All Content

UN agency paints grim health scenario of possible cut-off of funds to Palestinians

7 April 2006


The Palestinian public health system faces a rapid decline towards possible collapse, with limited or no access to preventive and curative services for nearly half the population, particularly the poor, in the event of a cut-off in donations and an Israeli suspension of tax transfers, according to the United Nations health agency. Control and management of the public health system would shift away from the public sector to non-government organization (NGOs), UN agencies system and the private sector under the scenario developed by the UN World Health Organization (WHO). Analyzing the consequences of a cut-off after the election victory of Hamas, WHO said the public health system would suffer acute financial crisis. 

Oxfam criticizes EU decision to suspend aid to Palestinian Authority

9 April 2006


EU foreign ministers have agreed on a freeze of EU aid to the Hamas-led Palestinian Authority, according to newswire reports. Ministers meeting in Luxembourg on Monday (10 April) decided to continue the European Commission’s temporary suspension of payments to the Hamas-led government in the Palestinian territories. The commission announced the suspension on Friday (7 April). In a letter to the Middle East Quartet, Oxfam warned that Palestinians are on the edge of survival. It said that “one in four people depend on aid. Three in four live on 2 dollars a day. Their plight will worsen, if donors stop giving aid to the Palestinian Authority.” 

HRW: "Jordan should open its border to Palestinian refugees fleeing Iraq"

7 April 2006


Jordan should immediately reopen its border to Palestinian refugees fleeing violence in Iraq, Human Rights Watch said today. The international community should assist Jordan by offering to resettle these Iraqi Palestinian refugees in third countries acceptable to them. On April 4, a group of 35 Iraqi Palestinians arrived at the border, fleing from Baghdad, adding to the 94 Iraqi Palestinians already stranded on the Iraqi side of the border. They have fled lethal violence and threats to their lives in Baghdad, where they have lived for decades. The refugees told Human Rights Watch that they fled after seeing scores of their compatriots killed in Baghdad in recent months. 

ICRC concerned over deteriorating situation in occupied Palestinian territory

10 April 2006


The director of operations of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Pierre Krähenbühl, has just ended a week-long visit to Israel and the occupied and autonomous Palestinian territories. Under International Humanitarian Law, it is the responsibility of the State of Israel to ensure that the basic needs of the civilian population in the occupied territories are met. These needs include foodstuffs, medical supplies, means of shelter and other essentials. Moreover, the law requires all States party to the Geneva Conventions to allow the free passage of essential humanitarian supplies. 

Book Review: American author's debut novel, "The Woman I Left Behind"

Maureen Clare Murphy 9 April 2006


Khalid and Irene are like two tectonic plates - when friction arises between them, their relationship is shaken to its core. Coming from two separate experiences - American Irene, who lived a privileged East Coast childhood, and Palestinian Khalid, who lost nearly all of the significant people in his life to war — the two come together with great passion that later gives way to uncertainty and distrust, shaking their faith in each other. Their rocky journey towards mutual trust is at the center of Kim Jensen’s debut novel The Woman I Left Behind. 

Israel's Elections: A Decisive Vote for Apartheid

Omar Barghouti 9 April 2006


“Israel votes for disengagement and final borders” and “Israelis abandon the dream of Greater Israel” were the main themes in the spin that characterized mainstream, even some progressive, media coverage of the Israeli parliamentary elections which took place on March 28. In reality, the election results revealed that a consensus has emerged among Israeli Jews, not only against the basic requirements of justice and genuine peace, as that was always the case, but also in support of a more aggressive form of ethnic cleansing of Palestinians and cementing Zionist apartheid. 

Just another Gaza Friday

Laila El-Haddad Gaza, Palestine 9 April 2006


I’ve always loved Fridays in Gaza. In the mornings, save for the lone garbage collector futilely sweeping the abandoned streets and Municipality park, littered with plastic cups, watermelon seeds, and strangled straws from the night before, the hustle and bustle of the city comes to a standstill. It is a serene if lethargic time, an escape from the sea of chaos, uncertainty and violence that grips our lives each waking day and night. For a few hours, things seem ordinary in a place where ordinary is an illusion. 

Highest rate of Palestinians killed in Gaza since Israeli redeployment

9 April 2006


Over a 36-hour period this weekend, the Gaza Strip witnessed the highest rate of fatalities than any other time since the implementation of the Israeli Disengagement Plan in September 2005. Following the extrajudicial killing of five Palestinians in Rafah, Israeli occupying forces committed two further executions in the Gaza Strip, killing 8 Palestinians. On Sunday mroning, a Palestinian civilian was killed as a result of continuous Israeli artillery shelling on the northern part of the Gaza Strip. This brings the total number of Palestinian casualties in the last two days to 14 and the number of injured to 30. 

Israeli attacks on Gaza: Extrajudicial killings

8 April 2006


On April 7, Israeli forces killed five Palestinians, including a child. Israel intensified shelling of Palestinian populated areas with fighterjets, gunboats and tanks. Israel continues to impose a siege on the Gaza Strip. Israeli aircrafts launched three missiles at a civilian car in Muwasai, Rafah. The missiles hit the car when members of the Popular Resistance Committees were about to enter the car. One of them was accompanied by his two children, Bilal and Mohammed. He, his child and one of his bodyguards were killed immediately. Shrapnel from the missiles also killed two others members. Six others, including two children were injured. 

African National Congress: An Inspiration for Palestinians

Bangani Ngeleza and Adri Nieuwhof 9 April 2006


On March 28, Rifat Odeh Kassis wrote here that a different political body must be build to represent the Palestinian people everywhere. “A body, which will reorganise the Paletinian struggle to achieve its aims. A body which will represent and use all political parties, civil society structures, NGOs, trade unions and individuals and organize their efforts internally and externally.” Bangani Ngeleza and Adri Nieuwhof write about the history of the struggle for freedom and democracy of the South African National Congress (ANC) in order to inspire Palestinians to explore new strategies.