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Politics of fear

Osamah Khalil 8 October 2007


Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and his lackeys are offering Palestinians a simple and false choice: either you are with “us” (i.e., the PA and Fatah) or you are with the “terrorists” (i.e., Hamas and Iran). In the United States, Abbas has been aided in this effort by the American Task Force on Palestine (ATFP), a fledgling organization that professes to represent Palestinian-American interests. EI contributor Osamah Khalil finds the implications of these tactics on Palestinian advocacy and aspirations in the current political climate bear further scrutiny, as do the organizations and individuals which employ them. 

One Million Voices: Celebrating peace or camouflaging apartheid?

4 October 2007


On 18 October, One Million Voices, an organization led by Israelis and international figures with the support of some Palestinians, is organizing a public event in Jericho and Tel Aviv, simultaneously but suspiciously fails to call for an end to Israel’s occupation, amongst other basic requisites to genuine peace. The Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel finds that the event falls under the category of normalization projects and violates the call for boycott, divestment and sanctions. 

"The noose is tightening around Gaza"

4 October 2007


JERUSALEM, 3 October (IRIN) - The UN has expressed renewed concern over the state of the Gaza Strip’s border crossings, saying that, if realized, the Israeli threat of increased restrictions would most likely lead to a humanitarian crisis in the impoverished enclave. “In the last three months, the arrival of 106 truckloads of supplies per working day has ensured that there has not been a humanitarian crisis among the Gazan population. This could not be guaranteed with increased restrictions on the border crossings,” a recent statement by UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said. 

Audio: Crossing the Line interviews sportswriter Dave Zirin

3 October 2007


This week on Crossing The Line: In the second part of a two part series, host Christopher Brown speaks with Joel Kovel, scholar, lecturer and author of the book Overcoming Zionism: Creating a Democratic State In Israel/Palestine. Kovel discusses the unattainable “pipe dream” of a two-state solution which many have been pushing as a solution to the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Next, Brown speaks with award-winning sportswriter, Dave Zirin author of the book Welcome To The Terrordome: The Pain, Politics, and Promise of Sports. 

US aid dependency: The road to ruin

Hicham Safieddine 5 October 2007


The true measure of the alliance of any two states or political groups rests on an accurate and fair reading of two forms of support: military aid and economic assistance, and reaching a verdict about these two forms of support is based on the examination of three properties of such aid: the monetary value (size or quantity) of this aid, the declared and hidden objectives of the aid and the conditions attached to it (the quality of the aid). Based on these criteria, Hicham Safieddine asks, what is the truth behind the US support for Lebanon, in numbers and according to Washington’s own sources? 

Photostory: The month in pictures

6 October 2007


This slideshow is a selection of images from the month of September 2007. The month in pictures is an ongoing feature of the Electronic Intifada. If you have images documenting Palestine, Palestinian life, politics and culture, or of solidarity with Palestine, please email images and captions to photos@electronicintifada.net. 

Working towards a Palestinian national voice

James Kafieh 3 October 2007


Many members of the Palestinian Canadian community have been working hard to establish a truly representative Palestinian National Voice (PNV) organization for our community. Laith Marouf, identifying himself as the chapter coordinator for the student group Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights (SPHR), on 14 September 2007 published an article attacking this effort (see Palestinian Diaspora: With or against collaboration?). James Kafieh responds. 

Only the beginning of the end

Ben White 2 October 2007


The clinking champagne glasses on Engage’s website said it all. The movement established to oppose the proposed boycott of Israeli academic institutions was celebrating a victory, as the British University and College Union (UCU) announced that to even discuss the boycott risked “infringing discrimination legislation.” The boycott of Israel, it seemed, had suffered a blow. Ben White comments on the seeming defeat for the Palestine solidarity movement. 

Ali Abunimah debates Avika Eldar on Canadian radio

1 October 2007


Reality on the ground has many — once again — questioning the viability of a two-state solution and whether the controversial one-state proposal is even worth talking about. On 24 September 2007, EI’s Ali Abunimah appeared on the Canadian Brodcasting Corporation program, The Current with host Anna Maria Tremonti. Abunimah was invited to take part in a debate with Israeli journalist and political columnist for Haaretz, Akiva Eldar to discuss the feasibility, desirability and seeming impossibility of a one-state solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. 

International tug of war complicating Lebanon's election outcome

1 October 2007


BEIRUT, 1 October (IRIN) - Lebanon’s tussling factions are headed for a stalemate, settlement, or war, and international actors as much as local ones will decide which, analysts say. The presidential vote which was to be held on 25 September was deferred until 23 October after lawmakers failed to find a consensus candidate. Opposition members of parliament (MPs) boycotted the vote, arguing that Lebanon’s fragile sectarian political system requires a president agreeable to both camps.