images: the kids of Balata refugee camp 1/2

balata kids untilted #1, originally uploaded by michaelramallah.

pictures taken of kids in Batata refugee camp, just outside the city of Nablus, in the northern West Bank.

for more information on life in Balata, visit:

Picture Balata
www.picturebalata.net/

Balata Refugee Camp Community Website (not currently updated)
www.balatacamp.net/

or some of my blog postings:

Nablus, Balata, Weddings
http://occupiedlove.blogspot.com/2006/07/nablus-balata-weddings.html

Nablus and Balata
http://occupiedlove.blogspot.com/2006/07/nablus-and-balata.html

Assassinations Near Home
http://occupiedlove.blogspot.com/2006/08/assassinations-near-home.html

Ali Mustafa Lives on & Balata is Struck
http://occupiedlove.blogspot.com/2006/08/ali-mustafa-lives-on-balata-is-struck.html

balata kids untilted #2, originally uploaded by michaelramallah.

balata kids untilted #3, originally uploaded by michaelramallah.

balata kids untilted #4, originally uploaded by michaelramallah.

balata kids untilted #5, originally uploaded by michaelramallah.

balata kids untilted #6, originally uploaded by michaelramallah.

balata kids untilted #7, originally uploaded by michaelramallah.

balata kids untilted #8, originally uploaded by michaelramallah.

balata kids untilted #9, originally uploaded by michaelramallah.

balata kids untilted #10, originally uploaded by michaelramallah.

balata kids untilted #11, originally uploaded by michaelramallah.

balata kids untilted #12, originally uploaded by michaelramallah.

Nakba Call to Civil Society Organizations

Palestinian Appeal to International Civil Society

Palestinian civil society organizations March 30, 2008

Sixty Years of Dispossession and Ethnic Cleansing

Boycott the "Israel at 60" Celebrations!

March 30, 2008

How can you celebrate? The establishment of the State of Israel sixty years ago was a settler-colonial project that systematically and violently uprooted more than 750 thousand Palestinian Arabs from their lands and homes. Sixty years ago, Zionist militias and gangs ransacked Palestinian properties and destroyed hundreds of Palestinian villages. How can people of conscience celebrate this catastrophe?

Israel at 60 is a state that continues to deny Palestinian refugees their UN-sanctioned right to return to their homes and receive compensation, simply because they are “non-Jews.” It still illegally occupies Palestinian and other Arab lands, in violation of numerous UN resolutions. It persists in its blatant denial of fundamental Palestinian human rights, in contravention of international humanitarian law and human rights conventions. It still subjects its own Palestinian citizens to a system of institutionalized discrimination, strongly reminiscent of the defunct apartheid regime in South Africa. And Israel gets away with all this, thanks to the unprecedented immunity granted to it by the unlimited and munificent US and European economic, diplomatic, political, and academic support.

In view of this multi-faceted oppression that is the reality of Israel today, we regard any Arab or international participation, whether individual or institutional, in any activity that contributes, either directly or indirectly, to the “celebrations” of Israel’s establishment, as collusion in the perpetuation of the dispossession and uprooting of refugees, the prolongation of the occupation, and the deepening of Israeli apartheid. Inviting Israel as a “guest of honor” to the Turin and Paris book fairs, for example, is not only a deliberate betrayal of basic principles of human rights, including those enshrined in the laws of the European Union itself, but is also a deliberate attempt to cover up Israel’s crimes against the Arab people, especially its successive war crimes in Lebanon and Palestine, and its acts of slow genocide against a million and a half Palestinians in the besieged and collectively punished Gaza Strip. In short, celebrating “Israel at 60” is tantamount to dancing on Palestinian graves.

We urge international civil society in all its components, particularly institutions and individuals working in the arts, academia, sport, trade unions, and communities of faith to boycott the “Israel at 60” celebrations wherever they are held in the world. These celebrations, by definition, insult our history, violate our rights, and deepen our oppression. They also render the path to justice, freedom, equality, and sustainable peace based on international law longer than ever before.

Institutional Endorsers:

Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI)
Department of Refugee Affairs - PLO
Jerusalem-The Arab Cultural Capital Project, Jerusalem
Higher National Committee for the Defense of the Right to Return
The General Union of Palestinian Women
Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions, PGFTU
Palestinian Farmers’ Union
Popular Committee Against the Siege (PCAS), Gaza
Union of Youth Activity Centers-Palestine Refugee Camps
Higher National Committee for the Commemoration of the Nakba, Palestine
Refugee Affairs Department, Mobilization and Organization, Fatah Movement
Palestinian NGO Network (PNGO)
Ittijah-Union of the Arab Community Based Organizations, Haifa
Palestinian Lawyers’ Syndicate
Palestinian Journalists’ Association, Jerusalem
Palestinian Engineers’ Syndicate, Jerusalem
Union of Palestinian Women's Committees, UPWC, Ramallah
Stop the Wall-the Grassroots Palestinian Anti-Apartheid Wall Campaign
Union of Employees at Private Schools-West Bank
Association of Residents of Depopulated Villages and Cities, Ramallah
General Federation of Cultural Centers, Gaza
Jerusalem Center for Social & Economic Rights JCSER, Jerusalem
Federation of Independent Workers Committees, Gaza
League of Palestinian Refugees in Europe
BADIL Resource Center for Palestinian Residency and Refugee Rights, Bethlehem
Occupied Palestine Golan heights Advocacy Initiative (OPGAI)
Al-Aswar Organization for Cultural and Social Development, Acre
University Teachers Association, Gaza
Joint Advocacy Initiative of the YMCA-YWCA (JAI), Jerusalem
General Union of Health Service Workers, Gaza
Aida Refugee Camp Social Center, Aida Refugee Camp
A’idoun Group, Syria
Palestinian Community in Scandinavia
Canadian Arab Federation
Palestinian Counseling Center, Jerusalem
Land Research Center, Palestine, Jerusalem
Muwatin the Palestinian Institute for the Study of Democracy
Palestinian Association of Brantford--Canada
Center for the Defense of Freedoms and Civil Rights (Hurriyat)
Wihdah Democratic Action Institute (Wa’ad)--Bethlehem
Federation of Agricultural Action Committees
Canada Palestine Association, Vancouver
Addameer, Ramallah
Ma’an Development Center, Ramallah
Gaza Center for Culture and Arts
Voice of Palestine, Canada
Canadian Palestinian Association, Ontario, Canada
Taghrid Association for Culture, Development and Reconstruction, Gaza
Jabalya-al-Nazaleh Cultural Center, Jabalya Camp, Gaza
Federation of Agricultural Work Committees, Gaza
Turathuna Charitable Society, Gaza
The Popular Committee at al-Burayj Camp, Gaza
El-Funoun Palestinian Popular Dance Troupe, Al-Bireh
Adalah-NY: The Coalition for Justice in the Middle East, New York
General Union of Services and Trade Workers, Gaza Governorates
The National Council of Arab Americans - Metropolitan New York Chapter, NY
The Arab Muslim American Federation
The Palestinian American Congress, New York
Dramatists’ Federation
Society for the Development of Women, al-Burayj Camp, Gaza
Yanbou’ Cultural Forum, al-Reina
Palestinian Human Rights Monitor (Rassid), Gaza
Yabous Productions, Jerusalem
The Arab Student Observatory of Victims of Occupation and Blockade of the General Union of Arab Students (GUAS(
Arab Culture Society
Al-Siwar-Arab Feminist Movement to Support Victims of Sexual Assault, Haifa
Popular Art Centre, Al-Bireh
Federation of Working Women’s Committees
Palestinian Federation of Women’s Action Committees
Al-Najda Association for the Development of Palestinian Women
Teacher Creativity Center, Ramallah
Palestinian Association for Contemporary Art (PACA)
Al-Quds Information Bank, Gaza
Women’s Center for Legal Aid and Counseling, Ramallah
The Palestinian Working Women’s Society for Development
Jimzo Charitable Society
Al-Lidd (Lydda) Charitable Society, Ramallah-Al-Bireh Governorate
Al-Lidd (Lydda) Social Association, Beitunia
Lifta Charitable Society, Palestine
Committee of Residents of Greater Masmiyya, Ramallah-Al-Bireh Governorate
Falsteen Al Gaad association – Deheisha refugee camp
Meethaq Center for Development, Alkahder
Women Development Center, Addoha, Bethlehem
Al Feeneeq Center, Duheisheh Refugee Camp
Palestinian Progressive Youth Union, Gaza
Palestinian Women’s Information and Media Center, Gaza
Said Mishal Foundation for Culture and Science, Gaza
Assala Association for Heritage and Development, Gaza
Jerusalem Center for Arabic Music, Jerusalem
International Academy of Art Palestine, Ramallah
Juthourr Cultural Society, Gaza
Women’s Research and Legal Counseling Center, Gaza
Media Forum for Women Affairs Advocacy, Gaza
Palestinian Cultural Center, Gaza
Refugees Popular Committee, Gaza
Workers Resource Center, Gaza
Progressive Union Work Society, Gaza
Friends of An-Nour Center Society, Gaza
Al-Aqsa Charitable Youth Welfare Society, Gaza
The One Democratic State Group, Gaza
Arab Cultural Forum, Gaza
Palestinian Democratic Union-Fida

------------------------
More resources:
The International Nakba Project:

Nakba 60th anniversary events:

Electronic Intifada Nakba links:

Institute For Middle East Understanding-The Untold Stories:

images from Jericho & Jordan Valley 2/2

army base, jordan valley, originally uploaded by michaelramallah.

blog entry about jericho and the larger jordan valley:
occupiedlove.blogspot.com/2006/07/jericho-jordan-valley.html

journal entry about jericho and the jordan valley:
http://occupiedlove.blogspot.com/2006/11/journals-jordan-valley-war-in-lebanon.html

blog entry and pictures from jericho prison:
http://occupiedlove.blogspot.com/2007/05/one-big-hole-missing-wall-many-small.html

allenby bridge, originally uploaded by michaelramallah.

this is the entrance to the allenby bridge terminal crossing. the bridge crosses the jordan river, connecting the west bank to jordan. the crossing is in the jericho area, east of the city. this is the only way for palestinians living in the west bank to exit to jordan.

the bridge is a key site as it comprises one of only three ways to enter the palestinian-israeli territories, besides tel aviv airport, and the land crossing between gaza and egypt. as you can guess, the entry and exit operations of the crossing point are controlled solely by occupation forces. palestinians seeking to fly from the west bank to another country must use this bridge to enter jordan, then reach a major city by ground transit, then fly from jordan to their destination.

the bridge has built and destroyed, rebuilt, re-destroyed and so on. it has many names depending on who you ask: allenby bridge by israelis, al-karameh bridge to palestinians and the king hussein bridge to jordanianas.

posters on a jericho door, originally uploaded by michaelramallah.

apartheid roads, originally uploaded by michaelramallah.

apartheid roads and barriers, originally uploaded by michaelramallah.

Abu Omar & Abu Jihad, originally uploaded by michaelramallah.

mural portraits of Yasser Arafat (left), known as Abu Omar and Khalil Al-Wazir (right), known as Abu Jihad.

mosque near jericho prison, originally uploaded by michaelramallah.

jericho skyline, originally uploaded by michaelramallah.

"Monastery of Temptation", originally uploaded by michaelramallah.

this site, on the side of the mount of temptation is where jesus spent 40 days and nights fasting and meditating during the temptation of satan (matthew 4:8-10). while jesus spent his time in one of the mountain's caves, in the 6th century, a greek orthodox monastery was built to mark the location of the sacred cave. there are approximately 35 such caves on this side of the mountain. they have been lived in by monks and hermits since early Christianity.

the monastery of temptation is yet another of jericho's ancient wonders that has been left to languish as the occupation has halted tourism.

jericho mosque, originally uploaded by michaelramallah.

sheep from a car, originally uploaded by michaelramallah.

our car was forced to stop when a sheep herder crossed his flock past us. i snapped this from the back seat.

the keystone of hisham's palace, originally uploaded by michaelramallah.

Khirbet El-Mafjar, known as hisham's palace, is a short drive north of jericho city. it was built around 720 by the muslim caliph umayyad hisham bin abdul malek.

the compound once held columns, ornamental pools, arches, verandas, a mosque, cool rooms, sun rooms, steams rooms, porches, stair cases, statues and several underground and aboveground bath houses. the rooms were adorned with stone carvings, mosaics, and elaborate plaster decorations.

this site formerly was a tourist attraction, highlighting palestine's ancient history and archaeological treasures. as the impact of the occupation, and the militarization of the jordan valley increased, the number of tourists visiting hisham's palce has dropped off to nearly zero. the local men who help maintain the attraction allowed our group to tour for free, waving the entrance fee for all of us.

hisham's palace, originally uploaded by michaelramallah.

images from Jericho & Jordan Valley 1/2

observation post edge of Jericho, originally uploaded by michaelramallah.

blog entry about jericho and the larger jordan valley:
occupiedlove.blogspot.com/2006/07/jericho-jordan-valley.html

journal entry about jericho and the jordan valley:
http://occupiedlove.blogspot.com/2006/11/journals-jordan-valley-war-in-lebanon.html

blog entry and pictures from jericho prison:
http://occupiedlove.blogspot.com/2007/05/one-big-hole-missing-wall-many-small.html

closed road on the edge of Jericho, originally uploaded by michaelramallah.

this is a common site throughout the west bank, palestinian roads are forcibly closed by occupation forces via large concrete stones which are placed in the road ways. this road, on the outskirts of jericho, had been closed with stone blocks for a number of years. to the left of this image, up on a hill, sat a fortified watch tower where soldiers could survey the entire valley and fire at palestinians attempting to cross the barrier.

two murals in Jericho, originally uploaded by michaelramallah.

these murals are located in jericho near a number of tourist sites including ancient ruins.

military road and moat, originally uploaded by michaelramallah.

here you can see a israeli-only road cutting through the jericho area. this specific shot was taken on jericho's eastern edge.

this road allows occupation soldiers to patrol, as well as allows for colonial settlers to travel on their own set of superior roads, away from the palestinians. it is a prime visual example of the apartheid road system in palestine.

to the lower right of the road is a moat, or trench, dug by occupation forces, to prevent palestinians from accessing the road with cars, animals or tractors.

Khaled Fousai Abdul Aziz, originally uploaded by michaelramallah.

an election poster for a man i was told is named Khaled Fousai Abdul Aziz. he ran under hamas' 'change and reform' bloc in the january 2006 elections.

jordan valley observation post, originally uploaded by michaelramallah.

jordan valley observation post #2, originally uploaded by michaelramallah.

jordan valley checkpoint, originally uploaded by michaelramallah.

jordan valley checkpoint (from car #1), originally uploaded by michaelramallah.

jordan valley checkpoint (from car #2), originally uploaded by michaelramallah.

jordan valley observation tower #3, originally uploaded by michaelramallah.

handala in jericho, originally uploaded by michaelramallah.

Hamas posters, originally uploaded by michaelramallah.

Hamas´s 'change and reform' bloc, originally uploaded by michaelramallah.

forward operations base, originally uploaded by michaelramallah.

fighter mural, originally uploaded by michaelramallah.

Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade martyr, originally uploaded by michaelramallah.

palestinian checkpoint, jordan valley, originally uploaded by michaelramallah.

ISM Summer Against Apartheid 2008!!!

- SUMMER CAMPAIGN 2008 -

'Summer Against Apartheid

'The International Solidarity Movement (ISM) is issuing a call-out for office and field volunteers for its "Summer Against Apartheid" in the West Bank and Gaza strip. Whether it's for a week or three months, you can help provide protection during non-violent demonstrations as well as help ensure that Palestinian voices will be heard. The 2008 'Summer Against Apartheid' runs from May 28th until August 2nd, with volunteer training sessions to be held every Wednesday and Thursday.

Why are so so urgently needed? Below are just four reasons.

1. The recent Israeli orders to use live ammunition against demonstrations close to the apartheid wall, unless there are internationals or Israelis present (http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=28361), means an international presence offers some protection for the basic rights of Palestinians to nonviolently protest against injustice.

2. In the West Bank ISM will support Palestinians challenging the apartheid road system. Watch this video (http://youtube.com/watch?v=i14gFMXtVMc) for a short film about the injustice of Road 443 and a previous action ISM participated in. Joining Palestinians in non-violent actions against Israeli-only roads, will increase the exposure of the road system that runs throughout the West Bank, and to link it to the wider implications of the Israeli apartheid system, including the expansion of illegal settlements as well as the checkpoints that cripple Palestinian's freedom of movement.

3. ISM volunteers will stand side by side with villagers in Bil'in, Tul Karem, Nablus, and Tel Rumeida, Hebron as Palestinians continue their tireless struggle to save their land from Israel's apartheid wall and the expanding settlements. In addition, ISM will be joining the third inter-national conference in Bil'in, Palestine from 4-6 June 2008.

4.In Gaza, ISM will continue our campaign to fight against the Israel's extreme collective punishment of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. We will demonstrate in Egypt on the 30th May 2008 where we will aim to break the siege on Gaza. 'Put Your Body Where Your Heart Is - Break The Siege On Gaza', will be the starting point for the 'Summer Against Apartheid'. See here (there will be a link to the call-out that will be on the website) for more details regarding this action. In addition, many former ISM volunteers will take part in breaking the siege of Gaza by sailing into its port during the first week of August. See www.freegaza.org.

Witness first-hand the suffering, the courage and the generosity of the Palestinian people under Israeli occupation. Experiencing the situation for yourself is vital in the aim of conveying the reality of life in Palestine to your home communities and re-framing the debate to expose Israel's Apartheid policies, including creeping ethnic cleansing in the West Bank, as well as it's collective punishment and genocidal practices in Gaza.

For more information on how to Join Us in Palestine or contact info@palsolidarity.org

Put Your Body Where Your Heart Is - Break The Siege On Gaza!

Put Your Body Where Your Heart Is - Break The Siege On Gaza!

On May 30th 2008, people of conscience from around the world will gather in Egypt to break through to the imprisoned people living inside the Gaza Strip. People will attempt to enter Gaza in an act to break the murderous siege and to stand in solidarity with those inside.

The siege, brutally imposed by the Israeli government in June 2007, following over a year of sanctions has resulted in lethal denial of medical access, shortages of food, fuel and electricity, and stands as a grave act of collective punishment.

It is time to stand up and shout, "No more!" It is time to show that we will not simply stand by while this atrocity is carried out, as our governments do nothing. It is time to use our bodies to prove what we believe is just in this world.

Our governments have backtracked on their responsibility, as stipulated in past agreements, to facilitate and over see the flow of people through the Rafah border crossing, making us complicit with the murderous acts of the Israeli government.

We call on international human right activists and lawmakers to join us in breaking the siege, entering Gaza, and standing in solidarity with the people imprisoned there. Join us in Egypt, come with us to Gaza and put your body where your heart is.

What you can do?

1. Join us in this act of solidarity with the people of Gaza, come to Egypt before the end of May, preferably as early as possible to help with preparations.

2. Have your organization endorse and circulate this call

3. Support this initiative financially - email gazasolidarity@gmail.com for more information

Signed: The International Solidarity Movement - Palestine