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Palestinian parties and organizations to Abbas: Right of return non-negotiable

25 September 2008


We, the undersigned Palestinian refugee organizations, civil society movements and institutions in the Palestinian homeland and in exile are national organizations working to defend the right of return. We appeal to you now because we are convinced that the alignment of the official Palestinian position and the position of the Palestinian people with regards to the final status negotiation issues is of the highest priority. 

Neo-cons, ex-Israeli diplomats push Islamophobic video

Ali Gharib and Eli Clifton 24 September 2008


WASHINGTON (IPS) - A group of hard-line United States neo-conservatives and former Israeli diplomats, among others, are behind the mass distribution, ahead of the November US presidential election, of a controversial DVD that critics have denounced as Islamophobic. The group, the Endowment for Middle East Truth, is working with another organization called the Clarion Fund, which produced the 60-minute video and is itself tied closely to an Israeli organization called Aish Hatorah. 

New York activists protest Leviev fundraiser

24 September 2008


Manhattan’s elite were aghast to be greeted yesterday evening by 25 chanting protesters when they exited their SUVs and limos to attend a glitzy fundraiser sponsored by Israeli billionaire Lev Leviev for the Museum of the City of New York. Leviev has been criticized for his businesses’ human rights violations and unethical practices in Palestine, Angola, Namibia and New York City. 

"Incoherent" agreement spells the way forward

Mona Alami 24 September 2008


BEIRUT (IPS) - The Lebanese unity government has finally came to terms with its ministerial declaration after weeks of political haggling. What promises and threats does the incoherent declaration hold for Lebanon in a polarized local and regional context? “The ministerial declaration is an impossible document that carries many contradictions,” says Oussama Safa, director of the Lebanese Center for Political Studies, a local Lebanese think tank. 

Irish trade union delegation report criticizes Israel, governments

Eamon Mc Mahon 23 September 2008


In November 2007 the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) sent a very senior delegation of trade union leaders including the President of ICTU and several General Secretaries of major trade unions on a seven-day fact-finding mission to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The express aim of the delegation was to produce a report that was as impartial and as objective as possible. 

Crossing the Line focuses on Arab undermining of boycott movement

23 September 2008


This week on Crossing The Line: While boycott and divestment campaigns in Europe and the United States become more sophisticated and widespread, the Arab world’s longstanding boycott of Israel is being undermined by Arab governments and private companies. Host Naji Ali speaks with Wassim Al-Adel, a London-based Syrian blogger about this disturbing trend. 

Mutual censorship in the West Bank and Gaza

Mohammed Omer 23 September 2008


GAZA CITY (IPS) - So much is missing as you walk down the street along the shops of Gaza. Food and medicines kept out by the blockade enforced by Israel; but also newspapers once a part of the street landscape. Al-Hayat Al-Jadeeda and Al-Ayyam, two newspapers loyal to Fatah, are not around any more. And for once, you couldn’t blame the Israelis for censorship. 

Palestinian politics on the road to nowhere

Mel Frykberg 22 September 2008


RAMALLAH, West Bank (IPS) Israeli-Palestinian peace talks appear to have hit a dead end, while efforts to bridge the yawning chasm which divides Hamas and Fatah politically and ideologically appear to be going nowhere. The two main streams of Palestinian politics are already locking horns over when the next legislative and presidential elections will be held, and whether Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, or Abu Mazen as he is better known, is legally entitled to stay in power beyond January 2009. 

Live and let die

William Parry 22 September 2008


Imagine John Lennon is still alive and touring, and is asked to play Tel Aviv as Israel celebrates turning 60. Picture him publicly telling the Israelis where to stick their offer. Paul McCartney, on the other hand, will be giving the first performance by a Beatle in Tel Aviv on 25 September — receiving an alleged $4.3 million — despite efforts by various groups in Palestine and internationally calling on him to boycott Israel. William Parry comments for The Electronic Intifada. 

Israel and Palestine can still achieve peace

Mahmoud Abbas 21 September 2008


I continue to believe that we can achieve a lasting peace, with the Israeli and Palestinian peoples living as neighbors in two independent states. But if we do not succeed, and succeed soon, the parameters of the debate are apt to shift dramatically. Israel’s continued settlement expansion and land confiscation in the West Bank makes physical separation of our two peoples increasingly impossible. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas comments.