MCC Palestine Update #124
14 July 2006
Dear Friends,
The situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate as Israeli forces escalate their offensive against the Palestinian people. Only the night before last, Israeli military shelling led to the destruction of the facilities of the Palestinian Authority foreign ministry as well as the home of a Palestinian family in Gaza City leading to the deaths of nine Palestinians, including seven children, all from the same family. MCC continues to monitor the situation and maintain contact with our partners in Gaza. We continue to hear from our friends there that this recent campaign by the Israeli military is having devastating effects across the Gaza Strip. Within the past week, the Israeli military began another phase of their offensive, moving into the regions of southern Gaza, where MCC partner the Culture and Free Thought Association (CFTA; http://www.palnet.com/~cfta/) operates, positioning itself in central Gaza in a manner that cuts the Gaza Strip in half. And early yesterday morning, following the capture of two Israeli soldiers by the Lebanese group Hezbollah, Israeli forces have imposed a sea and air blockade on Lebanon, fired on the airport in Beirut and the main road leading to Damascus, and shelled targets in southern Lebanon that has already led to the deaths of over sixty Lebanese civilians.
The targeting of Gaza’s civilian infrastructure (electricity, water, etc.) only hurts the civilian population and is a completely unacceptable response by the state of Israel. With much of the water supply and sewage system dependent on electricity, this damage to civilian infrastructure raises serious medical concerns and unmasks this campaign of collective punishment of the Palestinian people—actions clearly in violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention, to which Israeli is a signatory—as a predictable and uncreative display of Israeli military might over and against 1.5 million poor Palestinians (eighty percent of whom live in poverty). And with some eighty Palestinians killed, Gaza's children severely traumatized, and half of Gaza's population without reliable electricity since Operation “Summer Rain” began two and a half weeks ago, the disproportionality of the Israeli military response only underscores its unacceptability.
The main reason that the humanitarian situation in Gaza is such an issue is because the people there live as prisoners in what is essentially the world's largest open-air prison. Since Israel’s “disengagement” last year, the Palestinian people have had no control over movement in and out of Gaza, no control over borders (land, sea, or air), no open access to needed services and viable economic opportunity, and live constantly under the threat of Israeli military incursions, shelling, and “targeted assassinations” that leave entire Palestinian families murdered in the streets. As the occupying power, Israel has certain obligations under international law in regards to the Palestinian people. Israel has completely shirked this responsibility and left the burden of responding to the needs of one of the most densely populated areas on earth—the great majority of whom being refugees—to the international community, creating a situation that does not provide the opportunity for a prosperous future but only just prevents Gaza from slipping into humanitarian disaster on a daily basis. With the reality of this context in mind, one can begin to understand why Gaza was in such a devastated state immediately after the Israeli military began its offensive and why humanitarian access is critical at this point.
Here are some recent MCC news releases on the unfolding situation (for the most part, these links can also be found on MCC’s Palestine website at http://www.mcc.org/palestine/ along with links to other resources; the link below to a report by aid agencies in the OPT includes a statement to which MCC signed):
Helping Palestinian children and families cope with trauma
Tim Shenk
July 13, 2006
http://www.mcc.org/news/news/2006/2006-07-13_gaza.html
Aid organizations call for access to Gaza civilians
July 12, 2006
http://www.mcc.org/news/news/2006/2006-07-12_gazaaccess.html
Aid Agencies in OPT: Civilians in Gaza in Need of Protection
July 7, 2006
http://english.wafa.ps/body.asp?id=6796
MCC monitoring situation in Lebanon, workers safe
July 12, 2006
http://www.mcc.org/news/news/2006/2006-07-12_lebanon.html
MCC monitoring deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza
Gladys Terichow
June 30, 2006
http://www.mcc.org/news/news/2006/2006-06-30_gaza.html
Prayer for Gaza
Esther Epp-Thiessen
July 5, 2006
http://www.mcc.org/news/news/2006/2006-07-05_gazaprayer.html
In Canada - Letter to the Prime Minister
July 5, 2006
http://www.mcc.org/news/news/2006/2006-07-05_lettertoPM.html
Also, here is one opportunity to offer your support. It is one of MCC’s Global Family Programs in Khan Younis in southern Gaza where the Culture and Free Thought Association works with the children of the refugee camps:
MCC Global Family Programs in Palestine
Shoroq wa-Amal (Sunrise and Hope) Children's Club
http://www.mcc.org/globalfamily/projects/middleeast/palestine/
shoroq.html
MCC continues to monitor the situation in conversation with our partners, seeking effective ways to respond. And we continue to pray for a justpeace for all the people of this land.
God of love,
We know you hear the cries of those who long for peace and for security. And so today we join our voices with those of the people of Palestine and Israel.
We pray for Israelis. We pray for the families of those soldiers who were killed last week — may they be comforted. We pray for Cpl. Gilad Shalit, the soldier who was captured — may he be released in safety. And we pray for Israeli government leaders who are planning their response — may they seek diplomatic rather than further military solutions to the current crisis. We pray that they might end their violence and address the underlying causes of the conflict. We pray for all Israelis — may they know and experience true security.
We pray for Palestinians, and in particular, we pray for the people of Gaza. We pray for the children and young people — may their fears be calmed. We pray for the women — may there be food, water and medicine to care for their families. We pray for the men — may there be safety and protection for their loved ones. We pray for the militants and others who choose violent ways to call attention to their plight — may they learn the power of nonviolence. We pray for all Palestinians — that their cries for justice may be heard.
O God, your son Jesus once walked the beautiful and broken land of Palestine. May his spirit of peace touch the lives of all those who call this land their home today.
In Christ’s name,
Amen
Peace,
Timothy Seidel
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Christi and Timothy Seidel
Peace Development Workers
Mennonite Central Committee - Palestine
Attachments and Links:
· “Christian Churches in Jerusalem: Stop the violence and pursue a just peace!,” Maan News Agency, 8 July 2006
· Simon Tisdall, “Bush's indifference drives conflict,” The Guardian, 14 July 2006
· Ahdaf Soueif, “Only sanctions will stop this brutal campaign,” The Guardian, 13 July 2006
· Tanya Reinhart, “What are they fighting for,” Occupation Magazine, 13 July 2006
· “Palestinian injuries suggest Israel is using chemical weapons in Gaza,” Maan News Agency, 11 July 2006
· Ismail Haniyeh, “Aggression Under False Pretenses,” Washington Post, 11 July 2006
· Gideon Levy, “Who started?,” Haaretz, 9 July 2006
· Ghassan Khatib, “Consequences of failed politics,” Haaretz, 6 July 2006
· Gideon Levy, “A black flag,” Haaretz, 3 July 2006
· Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb, “Two Invasions, One Reasoning,” Annadwa.org, 30 June 2006
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Maan News Agency
Christian Churches in Jerusalem: Stop the violence and pursue a just peace!
8 July 2006
"Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands at a distance; for truth stumbles in the public square, and uprightness cannot enter. Truth is lacking, and whoever turns from evil is despoiled. The Lord saw it, and it displeased him that there was no justice. He saw that there was no one, and was appalled that there was no one to intervene.” (Isaiah 59: 14-16)
The Israeli violence and aggression of this present moment is without proportion or justification.
An Israeli soldier was taken prisoner in combat. A Jewish settler was kidnapped and killed. As a response, Israeli forces destroy three bridges and a power station, causing millions of dollars in damage and leaving up to 750 000 people without electricity or water in Gaza.
Moreover, Israeli forces abducted 84 people, among them 7 Cabinet Ministers and 21 members of the Palestinian Legislative Council. This comes after a week in which 48 Palestinians were killed, including 27 innocent civilians. The horrific statistic includes nine children and a pregnant woman.
Today, we Christian heads of the Churches in Jerusalem, say," Events in our land are against law and reason. It is our duty as religious leaders to keep saying this to the authorities. It is against law and reason that you remain on and you keep us on the ways of death. “The Lord saw it, and it displeased him that there was no justice. He saw that there was no one, and was appalled that there was no one to intervene. (Isaiah 59: 16)
We condemn the abduction of the Israeli soldier, the killing of the settler youth, as we condemn the daily abduction and killing of dozens of Palestinians as well as the incarceration of thousands of them in prisons. All human beings, Israelis and Palestinians, have the same dignity and must be treated equally. All violence and aggression against human dignity, whether Israeli or Palestinian must stop.
Our suffering, both Israeli and Palestinian, will end when the truth on both sides is recognized. The right of Israel to have security must be recognized. At the same time, there must be recognition that the core of the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians arises from the deprivation of freedom to the Palestinian people. We firmly support the fight against terrorism, but we remind equally firmly that this fight begins by eradicating the root cause of all violence, which is the deprivation of the freedom of the Palestinian people.
It is against law and reason to keep following the way of death. The moral imperative is clear. Stop all the violence. Stop the killing. Protect the life and dignity of people. Begin negotiations. Break this murderous chain of violence in which we are all ensnared. And listen to God's call, "Depart from evil and do good, seek peace and pursue it. " (Psalm 33:15)
Things have gone too far. We call on the international community to intervene and insist on a diplomatic solution to this conflict. All authorities must change course, and with unflinching international pressure and presence, must be negotiations in to reach a just and definitive peace. "What does the Lord require of you...To do Justice, love kindness and walk humbly with your God." ( Micah 6:8)
Please read more at http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=12921
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The Guardian
Bush's indifference drives conflict Simon Tisdall
14 July 2006
Israel's assault on Lebanon, following Hizbullah's cross-border raid on Wednesday and weeks of unremitting bloodshed in Gaza, brought demands yesterday for international action to contain the crisis and mediate an end to the fighting. But the US, with its unmatched influence over Israel and as self-appointed guardian of the Middle East peace process, appeared reluctant to intervene.
Lebanon's appeal for the UN security council to step in is supported by most Arab governments and by France, Lebanon's former colonial master and the current security council president.
But the council has been vainly trying for a fortnight to agree a resolution on Gaza, with the US threatening to use its veto in defence of Israel. A consensus on the more complicated, fast-moving crisis now engulfing Lebanon is thus unlikely.
Other international bodies with pretensions to global peacemaking, such as Nato and the EU - part of the Middle East "quartet" - are currently reduced to the role of concerned bystanders. Russia says it will table the issue at this weekend's St Petersburg G8 summit. But that may only serve to underscore international divisions.
George Bush's administration warned yesterday of the dangers of destabilising Lebanon. But it otherwise made no serious attempt to curb Israel's offensive. Its spokesmen stuck instead to their favoured hands-off formula: "We are urging restraint on both sides [while] recognising Israel's right to defend itself," said a senior US official accompanying the president in Germany.
Please read more at http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/Story/0,,1820121,00.html
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The Guardian
Only sanctions will stop this brutal campaign
Ahdaf Soueif
13 July 2006
Yet nothing in the official world of politics reflects the popular will. Israel continues to enjoy favoured-nation status with a Europe that starves the Palestinians for electing Hamas. We, the citizens, busy ourselves raising funds for medical equipment, collecting books and signing appeals while the Israeli army picks off a few kids in Gaza, blows off a few limbs in Jenin, knocks down a few houses in Nablus - and offers funds and freshly stolen West Bank land to Jewish settlers recently evacuated from Gaza.
Three hundred British Jews have signed a letter strongly condemning Israel's actions. But we are all made complicit by the failure of our governments to act to stop Israel's barbarous campaign against the Palestinians. British Arabs feel doubly compromised as the world registers, yet again, the spineless behaviour of the Arab governments.
Since the capture of the Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit by Palestinian fighters, Israel has killed 60 Palestinians. The Gaza Strip is virtually inaccessible to foreigners, and there are reports Israel will soon close off the West Bank as well. Yesterday, in what appears to be an attempt to take the heat off Gaza, Hizbullah in south Lebanon attacked Israeli border posts and captured two soldiers. It is only a matter of time before things escalate. At the heart of it all is Israel's persecution of the Palestinians.
It's time to help the Palestinians not just survive within the parameters of Israeli policy, but to save them from Israel's brutal plan; to save Israel from itself; and to save the world from the effects of the terrible sorrow and anger that is the response of millions to the Palestinian anguish. It's time to make Israel face up to what it is and what it wants to become. It's time for sanctions.
Please read more at http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/comment/0,,1819072,00.html
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Occupation Magazine
What are they fighting for
Tanya Reinhart
13 July 2006
Whatever may be the fate of the captive soldier Gilad Shalit, the Israeli army’s war in Gaza is not about him. As senior security analyst Alex Fishman widely reported, the army was preparing for an attack months earlier and was constantly pushing for it, with the goal of destroying the Hamas infrastructure and its government…Since ending the occupation is the one thing Israel is not willing to consider, the option promoted by the army is breaking the Palestinians by devastating brutal force. They should be starved, bombarded, terrorized with sonic booms for months, until they understand that rebelling is futile, and accepting prison life is their only hope for staying alive. Their elected political system, institutions and police should be destroyed. In Israel`s vision, Gaza should be ruled by gangs collaborating with the prison wards. The Israeli army is hungry for war. It would not let concerns for captive soldiers stand in its way. Since 2002 the army has argued that an “operation” along the lines of “Defensive Shield” in Jenin was also necessary in Gaza. Exactly a year ago, on 15 July (before the Disengagement), the army concentrated forces on the border of the Strip for an offensive of this scale on Gaza. But then the USA imposed a veto. Rice arrived for an emergency visit that was described as acrimonious and stormy, and the army was forced to back down (3). Now, the time has finally came. With the Islamophobia of the American Administration at a high point, it appears that the USA is prepared to authorize such an operation, on condition that it not provoke a global outcry with excessively-reported attacks on civilians.(4) With the green light for the offensive given, the army`s only concern is public image. Fishman reported this Tuesday that the army is worried that `what threatens to burry this huge military and diplomatic effort` is reports of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Hence, the army would take care to let some food into Gaza. (5) From this perspective, it is necessary to feed the Palestinians in Gaza so that it would be possible to continue to kill them undisturbed.
Please read more at http://www.kibush.co.il/show_file.asp?num=15099
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Maan News Agency
Palestinian injuries suggest Israel is using chemical weapons in Gaza
11 July 2006
The Palestinian ministry of health revealed on Monday that the Israeli army has used a new type of explosive in its offensive on the Gaza Strip. These explosives contain toxics and radioactive materials which burn and tear the victim's body from the inside and leave long term deformations.
The ministry called upon the international community and the humanitarian organizations to send an international medical community to examine the victims and confirm the truth about these banned weapons that Israel appears to be using.
The ministry showed that most of the injuries which the hospitals receive result from huge explosions which cause burning and severing of limbs, including the inner parts of the body. This causes long term deformations.
It is added that doctors in Gaza have been forced to amputate limbs of at least 12 injured Palestinians as a result of injuries sustained in the current Israeli offensive on the Strip.
Please read more at http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=13044
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Washington Post
Aggression Under False Pretenses
Ismail Haniyeh
11 July 2006
As Americans commemorated their annual celebration of independence from colonial occupation, rejoicing in their democratic institutions, we Palestinians were yet again besieged by our occupiers, who destroy our roads and buildings, our power stations and water plants, and who attack our very means of civil administration. Our homes and government offices are shelled, our parliamentarians taken prisoner and threatened with prosecution.
The current Gaza invasion is only the latest effort to destroy the results of fair and free elections held early this year. It is the explosive follow-up to a five-month campaign of economic and diplomatic warfare directed by the United States and Israel. The stated intention of that strategy was to force the average Palestinian to "reconsider" her vote when faced with deepening hardship; its failure was predictable, and the new overt military aggression and collective punishment are its logical fulfillment. The "kidnapped" Israeli Cpl. Gilad Shalit is only a pretext for a job scheduled months ago.
In addition to removing our democratically elected government, Israel wants to sow dissent among Palestinians by claiming that there is a serious leadership rivalry among us. I am compelled to dispel this notion definitively. The Palestinian leadership is firmly embedded in the concept of Islamic shura , or mutual consultation; suffice it to say that while we may have differing opinions, we are united in mutual respect and focused on the goal of serving our people. Furthermore, the invasion of Gaza and the kidnapping of our leaders and government officials are meant to undermine the recent accords reached between the government party and our brothers and sisters in Fatah and other factions, on achieving consensus for resolving the conflict. Yet Israeli collective punishment only strengthens our collective resolve to work together.
As I inspect the ruins of our infrastructure -- the largess of donor nations and international efforts all turned to rubble once more by F-16s and American-made missiles -- my thoughts again turn to the minds of Americans. What do they think of this?
They think, doubtless, of the hostage soldier, taken in battle -- yet thousands of Palestinians, including hundreds of women and children, remain in Israeli jails for resisting the illegal, ongoing occupation that is condemned by international law. They think of the pluck and "toughness" of Israel, "standing up" to "terrorists." Yet a nuclear Israel possesses the 13th-largest military force on the planet, one that is used to rule an area about the size of New Jersey and whose adversaries there have no conventional armed forces. Who is the underdog, supposedly America's traditional favorite, in this case?
I hope that Americans will give careful and well-informed thought to root causes and historical realities, in which case I think they will question why a supposedly "legitimate" state such as Israel has had to conduct decades of war against a subject refugee population without ever achieving its goals.
Please read more at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/10/AR2006071001108.html
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Haaretz
Who started?
Gideon Levy
9 July 2006
Israel left Gaza only partially, and in a distorted manner. The disengagement plan, which was labeled with fancy titles like "partition" and "an end to the occupation," did result in the dismantling of settlements and the Israel Defense Forces' departure from Gaza, but it did almost nothing to change the living conditions for the residents of the Strip. Gaza is still a prison and its inhabitants are still doomed to live in poverty and oppression. Israel closes them off from the sea, the air and land, except for a limited safety valve at the Rafah crossing. They cannot visit their relatives in the West Bank or look for work in Israel, upon which the Gazan economy has been dependent for some 40 years. Sometimes goods can be transported, sometimes not. Gaza has no chance of escaping its poverty under these conditions. Nobody will invest in it, nobody can develop it, nobody can feel free in it. Israel left the cage, threw away the keys and left the residents to their bitter fate. Now, less than a year after the disengagement, it is going back, with violence and force.
What could otherwise have been expected? That Israel would unilaterally withdraw, brutally and outrageously ignoring the Palestinians and their needs, and that they would silently bear their bitter fate and would not continue to fight for their liberty, livelihood and dignity? We promised a safe passage to the West Bank and didn't keep the promise. We promised to free prisoners and didn't keep the promise. We supported democratic elections and then boycotted the legally elected leadership, confiscating funds that belong to it, and declaring war on it. We could have withdrawn from Gaza through negotiations and coordination, while strengthening the existing Palestinian leadership, but we refused to do so. And now, we complain about "a lack of leadership?" We did everything we could to undermine their society and leadership, making sure as much as possible that the disengagement would not be a new chapter in our relationship with the neighboring nation, and now we are amazed by the violence and hatred that we sowed with our own hands…
We started. We started with the occupation, and we are duty-bound to end it, a real and complete ending. We started with the violence. There is no violence worse than the violence of the occupier, using force on an entire nation, so the question about who fired first is therefore an evasion meant to distort the picture. After Oslo, too, there were those who claimed that "we left the territories," in a similar mixture of blindness and lies.
Gaza is in serious trouble, ruled by death, horror and daily difficulties, far from the eyes and hearts of Israelis. We are only shown the Qassams. We only see the Qassams. The West Bank is still under the boot of occupation, the settlements are flourishing, and every limply extended hand for an agreement, including that of Ismail Haniyeh, is immediately rejected. And after all this, if someone still has second thoughts, the winning answer is promptly delivered: "They started." They started and justice is on our side, while the fact is that they did not start and justice is not with us.
Please read more at http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/736009.html
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Haaretz
Consequences of failed politics
Ghassan Khatib
6 July 2006
The dramatic Palestinian attack on an Israeli military post on the border with the Gaza Strip did not come as much of a surprise to anybody. On the contrary, it represented the gradual and consistent escalation of violence that has been witnessed since the unilateral Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and the subsequent siege that was imposed on Gazans.
And while, as usual, both sides have been blaming each other, the overwhelming weight of responsibility lies at Israel's door. Israeli violence, not just in the Gaza Strip but in the West Bank, has been steadily increasing. Assassinations and arrests often ending in killings, often of civilians, have been increasing and a months-long campaign of constant artillery fire has blighted Gazans' lives.
This violence has come in tandem with an Israeli siege that almost hermetically sealed off Gaza from the outside world and shut the door in the face of any chance that Gazans' lives and livelihoods might improve after the withdrawal. On the contrary, according to all relevant international agencies, especially the World Bank, the siege caused a sharp economic deterioration and poverty and unemployment rose dramatically as a result. The siege, furthermore, was in direct contravention to bilateral agreements that sought to avoid exactly such an eventuality.
Israel wanted to have its cake and eat it too. Starting from the time of former Prime Minister Ehud Barak, Israel did not want to continue with the implementation of the peace process, and since then Israel has shown no interest in bilateral negotiations on the basis of international legality. Instead, successive Israeli governments have pursued a unilateral strategy, a strategy that is about Israeli behavior to achieve Israeli interests with no regard for international legality and certainly not for the Palestinian side. At the same time, Israel expected the other side to abide by the rules of a game that was created by the peace process.
Please read more at http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/Story/0,,1808456,00.html
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Haaretz
A black flag
Gideon Levy
3 July 2006
A black flag hangs over the "rolling" operation in Gaza. The more the operation "rolls," the darker the flag becomes. The "summer rains" we are showering on Gaza are not only pointless, but are first and foremost blatantly illegitimate. It is not legitimate to cut off 750,000 people from electricity. It is not legitimate to call on 20,000 people to run from their homes and turn their towns into ghost towns. It is not legitimate to penetrate Syria's airspace. It is not legitimate to kidnap half a government and a quarter of a parliament.
A state that takes such steps is no longer distinguishable from a terror organization. The harsher the steps, the more monstrous and stupid they become, the more the moral underpinnings for them are removed and the stronger the impression that the Israeli government has lost its nerve. Now one must hope that the weekend lull, whether initiated by Egypt or the prime minister, and in any case to the dismay of Channel 2's Roni Daniel and the IDF, will lead to a radical change…
Collective punishment is illegitimate and it does not have a smidgeon of intelligence. Where will the inhabitants of Beit Hanun run? With typical hardheartedness the military reporters say they were not "expelled" but that it was "recommended" they leave, for the benefit, of course, of those running for their lives. And what will this inhumane step lead to? Support for the Israeli government? Their enlistment as informants and collaborators for the Shin Bet? Can the miserable farmers of Beit Hanun and Beit Lahia do anything about the Qassam rocket-launching cells? Will bombing an already destroyed airport do anything to free the soldier or was it just to decorate the headlines?
Did anyone think about what would have happened if Syrian planes had managed to down one of the Israeli planes that brazenly buzzed their president's palace? Would we have declared war on Syria? Another "legitimate war"? Will the blackout of Gaza bring down the Hamas government or cause the population to rally around it? And even if the Hamas government falls, as Washington wants, what will happen on the day after? These are questions for which nobody has any real answers. As usual here: Quiet, we're shooting. But this time we are not only shooting. We are bombing and shelling, darkening and destroying, imposing a siege and kidnapping like the worst of terrorists and nobody breaks the silence to ask, what the hell for, and according to what right?
Please read more at http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=733427
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Annadwa.org
Two Invasions, One Reasoning
Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb
30 June 2006
What is the common denominator between the decision of the Israeli military to invade the West Bank in March 2002, and their decision to invade Gaza this week? One could certainly find many similarities between “Operation Defensive Shield” that brought the Israeli troupes into Ramallah, Bethlehem and other West Bank cities in 2002 and “Operation Summer Rains” that got the Israeli military this week into Gaza. One of the most important things is not what both operations are trying to tell the Palestinians, but what they are trying to hide. What both have in common is that they are trying to distract the attention of the Israeli population and the world at large from two very important peace offers…
On June 27th 2006, the diverse Palestinian parties including Hamas announced reaching an agreement based on the “Prisoners’ Document” calling for a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, limiting the resistance within these borders and recognizing the previous accords. It seems to me that Israel does not fear anything as much as a “peace offer”. The two invasions had therefore the aim of creating such stormy conditions, so that diplomacy can continue only to focus on managing an escalating conflict rather than on seizing the opportunity and momentum for a true peacemaking. In both contexts, the world was arguing “only if” the Arabs will state their willingness to peace with Israel so clearly; and “only if” the Palestinians will speak with one voice for a two state solution side by side with Israel, then Israel will have no excuses. Yet when the Arab states spoke in clear text and when the Palestinians articulated their goals in a unified manner, there was no one listening because Israel had just created such a massive invasion to keep everyone busy enough so as not to concentrate on the real issue of reaching a comprehensive peace but rather on defusing a waging conflict. It is thus high time to refocus again by combining the offer presented at the Peace Summit in 2002 and the agreement reached in Gaza this week, which should be brought back into attention and presented on the table. There is a last chance for peace waiving at the horizon, if there is a will by the international community to grab it.
Please read more at http://www.annadwa.org/articles/two_invasions.htm
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Friday, July 14
Friday, June 30
MCC Palestine Update #123
MCC Palestine Update #123
30 June 2006
Atrocities in Gaza
Following a series of bloody June attacks on Gaza by Israeli forces, including the weekend shelling of a beach that killed 8 Palestinian civilians, including 7 members of the same family and injured a further 32 civilians, including 13 children (9 June); a missile attack on a Gazan highway that killed eleven and injured 30 (13 June); and another missile attack that killed 3 children and wounded 15 others (20 June), Palestinian militants carried out a raid on Israeli military positions near Gaza on June 25th.
The raid resulted in the killing of two soldiers and the capture of one, Cpl Gilad Shalit. Israel threatened an assault and the assassination of top Hamas leaders if the soldier was not freed, and began deploying tanks along Gaza’s borders. Late evening this past Tuesday, Israel launched a large-scale military assault on Gaza, as Israeli fighter planes carried out three airstrikes on Gazan bridges, rendering travel north to south for vehicles by road impossible. Further strikes took place against Gazan power plants, which provide electricity to half of Gaza’s 1.5 million Palestinians, sending most of Gaza into darkness. The damage to the power plants is estimated at about $16 million, and will require six months to repair—more than a daunting figure for the residents of Gaza, considering what they already see as the international community’s economic boycott of the Palestinian people following Palestinian Legislative Council elections earlier this year. And early into Wednesday morning, Israeli forces began moving into Gaza to take control of the open areas east of Rafah. Israeli fighter planes began flying low over Gaza, causing intentional sonic booms. Israeli threats of targeted assassinations have been stepped up, as they have already kidnapped dozens of democratically elected Palestinian officials ministers in the past day alone, including 20 MP’s and 8 cabinet members.
This recent and ongoing Israeli attack on Gaza has created incredible uncertainty (“Israeli tanks turn screw on besieged Gaza Strip,” http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/Story/0,,1808456,00.html; “Israeli missiles pound Gaza into new Dark Age in ‘collective punishment,’” http://news.independent.co.uk/world/middle_east/
article1129750.ece; “Bracing for the worst: Electricity cut off, bridges bombed, sonic boom attacks resume,” http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article4863.shtml). The targeting and destruction of civilian infrastructure has already created a humanitarian situation on the brink of disaster (“UN aid chief warns that Gaza is on the verge of humanitarian crisis,” http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/732995.html; “Israel strikes new Gaza targets,” http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/5131404.stm; “Gaza’s infrastructure suffers,” http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/5130510.stm). With much of the water supply and sewage system dependent on electricity, this damage to civilian infrastructure raises serious medical concerns. Echoing the concerns of the UN agencies in Gaza that “going after civilian installations, targeting and attacking electricity, only hurts the civilian population,” Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has strongly condemned this collective punishment of the Palestinian people—actions clearly in violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention, to which Israeli is a signatory (“Collective Punishment, Occupation, and the Palestinians,” http://www.miftah.org/Display.cfm?DocId=8691&CategoryId=30 ).
For more on Israel’s invasion of Gaza, visit http://electronicintifada.net/bytopic/442.shtml, for more on the June massacres in Gaza, visit http://electronicintifada.net/bytopic/440.shtml, and for more on the “One Big Prison” status of Gaza following last year’s disengagement, visit http://www.btselem.org/English/Press_Releases/20050329.asp.
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Mennonite Central Committee currently supports a women's health center in Khan Younis in southern Gaza, a women's food processing center in Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza, and a children’s center in the Khan Younis refugee camp. MCC partners with the Culture and Free Thought Association (CFTA; http://www.palnet.com/~cfta/) in Khan Younis through MCC’s Global Family Program, supporting CFTA’s Shoroq wa-Amal (Sunrise and Hope) children’s club (http://www.mcc.org/globalfamily/projects/middleeast/
palestine/shoroq.html). At Shoroq wa-Amal, over 500 refugee children engage in before or after school activities, such as art, dance, music, sports, drama, reading, science and play. CFTA’s children's programs stimulate intellect and creativity and provide safe, secure places for children who are growing up in the midst of poverty and violence.
Talking earlier today with Majeda al-Sakka, program manager for CFTA, she shared a little about what they are experiencing. “This is a very bad situation,” Majeda tells me. Shelling and Israeli aircraft-created sonic booms that go on day and night at the least disrupt sleep for the residents of Gaza, but in more cases traumatize young children.
That the water supply in many places has been cut off or at least its availability is uncertain is itself a heavy concern. For the last twenty-four hours in Khan Younis there has been no water. “Water is the source of life,” Majeda tells me. And in the summer, in a hot climate such as Gaza, this water shortage carries with it even more health concerns and hospitals are worried about what the coming week will hold. Estimates that the Gaza infrastructure will not be repaired nor power supplies be available again before the end of the year creates more concern. People are being told to buy generators. But even for those who can afford a generator, there is a short supply. And for those who are fortunate enough to but generators, fuel supplies in Gaza are very limited.
Accessible water depends for many on electricity, and the loss of power means the loss of more water. The loss of power also means limited services at Gaza hospitals. Palestinians with medical conditions now face a very difficult time ahead.
Majeda emphasizes to me that the situation is very dangerous for everybody. Simple commutes within Gaza are no longer safe, due not only to the decimated infrastructure (bridges, roads, etc.) but to the constant threat of low-flying Israeli F-16’s, flying at speeds that break the sound barrier and create sonic booms, shattering windows, causing hearing damage. CFTA staff has sat down and worked out emergency plans to maintain the work of the center. But so far, Majeda tells me, “nothing is working.” Inconsistent power availability throughout the day prohibits consistent work, which is why many are shifting their work time to the evening, to adjust to the schedule of available electricity.
Sunday marks the beginning of CFTA’s summer camp program for the children of Khan Younis, many of whom live in the refugee camps around the city. And at this point, Majeda does not know if they can start on time. She is sure that they will have to cancel some of the activities. For example, there can be no visits to the beach. For years, the children of Khan Younis, and their parents, were not able to visit the Mediterranean Sea, or go to the beach for a family outing. Following the removal of Israeli settlers from Gaza last year, the residents of Gaza could freely go to the beach. But now, it is again too dangerous. The massacre of the Ghalia family last week on the shores of Gaza City was a sad indicator of this.
Majeda tells me that they will also find alternatives to activities that involve doing anything with the children in large groups. The fear is very real that Israel will target large groups, even if they are children playing at a summer camp. CFTA will organize more activities for smaller group of children, to avoid being noticeable targets for the Israeli military.
Regardless of all of this, the Palestinian people of Gaza are not showing signs of despair. “There are high spirits,” says Majeda. This has a lot to do with the history of Gaza and the experiences of the Palestinian people there. “Khallas, it’s a war,” she tells me, describing the sentiment of the people. This has happened to us before, “what do we have to lose?” Nor do there appear to be any signs of acquiescence to Israeli demands for the release of the Israeli prisoner being held, instead pushing for a prisoner exchange. “We want to see out families in prison.”
Finally, I ask Majeda about the response of the international community—of individuals, agencies, or governments. She asks, “Where is the solidarity?” Where are the actions of protest against what Israel is doing, for example, demonstrations at Israeli embassies? Where indeed?
Please keep Majeda and the people of Gaza in your thoughts and prayers right now. And prayerfully discern how you and your community should hear Majeda’s exhortation and consider how to respond.
MCC Palestine Online
Many of you have already noticed MCC’s new and improved website at http://www.mcc.org/. Perhaps you have also noticed the updated MCC Palestine website at http://www.mcc.org/palestine/, containing additional links to MCC resources such as news service pieces and other publications we have mentioned in the past such as Sonia Weaver’s What Is Palestine/Israel?: Answers to Common Questions, MCC Peace Office Newsletters, a Common Place magazine, the “Bridges Not Walls” Campaign, DVD’s like Children of the Nakba, The Dividing Wall, and more. Check out http://www.mcc.org/palestine/resources/ to access these resources to assist in education and advocacy in your home communities on behalf of the people of this land. Also, for current and back editions of the MCC Palestine Update, as well as additional links to MCC partner organizations, you can also visit http://mccpalestineupdate.blogspot.com/.
MCC Palestine Transitions: Welcoming New Faces, Goodbyes to Good Friends
After eleven years of working in the Middle East with MCC, nine of which were here in Palestine, Alain Epp Weaver and Sonia Weaver, Regional Representatives for Palestine, Jordan, and Iraq, will be finishing up their time with MCC in August. They, along with their children Sam and Kate, will be moving to Chicago, where Alain will begin a PhD program in theology at the University of Chicago. Though we are all very happy for Alain and Sonia and Sam and Kate for this new opportunity, we will all miss them very much. They have contributed greatly to MCC’s work over the years and have been an incredible resource, and good friends, to us all. Blessings to you, Alain, Sonia, Sam, and Kate, in this new experience!
Next month, we will welcome George and Pearl Richert from Winnipeg, Manitoba in Canada to our program as the new Regional Representatives for the Palestine, Jordan and Iraq programs. They have worked in the past with MCC having done program evaluations for the Egypt and Syria programs, as well as having done some work for the Iraq program. Until his retirement five years ago, George was the President of Menno Simons College, in addition to teaching courses on International Development, and has recently been involved in contract work for Menno Simons College. Pearl and George come with a solid history in Mennonite church involvement, as well as MCC involvement. Along with our colleagues Sri Mayasandra, MCC Palestine’s Jerusalem Representative, and Bassem Thabet, Director of Administration, as well as Mark and Andrea Stoner-Leaman, English teachers at the Latin Patriarchate School in the village of Zebabdeh in the northern West Bank, we are excited about the arrival of our new colleagues!
On a final note regarding new MCCers, peace development workers Timothy and Christi Seidel welcomed their first child in May. Their son Kai Emanuel Hoover-Seidel was born in Bethlehem. He is a healthy boy and a delight to us all.
Peace to you all,
Timothy Seidel
Peace Development Workers
Mennonite Central Committee – Palestine
Attachments and Links:
· Chris McGreal, “Israeli tanks turn screw on besieged Gaza Strip,” The Guardian, 29 June 2006
· Tanya Reinhart, “A Week of Israeli Restraint,” The Electronic Intifada, 22 June 2006
· Jonathan Cook, “The truth lies buried in Gaza sands,” The Electronic Intifada, 21 June 2006
· Fareed Taamallah, “America deaf to Palestinian screams,” The Electronic Intifada, 19 June 2006
· Gideon Levy, “No Longer Asking,” Haaretz, 18 June 2006
· Chris McGreal, “The battle of Huda Ghalia - who really killed girl's family on Gaza beach?” The Guardian, 17 June 2006
· Gideon Levy, “The Uninvolved,” Haaretz, 2 June 2006
· Will Youmans and Nora Erakat, “Understanding the Presbyterian Vote: Divestment, Corporate Engagement and Israel, CounterPunch.org, 23 June 2006
· James Brooks, “On Boycotts, Activism and Moral Standards,” The Electronic Intifada, 16 June 2006
· Gideon Levy, “With a little help from the outside,” Haaretz, 4 June 2006
· James M. Wall, “Unilateral proposal,” The Christian Century, 13 June 2006
· BADIL Press release from, “2006 World Refugee Day: BADIL Survey of Palestinian Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons,” BADIL Press release from Resource Center for Palestinian Residency and Refugee Rights, 12 June 2006
· Al-Haq Press Release, “39 Years of Occupation,” Al-Haq, 5 June 2006
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The Guardian
Israeli tanks turn screw on besieged Gaza Strip
Chris McGreal
29 June 2006
The army seized control of Gaza's international airport on the edge of Rafah - which last saw a flight five years ago, just before the army bulldozed the runway - and secured a large area of ground. The Israelis made their presence known to the rest of Gaza before dawn as air force jets let loose powerful sonic booms which sound unnervingly like very large bombs. Many Palestinians were shaken from their beds to find they had no electricity.
Twelve hours later, workers at Gaza's power station were still hosing down six wrecked transformers billowing smoke after each one was picked off by a single missile, leaving heaps of buckled metal.
The plant's operations manager, Derar Abu Sisi, predicted that it would not generate again before the end of the year, raising the prospect that more than half of Gaza's 1.4 million residents, including a large part of Gaza City, will be without power for months. "This plant produced 60% of the strip's electricity. Now it's completely shut down," he said. "What I know about war is that economics and infrastructure is usually the last target ... We're very sorry it's the first stage of war here. They [the Israelis] know very well the electricity sector doesn't have weapons."
The Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, called the destruction of Gaza's infrastructure "collective punishment and a crime against humanity". Human rights groups said it was in breach of the Geneva conventions which bar attacks on targets of no immediate military value and on reprisals against civilians.
The Israeli army seemed at a loss to explain the value of severing electricity to most of Gaza's population, and destroying bridges that will take weeks or months to repair, unless it is to make civilians suffer in order to pressure the armed groups holding Cpl Shalit. "This is part of an ongoing effort to cause disruption, it's all part of the same effort to get the soldier released," said aspokeswoman, Captain Noah Meir. "It's part of measures against those who are directly involved and those not directly involved." Asked about the impact on the civilian population, she said: "It was something we took into consideration. You do have to understand that we have to get the soldier back."
Gazans have not begun to think how they are going to get through the coming weeks and months without electricity. The wrecked plant was only fully on line for three years and it will cost about £8m to buy and install new transformers.
Please read more at http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/Story/0,,1808456,00.html
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The Electronic Intifada
A Week of Israeli Restraint
Tanya Reinhart
22 June 2006
In Israeli discourse, Israel is always presented as the side exercising restraint in its conflict with the Palestinians. This was true again for the events of the past week: As the Qassam rockets were falling on the Southern Israeli town of Sderot, it was “leaked” that the Israeli Minister of Defense had directed the army to show restraint.
During the week of Israeli restraint, the army killed a Palestinian family who went on a picnic on the Beit Lahya beach in the Gaza Strip; after that, the army killed nine people in order to liquidate a Katyusha rocket. But in the discourse of restraint, the first killing does not count, because the army denied its involvement, and the second was deemed a necessary act of self-defense. After all, Israel is caught in the midst of Qassam attacks, and must defend its citizens. In this narrative, the fact that Israel is content merely to bombard the Gaza Strip from air, sea and land is a model of restraint and humanity that not many states could match.
But what is driving the Qassam attacks on Israel? For 17 months, since it declared a cease fire, Hamas has not been involved in firing Qassams. The other organizations have generally succeeded in launching only a few isolated Qassams. How did this evolve into an attack of something like 70 Qassams in three days?…
At the beginning of last week (11 June), Olmert set out on a campaign of persuasion in Europe to convince European leaders that now, with Hamas in power, Israel definitely has no partner. The USA does not appear to need any convincing at the moment, but in Europe there is more reservation about unilateral measures. The Israeli army began to prepare the backdrop on the night of the previous Thursday (8 June 2006), when it “liquidated” Jamal Abu Samhanada, who had recently been appointed head of the security forces of the Interior Ministry by the Hamas government. It was entirely predictable that the action may lead to Qassam attacks on Sderot. Nevertheless, the army proceeded the following day to shell the Gaza coast (killing the Ghalya family and wounding tens of people), and succeeded in igniting the required conflagration, until Hamas again ordered its people, on 14 June, to cease firing.
Please read more at http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article4836.shtm
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The Electronic Intifada
The truth lies buried in Gaza sands
Jonathan Cook
21 June 2006
If you keep lying long enough and with enough conviction, people start to believe you -- or at least doubt the evidence in front of their own eyes. And so it has been with the Israeli army’s account of how seven members of a Palestinian family were killed, and dozens of other Palestinians injured, during shelling close by a beach in Gaza.
This week, according to reports in the Israeli media, even Marc Garlasco, a Pentagon expert on the effects of battlefield weapons hired by Human Rights Watch to investigate the deaths, “conceded” that he could not contradict the findings of the Israeli army’s own inquiry.
Presumably that is because Israel is not letting him or anyone else near their evidence. But Garlasco’s slight change of tune -- even if it is not exactly a ringing endorsement -- leaves the door ajar just wide enough that the Israeli army will doubtless slip through it to escape being held accountable yet again.
The army has been claiming for more than a week, based on its own evidence, that the lethal explosion was not caused by a stray shell landing on the Gaza beach but most probably by a mine placed there by Palestinian militants to prevent an Israeli naval landing.
The army’s case could be dismissed outright were it not for the racist assumptions that now prevail as Western “thought” about Arabs and Muslims.
Please read more at http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article4832.shtml
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The Electronic Intifada
America deaf to Palestinian screams
Fareed Taamallah
19 June 2006
The screaming of 11 year old Palestinian Huda Abu Ghalia from Gaza seems not to have reached American officials. Huda's parents and five siblings were killed before her eyes last week when Israeli artillery crashed onto the beach as they picnicked. The US was the only major power which not only refused to condemn the incident, but described it as "self defense." Afterwards, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert called Israel's army the "most moral" in the world.
However, Amnesty International's 2006 Report criticizes Israel's excessive use of force: "Some 190 Palestinians[1], including around 50 children, were killed by the Israeli army in the Occupied Territories in 2005. Many were killed unlawfully, in deliberate and reckless shootings, shelling and air strikes in densely populated residential areas."
Following years of Israeli oppression, in July, 2005 171 Palestinian civil society organizations initiated a global campaign calling for boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) against Israeli apartheid. A growing number of international organizations have responded to the call…
Nobel Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu has written, "Yesterday's South African township dwellers can tell you about today's life in the Occupied Territories....If apartheid ended, so can the occupation, but the moral force and international pressure will have to be just as determined. The current divestment effort is the first, though certainly not the only, necessary move in that direction."
In the West Bank, every day I see, feel and touch the segregation between the Palestinian and Israeli communities: on the roads, at checkpoints, and through collective punishment of Palestinians.
Please read more at http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article4827.shtml
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Haaretz
No longer asking
Gideon Levy
18 June 2006
We've stopped asking. The press, whose job is to ask, almost doesn't ask questions; the Knesset doesn't ask questions; the attorney general doesn't ask questions; the Supreme Court doesn't ask; nearly all the teachers, doctors, students, and intellectuals don't ask questions; the heads of the army and the defense establishment certainly don't ask questions, they never asked. Nothing is more symptomatic of a society's ills than the fact that the society has stopped asking questions.
Even during a particularly bloody week like last week, when 14 innocent civilians were killed, nearly no questions were asked, and certainly not the real questions. In a feeble voice it was asked why it was necessary to fire missiles at a vehicle in the heart of Gaza, and why the second barrage was necessary when it was obvious that innocent civilians would gather around the car after the first barrage. But nobody asked about the difference between firing a missile into the heart of a city and a suicide bomber blowing himself up in the heart of another city. They asked who killed the Ghalia family on the beach and what Israel should do about the Qassams, but few asked what Israel should not do, under any circumstances, and what would happen if, heaven forbid, the GRAD missile in the vehicle were to blow up on a street bustling with people. Nobody, of course, even considered asking the commander of the air force or the chief of staff if they should take responsibility for this war crime…
Israel is waiting, silent and indifferent. Any glimmer of good news from the Palestinian side is immediately trampled by brutal military operations. We are pushing Hamas, really pushing, back into the cycle of terror, as a senior officer in the army, who of course refused to be identified, admits. In Gaza there is a prime minister who says he wants to reach an arrangement with Israel on the basis of the 1967 borders, a far-reaching statement as far as he is concerned, and Israel responds with threats on his life. In Ramallah is the most moderate of all Palestinian leaders, and Israel more or less is ignoring his existence. Four years ago the Arab world passed a brave decision--the Saudi Arabian plan--to normalize relations with Israel, but that didn't even get a serious discussion here.
Without asking questions, Israel is morally collapsing. African refugees are rotting in jail, an airline wanted to allow aboard only Jewish travelers, and in our backyard an entire nation is struggling against an Israeli boot that from year to year becomes more ruthless and brutal. And above it all hovers the horrible question: Do we really want peace? Do we really want to live in a just and sympathetic country? Or is the sad truth that the greed for territory and power has blinded and deafened us so that we are no longer able even to ask?
Please read more at http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/727935.html
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The Guardian
The battle of Huda Ghalia - who really killed girl's family on Gaza beach?
Chris McGreal
17 June 2006
Guardian investigation casts doubt on Israeli claim that army was not to blame
Heartrending pictures of 10-year-old Huda Ghalia running wildly along a Gaza beach crying "father, father, father" and then falling weeping beside his body turned the distraught girl into an instant icon of the Palestinian struggle even before she fully grasped that much of her family was dead.
But the images of the young girl who lost her father, step-mother and five of her siblings as picnicking families fled a barrage of Israeli shells a week ago have become their own battleground.
Who and what killed the Ghalia family, and badly maimed a score of other people, has been the subject of an increasingly bitter struggle for truth all week amid accusations that a military investigation clearing the army was a cover-up, that Hamas was really responsible and even that the pictures of Huda's grief were all an act.
However, a Guardian investigation into the sequence of events raises new and so far unanswered questions about the Israeli military probe that cleared the army of responsibility. Evidence from hospital records, doctors' testimony and witness accounts challenges the central assertion that the shelling had stopped by the time seven members of the Ghalia family were killed.
In addition, fresh evidence from the US group Human Rights Watch, which offered the first forensic questioning of the army's account, casts doubt on another key claim - that shrapnel taken from the wounded was not from the kind of artillery used to shell Gaza.
Please read more at http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/Story/0,,1799825,00.html
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Haaretz
The uninvolved
Gideon Levy
2 June 2006
The faces of the news anchors last Saturday night were impassive as they announced another "targeted strike in Gaza." So was the face of the Israel Air Force commander, Major General Eliezer Shkedi, who said the next day, with appalling hardheartedness, that "we still have to check" what exactly caused the deaths in the Aman family during this targeted strike. What exactly was the major general hinting at? That perhaps it was not the missile launched by his pilot that killed the family?
And one wonders about the face of the pilot who pushed the button that launched the murderous missile into a crowded street in the heart of Gaza City on Shabbat afternoon - a missile that was meant to destroy Mohammed Dahdouh of Islamic Jihad, and in one blow killed off a grandmother, a mother and her small son and mortally wounded two other members of the family, including the little daughter.
Only the face of Hamdi Aman is contorted now, with tears welling up in his eyes, trying in vain to hold back his weeping: a 28-year-old man, limping from the injury to his leg from the shrapnel, who lost his 7-year-old son Muhand, his 27-year-old wife, Naima, and his mother, Hanan, 46. Mariya, his daughter, 3 and a half years old, is lying in the children's intensive care unit in Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer, completely paralyzed and on a respirator.
"I don't hate the Israelis," says this young man, who grew up in the Carmel Market in Tel Aviv, and whose family Israel has destroyed in this way. "Just put the pilot on trial." The words are uttered in the family home in the Tel al-Hawa neighborhood in Gaza. The oppressive silence is broken only by Hamdi's silent weeping, and his tears fall onto the sand floor in the entry hall of the house. He embraces his 2-year-old son Muaman, who was saved from death, but wounded in the back by shrapnel, a toddler who is crying and calling to his mother, who is no longer alive.
Please read more at http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=721926&contrassID
=2&subContrassID=14&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y
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Counterpunch.org
Understanding the Presbyterian Vote: Divestment, Corporate Engagement and Israel
Will Youmans and Nora Erakat
23 June 2006
America’s largest Presbyterian church voted to continue policies of economic engagement in the Middle East. It affirmed its willingness to use its investment policies to press for peace in Israel-Palestine. The vote came two years after it’s overwhelmingly support of a phased, selective divestment from Israel.
During its 217th General Assembly, the Presbyterian Church (USA) voted to substitute the language of “divestment” for the precise concept of “corporate engagement.” Both concepts refer to the same process of moral responsible investment. They just refer to different stages. Corporate engagement is when the Church researches the companies, determines their compliance with its standards, and then pressures them to change. Divestment refers to the ultimate termination of investments from the targeted corporations if engagement fails to produce positive change.
Nothing in the amended resolution prevents the PC(USA) General Assembly from deciding to decide to divest. Rev. Gretchen Graf, moderator of the General Assembly said “this new statement clarifies the engagement process, which has not yet led to any recommendation for divestment,” she told the General Assembly. She specified that divestment could still occur in 2008…
However, a barrage of headlines and sound-bites suggest the Presbyterians have abandoned divestment totally. Pro-Israeli activists claim this is a victory for them and a defeat for the divestment movement – mainstream media are readily accepting this as fact…
There is no basis for claiming the Presbyterians surrendered their right to divest from companies profiting off of Israel’s military occupation. This vote did not let Israel and the companies helping it off the hook. Yet, the media have largely adapted the twisted version of events. It seems they all wish divestment would just go away
Please read more at http://counterpunch.org/youmans06232006.html
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The Electronic Intifada
On Boycotts, Activism and Moral Standards
James Brooks
16 June 2006
Boycott and divestment campaigns are grass roots efforts to publicize the extreme plight of the Palestinians and protest western nations’ support for Israel’s demands. They can become the nucleus of a growing public awareness that could eventually produce political change. In a “free market” economy, there should be no question as to the right of consumers and organizations to make and promote joint decisions about their purchases and investments…
In closing, I’d like to propose a settlement to the frothy debate over the “legitimacy” of the growing international campaign to boycott Israel and its accomplices. It can be stated in two elementary observations.
First, I assume we agree that the international embargo against apartheid South Africa was a morally sound and effective tool to hasten justice in that colonized land.
Second, veteran South African freedom fighters from Archbishop Desmond Tutu to labor organizers and SA government officials have been saying for several years that the situation in occupied Palestine is worse than the oppression they suffered under white South Africa. (And that was before the current economic siege, the draconian new permit systems strangling the West Bank and forcing Palestinians out of the Jordan Valley, the rising new tide of deaths caused by the spreading paralysis of the Palestinian health care system, etc. etc.)
Who will argue with the people who defeated South African apartheid and have experienced Israel’s version of the same system?
The South African boycott and the campaign to free the “terrorist” Nelson Mandela were international actions of conscience against a racist colonizing power that refused to change its ways. We would be applying a double standard if we did not act on the same conscience today, to boycott and cut off funds to Israel and pressure it into ending its own regime of ethnic supremacy.
Please read more at http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article4818.shtml
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Haaretz
With a little help from the outside
Gideon Levy
4 June 2006
The laugh of fate: The state waging a broad international campaign for a boycott is simultaneously waging a parallel campaign, no less determined, against a boycott. A boycott that seriously harms the lives of millions of people is legitimate in its eyes because it is directed against those defined as its enemies, while a boycott that is liable to hurt its academic ivory tower is illegitimate in its eyes only because it is aimed against itself. This is a moral double standard. Why is the boycott campaign against the Palestinian Authority, including blocking essential economic aid and boycotting leaders elected in democratic and legal elections, a permissible measure in Israel's eyes and the boycott of its universities is forbidden?
Israel cannot claim the boycott weapon is illegitimate. It makes extensive use of this weapon itself, and its victims are suffering under severe conditions of deprivation, from Rafah to Jenin. In the past, Israel called upon the world to boycott Yasser Arafat, and now it is calling for a boycott of the Hamas government ? and via this government, all of the Palestinians in the territories. And Israel does not regard this as an ethical problem. Tens of thousands have not received their salaries for four months due to the boycott, but when there is a call to boycott Israeli universities, the boycott suddenly becomes an illegitimate weapon…
The occupation is not just the domain of the government, army and security organizations. Everything is tainted: institutions of justice and law, the physicians who remain silent while medical treatment is prevented in the territories, the teachers who do not protest against the closing of educational institutions and the prevention of free movement of their peers, the journalists who do not report, the writers and artists who remain mum, the architects and engineers who lend a hand to the occupation's enterprises ? the settlements and the fence, the barriers and bypass roads and also the university lecturers, who do nothing for their imprisoned colleagues in the territories, but conduct special study programs for the security forces. If all these boycotted the occupation, there would be no need for an international boycott.
The world sees a great and ongoing injustice. Should it remain silent?
Please read more at http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/722364.html
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The Christian Century
Unilateral proposal
James M. Wall
13 June 2006
Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert traveled to Washington in late May to tell President Bush about his plans for Israel's future. There is no indication that those plans offer a viable solution to the humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian territories caused by the cutoff of funds to the Hamas government. Olmert blames Hamas for the crisis. Former president Jimmy Carter disagrees. In a column in the International Herald Tribune (May 7), Carter wrote:
Innocent Palestinian people are being treated like animals, with the presumption that they are guilty of some crime. Because they voted for candidates who are members of Hamas, the United States government has become the driving force behind an apparently effective scheme of depriving the general [Palestinian] public of income, access to the outside world and the necessities of life. A Hamas pledge against the use of violence against Israel civilians has been in place for more than 18 months, yet both Israel and the U.S. continue to describe Hamas as a terrorist organization and refuse to talk with Hamas until it accepts Israel's "right to exist"—a diplomatic demand that Virginia Tilley, professor of political science and international relations at Hobart and William Smith Colleges, finds less than compelling.
In the online newsletter Counterpunch (May 12), Tilley identifies a logical flaw in the "right to exist" demand that has led to the international isolation of Hamas. "Diplomatic recognition of a state routinely requires one bit of vital information: 'right to exist' where? Israel's borders are not set. Even its plans for those borders are not known; with impressive brashness, Mr. Olmert has announced that we will not know until 2010."
Hamas and the international community have a right, as well as an obligation to all the people affected, to demand specificity about the borders within which Israel plans to exist. "Otherwise," says Tilley, "recognizing Israel's 'right to exist' could be construed to mean that Israel has a 'right to exist' within whatever borders it chooses in coming years."
Please read more at http://www.christiancentury.org/article.lasso?id=2141
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Press release from BADIL Resource Center for Palestinian Residency and Refugee Rights
2006 World Refugee Day: BADIL Survey of Palestinian Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons
BADIL Resource Center for Palestinian Residency and Refugee Rights
12 June 2006
In 2005, there were approximately 6.8 million Palestinian refugees and 400,000 internally displaced Palestinians representing 70 percent of the entire Palestinian population worldwide (9.7 million). The legal status of some 400,000 additional Palestinians is unclear, but they too are likely to be refugees. Palestinian refugees represent the longest protracted refugee situation worldwide [1]. Israel's denial of refugee return, combined with the lack of international political will to enforce international law and relevant UN resolutions and the absence of an effective protection regime continue to prevent durable solutions. New Palestinian refugees and IDPs are created by Israel's policies, in particular its illegal Wall under construction in the occupied West Bank (including eastern Jerusalem).
These and many more detailed findings about the current situation of Palestinian refugees and IDP are presented in the Survey of Palestinian Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons 2004 2005 released by BADIL on the occasion of World Refugee Day. The Survey is based on information released by UNWRA, UNHCR and a variety of other official and non-governmental sources [2].
Although most Palestinian refugees are registered with UNRWA (4.3 million) and/or with UNHCR (350,600), the lack of a systematic register for all Palestinian refugees continues to obstruct accurate assessment of the size and protection needs of this population. All data regarding internally displaced Palestinians are estimates as neither Israel nor the Palestinian Authority or the United Nations are monitoring internal displacement in Israel and the 1967 occupied Palestinian territories (OPT).
Please read more at http://counterpunch.org/youmans06232006.html
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Al-Haq Press Release
39 Years of Occupation
Al-Haq
5 June 2006
5 June 2006 marks the 39th anniversary of the Israeli occupation of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip. It ends another year of suffering, human rights violations, and the denial of self-determination to the Palestinian people. Israel's occupation has continued to create "facts on the ground" through settlement expansion, the construction of the Annexation Wall, and increasingly severe movement restrictions. Combined with the refusal by Israel to transfer Palestinian revenues, and the withdrawal of support by major international donors, these measures have crippled the Palestinian economy. Incessant Israeli military incursions, arrest raids, targeted assassinations, and in Gaza, shelling, have maintained violence as a consistent backdrop to every day life in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT).
Israel's 2005 unilateral withdrawal from Gaza and parts of the West Bank diffused criticism and pressure from the international community, allowing Israel's occupation of the OPT, and associated violations of international law, to continue unchallenged. The withdrawal did not end the occupation of Gaza. Israel still controls Gaza's land borders, sea access, and air space, and has repeatedly launched military attacks in the region by air and land. Basic infrastructure in Gaza, such as electricity and water supply, is still controlled by Israel, as is the population registry.
Israeli Prime Minister Olmert's unilateral plans for the West Bank promise even less than the Gaza withdrawal. Under the current framework, as few as 20-30 settlements, out of over 150, would be dismantled. Settlers would simply be relocated to other settlements in the West Bank, including in East Jerusalem, which Israel has announced it will incorporate. It would also retain control of the Jordan Valley, one of the most important agricultural areas of the West Bank. Unlike Gaza, there would be no military withdrawal but rather a redeployment of Israeli forces inside the West Bank.
Please read more at http://asp.alhaq.org/zalhaq/site/templates/viewArticle.aspx?fname=../ePublications/252.htm
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30 June 2006
Atrocities in Gaza
Following a series of bloody June attacks on Gaza by Israeli forces, including the weekend shelling of a beach that killed 8 Palestinian civilians, including 7 members of the same family and injured a further 32 civilians, including 13 children (9 June); a missile attack on a Gazan highway that killed eleven and injured 30 (13 June); and another missile attack that killed 3 children and wounded 15 others (20 June), Palestinian militants carried out a raid on Israeli military positions near Gaza on June 25th.
The raid resulted in the killing of two soldiers and the capture of one, Cpl Gilad Shalit. Israel threatened an assault and the assassination of top Hamas leaders if the soldier was not freed, and began deploying tanks along Gaza’s borders. Late evening this past Tuesday, Israel launched a large-scale military assault on Gaza, as Israeli fighter planes carried out three airstrikes on Gazan bridges, rendering travel north to south for vehicles by road impossible. Further strikes took place against Gazan power plants, which provide electricity to half of Gaza’s 1.5 million Palestinians, sending most of Gaza into darkness. The damage to the power plants is estimated at about $16 million, and will require six months to repair—more than a daunting figure for the residents of Gaza, considering what they already see as the international community’s economic boycott of the Palestinian people following Palestinian Legislative Council elections earlier this year. And early into Wednesday morning, Israeli forces began moving into Gaza to take control of the open areas east of Rafah. Israeli fighter planes began flying low over Gaza, causing intentional sonic booms. Israeli threats of targeted assassinations have been stepped up, as they have already kidnapped dozens of democratically elected Palestinian officials ministers in the past day alone, including 20 MP’s and 8 cabinet members.
This recent and ongoing Israeli attack on Gaza has created incredible uncertainty (“Israeli tanks turn screw on besieged Gaza Strip,” http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/Story/0,,1808456,00.html; “Israeli missiles pound Gaza into new Dark Age in ‘collective punishment,’” http://news.independent.co.uk/world/middle_east/
article1129750.ece; “Bracing for the worst: Electricity cut off, bridges bombed, sonic boom attacks resume,” http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article4863.shtml). The targeting and destruction of civilian infrastructure has already created a humanitarian situation on the brink of disaster (“UN aid chief warns that Gaza is on the verge of humanitarian crisis,” http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/732995.html; “Israel strikes new Gaza targets,” http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/5131404.stm; “Gaza’s infrastructure suffers,” http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/5130510.stm). With much of the water supply and sewage system dependent on electricity, this damage to civilian infrastructure raises serious medical concerns. Echoing the concerns of the UN agencies in Gaza that “going after civilian installations, targeting and attacking electricity, only hurts the civilian population,” Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has strongly condemned this collective punishment of the Palestinian people—actions clearly in violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention, to which Israeli is a signatory (“Collective Punishment, Occupation, and the Palestinians,” http://www.miftah.org/Display.cfm?DocId=8691&CategoryId=30 ).
For more on Israel’s invasion of Gaza, visit http://electronicintifada.net/bytopic/442.shtml, for more on the June massacres in Gaza, visit http://electronicintifada.net/bytopic/440.shtml, and for more on the “One Big Prison” status of Gaza following last year’s disengagement, visit http://www.btselem.org/English/Press_Releases/20050329.asp.
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Mennonite Central Committee currently supports a women's health center in Khan Younis in southern Gaza, a women's food processing center in Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza, and a children’s center in the Khan Younis refugee camp. MCC partners with the Culture and Free Thought Association (CFTA; http://www.palnet.com/~cfta/) in Khan Younis through MCC’s Global Family Program, supporting CFTA’s Shoroq wa-Amal (Sunrise and Hope) children’s club (http://www.mcc.org/globalfamily/projects/middleeast/
palestine/shoroq.html). At Shoroq wa-Amal, over 500 refugee children engage in before or after school activities, such as art, dance, music, sports, drama, reading, science and play. CFTA’s children's programs stimulate intellect and creativity and provide safe, secure places for children who are growing up in the midst of poverty and violence.
Talking earlier today with Majeda al-Sakka, program manager for CFTA, she shared a little about what they are experiencing. “This is a very bad situation,” Majeda tells me. Shelling and Israeli aircraft-created sonic booms that go on day and night at the least disrupt sleep for the residents of Gaza, but in more cases traumatize young children.
That the water supply in many places has been cut off or at least its availability is uncertain is itself a heavy concern. For the last twenty-four hours in Khan Younis there has been no water. “Water is the source of life,” Majeda tells me. And in the summer, in a hot climate such as Gaza, this water shortage carries with it even more health concerns and hospitals are worried about what the coming week will hold. Estimates that the Gaza infrastructure will not be repaired nor power supplies be available again before the end of the year creates more concern. People are being told to buy generators. But even for those who can afford a generator, there is a short supply. And for those who are fortunate enough to but generators, fuel supplies in Gaza are very limited.
Accessible water depends for many on electricity, and the loss of power means the loss of more water. The loss of power also means limited services at Gaza hospitals. Palestinians with medical conditions now face a very difficult time ahead.
Majeda emphasizes to me that the situation is very dangerous for everybody. Simple commutes within Gaza are no longer safe, due not only to the decimated infrastructure (bridges, roads, etc.) but to the constant threat of low-flying Israeli F-16’s, flying at speeds that break the sound barrier and create sonic booms, shattering windows, causing hearing damage. CFTA staff has sat down and worked out emergency plans to maintain the work of the center. But so far, Majeda tells me, “nothing is working.” Inconsistent power availability throughout the day prohibits consistent work, which is why many are shifting their work time to the evening, to adjust to the schedule of available electricity.
Sunday marks the beginning of CFTA’s summer camp program for the children of Khan Younis, many of whom live in the refugee camps around the city. And at this point, Majeda does not know if they can start on time. She is sure that they will have to cancel some of the activities. For example, there can be no visits to the beach. For years, the children of Khan Younis, and their parents, were not able to visit the Mediterranean Sea, or go to the beach for a family outing. Following the removal of Israeli settlers from Gaza last year, the residents of Gaza could freely go to the beach. But now, it is again too dangerous. The massacre of the Ghalia family last week on the shores of Gaza City was a sad indicator of this.
Majeda tells me that they will also find alternatives to activities that involve doing anything with the children in large groups. The fear is very real that Israel will target large groups, even if they are children playing at a summer camp. CFTA will organize more activities for smaller group of children, to avoid being noticeable targets for the Israeli military.
Regardless of all of this, the Palestinian people of Gaza are not showing signs of despair. “There are high spirits,” says Majeda. This has a lot to do with the history of Gaza and the experiences of the Palestinian people there. “Khallas, it’s a war,” she tells me, describing the sentiment of the people. This has happened to us before, “what do we have to lose?” Nor do there appear to be any signs of acquiescence to Israeli demands for the release of the Israeli prisoner being held, instead pushing for a prisoner exchange. “We want to see out families in prison.”
Finally, I ask Majeda about the response of the international community—of individuals, agencies, or governments. She asks, “Where is the solidarity?” Where are the actions of protest against what Israel is doing, for example, demonstrations at Israeli embassies? Where indeed?
Please keep Majeda and the people of Gaza in your thoughts and prayers right now. And prayerfully discern how you and your community should hear Majeda’s exhortation and consider how to respond.
MCC Palestine Online
Many of you have already noticed MCC’s new and improved website at http://www.mcc.org/. Perhaps you have also noticed the updated MCC Palestine website at http://www.mcc.org/palestine/, containing additional links to MCC resources such as news service pieces and other publications we have mentioned in the past such as Sonia Weaver’s What Is Palestine/Israel?: Answers to Common Questions, MCC Peace Office Newsletters, a Common Place magazine, the “Bridges Not Walls” Campaign, DVD’s like Children of the Nakba, The Dividing Wall, and more. Check out http://www.mcc.org/palestine/resources/ to access these resources to assist in education and advocacy in your home communities on behalf of the people of this land. Also, for current and back editions of the MCC Palestine Update, as well as additional links to MCC partner organizations, you can also visit http://mccpalestineupdate.blogspot.com/.
MCC Palestine Transitions: Welcoming New Faces, Goodbyes to Good Friends
After eleven years of working in the Middle East with MCC, nine of which were here in Palestine, Alain Epp Weaver and Sonia Weaver, Regional Representatives for Palestine, Jordan, and Iraq, will be finishing up their time with MCC in August. They, along with their children Sam and Kate, will be moving to Chicago, where Alain will begin a PhD program in theology at the University of Chicago. Though we are all very happy for Alain and Sonia and Sam and Kate for this new opportunity, we will all miss them very much. They have contributed greatly to MCC’s work over the years and have been an incredible resource, and good friends, to us all. Blessings to you, Alain, Sonia, Sam, and Kate, in this new experience!
Next month, we will welcome George and Pearl Richert from Winnipeg, Manitoba in Canada to our program as the new Regional Representatives for the Palestine, Jordan and Iraq programs. They have worked in the past with MCC having done program evaluations for the Egypt and Syria programs, as well as having done some work for the Iraq program. Until his retirement five years ago, George was the President of Menno Simons College, in addition to teaching courses on International Development, and has recently been involved in contract work for Menno Simons College. Pearl and George come with a solid history in Mennonite church involvement, as well as MCC involvement. Along with our colleagues Sri Mayasandra, MCC Palestine’s Jerusalem Representative, and Bassem Thabet, Director of Administration, as well as Mark and Andrea Stoner-Leaman, English teachers at the Latin Patriarchate School in the village of Zebabdeh in the northern West Bank, we are excited about the arrival of our new colleagues!
On a final note regarding new MCCers, peace development workers Timothy and Christi Seidel welcomed their first child in May. Their son Kai Emanuel Hoover-Seidel was born in Bethlehem. He is a healthy boy and a delight to us all.
Peace to you all,
Timothy Seidel
Peace Development Workers
Mennonite Central Committee – Palestine
Attachments and Links:
· Chris McGreal, “Israeli tanks turn screw on besieged Gaza Strip,” The Guardian, 29 June 2006
· Tanya Reinhart, “A Week of Israeli Restraint,” The Electronic Intifada, 22 June 2006
· Jonathan Cook, “The truth lies buried in Gaza sands,” The Electronic Intifada, 21 June 2006
· Fareed Taamallah, “America deaf to Palestinian screams,” The Electronic Intifada, 19 June 2006
· Gideon Levy, “No Longer Asking,” Haaretz, 18 June 2006
· Chris McGreal, “The battle of Huda Ghalia - who really killed girl's family on Gaza beach?” The Guardian, 17 June 2006
· Gideon Levy, “The Uninvolved,” Haaretz, 2 June 2006
· Will Youmans and Nora Erakat, “Understanding the Presbyterian Vote: Divestment, Corporate Engagement and Israel, CounterPunch.org, 23 June 2006
· James Brooks, “On Boycotts, Activism and Moral Standards,” The Electronic Intifada, 16 June 2006
· Gideon Levy, “With a little help from the outside,” Haaretz, 4 June 2006
· James M. Wall, “Unilateral proposal,” The Christian Century, 13 June 2006
· BADIL Press release from, “2006 World Refugee Day: BADIL Survey of Palestinian Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons,” BADIL Press release from Resource Center for Palestinian Residency and Refugee Rights, 12 June 2006
· Al-Haq Press Release, “39 Years of Occupation,” Al-Haq, 5 June 2006
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The Guardian
Israeli tanks turn screw on besieged Gaza Strip
Chris McGreal
29 June 2006
The army seized control of Gaza's international airport on the edge of Rafah - which last saw a flight five years ago, just before the army bulldozed the runway - and secured a large area of ground. The Israelis made their presence known to the rest of Gaza before dawn as air force jets let loose powerful sonic booms which sound unnervingly like very large bombs. Many Palestinians were shaken from their beds to find they had no electricity.
Twelve hours later, workers at Gaza's power station were still hosing down six wrecked transformers billowing smoke after each one was picked off by a single missile, leaving heaps of buckled metal.
The plant's operations manager, Derar Abu Sisi, predicted that it would not generate again before the end of the year, raising the prospect that more than half of Gaza's 1.4 million residents, including a large part of Gaza City, will be without power for months. "This plant produced 60% of the strip's electricity. Now it's completely shut down," he said. "What I know about war is that economics and infrastructure is usually the last target ... We're very sorry it's the first stage of war here. They [the Israelis] know very well the electricity sector doesn't have weapons."
The Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, called the destruction of Gaza's infrastructure "collective punishment and a crime against humanity". Human rights groups said it was in breach of the Geneva conventions which bar attacks on targets of no immediate military value and on reprisals against civilians.
The Israeli army seemed at a loss to explain the value of severing electricity to most of Gaza's population, and destroying bridges that will take weeks or months to repair, unless it is to make civilians suffer in order to pressure the armed groups holding Cpl Shalit. "This is part of an ongoing effort to cause disruption, it's all part of the same effort to get the soldier released," said aspokeswoman, Captain Noah Meir. "It's part of measures against those who are directly involved and those not directly involved." Asked about the impact on the civilian population, she said: "It was something we took into consideration. You do have to understand that we have to get the soldier back."
Gazans have not begun to think how they are going to get through the coming weeks and months without electricity. The wrecked plant was only fully on line for three years and it will cost about £8m to buy and install new transformers.
Please read more at http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/Story/0,,1808456,00.html
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The Electronic Intifada
A Week of Israeli Restraint
Tanya Reinhart
22 June 2006
In Israeli discourse, Israel is always presented as the side exercising restraint in its conflict with the Palestinians. This was true again for the events of the past week: As the Qassam rockets were falling on the Southern Israeli town of Sderot, it was “leaked” that the Israeli Minister of Defense had directed the army to show restraint.
During the week of Israeli restraint, the army killed a Palestinian family who went on a picnic on the Beit Lahya beach in the Gaza Strip; after that, the army killed nine people in order to liquidate a Katyusha rocket. But in the discourse of restraint, the first killing does not count, because the army denied its involvement, and the second was deemed a necessary act of self-defense. After all, Israel is caught in the midst of Qassam attacks, and must defend its citizens. In this narrative, the fact that Israel is content merely to bombard the Gaza Strip from air, sea and land is a model of restraint and humanity that not many states could match.
But what is driving the Qassam attacks on Israel? For 17 months, since it declared a cease fire, Hamas has not been involved in firing Qassams. The other organizations have generally succeeded in launching only a few isolated Qassams. How did this evolve into an attack of something like 70 Qassams in three days?…
At the beginning of last week (11 June), Olmert set out on a campaign of persuasion in Europe to convince European leaders that now, with Hamas in power, Israel definitely has no partner. The USA does not appear to need any convincing at the moment, but in Europe there is more reservation about unilateral measures. The Israeli army began to prepare the backdrop on the night of the previous Thursday (8 June 2006), when it “liquidated” Jamal Abu Samhanada, who had recently been appointed head of the security forces of the Interior Ministry by the Hamas government. It was entirely predictable that the action may lead to Qassam attacks on Sderot. Nevertheless, the army proceeded the following day to shell the Gaza coast (killing the Ghalya family and wounding tens of people), and succeeded in igniting the required conflagration, until Hamas again ordered its people, on 14 June, to cease firing.
Please read more at http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article4836.shtm
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The Electronic Intifada
The truth lies buried in Gaza sands
Jonathan Cook
21 June 2006
If you keep lying long enough and with enough conviction, people start to believe you -- or at least doubt the evidence in front of their own eyes. And so it has been with the Israeli army’s account of how seven members of a Palestinian family were killed, and dozens of other Palestinians injured, during shelling close by a beach in Gaza.
This week, according to reports in the Israeli media, even Marc Garlasco, a Pentagon expert on the effects of battlefield weapons hired by Human Rights Watch to investigate the deaths, “conceded” that he could not contradict the findings of the Israeli army’s own inquiry.
Presumably that is because Israel is not letting him or anyone else near their evidence. But Garlasco’s slight change of tune -- even if it is not exactly a ringing endorsement -- leaves the door ajar just wide enough that the Israeli army will doubtless slip through it to escape being held accountable yet again.
The army has been claiming for more than a week, based on its own evidence, that the lethal explosion was not caused by a stray shell landing on the Gaza beach but most probably by a mine placed there by Palestinian militants to prevent an Israeli naval landing.
The army’s case could be dismissed outright were it not for the racist assumptions that now prevail as Western “thought” about Arabs and Muslims.
Please read more at http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article4832.shtml
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The Electronic Intifada
America deaf to Palestinian screams
Fareed Taamallah
19 June 2006
The screaming of 11 year old Palestinian Huda Abu Ghalia from Gaza seems not to have reached American officials. Huda's parents and five siblings were killed before her eyes last week when Israeli artillery crashed onto the beach as they picnicked. The US was the only major power which not only refused to condemn the incident, but described it as "self defense." Afterwards, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert called Israel's army the "most moral" in the world.
However, Amnesty International's 2006 Report criticizes Israel's excessive use of force: "Some 190 Palestinians[1], including around 50 children, were killed by the Israeli army in the Occupied Territories in 2005. Many were killed unlawfully, in deliberate and reckless shootings, shelling and air strikes in densely populated residential areas."
Following years of Israeli oppression, in July, 2005 171 Palestinian civil society organizations initiated a global campaign calling for boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) against Israeli apartheid. A growing number of international organizations have responded to the call…
Nobel Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu has written, "Yesterday's South African township dwellers can tell you about today's life in the Occupied Territories....If apartheid ended, so can the occupation, but the moral force and international pressure will have to be just as determined. The current divestment effort is the first, though certainly not the only, necessary move in that direction."
In the West Bank, every day I see, feel and touch the segregation between the Palestinian and Israeli communities: on the roads, at checkpoints, and through collective punishment of Palestinians.
Please read more at http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article4827.shtml
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Haaretz
No longer asking
Gideon Levy
18 June 2006
We've stopped asking. The press, whose job is to ask, almost doesn't ask questions; the Knesset doesn't ask questions; the attorney general doesn't ask questions; the Supreme Court doesn't ask; nearly all the teachers, doctors, students, and intellectuals don't ask questions; the heads of the army and the defense establishment certainly don't ask questions, they never asked. Nothing is more symptomatic of a society's ills than the fact that the society has stopped asking questions.
Even during a particularly bloody week like last week, when 14 innocent civilians were killed, nearly no questions were asked, and certainly not the real questions. In a feeble voice it was asked why it was necessary to fire missiles at a vehicle in the heart of Gaza, and why the second barrage was necessary when it was obvious that innocent civilians would gather around the car after the first barrage. But nobody asked about the difference between firing a missile into the heart of a city and a suicide bomber blowing himself up in the heart of another city. They asked who killed the Ghalia family on the beach and what Israel should do about the Qassams, but few asked what Israel should not do, under any circumstances, and what would happen if, heaven forbid, the GRAD missile in the vehicle were to blow up on a street bustling with people. Nobody, of course, even considered asking the commander of the air force or the chief of staff if they should take responsibility for this war crime…
Israel is waiting, silent and indifferent. Any glimmer of good news from the Palestinian side is immediately trampled by brutal military operations. We are pushing Hamas, really pushing, back into the cycle of terror, as a senior officer in the army, who of course refused to be identified, admits. In Gaza there is a prime minister who says he wants to reach an arrangement with Israel on the basis of the 1967 borders, a far-reaching statement as far as he is concerned, and Israel responds with threats on his life. In Ramallah is the most moderate of all Palestinian leaders, and Israel more or less is ignoring his existence. Four years ago the Arab world passed a brave decision--the Saudi Arabian plan--to normalize relations with Israel, but that didn't even get a serious discussion here.
Without asking questions, Israel is morally collapsing. African refugees are rotting in jail, an airline wanted to allow aboard only Jewish travelers, and in our backyard an entire nation is struggling against an Israeli boot that from year to year becomes more ruthless and brutal. And above it all hovers the horrible question: Do we really want peace? Do we really want to live in a just and sympathetic country? Or is the sad truth that the greed for territory and power has blinded and deafened us so that we are no longer able even to ask?
Please read more at http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/727935.html
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The Guardian
The battle of Huda Ghalia - who really killed girl's family on Gaza beach?
Chris McGreal
17 June 2006
Guardian investigation casts doubt on Israeli claim that army was not to blame
Heartrending pictures of 10-year-old Huda Ghalia running wildly along a Gaza beach crying "father, father, father" and then falling weeping beside his body turned the distraught girl into an instant icon of the Palestinian struggle even before she fully grasped that much of her family was dead.
But the images of the young girl who lost her father, step-mother and five of her siblings as picnicking families fled a barrage of Israeli shells a week ago have become their own battleground.
Who and what killed the Ghalia family, and badly maimed a score of other people, has been the subject of an increasingly bitter struggle for truth all week amid accusations that a military investigation clearing the army was a cover-up, that Hamas was really responsible and even that the pictures of Huda's grief were all an act.
However, a Guardian investigation into the sequence of events raises new and so far unanswered questions about the Israeli military probe that cleared the army of responsibility. Evidence from hospital records, doctors' testimony and witness accounts challenges the central assertion that the shelling had stopped by the time seven members of the Ghalia family were killed.
In addition, fresh evidence from the US group Human Rights Watch, which offered the first forensic questioning of the army's account, casts doubt on another key claim - that shrapnel taken from the wounded was not from the kind of artillery used to shell Gaza.
Please read more at http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/Story/0,,1799825,00.html
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Haaretz
The uninvolved
Gideon Levy
2 June 2006
The faces of the news anchors last Saturday night were impassive as they announced another "targeted strike in Gaza." So was the face of the Israel Air Force commander, Major General Eliezer Shkedi, who said the next day, with appalling hardheartedness, that "we still have to check" what exactly caused the deaths in the Aman family during this targeted strike. What exactly was the major general hinting at? That perhaps it was not the missile launched by his pilot that killed the family?
And one wonders about the face of the pilot who pushed the button that launched the murderous missile into a crowded street in the heart of Gaza City on Shabbat afternoon - a missile that was meant to destroy Mohammed Dahdouh of Islamic Jihad, and in one blow killed off a grandmother, a mother and her small son and mortally wounded two other members of the family, including the little daughter.
Only the face of Hamdi Aman is contorted now, with tears welling up in his eyes, trying in vain to hold back his weeping: a 28-year-old man, limping from the injury to his leg from the shrapnel, who lost his 7-year-old son Muhand, his 27-year-old wife, Naima, and his mother, Hanan, 46. Mariya, his daughter, 3 and a half years old, is lying in the children's intensive care unit in Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer, completely paralyzed and on a respirator.
"I don't hate the Israelis," says this young man, who grew up in the Carmel Market in Tel Aviv, and whose family Israel has destroyed in this way. "Just put the pilot on trial." The words are uttered in the family home in the Tel al-Hawa neighborhood in Gaza. The oppressive silence is broken only by Hamdi's silent weeping, and his tears fall onto the sand floor in the entry hall of the house. He embraces his 2-year-old son Muaman, who was saved from death, but wounded in the back by shrapnel, a toddler who is crying and calling to his mother, who is no longer alive.
Please read more at http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=721926&contrassID
=2&subContrassID=14&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y
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Counterpunch.org
Understanding the Presbyterian Vote: Divestment, Corporate Engagement and Israel
Will Youmans and Nora Erakat
23 June 2006
America’s largest Presbyterian church voted to continue policies of economic engagement in the Middle East. It affirmed its willingness to use its investment policies to press for peace in Israel-Palestine. The vote came two years after it’s overwhelmingly support of a phased, selective divestment from Israel.
During its 217th General Assembly, the Presbyterian Church (USA) voted to substitute the language of “divestment” for the precise concept of “corporate engagement.” Both concepts refer to the same process of moral responsible investment. They just refer to different stages. Corporate engagement is when the Church researches the companies, determines their compliance with its standards, and then pressures them to change. Divestment refers to the ultimate termination of investments from the targeted corporations if engagement fails to produce positive change.
Nothing in the amended resolution prevents the PC(USA) General Assembly from deciding to decide to divest. Rev. Gretchen Graf, moderator of the General Assembly said “this new statement clarifies the engagement process, which has not yet led to any recommendation for divestment,” she told the General Assembly. She specified that divestment could still occur in 2008…
However, a barrage of headlines and sound-bites suggest the Presbyterians have abandoned divestment totally. Pro-Israeli activists claim this is a victory for them and a defeat for the divestment movement – mainstream media are readily accepting this as fact…
There is no basis for claiming the Presbyterians surrendered their right to divest from companies profiting off of Israel’s military occupation. This vote did not let Israel and the companies helping it off the hook. Yet, the media have largely adapted the twisted version of events. It seems they all wish divestment would just go away
Please read more at http://counterpunch.org/youmans06232006.html
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The Electronic Intifada
On Boycotts, Activism and Moral Standards
James Brooks
16 June 2006
Boycott and divestment campaigns are grass roots efforts to publicize the extreme plight of the Palestinians and protest western nations’ support for Israel’s demands. They can become the nucleus of a growing public awareness that could eventually produce political change. In a “free market” economy, there should be no question as to the right of consumers and organizations to make and promote joint decisions about their purchases and investments…
In closing, I’d like to propose a settlement to the frothy debate over the “legitimacy” of the growing international campaign to boycott Israel and its accomplices. It can be stated in two elementary observations.
First, I assume we agree that the international embargo against apartheid South Africa was a morally sound and effective tool to hasten justice in that colonized land.
Second, veteran South African freedom fighters from Archbishop Desmond Tutu to labor organizers and SA government officials have been saying for several years that the situation in occupied Palestine is worse than the oppression they suffered under white South Africa. (And that was before the current economic siege, the draconian new permit systems strangling the West Bank and forcing Palestinians out of the Jordan Valley, the rising new tide of deaths caused by the spreading paralysis of the Palestinian health care system, etc. etc.)
Who will argue with the people who defeated South African apartheid and have experienced Israel’s version of the same system?
The South African boycott and the campaign to free the “terrorist” Nelson Mandela were international actions of conscience against a racist colonizing power that refused to change its ways. We would be applying a double standard if we did not act on the same conscience today, to boycott and cut off funds to Israel and pressure it into ending its own regime of ethnic supremacy.
Please read more at http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article4818.shtml
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Haaretz
With a little help from the outside
Gideon Levy
4 June 2006
The laugh of fate: The state waging a broad international campaign for a boycott is simultaneously waging a parallel campaign, no less determined, against a boycott. A boycott that seriously harms the lives of millions of people is legitimate in its eyes because it is directed against those defined as its enemies, while a boycott that is liable to hurt its academic ivory tower is illegitimate in its eyes only because it is aimed against itself. This is a moral double standard. Why is the boycott campaign against the Palestinian Authority, including blocking essential economic aid and boycotting leaders elected in democratic and legal elections, a permissible measure in Israel's eyes and the boycott of its universities is forbidden?
Israel cannot claim the boycott weapon is illegitimate. It makes extensive use of this weapon itself, and its victims are suffering under severe conditions of deprivation, from Rafah to Jenin. In the past, Israel called upon the world to boycott Yasser Arafat, and now it is calling for a boycott of the Hamas government ? and via this government, all of the Palestinians in the territories. And Israel does not regard this as an ethical problem. Tens of thousands have not received their salaries for four months due to the boycott, but when there is a call to boycott Israeli universities, the boycott suddenly becomes an illegitimate weapon…
The occupation is not just the domain of the government, army and security organizations. Everything is tainted: institutions of justice and law, the physicians who remain silent while medical treatment is prevented in the territories, the teachers who do not protest against the closing of educational institutions and the prevention of free movement of their peers, the journalists who do not report, the writers and artists who remain mum, the architects and engineers who lend a hand to the occupation's enterprises ? the settlements and the fence, the barriers and bypass roads and also the university lecturers, who do nothing for their imprisoned colleagues in the territories, but conduct special study programs for the security forces. If all these boycotted the occupation, there would be no need for an international boycott.
The world sees a great and ongoing injustice. Should it remain silent?
Please read more at http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/722364.html
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The Christian Century
Unilateral proposal
James M. Wall
13 June 2006
Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert traveled to Washington in late May to tell President Bush about his plans for Israel's future. There is no indication that those plans offer a viable solution to the humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian territories caused by the cutoff of funds to the Hamas government. Olmert blames Hamas for the crisis. Former president Jimmy Carter disagrees. In a column in the International Herald Tribune (May 7), Carter wrote:
Innocent Palestinian people are being treated like animals, with the presumption that they are guilty of some crime. Because they voted for candidates who are members of Hamas, the United States government has become the driving force behind an apparently effective scheme of depriving the general [Palestinian] public of income, access to the outside world and the necessities of life. A Hamas pledge against the use of violence against Israel civilians has been in place for more than 18 months, yet both Israel and the U.S. continue to describe Hamas as a terrorist organization and refuse to talk with Hamas until it accepts Israel's "right to exist"—a diplomatic demand that Virginia Tilley, professor of political science and international relations at Hobart and William Smith Colleges, finds less than compelling.
In the online newsletter Counterpunch (May 12), Tilley identifies a logical flaw in the "right to exist" demand that has led to the international isolation of Hamas. "Diplomatic recognition of a state routinely requires one bit of vital information: 'right to exist' where? Israel's borders are not set. Even its plans for those borders are not known; with impressive brashness, Mr. Olmert has announced that we will not know until 2010."
Hamas and the international community have a right, as well as an obligation to all the people affected, to demand specificity about the borders within which Israel plans to exist. "Otherwise," says Tilley, "recognizing Israel's 'right to exist' could be construed to mean that Israel has a 'right to exist' within whatever borders it chooses in coming years."
Please read more at http://www.christiancentury.org/article.lasso?id=2141
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Press release from BADIL Resource Center for Palestinian Residency and Refugee Rights
2006 World Refugee Day: BADIL Survey of Palestinian Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons
BADIL Resource Center for Palestinian Residency and Refugee Rights
12 June 2006
In 2005, there were approximately 6.8 million Palestinian refugees and 400,000 internally displaced Palestinians representing 70 percent of the entire Palestinian population worldwide (9.7 million). The legal status of some 400,000 additional Palestinians is unclear, but they too are likely to be refugees. Palestinian refugees represent the longest protracted refugee situation worldwide [1]. Israel's denial of refugee return, combined with the lack of international political will to enforce international law and relevant UN resolutions and the absence of an effective protection regime continue to prevent durable solutions. New Palestinian refugees and IDPs are created by Israel's policies, in particular its illegal Wall under construction in the occupied West Bank (including eastern Jerusalem).
These and many more detailed findings about the current situation of Palestinian refugees and IDP are presented in the Survey of Palestinian Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons 2004 2005 released by BADIL on the occasion of World Refugee Day. The Survey is based on information released by UNWRA, UNHCR and a variety of other official and non-governmental sources [2].
Although most Palestinian refugees are registered with UNRWA (4.3 million) and/or with UNHCR (350,600), the lack of a systematic register for all Palestinian refugees continues to obstruct accurate assessment of the size and protection needs of this population. All data regarding internally displaced Palestinians are estimates as neither Israel nor the Palestinian Authority or the United Nations are monitoring internal displacement in Israel and the 1967 occupied Palestinian territories (OPT).
Please read more at http://counterpunch.org/youmans06232006.html
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Al-Haq Press Release
39 Years of Occupation
Al-Haq
5 June 2006
5 June 2006 marks the 39th anniversary of the Israeli occupation of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip. It ends another year of suffering, human rights violations, and the denial of self-determination to the Palestinian people. Israel's occupation has continued to create "facts on the ground" through settlement expansion, the construction of the Annexation Wall, and increasingly severe movement restrictions. Combined with the refusal by Israel to transfer Palestinian revenues, and the withdrawal of support by major international donors, these measures have crippled the Palestinian economy. Incessant Israeli military incursions, arrest raids, targeted assassinations, and in Gaza, shelling, have maintained violence as a consistent backdrop to every day life in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT).
Israel's 2005 unilateral withdrawal from Gaza and parts of the West Bank diffused criticism and pressure from the international community, allowing Israel's occupation of the OPT, and associated violations of international law, to continue unchallenged. The withdrawal did not end the occupation of Gaza. Israel still controls Gaza's land borders, sea access, and air space, and has repeatedly launched military attacks in the region by air and land. Basic infrastructure in Gaza, such as electricity and water supply, is still controlled by Israel, as is the population registry.
Israeli Prime Minister Olmert's unilateral plans for the West Bank promise even less than the Gaza withdrawal. Under the current framework, as few as 20-30 settlements, out of over 150, would be dismantled. Settlers would simply be relocated to other settlements in the West Bank, including in East Jerusalem, which Israel has announced it will incorporate. It would also retain control of the Jordan Valley, one of the most important agricultural areas of the West Bank. Unlike Gaza, there would be no military withdrawal but rather a redeployment of Israeli forces inside the West Bank.
Please read more at http://asp.alhaq.org/zalhaq/site/templates/viewArticle.aspx?fname=../ePublications/252.htm
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Wednesday, May 31
MCC Palestine Update #122
MCC Palestine Update #122
31 May 2006
Israeli Unilateralism: Disengagement / Convergence / Realignment…
Despite the direct contravention of the guidelines laid out in the “roadmap for peace” espoused by this U.S. administration (i.e., neither party taking steps that would unilaterally bias final-status negotiations), Israeli Prime Minster Ehud Olmert and his plan to unilaterally draw the borders of the state of Israel—which will effectively seal Palestinians off in isolated enclaves of land on roughly forty to fifty percent of the West Bank—were warmly received both by the U.S. President and Congress in his visit to the U.S. last week (“ANALYSIS / George Bush wants the convergence plan too,” http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/719151.html).
Yet, whatever name is used to label this effort—disengagement, convergence, realignment—this form of unilateralism, made possible by the enormous imbalance of power that exists between Israel and the Palestinians, is part of the same story of dispossession that Palestinians have experienced for decades. As Israeli journalist Gideon Levy points out:
“Olmert promised to start the convergence in two years. Now he’s talking about evacuating no more than 40,000 settlers and resettling them in the ‘settlement blocs.’ Obviously that is not a peace plan, that’s a plan to perpetuate the occupation, only under conditions more convenient for Israel. Moreover, at the end of the convergence plan, if it is ever executed, even more settlers will live in the occupied territories than live there now, in the ‘settlement blocs’ that are no less dangerous than the handful of settlements that will be evacuated. The fact that America is not enthusiastic about Olmert's plan need not worry anyone. It will, in the end, support it. The two countries, after all, have so many ‘shared values and principles.’” (“A bullies’ alliance,” http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/720345.html).
While the U.S. White House and Congress laud the “creativity” and “boldness” of this “vision for peace,” that very structure of violence continues to spell dispossession and death for Palestinians in a most discriminatory manner (“‘Intifada Law’ has barred compensation to Palestinian victims almost entirely,” http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/712153.html). Israeli colonization goes on unabated (“IDF authorizes expansion of four West Bank settlements,” http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/718244.html). And construction of the “separation barrier” continues, with reports that “by the beginning of 2007, 486 kilometers of the separation fence will be completed…This constitutes 93 percent of the 523-kilometer fence route (which does not include some 300 kilometers that are awaiting legal rulings)” (“Defense officials: 93% of fence to be ready by Jan. '07,” http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=720323&contrassID=2&sub
ContrassID=1&sbSubContrassID=0).
As the U.S. gets “tough” on terrorism (“U.S. House votes to tighten PA sanctions,” http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/719118.html), poverty and unemployment increases as a direct result and will only get worse (“UN report: 40% of Palestinians earn less than $2.10 a day,” Haaretz, 30 May 2006; http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=721117&contrassID=2&sub
ContrassID=1&sbSubContrassID=0).
Here in Bethlehem in particular, it is reported that over 70% of the population of now lives below the poverty line and unemployment has soared to more than 60%. “Once a prosperous middle class town, Bethlehem has been economically suffocated and the post-election sanctions have brought the local population to the brink of disaster. According to Christian Aid, in two years, almost three in four Palestinians (74 per cent) will be living below the United Nations poverty line of an income of £1.10 a day – worse than Afghanistan, Sierra Leone and Angola. Christian Aid has stated that ‘Palestinian society faces collapse’ if this situation continues” (“Open Bethlehem calls for end to EU sanctions as Bethlehem faces disaster,” http://www.openbethlehem.org/pages/content/index.asp?PageID=56).
For more on “convergence,” visit MCC partner the Stop the Wall Campaign at http://stopthewall.org/analysisandfeatures/1157.shtml and http://stopthewall.org/maps/1159.shtml or the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions at http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article4750.shtml.
Nakba and Independence
For most Israeli Jews, May 3rd this year was celebrated as Independence Day—remembering the 1948 war as a heroic story of freedom, liberty, and success in overcoming great difficulties. But for Palestinians, that same event (remembered on May 15) is known as the Nakba, an Arabic word meaning “catastrophe,” referring to the massive dispossession of the majority of the Palestinian people during the period of 1947 to 1949. Between 750,000 to 900,000 Palestinians became refugees, either having been expelled by the Israeli army or having fled for their lives during the fighting. Meanwhile, Israeli military forces destroyed over 500 Palestinian villages.
On Israeli Independence Day, MCC Israeli partner the Zochrot Association (http://www.nakbainhebrew.org/) organized a visit to the destroyed Palestinian village of Miske in solidarity with its displaced residents. In Miske, signs were posted by both Israeli Jews and Palestinians at the village center, the mosque, and the school (learn more at http://www.zochrot.org/index.php?id=414). After this, Zochrot proceeded to take part in the 9th annual Procession of Return organized by ADRID, the Association for the Defense of the Rights of Internally Displaced Palestinians. This year the procession was to the village of Umm a-Zinat. Signs were posted to designate the village school, the cemetery, and the entryway to the village (http://www.zochrot.org/index.php?id=417).
In collaboration with another MCC partner, the Badil Resource Center for Palestinian Residency and Refugee Rights (http://www.badil.org/), Zochrot also helped coordinate a visit to the destroyed Palestinian village of Lifta on May 13th (http://www.zochrot.org/index.php?id=421). And on May 15th, Zochrot participated in a learning day about the Nakba with the Bilingual School in Jerusalem, an elementary school for Jewish and Palestinian children. In the morning, Zochrot prepared a large-scale map of historic Palestine in the schoolyard, using electric tape to mark the longitude and latitude lines of the map. When the grid was ready, the pupils filled the map with cards representing each of the Palestinian villages destroyed during the Nakba (http://www.zochrot.org/index.php?id=428).
Visit Palestine!
In a previous update, we shared a couple of the opportunities available here in Palestine / Israel for you all to participate in this summer such as the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions (ICAHD) summer work camp of “Rebuilding and Resistance” from July 15th to 30th (learn more at http://www.icahd.org/eng/news.asp?menu=5&submenu=1&item=292) and Holy Land Trust’s summer encounter program for service-learning (learn more at http://www.middleeastfellowship.org/pse2006).
We would also like to let you know about some other opportunities in the coming months that could give you a reason to “Visit Palestine”:
Holy Land Trust also recently announced their “Second Activists’ Summer Camp” that will take place from 16-26 July. “As part of our commitment to promote and use active forms of nonviolence, we are encouraging young people to join us in a ten-day nonviolence training in a breathtaking campsite. In addition, you will get the chance to tour some of the Palestinian cities. Do not miss the chance of sharing the experience to learn and practice nonviolence in Palestine. Keep in mind folks that we have limited number of spaces!” For detailed information, visit http://www.holylandtrust.org/pnr_sc1.htm.
The Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center has announced their first International Young Adult Conference titled “TOGETHER: Facing Challenges … Finding Hope.” Scheduled for 26 July – 6 August 2006, the goals for this conference, geared toward young adults from around the world, are: Palestinian and international young adults meeting to share stories and learn about one another‘s culture and denominations; International young adults learning about the lives of Palestinian young people and becoming more aware of current political realities; Christian young adults empowered to become more active for justice in their home communities. For more information, see: http://www.sabeel.org/etemplate.php?id=19.
Sabeel has also announced the 6th International Sabeel Conference titled “The Forgotten Faithful: A Window into the Life and Witness of Christians in the Holy Land.” This conference, scheduled for November 2-9, 2006, through lectures, workshops, worship and excursions in the Holy Land, will provide a unique opportunity to encounter the realities of Christians in Palestine and Israel. This will be a great opportunity to meet your Christian brothers and sisters, learn about their history and present struggle, champion their just cause and advocate for peace and reconciliation for all the people of the land. For more information, see: http://www.sabeel.org/pdfs/prelim%20Brochure%20.doc.
Later on this fall, another opportunity to visit will be an Olive Picking Program organized by the Joint Advocacy Initiative of the East Jerusalem YMCA and YWCA of Palestine (JAI; http://www.jai-pal.org/) and the Alternative Tourism Group (ATG; and http://www.atg.ps) between the 26th of October and 4th of November, 2006. This agricultural event is of special significance to the Palestinian economy where all energies and efforts are mobilized during this period.
“Since the beginning of the Intifada in 2000, the olive harvest has been overshadowed by the Israeli policies of repression, closure, blockage of streets, confiscation of agricultural lands, as well as repeated attacks against Palestinian farmers by Israeli settlers. Now with the construction the Apartheid Wall at the expense of the agricultural lands, many farmers are separated from their lands.
“Building on the experience from the previous years, the Joint Advocacy Initiative of The East Jerusalem YMCA and the YWCA of Palestine and the Alternative Tourism have planned a program for civil international solidarity with Palestinian people and farmers. The objective of this program is to mobilize as many people as possible for olive picking, especially in areas that are situated in proximity of Israeli settlements, and by-pass roads in order to help Palestinian farmers harvest their olive trees that they might be unable to harvest without international support. You are invited to participate.”
For more information, see: http://www.jai-pal.org/content.php?page=298. And come Visit Palestine!
An Easter Message: “Who will help us roll the stone away?”
In their recent newsletter, MCC partner the Wi’am Palestinian Conflict Resolution Center (http://www.planet.edu/~alaslah/) shared an excerpt from an Easter reflection by Lucy Talgieh. Recalling the story in the gospels telling of Mary and Salome and the other women who went to the tomb early that morning of the first day of the week, Lucy reflects on the question, “Who will help us roll the stone away?”
“God had never abandoned us even in the midst of our despair and hopelessness. God empowers us to be a witness of truth to the world. We are empowered to roll away the stones of fear, hopelessness, sadness, injustice, occupation and violence. God calls us to be channels of hope to support one another and to challenge the world. God is here with a message of peace and justice. Stop the War / Stop the Bloodshed / Stop the Hatred. We Palestinian Christians are commissioned to give love and to teach love in the world where it is absent, and spread hope in spite of the hopeless situation.
“We ask God to open all hearts to the grace of Easter that will strengthen and enable all of us to pass from death to life as we make the new history of this Holy Land. We ask God and our Risen Lord to fill our hearts with love and spirituality, so that Easter will be a new beginning for us also, and a passage from death to security and peaceful life and a journey with God.
“Christ is Risen! The Lord is Risen, indeed.”
Il-Masiih qaam. Haqqan qaam.
Peace to you all,
Timothy and Christi Seidel
Peace Development Workers
Mennonite Central Committee – Palestine
Attachments and Links:
· Angela Godfrey-Goldstein, “Ehud Olmert’s ‘convergence plan,’” ICAHD, 22 May 2006
· Gideon Levy, “A bullies' alliance,” Haaretz, 28 May 2006
· Aluf Benn and Shmuel Rosner, “A push from Bush,” Haaretz, 26 May 2006
· Jeff Halper, “Countdown to Apartheid,” ICAHD, 25 May 2006
· Robert D. Novak, “A Plea for Palestinian Christians,” The Washington Post, May 25, 2006
· Ronnie Kasrils and Victoria Brittain, “Israel should face sanctions,” The Guardian, 19 May 2006
· Jonathan Cook, “Israel’s marriage ban closes the gates to Palestinians,” The Electronic Intifada, 19 May 2006
· Karma Nabulsi, “The great catastrophe,” The Guardian, 12 May 2006
· Ghada Karmi, “Where is the global outcry at this continuing cruelty?” The Guardian, 15 May 2006
· Jimmy Carter, “Punishing the innocent is a crime,” International Herald Tribune, 7 May 2006
· Chris McGreal, “Prime minister pins his colours to 'new look' Israel,” The Guardian, 5 May 2006
· Tony Judt, “The country that wouldn't grow up,” Haaretz, 2 May 2006
· James M. Wall, “Talk Is Cheap: “Dialogue” vs. Divestment In the Struggle for Justice in Palestine,” Washington Report, March 2006
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ICAHD
Ehud Olmert’s "convergence plan"
Angela Godfrey-Goldstein
29 May 2006
Ehud Olmert's "convergence plan," detailed in an interview with Karby Leggett of The Wall Street Journal (April 12, 2006), has major ramifications for Israel-Palestine, regional peace and the international community. Olmert talks of "a large pullout from parts of the occupied West Bank within the next 18 months." He plans "to evacuate as many as 70,000 settlers…which could cost more than $10 billion - while annexing large chunks of disputed Palestinian territory. The goal ... is to establish permanent, internationally recognized borders that will ensure Israel retains its Jewish majority for decades to come. Though he expects to carry out the plan without Palestinian input, he believes it ... could lead to the establishment of a Palestinian state and a negotiated peace settlement someday."
Of the 250,000 Israeli citizens living in over a hundred West Bank settlements, (not counting 200,000 settlers in occupied East Jerusalem), only one-third will face evacuation, says Leggett. "Many may be offered relocation to the large settlement blocs Israel plans to retain. ... Perhaps the most sensitive issue will be the question of Jerusalem. Palestinians claim the city as their future capital and say that must be reflected in any resolution to the Mideast's core conflict. The U.S. has generally supported the Palestinian position during previous peace negotiations."
A glance at Map 1 shows Jerusalem sprawled midway between the northern and southern parts of the West Bank. To its west is Israel. To its east, the Judaean Desert -descends to the Jordanian border, dominated by the Maale Adumim settlement bloc. Contact between the northern and southern cantons - like contact with Gaza - will depend on Israel's good graces. It is unlikely, to say the least, that the result will be the "viable Palestinian state" touted repeatedly by U.S. President George W. Bush since June 2002, when he introduced his "Road Map to Peace" and the Bush Vision.
Please read more at http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article4750.shtml
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Haaretz
A bullies' alliance
Gideon Levy
28 May 2006
Was the prime minister's address on Capitol Hill interrupted by applause 38 times, as Maariv and Haaretz reported, or 41, as Yedioth Ahronoth said? Was it the "speech of his life" or his "victory lap?" Does it matter? Those who read the flood of praise heaped by a uniform chorus in the Israeli press on Ehud Olmert might think this was a historic visit that managed to significantly advance the achievement of peace in the Middle East. It was nothing of the kind.
In Washington, there was a meeting of the leaders of two countries that share, as the prime minister rightly said in his speech, "common principles and values." The United States and Israel are two of the most hated countries in the world these days. Both are responsible for brutal occupations and the bloodshed of innocents; both are fighting terrorism without regard for its reasons and true root causes; both endanger world peace and their leaders scatter slogans about peace that are empty of any content; both are surrounding themselves with walls. The only difference between them is that if there are signs in the U.S. of an awakening from the deception of the criminal war in Iraq, three years after it began; in Israel, people are still sticking to all the lies of the past about the connection between the territories and security, even 39 years after the occupation began.
The renewed alliance forged between the Israeli prime minister and the American president is an alliance of bullies, two bullies who think they are allowed what most of the world is forbidden. America and Israel can use any possible weapon to their hearts' content and at the same time threaten anyone who tries to do the same. Why? Because they are strong…
Please read more at http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/720345.html
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Haaretz
A push from Bush
Aluf Benn and Shmuel Rosner
26 May 2006
This week, Bush surprised the pundits, the experts and the officials with his enthusiastic support for the prime minister's convergence plan. The professionals in the administration warned that a unilateral Israeli move in the territories - of the type that will lead to determining a border without asking the Palestinians - will anger the Europeans, enrage the Arabs and humiliate what is left of the Palestinian Authority. But Bush, as stubborn as Truman, as well as a great admirer of his, preferred to embrace his Israeli friends and to absorb possible criticism of his declarations…
Olmert returned to Israel yesterday with a clear sense that Bush is going along with his convergence plan. For the prime minister, the most significant achievement of the visit was forming personal ties with the president. That is particularly important, in his opinion, just because Bush did accept his plan. Had he objected to it, the personal friendship would not have helped Olmert. But when you cooperate on a political move, the direct relationship between the leaders is of decisive importance…
In any case, Olmert's visit did not make the headlines in America. Other issues concern the public and the administration - and the president will not be free at any given moment to deal with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In six months there will be Congressional elections, in which his party may lose, and already now the results of the erosion of his power are evident: This week, the House of Representatives passed a law against Hamas against Bush's wishes, and he is now busy mainly with two issues - Iraq and illegal immigration. Bush wants to solve the second problem by building a fence along the border with Mexico. "I heard that your fence has succeeded in preventing terror," he said to Olmert, "and we are also considering building a fence in Texas." Another proof of the fact that it's a small world.
Please read more at http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/719940.html
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ICAHD
Countdown to Apartheid
Jeff Halper
25 May 2006
Olmert’s “convergence plan” (now renamed a “realignment plan” because it sounds better in [Newspeak] English), based on the massive “facts on the ground” Israel continues to impose unilaterally with overt American support, cannot possibly give rise to a viable Palestinian state. The “Separation Barrier,” which will be declared Israel’s permanent “demographic border,” takes 10% of the West Bank. That may not sound like much, but consider this: It incorporates into Israel the major settlement blocs (plus a half-million Israeli settlers) while carving the West Bank into a number of small, disconnected, impoverished “cantons” – hardly the basis for a viable state. It removes from the Palestinians their richest agricultural land and all the water.
The convergence plan also creates a “greater” Israeli Jerusalem over the entire central portion of the West Bank, thereby cutting the economic, cultural, religious and historic heart out of any Palestinian state. It then sandwiches the Palestinians between the Barrier/border and yet another “security” border, the Jordan Valley, giving Israel two eastern borders. Palestinian freedom of movement of both people and goods is thus prevented into both Israel and Jordan but also internally, between the various cantons. Israel will also retain control of Palestinian airspace, the electro-magnetic sphere and even the right of a Palestinian state to conduct its own foreign policy…
And, finally, what was meant? Apartheid. The “A” word was missing from Olmert’s speech, of course, but the bottom line of his convergence plan is clear: the establishment of a permanent, institutionalized regime of Israeli domination over Palestinians based on separation between Jews and Arabs. Within 6-9 months, according to Olmert’s timeline. Olmert may believe that Jews can succeed where Afrikaners failed, but history teaches us that in the end injustice is unsustainable. And convergence/realignment is nothing if not manifest injustice.
Please read more at http://www.kibush.co.il/show_file.asp?num=14115
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The Washington Post
A Plea for Palestinian Christians
Robert D. Novak
May 25, 2006
Rep. Henry Hyde, showing the courage that has typified a political career now in its final months, is pleading the case of endangered Palestinian Christians to President Bush. A faithful supported of Israel over many years, Hyde said in a letter sent Friday to the White House: "I cannot be blind when Israeli actions seem to go beyond the realm of legitimate security concerns and have negative consequences on communities and lands under their occupation." He urged the president to take up this issue with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert during his visit to Washington this week.
Hyde, chairman of the House International Relations Committee, sent along with his letter a five-page, single-spaced report prepared by his staff based on visits to Israel and Palestine over the past two years. It contends that "the Christians community is being crushed in the mill of the bitter Israeli- Palestinian conflict." The Israeli security wall and expanding Jewish settlements in the West Bank, the report continues, "are irreversibly damaging the dwindling Christian community."
Please read more at http://www.townhall.com/opinion/columns/robertnovak/
2006/05/25/198697.html
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The Guardian
Israel should face sanctions
Ronnie Kasrils and Victoria Brittain
19 May 2006
The Palestine crisis is now more dramatic even than apartheid, but it is the victims who are punished
Western leaders are frustrating democratic elections in Palestine by withholding aid, and using collective punishment, an economic siege and starvation as political weapons in their efforts to get the Hamas government to accept their terms of business with Israel.
Never in the long struggle for freedom in apartheid South Africa was there a situation as dramatic as in Palestine today: even though children were killed for resisting a second-class education; the liberation movement's leaders were locked up for decades on Robben Island; new leaders were assassinated; church leaders were poisoned; house demolitions and forced removals were frequent; and western governments told South Africans who their leaders should be, and what their policies should be…
The Palestinians are having sanctions imposed on them for their political choice. But it is Israel, creating new facts on the ground to prevent the emergence of a viable Palestinian state, that should be facing UN sanctions. The UN secretary general, Kofi Annan, should use his last months in office to call for sanctions to bring about the implementation of the ICJ ruling on the Israeli wall, the closure of West Bank settlements and the release of Palestinian political prisoners. And those who care for freedom, peace and justice must build a global Palestine solidarity movement to match the anti-apartheid movement of the 1980s.
Please read more at http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/comment/0,,1778714,00.html
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The Electronic Intifada
Israel’s marriage ban closes the gates to Palestinians
Jonathan Cook
19 May 2006
In approving an effective ban on marriages between Israelis and Palestinians this week, Israel’s Supreme Court has shut tighter the gates of the Jewish fortress the state of Israel is rapidly becoming. The judges’ decision, in the words of the country’s normally restrained Haaretz daily, was “shameful”.
By a wafer-thin majority, the highest court in the land ruled that an amendment passed in 2003 to the Nationality Law barring Palestinians from living with an Israeli spouse inside Israel -- what in legal parlance is termed “family unification” -- did not violate rights enshrined in the country’s Basic Laws.
And even if it did, the court added, the harm caused to the separated families was outweighed by the benefits of improved “security”. Israel, concluded the judges, was justified in closing the doors to residency for all Palestinians in order to block the entry of those few who might use marriage as a way to launch terror attacks…
Such changes will make Israel unlike any state we have seen in modern times. In 1980, at the height of apartheid in South Africa, the courts there refused to approve legislation much like Israel’s ban on family unification, arguing that it contravened the right to a family life.
In Israel, on the other hand, faced with a new wave of racist legislation, no one -- not even the country’s “liberal” Supreme Court – is prepared to safeguard the most basic rights of the land’s native people.
Please read more at http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article4726.shtml
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The Guardian
The great catastrophe
Karma Nabulsi
12 May 2006
Monday marks the 58th anniversary of the founding of Israel in 1948 - and the expulsion of Palestinians from their land. With millions still living under occupation or in exile, what Palestinians call their 'nakba' remains at the heart of their national identity, argues Karma Nabulsi
In the last week of April 1948, combined Irgun-Haganah forces launched an offensive to drive the Palestinian people out of the beautiful port city of Jaffa, forcing the remaining inhabitants to flee by sea; many drowned in the process. My aunt Rose, a teenager at that time, survived the trip to begin her life in exile on the Lebanese coast. Each Palestinian refugee family grows up hearing again and again the stories of those final moments in Palestine, the decisions, the panic, as we live in the midst of their terrible consequences. Throughout 1948, Jewish forces expelled many thousands of Palestinians from their villages, towns and cities into Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Egypt and Iraq. Hundreds of thousands of others fled in fear. The purpose was to create a pure Jewish state, ethnically cleansed of the original inhabitants who had lived there for centuries. The creation of the state of Israel was the heart of this cataclysmic historical event for the Palestinians - the mass forced expulsion of a people; the more than 50 massacres carried out over the summer of 1948 by various armed Jewish forces; the demolition of villages to ensure the refugees could not return - all this is summed up in a single word for Palestinians: nakba, the catastophe.
"We must do everything to ensure they [the Palestinians] never do return ... The old will die and the young will forget," said David Ben-Gurion, the founder of Israel, in 1949. But the young have not forgotten. The event is remembered every year on May 15, and the youth are at the heart of it: at a rally on the site of the destroyed village of Umm al-Zinnat near Haifa, Salim Fahmawi, now 65, a primary school student when the soldiers entered the village 56 years ago to expel them, told an Israeli reporter: "The presence of so many young people, many of whom are third- and fourth-generation post-1948, gives me a sense of relief - because I know the torch has not been extinguished and is passing from generation to generation."
Nakba day has now become a profoundly political event - unlike other cultural and social manifestations of our national identity - because it is all about resistance to the current Palestinian situation rather than enshrining past memories of victimhood. The project against the Palestinians begun at the start of the past century had two purposes: first, to deny the very concept of Palestine and destroy its political and social institutions, and second, to annihilate the spirit of the Palestinians as a people, so that they would forget their collective identity once scattered far from home. But the relentless and dynamic nature of the catastrophe - it is an ongoing daily Palestinian experience - binds this generation directly to the older one, and binds the exiled to Palestine. Indeed, the past few years have witnessed a violent acceleration in this process of attempted destruction - hence the title of this year's event: The Nakba Continues.
The nakba is being lived again today in the brutal thrust of the current policies of the Israeli state. More than 10,000 Palestinian refugees have been created by the construction of the concrete separation wall that has cordoned off huge new tracts of occupied land. This wall, condemned as illegal by the International Court of Justice, has turned West Bank cities such as Qalqilya into ghost towns, and thousands of refugees have been created for the third and fourth time in the refugee camps in Gaza. Yet it is not simply in the building of the walls and checkpoints by Israel's occupying forces, or the different roads created for Jews and Arabs on Palestinian land, or the use of specially constructed bulldozers that rip up Palestinian orchards and olive groves and demolish hundreds of homes, or the imprisonment of thousands of political prisoners, or the daily murder of Palestinian civilians, that demonstrates the continuing nature of the nakba. It is also in the dedication of Israel's military and political machinery to the destruction of Palestinian resistance to their project.
Please read more at http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/Story/0,,1773284,00.html
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The Guardian
Where is the global outcry at this continuing cruelty?
Ghada Karmi
15 May 2006
Nearly 60 years after most Palestinians were first forced from our homes, the killings and blockades carry on with impunity
Israel is 58 years old today. Israelis have already celebrated with barbecues and parties. And so they should, for they've pulled off an amazing stunt: the creation of a state for one people on the land of another - and at their massive expense - without incurring effective sanction. Some of those not celebrating, the Arab citizens of Israel, were also there, demonstrating to remind the world that Israel displaced 250,000 to take their land without compensation. Millions more Palestinians will demonstrate today in the refugee camps of Gaza, the West Bank and neighbouring Arab states against their expulsion by Israel. The world, however, is not listening, any more than it did in 1948, when most of Palestine's inhabitants were expelled to make way for Jewish immigrants.
My family was among those displaced and, though a child, I vividly remember the panic and misery of that flight from our home in Jerusalem on an April morning in 1948, with the scent of spring in the air. Palestine by then had become a raging battleground as Jews fought to seize our land in the wake of the 1947 UN partition resolution. My parents decided to evacuate us temporarily. "We will return," they insisted, "the world will not let such injustice happen!" They were wrong: the world let it happen and we never returned. Little comfort in knowing that we were among many others, that we did not end up in tents, that conflicts do such things. Our lives, our history and our future had been traduced. In those early days, I would wonder with anguish how the Jewish incomers who took over our house could sleep at night, seeing our belongings, family photos, children's toys. Subsequently, Israelis made much of the danger they faced from five Arab armies in the 1948-49 war, but in reality their forces were greater than all their opponents' combined, and the latter ill equipped and poorly trained.
Please read more at http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/comment/0,,1774885,00.html
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International Herald Tribune
Punishing the innocent is a crime
Jimmy Carter
7 May 2006
Innocent Palestinian people are being treated like animals, with the presumption that they are guilty of some crime. Because they voted for candidates who are members of Hamas, the United States government has become the driving force behind an apparently effective scheme of depriving the general public of income, access to the outside world and the necessities of life.
Overwhelmingly, these are school teachers, nurses, social workers, police officers, farm families, shopkeepers, and their employees and families who are just hoping for a better life. Public opinion polls conducted after the January parliamentary election show that 80 percent of Palestinians still want a peace agreement with Israel based on the international road map premises. Although Fatah party members refused to join Hamas in a coalition government, nearly 70 percent of Palestinians continue to support Fatah's leader, Mahmoud Abbas, as their president.
It is almost a miracle that the Palestinians have been able to orchestrate three elections during the past 10 years, all of which have been honest, fair, strongly contested, without violence and with the results accepted by winners and losers. Among the 62 elections that have been monitored by us at the Carter Center, these are among the best in portraying the will of the people.
One clear reason for the surprising Hamas victory for legislative seats was that the voters were in despair about prospects for peace. With American acquiescence, the Israelis had avoided any substantive peace talks for more than five years, regardless of who had been chosen to represent the Palestinian side as interlocutor.
Please read more at http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/05/07/opinion/edcarter.php
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The Guardian
Prime minister pins his colours to 'new look' Israel
Chris McGreal
5 May 2006
The Israeli prime minister, Ehud Olmert, installed his new government yesterday with praise for the settler movement and a pledge to make the main Jewish colonies in the West Bank permanently part of Israel by redrawing the country's borders.
Mr Olmert told the Israeli parliament, ahead of a confidence vote in the coalition administration led by his Kadima party, which won the election in March, that the future frontier would be "significantly different than the territories under Israel's control today".
That would mean abandoning isolated settlements that put the country's security "in danger", he said. But the government plans to move the affected settlers into the expanding larger colonies that will be formally annexed by the imposition by 2010 of a new Israeli border east of the 1967 frontier and running through the occupied territories.
"The achievements of the settlement movement in its major centres will for ever be an inseparable part of the sovereign state of Israel, with Jerusalem as our united capital. Let us come together around this consensus and turn it into a uniting political and moral fact," the prime minister said…
Under the plan, Mr Olmert intends to remove about 60,000 settlers currently living in Israel's more isolated colonies beyond the concrete and steel West Bank barrier. They would be moved, if they wished, into the larger West Bank settlement blocks of Maale Adumim, Ariel and Gush Etzion, and parts of Jerusalem, where about 340,000 other settlers live.
Please read more at http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/Story/0,,1768061,00.html
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Haaretz
The country that wouldn't grow up
Tony Judt
2 May 2006
From one perspective Israel's future is bleak. Not for the first time, a Jewish state has found itself on the vulnerable periphery of someone else's empire: overconfident in its own righteousness, willfully blind to the danger that its indulgent excesses might ultimately provoke its imperial mentor to the point of irritation and beyond, and heedless of its own failure to make any other friends. To be sure, the modern Israeli state has big weapons - very big weapons. But can it do with them except make more enemies? However, modern Israel also has options. Precisely because the country is an object of such universal mistrust and resentment - because people expect so little from Israel today - a truly statesmanlike shift in its policies (dismantling of major settlements, opening unconditional negotiations with Palestinians, calling Hamas' bluff by offering the movement's leaders something serious in return for recognition of Israel and a cease-fire) could have disproportionately beneficial effects.
But such a radical realignment of Israeli strategy would entail a difficult reappraisal of every cliche and illusion under which the country and its political elite have nestled for most of their life. It would entail acknowledging that Israel no longer has any special claim upon international sympathy or indulgence; that the United States won't always be there; that weapons and walls can no more preserve Israel forever than they preserved the German Democratic Republic or white South Africa; that colonies are always doomed unless you are willing to expel or exterminate the indigenous population. Other countries and their leaders have understood this and managed comparable realignments: Charles De Gaulle realized that France's settlement in Algeria, which was far older and better established than Israel's West Bank colonies, was a military and moral disaster for his country. In an exercise of outstanding political courage, he acted upon that insight and withdrew. But when De Gaulle came to that realization he was a mature statesman, nearly 70 years old. Israel cannot afford to wait that long. At the age of 58 the time has come for it to grow up.
Please read more at http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/711997.html
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Washington Report
Talk Is Cheap: “Dialogue” vs. Divestment In the Struggle for Justice in Palestine
James M. Wall
March 2006
Virtually all of the mainline Protestant denominations in the U.S. are on record in support of the end of violence on both sides in the conflict, and most are specifically opposed to the occupation. Pro-Israel forces have learned to ignore those written and verbal criticisms as just so much God-talk. But divestment is another matter, in part because of the lesson of what divestment accomplished in South Africa…
The demand for dialogue, which began as soon as the ink was dry on the Presbyterian resolution, is an effective tactic to use with Protestants and others who pride themselves on their desire to “get along” with everyone, and who feel a special obligation to maintain positive relations with the Jewish community. Interfaith denominational executives were especially important to this process, since they have spent many years working to create a positive connection between the two religious communities…
Meanwhile, Presbyterians meeting in similar Presbytery gatherings around the country could see that, while the movement to divest from corporations servicing Israel’s occupation has not been derailed, in Chicago, at least, it had been shunted off to a side track. There the two sides will continue to fight for, on the one hand, divestment as a sign of support for Palestinians under occupation, versus continued dialogue to rebuild “fragile” Jewish-Christian relationships in the U.S. through the use of euphemisms like “progressive engagement”—anything to avoid the dreaded “divestment” term.
Of course, everyone involved knows that when the church brought pressure to bear against the white rulers of South Africa, it was the hard economic pressure of “divestment” that led to the demise of apartheid—not “constructive engagement,” as the Reagan administration then called it. Supporters of Israel in the Chicago discussions resent the comparison, but advocates of divestment will not hesitate to evoke the example of South Africa, pointing to the fact that, through laws, walls and other “facts on the ground,” Israel continues to force Palestinians into their own apartheid compounds.
Please read more at http://www.wrmea.com/archives/March_2006/0603058.html
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31 May 2006
Israeli Unilateralism: Disengagement / Convergence / Realignment…
Despite the direct contravention of the guidelines laid out in the “roadmap for peace” espoused by this U.S. administration (i.e., neither party taking steps that would unilaterally bias final-status negotiations), Israeli Prime Minster Ehud Olmert and his plan to unilaterally draw the borders of the state of Israel—which will effectively seal Palestinians off in isolated enclaves of land on roughly forty to fifty percent of the West Bank—were warmly received both by the U.S. President and Congress in his visit to the U.S. last week (“ANALYSIS / George Bush wants the convergence plan too,” http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/719151.html).
Yet, whatever name is used to label this effort—disengagement, convergence, realignment—this form of unilateralism, made possible by the enormous imbalance of power that exists between Israel and the Palestinians, is part of the same story of dispossession that Palestinians have experienced for decades. As Israeli journalist Gideon Levy points out:
“Olmert promised to start the convergence in two years. Now he’s talking about evacuating no more than 40,000 settlers and resettling them in the ‘settlement blocs.’ Obviously that is not a peace plan, that’s a plan to perpetuate the occupation, only under conditions more convenient for Israel. Moreover, at the end of the convergence plan, if it is ever executed, even more settlers will live in the occupied territories than live there now, in the ‘settlement blocs’ that are no less dangerous than the handful of settlements that will be evacuated. The fact that America is not enthusiastic about Olmert's plan need not worry anyone. It will, in the end, support it. The two countries, after all, have so many ‘shared values and principles.’” (“A bullies’ alliance,” http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/720345.html).
While the U.S. White House and Congress laud the “creativity” and “boldness” of this “vision for peace,” that very structure of violence continues to spell dispossession and death for Palestinians in a most discriminatory manner (“‘Intifada Law’ has barred compensation to Palestinian victims almost entirely,” http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/712153.html). Israeli colonization goes on unabated (“IDF authorizes expansion of four West Bank settlements,” http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/718244.html). And construction of the “separation barrier” continues, with reports that “by the beginning of 2007, 486 kilometers of the separation fence will be completed…This constitutes 93 percent of the 523-kilometer fence route (which does not include some 300 kilometers that are awaiting legal rulings)” (“Defense officials: 93% of fence to be ready by Jan. '07,” http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=720323&contrassID=2&sub
ContrassID=1&sbSubContrassID=0).
As the U.S. gets “tough” on terrorism (“U.S. House votes to tighten PA sanctions,” http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/719118.html), poverty and unemployment increases as a direct result and will only get worse (“UN report: 40% of Palestinians earn less than $2.10 a day,” Haaretz, 30 May 2006; http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=721117&contrassID=2&sub
ContrassID=1&sbSubContrassID=0).
Here in Bethlehem in particular, it is reported that over 70% of the population of now lives below the poverty line and unemployment has soared to more than 60%. “Once a prosperous middle class town, Bethlehem has been economically suffocated and the post-election sanctions have brought the local population to the brink of disaster. According to Christian Aid, in two years, almost three in four Palestinians (74 per cent) will be living below the United Nations poverty line of an income of £1.10 a day – worse than Afghanistan, Sierra Leone and Angola. Christian Aid has stated that ‘Palestinian society faces collapse’ if this situation continues” (“Open Bethlehem calls for end to EU sanctions as Bethlehem faces disaster,” http://www.openbethlehem.org/pages/content/index.asp?PageID=56).
For more on “convergence,” visit MCC partner the Stop the Wall Campaign at http://stopthewall.org/analysisandfeatures/1157.shtml and http://stopthewall.org/maps/1159.shtml or the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions at http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article4750.shtml.
Nakba and Independence
For most Israeli Jews, May 3rd this year was celebrated as Independence Day—remembering the 1948 war as a heroic story of freedom, liberty, and success in overcoming great difficulties. But for Palestinians, that same event (remembered on May 15) is known as the Nakba, an Arabic word meaning “catastrophe,” referring to the massive dispossession of the majority of the Palestinian people during the period of 1947 to 1949. Between 750,000 to 900,000 Palestinians became refugees, either having been expelled by the Israeli army or having fled for their lives during the fighting. Meanwhile, Israeli military forces destroyed over 500 Palestinian villages.
On Israeli Independence Day, MCC Israeli partner the Zochrot Association (http://www.nakbainhebrew.org/) organized a visit to the destroyed Palestinian village of Miske in solidarity with its displaced residents. In Miske, signs were posted by both Israeli Jews and Palestinians at the village center, the mosque, and the school (learn more at http://www.zochrot.org/index.php?id=414). After this, Zochrot proceeded to take part in the 9th annual Procession of Return organized by ADRID, the Association for the Defense of the Rights of Internally Displaced Palestinians. This year the procession was to the village of Umm a-Zinat. Signs were posted to designate the village school, the cemetery, and the entryway to the village (http://www.zochrot.org/index.php?id=417).
In collaboration with another MCC partner, the Badil Resource Center for Palestinian Residency and Refugee Rights (http://www.badil.org/), Zochrot also helped coordinate a visit to the destroyed Palestinian village of Lifta on May 13th (http://www.zochrot.org/index.php?id=421). And on May 15th, Zochrot participated in a learning day about the Nakba with the Bilingual School in Jerusalem, an elementary school for Jewish and Palestinian children. In the morning, Zochrot prepared a large-scale map of historic Palestine in the schoolyard, using electric tape to mark the longitude and latitude lines of the map. When the grid was ready, the pupils filled the map with cards representing each of the Palestinian villages destroyed during the Nakba (http://www.zochrot.org/index.php?id=428).
Visit Palestine!
In a previous update, we shared a couple of the opportunities available here in Palestine / Israel for you all to participate in this summer such as the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions (ICAHD) summer work camp of “Rebuilding and Resistance” from July 15th to 30th (learn more at http://www.icahd.org/eng/news.asp?menu=5&submenu=1&item=292) and Holy Land Trust’s summer encounter program for service-learning (learn more at http://www.middleeastfellowship.org/pse2006).
We would also like to let you know about some other opportunities in the coming months that could give you a reason to “Visit Palestine”:
Holy Land Trust also recently announced their “Second Activists’ Summer Camp” that will take place from 16-26 July. “As part of our commitment to promote and use active forms of nonviolence, we are encouraging young people to join us in a ten-day nonviolence training in a breathtaking campsite. In addition, you will get the chance to tour some of the Palestinian cities. Do not miss the chance of sharing the experience to learn and practice nonviolence in Palestine. Keep in mind folks that we have limited number of spaces!” For detailed information, visit http://www.holylandtrust.org/pnr_sc1.htm.
The Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center has announced their first International Young Adult Conference titled “TOGETHER: Facing Challenges … Finding Hope.” Scheduled for 26 July – 6 August 2006, the goals for this conference, geared toward young adults from around the world, are: Palestinian and international young adults meeting to share stories and learn about one another‘s culture and denominations; International young adults learning about the lives of Palestinian young people and becoming more aware of current political realities; Christian young adults empowered to become more active for justice in their home communities. For more information, see: http://www.sabeel.org/etemplate.php?id=19.
Sabeel has also announced the 6th International Sabeel Conference titled “The Forgotten Faithful: A Window into the Life and Witness of Christians in the Holy Land.” This conference, scheduled for November 2-9, 2006, through lectures, workshops, worship and excursions in the Holy Land, will provide a unique opportunity to encounter the realities of Christians in Palestine and Israel. This will be a great opportunity to meet your Christian brothers and sisters, learn about their history and present struggle, champion their just cause and advocate for peace and reconciliation for all the people of the land. For more information, see: http://www.sabeel.org/pdfs/prelim%20Brochure%20.doc.
Later on this fall, another opportunity to visit will be an Olive Picking Program organized by the Joint Advocacy Initiative of the East Jerusalem YMCA and YWCA of Palestine (JAI; http://www.jai-pal.org/) and the Alternative Tourism Group (ATG; and http://www.atg.ps) between the 26th of October and 4th of November, 2006. This agricultural event is of special significance to the Palestinian economy where all energies and efforts are mobilized during this period.
“Since the beginning of the Intifada in 2000, the olive harvest has been overshadowed by the Israeli policies of repression, closure, blockage of streets, confiscation of agricultural lands, as well as repeated attacks against Palestinian farmers by Israeli settlers. Now with the construction the Apartheid Wall at the expense of the agricultural lands, many farmers are separated from their lands.
“Building on the experience from the previous years, the Joint Advocacy Initiative of The East Jerusalem YMCA and the YWCA of Palestine and the Alternative Tourism have planned a program for civil international solidarity with Palestinian people and farmers. The objective of this program is to mobilize as many people as possible for olive picking, especially in areas that are situated in proximity of Israeli settlements, and by-pass roads in order to help Palestinian farmers harvest their olive trees that they might be unable to harvest without international support. You are invited to participate.”
For more information, see: http://www.jai-pal.org/content.php?page=298. And come Visit Palestine!
An Easter Message: “Who will help us roll the stone away?”
In their recent newsletter, MCC partner the Wi’am Palestinian Conflict Resolution Center (http://www.planet.edu/~alaslah/) shared an excerpt from an Easter reflection by Lucy Talgieh. Recalling the story in the gospels telling of Mary and Salome and the other women who went to the tomb early that morning of the first day of the week, Lucy reflects on the question, “Who will help us roll the stone away?”
“God had never abandoned us even in the midst of our despair and hopelessness. God empowers us to be a witness of truth to the world. We are empowered to roll away the stones of fear, hopelessness, sadness, injustice, occupation and violence. God calls us to be channels of hope to support one another and to challenge the world. God is here with a message of peace and justice. Stop the War / Stop the Bloodshed / Stop the Hatred. We Palestinian Christians are commissioned to give love and to teach love in the world where it is absent, and spread hope in spite of the hopeless situation.
“We ask God to open all hearts to the grace of Easter that will strengthen and enable all of us to pass from death to life as we make the new history of this Holy Land. We ask God and our Risen Lord to fill our hearts with love and spirituality, so that Easter will be a new beginning for us also, and a passage from death to security and peaceful life and a journey with God.
“Christ is Risen! The Lord is Risen, indeed.”
Il-Masiih qaam. Haqqan qaam.
Peace to you all,
Timothy and Christi Seidel
Peace Development Workers
Mennonite Central Committee – Palestine
Attachments and Links:
· Angela Godfrey-Goldstein, “Ehud Olmert’s ‘convergence plan,’” ICAHD, 22 May 2006
· Gideon Levy, “A bullies' alliance,” Haaretz, 28 May 2006
· Aluf Benn and Shmuel Rosner, “A push from Bush,” Haaretz, 26 May 2006
· Jeff Halper, “Countdown to Apartheid,” ICAHD, 25 May 2006
· Robert D. Novak, “A Plea for Palestinian Christians,” The Washington Post, May 25, 2006
· Ronnie Kasrils and Victoria Brittain, “Israel should face sanctions,” The Guardian, 19 May 2006
· Jonathan Cook, “Israel’s marriage ban closes the gates to Palestinians,” The Electronic Intifada, 19 May 2006
· Karma Nabulsi, “The great catastrophe,” The Guardian, 12 May 2006
· Ghada Karmi, “Where is the global outcry at this continuing cruelty?” The Guardian, 15 May 2006
· Jimmy Carter, “Punishing the innocent is a crime,” International Herald Tribune, 7 May 2006
· Chris McGreal, “Prime minister pins his colours to 'new look' Israel,” The Guardian, 5 May 2006
· Tony Judt, “The country that wouldn't grow up,” Haaretz, 2 May 2006
· James M. Wall, “Talk Is Cheap: “Dialogue” vs. Divestment In the Struggle for Justice in Palestine,” Washington Report, March 2006
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ICAHD
Ehud Olmert’s "convergence plan"
Angela Godfrey-Goldstein
29 May 2006
Ehud Olmert's "convergence plan," detailed in an interview with Karby Leggett of The Wall Street Journal (April 12, 2006), has major ramifications for Israel-Palestine, regional peace and the international community. Olmert talks of "a large pullout from parts of the occupied West Bank within the next 18 months." He plans "to evacuate as many as 70,000 settlers…which could cost more than $10 billion - while annexing large chunks of disputed Palestinian territory. The goal ... is to establish permanent, internationally recognized borders that will ensure Israel retains its Jewish majority for decades to come. Though he expects to carry out the plan without Palestinian input, he believes it ... could lead to the establishment of a Palestinian state and a negotiated peace settlement someday."
Of the 250,000 Israeli citizens living in over a hundred West Bank settlements, (not counting 200,000 settlers in occupied East Jerusalem), only one-third will face evacuation, says Leggett. "Many may be offered relocation to the large settlement blocs Israel plans to retain. ... Perhaps the most sensitive issue will be the question of Jerusalem. Palestinians claim the city as their future capital and say that must be reflected in any resolution to the Mideast's core conflict. The U.S. has generally supported the Palestinian position during previous peace negotiations."
A glance at Map 1 shows Jerusalem sprawled midway between the northern and southern parts of the West Bank. To its west is Israel. To its east, the Judaean Desert -descends to the Jordanian border, dominated by the Maale Adumim settlement bloc. Contact between the northern and southern cantons - like contact with Gaza - will depend on Israel's good graces. It is unlikely, to say the least, that the result will be the "viable Palestinian state" touted repeatedly by U.S. President George W. Bush since June 2002, when he introduced his "Road Map to Peace" and the Bush Vision.
Please read more at http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article4750.shtml
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Haaretz
A bullies' alliance
Gideon Levy
28 May 2006
Was the prime minister's address on Capitol Hill interrupted by applause 38 times, as Maariv and Haaretz reported, or 41, as Yedioth Ahronoth said? Was it the "speech of his life" or his "victory lap?" Does it matter? Those who read the flood of praise heaped by a uniform chorus in the Israeli press on Ehud Olmert might think this was a historic visit that managed to significantly advance the achievement of peace in the Middle East. It was nothing of the kind.
In Washington, there was a meeting of the leaders of two countries that share, as the prime minister rightly said in his speech, "common principles and values." The United States and Israel are two of the most hated countries in the world these days. Both are responsible for brutal occupations and the bloodshed of innocents; both are fighting terrorism without regard for its reasons and true root causes; both endanger world peace and their leaders scatter slogans about peace that are empty of any content; both are surrounding themselves with walls. The only difference between them is that if there are signs in the U.S. of an awakening from the deception of the criminal war in Iraq, three years after it began; in Israel, people are still sticking to all the lies of the past about the connection between the territories and security, even 39 years after the occupation began.
The renewed alliance forged between the Israeli prime minister and the American president is an alliance of bullies, two bullies who think they are allowed what most of the world is forbidden. America and Israel can use any possible weapon to their hearts' content and at the same time threaten anyone who tries to do the same. Why? Because they are strong…
Please read more at http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/720345.html
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Haaretz
A push from Bush
Aluf Benn and Shmuel Rosner
26 May 2006
This week, Bush surprised the pundits, the experts and the officials with his enthusiastic support for the prime minister's convergence plan. The professionals in the administration warned that a unilateral Israeli move in the territories - of the type that will lead to determining a border without asking the Palestinians - will anger the Europeans, enrage the Arabs and humiliate what is left of the Palestinian Authority. But Bush, as stubborn as Truman, as well as a great admirer of his, preferred to embrace his Israeli friends and to absorb possible criticism of his declarations…
Olmert returned to Israel yesterday with a clear sense that Bush is going along with his convergence plan. For the prime minister, the most significant achievement of the visit was forming personal ties with the president. That is particularly important, in his opinion, just because Bush did accept his plan. Had he objected to it, the personal friendship would not have helped Olmert. But when you cooperate on a political move, the direct relationship between the leaders is of decisive importance…
In any case, Olmert's visit did not make the headlines in America. Other issues concern the public and the administration - and the president will not be free at any given moment to deal with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In six months there will be Congressional elections, in which his party may lose, and already now the results of the erosion of his power are evident: This week, the House of Representatives passed a law against Hamas against Bush's wishes, and he is now busy mainly with two issues - Iraq and illegal immigration. Bush wants to solve the second problem by building a fence along the border with Mexico. "I heard that your fence has succeeded in preventing terror," he said to Olmert, "and we are also considering building a fence in Texas." Another proof of the fact that it's a small world.
Please read more at http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/719940.html
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ICAHD
Countdown to Apartheid
Jeff Halper
25 May 2006
Olmert’s “convergence plan” (now renamed a “realignment plan” because it sounds better in [Newspeak] English), based on the massive “facts on the ground” Israel continues to impose unilaterally with overt American support, cannot possibly give rise to a viable Palestinian state. The “Separation Barrier,” which will be declared Israel’s permanent “demographic border,” takes 10% of the West Bank. That may not sound like much, but consider this: It incorporates into Israel the major settlement blocs (plus a half-million Israeli settlers) while carving the West Bank into a number of small, disconnected, impoverished “cantons” – hardly the basis for a viable state. It removes from the Palestinians their richest agricultural land and all the water.
The convergence plan also creates a “greater” Israeli Jerusalem over the entire central portion of the West Bank, thereby cutting the economic, cultural, religious and historic heart out of any Palestinian state. It then sandwiches the Palestinians between the Barrier/border and yet another “security” border, the Jordan Valley, giving Israel two eastern borders. Palestinian freedom of movement of both people and goods is thus prevented into both Israel and Jordan but also internally, between the various cantons. Israel will also retain control of Palestinian airspace, the electro-magnetic sphere and even the right of a Palestinian state to conduct its own foreign policy…
And, finally, what was meant? Apartheid. The “A” word was missing from Olmert’s speech, of course, but the bottom line of his convergence plan is clear: the establishment of a permanent, institutionalized regime of Israeli domination over Palestinians based on separation between Jews and Arabs. Within 6-9 months, according to Olmert’s timeline. Olmert may believe that Jews can succeed where Afrikaners failed, but history teaches us that in the end injustice is unsustainable. And convergence/realignment is nothing if not manifest injustice.
Please read more at http://www.kibush.co.il/show_file.asp?num=14115
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The Washington Post
A Plea for Palestinian Christians
Robert D. Novak
May 25, 2006
Rep. Henry Hyde, showing the courage that has typified a political career now in its final months, is pleading the case of endangered Palestinian Christians to President Bush. A faithful supported of Israel over many years, Hyde said in a letter sent Friday to the White House: "I cannot be blind when Israeli actions seem to go beyond the realm of legitimate security concerns and have negative consequences on communities and lands under their occupation." He urged the president to take up this issue with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert during his visit to Washington this week.
Hyde, chairman of the House International Relations Committee, sent along with his letter a five-page, single-spaced report prepared by his staff based on visits to Israel and Palestine over the past two years. It contends that "the Christians community is being crushed in the mill of the bitter Israeli- Palestinian conflict." The Israeli security wall and expanding Jewish settlements in the West Bank, the report continues, "are irreversibly damaging the dwindling Christian community."
Please read more at http://www.townhall.com/opinion/columns/robertnovak/
2006/05/25/198697.html
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The Guardian
Israel should face sanctions
Ronnie Kasrils and Victoria Brittain
19 May 2006
The Palestine crisis is now more dramatic even than apartheid, but it is the victims who are punished
Western leaders are frustrating democratic elections in Palestine by withholding aid, and using collective punishment, an economic siege and starvation as political weapons in their efforts to get the Hamas government to accept their terms of business with Israel.
Never in the long struggle for freedom in apartheid South Africa was there a situation as dramatic as in Palestine today: even though children were killed for resisting a second-class education; the liberation movement's leaders were locked up for decades on Robben Island; new leaders were assassinated; church leaders were poisoned; house demolitions and forced removals were frequent; and western governments told South Africans who their leaders should be, and what their policies should be…
The Palestinians are having sanctions imposed on them for their political choice. But it is Israel, creating new facts on the ground to prevent the emergence of a viable Palestinian state, that should be facing UN sanctions. The UN secretary general, Kofi Annan, should use his last months in office to call for sanctions to bring about the implementation of the ICJ ruling on the Israeli wall, the closure of West Bank settlements and the release of Palestinian political prisoners. And those who care for freedom, peace and justice must build a global Palestine solidarity movement to match the anti-apartheid movement of the 1980s.
Please read more at http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/comment/0,,1778714,00.html
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The Electronic Intifada
Israel’s marriage ban closes the gates to Palestinians
Jonathan Cook
19 May 2006
In approving an effective ban on marriages between Israelis and Palestinians this week, Israel’s Supreme Court has shut tighter the gates of the Jewish fortress the state of Israel is rapidly becoming. The judges’ decision, in the words of the country’s normally restrained Haaretz daily, was “shameful”.
By a wafer-thin majority, the highest court in the land ruled that an amendment passed in 2003 to the Nationality Law barring Palestinians from living with an Israeli spouse inside Israel -- what in legal parlance is termed “family unification” -- did not violate rights enshrined in the country’s Basic Laws.
And even if it did, the court added, the harm caused to the separated families was outweighed by the benefits of improved “security”. Israel, concluded the judges, was justified in closing the doors to residency for all Palestinians in order to block the entry of those few who might use marriage as a way to launch terror attacks…
Such changes will make Israel unlike any state we have seen in modern times. In 1980, at the height of apartheid in South Africa, the courts there refused to approve legislation much like Israel’s ban on family unification, arguing that it contravened the right to a family life.
In Israel, on the other hand, faced with a new wave of racist legislation, no one -- not even the country’s “liberal” Supreme Court – is prepared to safeguard the most basic rights of the land’s native people.
Please read more at http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article4726.shtml
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The Guardian
The great catastrophe
Karma Nabulsi
12 May 2006
Monday marks the 58th anniversary of the founding of Israel in 1948 - and the expulsion of Palestinians from their land. With millions still living under occupation or in exile, what Palestinians call their 'nakba' remains at the heart of their national identity, argues Karma Nabulsi
In the last week of April 1948, combined Irgun-Haganah forces launched an offensive to drive the Palestinian people out of the beautiful port city of Jaffa, forcing the remaining inhabitants to flee by sea; many drowned in the process. My aunt Rose, a teenager at that time, survived the trip to begin her life in exile on the Lebanese coast. Each Palestinian refugee family grows up hearing again and again the stories of those final moments in Palestine, the decisions, the panic, as we live in the midst of their terrible consequences. Throughout 1948, Jewish forces expelled many thousands of Palestinians from their villages, towns and cities into Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Egypt and Iraq. Hundreds of thousands of others fled in fear. The purpose was to create a pure Jewish state, ethnically cleansed of the original inhabitants who had lived there for centuries. The creation of the state of Israel was the heart of this cataclysmic historical event for the Palestinians - the mass forced expulsion of a people; the more than 50 massacres carried out over the summer of 1948 by various armed Jewish forces; the demolition of villages to ensure the refugees could not return - all this is summed up in a single word for Palestinians: nakba, the catastophe.
"We must do everything to ensure they [the Palestinians] never do return ... The old will die and the young will forget," said David Ben-Gurion, the founder of Israel, in 1949. But the young have not forgotten. The event is remembered every year on May 15, and the youth are at the heart of it: at a rally on the site of the destroyed village of Umm al-Zinnat near Haifa, Salim Fahmawi, now 65, a primary school student when the soldiers entered the village 56 years ago to expel them, told an Israeli reporter: "The presence of so many young people, many of whom are third- and fourth-generation post-1948, gives me a sense of relief - because I know the torch has not been extinguished and is passing from generation to generation."
Nakba day has now become a profoundly political event - unlike other cultural and social manifestations of our national identity - because it is all about resistance to the current Palestinian situation rather than enshrining past memories of victimhood. The project against the Palestinians begun at the start of the past century had two purposes: first, to deny the very concept of Palestine and destroy its political and social institutions, and second, to annihilate the spirit of the Palestinians as a people, so that they would forget their collective identity once scattered far from home. But the relentless and dynamic nature of the catastrophe - it is an ongoing daily Palestinian experience - binds this generation directly to the older one, and binds the exiled to Palestine. Indeed, the past few years have witnessed a violent acceleration in this process of attempted destruction - hence the title of this year's event: The Nakba Continues.
The nakba is being lived again today in the brutal thrust of the current policies of the Israeli state. More than 10,000 Palestinian refugees have been created by the construction of the concrete separation wall that has cordoned off huge new tracts of occupied land. This wall, condemned as illegal by the International Court of Justice, has turned West Bank cities such as Qalqilya into ghost towns, and thousands of refugees have been created for the third and fourth time in the refugee camps in Gaza. Yet it is not simply in the building of the walls and checkpoints by Israel's occupying forces, or the different roads created for Jews and Arabs on Palestinian land, or the use of specially constructed bulldozers that rip up Palestinian orchards and olive groves and demolish hundreds of homes, or the imprisonment of thousands of political prisoners, or the daily murder of Palestinian civilians, that demonstrates the continuing nature of the nakba. It is also in the dedication of Israel's military and political machinery to the destruction of Palestinian resistance to their project.
Please read more at http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/Story/0,,1773284,00.html
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The Guardian
Where is the global outcry at this continuing cruelty?
Ghada Karmi
15 May 2006
Nearly 60 years after most Palestinians were first forced from our homes, the killings and blockades carry on with impunity
Israel is 58 years old today. Israelis have already celebrated with barbecues and parties. And so they should, for they've pulled off an amazing stunt: the creation of a state for one people on the land of another - and at their massive expense - without incurring effective sanction. Some of those not celebrating, the Arab citizens of Israel, were also there, demonstrating to remind the world that Israel displaced 250,000 to take their land without compensation. Millions more Palestinians will demonstrate today in the refugee camps of Gaza, the West Bank and neighbouring Arab states against their expulsion by Israel. The world, however, is not listening, any more than it did in 1948, when most of Palestine's inhabitants were expelled to make way for Jewish immigrants.
My family was among those displaced and, though a child, I vividly remember the panic and misery of that flight from our home in Jerusalem on an April morning in 1948, with the scent of spring in the air. Palestine by then had become a raging battleground as Jews fought to seize our land in the wake of the 1947 UN partition resolution. My parents decided to evacuate us temporarily. "We will return," they insisted, "the world will not let such injustice happen!" They were wrong: the world let it happen and we never returned. Little comfort in knowing that we were among many others, that we did not end up in tents, that conflicts do such things. Our lives, our history and our future had been traduced. In those early days, I would wonder with anguish how the Jewish incomers who took over our house could sleep at night, seeing our belongings, family photos, children's toys. Subsequently, Israelis made much of the danger they faced from five Arab armies in the 1948-49 war, but in reality their forces were greater than all their opponents' combined, and the latter ill equipped and poorly trained.
Please read more at http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/comment/0,,1774885,00.html
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International Herald Tribune
Punishing the innocent is a crime
Jimmy Carter
7 May 2006
Innocent Palestinian people are being treated like animals, with the presumption that they are guilty of some crime. Because they voted for candidates who are members of Hamas, the United States government has become the driving force behind an apparently effective scheme of depriving the general public of income, access to the outside world and the necessities of life.
Overwhelmingly, these are school teachers, nurses, social workers, police officers, farm families, shopkeepers, and their employees and families who are just hoping for a better life. Public opinion polls conducted after the January parliamentary election show that 80 percent of Palestinians still want a peace agreement with Israel based on the international road map premises. Although Fatah party members refused to join Hamas in a coalition government, nearly 70 percent of Palestinians continue to support Fatah's leader, Mahmoud Abbas, as their president.
It is almost a miracle that the Palestinians have been able to orchestrate three elections during the past 10 years, all of which have been honest, fair, strongly contested, without violence and with the results accepted by winners and losers. Among the 62 elections that have been monitored by us at the Carter Center, these are among the best in portraying the will of the people.
One clear reason for the surprising Hamas victory for legislative seats was that the voters were in despair about prospects for peace. With American acquiescence, the Israelis had avoided any substantive peace talks for more than five years, regardless of who had been chosen to represent the Palestinian side as interlocutor.
Please read more at http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/05/07/opinion/edcarter.php
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The Guardian
Prime minister pins his colours to 'new look' Israel
Chris McGreal
5 May 2006
The Israeli prime minister, Ehud Olmert, installed his new government yesterday with praise for the settler movement and a pledge to make the main Jewish colonies in the West Bank permanently part of Israel by redrawing the country's borders.
Mr Olmert told the Israeli parliament, ahead of a confidence vote in the coalition administration led by his Kadima party, which won the election in March, that the future frontier would be "significantly different than the territories under Israel's control today".
That would mean abandoning isolated settlements that put the country's security "in danger", he said. But the government plans to move the affected settlers into the expanding larger colonies that will be formally annexed by the imposition by 2010 of a new Israeli border east of the 1967 frontier and running through the occupied territories.
"The achievements of the settlement movement in its major centres will for ever be an inseparable part of the sovereign state of Israel, with Jerusalem as our united capital. Let us come together around this consensus and turn it into a uniting political and moral fact," the prime minister said…
Under the plan, Mr Olmert intends to remove about 60,000 settlers currently living in Israel's more isolated colonies beyond the concrete and steel West Bank barrier. They would be moved, if they wished, into the larger West Bank settlement blocks of Maale Adumim, Ariel and Gush Etzion, and parts of Jerusalem, where about 340,000 other settlers live.
Please read more at http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/Story/0,,1768061,00.html
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Haaretz
The country that wouldn't grow up
Tony Judt
2 May 2006
From one perspective Israel's future is bleak. Not for the first time, a Jewish state has found itself on the vulnerable periphery of someone else's empire: overconfident in its own righteousness, willfully blind to the danger that its indulgent excesses might ultimately provoke its imperial mentor to the point of irritation and beyond, and heedless of its own failure to make any other friends. To be sure, the modern Israeli state has big weapons - very big weapons. But can it do with them except make more enemies? However, modern Israel also has options. Precisely because the country is an object of such universal mistrust and resentment - because people expect so little from Israel today - a truly statesmanlike shift in its policies (dismantling of major settlements, opening unconditional negotiations with Palestinians, calling Hamas' bluff by offering the movement's leaders something serious in return for recognition of Israel and a cease-fire) could have disproportionately beneficial effects.
But such a radical realignment of Israeli strategy would entail a difficult reappraisal of every cliche and illusion under which the country and its political elite have nestled for most of their life. It would entail acknowledging that Israel no longer has any special claim upon international sympathy or indulgence; that the United States won't always be there; that weapons and walls can no more preserve Israel forever than they preserved the German Democratic Republic or white South Africa; that colonies are always doomed unless you are willing to expel or exterminate the indigenous population. Other countries and their leaders have understood this and managed comparable realignments: Charles De Gaulle realized that France's settlement in Algeria, which was far older and better established than Israel's West Bank colonies, was a military and moral disaster for his country. In an exercise of outstanding political courage, he acted upon that insight and withdrew. But when De Gaulle came to that realization he was a mature statesman, nearly 70 years old. Israel cannot afford to wait that long. At the age of 58 the time has come for it to grow up.
Please read more at http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/711997.html
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Washington Report
Talk Is Cheap: “Dialogue” vs. Divestment In the Struggle for Justice in Palestine
James M. Wall
March 2006
Virtually all of the mainline Protestant denominations in the U.S. are on record in support of the end of violence on both sides in the conflict, and most are specifically opposed to the occupation. Pro-Israel forces have learned to ignore those written and verbal criticisms as just so much God-talk. But divestment is another matter, in part because of the lesson of what divestment accomplished in South Africa…
The demand for dialogue, which began as soon as the ink was dry on the Presbyterian resolution, is an effective tactic to use with Protestants and others who pride themselves on their desire to “get along” with everyone, and who feel a special obligation to maintain positive relations with the Jewish community. Interfaith denominational executives were especially important to this process, since they have spent many years working to create a positive connection between the two religious communities…
Meanwhile, Presbyterians meeting in similar Presbytery gatherings around the country could see that, while the movement to divest from corporations servicing Israel’s occupation has not been derailed, in Chicago, at least, it had been shunted off to a side track. There the two sides will continue to fight for, on the one hand, divestment as a sign of support for Palestinians under occupation, versus continued dialogue to rebuild “fragile” Jewish-Christian relationships in the U.S. through the use of euphemisms like “progressive engagement”—anything to avoid the dreaded “divestment” term.
Of course, everyone involved knows that when the church brought pressure to bear against the white rulers of South Africa, it was the hard economic pressure of “divestment” that led to the demise of apartheid—not “constructive engagement,” as the Reagan administration then called it. Supporters of Israel in the Chicago discussions resent the comparison, but advocates of divestment will not hesitate to evoke the example of South Africa, pointing to the fact that, through laws, walls and other “facts on the ground,” Israel continues to force Palestinians into their own apartheid compounds.
Please read more at http://www.wrmea.com/archives/March_2006/0603058.html
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