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Gaza artist opens "Fathers" exhibition

Sami Abu Salem 31 May 2006


Mr. Alain Rémy, the French Consul General in Jerusalem, and Moein Sadeq, the deputy general of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquity (MTA) joined many people, including children, to gather under fluttering Palestinian and French flags at the door of the little museum of Qasr Albasha in the old city of Gaza. They gathered not for politics, but to celebrate the new exhibition, “Fathers,” by the Gazan artist Taysir Batniji, hosted at the museum under the patronage of the French Cultural Centre (CCF) and the MTA. 

Israeli Authorities Deport Al-Haq Human Rights Defender

31 May 2006


In the late afternoon of 28 May 2005, Al-Haq human rights defender and American citizen Maureen Murphy arrived at Ben Gurion airport in Israel, on her way back from the USA to Ramallah in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT). She was questioned, denied entry into Israel, declared persona non grata and deported on a plane at 00:55 am on 29 May. Maureen’s case is emblematic of an increasing pattern of international human rights defenders being denied access to the OPT. EI Note: Maureen Clare Murphy is arts editor of the Electronic Intifada. 

Academic Boycott: Shin Bet training program highlights academic complicity with occupation

Jonathan Cook 31 May 2006


The Shin Bet is possibly best known for its interrogation methods when extracting confessions from detainees. As Kimmerling notes, the most likely result will be a “professional studies” programme relating to the Shin Bet’s work. Such arrangements are nothing new in Israeli academia, Kimmerling points out. There are strong ties between the universities and the defence industry because “some university staff join academia after [military] service and careers in the defense establishment, and not all of them manage to ‘go civilian’.” 

Ehud Olmert's "convergence plan"

Angela Godfrey-Goldstein 29 May 2006


Of the 250,000 Israeli citizens living in over a hundred West Bank settlements, (not counting 200,000 settlers in occupied East Jerusalem), only one-third will face evacuation, says Leggett. “Many may be offered relocation to the large settlement blocs Israel plans to retain. … Perhaps the most sensitive issue will be the question of Jerusalem. Palestinians claim the city as their future capital and say that must be reflected in any resolution to the Mideast’s core conflict. The U.S. has generally supported the Palestinian position during previous peace negotiations.” 

Hamas's militant arm turns to fighting internal chaos

Yasser Abu Moailek 29 May 2006


20 May 2006- For many months now, people assumed that the militant arm of the Islamist movement Hamas, the Ezzeddin Al Qassam Brigades, had stopped its operations by orders of the political echelons of the movement. But recent events in Gaza City demonstrate that, in fact, this militant group is more active than ever. Its agenda, however, has changed. On 23 April, several Brigade members intervened to protect Palestinian Health Minister Basem Naim, from the Hamas-led government, when he was assaulted by several gunmen at his office in Gaza City. 

'TV on demand' all the rage in West Bank

Yasser Abu Moailek 29 May 2006


The Abu Kmail family sat in their modest living room in the heart of Hebron city watching their favourite local TV station - their only pastime on a quiet evening, free of Israeli raids. The documentary being shown did not quite appeal to the taste of the two teenage sons, who wanted to watch an action movie instead. The father, municipal health inspector Awni Abu Kmail, quickly dialed a number and spoke briefly on the phone. Suddenly, the documentary was interrupted and an action movie began instead. 

PCHR Condemns the Attempted Abduction of Ashraf Nasrallah in Gaza

29 May 2006


The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) strongly condemns the attempted abduction of its employee Ashraf Nasrallah (lawyer) by gunmen near the court compound in Gaza City. PCHR’s preliminary investigation indicates that at approximately 12:15 on Sunday, 28 May 2006, a number of gunmen traveling in a white car intercepted Ashraf, a 34-year-old resident of the Rimal area of Gaza City and a lawyer at the Centre, as he was leaving the court compound in Wahda Street, Gaza City. Three gunmen walked up to Ashraf and, at gunpoint, told him to come with them. 

Internal Violence Continues in the Gaza Strip

29 May 2006


On Sunday, 28 May 2006, a number of attacks occurred in the Gaza Strip, as the security chaos in the area continues. One citizen was kidnapped in Khan Yunis, another was injured by gunfire in Gaza, and armed clashes broke out between members of the same clan in Greater Abasan. PCHR’s preliminary investigation indicates that at approximately 13:00 on Sunday, gunmen kidnapped Naser Zere’i S’laiyeh (30), while he and his wife were about to take a taxi in Khan Yunis. He was brought to an undisclosed location. 

CUPE Ontario votes in Support of Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions Against Israeli Apartheid

29 May 2006


27 May 2006 - The Coalition Against Israeli Apartheid (CAIA) congratulates CUPE Ontario (Canadian Union of Public Employees) for passing Resolution 50 in support of the global campaign against Israeli Apartheid. The resolution passed with overwhelming support at the largest provincial convention in the union’s history, held May 24-27 in Ottawa, Canada. Over 900 delegates from CUPE locals across Ontario attended the convention. CUPE represents about 200,000 public sector workers in Ontario and is the largest public sector union in the province. 

British human rights lawyer denied entry to Israel

29 May 2006


26 May 2005 - British human rights lawyer, Kate Maynard, has been denied entry to Israel - faced with a claim that she presents a security threat to the state. Despite a court ruling Ms. Maynard has been deported and future access to her clients remains in the hands of the Israeli security establishment. Kate Maynard, a UK based lawyer with London solicitors and human rights specialists Hickman & Rose (H&R), was invited to speak at an international legal conference organised by Avocats Sans Frontières (ASF) in al Ram, near Jerusalem.