|
|
Dec. 8, 2013
Daily summary - Sunday, December 08, 2013
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Main News
Father of a Palestinian boy: Israeli soldiers killed my son while playing
The father of the boy said that "Israeli soldiers killed his son while playing football at the school playground."Wajdi Ramahi, from Jalazoun refugee camp near Ramallah, said that "his son Wajih was killed by Israeli army shooting on Saturday”, clarifying that “his son was playing football at the school’s playground, and thenhe went to a nearby grocery store to buy something to drink.” The father said that his son “was shot from an army watchtower in the nearby Jewish settlement of Beit El,"adding that his son died upon arrival at the hospital.(http://qudsnet.com/news/View/259535/%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AF-%D8%B7%D9%81%D9%84-%D9%81%D9%84%D8%B3%D8%B7%D9%8A%D9%86%D9%89-%D8%AC%D9%86%D9%88%D8%AF-%D8%A5%D8%B3%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%A6%D9%8A%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%88%D9%86-%D9%82%D8%AA%D9%84%D9%88%D8%A7-%D8%A7%D8%A8%D9%86%D9%89-%D8%A3%D8%AB%D9%86%D8%A7-%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%A8%D9%87/)
Yaalon has reservations on the provisions of the security plan between Palestine and Israel
Israeli Minister Moshe Yaalon expressed his reservation of most of the provisions of the US proposal on security arrangements in the West Bank under a future peace between Palestine and Israel.Israel Radio said that “Minister Yaalon has special reservations on a clause which provides for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from most of the West Bank except Jordan Valley." The radio added that Yaalon believes that the technological devices for intelligence and early warningsare not enough and that in the foreseeable future Israel must ensure absolute freedom of action of its army forces in the whole territory of the State of Palestinian to thwart attacks described by Yaalon as "terrorist". Yaalon also has reservations on “a Palestinian presence at border crossings.” (http://maannews.net/arb/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=655132)
Obama: Palestinians must agree to Israel's willingness to a "transition period" within the framework of a signed peace agreement
US President Barack Obama warned that in a possible signing of a peace agreement, the Palestinians must accept Israel's desire for a "transitional period" to make sure that the West does not constitute a security problem similar to the one formed by the Hamas-led Gaza Strip. Obama said "this transitional period require restraint by the Palestinians. They can't get everything they want from day one.” Obama announced yesterday that the United States has concluded that the two-State solution in the Middle East includes necessary guarantees for the security of Israel. Obama said before the annual Forum of the Saban Center for Middle East policy in Washington that General Allen, Special Adviser for the Middle East "came to the conclusion that it is possible to reach a two-State solution that guarantees the basic needs of Israeli security." General John Allen met on Thursday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, along with Foreign Minister John Kerry who launched peace negotiations for nine months ending of July.Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Mary Harvey, said that John Kerry and John Allen are working on the issue of security with specialists in the Israeli Ministry of Defense, and that they discussed with Netanyahu "the security challenges that we would raise that are faced by Israelis." Netanyahu said any peace deal must allow Israel to "defend itself with its own".(Al-Hayat Al-Jadida)
Erekat: Obama informed us that approaching the UN is "a red line"
Saeb Erakat, member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization and Palestinian chief Negotiator, revealed that US President Barack Obama informed the Palestinian side "that approaching the United Nations is a red line."Erekat said that Obama made this clear through US mediator, Martin Indyk, and issued a formal letter of two paragraphs to President Mahmoud Abbas, saying that “if the Palestinian side insisted on submitting an application and signing the accession to international organizations, it is thus exceeds all red lines against US interests in the region."Erekat added: "perhaps committed a strategic mistake when we did not sign accession to the United Nations after we got recognition as an observer State, we are required today to join and sign the four Geneva Conventions and the additional protocol of 1967 because this makes Palestine in 1967 borders, with Jerusalem as its capital, a State under occupation."(http://safa.ps/details/news/117714/%D8%B9%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%AA%D8%A3%D9%88%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%A7-%D8%A3%D8%A8%D9%84%D8%BA%D9%86%D8%A7-%D8%A3%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%AC%D9%87-%D9%84%D9%84%D8%A3%D9%85%D9%85-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AA%D8%AD%D8%AF%D8%A9-%D8%AE%D8%B7-%D8%A3%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%B1.html)
The President: unilateral Israeli actions undermine the prospects for peace
President Mahmoud Abbas, received yesterday evening, Michael Root, Dutch Prime Minister, at the Presidential Palace in Bethlehem, with the presence of Prime Minister Ramy AL-Hamdallah. The President briefed the guest on the latest developments of the Palestinian-Israeli negotiations, asserting Palestinian commitment to achieving peace based on the principle of two-State solution for a Palestinian State on the 1967 borders with east Jerusalem as its capital.The President noted that Israel's unilateral actions by intensifying of settlements, the Judaization of Jerusalem and the continued incursions, assassinations and the siege undermines the prospects for real peace and ending the conflict in the region.All-Hayat Al-Jadida)
Kerry: a peace agreement with the Palestinians will enhance the security of Israel; and Lieberman reduces the likelihood of reaching an agreement
John Kerry said that reaching a peace agreement between the Palestinians and the Israelis in the negotiations will enhance the security of Israel in the Middle East.Kerry said in his speech to the Saban Conference held in Washington, DC, that achieving a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians will protect Israel, noting the importance of overcoming current obstacles in the negotiations, confirming that Israel will become much stronger after achieving peace. On the situations of negotiations, Kerry said the situation is dangerous and not easy, but that he is confident of the possibility to reach a peace agreement, noting that many factors are involved in the negotiation process and might lead to its success.(http://www.pnn.ps/index.php/policy/75155-%D9%83%D9%8A%D8%B1%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D8%AA%D9%81%D8%A7%D9%82-%D8%B3%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%85-%D9%85%D8%B9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81%D9%84%D8%B3%D8%B7%D9%8A%D9%86%D9%8A%D9%86-%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%B9%D8%B2%D8%B2-%D8%A7%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%A6%D9%8A%D9%84-%D9%88%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A8%D8%B1%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%8A%D9%82%D9%84%D9%84-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%A7%D8%AD%D8%AA%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%B5%D9%84-%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AA%D9%81%D8%A7%D9%82)
Closing shops in Ramallah and Al-Bireh in mourning martyr Al-Ramahi
Young Palestinians from Al-Jalazoun refugee camp closed shops in Ramallah and Al-Bireh, in mourning the martyrdom of the child Wajdi Al-Ramahi, 15 years old, who was shot dead by an Israeli sniper stationed on one of the watchtowers in the Beit El settlement built on lands north of Ramallah. “Al-Quds” correspondent reported that young men marched the streets of Ramallah and Al-Bireh and ordered shopkeepers to close down their shops, and chanted slogans calling for revenge against the killers of the child Al-Ramahi.(http://www.alquds.com/news/article/view/id/476975)
Lieberman: achieving peace is not close
Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said that it is unlikely that negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians will lead to peace during the nine-month period, but stressed that dialogue must continue.These statements contradict what US Foreign Minister John Kerry who confirmed that Israelis and Palestinians are "as close as ever to peace."Lieberman said he supports the "Bar-Ilan” speech on Netanyahu, in which he announced that he supportsa two States for two peoples solution. Lieberman claimed that he is ready to vacate his home and his settlement for an "overall solution", and that he did not retract his proposal for an exchange of population and territory, claiming that "it is not a transfer, but anexchange."(http://www.alhayat-j.com/newsite/details.php?opt=2&id=222806&cid=3148)
The resignation of Mallouh and Majdalawi for the “Popular Front” and other leaders follow
Officials at the Popular Front for the liberation of Palestine confirmed the resignation of the Deputy Secretary-General of the Front, Abdul Rahim Mallouh, and other historical leaders. Member of the Central Committee of the Popular Front for the liberation of Palestine, Jamil Mezher told “Quds.net” by that this step came to allow young leaders to hold leadership positions, and inject new blood into the party; this was confirmed by the member of the political Bureau of the front Jamil Majdalawi. (http://www.alquds.com/news/article/view/id/476956)
Al-Hamdallah asks Netherlands to support projects for areas "C"
Prime Minister, Ramy Al-Hamdallah, asked the Government of the Netherlands to support projects directed to areas “C”, which constitute 62% of the West Bank, and are under Israeli control, in addition to investment in natural resources and help in extracting it such as in the Dead Sea. Al-Hamdallah stressed the importance of enabling the Authority of access to these areas, to assist in the advancement of economic reality, and reduce the budget deficit.(Al-Hayat Al-Jadida)
Hundreds took part in a demonstration against the displacement “Prawer" plan
Hundreds of members of the Islamic movement participated yesterday evening in a demonstration against the displacement “Prawer" plan in Jaffa.Knesset members of the Islamic movement, Ibrahim Sarsour, Masud Ganaim and Talib Abu Arar participated in the demonstration, where later head of the South Wing of Islamic movement Sheikh Hammad Abu Daabes joined after his arrival from Jordan.(Al-Ayyam)
Secret document: doubling settlements budget by 10 times
A secret document released by Israel's channel 10, yesterday evening, revealed that Israeli settlements budget jumped in recent months in an unprecedented way, doubling its budget from 58 million NIS in August to 614 million this month. The channel said that it obtained confidential document attesting the approval of the Minister of Finance, Yair Lapid,for transferring these amounts for the benefit of settlement division. Channel 10’s correspondent said that the Finance Ministry had demanded the Knesset Finance Committee to approve a transfer of an additional 90 million NIS for settlements.(Al-Ayyam)
|
Headlines
** A presidential decision to renew Presidency of Dr. Younes for Al-Quds Open University (Al-Hayat Al-Jadida)
** Joudeh: priority of Jordan in the Security Council is the Palestinian issue (Al-Hayat Al-Jadida)
** The Church of the Nativity holds a mass for Mandela (Al-Hayat Al-Jadida)
** Israeli army: Syrian attack a patrol at the Golan with bombs (Al-Ayyam)
** Egypt: release of 176 of Morsi’s supporters; and court confirms its non-polarization (Al-Ayyam)
** Bethlehem: an injured of the second intifada enters a coma (Al-Ayyam)
** Iraq: 9killed and 25 injured (Al-Ayyam)
** 4 martyrs in Palestinian refugee camps in Syria (Al-Quds)
** Hertzog: separation of Palestinians is an Israeli interest (Al-Quds)
|
Front Page Photos
Al- Quds:Jerusalem – pictures of late Presidents Arafat and Mandela at the African community in the old city
Al-Ayyam:Ramallah – pictures of Mandela raised during a popular march celebrating the launch of popular resistance at Nabi Saleh, 2) President Abbas during his meeting with Dutch Prime Minister, 3) Alexandria – Women supporters of Morsi at the court holding flowers during ordering their release.
Al Hayat Al Jadida:1) Body of the martyr child Wajih Ramahi at Ramallah hospital, 2) President during his meeting with Dutch Prime Minister in Bethlehem yesterday, 3) Citizen waving the Palestinian flag at the Popular Front celebrations in Gaza.
|
|
Voice of Palestine Interviews
** Mahmoud Mubarak, Head of the Popular Committee at Al-Jalazoun refugee camp, on the Israeli army killing a child in the camp.
Q: Continuous targeting of the occupation army resulted in the martyrdom of child Wajih, especially since he was playing at school while there were no clashes and confrontations, how do you follow up on the issue?
This settlement is a like a knife on our nicks, Al-Jalazoun school is near the settlement, we don’t have any place else for our children to play, they go out to the school playground to play, and soldiers harass them, they either arrest them or shoot at them, yesterday 3-4 children were injured. I was there before the killing incident, and I saw the kids playing, after 15 minutes they took the child to the hospital and he died, there were no confrontations, no clashes at all. Apparently there are snipers in the settlement who play with who will hit the children.
Q: So, the children lives are a kind of amusement to occupation soldiers?
It is apparently so. It is not the first time that such a thing happens. We have a lot of injured people in the camp, some are paralyzed. These acts happen on a daily basis. Or they might be interested in dragging us into more clashes and confrontations.
Q: is there any communications with some parties to stop these acts?
Our only connection is with the PA, we inform them always but with no results, they continue with their incursions to the camp and attacking children. We really don’t understand what they want form us, the people will explode at some point, we can’t bear this anymore
Q: With regards to the funeral?
The funeral will take place today after the noon prayer.
** Basel Tamimi, Coordinator of popular resistance in Nabi Saleh, on commemorating the fourth anniversary of popular resistance at Nabi Saleh
Q: After 4 years of launching popular resistance in Nabi Saleh, what was achieved?
Continuation of the popular resistance under the current circumstances is by itself an achievement, so it is our destiny in facing the occupation, we managed to reach all states of the world, and return the picture of victims of the occupation after the occupation tried to portray us as terrorists in its media.
Q: the occupation targeting of the demonstrations despite the fact that they are non-violence, do you think means the occupation understands how dangerous can this resistance is for the occupation?
The occupation knows how dangerous this resistance is, so it attacks us trying to prevent us from continuing our resistance, and it will keep on attacking us, as this is its approach and attitudes against Palestinians, all Palestinians not only us, trying to bring us back to armed struggle.
** Sheikh Ekrema Sabri, Al-Aqsa preacher and head of the President of the High Islamic Commission, on Israeli exercises in Al-Aqsa.
Q: With regards to break inns, especially last week, to what extent did the occupation reach in these actions?
The incursions to Al-Aqsa on Friday will not be the last time, since Israeli forces are doing so to break our will, because we prevented extreme Jews from reaching any success on the ground, extreme Jews failed in entering the menorah to al-Aqsa, so the occupation wanted to take revenge. This is what happened on Friday, this confirms that this place is only holy for Muslims and not Jews, since if it was holy and sacred for Jews they wouldn’t have stormed it for several times. We denounce this attack against Muslims after the Friday prayer.
Q: In your opinion, what do they want to achieve through these measures?
Their aims are clear, they want to impose a new reality on ground, at the same time they want Muslims not to object what extreme Jews do in al-Aqsa, but they failed several times and they still try through arrests, preventing Jerusalemites from reaching Al-Aqsa and incursions.
Q: So they want to control Al-Aqsa and divide it, will they succeed in doing so?
This is what they strive for but our presence at Al-Aqsa will prevent this from happening, they failed so far, and we will always be there to prevent it from happening, always ready with the guards monitoring any move of extreme Jews.
Q: What is required from Arab and Muslim states at this point?
They are demanded to be responsible, and pressure Israel and the rest of the world to stop Israel from doing what it does. The problem is that Israel exploits the current Arab situation and the internal Palestinian situation of split in executing its plans; we hold the Arab and Muslim world responsible for what might happen to Al-Aqsa, since it does not belong to us but to all Muslims.
|
More Headlines
Extremists wrote racist slogans in Baqa Al-Gharbeyah
According to “Walla” news site, racist slogans were discovered today morning on the walls of Al-Awda mosque in Baqa Al-Gharbeyahinside the green line, the slogans included phrases against Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him. The site added that in additionglasses of a number of cars at the entrances to the town were smashed. (http://www.alquds.com/news/article/view/id/477051)
Assaf to “Ma’an”: Hamas request holding a festival commemorating its foundation in the West Bank
Khalil Assaf, President of the independent figures in the West Bank, revealed to “Ma’an” that Hamas formally requested his intervention to get the necessary permits for holding a festival commemorating the foundation of the movement in the West Bank, specifically in Nablus, at the 14th of this month.Assaf expressed his surprise from Hamas’ request, saying he did not speak formally withPA officials in the West Bank yet, but demanded from the Hamas official who made the request to explain the movement's aim of the festival in Nablus before his approval to act. (http://maannews.net/arb/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=655183)
Egypt opens Rafah crossing in both directions
Egyptian authorities opened the Rafah border in both directions today for three days, for humanitarian cases, patients, residents and students.Maher Abu Sabha, Director of the General Administration of the crossings, said that the Egyptian side informed them of its intention to exceptionally open Rafah crossing for three days starting fromtoday till Tuesday evening.(http://maannews.net/arb/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=655173)
|
|
Opinions
Kerry adopts Israeli positions and possibly prepares to extend negotiations
Al-Quds Editorial
American Foreign Minister John Kerry placed what he called "strengthening the security of Israel" as his first priority, he said after his lengthy talks with President Abu Mazen and Prime Minister Netanyahu, Israel. That he rules out any agreement that does not include it. There may be no disagreement about the right of each party to enhance its security, but the question is what this security is about, and what its borders are. For Israel, security means settlements, Jerusalem remaining unified, controlling the Jordan Valley and the crossing by land, sea and air, the displacement of people and the control of the Holy places, and so on. Thus, it becomes a way to continue occupation according to the conditions of the occupiers themselves. For example, Israel insists on controlling the Jordan Valley and while the Palestinian Authority was ready to accept the presence of any troops from NATO or others in the Jordan Valley to ensure what they call security, but refused any presence of any Israeli soldier because it surely means continuing the occupation. This is true and logical but it does not satisfy Israel and does not seem to satisfy Kerry.
Minister Kerry who brought with him a security plan developed by General John Allen and supported by some 160 US official, and it is as its title implies talks only about security as Israel sees it, and does not address the reference borders of June 1967 and not to freezing settlement building in its evacuation, and Jerusalem and its Judaization.
Kerry speaks of progress that has been achieved despite what surrounds the talks of a near-total secrecy, maybe these talks are in order to extend the nine-month period proposed by the US administration to resume negotiations, since indicators do not show any real progress as shown by the Palestinian positions and statements by a number of officials, and rejecting the proposed security plan since the Administration still fully adopts the Israeli positions. Apparently, in an attempt "compensate" Israel for its loss in the Iranian deal, and to alleviate the tension between the two countries. These positions if were final, they do not serve the cause of peace and stability in the region and increase tension and extremism.
Popular Front on the anniversary of its foundation
Yesterday was the forty sixth anniversary of the foundation of the Popular Front, which adopteda revolutionary agenda of resistance and struggle on the one hand, and a political, social and cultural program that is civilizedon the other hand. It is the second faction in the PLO after Fatah and its leaders as prominent symbols, either those dead or living behind bars, at the various stages.
It is no secret that the Popular Front and the leftist forces in general, Palestinian and Arab and even international experience awithdraw in front of the control of right forces and religious organizations. And Interestingly, Hamas allowing holding the event in Gaza and the participation of tens of thousands of people from different political orientations, while forbidden Fateh from holding an event to mark its anniversary and the martyrdom of leader Abu Ammar, is an incomprehensible paradox and does not seem reasonable.
On this occasion, we pay tribute to the Popular Front, and left forces in General, and hope they can regain their role and status.(http://www.alquds.com/news/article/view/id/477017)
ARAB AND OTHER PRESS______________________________________
International attitude towards Gaza: management by crisis
By Pam Bailey
The urgent need for a comprehensive action on the disastrous situation in Gaza has largely been ignored.
The cycle is occurring again. The Gaza Strip, and the 1.7 million Palestinians who live there, periodically force their way into international headlines, driven by a crisis so urgent they can no longer be ignored. Politicians wring their hands; activists and relief agencies issue calls for help and organize convoys of supplies and volunteers; and the media practice pack journalism by running a story or two. Then, once conditions are no longer quite so dire, the world's attention veers on to the next tragedy, or to affairs that more directly affect the superpowers that set the agenda.
Meanwhile, the underlying problems fester on, waiting to burst forth again a few months down the road, in a never-ending cycle of futility and hopelessness.
Fuel is the crisis 'du jour'
The latest crisis in Gaza was triggered on June 30, when the Egyptian military forced the country's elected president from office (clearly a coup, albeit with the support of a large swath of the public), imposed martial law, and halted all but a trickle of traffic into and out of the tiny, densely packed strip of land (in retaliation for the alleged support of the Muslim Brotherhood by the Hamas government). Added to the already crippling blockade imposed by Israel since 2007, the Egyptian actions have created an acute shortage of fuel, construction materials and a variety of essential medicines within Gaza. On December 1, Amnesty International renewed its call for an end to the Israeli blockade, and demanded that both Israel and Egypt facilitate the delivery of fuel and other vital supplies - a statement that has yet to garner any serious media attention.
This will ultimately deprive 476 kidney failure patients of medical treatment and prevent the operation of 113 incubators, 45 surgical suites and numerous caesarean birth rooms, blood banks and laboratories.
Since 2011, Gaza's only power plant has relied on inexpensive diesel transported from Egypt through a maze of tunnels running between the Sinai Peninsula and the strip. Some fuel also comes from Israel, but is too expensive for most people and businesses. At their peak, the tunnels numbered between 250 and 500, and accommodated 1 million liters per day.
However, the Egyptian military now has destroyed an estimated 90 percent of the tunnels, causing affordable fuel to plummet to just 20,000 liters per week, in November. On November 1, Gaza's power plant ran out of fuel and the result was predictable, and oh so preventable.
It caused power outages averaging 16 hours a day, making it difficult for children to study, families to maintain their incomes, and physicians to provide medical care. Hospitals' back-up generators are reportedly running at full capacity and will soon run out of fuel. "Repeated outages threaten to suspend the work of 88 kidney dialysis machines," Gaza's Health Minister Mufid al-Mekhalilati told a press conference.
This will ultimately deprive 476 kidney failure patients of medical treatment, and prevent the operation of 113 incubators, 45 surgical suites and numerous caesarean birth rooms, blood banks and laboratories.
It led to sewage overflows, such as the one that occurred on November 13, when a large pumping station failed south of Gaza City, spewing more than 35,000 cubic meters of filth into the streets. Some 3,000 residents were forced to wade through sewage on the way to work or school.
The power plant shutdown has also resulted in increasingly polluted, unhealthy water. Even before the current crisis, approximately 90 million liters of raw or partially treated sewage were dumped into the sea every day, due to a shortage of fuel needed to run wastewater-treatment facilities. Since the power plant shutdown, however, even more raw sewage is being dumped - putting residents at risk of illnesses such as dysentery and severe diarrhea.
In general, there have been shortages of water, no matter what the quality. An estimated 65 percent of Gaza's population receives running water in their homes just once every three or four days.
Clamoring to be heard
For months, Gazans have been clamoring for attention and action - launching a petition to the Egyptian government to permanently and reliably open its Rafah Crossing into the strip (which has to date attracted more than 10,000 signatures), and forming an Intifada Youth Coalition to challenge both the Israeli and Egyptian closure of their sea lanes. On November 30, hundreds of children in Gaza launched their own "mini arks" into the harbor, in a symbolic gesture to call for the freedom to travel and export.
Unfortunately, it was indeed just a day in the sun. The world looked away, as usual, and within three months, the Israeli military had committed more than 800 violations of the ceasefire agreement.
Now, finally, the international community is beginning to shift a bit of its attention from Syria and Iran to Gaza - as if the global conscience is a large pie that can be divvied up into a limited number of pieces. Amnesty International issued its alert; Turkey has pledged $850,000; fuel deliveries by the UN have started; and Qatar is pledging to either pay the Palestinian Authority to buy fuel from Israel and deliver it to Gaza, or ship fuel from Qatar via Israel's Ashdod port, which the PA would deliver to the coastal enclave. Late last month, an aid convoy carrying medicine, medical equipment and canned food, was reportedly permitted to enter Gaza via the Rafah crossing for the first time since June.
But these actions are letting Israel and Egypt off the hook - particularly Israel, which has a special responsibility as an occupying power. And they are, at best, merely Band-Aids that will lull the broader world back into complacency and leave the Gazans to continue living in what has come to be known as the "world's largest prison".
One year ago this month, I travelled to Gaza in the immediate aftermath of "Operation Pillar of Cloud" - the eight-day assault that killed 171 Palestinians, including 100 civilians, and destroyed or severely damaged 439 homes and 233 public facilities. I wrote then that "finally, Palestinians are feeling as if they are having their day in the sun".
One day in the sun
First, Egypt intervened to help force Israel to end its attack just eight days after it began, agreeing to a ceasefire that actually offered some significant concessions. Then, a Palestinian state received overwhelming acceptance from the United Nations General Assembly, with the United States, Israel and Canada clearly alone and anachronistic. Meanwhile, Hamas and Fatah - the two warring Palestinian political parties - came together in what seemed like a real spirit of unity. "A huge victory for Palestine, after a big victory for Gaza! We are all one… our time is now!" wrote one young Gazan on his Facebook wall.
Unfortunately, it was indeed just a day in the sun. The world looked away, as usual, and within three months, the Israeli military had committed more than 800 violations of the ceasefire agreement (compared to just two by Palestinians), according to data collected by the UN, the Israeli Legal Centre for Freedom of Movement (GISHA), the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights, and Israeli and Palestinian media outlets.
Several months later, a new regime assumed control of Egypt that actually seems worse than former dictator Hosni Mubarak, if that is possible - not only sealing the border still tighter, but removing the one outside party that had been able to bring both Hamas and Fatah to the negotiating table. And while US Secretary of State John Kerry has revived talks designed to bring an end to the decades-old Israeli control of Palestinian land and people, the plight of Gaza has warranted nary a mention.
Yes, the 1.7 million Palestinians of Gaza need immediate relief from the shortage of fuel and other vital supplies. But what they need and want most is sustained international attention and action to bring about a more permanent solution that will free them from their dependence on handouts, allow them to support themselves through exports, and nurture a future generation of talent by enabling them to travel to attend school and form connections.
If the communities of activists and relief workers don't keep sustained pressure on politicians to require both Israel and Egypt to honor the Geneva Convention's prohibition against collective punishment, Gaza (and the broader Palestinian Territories) will continue to careen from crisis to crisis - until a catastrophe so massive occurs that it forces us all to say, "How could we let that happen on our watch?"(http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2013/12/international-attitude-towards-gaza-management-crisis-2013122128115522.html)
About being Palestinian
By Nermeen Murad
Three articles published this week really struck emotional and political chords within me.
One was published by a relatively unknown (at least to me) young man who signed his article by the name H. Khattab and was titled “The son of a refugee”; the second was written by the better-known journalist Bassam Badareen and titled “Arab airports… Palestinians are always in transit”; the third was written by a truly inspired and inspiring young lady who I have known personally, Jude Al Sajdi, titled “A taste of homecoming”.
All three articles uncover and articulate the peculiarities of being a Palestinian refugee and collectively tell the untold story, so many decades later, of the loss of identity, the dilemma, the guilt, the anger, the frustration, the fear, the trans-generational uncertainty, but mostly the determination to go on.
All these emotions that are buried deep in the soul of each and every Palestinian “refugee” are mixed with their own set of different experiences of living and existing in a transient space where they belong and do not belong at the same time.
I feel Khattab’s pain and dilemma: “I stand before the mirror, and I have become a young man. I search my face, and my fingertips trace its features and characters, I ask myself again and again which part is Jordanian and which is Palestinian but I cannot apportion it… I become more and more confused as I look for a fair split... but I can’t… for my body has subsisted on sustenance from Jordan, and my heart survived on loving them both, and my hands do all they can to contribute to a better future for both... my feet walked the streets of Amman until they became exhausted… my eyes brim every morning with the sight of the beautiful sunrise of Jordan and the historical map of Palestine.
“I admit and concede that I am helpless where it comes to the spirit of Amman and the spirit of Palestine. Two homelands live within me and I won’t be able to separate them even in my dreams.”
I feel Sajdi’s oscillating feelings of complete conviction yet also complete uncertainty: “I’ve seen the apartheid wall in pictures and read about it, but seeing it in reality, touching it and looking at the graffiti drawn on it was something else…. I felt like a heavy weight was placed over my heart and I felt a great sense of restriction and deprivation…. It surely doesn’t compare to the millions of Palestinians who suffered, who grieved and who had their homes and dignity stripped away from them… this trip made me think… where and what is home? Does it have to be black or white or is it ok to have some grey answers?
“As much as I felt I was at home in Palestine, I still missed Amman. This confusion also brought about feelings of guilt. Is it ok for me to feel nostalgic towards two countries? I certainly still don’t have a clear answer to that question.”
Badareen, a long-time journalist with a political mission says: “It is the destiny of every Palestinian refugee to be excluded within the village or town where he lives under the guise of protecting (the Palestinian) national identity while everyone else speaks in his name, and raises the stakes of his case and becomes part of a beneficial corruption network or to receive financial reward, (in order to) conspire against this Palestinian refugee, his people and his just cause in standing up to an enemy who has usurped him his humanity... it is written that the Palestinian citizen must be imprisoned and denied what is only a natural and human right to travel while his leaders voyage among capitals and luxury hotels hugging red carpets and demanding Gulf-based jobs, Jordanian national numbers and Moroccan investment opportunities for their sons, their cronies and their relatives….
“The Palestinian people have had to live ‘in transit’ and I hope it won’t be for long.”
We tiptoe towards the end of 2013. It has been more than 65 years since the Palestinian human being had known the peace and stability of belonging to a viable homeland in which he can rest his head, work towards a dream, build a future and, most importantly, own his voice without having to negotiate a space in which he can be accepted as a complete being with rights.
This past year, the Palestinians were forgotten, relegated and assigned to the “nothing will change” political file while their occupiers occupied more, imprisoned more, denied more and oppressed more.
We carry our aspiration for a homeland forward another year.
May 2014 bring us resolution and recognition.(http://jordantimes.com/about-being-palestinian)
Israel’s endless ‘security’ worries
By URI AVNERY
So here comes John Kerry again, for the umpteenth time (but who is counting?) to make peace between Israelis and the Palestinians.
It is a highly laudable effort. Unfortunately, it is based on a false premise. To wit: That the Israeli government wants peace based on the two-state solution.
Unwilling — or unable — to recognize this simple truth, Kerry looks for a way around. He tries approaches from different directions, in the hope of convincing Benjamin Netanyahu. In his imagination he hears Netanyahu exclaim: “Now, why didn’t I think of that?”
So here he comes with a new idea: To start by solving Israel’s security problems and doing away with its worries.
Let’s not talk for now about the other “core problems,” he says. Let’s look at your concerns and see how to meet them. I have brought with me an honest-to-goodness combat general with an honest-to-goodness security plan. Have a look at it. This approach is based on the false premise — the offspring of the overall premise — that the “security concerns” cited by our government are genuine. Kerry is expressing the basic American belief that if reasonable people sit around a table and analyze a problem, they will find a solution.
So there is a plan. Gen. John Allen, a former commander of the war in Afghanistan, puts it on the table and explains its merits. It addresses many worries. The main subject is the insistence of the Israeli army that whatever the borders of the future State of Palestine, Israel must continue for a long, long time to control the Jordan valley.
Since the Jordan valley constitutes about 20 percent of the West Bank, which together with the Gaza Strip constitutes altogether about 22 percent of the former country of Palestine, this is a non-starter. For our government, that is its main value.
The Jordan, one of the most celebrated rivers in world history, is actually a smallish creek about 250 km long and a few dozen meters wide. Its sources are on the Syrian highlands (a.k.a. the Golan Heights) and it ends ingloriously in the Dead Sea, which is actually an inland lake. Not much of a river. How did it attain its present strategic importance? The following account is simplified, but not far removed from what actually happened.
Immediately after the June 1967 war, when all the Palestinian lands had fallen into Israel’s hands, groups of agricultural experts swarmed over the West Bank to see what could be exploited.
Most of the West Bank consists of stony hills, very picturesque but hardly suited to modern agricultural methods. Every inch of arable land was used by the Palestinian villages, using terraces and other ancient methods. No good for new kibbutzim. Except the Jordan valley.
This valley, part of the huge Syrian-African rift, is flat. Lodged between the river and the central Palestinian mountain ridge, it also has ample water. For the trained eye of a kibbutznik, it was ideal for agricultural machinery. It was also sparsely populated.
Almost all Israeli leaders at the time had an agricultural background. Levy Eshkol, the prime minister, had been responsible for many years, before the establishment of the state, for the Jewish settlement effort. The Minister of Defense, Moshe Dayan, was born in a kibbutz and grew up in a Moshav (cooperative village). The Minister of Labor, Yigal Allon, was not only a renowned general of the 1948 war but also a leader of the largest kibbutz movement. His mentor was Israel Galili, another kibbutz leader, the eminence grise of Golda Meir.
It was Allon who provided the military pretext for keeping possession of the Jordan valley. He devised a security plan for the post-1967 Israel. Its central plank was the annexation of the valley.
Known as the “Allon Plan,” it had — and still has — a strong hold on Israeli political thinking. It was never officially adopted by the Israeli government. Nor does there exist an authorized map of the plan. But it has been endlessly discussed.
The Allon Plan provides for the annexation of the entire Jordan valley, the shore of the Dead Sea and the Gaza Strip. In order not to cut off the rest of the West Bank from the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan (also named for the river), the Plan left open a corridor between the two territories, near Jericho.
It was generally assumed that Allon intended to return the West Bank to the kingdom. But he did not really care. When I accused him from the Knesset rostrum of foiling the establishment of a Palestinian state, he sent me a note saying: “I am ready for a Palestinian state in the West Bank. So why am I less of a dove than you?”
The military foundations of the Allon Plan were not entirely ridiculous — at the time. One must remember the situation in, say, 1968. The Kingdom of Jordan was officially an “enemy country,” though there was always a secret alliance with its kings. Iraq was a strong state, and its army was highly respected by our military. Syria had been beaten in the 1967 war, but their army was still intact.
The Israeli military nightmare was that all these military forces would suddenly come together on Jordanian soil and attack Israel; cross the river, unite with the West Bank Palestinians and invade Israel proper. At a certain point, between the West Bank town of Tulkarm and the Mediterranean Sea, Israel is only 14 km wide.
That was 55 years ago. Today this picture is indeed ridiculous. The only possible military threat facing Israel comes from Iran, and it does not include an attack by massed troops on land. If Iranian missiles come flying toward us, Israeli troops on the Jordan River will be mere onlookers. They will have nothing to look at. The challenge will be met long before the missiles come near.
As for warning stations, they can be located in my apartment in Tel Aviv. The 100 or so kilometers from here to the Jordan will make no difference. The same goes for other “security concerns,” such as keeping warning stations in the West Bank. The American general will listen politely and be hard put not to burst out laughing.
Today, the Jordan valley is practically Arab-free. From time to time the few remaining Palestinians are mistreated by the army, in order to convince them to go away. There are several Jewish settlements along the valley, put there by the Labor Party when it was still in power. The inhabitants don’t employ labor from the neighboring Palestinian villages, but cheaper and more efficient workers from Thailand. The very hot climate — the entire valley lies below sea level — allows for the growing of tropical fruit.
The only remaining Palestinian township is Jericho, a green oasis, and the lowest town on earth.
Assuming for a moment that the general convinces Netanyahu that his security plan is wonderful and solves all our military problems, what difference would it make? None whatsoever.
Instead, other “concerns” would come to the fore. There is an inexhaustible supply. The same goes for the other story that fills Israel’s newspapers and TV programs these days: The expulsion of the Bedouin in the Negev. During the first years of Israel, entire Bedouin tribes were displaced and expelled. The pretexts sound eerily familiar: To forestall an Egyptian attack from the south.
The real reason was, of course, to get them off their land and replace them with Jewish settlers. US history buffs will be reminded of the treatment of the native Americans. The Army (our army) conducted several major operations, but the Bedouin are multiplying at a ferocious rate, and now they are back up to a quarter of a million.
Being Bedouin, they live dispersed with their goats over large areas. The government is trying (again) to get them out. The bureaucrats want to “Judaize” the Negev (while trying at the same time to “Judaize” the Galilee). But they are also inimical to the idea that such a relatively small number of people are occupying such large tracts of land, even barren land.
Planners in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv are drawing up all kinds of schemes to concentrate the Bedouin in townships, contrary to their traditional way of life. On paper, the plans look reasonable. In reality, they are designed to achieve the same as the plans for the Jordan valley: Take land away from the Arabs and turn it over to Jewish settlers.
Call it Zionist, nationalist or racist, it is hardly an attitude conducive to peace. That should be the real concern of John Kerry and John Allen.(http://www.arabnews.com/news/488706)
|
|
WHAT'S NEW
BACKGROUND
POLLS
WAYS TO GET JMCC
CONTACT US
|
To subscribe to free newsletter submit your email |
|
|
|