15 July 2009
The reality of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s promises of “economic peace” for the Palestinians is nowhere under greater scrutiny than in Jenin, the northern West Bank city being aggressively promoted as a potential model of cooperation with Israel. Jonathan Cook reports from Jenin. Read more about Israel offers Palestinians day shoppers, not statehood
15 July 2009
The Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) has been denied access to clients detained by the Internal Security Service (ISS) of the Government in Gaza. PCHR affirm that such measures violate Palestinian law and relevant international standards, including the detainees’ right to have access to legal counsel. PCHR is further concerned that access restrictions may be motivated by the desire to hide illegal practices against detainees, including torture and other forms of cruel treatment. Read more about Rights group demands access to Palestinian prisoners in Gaza
14 July 2009
“I will never forget the image of the elderly woman whose son was dying in a hospital in Egypt. She only wanted to be with him. Crying, her hand touching the glass window of the office of the Egyptian intelligence services, she pleaded, ‘Please, please. I beg you, show mercy, let me go in.’” Natalie Abou Shakra traveled to Gaza a week before Israel’s massive attack last winter. She comments on what it is like to be imprisoned in Gaza, with its people, banned from leaving as Egypt works hand in hand with Israel to enforce the blockade. Read more about "Who will hold us accountable?"
13 July 2009
Breakdance, the hip hop dance style that began on the streets of New York City more than 30 years ago has become popular with youth all over the world, even breaking through the tight Israeli blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip. Rami Almeghari reports for The Electronic Intifada. Read more about Breakdance breaks out in the Gaza Strip
14 July 2009
RAMALLAH, occupied West Bank (IPS) - The Israeli Foreign Ministry’s concern over an “unusually harsh statement” by the European Commission over Israel’s settlement policy indicates a growing unease between Israel and the EU. The European Commission (EC), the executive arm of the EU, said that Israel’s settlement policy in the West Bank was strangling the Palestinian economy and forcing Palestinians there to become more dependent on foreign aid. Read more about Israel and EU clash over settlements
16 July 2009
Palestine should not have problems attracting tourists, with its rich blend of history, religious significance, local culture, as well as the varied and breathtaking scenery. But of course, the political context of the Israeli occupation means that the vast majority of tourists in the “Holy Land” only see Palestinians through the window of a tour bus, as they dash in and out of Bethlehem for a couple of hours. Ben White reports for The Electronic Intifada. Read more about "Visit Palestine" says West Bank's growing alternative tourism industry
13 July 2009
“Just as it is apparently impossible for the President of the United States to visit the Middle East without a corresponding visit to Buchenwald, it is apparently also impossible to have a news article on Palestinian humanity without a corresponding reminder that Arabs do not understand the Holocaust.” So writes Belén Fernández in a comment on how The New York Times covers the work of Palestinian musicians. Read more about Music, The New York Times and the politics of a Palestinian state
13 July 2009
When the Israeli navy seized the Spirit of Humanity and its 21 passengers on 30 June, did the commandos commit acts of piracy under international law? Civil rights attorney Radhika Sainath argues that the laws of piracy should not be selectively applied to poor Africans who hijack huge tankers belonging to rich corporations, but enforced against Israel as well. Read more about Is Israel guilty of piracy?
12 July 2009
HeidelbergCement, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of building materials, is reportedly trying to sell its Israeli investments as it has become the target of legal action because of its activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT). Adri Nieuwhof reports for EI that the move comes amid growing pressure by the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement on transnational companies profiting from Israeli occupation. Read more about HeidelbergCement tries to sell West Bank mines as legal, boycott pressures grow
10 July 2009
While Israel has been buying yet more time with Washington in bickering over a paltry settlement freeze, it has been forging ahead with the process of creating two Palestinian territories, the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, that, despite supposedly emerging from occupation, are in reality sinking ever deeper into chronic dependency on Israeli goodwill. This is creating a culture of absolute Israeli control and absolute Palestinian dependency, enforced by proxy Palestinian rulers acting as mini-dictatorships. Jonathan Cook comments. Read more about The victory of defeat