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E-1: The end of a viable Palestinian state

Jeff Halper 30 March 2005


Last week’s announcement that Israel is constructing 3500 housing units in E-1, a corridor connecting Jerusalem to the West Bank settlement of Ma’aleh Adumim, seals the fate of the Palestinian state. As a key element of an Israeli “Greater Jerusalem,” the E-1 plan removes any viability from a Palestinian state. It cuts the West Bank in half, allowing Israel to control Palestinian movement from one part of their country to another, while isolating East Jerusalem from the rest of Palestinian territory. Since 40% of the Palestinian economy revolves around Jerusalem, the E-1 plan effectively cuts the economic heart out of any Palestinian state, rendering it nothing more than a set of non-viable Indian reservations. 

Founder of "Electronic Intifada" visits CMU, Pitt

Alex Ogle 7 February 2005


EI’s Ali Abunimah spoke to about 100 people at Pitt Thursday. Earlier in the day, Abunimah had spoken at Carnegie Mellon University, where about 40 students protested his appearance. Aaron Weil, executive director of the Edward and Rose Berman Jewish University Center, expressed disappointment that Abunimah was brought to speak. Abunimah questioned what he described as the “dominant narratives” about the region that he believes the U.S government and mainstream media promote. “We are hearing about a ‘window of opportunity’ for peace,” he said, referring to the proposed summit between Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. 

OPEC approves US$2 million grant to help Palestinians affected by Separation Wall

15 March 2005


The OPEC Fund for International Development today extended a US$2 million grant to help alleviate social and economic hardship among Palestinians affected by the so-called separation wall. The grant will co-finance a major initiative that aims to generate employment, boost agricultural productivity and improve access to basic social services among the concerned communities. An estimated 210,000 people reside in towns and villages in the West Bank that have been turned into isolated enclaves as a result of the separation wall. The wall has deprived people of education and healthcare facilities and cut off many agricultural communities from their farmland. The impact on economic activity and on the welfare of the population is severe. 

UNICEF brings critical supplies to the isolated children of Al-Mawasi

30 March 2005


UNICEF today began delivery of a series of critical health and sanitation as well as education supplies to the isolated and deprived children of the Gaza Strip enclave of Al-Mawasi. More than 5,000 Palestinians - almost half of which are children - live in Al-Mawasi, which is a completely isolated area in the Gaza Strip. “Today’s delivery means that the children of Al-Mawasi will have some relief in their daily struggle,” said UNICEF oPt Special Representative Dan Rohrmann. “Reaching the un-reached is a key element in ensuring that all children’s rights are met. Two thousand children in one of the most difficult to reach areas will have essential supplies to learn, to stay healthy and to be able to play.” 

BBC reporting doesn't tell the whole story

Victor Kattan 29 March 2005


Tim Llewellyn was the BBC’s Middle East correspondent twice from 1976 - 1982 and from 1987 - 1992. Based in Beirut and Cyprus, Llewellyn covered the Lebanese civil war, the Iranian Revolution, the Tanker Wars, the first Palestinian intifada, and the first Gulf War. He was one of the first foreign correspondents to enter the camps of Sabra and Shatila after the massacres there by Phalangist Forces under the auspices of the Israeli army in September 1982. In this interview, exclusive to the Electronic Intifada, Llewellyn talks candidly about the BBC, and the pressures that organization and its correspondents are under, when reporting from the Middle East. 

What Will Be the Sharon Legacy?

Am Johal 29 March 2005


As Israeli Arabs mark Land Day this week, Ariel Sharon’s government announced what everybody already knew since last summer. The Israeli government is going to expand the Ma’aleh Addumim settlement bloc in the West Bank by 3,500 housing units. With other development measures in place, it will effectively separate the West Bank and leave any open corridor under Israeli control as well as redraw the boundaries of Jerusalem. Other policies such as the construction of Israel’s West Bank Barrier will continue unabated. 

The Israeli Left is Opting for Suicide

Tanya Reinhart 29 March 2005


To judge by the political discourse, being a leftist today means supporting Ariel Sharon. Even when his government decides yet again to postpone the evacuation of the illegal outposts to an unknown future date, the pundits explain that the mere fact that he even raised the matter for discussion in the government is indicative of the seriousness of his intentions. Sharon will evacuate Gaza first, they say, and afterwards the outposts, and in the end maybe even the West Bank. And those who believe the most that Sharon will dismantle settlements are the Leftist parties. 

Weekly report on human rights violations

23 March 2005


This week, Israeli forces wounded 10 Palestinians, including 6 children. Israel continues to construct the Apartheid Wall. Israel confiscated more Palestinian land for this purpose. Bethlehem has now been separated from East Jerusalem. Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property in the West Bank. The Israeli government approved a plan to build 3500 housing unit in “Ma’ale Adomim” settlement, east of Jerusalem. Israeli forces raided Palestinian homes and arrested at least 20 Palestinian civilians were arrested. A number of houses were transformed by Israeli forces into military sites. Israel has continued to impose a total siege on the occupied Palestinian territories. 

New Report Warns Against Continued Strangulation of Gaza Strip after Disengagement

28 March 2005


Israel has cut off the Gaza Strip from the rest of the world to such an extent that it is easier for Palestinians in Israel or the West Bank to visit relatives in prison than visit a relative in Gaza. This is one conclusion of the 100-page report that B�Tselem and HaMoked publish today. One Big Prison documents the ongoing violations of human rights and international law resulting from Israel�s restrictions on the movement of people and goods between Gaza and the West Bank, Israel, and the rest of the world. The report also warns against Israel�s attempt to avoid its responsibility toward residents of the Gaza Strip following disengagement. 

Kate Baillie - a life lived to the hilt

Raja Khalidi and Peter Polish 28 March 2005


Kate Baillie, writer and travel-guide author, democratic-left activist and much-loved friend of all who knew her, passed away peacefully in France on 12 March after a debilitating fight with an untreatable cancer. She would have celebrated her 48th birthday on March 28. In her last days, she exuded the humour, tough realism and combative free spirit that she wore proudly throughout her brief life. Katy was thoroughly her own woman until the very end, when only her spirit remained unbeaten by disease.