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People like us: a review of "Portraits of Israelis and Palestinians: For my parents"

Maureen Clare Murphy 21 July 2003


Sometimes it’s the simplest ideas that prove the most resonant. Take Seth Tobocman’s Portraits of Israelis and Palestinians: For My Parents. The book, a collection of drawings and thoughts, is the end product of the author’s month-long tour of Israel and Palestine during June, 2002. Tobocman was accommodated by the International Solidarity Movement and a visited a West Bank hospital, took a night-time bus ride in Israel, and worked as an art teacher during a summer school session in the West Bank village of Dir Ibzia — sketching what he encountered. Maureen Clare Murphy reviews the book for EI. 

Ibdaa dance troupe on US Tour

Ibdaa Cultural Center 21 July 2003


Ibdaa is a Palestinian youth dance troupe from Dheisheh refugee camp, near the city of Bethlehem in the Israeli occupied West Bank. MECA is sponsoring the 2nd nationwide performance tour of Ibdaa, the renowned Palestinian youth dance troupe from Dheisheh Refugee Camp, West Bank, this July and August. 

"We are all Palestinians"

Avi Zer-Aviv 21 July 2003

“I have been hiding out here in Tel Aviv the last few days, recovering from a really turbulent few weeks and of the bitter news that my friends are being deported from Israel now. Already 5 of the 8 detained internationals have been deported, following the Tel Aviv District Court decision upholding the Interior Ministry’s decision that these human rights activists pose a “security threat”. The judge seemed unsympathetic, ordering the immediate deportation of the activists, dismissing a request to allow for one more week to file an appeal.” Avi Zer-Aviv writes from Tel Aviv. 

"He risked all for others": Tom Hurndall's mother remembers her son

Emily Sheffield 21 July 2003


“On Friday 11 April, my eldest son, a photojournalist, was shot in the head by an Israeli soldier. He was trying to protect two young girls in the Israelis’ line of fire in Gaza. He is 21 and now lies in a coma, with severe brain damage. We know he is not expected to recover and our family are endeavouring to come to terms with this. Recently, we were able to fly him home from Israel and he is now in The Royal Free in Hampstead, in a room overlooking London, filled with photographs of his life. Two large sheets covered in wonderful written messages from friends hang on the walls.” Tom Hurndall’s mother Emily remembers her son. 

From Brussels to Guantanamo, the US obstructs justice

Ali Abunimah 21 July 2003


Israel’ Ariel Sharon seems set to escape accountability once again for his role in the 1982 Beirut massacres of Palestinian refugees and Lebanese citizens. This is because the US has bullied Belgium into abrogating the law that gave victims a chance at justice. As EI’s Ali Abunimah explains, this setback is only part of a global effort by the Bush administration to derail international justice. 

Hany Abu-Assad wins 'Spirit of Freedom Award' at Jerusalem Film Festival

Arjan El Fassed 21 July 2003

Hany Abu-Assad’s documentary ‘Ford Transit’, which follows Palestinian taxi-van driver Rajai who tries to live and survive in and around roadblocks separating Ramallah from Jerusalem, won the ‘Spirit of Freedom Award’, dedicated to the memory of Wim van Leer, for best documentary at the 20th annual Jerusalem Film Festival. 

Border Crossings

Jordan Topp Bourj Al Barajneh refugee camp, Lebanon 19 July 2003

An miniature airplane hangs in the center of the ceiling fan. Mohammad points up at it, Nadia brought it for my nephew, Ahmad, but I took for myself. An airplane. The center piece of a room filled with symbols of a ravaged homeland. Palestine. 

The mayor of Qalqilya explains the impact of Israel's apartheid wall

10 July 2003


On July 10, EI’s Arjan El Fassed visited Israel’s apartheid wall built on confiscated Palestinian land in Qalqilya. The mayor of Qalqilya, Marouf Zahran explains the impact of Israel’s apartheid on his town. The wall surrounds the town almost completely. The 8 meter high wall will be surrounded first by a trench of four meters wide and two meters deep, barbed wire and a military zone patrolled by Israeli occupying forces. Palestinian property within 35 meters of the wall has been or will be destroyed by the Israeli army. [3.45 mins, Quicktime file, 6.9MB] 

Lawyers representing Sabra and Shatila suvivors decry Belgium's proposal to scrap Universal Jurisdiction law

Luc Walleyn, Michael Verhaeghe and Chibli Mallat 18 July 2003

“The Belgian government’s proposal to greatly limit the law is also a blow for all the victims and survivors of the 1982 massacre at Sabra and Shatila. After having been welcomed by the Belgian state to file for an investigation that seemed impossible for years, that same state now turns its back on them and their overdue search for justice, for fear of economic sanctions. After having been invited to re-live the dramatic events of the massacre, the proposal about to be passed by Belgium’s parliament irresponsibly and cruelly crushes their hope of finally overcoming two decades of emotional stress and difficulties.” The lawyers for the survivors of the Sabra and Shatila massacre respond to the miscarriage of justice in Brussels.