News

Love and marriage in Israel

Suraya Dadoo 7 November 2003


In February last year, Gili and Sagi, a young Israeli couple, were “married” at sea - a marriage that was not legally recognised by the State of Israel. Although they are both Jewish, the couple objected to the only marriage option open to them in Israel: an Orthodox Jewish ceremony. Instead, they chose a marriage contract that they drew up themselves, together with a lawyer, thus rendering their union illegal. Israel’s marriage laws have been criticised by both Israelis and Palestinians alike for being discriminatory. Suraya Dadoo takes a look. 

Olympia conference remembers Rachel Corrie and Rafah

candio. 7 November 2003


The Second Annual Conference of the Peace and Justice Studies Association took place from October 9-12 in Olympia, Washington at The Evergreen State College. The title of the conference, ‘Fostering Alternatives to Violence,’ was deeply felt by the participants whose talk frequently turned to the post-September 11th world, the Bush administration and the conflicts in Iraq and the Occupied Territories. Educators, students, artists and activists joined to discuss progress and problems within the movement. candio. reports from Olympia. 

The side I see: Thoughts during the olive harvest

Flo Razowsky West Bank 7 November 2003


I’ve come to this world as an outsider, as one actually born to the occupiers — to struggle, to learn and to carry the truth home. It has been over six months now since I set foot on this much disputed land for the second time in my life. This land that I, my allies, and those I have come to support, call Palestine. Flo Razowsky considers two gulfs — one between the two sides, another between life on the ground and the muddy picture of that life that reaches television sets in the US. 

Shadow of home

Toine van Teeffelen Bethlehem, Palestine 5 November 2003

The Palestinian home also lacks something else typical of a normal home: basic safety. Lately Mary had a terrible dream. She dreamt about herself running in the oldest street of Bethlehem with Tamer on her arm away from an aircraft threatening to bomb her and the town. Like in a cover drawing of a war novel. 

The prosecutor and the judge

Adam Keller 4 November 2003

It’s nearing the end - this routine of coming again and again to the Jaffa Military Court, to which we have grown accustomed in the past half year. The testimonies and cross-examinations are past. Today the prosecutor - Captain Yaron Kostelitz, will make his final summation, trying his utmost to make the most heavy case and use the most specious arguments against the five young guys in the dock. 

If this is justice, I'm a banana!

Nick Pretzlik East Jerusalem 2 November 2003

“The family last saw Asma Abd-elrazzaq Salih, a 25-year-old mother of two, at the beginning of February this year. It was 1:00 a.m. when the Israeli soldiers arrived at the house, and dawn was breaking as they took her away. She has not been charged with any crime, but is being held as a hostage by the Israeli Army and Government, which has now stooped so low as to kidnap young women.” Nick Pretzlik reports on a particularly disturbing Israeli violation of International Humanitarian Law from East Jerusalem. 

Nusseibeh and Ayalon Face Strong Opposition in Seattle

Haithem El-Zabri 7 November 2003


Seattle’s Palestinian community, together with Arab and American supporters of the Palestinian cause, have expressed clear opposition to the Nusseibeh-Ayalon “peace proposal” which dismisses the rights of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes. Sari Nusseibeh and Ami Ayalon came to the University of Washington - Seattle on October 23rd, 2003, to present their plan, and were met with visible opposition from local community groups. Haithem El-Zabri reports for EI. 

Checkpoints and dust: A day with the Nablus distribution team

Zeina Mogarbel-Vallès Nablus, Palestine 28 October 2003

It’s ten o’clock in the morning. The 10 members of the UNRWA distribution team watch Ahmed as he slowly walks the 100 metres that separate him from the armed soldier. A few moments later all can they see is the back of a blue UN vest confronting a green uniform. The men do not speak. They have been waiting at the Beit Iba checkpoint, five kilometres north-west of Nablus, for more than two hours, and still have a long way to go before they reach their destination.