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Questions for Candidate Obama

Bill Fletcher Jr. 7 May 2007


Senator Barak Obama has become a major celebrity, a truth that is now almost a cliché. His campaign has raised massive amounts of funds. He draws large and enthusiastic crowds when he appears. Often described as charismatic, he is more importantly smart and well-spoken. Yet before I jump into his campaign I have a few questions that I first want to share with you and which I hope he will address in the not-too-distant future. There is a way in which I cannot tell who is the real Senator Obama. 

Report: Majority of surveyed Palestinian prisoners subjected to ill-treatment

6 May 2007


In recent years, Israel has openly admitted that ISA (formerly the General Security Service) interrogators employ “exceptional” interrogation methods and “physical pressure” against Palestinian detainees in situations labeled “ticking bombs”. B’Tselem and HaMoked - Center for the Defence of the Individual have examined these interrogation methods and the frequency with which they are used, as well as other harmful practices. The report’s findings are based on the testimonies of 73 Palestinian residents of the West Bank who were arrested between July 2005 and January 2006 and interrogated by the ISA. 

Houston Palestine Film Festival, May 11-20

4 May 2007


Voices Breaking Boundaries is pleased to present for the first time a Houston Palestine Film Festival. This exciting festival, cosponsored by The Station, Rice Cinema and Fotofest Inc., will bring not only cutting edge new cinema from Palestine about Palestine but will also present three directors Lina Makboul, Nida Sinnokrot and Elle Flanders along with political analyst/academic/journalist (and Angry Arab) As’ad Abu Khalil and Rice University Associate professor Ussama Makdisi. 

Audio: Interview with journalist Jonathan Cook

4 May 2007


On 1 May 2007, The Electronic Intifada’s Maureen Clare Murphy and Ali Abunimah sat down with Jonathan Cook, EI contributor and author of the new book Blood and Religion: The Unmasking of the Jewish and Democratic State. Cook, who resides in Nazareth, discussed the implications of the Israeli Winograd report which faulted the state’s handling of last summer’s Lebanon war; the probe and resignation of former member of Knesset and Palestinian citizen of Israel Azmi Bishara as well as his book. 

Palestinian refugees despair after year marooned between Iraq and Syria

4 May 2007


DAMASCUS, 3 May 2007 (IRIN) - Over 1,000 Iraqi-Palestinian refugees stranded in camps on the Syrian-Iraqi borders are sinking into despair as their situation continues to deteriorate and a solution to their plight remains elusive. “We are losing hope,” one refugee in the Al-Tanf camp, who requested anonymity, told IRIN. “There are problems between husbands and wives because of the situation and we are afraid for the future of our children. We are searching for a solution, but it does not exist.” 

Worldwide rallies seek release of BBC correspondent Alan Johnston

3 May 2007


The Committee to Protect Journalists joined with colleagues at a rally at U.N. headquarters today to call for the release of BBC correspondent Alan Johnston, abducted in Gaza more than seven weeks ago. Journalists in London, China, and Indonesia also rallied today, World Press Freedom Day, in support of Johnston’s release. “No purpose is served by keeping Alan Johnston. Please release him now, and return him safely to his family,” CPJ Deputy Director Robert Mahoney said at the New York rally, which was carried live by BBC television. “Alan Johnston is a journalist. He does not represent any country; he does not represent any government.” 

Bleak reality in Gaza gives rise to dreams of emigration

Yousef Alhelou Gaza Strip, Palestine 4 May 2007


“Life has no taste in Gaza, where the law of the jungle rules. We are suffering because of the siege imposed on us by the Quartet: no salaries; no security as we are suffering from internal security chaos as a result of an absence of law; we are frustrated and feel hopeless. Thank God that we have the Mediterranean Sea along Gaza’s shores so that we can breathe; it’s the only place where Gazans usually go to enjoy themselves and have fun. Also, we, as youths, are lucky that we have Internet access to communicate with the outside world as we are locked in this cursed prison which is called Gaza.” 

Weekly Report on Human Rights Violations

3 May 2007


During the reporting period, a Palestinian civilian and a member of the Palestinian Presidential Guard were killed by IOF in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, respectively. Three Palestinian civilians were wounded by IOF gunfire in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. A French solidarity activist was wounded by IOF gunfire in Bal’ein village, west of Ramallah. IOF conducted 28 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. IOF arrested 55 Palestinian civilians, including six children and a woman. IOF arrested a Palestinian civilian in the Gaza Strip. 

HRW Calls for Lifting of Travel Ban on Human Rights Defender

2 May 2007


The Israeli authorities should immediately lift a travel ban on Shawan Jabarin, the general director of the Palestinian human rights organization Al-Haq, a group of leading international human rights organizations said today. Jabarin was unable to attend the annual Congress of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) in Lisbon on April 19, 2007 because Israeli authorities would not allow him to leave the occupied West Bank. 

Palestinian Refugees Learn to Substitute Government

Dahr Jamail 3 May 2007


BEIRUT, May 2 (IPS) - The influx of refugees from Palestinian areas and the inability of the government to do much for them has strengthened a unique NGO providing essential services. The Popular Aid for Relief and Development (PARD), which began working in the early 1980s before registering as an official NGO with the Lebanese government in 1990, has taken it upon itself to provide environmental services, health education, medical services and community development centres for refugees.