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In deteriorating security environment, Palestinian refugees flee Iraq's capital

5 April 2006


The Iraqi Ministry of Displacement and Migration is preparing an emergency plan to assist Palestinians living in Iraq, many of whom have been the victims of violence or have received recent death threats, according to ministry official Farhan Obaid. “We’ve been informed by international and local NGOs of their current situation,” said Obaid. “We’re dealing with the problem and we’ll try to prevent more Palestinians from being displaced or killed.” The step is being taken after international aid agencies and local NGOs expressed concern over the plight of Palestinian expatriates, many of whom have lived in Iraq for decades. 

I will not be silenced

Fadi Kiblawi 7 April 2006


“Last week, Hillel Director Robert Fishman sent an organizational e-mail over the Hillel listserv accusing me of being a terrorist,” writes GW law student Fadi Kiblawi, “The claims include that I have ‘led chants (of) ‘Death to Jews.’” In this contribution to EI, Kiblawi, a leading advocate of divestment from Israel, demands an apology for these falsehoods, calumny and intimidation, and warns he will take legal action to clear his name against those who launched this scurrilous campaign. He affirms that he and other students who insist on open debate about how to confront Israel’s human rights abuses will not be silenced. 

UN: "More Palestinians leave Baghdad for border"

4 April 2006


Over the weekend, another 35 Palestinians decided to flee insecurity in Baghdad and travelled to the Iraq-Jordan border to join a group of 94 others who arrived there 10 days ago. On Saturday, a group of 25 including 2 children travelled twelve hours from Iraq’s dangerous capital to the border, while on Monday an additional 10 people, three adults and seven children, also made it to the border. None of the 35 was allowed access into Jordan. UNHCR staff in Baghdad spent several hours on the phone convincing Iraqi officials to allow the 35 to join the other 94 Palestinians near the Trebil border point just inside Iraq, which in the end was allowed. 

Land Day 2006: "From Lid to Halhoul, from Ramle to Jenin"

Gabriela Becker Lid 4 April 2006


March 30 marked the 30th commemoration of Land Day throughout Palestine, in the Palestinian Diaspora, and internationally. This year’s central demonstration was held in Lid, near the Palestinian coast, occupied in 1948 when the majority of the people of Lid were expelled by the Zionist forces, thus made into refugees, awaiting return. Today, Palestinians in Lid face continued and escalating Israeli policies of ethnic cleansing. 

Another extrajudicial execution: Israel assassinates leader of Aqsa Brigades

3 April 2006


On Monday morning, 3 April 2006, Israeli occupying forces extra-judicially executed the leader of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the military wing of Fatah, in Beit Sahour town in the West Bank. Another Palestinian was injured and arrested by Israeli occupying forces. This latest attack comes following decisions taken by the Israeli political and military establishments to continue to target Palestinian activists. Israeli occupying forces moved into Beit Sahour near Bethlehem, surrounded an apartment building, stormed in and opened fire. The blew open a door of one of the flats and killed Ra’ed Mohahmmed ‘Ebayat and wounded Ra’ed Suleiman al-Jawarish with two bullets in his shoulder and foot. 

Middle East parties must prevent crises in Palestinian territories: UN official

29 March 2006


Recognizing serious differences between Israel and the Palestinian Authority as they transition to new governments, a United Nations political official today called on both sides to keep the plight of residents of Gaza and the West Bank from deteriorating, as he briefed the Security Council on developments in the Middle East. “Despite the gulf between the parties, they and the international community share a common interest and duty to prevent a security or humanitarian crisis in the occupied Palestinian territory,” said Tuliameni Kalomoh, Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs. 

Weekly report on human rights violations

30 March 2006


This week Israeli occupying forces killed five Palestinians, including a child. Israeli forces carried out an extra-judicial execution. Israeli gunfire wounded at least 18 Palestinians. Israeli forces continued to shell Palestinian areas in the Gaza Strip. Israeli forces conducted 27 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. At least 44 Palestinians, including four children, have been arrested by Israel. Israeli forces have turned six Palestinian homes into military sites. Israel continued to impose a total siege on the occupied Palestinian territories. Kalandia checkpoint has been turned into a border corssing. Israel continued to construct the Separation Wall in the West Bank. 

A just peace or no peace

Ismail Haniyeh 31 March 2006


Do policymakers in Washington and Europe ever feel ashamed of their scandalous double standards? Before and since the Palestinian elections in January, they have continually insisted that Hamas comply with certain demands. They want us to recognise Israel, call off our resistance, and commit ourselves to whatever deals Israel and the Palestinian leadership reached in the past. But we have not heard a single demand of the Israeli parties that took part in this week’s elections, though some advocate the complete removal of the Palestinians from their lands, writes Ismail Haniyeh, the new Palestinian prime minister. 

"Don't worry - it's just another Palestinian child's death"

Leigh Brady Yamun, Palestine 31 March 2006


On 18 March 2006, Leigh Brady visited a grieving family in Al Yamun, a town in the northern West Bank. Their 7-year old daughter had been murdered the night previously by Israeli Border Police, who had entered the town to arrest “wanted” Palestinian militants in a raid led by Israeli Defence Forces. Her name was Akaber Adbelrahman Zaid and she was on her way to a doctor’s clinic to have stitches removed from her chin. Instead she received a barrage of bullets to the head, when an undercover Border Police unit opened fire on the car in which she was travelling with her uncle. 

EI speaks about the Palestinian elections on KPFT

31 January 2006


The recent Palestinian elections and the victory of Hamas. What does that mean to the “peace process” and the Palestinian people, and how will that impact the Middle East and the relations with the US, European Union and other countries. KPFT speaks with EI’s Ali Abunimah about the significance of the Hamas upset. Palestinians went to the polls to elect 132 members of the Palestinian Legislative Council. Hamas with its list of Change and Reform obtained 74 seats, the Fatah Movement obtained 45 seats.