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Beyond all that remains

Sami Hermez Mansourieh 29 July 2006


Remembering the aftermath of the 1975-1990 civil war and the garbage Lebanon was left with, I feel that today’s piling trash is a symbol of where this country is headed. Garbage in the streets is an emblem of active warfare. Driving through mountain roads, and from village to village I feel the effects of Israel’s invasion in the collapsing civil services of Lebanon. These are images of the long-term effects of a war that I remember. Garbage. And this is nothing to say of the heinous war crimes inflicted on the Southern part of this country. 

Palestine TV cameraman targeted by Israeli tank in Gaza

27 July 2006


The Committee to Protect Journalists is gravely concerned by the wounding of Palestine Television cameraman Ibrahim al-Atla by an Israeli tank shell while covering fighting in Gaza. Palestine Television head Mohammed al-Dahoudi alleged that the tank fired deliberately at al-Atla and other journalists with him. Al-Atla was hit by shrapnel during a lull in shooting between Palestinian militants and Israeli forces in the densely-populated Shijaiyah neighborhood of Gaza City yesterday. Al-Dahoudi told CPJ that al-Atla was wearing a vest clearly indicating that he was press. He accused Israeli forces of firing directly at the journalist. 

EI discusses "diplomacy" in Lebanon on Flashpoints

26 July 2006


On July 26, Ali Abunimah of electronicIntifada.net and electronicLebanon.net appeared on “Flashpoints” on Berkeley’s Pacifica affiliate, KPFA, interviewed by Flashpoints host Dennis Bernstein. Abunimah discussed the “pre-planned failure of diplomacy” in Lebanon, as reports of a “breakdown of diplomacy in Rome” are heard. Also featured on this episode of Flashpoints is Bilal El-Amine, the former editor of Left Turn magazine now on the ground in Southern Lebanon, providing frontline news and reports. “Flashpoints” is KPFA’s daily newsmagazine, regularly featuring voices of resistance, education and information from around the world. 

EI's Laurie King-Irani on CBC discussing Canada and Lebanon

23 July 2006


On July 23, EI’s Laurie King-Irani appeared on “Cross Country Checkup,” a weekly show on CBC. Focusing weekly on an issue of importance, the show aims to “take the pulse” of the Canadian public about that issue. The July 23 episode was hosted by guest host Nancy Wood, entitled: “What do you think of Canada’s response to the crisis in Lebanon?” Wood introduced the week’s show with an overview of the aftermath of the beginning of the Israeli attack on Lebanon: “This week many of us were glued to the drama developing in Lebanon. Thousands of Canadian citizens tried to flee hostilities that broke out the previous week..” 

Israeli artillery continues to hit UNIFIL positions in south Lebanon

28 July 2006


Heavy exchanges of fire continued with increased intensity along the length of the Blue Line in the past 24 hours. The IDF has maintained their presence inside Lebanese territory in the area of Marun Al Ras, Bint Jubayl, and Yarun in the central sector. There were two direct impacts on UNIFIL positions from the Israeli side in the past 24 hours. Eight artillery and mortar rounds impacted inside an Indian battalion position in the area of Hula, causing extensive material damage, but no casualties. One artillery round impacted the parameter wall of the UNIFIL Headquarters in Naqoura. There were five other incidents of firing close to UN positions from the Israeli side. 

UN aid chief calls for ‘humanitarian truce’ to help Middle East’s children and wounded

28 July 2006


The top United Nations aid official today made an urgent appeal for a “humanitarian truce” lasting at least three days between Israel and Hezbollah to allow children, the wounded and the elderly to escape the fighting and food, medicine and other emergency supplies to get through to the conflict zones. Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Jan Egeland, who has returned to UN Headquarters in New York from a six-day visit to Lebanon, northern Israel and the Gaza Strip, made his appeal while briefing the Security Council on the deadly and horrific destruction in the region. 

Photostory: Hundreds Protest U.S. Aid to Israel in Front of San Francisco Senator's Office

28 July 2006


Hundreds of protesters gathered in front of Senator Dianne Feinstein’s office in San Francisco on Thursday, July 27. Likely few if any of the protesters expect Dianne Feinstein do anything productive even as news of more and more atrocities committed by Israel in Lebanon come to light. Last Sunday, she organized a rally in San Francisco to support Israel’s actions against the Lebanese people. On July 20, Feinstein supported a resolution in support of Israel in the House of Representatives. The rally turned into a march to the offices of the San Francisco Chronicle to protest the newspaper’s lopsided pro-Israel coverage. 

UN observer teams in line of fire in south Lebanon to relocate

28 July 2006


Three days after a United Nations post in Lebanon was destroyed during an Israeli bombardment, leaving four dead, the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has decided to temporarily move unarmed observers into more secure positions. The decision was made to move members of the Observer Group Lebanon (OGL) from patrol bases in the Marwahin and Markaba area into more secure UNIFIL positions as the mission reports increasingly intense exchanges of fire along the Blue Line of withdrawal between Israel and Lebanon. There were two direct hits on its bases in the past 24 hours from the Israeli side, and Hezbollah fired from the vicinity of five of its positions. 

Ali La Pointe and Zena's words on the New York streets

Emily Jacir New York, United States 28 July 2006


I was invited to teach at an art workshop, so yesterday I went. I gave a lecture in the morning and then in the afternoon I was asked to give the students an assignment that they could do in two hours. I decided to print emails from my inbox from the last two weeks. I also printed out the article about the Americans rushing bombs to Israel and spoke about the absurdity of the question Americans ask about wether to get involved or not when they are 100 percent involved! I gave each student a different email, and a copy of the article, and told them to go out into the streets and do something in the public sphere based on their interaction, (or reaction) or whatever with the emails. 

"Please show the reality" say Lebanon's affected

28 July 2006


Volunteers and staff from a Christian Aid-supported organisation working to help those displaced by the conflict in Lebanon say the world needs to understand the depths of the humanitarian crisis unfolding there. “The news isn’t showing the reality of what is happening here,” said Pascale Kolakez, a psychologist speaking from a Beirut school that Christian Aid partner Mouvement Social (MS) has converted into a shelter for displaced people. “Please show the reality. People have lost everything, even the future of their children. What’s happening in Lebanon is a crime against humanity.” Those working with MS have chosen to stay and help those most in need.