All Content

Howard's dubious Jewish National Fund honor

Sonja Karkar 21 May 2007


There is something worrying about a prime minister of a liberal, democratic country who imposes values on his country’s citizens and those who wish to become citizens, yet does not adhere to those values when he regards it politically expedient to ignore them. This is precisely what Prime Minister John Howard has done in accepting the “honour” of having a forest named after him in Israel’s Negev Desert and also the Jerusalem Prize for his support of Israel and its “values”. 

Hamas-Fatah ceasefire comes after bloody week

20 May 2007


PCHR welcomes the new ceasefire agreement announced yesterday between Hamas and Fatah under the sponsorship of the Egyptian Security Delegation. At the same time, the Centre calls upon the PNA to form a judicial commission of inquiry into the clashes, which included willful killing and other crimes, so as to bring the perpetrators to justice. Since the afternoon of Saturday, 19 May 2007, a state of tense calm prevails in the Gaza Strip, especially Gaza City, after the announcement of the agreement between both parties. 

The Best Runner in the Class (Part 1)

Ilan Pappe 28 May 2007


Fatima knew in a timeless way, in those days of May 1948, that the Jews were coming. For the last six months shreds from the daily news — traditionally the domain of the men in the village — had reached her. She was aware that the British were leaving and that the Jews were occupying nearby villages at a frightening rate. She also heard the men complaining about the Arab world’s betrayal: its leaders made inflammatory speeches, promising to send soldiers to save Palestine, but not matching their rhetoric by any real action. PART 1 

The Best Runner in the Class (Part 2)

Ilan Pappe 28 May 2007


Fatima knew in a timeless way, in those days of May 1948, that the Jews were coming. For the last six months shreds from the daily news — traditionally the domain of the men in the village — had reached her. She was aware that the British were leaving and that the Jews were occupying nearby villages at a frightening rate. She also heard the men complaining about the Arab world’s betrayal: its leaders made inflammatory speeches, promising to send soldiers to save Palestine, but not matching their rhetoric by any real action. PART 2 

Open Letter to Rolling Stones: Boycott Israeli Apartheid

21 May 2007


Dear Rolling Stones: The Palestinian arts community received in disbelief media reports of your upcoming performance in Israel, at a time when Israel continues unabated with its colonial and apartheid designs to further dispossess, oppress, and ultimately ethnically cleanse Palestinians from their homeland. We strongly urge you to cancel your plans to perform in Israel until the time comes when it ends its illegal occupation of Palestinian territory and respects fundamental human rights. 

More civilian deaths in Gaza

Rami Almeghari Gaza Strip, Palestine 21 May 2007


In an isolated barley field, located just few hundred meters away from the Israel-Gaza border line in eastern Rafah city, a heap of barely lies in the middle of the field. The field is now abandoned — why? Not because there are no farmers in the area, but rather because the Loulahi family, who had been harvesting barely, were hit by Israeli missiles. Samah, the daughter, was killed, and Ahmad, the son, killed as well. The father Sulieman was wounded, while A’isha, 19, is being reated at the nearby European Hospital after sustaining shrapnel wounds to her leg. 

13 killed in 6th day of Gaza offensive

21 May 2007


Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) have continued their military operations in the Gaza Strip for the sixth consecutive day. In the past 24 hours, 13 Palestinians, have been killed and 12 others, including seven children, have been wounded. On Sunday, 20 May 2007, eight Palestinians, including seven ones from one family, were killed and three others were wounded when an IOF air raid targeted a meeting hall belonging to the family in Gaza City. In addition, a man and his five children, including a disabled one, were wounded when IOF shelled their house in the northern Gaza Strip. 

Israel's Offensive in Gaza: 23 Palestinians Killed and 86 Wounded

20 May 2007


Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) have continued their military operations in the Gaza Strip for the fifth consecutive day in a manner unprecedented for several months. They have intensified air attacks targeting civilian facilities and paramilitary sites mostly of Hamas and the Executive force of the Palestinian Ministry of Interior. IOF claim that these attacks have come in response to launching home-made rockets at Israeli towns. 

Israeli attacks on Gaza kill 14, injure 81

18 May 2007


The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) carried out a series of attacks against targets in the Gaza Strip since Wednesday 16 May 2007 killing fourteen Palestinians and injuring 81. Israeli tanks and ground troops stormed into several areas in the north and east of the Strip. Threats of aggressive, painful attacks, and cutting-off electricity and water, by Israeli government and army officials have been mounting. This escalation has increased as soon as a ceasefire between Palestinian factions came into effect last night.