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Nablus Invasion Diary II: Human Shields and Medical Obstruction

Anna Baltzer Nablus, Palestine 14 March 2007


7 March 2007: Most of the jeeps pulled out late Monday night, but we all knew they would be back. Israeli officials announced that the operation was not over, as they had not yet achieved their objectives. Typically, the army will withdraw for several hours or a whole day, hoping the wanted men will move around and be spotted by a collaborator working with Israel, and then the army can pounce. Soldiers also remained in occupied houses, where they typically set up hidden sniper nests. 

UN Committee urges Israel to abandon racist practices

10 March 2007


On 9 March 2007, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination issued its Concluding Observations, following its review last month of Israels implementation of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD or the Convention). In its Concluding Observations, the Committee emphasized 25 areas of concern and recommendations regarding Israels compliance with the Convention concerning the rights of Palestinian Arab citizens of Israel and Palestinians living in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT). 

Nablus Invasion Diary III: Resistance, Hypocrisy, and Dead Men Walking

Anna Baltzer Nablus, Palestine 14 March 2007


13 March 2007: What most struck me about the Nablus invasion wasn’t the killing of unarmed civilians. It wasn’t the obstruction of medical workers and ambulances, or the indiscriminate detention of males, or the occupied houses and curfews. What I will remember for the rest of my life is the steadfast resistance of the people of Nablus. I came to Palestine to document and intervene in human rights abuses and to support nonviolent resistance to the Occupation. As I delivered bread and medicine with medical relief workers throughout the invasion, I wondered if I was really fulfilling my mission. 

Haifa Planning Committee rules against confiscation of Arab land

12 March 2007


The decision of the Haifa District Planning and Building Committee prevented gross violations of Arab landowners rights to property and safeguarded their basic source of livelihood. It also removed all the limitations on land use proposed by the plan. On 8 March 2007, Adalah received the decision of the Sub-Committee for Objections within the Haifa District Planning and Building Committee to accept the objection of Adalah against plans to earmark an area of land cultivated by Arab farmers in the north of Israel as forested land. 

One Killed, 14 Wounded in Gaza Strip internal violence

14 March 2007


On Tuesday evening, 13 March 2007, a member of the ‘Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades (the armed wing of Hamas) was killed and 10 other persons, including three members of the ‘Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades, were wounded in Gaza City in an incident related to the clashes that took place last month in the Gaza Strip. Additionally, four persons, including a child, were wounded in clashes between members of Hamas and those of Fatah movement in the northern Gaza Strip. 

Obama loses ground in vital campaign rally

Ewen MacAskill 13 March 2007


A week ago they were competing for African-American votes in the Deep South. But late on Monday Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama went head to head for another key demographic group: Jewish voters. In one of the most important campaign stops yet, supporters from the Clinton and Obama camps, as well as other presidential hopefuls, flooded the hallways of the Washington Convention Centre distributing fliers and shouting through loudhailers in their bid to draw people in. Mr Obama made his pitch in room 150, and a few minutes later, in room 152, it was the turn of Mrs Clinton. 

The UN Anti-Racism Committee questions Israel's policy of apartheid

13 March 2007


On 22-23 February 2007, after nearly 10 years of evading its responsibility, Israel finally met with the Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) to discuss its report on the implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. A number of Palestinian, Israeli and international NGOs attended, including Adalah, ACRI, Al Haq, Amnesty International, Badil, B’Tselem, Habitat Coalition International, and National Lawyers Guild. Summarized are some of the issues raised by the members of the Committee during their discussion with the Israeli delegation and in their Concluding Observations. 

Palo Dutch Concept Factory returns to Ramallah

Arjan El Fassed 13 March 2007


The Palo-Dutch Concept Factory has a clear core business: generating ideas, for campaigning in the broadest sense. These ideas are born in Ramallah, Palestine. Generating ideas such as “Send a Friend” (connecting schoolkids in Palestine and the Netherlands), “Sell the Wall” (how to create awareness and involvement of mainstream Dutch with the Wall) and “Palovision”, the Palestinian entry for the Eurovision Song Competition in 2008, a mix of humor, irony, implicit politics and smart use of Dutch media, the Palo Dutch Concept Factory organizes its next workshop in Ramallah on May 4, 5 and 6, 2007. For this workshop PDCF is looking for Palestinian creative minds. 

Audio Download: "Palestine" from rapper Patriarch's debut album

13 March 2007


As an Arab-American rap artist living in a post 9-11 world, Patriarch speaks to the masses about the stereotypes, fear and anger towards the Arab world. He flawlessly delivers his message of political activism to relatively untouched US market of over four million Arab-Americans. With a blend of massive beats, politically charged lyrics, and a gift of determination, Son of a Refugee is sure to grab your attention, as well as make you think twice about the world you live in. 

Al Mezan condemns the kidnapping of BBC journalist

13 March 2007


Unknown persons kidnapped the BBC’s correspondent in the Gaza Strip. This incident brings to the fore the issue of the kidnapping of foreigners in Gaza and exerts a negative impact on the freedom of speech and access to information. According to Al Mezan’s field information, at approximately 14.45pm on 12 March 2007, four gunmen in a white Subaru blocked the way of the British journalist Alan Johnston, while he was driving down in Al Wehda Street, and forced him out of his car. No information on his whereabouts has yet been released.