February 2005


Avi Shlaim Zionism is the national liberation movement of the Jewish people and the state of Israel is its political expression. Israel used to be a symbol of freedom and a source of pride for the Jews of the Diaspora. Israel’s mistreatment of the Palestinians, however, has turned it into a liability and a moral burden for the liberal segment of the Jewish community. Some Jews, especially on the left, would go even further by linking Israel’s behavior to the upsurge of the new anti-Semitism throughout the world. 

Weekly report on human rights violations

3 February 2005


This week, Israeli forces killed 8 Palestinians, including 3 children and two mentally handicapped. One of the victim was killed when the tent where he was detained in an Israeli prison burnt. Israeli forces conducted a number of incursions in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Houses were raided and dozens of Palestinian civilians were arrested. Israel continued shelling of residential areas, which killed a child when she was at school. Israel continued the construction of the Wall in the West Bank. Israeli forces continued to impose a total siege on the occupied Palestinian territories. They have continued to close the Karni crossing to the east of Gaza for the third week. 

Mideast commentator brings protest at CMU

Jack Kelly 3 February 2005


Ali Abunimah, a writer and commentator on the Middle East and Arab-American affairs and co-founder of the Web site “Electronic Intifada,” laid out his opposition to a two-state solution to the Mideast peace process yesterday. The Middle East peace process is phony, Abunimah said, because what Israel wants to do — with U.S. complicity — is to set up independent homelands similar to the apartheid system under white-ruled South Africa. The apartheid system is so far advanced that a two-state solution to the conflict is no longer possible, he told about 100 students. What is needed is a unitary state in which Israelis and Palestinians would have equal rights, Abunimah said. 

Killing of Palestinian girl shatters family

Laila El-Haddad 3 February 2005


Ten-year-old Nuran Iyad Dib went to school as ecstatic as any schoolgirl should be. But this crisp winter day was special: she would receive her bi-annual report card. As it turned out, she passed with flying colors, which meant a gift from her parents, who had been saving up their dwindling funds for this occasion. The teacher’s comment on top of her report read: We predict a very bright future for Nuran. But Nuran would have no such future, and her gift lies abandoned in a corner of her family’s grieving home. On the afternoon of 31 January 2005, Israeli sniper fire ripped through her face as she stood in her school’s courtyard, lining up for afternoon assembly. 

Look for a future Palestine in the past

George Bisharat 3 February 2005


Six decades ago, my family celebrated Christmas in its Jerusalem home, as did the families of other Palestinian Christians in Bethlehem, Nazareth and throughout the Holy Land. Then, in 1948, Palestinian society was destroyed. More than 700,000 Palestinians — many, like us, Christians, but even more Muslims — fled or were forced into exile by Israeli troops. That is the history of the establishment of Israel that is often forgotten in the United States — but is stubbornly remembered by Palestinians. Why do Palestinians who lost their homes, and who have been barred by Israel from returning ever since, remember their pre-exile lives with such enduring intensity? George Bisharat offers an answer.