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samedi, décembre 31, 2005

Islamic Jihad, Al Aqsa brigades, declare end to the truce by midnight

The Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the military wing of Fateh, and Al Quds Brigades,  military wing of the Islamic Jihad, declared on Saturday at night that the truce which was declared last March in Cairo, ends by midnight.

The two factions released a statement on Saturday evening and said that any dialogue under the slogan of "calm" will be worthless as long as they do not receive full answers to issues which serve the Palestinian interests, especially ending the occupation, releasing the detainees, and immediate halt to the Israeli violations.
 
The statements added that the military operations Al Quds brigades conducted during the truce period were only a response to the Israeli violations, continuous aggression, and military operations. 
 
"The Zionist enemy continued its crimes against our people, assassinated, and carried repeated invasions", the statement reads, "Soldiers increase their arrests and attacks against our people and factions". 
 
Also, the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the military wing of Fateh movement, said that the truce has officially ended and cannot be renewed while Israel continues its attacks, and assassinations, in addition to shelling the Gaza Strip in order to create the "buffer zone".
 
Mohammad Hijazi, leader of Al Aqsa Brigades in the Gaza Strip, said that the Palestinians paid the price of this truce which was continuously violated by Israel since it was announced.
 
"We will not subdue to Arab or international pressures to renew the truce unless Israel fulfills the Palestinian demands which are headed by releasing the detainees, and withdrawing from the West Bank", Hijazi said, "Israel should stop its assassination policy, retract its plan to create the security zone in Gaza, and stop arresting the residents".
 
Hijazi also said that if Israel does not fulfill these demands, the residents will continue its military operations, and suicide bombings "everywhere".

22:59 Publié dans News | Lien permanent | Commentaires (0) | Envoyer cette note | Tags : JEM-YEW

Nonviolent protest against occupation, checkpoints

Israeli, Palestinian, and international Peace activists organized three peaceful protests against the Israeli military checkpoints, and the Israeli occupation, in Tel Aviv, Haifa and Jerusalem.

An Israeli movement which rejects the occupation organized the protests which it named "It is time to return to the Green Line", demanding Israel to withdraw from the occupied territories since 1967.
One of the peace activists informed the IMEMC that the peaceful protestors gathered near a military checkpoint while singing and chanting. Clowns also took an important part in the procession.
Yet, the soldiers demanded that the protestors should leave the areas, stopped a Palestinian woman, and demanded her to show them their identity card. The woman rejected and tried to avoid the soldiers.
She said that she was in a Palestinian area, which does not give the Israeli soldiers thr right to inspect her.
Also, she added that this is a peaceful procession, organized by Israelis, Internationals and Palestinians, therefore these military procedures violate the spirit of the procession.
Moreover, soldiers stopped a resident identified as Mohye Hassoun, who works for Rabbis For Human Rights, and arrested him.
One Israeli-Arab woman from Haifa, identified as Abeer Qobti was also arrested. Qobti is the spokeswoman for MUSAWA (Equality) center.
The movement calls on Israel to end its occupation to the Palestinian territories, in order to end the ongoing bloodshed on both sides.

22:58 Publié dans News | Lien permanent | Commentaires (0) | Envoyer cette note | Tags : JEM-YEW

Fateh Jerusalem candidates withdraw from elections

Palestinian Candidates of Fateh list in east Jerusalem said on Friday they would boycott Jan. 25 parliamentary elections.
All of 15 candidates said they will withdraw their candidacies if Israel decided not to allow east Jerusalem residents to participate in the voting.

Hatim Abdul Qader, one of the candidates said that "Jerusalemites should be allowed to participate in the elections the same as the other Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza".

"We believe that if there will be no elections in Jerusalem then there should be no elections at all." Abdul-Qader added.

Israel has allowed east Jerusalem Arabs to participate in past Palestinian elections, in 1996, but it has threatened to ban voting this time if Hamas run in the coming elections.

Israeli online daily Haaretz reported that Israeli officials said the government may drop its opposition to allowing Palestinian residents of Jerusalem to vote in next month's Palestinian elections.

In the past, small numbers of Jerusalem residents have been permitted to vote for the Presidential elections at post offices in the city, with the majority forced to travel to outlying neighborhoods to cast ballots.

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Israeli artillery resumes shelling Gaza Strip areas

Israeli artillery resumed shelling areas in the north and east of the Gaza Strip. Most of the shelled areas are said to be non residential areas, east of both Beit Hanoun and Al Shuja'eyya neighborhood, in the Gaza Strip.

Eyewitnesses reported that soldiers fired at least twenty shells at the two areas, damage was reported. TheIsraeli escalation came in bid to enforce a buffer zone in both north and south of the Gaza Strip.
 
Israel intends to create to halt the firing of Qassam homemade shells into Israel over the last few weeks.
 
The military operation, "Blue Skies", intends to create a buffer zone in the northern and southern part of the Gaza Strip.

22:55 Publié dans News | Lien permanent | Commentaires (0) | Envoyer cette note | Tags : JEM-YEW

vendredi, décembre 30, 2005

Bethlehem passport launched to protect city from wall

Carol Sansour, office director of Open Bethlehem, which launched the Bethlehem passport project says this document is an honorary document that will be granted to friends of Bethlehem and friends of the Palestinian cause from all over the world.
 
She said the project is part of a move to mobilize all efforts to halt the measures of Judiazation taking place in Bethlehem that are targeting Bethlehem’s  land, history and civilization, which just over 2000 years ago witnessed one of the greatest events of all time, the birth of Jesus Christ.
 
Therefore, says Sansour, all concerned parties in the world are called on to stand by Bethlehem, which is being subjected to a process of Judiazation and a transformation of its landmarks through the separation wall being built on its land. This wall has surrounded the city from all sides. She also said the campaign was part of media efforts to save Bethlehem, which is in real danger.
 
Sansour said Open Bethlehem was established last May with the aim of defending Bethlehem and confronting the racist separation wall. Thus, the idea of the Bethlehem passport was born.
 
 This honorary document is to be granted to prominent personalities in various countries who declare their commitment to stand up to the injustices being done to Bethlehem. This could be achieved either through organizing activities or through supporting various projects for Bethlehem. The bearer of the Bethlehem passport will become an honorary citizen of Bethlehem.
 
“There have been important personalities who have declared their support for the idea, including Archbishop Desmund Tutu who is considered the spiritual father of the Catholic faith in Africa and an important personality. Former US President Jimmy Carter has also pledged his support for the project.”
 
Sansour said the project is the result of cooperation and coordination between a number of Bethlehem organizations, namely the municipality, the governor’s headquarters and Bethlehem University. Mayor Victor Batarseh attended the activities in this regard in both London and Washington.
 
In the UK, 52 British members of parliament signed a petition against the separation wall about 10 days ago. In addition, head of the British parliament commission said he would work on organizing a fact-finding trip to Bethlehem to look into the ramifications of the latest Israeli measures in the city.
 
Prominent British businessmen were also addressed in order to organize a trip to Bethlehem in solidarity with the city.
 
 There is also a possibility that the Catholic and Protestant Churches may release a joint statement, which would be the first move of its kind, in which they denounce the measures in Bethlehem and call for saving the city and lifting the siege on it. Sansour says there may also be a US tour to promote the project.
 
The former Bethlehem governor said he informed President Abbas of the project and that the president praised this move and called on the concerned parties to offer the necessary facilitations for its progress. Bethlehem University also embraced the project by opening an office for Open Bethlehem on its campus.
 
During PNN’s interview with Sansour, she also said the project’s other goals were to market Bethlehem as a major tourist destination and to confront Israeli schemes to strike at Bethlehem’s tourism, namely by imposing a tight siege around it and closing off its entrances.
 
Israeli control over it is so tight it even impedes tourists from reaching the city freely, thus insinuating that Bethlehem is not a safe place to spend the night in. The result, says Sansour, has been that tourists come before noon and leave by the afternoon only to spend the night in Israeli hotels.
 
“Therefore, our goal is to first bring tourists back to Bethlehem and to have them spend the night. From there, we want them to go to other Palestinian cities such as Jerusalem, Nazareth and Haifa, which are all rich with Arab Canaanite heritage and culture. We want to offer them a complete tourist package prepared by Palestinian tourist agencies.”
 
Sansour believes the Christian emigration from the country is one result of Israel’s policies against the Palestinians.
 
 “The lack of political stability and security coupled with the lagging economic situation are real reasons behind this emigration,” she says. “Still, national institutions have an obligation to stop this flow of emigration and to bring back Palestinians from abroad through programs directed at our people in the Diaspora.
 
We need to encourage them to return and invest in their homeland. This all needs courageous efforts and it needs a revival of all aspects of the city.”
 
She continued, “We want the Christians to feel a strong sense of belonging and affiliation to this country.”  
 
Going back to the passport, Sansour said the document looks like any other official travel document. In both Arabic and English, the passport says, “The bearer of this passport is a citizen of Bethlehem and believes that this ancient city shines a light on the world and on all who hold dear the values of a free society.”
 
The bearer of the passport is granted citizenship of Bethlehem because he/she contributed to preserving the city and for defending what it represents, which has made Bethlehem a source of inspiration for the world, said Sansour.
 
Issuance of this passport began in 2005 in response to the construction of the illegal wall, which threatens to change the entire entity of the city. Its goal was to remind the world that Bethlehem refuses to live in the shadow of the wall, said Sansour.
 
She continued that the plan is to grant this passport only to the large circle of Bethlehem’s friends including celebrities and famous personalities in different fields.
 
“This passport is an expression for our longing for liberation in this historical spot of Bethlehem and in all cities that had social, religious and trade relations with Bethlehem over the past 4,000 years.
 
This passport is the expression of our longing to live in a just and democratic society built on security, freedom of movement and the right of people to self-determination.”

13:50 Publié dans Features | Lien permanent | Commentaires (0) | Envoyer cette note | Tags : JEM-YEW

Four Palestinians, one Israeli officer killed in Tulkarem bombing

A Palestinian security reported, on Thursday, that four Palestinians, and one Israeli officer, were killed in the suicide bombing which was carried out at a military checkpoint, south of the West Bank city of Tulkarem.

An Israeli military source reported that one officer and three soldiers were injured, one seriously after one of the bombers blew himself near their jeep.
 
The bombing took place on Thursday at 9:30 A.M; Five Palestinian residents were injured in the bombing.
 
The Israeli intelligence believes that the two bombers were on their way to carry out suicide bombings in Israel, most likely in Tel Aviv.
 
Israeli deputy security minister claimed that the Islamic Jihad is behind the bombings.
 
Also, the Arabic satellite station Al Arabiya reported that Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the attack, but the claim could not immediately be confirmed.
 
A spokesperson of the Islamic Jihad in Gaza also could not confirm whether its members are responsible for the bombing.

Double suicide bombing in Tulkarem kills one soldier, injures three
Saed Bannoura-IMEMC & Agencies, December 29, 2005 11:11

Two Palestinians, male and female, blew themselves up at portable Israeli military roadblock, near Tulkarem, killing one soldier and seriously injured three others, seven Palestinian residents were injured.

A local source in the West Bank city of Tulkarem, reported that that two bombers arrived at the checkpoint which is installed at Far’oun junction, south of Tulkarem, and blew themselves up among the soldiers.

Several Israeli jeeps and ambulances rushed to the scene of the blast after the bombing, closed the area, and imposed curfew. The Israel Radio reported the army had received an early warning of the attack and placed several temporary checkpoints in several areas in the West Bank.

Israeli sources reported that the Israeli “Zaka” rescue service confirmed that one soldier was killed in the blast, and added that the both Israelis and Palestinians were injured in the blats.

A Palestinian resident who was standing by the checkpoint said that he heard one explosion at the checkpoint, and another explosion near an Israeli military jeep; the resident was also injured in the blast.

The Palestinenet news website reported receiving an anonymous phone call confirming that the blasts were carried by a male and a female. Also, the Israeli army officially announced the Tulkarem is now under Israeli military control, and warned the P.A police of carrying arms. Unconfirmed sources reported that the Islamic Jihad is behind the bombing, the movement did not confirm.

13:44 Publié dans News | Lien permanent | Commentaires (0) | Envoyer cette note | Tags : JEM-YEW

Workshop on Media and Nonviolence in Bethlehem

The International Middle East Media Center (IMEMC) in cooperation with Palestine News Network (PNN) held a workshop on Wednesday on the role of media in nonviolence in conflict areas.

The workshop is part of the activities of the International Conference on Nonviolence organized by US-based Nonviolence International and the Holy Land Trust in Bethlehem.
 
Several journalists and nonviolent activists from different parts of the world were present.  The participants of the workshop pointed out that media people are interested in covering violent activities much more than nonviolent activities.
 
A main focus in the workshop was on the coverage of news in the occupied Palestinian territories.  A study made by American journalist, Alison Weir, published on her website called "If Americans Knew," was discussed in the workshop.
 
In her study, which focused on three major American media outlets, ABC, CBS and NBC, Weir says that there is over reporting for death cases among Israelis and under reporting of death cases among Palestinians, despite the fact that death rate among Palestinians as a result of the conflict is at least four times higher than among Israelis.
 
The study shows that ABC reported on 305 Israeli and 327 Palestinian deaths in the first year of the Intifada, whereas actual death cases were 165 Israeli and 549 Palestinian death cases as a result of the conflict.  Meanwhile CBS reported on 344 Israeli, 296 Palestinian death cases, and NBC reported 227 and 190 Palestinian deaths.
 
Fadi Abu Saada, Chief Editor of PNN said journalists are trained or used to always focus on violence in their coverage.
 
"We had to train our reporters in nonviolence to shift their attention to nonviolence so we could cover nonviolent actions in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip," Abu Saada added.
 
On the other hand, George Rishmawi director of the Palestinian Center for Rapprochement between People, mother organization of IMEMC, said the main stream media dictates the readers what they should read, therefore, there is a need to promote alternative media sources to get a balanced view of the conflict.
 
"The main stream media dictates the readers the news, if the media covers violence only about a certain region, then readers will think that this region has violence only, therefore, there is a need to promote alternative media sources that reports also on nonviolence," Rishmawi added.
 
Robin Wagar an American peace activists said calling journalist to ask them to report on nonviolent actions and to thank write to other journalists to thank them on publishing nonviolent news could encourage journalists to write more about the nonviolent struggle.
 
The conference on nonviolent resistance, titled, "Celebrating  Nonviolent Resistance" the first of its kind in Palestine, continues for the second day and will end on December 30.  The conference attracts a number of International and local peace activists, scholars and organizations from different parts of the world.

13:41 Publié dans News | Lien permanent | Commentaires (0) | Envoyer cette note | Tags : JEM-YEW

Three residents, including a child, injured in Beit Lahia, Jabalia

An Israeli helicopter fired a missile, on Wednesday evening, at a group of residents in Beit Lahia, in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, one resident was injured. One child and two residents were also injured in a previous shelling carried out by the army Beit Lahia and the Jabalia refugee camp.

The Palestinian News Agency, WAFA, reported that a military helicopter fired at least one missile at residents near Al Shaima’ school, in Beit Lahia, injuring one resident.
 
The injured resident was transferred to Kamal Adwan Hospital, in Beit Lahia. 
 
In a Separate incident, one child was moderately injured when a military apache fired a missile at an area in Beit Lahia, in the northern part of the Gaza Strip.
 
The injured child was identified as Saber Abdul-Mo’ty Ayid, 14.
 
Also on Wednesday at night, Israeli army fired with heavy artillery at several neighborhoods in Beit Hanoun, and Beit Lahia; damage was reported, no injuries.
 
Two residents were injured in the Jabalia refugee camp after a military helicopter fired missile at a group of residents in the town; several homes were damaged, the injured residents were transferred to Al Awda Hospital, in Jabalia refugee camp.

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vendredi, décembre 23, 2005

Three fighters assassinated in Nablus

Israeli soldiers, supported by dozens of armored military vehicles and jeeps, invaded the West Bank city of Nablus, on Thursday morning, and assassinated three resistance fighters; one of the fighters is the leader of Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades in the city.

Soldiers surrounded Al Jneid neighborhood, west of Nablus, and broke into Okal building after receiving intelligence information that resistance fighters were hiding there.
 
An Israeli military source reported that soldiers chased six fighters and exchanged fire with them after they fled the building, and managed to kill three; the other three fighters managed to escape unharmed.
 
The assassinated fighters were identified as Bashar Hanani, leader of Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades, the military wing of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), Musa’ed Anas Al Sheikh, and Ahmad Al Jayyousi; both are members of the Al Aqsa Brigades, the military wing of Fateh.
 
Palestinian sources in the city reported that soldiers prevented medical teams and journalists from approaching the area where troops were operating, and fired rounds of live ammunition in the air in order to drive away ambulances.
 
Army claimed that the operation was carried out after receiving intelligence information that fighters in the city were planning “numerous attacks against Israeli targets”.
 
Also, soldiers searched several buildings and homes in the area and used loud speakers to call the residents out before breaking into their homes and searching them. Several buildings were used as monitoring towers, especially for snipers who topped them.   
 
Dozens of female university students living in Al Shak’a building in the city were barred from leaving the building as the army operated there and in several neighborhoods in the Old City and Ras Al Ein neighborhood.   
 
Zaher Al Shashteery, one of the leaders of the PFLP, demanded the Palestinian Authority to reconsider its position regarding the truce especially since the army did not stop its operations and assassinations.
 
Al Shashteery added that the resistance will retaliate to the assassination, and the military violations.

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Hamas U.S. intervenes in PA elections

In a press release issued, on Wednesday, the Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, accused US administration of financing the election campaigns of Fateh candidates ahead of Palestinian general elections.

Hamas demanded that the Palestinian Authority launch an investigation into the matter, saying, “This is further proof of American, western involvement in internal Palestinian affairs”
 
The movement revealed fund corresponding between Andrew Natsios head of US Agency for International Development with Palestinian parliament member Nabil Amro, thanking him for putting his trust in the fund and adding that he “received his letter regarding the financing of the campaign of Amro and his associates”.
 
In response, the USAID said the document was forged and that it does not finance political candidates or parties.
 
Amro also denied the existence of the document, saying the affair was part of a smear campaign launched against him by his political rivals.
 
“The document is a reflection on the moral deterioration of the political rivalry,” he said.
 
“We understand that the Washington Institute for Middle Eastern Studies has already been funding you for the past two years” Natsios was quoted as saying in the letter,
“We are willing to finance you as long as you maintain your position against Hamas,”
 
Natsios also asked that the numbers of 30 bank accounts be belonging to Fateh candidates running in both the internal Fateh and general elections.
 
The group warned that silence over the repeated attempts to intervene in Palestinian affairs via the financial-political connection, “opens the door for greater American intervention and the creation of a rift between the Palestinian nation and its fighting organizations."

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