“Let’s not pretend that there was a peace process for Donald Trump to obstruct,” writes Michael Omer-Man.
Four killed in Gaza after “Day of Rage” against Trump’s Jerusalem announcement
By Ma’an news, December 9th, 2017
As of the pre dawn hours on Saturday morning, four Palestinians had been declared dead in the besieged Gaza Strip, according to Palestinian medical sources.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health released a statement saying that between Friday afternoon — when large clashes erupted along the border areas with Israel — and early Saturday morning — when Israeli airstrikes targeted alleged Hamas military posts — two Palestinian civilians, and two fighters had been killed.
In the southern Gaza Strip district of Khan Younis, 30-year-old Mahmoud al-Masri was shot and killed by Israeli forces during clashes along the border.
Hundreds of Palestinians had taken to the “buffer zone” near the border with Israel on the so-called “Day of Rage,” following calls by Hamas and other Palestinian factions to protest against US President Donald Trump’s Wednesday announcement that he was
recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.Meanwhile, 54-year-old Maher Atallah succumbed to his wounds on Friday evening, after he was shot by Israeli forces near protests in northern Gaza.
Early Saturday morning, before dawn, two Palestinian fighters of Hamas’ military wing, the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, were killed in Israeli strikes targeting an al-Qassam military site.
Israeli demolitions
December 2017
Lawyers for Palestinian Human Rights’ briefing on the effect of Israeli demolitions on Palestinian communities with a specific focus on the significant issue of forcible transfer.
To read the briefing click here
A complaint to IPSO [Independent Press Standards Organisation]
By Jeremy Coulter, by email, posted December 5, 2017
OUTLINE OF MY CASE AGAINST IPSO
On 25/10/16, The Palestinian Return Centre (PRC) held a meeting in the House of Lords to launch a petition for Britain to apologise for repercussions of the Balfour Declaration. Baroness Tonge was in the chair, there were four invited speakers and fourteen audience members also spoke. The meeting went smoothly and Karl Sabbagh provided a carefully reasoned argument as to why Britain needed to apologise.
The Times (27/10 and 28/10) and Sunday Times (30/10) reported the meeting in a totally distorted and at times untruthful manner, making it look like a sort of antisemitic hate-fest. A disproportionate amount of the reporting focused on a scarcely audible audience member, an orthodox rabbi of the Neturei Karta sect, who made a statement about the Holocaust, on the basis of which the newspapers said that Jews (in general) were blamed for the Holocaust, as if this view was widely shared among those present. This was utterly misleading, since the individual concerned was a singleton flying his own kite. Taken together, these three articles unjustly defamed everyone present, particularly Tonge who was promptly suspended by the Lib Dems, and subjected to a long House of Lords inquiry.
Thirty attendees, including myself, complained to the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), a ‘self-regulatory body’ that belongs to the UK’s leading newspaper groups. IPSO upheld just one aspect of our complaint, but not the bulk of our criticisms.
It is in the light of this that I have gone a step further and launched a Judicial Review challenging IPSO’s response. I am concerned that the press is bullying people in such a way that they are reluctant to speak up, and that this is resulting in the de-facto suppression of debate. I am working with the support of the Hacked Off Campaign which (while having no position on the Israeli-Palestinian dispute) believes IPSO to be a sham regulator, and agrees that its rulings in the above case were so biased as to be irrational and unfair.
My main grounds for this JR are that IPSO unreasonably:
- refused to accept part of the complaint on spurious grounds and even against their own rules
- refused to accept my evidence that the House of Lords Commissioner for Standards had dismissed all the accusations that the meeting “had brought the House into disrepute”, and
- misdirected itself on its own standards code, by deeming all opinion articles to be fact-free and by confusing the concepts of careless errors and significant errors.
The Court has already granted permission for me to proceed with the Judicial Review on all the grounds. I am now crowdfunding to raise the necessary financial resources.
Jonathan Coulter 24 Nov 2017
PA signs trade agreement with China
Ma’an news, December 1st, 2017
The Palestinian Authority (PA) and the government of China signed a “memorandum of understanding” on free trade between the two countries on Thursday , according to official PA-owned Wafa news agency.
Wafa reported that the Palestinian Minister of National Economy, Abeer Odeh, and deputy Chinese Minister of Commerce, Wang Shouwen, signed the memorandum on free trade in the presence of Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah and China’s ambassador to Palestine, Chen Xingzhong, at Hamdallah’s office in Ramallah.According to Wafa, Hamdallah “praised China’s continuous support for Palestine and pointed out the importance of China’s participation” in an industrial zone to be built in the Hebron district of the southern West Bank.
Hamdallah lauded the industrial zone as a project that “will contribute to reinforcing the national economy and to the creation of jobs in Palestine.”Hamdallah also briefed the Chinese minister and ambassador on the obstacles facing development in Palestine as a result of the Israeli occupation, particularly in Area C, which is under complete Israeli control and makes up around 64 percent of the area of the West Bank.
All Palestinian construction is banned in Area C, unless Palestinians get nearly-impossible-to-obtain Israeli-issued building permits.
NIBS.7
Combatting Antisemitism versus Free Speech
Interior Ministry Pushes Plan for a New Settlement City in West Bank “Seam-Line” Region
FMEP settlement report, November 30, 2017
The Israeli Interior Ministry has reportedly recommended creating a new Israeli [settlement] city in the West Bank that unites four West Bank settlements – Etz Efraim, Sha’arei Tikva, Oranit and Elkana – allowing for increased construction on the land between them. The four settlements are all located in the “seam-line” zone, the area created by the weaving route of the Israeli separation barrier that was built to keep many settlements on the Israeli side of the barrier despite being east of the 1967 Green Line.
‘West Bank lands mean liberation’: Post-Six Day War cabinet minutes released
Transcripts of cabinet meetings held immediately after Israel’s great military victory in 1967 focus on the country’s changed borders. Jordan claimed Western Wall belonged to Waqf, Foreign Minister Abba Eban voiced his concern for Jews living in Arab states, and Defence Minister Moshe Dayan offered a correct forecast for 1973 Yom Kippur War, saying ‘I don’t believe the Arabs will accept the current ceasefire lines.’
By Itamar Eichner, Amihai Attali, Goel Beno, Ynet magazine
November 22, 2017
A long essay on how triumphant Israelis understood their 1967 victory
Statement by the spokesperson on continuing EU support to efforts to achieve intra-Palestinian reconciliation
EEAS, November 15, 2017
Following the agreement signed by Fatah and Hamas in Cairo on 12 October and in the run-up to a meeting of all Palestinian factions in Cairo on 21 November, the European Union is continuing its support to current efforts to reunite Gaza and the West Bank under one single and legitimate Palestinian Authority.
We are deploying a high-level diplomatic mission this week to discuss with key interlocutors on the ground the political and security conditions and the expectations of the relevant parties in view of a possible redeployment of the EU Border Assistance Mission (EUBAM) at Rafah, including possible EU financial assistance.
Opening all crossing points, under the management and control of the Palestinian Authority, will be crucial for freedom of movement for the people of Gaza and for enabling the Palestinian Authority to resume its full responsibilities in Gaza and achieve intra-Palestinian reconciliation.
We expect all Palestinian factions to work together in good faith towards that goal, and to refrain from any irresponsible actions or rhetoric that could distract from this important process and that would jeopardize collective efforts to improve the situation of the people of Gaza……
On Twitter
Sinai jihadis seek to sabotage Palestinian reconciliation
Al Monitor, November 17, 2017
Terrorist group Wilayat Sinai, an ISIL affiliate, has been infuriated by the rapprochement between Hamas and Egyptian intelligence in the wake of the Palestinian reconciliation reached Oct. 12.
The rapprochement means the common borders will be secured and Wilayat Sinai jihadis will be cut off from Gaza. On Oct 17th, the group had tried to wreck the reconciliation by assassinating Gen. Tawfiq Abu Naim, the commander of the Gaza Strip security services and one of the most influential Hamas leaders. The attempt wounded, but did not kill, him.
“Wilayat Sinai has also planted numerous explosive devices on the Egyptian international road that reaches the Rafah crossing on the Gazan border so that the crossing stays closed.”
NIBS.6: Killed 1967-2017, the years of Occupation
A Yahrzeit Candle, photo Wikipedia
Monday November 20th, 5 PM – 8 PM
Public assembly
Trafalgar Square, London
CHILDREN’S YAHRZEIT טײַרצאָי
TADHAKKOR ﺗَﺬﻛﺮ
November 20th is Universal Children’s Day as determined by
resolution 836(IX) of the UN General Assembly. It is the day when the UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, in 1959, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, in 1989.
There have been 2,228 recorded deaths of children in Israel and the oPt (there are no reliable stats for ’67-77) of which 152 are Jewish Israeli children. We will have a candle (battery powered) to represent each one, with different colours for Palestinian and Jewish children.
Killed through 50 years of Occupation, 1967-2017
Remembrance of all children, Palestinian and Jewish
Also on Facebook
Andy de la Tour and his wife Susan Wooldridge, both actors, will be reading out names of the children.
Speakers:
Chris Rose, Amos Trust
Rabbi Alexandra Wright, Liberal Judaism
Pat Gaffney, Pax Christi
Shamiul Jourdar – Friends of Al Aqsa
Music & Songs from Garth Hewitt, Julia Katarina, Leah Levane
An Israeli civilian was left in serious condition after being run over by a terrorist at Gush Etzion Junction Friday morning. A 70-year-old man was also lightly wounded at the Efrat South Junction in the attack. The terrorist was critically wounded after being shot and neutralized [sic] by security forces nearby.
300 Palestinians from Jordan Valley
So far this year, the IDF has demolished 349 structures, displacing 542 people and 302 children. Israeli human rights NGO B’Tselem warned in August that the expulsions would constitute a war crime.
By +972 Staff, November 14, 2017
The Israeli army ordered the eviction of 300 Palestinians from their homes in the northern Jordan Valley (occupied West Bank) earlier this month. The residents of Ein al-Hilweh and Umm Jamal, who mostly make their living herding sheep, camels, and cows, have lived in the area for decades. The IDF and its Civil Administration is taking similar steps to evict three other Palestinian communities in the northern Jordan Valley: Kalat Makhoul, Al-Farisiya, and Khumsa.
For years, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has insisted that Israel will retain control of the Jordan Valley in any two-state solution, a condition that would undercut the sovereignty of a future Palestinian state. The Palestinians and even American negotiation teams have rejected this demand.
The latest orders are part of a larger trend of evictions and demolition orders issued to Palestinians living in Area C, the 60 percent of the West Bank where the Israeli military controls not only security but also civil matters.
Israel denies entry to European officials under new anti-boycott law
By JTA, November 13, 2017
Israel announced on November 13th it would not allow seven European officials out of a delegation of 20 to visit because they promoted boycotts of the country.
Interior Minister Aryeh Deri said that he would adopt the advice of Gilad Erdan, who runs an anti-BDS unit in his ministry of public security, to deny entry to the delegation.
The ministers’ decision was influenced by the delegation’s statement that its primary purpose was to visit Marwan Barghouti and other Palestinian security prisoners in Israeli jails and offer them support.
Deri and Erdan acted under a controversial law passed in March that bars foreigners who support boycotting Israel from entering the country.
The Taylor Force act
By Eric Cortellessa, Times of Israel, November 15th 2017
Taylor Force was stabbed to death by a Palestinian in March 2016. The House Foreign Affairs Committee gave his name to their law proposing to halt US aid to the PNA until it stops paying stipends to terrorists and their families. The committee also supported the Hamas Human Shields Prevention Act, which would sanction foreign governments, entities, and individuals for providing financial and material support to Hamas, while the Palestinian International Terrorism Support Prevention Act would also impose sanctions on foreign governments and entities that support Palestinian terrorism.
All three measures are now set to advance to the full chamber for a vote from every member of the legislative body
NIBS.5
New survey by Israel Democracy Institute finds most Arabs in Israel don’t consider ‘Palestinian’ their primary identity
By Judy Maltz, Haaretz, November 07, 2017
Most Israeli Jews would deny voting rights to Arab citizens who reject Zionist narrative, survey finds – New survey by Israel Democracy Institute finds most Arabs in Israel don’t consider ‘Palestinian’ their primary identity. (Haaretz)
Click the headline to read the full story
Nigel Farage isn’t just crass. I find him dangerous and cruel
Michele Hanson, Guardian, November 6th, 2017
I notice Theresa May mentioned illegal settlements to Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu last week, but he wasn’t keen to chat about them, and instead started droning on about his commitment to peace and “‘the battle against militant Islam”. That was a pretty daring move by May, because some people might easily have called her antisemitic, as she was expressing a smidgin of concern about the Palestinians and questioning the Israeli government’s actions.
It can be difficult to work out what is antisemitic and what isn’t nowadays. Nigel Farage was blathering on on LBC last week that there were “about 6 million” Jews living in the US – mostly influential. Six million is an unfortunate number to use, but use it Nigel did, and said that “as a percentage it’s quite small, but … in terms of money and influence, yep, they are a very powerful lobby”. And there I was, hoping that we had got over the idea that Jews all had pots of money and ran the world. But sadly we have not. What a pity that Farage forgot to mention that there are “565,000 New Yorkers” (according to 2013 statistics) living “in Jewish households below or near the federal poverty line”. This number had doubled over the previous 20 years, and “continues to grow at an alarming rate”.
I would like to write Farage’s statement in bold, 10ft-high letters to shame him, but it wouldn’t work. Too many people would probably sop up his questionable words and mistake them for truth. They already have. Walking in the park, I met a young dog-walking acquaintance who thought that “All Jews are rich, aren’t they?” I put him right, but he is only one of many, thanks to dreks like Farage. Some years ago, Daughter told a group of teenagers she was teaching that she was Jewish. They were horrified. “No! You can’t be, Miss!” said one. “You’re nice!” Daughter reeled off a list of other “nice” Jews they might know: Amy Winehouse, Scarlett Johansson, Leonard Cohen, Beastie Boys and more, which shocked the youngsters to the marrow, but might hopefully have changed their minds. Now shut up, Nigel.
Michele Hanson is a JfJfP signatory. If you would like to join her and are religiously Jewish or have a Jewish parent click here
‘The Boris Declaration”
Taken from Robert A.H. Cohen’s
Balfour remains present and un-corrected, November 1st, 2017
“Her Majesty’s Government view with favour the establishment in Palestine/Israel of a safe and secure home for all who live there. The nations of the world should use their best endeavours to facilitate the achievement of this objective, it being clearly understood that nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil, political and religious rights of Palestinians or Jews living in Palestine/Israel or any other country.”
The Editor’s Letter [EXTRACT]
Jewish Chronicle, November 2nd, 2017, by email
There was only ever going to be one lead story this week: the centenary of the Balfour Declaration, a truly momentous anniversary. We have produced a special collection of essays, free with this week’s paper. If I say so myself, you’ll find nothing better commemorating – and, yes, celebrating #Balfour100.
In the paper itself, I am thrilled that we have an exclusive piece by Henry Kissinger, which is as brilliant and insightful as you’d expect.
Our leader looks at the context of the celebrations.
In other news, we cover Jeremy Corbyn’s address to the appalling Mend organisation – an event which would be shocking if it wasn’t so worryingly predictable.
In the paper itself, I am thrilled that we have an exclusive piece by Henry Kissinger, which is as brilliant and insightful as you’d expect.
Our leader looks at the context of the celebrations.
In other news, we cover Jeremy Corbyn’s address to the appalling Mend organisation – an event which would be shocking if it wasn’t so worryingly predictable.
MEND is the Muslim Engagement and Development association. Its aims include
“to encourage voter registration and political engagement by British Muslims so that through civic involvement Muslims can responsibly exercise their duty in working for the common good.
“to enable active citizenship and participation by British Muslims in furtherance of its aims to create a more inclusive and tolerant Britain.
“to work with Muslim and non Muslim organisations to ensure that anti-Muslim prejudice is regarded just as socially unacceptable as anti-Semitism and other forms of racism and xenophobia.”
Our heart goes out to poor Mr.Pollard. Unless he’s hiding in a cupboard he will surely, if accidentally, come across one of the 99% of law-abiding Muslims in the U
TED talk by Tony Klug, Sep 22, 2017
Asking who’s ‘right’, Israelis or Palestinians gets us nowhere. ‘We’ must learn to listen, empathetically, to the other’s subjective story. A deft naming of the emotions and projections involved. Self-determination and statehood for both people still seems the only answer. For that development, Occupation must be ended. All anti-Occupation activists must come together.
Inside the alt-right: ‘Genocidal behind closed doors’
An anti-fascist activist who infiltrated the alt-right describes its growing influence and international connections.
The report that followed – The International Alt-Right: From Charlottesville to the White House – exposes the movement’s connections to the administration of US President Donald Trump and the impact of alt-right ideas on far-right European political currents.
Hermansson’s findings detail a movement rife with racism, anti-Semitism, Holocaust denial, neo-Nazism and conspiracy theories.
By Patrick Strickland, 25.09.17, Al Jazeer
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