Early in the morning, between 5 and 6am, a wave of footsteps and whispering voices can be heard in the narrow alleys of the Burj al-Shemali refugee camp in southern Lebanon. It is in the darkness of the early morning hours that hundreds of Palestinian day laborers leave their homes, gather in the streets and head to work in the nearby fields and orchards. More than two-thirds of the camp’s labor force work at least part-time in agriculture. Read more about Video: Harvesting oranges in Burj al-Shemali
In occupied East Jerusalem, the Israeli light rail system currently being built in violation of international law on seized Palestinian land by Veolia, a European company, will fundamentally change the landscape. Veolia and partner Alstom have continued their involvement in the disputed project, drawing the attention of financial institutions and civil organizations. EI contributor Adri Nieuwhof reports on the latest developments of the campaign. Read more about Pressure on Veolia mounts
On a beautiful sunny day this week, a group from the International Solidarity Movement, a non-partisan grassroots initiative, went to the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun in order to help protect Palestinian farmers harvesting their olive crops from the Israeli army. EI corespondent Rami Almeghari reports from the occupied Gaza Strip. Read more about Harvesting in solidarity with Gaza's farmers
Like most Israeli youth, at age 18, Rotem Mor readied himself for military conscription. In the army, he was a liaison soldier with foreign armies at the Port of Egypt, but was kicked out of the unit for under-performance. After that, he was a soldier-teacher working with civilians, and spent a year in Jerusalem, working with disadvantaged kids. But he wasn’t happy. Sarah Price writes for EI. Read more about Refusing the occupation: an interview with Rotem Mor
As Jews around the world observe the Jewish New Year, a new Jewish group honors the holiday by denouncing Israel and Zionism. The International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network (IJAN) launches this week, with a month of actions and events in over eight countries and the release of its founding charter. Read more about International Jewish network condemns Israel and Zionism
Salwa Salah and Sara Siureh were both arrested from their homes in the West Bank town of Bethlehem on 5 June 2008. This is the first time that girls under the age of 18 have been put in administrative detention. On 12 June 2008 they were issued with military administrative detention orders. The orders had been set for four months (Salwa) and five months (Sara). A military court confirmed the orders on 18 June. Read more about Demand Israel release two girls held without charge
NILIN, WESTBANK (IRIN) - As the olive harvest gets under way in the West Bank, residents of the Palestinian town of Nilin say much of their land, where their trees are, is off limits because of Israel’s wall. According to estimates by residents, some 5,000 olive trees sit on 270 hectares between the path of the wall and the border of the West Bank with Israel, known as the Green Line. “People depend on this land, especially because they have already lost so much,” said Hindi Misleh, an activist in the village. Read more about Nilin village resists Israel's land confiscation
RAMALLAH, West Bank (IPS) - An Israeli police commander has called them “provocateurs,” “militants,” and “lawbreakers.” Earlier in the year the Israeli army decided that their presence in the city of Hebron, 30 kilometers south of Jerusalem in the Palestinian West Bank, constituted a security threat and banned them from the city, stating that any member of the organization caught there would be expelled forthwith. Read more about Breaking the silence challenges the Israeli army
We, the undersigned Palestinian refugee organizations, civil society movements and institutions in the Palestinian homeland and in exile are national organizations working to defend the right of return. We appeal to you now because we are convinced that the alignment of the official Palestinian position and the position of the Palestinian people with regards to the final status negotiation issues is of the highest priority. Read more about Palestinian parties and organizations to Abbas: Right of return non-negotiable
Manhattan’s elite were aghast to be greeted yesterday evening by 25 chanting protesters when they exited their SUVs and limos to attend a glitzy fundraiser sponsored by Israeli billionaire Lev Leviev for the Museum of the City of New York. Leviev has been criticized for his businesses’ human rights violations and unethical practices in Palestine, Angola, Namibia and New York City. Read more about New York activists protest Leviev fundraiser
