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Film reviews: Nizar Hassan's "Istiqlal" and "Invasion"

Maureen Clare Murphy 29 April 2003


There are a lot of difficult questions that Americans, Israelis, and Palestinians alike must ask themselves in order to better understand this conflict that they are all a party to. Director Nizar Hassan is not afraid to critique attitudes, primarily among Palestinians, that he finds problematic. By using his own quest for answers as an example, he reflects to his audience that they too can get a dialogue rolling. EI contributor Maureen Clare Murphy reviews two films at the Chicago Palestine Film Festival. 

Palestinians on Abbas: Taking a wait and see approach

Ali Abunimah 29 April 2003

The appointment of Mahmoud Abbas as Palestinian prime minister has been welcomed in the United States as a boost to prospects for peace between Israelis and Palestinians. Despite Palestinians’ doubts about Abbas and the ‘road map,’ many are willing to give the process a chance. There are serious questions, however, about whether the Bush administration is willing to expend the political capital to face down the vigorous campaign by Israel and its supporters in the U.S. to derail the road map and any chance of peace it may contain. EI’s Ali Abunimah takes a look at the issues. 

Israeli High Court rules to permit Israeli army's use of flechette shells

Palestinian Center for Human Rights 27 April 2003


As further evidence of the seemingly unconditional support of the Israeli judiciary for the Israeli military and its actions, the Israeli High Court this morning issued a decision effectively permitting the Israeli military’s use of flechette anti-personnel tank shells, which are being used with increasing frequency by Israeli occupying forces against Palestinian civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, particularly in the Gaza Strip. 

Israeli authorities arrest Israeli border policemen suspected of killing 'Imran Abu Hamdia

B'Tselem 26 April 2003

Israeli authorities have arrested four Israeli Border Policemen suspected of beating to death ‘Imran Abu Hamdia, 18, in Hebron in December 2002. The Department for the Investigation of Police (DIP), of the Ministry of Justice, investigated the incident after B’Tselem provided its findings to DIP and requested that it open an investigation into the matter. 

'Foreigners' in their own land

Arjan El Fassed al-Khader, Palestine 8 July 2001

On Thursday afternoon, Annet, Nadia and I drove up to the village of al-Khader. A demonstration was planned to remove an Israeli blockade made out of rocks and the remainder of an old-bus, blocking the main road leading south. Like hundreds of villages in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, the village of al-Khader, located on the outskirts of Bethlehem on the way to Hebron, has been sealed off by the Israeli occupation forces. 

Interactive Holiday

Arjan El Fassed Ram, Palestine 18 December 2001

When we stepped out of our appartment, we saw our neighbours and their children dressed in the new clothes that they could afford to buy to celebrate this year’s end of Ramadan. It’s the first day of Eid al-Fitr, the “feast of fast-breaking”, marking the end of the holy month, during which Muslims fast and reflect on self-discipline and compassion. Although the sun shines, the blue sky does not speak of the difficult times Palestinians have to endure. 

Weekly report on human rights violations

Palestinian Center for Human Rights 25 April 2003

This week, Israeli occupying forces killed nine Palestinian civilians, including 4 children and a journalist. Five of them were killed during a wide-scale incursion into Rafah refugee camp. Israeli forces demolished more homes. Israeli forces threatened seven families with the demolition of their homes. Wide-scale arrest campaigns in Tulkarem refugee camp resulted in the transfer of hundreds of civilians to Nour Shams refugee camp. Israeli forces destroyed large areas of Palestinian agricultural land in Gaza. Israeli forces continued indiscriminate shelling of Palestinian residential areas. Israeli forces raided two Palestinian hospitals in Jenin, arresting two injured Palestinians. Israeli forces continued to use Palestinian civilians as human shields and continued its siege on Palestinian towns and refugee camps. 

Leaked document exposes pro-Israel lobby's manipulation of US public

Ali Abunimah 25 April 2003


The Electronic Intifada has obtained, and today publishes in full, a document prepared for pro-Israel activists by the public relations firm The Luntz Research Companies and The Israel Project. The document spells out the tactics that Israel and its US advocates should use to maintain support for Israel and its hardline policies. Introduction by EI’s Ali Abunimah. 

NPR ignores Israeli attack on school, killing of two

Ali Abunimah 24 April 2003

On 24 April, Israeli occupation forces opened fire on school children near Ramallah, killing a student and a taxi driver, and injuring several others. Also, a Palestinian suicide bomber blew himself up and an Israeli security guard. National Public Radio reported only on the latter, demonstrating an incredible double standard, as EI’s Ali Abunimah writes.