The Electronic Intifada

Civil society shows its moral strength

Adri Nieuwhof 7 April 2009


At a time when Western governments refrain from using their power to stop Israel’s ongoing violations of international law, many civil society organizations silently watch the moral corrosion of their governments. At the “Israel Review Conference” in Geneva this month and the Russell Tribunal slated for early 2010, however, civil society will use its power and call Israel to account. Adri Nieuwhof comments for The Electronic Intifada. 

Not an analogy: Israel and the crime of apartheid

Hazem Jamjoum 3 April 2009


With the expanding agreement that the term “apartheid” is useful in describing the level and layout of Israel’s crimes, it is important that our understanding of the “apartheid label” be deepened, both as a means of informing activism in support of the Palestinian anti-colonial struggle, and in order to most effectively make use of comparisons with other struggles. Hazem Jamjoum comments for The Electronic Intifada. 

UNESCO should join cultural boycott

Rahela Mizrahi 1 April 2009


When schools under the United Nations flag are targeted, when children are targeted, when a whole population is systematically deprived of food and water, sanitation and electricity, the various UN agencies affected should not be content with protest alone — they should live up to their responsibility by taking action. Rahela Mizrani comments. 

Olmert will be remembered for little but scandal

Jonathan Cook 1 April 2009


Ehud Olmert, who has handed over the Israeli premiership to Benjamin Netanyahu after three years heading the government, suffered a slow and public political demise. The eight lame-duck months since his resignation have been spent energetically refashioning his image as a successful leader — the “Olmert myth,” as one commentator recently called it. Jonathan Cook analyzes. 

Month in pictures: March 2009

1 April 2009


The following photographs are a selection of images from the month of March 2009. “The month in pictures” is an ongoing feature by 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 A T electronicintifada D O T net. 

Belgian campaign targets bank financing Israeli settlements

Adri Nieuwhof 1 April 2009


In a remarkably short period of time, activists in Belgium have built a strong basis for the campaign “Israel colonizes — Dexia funds,” asking the bank to divest from its subsidiary Dexia Israel because of its financing of the expansion of illegal settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Adri Nieuwhof reports for The Electronic Intifada. 

Israel may have deliberately attacked sewage infrastructure

Marian Houk 30 March 2009


During the Israeli attack in January, there was a breach in one of the earthen embankment walls of a sewage containment lagoon in Gaza due to some form of Israeli military activity resulting in a large sewage flood. The breach is likely to mean long-term environmental damage, with dangerous consequences for human health. Marian Houk reports for The Electronic Intifada. 

Palestinians remember Land Day

Jonathan Cook Arrabeh 30 March 2009


Palestinians across the Middle East were due to commemorate Land Day today, marking the anniversary of clashes in 1976 in which six unarmed Palestinians were shot dead by the Israeli army as it tried to break up a general strike. Although Land Day is one of the most important anniversaries in the Palestinian calendar, sometimes referred to as the Palestinians’ national day, the historical event it marks is little spoken of and rarely studied. Jonathan Cook reports.