Israeli police detained residents of Silwan as bulldozers demolished a horse stable in the occupied East Jerusalem neighborhood on 29 June, while other construction vehicles razed a small warehouse to the ground in nearby Abu Tur. These demolitions came after Israeli courts decided that both of the buildings were built “illegally” and against “building codes.” Read more about Home demolitions, arrest raids as Israel implements Jerusalem "Master Plan"
Seven anti-war activists on trial for entering a Brighton weapons factory and “decommissioning” it were found unanimously “not guilty” last week. On 16 January 2009 six of the defendants broke into the premises of EDOMBM, a supplier of weapons components. According to one of the defendants, Elijah Smith, they “set out to smash it up to the best of our abilities.” Chloe Marsh writes for The Electronic Intifada. Read more about Activists found not guilty for decommissioning weapons factory
BRUSSELS (IPS) - Talks aimed at reaching an intelligence-sharing agreement between the European Union and Israel have skirted around the location of Israel’s national police headquarters in occupied East Jerusalem. In 2005, the EU decided that Europol, its law enforcement office, should negotiate a formal cooperation agreement with Israel. Read more about EU-Israel talks skirt around Jerusalem police headquarters
On 30 June an Israeli military prosecutor demanded two years’ imprisonment for grassroots activist Adeeb Abu Rahmah, at a military court hearing at the Ofer Military Complex in the occupied West Bank. Abu Rahmah already spent 11 months behind bars and his arrest and detention is part of Israel’s repressive efforts to criminalize the grassroots popular resistance to the Israeli occupation. Amy Darwish reports for The Electronic Intifada. Read more about CORRECTION: Military prosecutor demands two-year term for grassroots activist
Basma Fahoum — an activist with the organization Who Profits from the Occupation? — recently sat with The Electronic Intifada contributor Adri Nieuwhof and discussed what it means to be a Palestinian in Israel and her the ongoing efforts for her community to realize their rights. Read more about "Life for Palestinians in Israel is complicated in every respect"
Swedish Radio reported on 23 June that home furnishings retail giant IKEA in Israel discriminately ships to Israel’s illegal settlements but not Palestinian cities in the occupied West Bank. The company’s shipping policies are coming into question following a report by Swedish Radio’s correspondent in Israel. Adri Nieuwhof reports for The Electronic Intifada. Read more about IKEA furnishing the occupation
Israeli human rights groups and Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the Palestinian Authority who extended his term under controversial emergency powers, have condemned a decision by Israel to expel four Palestinian politicians from East Jerusalem by the end of this week. Jonathan Cook reports. Read more about Israel set to enforce revocation of Jerusalemites' residency rights
As cars plastered with the flags of Brazil, Germany, Argentina and other favorite World Cup teams drove across Beirut on Sunday, Palestinian refugees and their supporters carried Palestinian and Lebanese flags as they marched through the capital. They called for their human rights in Lebanon, where they have lived without them for more than six decades. Matthew Cassel reports for The Electronic Intifada. Read more about Palestinians in Lebanon demonstrate for their rights
RAMALLAH, occupied West Bank (IPS) - “Where is my daddy? Why is he not coming home? I want my daddy,” sobs seven-year-old Yasmin, her big blue eyes filling with tears. She wakes up crying every night. “My life only began when I met him. I will never meet such a wonderful man again,” Yasmin’s mother Moira Julani tells IPS. Read more about Israeli killing leaves Jerusalem children fatherless
Last New Year’s Eve, Debbie Mardon did not celebrate with noise makers or confetti — instead, she headed to Cairo’s main square to participate in the Gaza Freedom March with her son and daughter. It was an unlikely place to be for a previously apolitical mother who voted for George W. Bush and as recently as three years ago relied on right-wing radio hosts to help her make sense of the world. Alex Kane reports. Read more about Gaza moves New York City mother from apathy to activism
