in mourning

this past monday, palestine lost two more of its sons as martyrs. tuesday one more and thursday two more. in that time where 5 were killed through occupation violence, another four were killed through neglect that allowed sewage to flood a village. others have died in factional infighting, and others from preventable causes made less-preventable because of the occupation. why is this week, with over nine dead different than other weeks, because for me, i lost another friend.

when i began doing solidarity work with palestinians, the thought occurred to me that at some point, i may loose someone i knew or grew to love. the thought occurred to my head but not to my heart. throughout my time in nablus this past summer and fall, i met numerous men who are now dead, but few i would call friends. some i met in cafe's, or on the streets. some gave me directions, smiles, or escorts in dangerous times. some served me tea in their homes, or on the streets. some made me meals in their living rooms while the sun began to rise. never did anyone ask for something in return.

since meeting these brave souls, seven have been murdered. if i expand this network to the brothers, cousins and friends of those i love, this number expands exponentially. but in my limited circle, there are still seven men killed at the hands of zionist soldiers. soldiers who invade, provoke and then out maneuver those who respond to defend their families. in an occupation managed through collaborators and informants, to name one's friends is to endanger their lives, but in death, spies hold little power over you.

i wrote today to remember Ibrahim, Fadi, Skipper, Al'a, Mohammad and others whose names will remain unspoken. i write for those who have been killed and those who are being hunted this very day. i did not know these men by the labels they are given by the occupation in death, i knew them as neighbors, mentors, guides...i knew them as friends.

i remember when Ibrahim and another man were killed in an air strike on a house in Balata camp. i remember hearing that they fled to the roof and were strafed with the helicopter's cannons. i remember when Fadi was shot. i remember when i saw Skipper's face looking upright towards the sun, being carried through the streets draped in the flag. the fresh wounds of Al'a and Mohammad are still stinging, and i will remember them forever. i will remember them working through the night building a memorial for their friend. i will remember meeting them for the first time.

i remember seeing them in a room, as they served me a brightly colored sugary drink. in the room, some of them men were bandaged and some on crutches, because they had been attacked only days prior. that night, they had all lost a friend. months later, those who were once mourners are now mourned. their bodies carried through the streets to their graves.

Al'a and Mohammed were both killed in nablus' old city monday night. as monday because tuesday, and soldiers invaded as they do each morning, these two men were shot and left to bleed to death on the streets. ambulances dispatched to save their lives were not allowed to reach them, and despite the efforts of volunteers, they were gone by breakfast. i heard of their deaths only minutes after. a friend living in the camp nearby heard it announced from the mosque, and told a friend of mine through yahoo chat. that friend told me through a text message. when i heard about the martyrs, i knew something was different. i knew these men before they were named, and i could feel their pain already.

i cried for Skipper. i cried for Fadi. i am crying now again.

the Qur'an says, "Think not of those who are slain in Allah's way as dead. No, they live, finding their sustenance from Their Lord." (3:169), "Say not of those who are slain in the way of Allah: 'They are dead.' No, they are living, though you perceive it not." (2:154)

this is the mantra that allows the intifada to persist. if those killed in pursuit of freedom are not dead, then why does their loss still hurt? why do i dream of them when i sleep and remember their smiles, their kindness and their strength when i wake? why must palestine continue to loose its sons, daughters, mothers and fathers? why must a people continue to struggle and be killed without regard?

the women and men i met on occupied lands are just like the people i meet every day in my home. they dream of safety for their children, nice homes for their families and jobs for themselves. one friend in nablus told me that all he wants in life is a motorcycle and a place to ride. others just want a machine to make candy to sell to their neighbors.

they all want freedom.

all people deserve freedom, liberation, self-determination and tranquility. people deserve a home to call their own. people deserve better than being confined to refugee camps, cities sectioned off into bantustans, streets pockmarked with bullet holes and curbs lined with spent shells. they deserve a good night sleep. they deserve to wake up to their friend's faces, not their friend's names being shouted from the speakers of mosques.

i am in mourning once again. men who saw me as their ally and their friend are dead. their families left to carry on, their friends left to continue the fight. when i return to these places, will i recognize anyone? will i have to search the tattered walls for posters to see my friends' faces?

with each passing day i know more and more that their fight is a just fight. i know more and more that their cause is a just cause. i try not to mourn for those i have lost, but it is hard.

from philadelphia, palestine lives in my heart. from the allies of balata, to the arched walkways of the old city, what some call the casbah. from askar camp, to the square of nasser mosque, to the villages, towns and cities; from the hills, to the valleys to the plains. i remember. i remember, and like the refugees, i will also return.

with their spirits in my heart and their names on my tongue, i say as loud as i can,

NO TO INCURSIONS, ASSASSINATIONS, TORTURE, CHECKPOINTS AND SETTLEMENTS!
NO TO ZIONISM, COLONIALISM, RACISM AND APARTHEID!
VICTORY TO THE INTIFADA!
FREEDOM FOR PALESTINE!

to my friends, their families, their neighbors and those who will rise to take their place, i say Salam Aleikum wa Rahmtaulah wa Barakatuh.

in solidarity & in mourning:

michael

5 Palestinians Killed in 4 days

An outreach campaign that will be running in the Washington, DC metro rail system in May, leading up to the June 10-11 mobilization against 40 years of Israeli military occupation in DC.
This ad campaign almost wasn’t though. CBS Outdoors, which manages advertising for the Washington, DC metro rail system, originally rejected the ad. However, the ACLU intervened and defended the right to freedom of speech, CBS relented and DC commuters will view this ad almost 9 million times starting in May!

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CELEBRATING LAND DAY (with statistics): ---------------------------------------------

thursday, to celebrate land day which is on march 30th, the palestinian central bureau of statistics announced detailed data on land usage. among their findings was that nearly 7,000 (6,833.8 exactly) palestinians live in each square kilometer of gaza city, making the gaza strip the most densely populated area in the world with 3,955.7 people living per square mile. additionally, the study stated that the population density in the west bank is 432.3 people per square kilometer. on average, palestinian population density is 645.9 persons per square kilometer.

concerning settlers, more than 451,440 colonial settlers live in the west bank and occupied jerusalem, in 2005, this equaled 15,8% of the population of the west bank. in jerusalem, settlers comprise 38% of the population. more than 187 square kiliometers of the west bank is covered in colonial settlements, and in jerusalem nearly 13% of the land is occupied by settlements. there are 144 settlemrents in the west back including 26 in jerusalem and 24 in the ramallah, al-bireh area.

lastly, the study states that as of june 2005, occupation forces had stollen 47,900 dunums of palestinian land in the west bank to build the Apartheid wall, while an additional 301,100 dunums of palestinian land has been annexed between the wall and the border. this annexed land is the home of more than 44,270 palestinians.

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thursday, according to israeli newspaper ha'aretz, in 2005, 65 people interrogated by occupation shin bet filed official complaints, and in 2006, 64 complains were filed. according to the news paper, of these 129 complaints, none have been investigated or even transfered to the police investigation unit. obviously, none have resulted in a criminal indictment. complaints include accusations that shin bet officers leave palestinian hanging by their bound hands or feet, pull out their beards and sodomize prisoners by "inserting objects into the anus."

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'Israel's right to exist': Is it a real issue?

Jeff Handmaker and Gentian Zyberi,
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Human Rights Council calls for fact-finding missions to probe alleged Israeli abuses
Report, UN News
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UN Rapporteur compares Israel to Apartheid South Africa

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IN PALESTINE 1948:
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tuesday, occupation authorities announced plans to demolish seven palestinian homes and a children's playground in jerusalem's old city's bab hatta neighborhood.

“Judaising” Jaffa: the demolition of Ajami
Normalising injustice: by Arthur Nelson, 28 March 2007

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IN THE WEST BANK:
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palestinians carry the bodies of Ala Ziad and Muhammad Imraish through the streets of nablus

monday, occupation forces invaded nablus old city and KILLED TWO palestinian fighters. during the midnight clashes, occupation soldiers shot and killed Ala Ziad, 26 and Muhammad Imraish, 24, both fighters with a unit of fatah's al-aqsa martyrs brigades known as the knights of the night. both men were shot, one in the head and one in the mid section, and left to bleed to death for over an hour and occupation forces prevented medical teams to reach the injured men. this blocking of medical services is a clear violation of the fourth geneva convention. in response to the killings, nablus declared a general strike and all businesses are closed.

monday, occupation special forces invaded qabatiya, south of jenin and clashed with palestinian resistance fighters. the special forces entered the area to assassinate fighters with islamic jihad's al-quds brigades, as well as to target fighters with the popular resistance committee's nasser salah addin brigades. after discovering the assassination unit, palestinian fighters engaged the soldiers in armed clashes. when the under cover forces were discovered, they called in for reinforcements and were joined by 15 occupation military vehicles. civilian homes were fired on and many were invaded and searched.

the body of Iyad Mazen Hatoub is carried through the streets of jenin

tuesday, occupation forces invaded jenin refugee camp and KILLED ONE palestinian. Iyad Mazen Hatoub, 21, with the fatah's al-aqsa martyrs brigades, was shot and killed by a sniper during clashes with occupation forces. during the clashes fighters associated with the al-aqsa martyrs brigades as well as islamic jihad's al-quds brigades, joined to fight occupation soldiers. the clashes centered in the domaj neighborhood.

the body of Iyad Mazen Hatoub is put on display for mourners in jenin

tuesday, colonial settlers reoccupying homesh settlement attacked palestinian youths watching the protest from their village. the children stood in kfar burka village, south of the settlement, and were attacked by 15-20 settlers, who threw rocks at the palestinian children. occupation border police responded to break up the fight. also on tuesday, occupation authorities allowed three additional buses of settlers to reach the former settlements to hold a brit milah (bris) ceremony. later on tuesday, settlers created flaming roadblocks to prevent occupation police from reaching the site.

The crime of being born Palestinian
Anna Baltzer

tuesday, occupation forces invaded tulkarem and invaded numerous homes. the home of Sheikh Bilal Khamis Abu Sfeireh, 49, was invaded and the Sheikh seized. personal possession belonging to the Sheikh were destroyed, and a computer and files seized. the Sheikh is the head of the zakat (charity) committee in the tulkarem area and the former director of the awqaf (islamic endowment) in the city.

tuesday, occupation forces invaded nablus, jenin and ramallah and seized at least seven palestinians. while raiding jenin, occupation soldiers were fired upon and targeted with hand thrown explosive devices.

tuesday, the parents of Doaa Abd Al-Qadr, 14, killed by occupation soldiers in december, have filed a law suit with occupation authorities for the murder of their daughter. Doaa was returning from school with a 12 year old friend when she was shot and killed near the Apartheid wall in faround village in the tulkarem area. military forces claim that the 14 year old girl and her 12 year old friend were mistaken for palestinian resistance fighters.

tuesday, occupation authorities announced plans to annex 80 dunums of palestinian farmland in qalqiliya for the construction of the Apartheid wall. the land belongs to villagers in azzun and jayyous villages in the qalqiliya area. the residents were injured of this through an announcement given to them by the army. the specific areas are hameeda cave, al rougat, al khalees, al mhallalat, al karem al qibla, khallit soufan, al thahir, al a'waj, al manzil and harayiq ishaaq. jayyous village has already lost 9,000 dunums of land because of the constuction of the Apartheid wall.

tuesday, occupation forces invaded barta'a ash-sharqiya village, west of jenin, and demolished four palestinian shops. during the invasion and demolition, palestinian demonstrators confronted occupation bulldozers and soldiers.

wednesday, occupation forces invaded qalqiliya and seized six palestinian men. after invading numerous homes, occupation forces seized 'Abed Al-Nasser Al-Rabi, Samir Muhammad 'Athbeh, Sa'id Marwan Thiyab, 'Omar Marwan Thiyab, Sa'id Muhammad J'edi, and Ahmed Hassan Saman.

wednesday, occupation forces invaded bethlehem and jenin and seized an additional 30 palestinians.

the body of Ahmed Ibrahim Asa'sa is carried through the streets of jenin

thursday, occupation forces invaded ash shuhada village, south of jenin and KILLED ONE palestinian, and injured two. Ahmed Ibrahim Asa'sa, 16, was shot in the head and killed. those injured were named as Ahmad Mahmud, 17 and Shauki Asa'sa, 20. in an attempted assassination, occupation forces invaded the home of Rabi Asa'sa, a fighter with fatah's al-aqsa martyrs brigades. when Rabi was not found in the home, soldiers seized his brother Amjad Asa'sa.

a palestinian woman is evacuated after being injured from tear gas fired by occupation soldiers during the invasion of ash shuhada village

thursday, occupation forces invaded kafr ad-dik, west of salfit, and seized Ahmad Alo Mar'i. Ahmad and his four family members were forced outside while their home was raided before Ahmad was taken.

thursday, occupation forces invaded beit kahil village, near al-khalil (hebron), invaded numerous homes and issued a military summons order for Mohammed Al Zuher.

thursday, occupation forces invaded mazari'i an-nubani village, north of ramallah, and seized Jamal Daghir, the village iman. this is the third time the iman was seized. the last time was in 1998, when he spent two years in occupation prison.

thursday, occupation forces invaded dora village, near al-khalil (hebron), invaded numerous homes and seized Ahmad Rashid, 26.

thursday, occupation forces invaded tulkarem refugee camp. during the operation, soldiers at jbarah checkpoint seized Isma'il Mar'i, 20, who was en route to an UN hospital in qalqiliya for a surgical operation.

thursday, occupation forces invaded nablus, jenin and al-khalil (hebron) and seized 12 additional palestinians including Muhammad Kitaneh, said to be affiliated with islamic jihad.

thursday, a palestinian throws a stone at occupation forces as they invade askar refugee camp in nablus.

thursday, occupation forces invaded al-khalil (hebron) city, as well as near by yatta city and searched numerous homes.

thursday, occupation forces invaded nablus city as well as balata refugee camp and seized two men. during the invasion, soldiers fired at civilian homes, and invaded numerous homes while using some civilians as human shields during these searches. in balata camp, soldier seized Khalil Al Ribahi. in nablus city, soldiers seized Mohammed Kitanah,

thursday, occupation forces invaded surif village, near al-khalil (hebron), invaded numerous homes and seized Mohamed Adwan, 70.

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IN THE GAZA STRIP:
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palestinians in um nasser village stand on an embankment as their homes are flooded with sewage

tuesday, a sewage flood burst into um nasser village in northern gaza and killed four palestinians through drowning in the sewage. those killed were named as Nasra Nuseir Salem Ermeilat, 70, Suheir Salab Abu Ghrara, 17, Mohammad Salem Masek Abu Atieq, 1, and Jamal Barak Abu Safra, 3. additionally, 20 additional residents of a bedouin village were injured by the 2 meter high sewage flood water. more than 250 homes were damaged by the flood, and 20 were completely destroyed. concern over the safety of these sewage disposal pools were raised as early as 1997. plans had been made to move the pools east of gaza city, but the plans were delayed for more than two years, largely because of delays caused by the inability of the palestinians to import pipes and pumps. the palestinians were not able to import these supplies because of occupation restrictions on imports and border controls. more than 3,000 people have been displaced by this disaster.

palestinian rescue workers search for survivors and bodies in the sewage-coated village

tuesday, undercover occupation special forces invaded the faraheen area of eastern khan younis in southern gaza. the military invaded under heavy gun fire.

one of the men injured in the gaza air strike is taken to a hospital for care

wednesday, occupation forces carried out an air strike on a car in beit lahiya in northern gaza, KILLING ONE man. the car carried four fighters with islamic jihad's al-quds brigades. on thursday, Ahmad Abu Warda, 20, died from his wounds. the four men were injured, two seriously, two moderately. the strike occurred in al sudaniah in northern gaza near the former settlement of dugit, and they were reportedly planning to launch home made rockets.

Palestinian journalist's letter to Alan Johnston
Sami Abu Salem writing from the Gaza Strip,

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FROM THE RESISTANCE:
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tuesday, the al-quds brigades, the military wing of islamic jihad, detonated an explosive device targeting an occupation military patrol on a road between rachel's tomb and har homa colonial settlement, west of bethlehem.

Palestinians: "We will continue to claim our land"
Statement, Anti-Apartheid Wall Campaign,

wednesday, the al-quds brigades, the military wing of islamic jihad, launched two home made rockets at sderot, and launched five home made rockets at ashkelon.

Israeli prison administration attempts to break nonviolent resistance

wednesday, the al-aqsa martyrs brigades, the military wing of fatah, launched five home made rockets at ashkelon and sderot. the brigades reported that the operation was in retaliation for the killing of its activists in jenin and two in nablus.

wednesday, the group of the martyr yasser arafat, a unit of the al-aqsa martyrs brigades, the military wing of fatah, launched four home made rockets at sderot. the brigades reported that the operation was in retaliation for the killing of its activists in jenin and two in nablus.

thursday, palestinians held a non-violent demonstration at the site of the Apartheid wall in ras attiya village, near qalqiliya.

Settlers on the offensive

settler assemble at the formerly evacuated hormesh colonial settlement, southwest of jenin

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RIGHT-WING SETTLERS ON THE MOVE:
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monday, up to 3,500 right-wing and extremist colonial settlers marched to the former occupation settlement of homesh, southwest of jenin, in the palestinian west bank, and have begun to reoccupy the area. homesh is one of 4 illegal settlements evacuated in the summer of 2005 during the "disengagement" from settlements in gaza. since 2005, the settlement has been uninhabited and demolished, to make room for a new occupation army base. the organizers of monday's march expect up to 5,000 extremist settlers to in mass at the former colony and begin to rebuild it. in response, occupation forces have closed the palestinian road from nablus to jenin in order to prevent palestinians from reaching the area and possibly resisting the reoccupation of their land. in effect, by closing the road to palestinians, occupation authorities have made the road an open thoroughfare for settlers trying to reach the protest site at homesh. other restrictions on palestinian movement have come from the reoccupation of homesh, including new checkpoints in jaba village.

according to the jerusalem post, settler youths at homesh wore shirts reading, "Homesh - the beginning." the organizers plan to have 30 families live on the former settlement site, and use the other 5,000 as supporters. settlers brought sleeping bags to stay the night, and hung israeli flags on the site.

one day before the highly public march, the occupation authorities announced that they would dispatch 1,000 police and 500 soldiers to "prevent" the marchers from reaching the site. many understand this 1,500 person force as protection for the settler demonstrators. from ha'aretz:

The police and the Israel Defense Forces will make a limited effort to prevent right-wing activists from marching today to the former West Bank settlement Homesh, but IDF Central Command said the participants will be evacuated by force if they try to stay and resurrect the former settlement.

gush shalom issued a press release monday and announced that "the [Israeli] army is surrendering without conditions to the settler violence...A week ago the settlers threatened, on the pages of their paper 'B’sheva', to beat up any soldier who stands in their way to the ruins of Homesh settlement until his own mother would not recognize him...The same army whose soldiers set hounds on Palestinian women has chose to move out of the settlers’ way, allow them to reach the ruins of Homesh settlement which they intend to rebuild, and even provide 'security' to their convoy. Of what worth are PM Olmert’s so-called 'diplomatic talks' when it turns out that violent settlers are the true setters and executors of policy."

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IN THE WEST BANK:
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saturday, occupation forces invaded burqa village, north of nablus and seized two man. numerous homes were invaded including that of Mohammed Raghib, and Mohammed Sharida. both men were taken from their homes after they were raided.

saturday, occupation forces invaded askar refugee camp in nablus, and seized one man. after invading numerous homes, occupation soldiers seized Nassir Younis, 30.

saturday, occupation soldiers stationed at beit iba checkpoint west of nablus, seized one palestinians. Alaa Abdullah Al-Aswad, from kufr al-labad, east of tulkarem, was taken at the checkpoint.

saturday, occupation authorities announced plans to confiscate 80 dunums (80,000m²) of palestinian land from the town of jayyus and azzun, both north of qalqiliya. the 80 dunumns of stollen land will be used for further construction of the apartheid wall in the area. palestinians were made aware of this plan when some farmers found military warrants stuck to iron gates located south of the town.

Marda Village: Israeli soldiers cause worry by day, terror by night

sunday, occupation forces invaded beit fajjar, south of bethlehem, and seized five palestinians. three of those taken are accused of being members of islamic jihad, while the other two are accused of being members of hamas.

monday, occupation forces seized a palestinian near the arab-american university in jenin. Luay Bani Odeh, 21, was attacked by soldiers and taken. during the raid, clashes broke out between palestinian university students and occupation soldiers. soldiers opened fire and threw tear gas at the crowd.

monday, occupation forces invaded bani na'im, east of al-khalil (hebron), and seized one man after invading numerous homes. Hasan Manasra, 21 was taken.

sunday, occupation forces invaded the abu katila neighborhood of al-khalil (hebron), and invaded the home of the Qawasmi family.

monday, occupation forces invaded jenin and seized four palestinians. those taken were charged with throwing stones at an occupation military patrol.

Teenager severely beaten and then placed under house arrest

monday, a palestinian goat herder from aqraba, south of nablus, was found murdered. his body was found near the colonial settlement of itimar. Mohammad Hamdan, 50, was covered in stab marks, and found by local men who had begun looking for him sunday night. Hamdan was the father of six. three years ago, another palestinian shepard was killed in a similar fashion in the same area. according to ha'aretz, a colonial settler is thought to be responsible for the stabbing death.

monday, occupation forces invaded al-khalil (hebron) and seized seven palestinians.

monday, occupation forces invaded ramallah and seized three palestinians.

The Occupation of Hebron : Legal Aspects
ICRC: Call for papers- an international students’ competition
The International Law Division at the Law School, the College of Management Academic Studies in Israel, in cooperation with the Association for Civil Rights in Israel and The International Review of the Red Cross announce the launching of an international competition for the “best international law paper” and invite the submission of papers focusing on legal aspects of the 40 year old Israeli occupation of Hebron.

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IN THE GAZA STRIP:
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saturday, occupation forces shot and injured a palestinian man near beit hanoun crossing in northern gaza. Mohammad Abu Warda, 22, was shot in the leg and injured.

monday, occupation forces opened fire on a palestinian truck driving in eastern gaza city. an occupation armored vehicle based east of gaza city fired one artillery shell at the truck.

monday, a palestinian fighter was killed under unknown circumstances in a "resistance operation." Hassan Yousif, 38, a field leader with hamas' al-qassam brigades, was killed near khan younis.

the strangest story in a while....on monday, a palestinian woman was arrested at the gaza egypt border for attempting to smuggle three crocodiles into gaza for sale. the woman had concealed 3, 40cm crocs around her waist, with their mounts bound with tape. she had intended to sell the animals to a zoo in gaza.

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FROM THE RESISTANCE:
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Friday prayers on Bethlehem lands threatened with confiscation

friday, residents and supporters held a non-violent demonstration in wadi rahhal, southwest of bethlehem. the demonstration sought to address the ongoing construction of the apartheid wall in the area as well as the encroachment of settlements, namely those of the gush etzion colonial settlement bloc. this demonstration was joined by the newly elected palestinian information minister, Dr. Mustafa Al-Barghouthi.

Nonviolent Palestinian resistance to occupation: there is no peace with checkpoints or settlements

friday, the nasser salah addin brigades, the military wing of the popular resistance committees, launched two home made rockets at sderot.

Bikes v. Bombs...the story of a few hundred internationals who tried to fight apartheid by biking through it

friday, the yasser arafat group, a unit of the al-aqsa martyrs brigades, the main military wing of fatah, launched four home made rockets at ashkelon.

saturday, the national resistance brigades, the military wing for the democratic front for the liberation of palestine, in conjunction with the abu ali mustafa brigades, the military wing of the popular front for the liberation of palestine, attacked an occupation military tower east of gaza. the brigades jointly launched numerous rocket propelled grenades that hit the tower. the brigades reported that occupation soldiers responded by opening fire at the fighters, but that the fighters were able to return safely.

sunday, a unit of the al-aqsa martyrs brigades, the main military wing of fatah, detonated an explosive device targeting an occupation patrol in nablus. the 'night lions,' in conjunction with 'the group of martyr Naeyf Abu Sharkh,' setonated the 30kg bomb which hit a section of the patrol as it passed.

monday, the nasser salah addin brigades, the military wing of the popular resistance committees, launched two home made rockets at kibbutz nirim, east of khan younis in southern gaza. the brigades reported that the operation was in retaliation for the "screaming of Yusra Rabai'a, who was attacked by an Israeli army dog last week" in bethlehem.

monday, palestinians stoned a bus carrying colonial settlers near huwarra, south of nablus.

monday, palestinians threw a moltov cocktail at a car carrying colonial settlers south of bethlehem.

Call for Action Against G8 - Palestine: No Wars, No Walls

Call for action against G8
Palestine: No wars – no Walls

In the first week of June the bosses of the 8 economically most powerful nations of the world will meet for a nice cup of tea in the German resort of Heiligendamm, close to Rostock. To guarantee the security of the cosy meeting, the place will be surrounded by a security fence 2 ½ meters high, 1 meter deep, 13 kilometres long, using 12.5 million Euros worth of barbed wire and cement.

Just like the rich in the metropolises of the world, like the exploiting North against the exploited South, like the US-occupant in Baghdad, like the Israeli occupation in Palestine – in the era of neo-liberal capitalism, oppression needs walls and fences, racist laws and ethnic cleansing, discourses of exclusion and “clashes of civilizations” in order to defend itself.

To control the key resource, oil, the issue of strategic control is essential in Palestine as in the whole region. A region of puppet regimes – considered as the “moderates” - is emerging who are willing to do the dirty business of oppressing their peoples. This is what the project of a “Greater Middle East” is all about. Like any other colonial project, it considers tribal and religious identity as essential, it relies on separation, racism, and the alleged incompatibility of cultures. It builds ideological walls and walls of concrete, in Palestine a wall that separates farmers from their olive groves, students from school and university, workers from their jobs – a wall that doesn’t serve anybody’s security, but is rather designed for land grab and making people homeless.

G8, walls, wars and exclusions go together. That is why thousands from the region, from all over Germany, Europe, Israel, and Palestine will come to Rostock to protest against the meeting of those who rule the world without being legitimized:

- on the international demo block “Palestine – no wars, no walls”, June, 2nd , in Rostock
- on the day of blockades against militarization, wars and occupations on June, 5th around Rostock-Laage airport

The participants of the summit will land in Rostock-Laage. This airport is partly used by the military, partly for civil purposes and has become the most important military air base in Northern Europe and will be further enlarged as a central military base. It serves as an airfield not just for cheap tourist flights but also for Eurofighters. These are of essential significance for the German military as well as for the NATO Response Force, in other words for international military interventions. As in the case of this airport, as in the case of the summit talks and in general, when strategies of global power are being dealt with, civil matters and military matters merge and become indiscernible from each other. The political and social spheres are penetrated by and subordinated to the demands of a vague and all-encompassing idea of “security“ – the security of the few against the many. Wars are no longer being fought between armies, but they are fought – without being declared – against civil populations and stay as bloody occupations – in Palestine for the last 40 years. Civilians, sovereign states, territories, international accords and human rights are overrun and bombarded, as in Iraq, in Lebanon, in Afghanistan, in Palestine.

Zones excluded from any rule of law, torture centres, prisoners’ camps are everywhere, even in the wealthy regions of the world. Enjoying the most basic rights has become a privilege, that is being defended fiercely, just as prosperity, security and the access to resources is being defended fiercely against those “outsourced” by global neo-liberal economy.

The "War against Terror", explicitly declared as a never ending, pre-emptive global war, aims at pushing and securing the interests of global players. It is waged in many ways: as annihilation of civil rights and extension of the surveillance state, as undermining of the right of asylum and the right of residence, as fortification of the islands of prosperity, as export of democracy and human rights – actually impeding self rule and undermining human rights. If juridical, diplomatic, and political manipulations don’t work, or if those aimed at dare to resist – it is the sheer violence of war and torture that is being used against them. This happens in Palestine and in different forms and degrees in many places all over the world.

The orchestra of global imperial rule needs regular tuning – that’s what the G8 summits are all about. And that’s what our resistance is about, as part of the global resistance and protest movements

- on 2/6 (June 2), against walls and racist segregations
- on 5/6 (June 5), against the military component of neo-liberal globalization – in Palestine and everywhere

Palästina – Solidarität gegen G-8
Palestine – Solidarity against G8
Palestine – solidarité contre G-8

Contact: nowars-nowalls@so36.net

Websites: www.g8andwar.de
www.heiligendamm2007.de
www.gipfelsoli.org
www.dissentnetwork.org
http://g8-2007.de
http://antig8.tk
www.g8-germany.info
www.attac.de/g8

A letter to the UN Secretary General

Twelve Palestinian human rights non-governmental organisations issued the following joint letter to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon during his visit to the occupied Palestinian territory:

24 March 2007

Dear Secretary-General Ban,

As Palestinian organisations dedicated to the protection and promotion of human rights, we welcome your decision to visit the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) at this early stage in your tenure as UN Secretary-General. After 40 years of belligerent occupation, the current reality in the OPT is one of systematic violations of international human rights law, as well as serious breaches of international humanitarian law, which in many instances amount to war crimes. This situation gives your visit great importance.

We welcome your stated intention to hear first-hand from the people in the region about the problems and challenges they face. In this regard, we invite you to take the opportunity to speak with Palestinian civil society in order to better comprehend the ways in which the Israeli occupation has severe and long-term repercussions on the human rights of every Palestinian, and by extension contributes to an escalation of the conflict with repercussions on the prospects for regional peace and security.

We trust that witnessing the situation on the ground will bolster your expressed commitment to bring about a “just and lasting peace in the Middle East, based on an end to the 1967 occupation and the creation of an independent Palestinian State living side-by-side in peace with Israel.” In this context, it is critical that any political agreement between Israel and the Palestinians be in conformity with fundamental principles of international law, most notably the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and the right of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes of origin. Fundamental rights must not be ignored for the sake of political expediency or false compromises. Ignoring such rights only serves to obscure the reality of the Israeli occupation, creating an environment where injustice persists and progress towards meaningful peace cannot be achieved.

As you have correctly noted, Israeli military operations, severe movement restrictions, the withholding of Palestinian revenues and the socio-economic decline precipitated by these measures have resulted in a humanitarian crisis in the OPT, exacting a heavy toll on the Palestinian population. Continued settlement activity, particularly around East Jerusalem, further erodes the quality of Palestinian life. In this regard, we call upon you to reiterate that Israel must fulfill its obligations as the Occupying Power in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip. Importantly, Israel must immediately desist from all policies and practices that violate international human rights and humanitarian law or that alter the physical character or demographic composition of the OPT.

Insofar as the construction of the Annexation Wall in the West Bank is concerned, we request that you raise the legal obligations incumbent upon Israel regarding its construction, as outlined in the 2004 Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice, with Israeli officials. In particular, Israel’s obligation to cease construction of the Wall, to dismantle those sections built to date and to provide reparation for the damages caused by such construction. Considering that the Register of Damage for the Wall operates under your administrative authority, we urge you to ensure that the Register, despite its inherent limits, is used to record damages in the most effective manner possible.

It is clear that without the respect for and implementation of international law by the international community, Israeli violations will continue with impunity, as they have for decades. Numerous UN General Assembly and Security Council resolutions pertaining to the OPT, and a proliferation of special committees, sessions and Secretariat divisions and units, have had little meaningful effect on Israeli policies and have failed to ensure the fundamental rights of Palestinians. Accordingly, we call upon the UN, as an organisation whose Charter has amongst its primary purposes the protection and promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms, to take effective steps to protect the rights of the Palestinian people. To do otherwise is to undermine the UN’s own commitment to human rights and rule of law and to condone governmental violations of international law.

As UN Secretary-General, you act as a spokesperson for the interests of the world’s peoples, particularly the vulnerable among them. We urge you to use your visit to Israel and the OPT as an opportunity to uphold the values and moral authority of the UN. Given the UN’s long-term commitment to the question of Palestine, we believe that it is time for it to take clear and effective actions that are commensurate with the challenge of ensuring a peace built on the respect for international law. As UN Secretary-General, you must use your unique position to clearly condemn the ever increasing breaches of international law in the OPT, regardless of the perpetrator. To fail to do so would be to betray the hope your visit holds, and render further distant the end of the occupation and a just and durable solution to the conflict.

Respectfully yours,

Al-Haq
Addameer
Al-Dameer Association for Human Rights Gaza
Al Mezan Center for Human Rights
Badil – Resource Center for Palestinian Residency and Refugee Rights
Defence for Children International – Palestine Section
Ensan Center for Democracy and Human rights
Jerusalem Center for Legal Aid and Human Rights
Palestinian Independent Commission for Citizens’ Rights
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights
Women’s Center for Legal Aid and Counselling
Ramallah Center for Human Rights Studies

Victory! Apartheid driving law thrown out!

IDF cancels ban on Israelis driving Palestinians in West Bank
By Amos Harel, Amira Hass, Nir Hasson and Yuval Yoaz, Haaretz Correspondents

Israel Defense Forces GOC Central Command Yair Naveh on Sunday canceled a ban prohibiting Israelis from driving Palestinians within the West Bank.

Naveh issued the order a few months ago to prevent Israeli citizens from picking up illegal workers or would-be suicide bombers from the West Bank and driving them to Israel.

The order, which was set to come into effect in January, has not yet been implemented and was finally withdrawn due to a petition filed by rights groups with the High Court of Justice.

In their petition, rights groups claimed the ban constituted an "apartheid measure" because it institutionalized racial separation.

"Such was the situation in South Africa during the apartheid, and such it was in the U.S. South until the 1960s. There are some things one does not do, and that too contributes to security," they wrote.

Shin Bet security service and IDF probes of suicide bombings in recent years show that in a significant number of the bombings, terrorists received transport help from Israeli Arabs who had the necessary license plates to pass through West Bank checkpoints without thorough inspection.

Human rights organizations call the order "racist," saying it would disrupt even minimal social contacts between Israelis and Palestinians. They also expressed concern the order would hamper the work of international organizations, and would even further restrict Palestinian movement throughout the West Bank.

[end of article]------------------------------------

From Occupied Palestine, With Love covers planned direct actions to challenge Apartheid travel laws...

Freedom Ride to Protest the New Apartheid Travel Ban
Next Friday, January 19th, a Coalition of Palestinian, Israeli, and International activists will hold a Freedom Ride on a Jewish-settler only road in opposition to the new Apartheid travel ban forbidding Israelis and foreigners from transporting Palestinians in their cars. This demonstration, which will take place on a Jewish settler-only road in the oPt draws inspiration from the freedom rides of the early 1960s which helped end Segregation in the American South, thus highlighting both the racism inherent in the regulation as well as the possibility of bringing Israeli Apartheid to an end.

IDF freezes ban on Israelis driving West Bank Palestinians

8 rights groups ask High Court to rescind West Bank driving ban

Eulogy for Fadi AbuKeshek, a cousin of my friend

Eulogy for Fadi AbuKeshek, a cousin of my friend
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They want to live inside us:

They run from a house to another, they invade the towns, camps, and cities and then they say security reasons. Israel is trying to live inside us, to create hate and fear within ourselves. Years and years of resistance are passing. Looking to this long experience of resistance, one can assume that it turned to be kind of culture to resist the occupation. It is not. Resisting the occupation is the basic reflection of any human being that wants to live in justice with dignity and rights.

I woke up two days ago with a very bad feeling, I woke up on the call of a friend who told me some troubles are happening in Nablus and at the moment I knew something wrong happened to someone I know. I called my family and then it was the news of my cousin murder. I just couldn’t say anything.

I started to call my family members and some friends, I didn’t what to do, to shout, to go back home, to run in the street. I left my bed, changed and went to my work. After some time I discovered that I spent the last two hours of work staring at the screen of my computer. Then I asked: what is it that I’m doing here and so I left back home. I kept doing things that have no meaning things that I couldn’t explain not even for myself.

Fadi AbuKeshek, 23 years old, my cousin who left us two days ago. The last image I have for him is seeing him at the Al Jazeera tv while family relatives are taking the last look. Everything is moving fast, and here we are on the third day of his death and it feels like I just received the news now. He was killed during the night in the streets of our refugee camp, Old Askar refugee camp. This the ugly face of occupation, they always steal our beloved ones. They work hard to plant fear and hate in our hearts. They don’t want to occupy the land; they want to occupy us, our Souls and our spirits.

Fadi; as all Palestinians refused this occupation and chosen his freedom. And so we will do, we will follow your steps cousin, it is not our destiny to live under occupation, but it is our destiny to fight for justice and to resist for our rights. Israel can do whatever they want to do, what counts here is not what the oppressor can do, but what the oppressed is determine to achieve and we are the Palestinians determine to achieve our rights. So go cousin Fadi, peace be with you.

In memory of Fadi AbuKeshek, was murdered on the 21st of March 2207.

Saif AbuKeshek, Barcelona, 23rd of March 2007.

Martyrs in Askar Camp & Aboud village

Right to family life denied-- Report, Amnesty International:
Tens of thousands of foreign nationals who are married to residents of the Palestinian territories occupied by Israel since 1967 are not allowed to live with their husband or wife by the Israeli authorities. In virtually every other country in the world, there are procedures to allow such couples -- where one spouse is a foreign national -- to live together.

Not a happy Mother’s Day:

Israel-Palestine: Time for a bi-national state
Leila Farsakh:

Starhawk: Four Years Ago Today

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IN THE WEST BANK:
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tuesday, occupation forces demolished a palestinian home in jit village, east of qalqiliya. the 350 square-meter home belongs to Bassam Mousa Yameen.

mourners visit the body of Fadi Abu Kiskik killed by occupation forces in askar refugee camp

wednesday, occupation forces invaded askar refugee camp in nablus and KILLED one palestinian fighter. Fadi Abu Kishik, 23, was shot in the chest and killed during clashes with occupation forces during the invasion of askar camp. Fadi was a fighter with fatah's al-aqsa martyrs brigades.

mourners visit the body of Fadi Abu Kiskik killed by occupation forces in askar refugee camp

wednesday, occupation forces invaded aboud village, northwest of ramallah, and KILLED one palestinian and injured a second. Muhammad Ibrahim Jabir Al-Barghouthi, 17, was shot and killed, and his body seized by occupation forces. a seond man, Hatim Dar Salah, was shot and injured, then seized by occupation forces.

wednesday, occupation forces invaded azun village, easy of qalqiliya and seized five palestinians. after invading numerous homes, occupation soldiers seized: Lieutenant Mohammed Ahmad Rashid 'Odwan, Ya'coub Ghazi Swedan, 'Ala' 'Abed Al-Fatah Huwari, Seif Hisham 'Adwan and Qusai Walid Radwam.

wednesday, occupation forces invaded ras atiya village, south of qalqiliya and demolished an agricultural shed. the housing was owned by Mohammed Hassan Mara'be.

wednesday, occupation forces invaded numerous west bank areas and seized 20 additional palestinians.

wednesday, occupation forces invaded qarawat bani hassan village, west of salfit. this is the second consecutive day that occupation military forces invaded this village. while invading, soldieres fired live ammunition and threw concussion grenades.

wednesday, occupation forces invaded the home of Yousef Maswadi in al-khalil's (hebron's) tel rumeida neighborhood. while inside the house, soldiers smashed the windows, forced all four families living in the home to leave, beat Yousef and threatened him. this information was provided by activists with the international solidarity movement who were on the scene of the incident. two ISM activists were assaulted by occupation soldiers, and were ordered to hand over their video tape at gunpoint. the activists, one from england and one from iceland, were handcuffed while laying on their stomachs, and then kicked and beaten while restrained. they were repeatedly threatened during the beating, with phrases such as, "You don't fuck with the parachute regiment!" to view the ISM report:

wednesday, occupation forces invaded nablus, invaded numerous homes and used some homes as military posts. during these raids, five palestinians were seized.

Yosra Rabai'a being attacked by an occupation army dog

wednesday, occupation fores invaded obaidiya village, east of bethlehem, demolished one home and injured one woman who was attacked by an army dog. after demolishing the home of Daoud Rabai'a, 29, occupation forces released the attack dog, which struck Daoud's sister, Yosra Rabai'a, biting her arm. the military claims to have demolished the house in search of Daoud, despite the fact that his family informed the soldiers that he was not inside and offered to allow the army to search the house. despite their offers, their home was demolished by a military force consisting of more than 25 military vehicles and an armored bulldozers. the home was demolished after being attacked for nearly 7 hours. before demolishing the home, occupation soldiers fired live ammunition and concussion grenades into the home.

wednesday, occupation forces shot and injured one palestinian in dir abu mashal village, north of ramallah, after he reportedly threw a moltov cocktail at an army jeep.

thursday, occupation forces invaded deheisheh refugee camp in bethelem and seized one palestinian after invading several homes. 'Abed Al-Qader Mahmoud 'Abed Al-Qader Al-Zghari, 19, a university student, was taken.

thursday, occupation forces invaded the shwekeh region, north of tulkarem.

thursday, occupation forces invaded al thahria, south of al-khalil (hebron) and bulldozed palestinian farm lands. the lands are being razed to allow for the expansion of kisara hagai colonial settlement. when palestinians attempted to stop the bulldozers destroying their land, they were attacked by armed colonial settlers as well as occupation soldiers. the land that is begin razed is nearly 100 dunums (25 acres), belongs to several families, and comprises much of those families' incomes.

thursday, occupation forces invaded jayyus village, northeast of qalqiliya and seized one man, Murad 'Abed Al-Qader Khalid.

thursday, occupation forces clashed with palestinian fighters near al-khalil (hebron). during these clashes, according to ha'aretz, one palestinian fighter was shot and seriously injured. three additional palestinians were seized.

thursday, occupation forces invaded ramallah, nablus and al-khalil (hebron) and seized eight additional palestinians.

friday, occupation forces invaded the al-khidewi region of jericho and invaded numerous homes.

friday, occupation forces invaded azzun village, east of qalqiliya, and seized four palestinian youths. the boys are named: Sanad Saleh Shbeita, 13; Anas Nazmi Hilmi 'Udwan, 14; 'Abed Al-Rahman Bassem Riyashi, 13; and Murad Mahmoud Thiab.

friday, occupation forces invaded ramallah and seized two unnamed palestinian.

friday, occupation forces invaded nablus and seized one unnamed palestinian.

BBC: Settler make Hebron 'unbearable':

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IN THE GAZA STRIP:
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thursday, occupation naval forces opened fire on palestinian fishermen on the rafah beach in southern gaza.

thursday, occupation forces fired on and injured two palestinians walking near the gaza border. one palestinian was shot in his lower body.
lower body.

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FROM THE RESISTANCE:
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tuesday, the al-quds brigades, the military wing of islamic jihad, shot an occupation soldier near the sufa crossing in southern gaza.

Kick Apartheid Out of Football
Press Release, The Big Campaign,

wednesday, the popular committee for freeing palestinian detainees in jenin held a non-violent sit-in strike in front of the offices of the international red cross in jenin. the demonstrators call for institutions like the red cross to intervene to aid the release of palestinian prisoners held in occupation jails.

Human rights report: disabled Palestinian among those involved in the nonviolent resistance:

friday, palestinian, international and israeli activists joined together in their weekly non-violent demonstration in bil'in village

friday, the nasser salah addin brigades, the military wing of the popular resistance committees, launched two home made rockets at an occupation military pist at kissufim, in southern gaza.
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Border Policemen seen on tape beating boy to face probe
By Haaretz Correspondent

The Police Investigations Department at the Justice Ministry (PID) is probing an incident documented on film in which Border Policemen beat a Palestinian boy in the village of Hawara, south of the West Bank city of Nablus.

The video...[shows] Border Policemen...assaulting the boy with kicks and punches. There is no indication that the boy had provoked the assualt in any way.

The boy, Hindawi Kawarik, said on Wednesday that the policemen detained him as he was leaving school on suspicion of hurling rocks. According to the boy, the officers beat him with their rifles and abused him, threw him to the floor and kept beating him.

Another policeman who was at the scene tried to persuade his comrades to stop, but to no avail.

The teenager said also that one of the officers tore some of the schoolbooks he was carrying in his bag.

the video from ynet:

more from ma'an news on the incident:
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Rights group:IDF illegally blocking Palestinians from Route 60
By Mijal Grinberg

The Association for Civil Rights in Israel is calling on the Defense Ministry to examine the legality of preventing Palestinians from accessing Route 60, a main road in the southern Hebron Hills area of the West Bank.

In a letter it sent to Defense Minister Amir Peretz, the ACRI argues that the Israel Defense Forces is illegally blocking Palestinian access to the road, thereby seriously impairing the freedom of movement of Palestinians who live in the area and impinging upon their civil rights.

ACRI attorney Limor Yehuda said the organization wants the roadblocks removed, but barring that, would like the IDF practice to be examined from a legal perspective.

The IDF has put up steel gates, stones and dirt heaps to block 28 paths connecting 16 Palestinian villages to Route 60, the ACRI said. As a result, it said, village residents are forced to use longer paths, often making medical aid and other basic services inaccessible.

Jewish residents of the West Bank, however, are allowed to use the road

Help ADDAMEER reach people

ADDAMEER Prisoners' Support and Human Rights Association is looking for a volunteer to update its website. Knowledge of html and photoshop/dreamweaver would be needed.

ADDAMEER works to protect the rights of Palestinian prisoners and their families and is based in Ramallah. The volunteer does not have to be based in Ramallah, but would need a fixed (static) IP address.

If you think you might be able to help, please contact

Email: addameer@p-ol.com
Tel: 972-2-2960446

3 homes demolsihed, 65 people seized

Palestinian woman created checkpoint socks (Ma'an News):
A West Bank woman has developed special socks to help Palestinians suffering from swollen feet as they wait at Israeli military checkpoints (BBC News):

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the new unity government:
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since the announcement of the palestinian unity government including members of the democratically-elected hamas party, as well as members of fatah, and smaller leftist and independents, israel has already said that it will not speak to the government. despite this, in a rare break from complete mimicry, the united states has announced that it will cooperate with some members of the government. the US has announced that it WILL NOT speak with the following ministers:

the prime minister of the government (hamas), the foreign minister (independent), the minister of the interior (independent), the minister of culture (palestinian people's party), the minister of social affairs (democratic front for the liberation of palestine), the minister of labor (fatah), the minister of transportation (fatah), the minister of prisoners (fatah), the minister of public works and housing (fatah), the minister of education (hamas), the minister of local government (hamas), the minister of women's affiars (independent), the minister of planning (hamas), the minister of youth and sports (hamas), the minister of agriculture (hamas), the minister of communications (hamas), the minister of the economy (hamas), the minister of religious affairs (hamas), the minister of justice (hamas) the state minister (hamas), and the minister of tourism and antiquities (independent).

despite rejecting these TWENTY ONE ministers, the US has agreed to speak with: the deputy prime minister (fatah), the minister of finance (third way), the minister of information (palestinian national initiative) and the minister of health (fatah). in fact, on tuesday, the US consul-general, Jacob Walles, met with the palestinian minister of finance Salam Fayyad, making this the first US talks with the new palestinian government.

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IN PALESTINE 1948:
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a caterpillar "excavator" demolishes a palestinian home in wadi qadom

tuesday, occupation forces demolished two palestinian homes the the jerusalem area. the first demolition occurred in the sheikh jarra neighborhood of east jerusalem. the home belongs to Mohammad Hanak. the second demolition occurred in wadi qadom, just outside of the old city. that home belongs to the Al Natsheh family. while in the area, occupation forces invaded a home and delivered a demolition order to Sami Al Rigbi from selwan village near jerusalem.

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IN THE WEST BANK:
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monday, 200 armed colonial settlers, most of which are students, have invaded a palestinian home in al-khalil (hebron) and claimed it to be theirs. the home is located in between the colony of kiryat arba and a residential palestinian area. after storming and occupying the homes, the settlers made the claim that they had legally purchased the four-story home years ago. records indicator that the home belongs to Fayiz Ar-Rajabi, a palestinian. while the settlers entered the home, some attacked palestinian worshipers near the ar-ras msoque. the location of the home is also of note. the home is at a crossroads, known as al-musalleen (worshipers street) which links the settlement area to Ibrahimi's mosque. also, on this spot in 2002, the armed wing of islamic jihad killed 12 occupation soldiers. one settler said that in occupying the home they were, "immortalizing the memory of the Israeli soldiers who fell in that operation" this is not the first time settlers in this area have seized palestinian homes and claimed to own them. recently, the home belonging to the palestinian Shapira family was taken under the same conditions. in this case it was proven that the settlers' claim to have purchased the home as false.

monday, occupation soldiers beat three palestinian workers employed inside a colonial settlement on the lands of beit jala, in al-khalil (hebron). the three palestinians were working in the colony of jilo, when they were attacked by the soldiers. the soldiers beat them with rifle butts and kicked them. the men were transfered to beit jala hospital and are said to be "moderate."

the home being demolished in halhul

the home after being demolished in halhul

tuesday, occupation forces demolished a palestinian home in halhul, north of al-khalil (hebron). the home was two storys, and belonged to Ibrahim Hasan Abu Yousif. during the demonstration, angry palestinians confronted occupation soldiers. in order to disperse the crowd, occupation soldiers fired live ammunition into the crowd, injuring three palestinians. while in the area, occupation forces delivered additional demolition orders to six house, claiming that they were in "area c," an area under occupation supervision. Abu Yousif had received a similar warning and had challenged the order in occupation court. he reports that his case was under review when occupation bulldozers demolished the home. to view the ISM report with pictures:

a palestinian man is carried after being injured by occupation forces during clashes surrounding the demolition of a palestinian home in halhul

tueday, occupation forces invaded al ram, north of jerusalem and seized two palestinians. after closing the roads leading in and out of the town, occupation forces invaded numerous homes and seized Omer Rahmi and Azam Al Assmar.

tuesday, occupation forces invaded surif village, northwest of al-khalil (hebron) and seized three palestinians. after invading numerous homes, occupation soldiers seized Mohamed Al Huwar, 44, Hamied Hamidat, and Ma'mun Awad.

tuesday, occupation forces invaded al-khalil (hebron) and seized one palestinian. Hamdi Al Muhtasep, 20, was taken from his home after it was ransacked by occupation soldiers.

tuesday, occupation forces invaded a number of west bank cities and seized seven palestinians. the invasions occurred in the areas of ramallah, bethlehem, al-khalil (hebron), nablus and jenin. those taken are said to be activists with hamas and fatah. while in nablus, occupation forces were fired upon. while occupation soldiers invaded jenin, an explosive device was detonated near their vehicle.

Palestinian medical crews and ambulances: the targets of Israeli forces

Settler to activist in Hebron: Go to Aushwitz (video link included)

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IN THE GAZA STRIP:
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monday, occupation forces detained nearly 50 palestinian fishermen. the men were detained, interrogated, and the majority were released the following day.

tuesday, occupation forces seized two palestinian fishermen in rafah, located in southern gaza. Khamis Hassan Al-Najar, 40 and Hatem Jum'a Abu Salim, 48 were taken for unknown reasons.

tuesday, occupation forces invaded the area east of maghazi refugee camp in central gaza, and razed palestinian land. a military force consisting of armored bulldozers and tanks razed a hilltop called Abu Mandil, 200 meters inside maghazi. while the bulldozers worked, the tanks fired heavily, in order to "cover" the wrecking equipment.

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FROM THE RESISTANCE:
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tuesday, two units of the al-aqsa martyrs brigades, the main military wing of fatah, worked in conjunction to detonate two explosive devices targeting occupation military vehicles during an invasion of nablus. the units include the usud il-leil (night lions), and the unit of the martyr Nayef Abu-Sharkh. the units reported that the explosives detonated near an occupation convoy on faisal street.

Palestinian political prisoners in Israeli jails begin act of nonviolent resistance

In Memoriam: Tanya Reinhart
Tribute, The Electronic Intifada, 19 March 2007
On Saturday, 17 March 2007, Israeli linguist and activist Tanya Reinhart passed away in New York at the age of 63. Tanya's was a vital and rare Israeli voice that never wavered when it came to criticizing Israel's systematic violations of Palestinians' rights, including making a professional sacrifice by contributing to the discourse over the academic boycott of Israel. The following article, penned by Tanya and published by EI on 25 May 2005, reminds us what a void she leaves behind.

Existence is Resistance: Challenging the Assault on Ordinary Life in Palestine

The Curious Boy: A Grieving Mother’s battle with the IDF
BY Jocelyn Hurndal from The Sunday Times

New Cabinet, Same damn occupation

The new Palestinian government of national unity ministers has officially been announced. There are 11 ministers from Hamas, 6 from Fatah, 1 from the Palestinian National Initiative (PNI), 1 from the Palestinian People's Party (PPP), 1 from the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) 1 from the Third Way Party and 4 independents. The new cabinet is as follows:

• Prime Minister: Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas
• Deputy Prime Minister: Azzam al Ahmad, Fatah
• Foreign Minister: Ziad Abu Amr, Independent
• Minister of Finance: Salam Fayyad, Third Way
• Minister of the Interior: Hani Qawasmi, Independent
• Minister of Information: Mustafa Barghouthi, Palestinian National Initiative
• Minister of Health: Radwan Akhras, Fatah
• Minister of Culture: Bassam As Salhi, Palestinian People's Party
• Minister of Social Affairs: Salih Zeidan, Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine
• Labour Minister: Mahmoud El Aloul, Fatah
• Transportation Minister: Sadi Krunz, Fatah
• Minister of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs: Suleiman Abu Sneina, Fatah
• Minister of Public Works and Housing: Samih El Abid, Fatah
• Minister of Education: Nasser Addin Ash-Sha'er, Hamas
• Minister of Local Government: Muhammad Barghouthi, Hamas
• Minister of Women's Affairs: Amal Siyam, Independent
• Minister of Planning: Samir Abu Aisha, Hamas
• Minister of Youth and Sports: Basim Naeem, Hamas
• Minister of Agriculture: Mohamad El Agha, Hamas
• Minister of Communication: Yousef Mansi, Hamas
• Economy Minister: Ziad Thatha, Hamas
• Minister of Waqf and Religious Affairs: Mohammad Tartouri, Hamas
• Minister of Justice: Ali Sartawi, Hamas
• State Minister: Wasfi Qabha, Hamas
• Minister of Tourism and Antiquities: Kholoud Hdaib, Independent

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sunday, occupation forces invaded iskaka, north of salfit, and were engaged in armed clashes by fighters with the palestinian resistance. during the armed clashes, three palestinians were injured.

sunday, occupation forces invaded balata refugee camp, east of nablus. during the invasion, soldiers forcibly entered numerous homes, occupied some homes for military usage, and established exterior military positions in the camp.

sunday, soldiers stationed at beit iba checkpoint west if nablus, shot an elderly palestinian man and seized a second man. an unnamed young man was seized at the checkpoint, and following his capture, the soldiers at the checkpoint fired into the crowd of palestinians, hitting Qasim Hamad, 59, from kafr qaddum near tulkarem. occupation sources report that the men seized was found in possession of an explosive device intended to be used in a suicide bombing. following the seizure and shooting, occupation forces further punished the palestinian people by closing the crossing for one hour.

monday, occupation forces invaded qabatiya, south of jenin and seized three palestinians, said to be activists with islamic jihad. after invading numerous homes, the following men were taken: Qais Hamaysheh, Khaled Kamil and Shadi Zakarneh.

monday, occupation forces invaded kafr qadum, invaded numerous homes and seized seven palestinians. while invading, soldier fired into the air and threw concussion grenades. those taken were: Rami 'Abed Al-Jabar Ahmed Jum'a, 28, 'Ala' 'Abed Al-Mu'men Yusef Jum'a, 28, Amjed 'Abed Al-Mu'men Yusef Jum'a, 32, Yamen Yusef M'd 'Ubeid, 26, and Thamin 'Abed Al-Latif 'Ali Barham, 30.

monday, occupation forces invaded numerous areas in the west bank including ramallah, nablus, jenin, bethlehem and al-khalil (hebron), and seized an additional three palestinians.

monday, occupation authorities issues two military orders annexing palestinian farm lands in halhul village south of al-khalil (hebron). the village municipality said that the orders were dropped on the village via helicopter, and that the documents announced the seizure of two dunums of land belonging to Ali Mousa. Ali Mousa's land will be confiscated by the army and used as a military post to guard road 60, a settler-only road.

monday, occupation forces, backed by military vehicles and a bulldozer invaded balata refugee camp and one occupation soldier was injured. invading soldiers were fired at by palestinian fighters, and the detonation of a roadside bomb injured one soldier. fatah's al-aqsa martyrs brigades claimed responsibility for detonating the explosive device. after entering the camp, and meeting with heavy resistance, occupation forces withdrew in 30 minutes. hours later, a second invasion of balata, via jerusalem street, was carried out by occupation forces.

War and Irony in Hebron Hilltops (an international's thoughts)

Testimony: Settlers attack Palestinian farmers, including small children
Report, B'Tselem, 19 March 2007

Settlers attack Palestinians in Tel Rumeida, Human rights Workers Detained

If Americans Knew: “The Easiest Targets” -2 part video
13-minute video: Five women – Palestinian, American, Muslim, Christian, and Jewish – tell stories of humiliation and harassment by Israeli border guards and airport security officials.

Remembering Rachel, 4 Years and Still No Justice. Dispatch #2

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IN THE GAZA STRIP:
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sunday, occupation forces seized two palestinian on the gaza border. Amri Arouqi, 20, and Anwar Am'alieq, 20, were both seized east of al maghazi refugee camp in eastern gaza.

sunday, occupation naval forces opened fire on palestinian fishermen off the coast of the gaza strip. palestinians were fired upon in the tal as sultan area, in rafah.

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FROM THE RESISTANCE:
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sunday, the nasser salah addin brigades, the military wing of the popular resistance committees, launched one home made rocket at an unnamed occupation target in the western negev desert.

sunday, the al-quds brigades, the military wing of islamic jihad, launched one home made rocket at ashkelon.

monday, the izzeddin al-qassam brgades, the military wing of hamas, carried out its first attack since november. the brigades shot an israeli employee of a power company, while he was working in nahal oz, near karni crossing. the worker was shot by a sniper unit of the brigades, directly hit, and injured in the thigh. in addition, the qassam brigades launched two projectiles at a grouping of occupation soldiers also near karni crossing. it is unclear whether they launched rocket-propelled grenades or mortars.

monday, the nasser salah addin brigades, the military wing of the popular resistance committees, launched two home made rockets at ashkelon.

monday, a palestinian fighter with islamic jihad's al-quds brigades was killed and five others injured when their house exploded, assumingly from a mishandled explosive device they were working with inside. the explosion in ash-shanti refugee camp in gaza city killed Ala'a Hessi, 26, and destroyed his family house.

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Israel's right to be racist...
Israel's struggle for peace is a sincere one. In fact, Israel desires to live at peace not only with its neighbours, but also and especially with its own Palestinian population, and with Palestinians whose lands its military occupies by force. Israel's desire for peace is not only rhetorical but also substantive and deeply psychological. With few exceptions, prominent Zionist leaders since the inception of colonial Zionism have desired to establish peace with the Palestinians and other Arabs whose lands they slated for colonisation and settlement. The only thing Israel has asked for, and continues to ask for in order to end the state of war with the Palestinians and its Arab neighbours, is that all recognise its right to be a racist state that discriminates by law against Palestinians and other Arabs and grants differential legal rights and privileges to its own Jewish citizens and to all other Jews anywhere. The resistance that the Palestinian people and other Arabs have launched against Israel's right to be a racist state is what continues to stand between Israel and the peace for which it has struggled and to which it has been committed for decades. Indeed, this resistance is nothing less than the "New anti- Semitism".