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CNI calls on U.S. to deal with new democratic forces in Middle East

13 February 2006


A delegation from the Council for the National Interest that participated as international observers to the recent Palestinian elections and met with government and opposition figures in six Middle East countries called yesterday on President Bush and his administration to deal honestly and openly with the new Islamist opposition that has been brought to power by democratic means in several Middle East countries. The members of the delegation, including two ambassadors, were among the firstAmericanretired foreign service officers to meet with Hamas leaders Mahmoud al-Zahar and Khaled Meshaal, whom they described as eager to talk to American officials ,and even to reach a peace with Israel. “There seems to be a lack of dialogue with leaders in the Middle East,” said CNI President Eugene Bird in a public hearing on Capitol Hill Thursday morning. “Many U.S. diplomats are not talking to people they should be, and this has been shocking for us to see this.” 

AAUP Conference on Academic Freedom and Boycotts Postponed

13 February 2006


Academics and researchers invited to participate in the conference on academic freedom and academic boycotts organized by the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) condemn tactics used by critics of the conference to cast doubt on the integrity of the organizers and some of the participants, and to ultimately derail it. On February 9, the AAUP decided to postpone its conference. Joan Scott, former chair of the AAUP’s Committee on Academic Freedom and one of the key organizers of this conference, said the postponement was due to “a carefully orchestrated campaign to abort the conference by groups which believe that any representation of a point of view other than theirs is anathema”. 

Israel and Apartheid South Africa: A response to Guardian series on the relationship between the two

Angela Godfrey-Goldstein 13 February 2006


Last week, The Guardian (UK) published a two-part series by its reporter Chris McGreal comparing Israeli policies vis-a-vis its own Palestinian citizens and those living under its occupation in the West Bank (including East Jerusalem) and Gaza Strip to that of apartheid-era South Africa. The following is a letter to The Guardian editor from a peace activist who has been a part of society and the struggle for human rights in both countries who finds that the questions posed by The Guardian necessary for ensuring a truly secure future. 

Palestinian Film Professionals Question Euromed Funding Initiative in Open Letter

13 February 2006


In December 2005, the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI) sent a letter to the EUROPEaid office in Brussels concerning the shortlisting of a partnership between the Ramallah Film Institute and the New Foundation for Cinema and Television, estimated at $1.8 billion. Neither their letter, nor a letter sent by a group of 40 filmmakers and artists, received any response or acknowledgement from EUROPEaid. The following letter was resent by the group of filmmakers and artists emphasizing their continued concern with the respective project organisations’ lack of transparency and failure to condemn the Israeli occupation. 

Annan says victories by Islamic movements in the Middle East show yearning for effective government

9 February 2006


United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today said victories by religious parties in recent elections in the Middle East were more an indication of interest in effective government than a rejection of secular rule. In New York, Mr. Annan was asked by reporters about the success of Hamas in the Palestinian elections, the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, and religious parties in Iraq. He said the trend was not a total rejection of secular movements or a swing to Islamic parties. “I think, if the regimes in power were seen to be delivering, were seen to be close to the people,” he said. 

EI speaks about Palestinian elections on Flashpoints

26 January 2006


Pacifica Radio’s Flashpoints reports on the global spotlight which is now shining on Hamas as they upstage the Fatah movement and the old guard in occupied Palestine. Flashpoints speaks with its special correspondents in the West Bank and Gaza, and Ali Abunimah of the Electronic Intifada about the significance of the Hamas upset. Yesterday, Palestinians went to the polls to elect 132 members of the Palestinian Legislative Council. Council members will choose a cabinet to serve with Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas. Hamas with its list of Change and Reform obtained 74 seats, the Fatah Movement obtained 45 seats; PFLP obtained 3 seats and the Alternative, Independent Palestine and the Third Way received each 2 seats and the Independents list obtained 4 seats. 

Palestinian Representative to the UN: "Israeli attacks jeopardize all efforts to extend the period of calm"

7 February 2006


In identical letters to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council, the Permanent Observer of Palestine to the United Nations, Riyad Mansour, wrote that recent Israeli attacks on Palestinians have been incessant, as the chronology clearly demonstrates. “More dangerously, these unlawful attacks, which amount to war crimes and indicate an abject disdain for the worth of Palestinian lives, threaten to ignite an already extremely tense situation on the ground. Additionally, this deadly campaign against Palestinians jeopardizes all efforts exerted at the present time to extend the period of calm and work on transferring powers to the new Palestinian Government in a smooth and efficient manner.” 

EI speaks about cartoons on CounterSpin

9 February 2006


This week on CounterSpin: Unflattering and offensive cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed that appeared in a Danish newspaper have set off protests around the world. Pundits seem eager to portray the story as the familiar “clash of civilizations,” but what else is going on here? We’ll ask Ali Abunimah of the website Electronic Intifada. CounterSpin spoke to Ali Abunimah of the website Electronic Intifada. CounterSpin is FAIR’s weekly radio show, hosted by Janine Jackson, Steve Rendall and Peter Hart. It’s heard on more than 125 noncommercial stations across the United States and Canada. MP3 format. 

Appeals for Urgent Support to Stabilize Palestinian Authority’s Finances heard as Palestinian Rights Committee Convenes

10 February 2006


Voting in large numbers two weeks ago, the Palestinian people had underlined their commitment to building democracy and achieving self-determination, Secretary-General Kofi Annan said this morning, in statement to the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian people. Emphasizing that the Palestinian economy all needed continued support, as well as far-reaching reforms, he said the most urgent need was to stabilize the Palestinian Authority’s finances. The 2006 session of the committee began on 10 February 2006. At the meeting, the Committee elected members of the Bureau of the Committee and adopted its programme of work for the year. 

Measures needed to alleviate economic hardship in the West Bank – UN report

10 February 2006


Improving infrastructure, gaining greater access to markets and diversifying economic activity are among the measures recommended in a United Nations report issued today aimed at helping to alleviate the economic hardship faced by Palestinians in the West Bank. The report, issued by the Office of the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, says that “since 2000 a progressive fragmentation of established patterns of economic activity has taken place in the West Bank, involving the breakdown of relations with Israel, between districts and between urban and rural economies.” In particular, the report focuses on the “negative economic impact on all communities near it” of the construction by Israel of a separation barrier.