In this post: Teaching English Classes; observations of a minority Christian; settlements near Hebron and Israeli-only roads; my landlord's property; a story from Aida; news round-up, etc.
I started teaching my first adult Palestinian English class this week in Hebron. So far, I have about 10 students, but as many as 15 are registered to take the class. I really enjoyed my first class with them--they were eager to learn, respectful, and intelligent. One student, a high school teacher, introduced herself to me by saying, "This is probably the first time I've ever spoken to a foreigner." I was a bit surprised at her saying this, especially given that her English was fairly good. Many people here learn English from classes, TV, etc., without ever meeting an English speaker.
I also visited a Lutheran school in Bethlehem today, and I may end up teaching one English course there. The 10th grade students were very rowdy for their local teacher, and even while I spoke, they continued to cut-up in class. The teacher's yelling at them (and I mean, yelling: "You are the worst people I've ever met . . . you're horrible students . . . are you stupid or what?!!!") did not stop the rowdiness; however, the students eventually settled down when I had a discussion with them about why they might want to learn English--that it wasn't for me, their teacher or parents or anyone else, but for themselves. I quizzed the students in English, and then I invited them to ask questions about me. One girl asked: "Weren't you afraid to come to Palestine?" I was a bit taken back by this question, but I managed to answer, "No, I wasn't. I had educated myself about Palestine and Arabs before I came, but I know people in the States who are afraid. Some are afraid because they have never personally known an Arab and all they know is what they hear from the TV, so they think all Arabs are like . . ." a student ended my sentence: "Osama Bin Laden."
I asked the students how many of them had been made to stay inside their homes and not go to school because of military curfews, how many of them knew people who had been shot or killed, how many of them had seen a tank. Essentially all the 10th graders raised their hands at these questions. But when I asked how many of them had flown out of Tel Aviv airport, none of them raised their hands (they have to travel a whole day to Jordan to use an airport). Then, I said: The reason I'm asking you these questions is because what you have seen and experienced, most students in America or Europe don't have to see. If I asked these same questions there, only a few students would raise their hands, that they've seen this kind of violence--mostly because of gangs. All of us here want a better life for Palestinians, free of tanks, curfews, killings, etc. When the class ended, the students filed by me, shaking my hand, several saying they were so glad I was here, that they want me to come back every day.
A few days ago, I was talking with the Christian man who has hired me to work in Hebron. His family is originally from Syria, so they are Syrian Orthodox. They came to Palestine after WWI, as refugees from the ethnic cleansing from Syria of Christians and others. Palestine is special and unique, my friend said, because it allows for all religions to be here--not just one religion, like what Israel wants to make (a state for Jews and one for Muslims, etc.). We need to learn to live together, he said. My friend also described to me how hard life was for his ancestors, since they had no help from any organizations, even though they were refugees (at that time, there was no bodies like the UN). His ancestors were poor, and they were not accepted in Palestine at first because they were neither Muslim nor Catholic or Greek Orthodox Christians. My friend can identify, in some ways, with the Palestinian refugees of today, but he says they need to take more responsibility now for their fate (not rely upon intl organizations if they're not going to help). This conversation led me to reflect about the history of refugees and what might make the Palestinian refugee crisis (the largest group and longest running refugee issue in the world) unique.
My friend also had some unique observations about culture in Palestine. He said that there is way too much division and criticism. "No one likes anyone here," he said. "We all talk behind each other's backs."
During the height of the 2nd intifada, my friend's aunt, a Palestinian, was killed in a bus bombing in Jerusalem. She was a nurse, working in West Jerusalem, and my friend was very impacted by her death. He tried to contact the family of the bomber (they lived in Hebron), but they refused to see him. My friend's words made me think about how very little of the violence here is clean-cut and simple. There are victims on every side, and victims of victims.
On my way traveling to Hebron for classes, I can see many Israeli settlements and outposts. There has recently been an up-surge in settler violence in the W Bank, and even though the gov.'t of Israel has promised to cut funding to the settlements deemed illegal by Israeli law years ago (yes, Israel was and still is funding things it considers illegal), Israel has refused to cut power or water to these settlements. I can see the labyrinth of power and phone lines that surround make-shift settlements (really, just mobile homes). Yesterday, I thought of the irony of these settlement that even Israel considers illegal--that they still receive power and water, but Palestinians in the W Bank, who are not illegal and have lived on their land for generations, very frequently have their water and power cut by Israel.
I travel on a road to Hebron that is designated to be an Israeli-only road in the near future. For now, Palestinians can use it, but Israel is "building" the Palestinians a different road, which they will have to use (the route, I am told, will not be nearly as direct to Hebron). And what is the purpose of these Israeli-only roads in the W Bank? Most of the time, the roads lead to settlements, and in some cases (read article here), the roads lead no where. Even at the height of racist laws in the US, we did not require Black people to use different roads. There is not even a hint of separate but equal here, though; basically, it's separate, end of story. Israel doesn't try to be equal when it comes to Palestinians--instead, Pal's have to use bumpy dirt roads while the settlers who steal their land travel on nicely-paved, direct-route roads with high walls bordering the road whenever it passes a Palestinian village (this way, the settlers don't have to see or acknowledge that Pal's exist."
My landlord took me to some property he owns a short distance from our house. There is an old house on his property, which is grandfather built. However, now, my landlord is not allowed to build on his property, and the house might be demolished because the Israeli gov't wants to build a road for Palestinians through the middle of his property. Already, the construction has destroyed 100 of his fruit trees, and likely more will be destroyed. There is nothing my landlord can do about this. No laws, nothing.
Also, some might be interested in this story, written by someone who was working with me in Aida Camp this summer.
News you might have missed from this region:
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1037840.html
Report says only 6% of Americans think the US should back up Palestinians in peace talks with Israel.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1037876.html
Aside from the Israeli military's control of Palestinians and the W Bank, the military also owns and unprecedented amount of land in Israel itself. See this article, "How did IDF gain control over half of the country?"
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1038419.html
The PM of Palestine, seen as a "moderate," says Israeli settlements will destroy the peace process and that the EU has it right in calling the settlements not just "unhelpful" (as Rice described them), but as they actually are: Illegal.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1038192.html
The Israeli Military Intelligence chief says that dialogue can change Iran's nuclear desires.
http://www.shovrimshtika.org/video_item_e.asp?id=12
An Israeli soldier describes actions he took against civilian targets in the Bethlehem area, right by my house.
http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article9969.shtml
Op-Ed on the prospects for Israeli-Pal peace with Obama.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1039263.html
Settlers in Hebron go on rampage, damaging Pal buildings and spray painting "Mohammed Pig" on Walls. The violence was caught on video, but the military has yet to do anything about it.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081120/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_palestinians_gaza_notebook
Gazans improving, cooking on open fires due to electricity, etc. cuts.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1039255.html
Intl top media bosses complained to Israel--in a rare instance of solidarity--about the complete restrictions of any intl reporters from entering Gaza.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2008/novemberweb-only/146-43.0.html
Article describing the struggles of Christian Arabs in the Middle East.
http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=33430
http://www.electronicintifada.net/v2/article9984.shtml
Reports say those in hospitals are most harmed by the blockade of Gaza (i.e., no electricity for breathing machines, etc.).
http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=33426
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1039926.html
Reports on the settler take-over of houses in Hebron in the last week. The recent court actions and refusal of the military to intervene has made Hebron drastically more dangerous.
http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=33461
Israel refuses to allow priests into Gaza for mass for Gazan Christians.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1040235.html
70% of Arab Israelis think that slaps are not domestic abuse.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1040530.html
900 Pal police and military to deploy in Bethlehem to keep everyone "safe" for Christmas.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1040873.html
Israel unveils its own bail-out plan as its economy stumbles.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1041245.html
Israeli leaders disagree--some say they should use force to evict Israeli settlers from Hebron, others say force won't be used. Imagine if this was a Palestinian family Israel wanted to evict!
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1041203.html
Libya is sending an aid ship to Gaza, despite Israel's blockade. I have been astounded by the Arab countries who have cooperated, so far, with the Israeli blockade. Egypt is the #1 cooperator.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
2 Action Items: Bedouin Village and Gaza Activists
I am passing on the two action items below in hopes that some people can make phone calls and emails. Contacting authorities in Israel is something I don't do while living here because I don't want to raise their awareness about what I'm doing. However, you can help do this for me! And, what I can do for you is to attend events like what you see below (I can help those who can't come here, and you can help those of us who can't do certain things!)
Peace.
---------------------------------------------
November 17th, 2008
Wadi Na'am, Israel
Peace.
---------------------------------------------
November 17th, 2008
Wadi Na'am, Israel
The first mud and straw-bale built mosque in Israel received demolition orders late last week in the unrecognized Bedouin village of Wadi al Na'am, come help stop the demolition!
Volunteers are urgently needed starting this evening (Monday November 17th) to stay in the mosque through Thursday (November 20th) to protest and document any attempt to carry out the demolition.
To sign up for a shift, please email Tess at greencenter@ bustan.org or call her at 050-371-1802, OR Josh Berer, 052 7500152, RCUV.
If you can arrive with a car to bring people to and from Wadi Na'am that is extremely helpful. We will make every attempt to provide transportation for those who need it.
There are 80,000 Bedouin Arabs currently living in 45 unrecognized villages in Israel that lack basic infrastructure, health care, electricity, and water access. Local Bedouins as well as Christian, Muslim, and Jewish volunteers from Israel, the United States, Europe, Latin America, and Africa have contributed to building the mosque over the last four months.
For more information about the mosque, please see this article from August 2008: http://www.maannews .net/en/index. php?opr=ShowDeta ils&ID=31522
And
http://joshberer. wordpress. com/2008/ 10/29/the- straw-bale- mosque/
If you cannot make it, please fax or call the following officials to protest the demolition:
Itzhak HaKohen, the Minister of Religious Service
Fax: 02 6706157. izchakec@knesset. gov.il
Meir Shitrit, the Minister of Interior
Fax: 02 6408920. mshitrit@knesset. gov.il
Zeev Boim, the Minster of Housing and Construction, and Minister responsible for the Israeli Land Authority, and the Bedouin Minority.
Fax: 02-6496062. zaevb@knesset. gov.il
For press inquiries:
Mahmod Jarbeau at 057-466-2331 (Hebrew, Arabic) —resident of Wadi Na'am, served nine years in the Israeli military, director of the project
Ra'ed Al Mickawi 052-371-1801 (Hebrew, Arabic, English)—Director of BUSTAN
Dr. Yeela Livnat Ra'anan 054-748-7005 (English, Hebrew)—RCUV
-------------------------------------------
For more details, see click here.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Caoimhe (Gaza) + 972 598 273 960
Donna (Gaza) + 972 598 836 420
Fida (Gaza - Arabic) – + 972 599 681 669
ISM Media Office - + 972 2-2971824
Fifteen Palestinian fishermen along with three internationals have been kidnapped in Palestinian waters by the Israeli Navy. They were fishing seven miles off the coast of Deir Al Balah, clearly in Gaza fishing waters and well within the fishing limit detailed in the Oslo Accords of 1994.
The fishermen and the human right's observers were transferred from 3 separate boats to the Israeli warships. Other Palestinian fishermen reported that the 3 boats were seen being taken north by the Israeli Navy.
The three internationals are Andrew Muncie from Scotland, Darlene Wallach from the United States and Victor Arrigoni from Italy. The U.K., U.S. and Italian embassies in Tel Aviv have been contacted and know about the abductions.
Please call the Israeli Ministry of Justice at +972 26 46 66 66 and register your outrage over these illegal actions by the Israeli Navy. Then call the Embassies in Jerusalem and make sure they know that many of us are appalled by Israel's illegal search and seizure.
Stephen Brown, UK Consulate +972 25 41 41 00
U.S. Consulate General + 972-2-6227230
Luigi MATTIOLO, Italian Ambassador +972 3 5104004
--
Greta Berlin
Media Team
Free Gaza Movement
357 99 08 17 67
www.freegaza. org
www.anis-online. de/office/ events/FreeGazaS ong.htm
www.flickr.com/ photos/29205195@ N02/
Sunday, November 16, 2008
New House; Looking 4 Work; Rocks & Rockets, etc.
In this post: Transition to Beit Jala; Christian and Muslim Palestinian conflicts; animals, not people, on the land; looking for work; update on language study; Rocks and Rockets from Gaza; news round-up, etc.
I made the transition to Beit Jala this week, and I am settling in with my new apartment and roommate nicely. Beit Jala is just outside of Bethlehem, and a 5 min. walk from Aida Camp. BJ is more Christian-Palestinian than some other areas of Bethlehem, so it is interesting to experience a different side of Palestinian life and culture. My landlord and his family are Christian, and while they definitely sympathize and agree with the Palestinian struggle for freedom, they also have some strong disagreements and even dislikes of their Muslim neighbors.
Some of the issues that Christians and Muslims spar over boil down to simple annoyances with another group; however, Christian Palestinians will also point out that there used to be many more Christians in this area, but over the last 100 years, they have slowly moved away. Especially since the recent rise (last 20 years?) of a more strict, fundamentalist Islam, Christians have had more clashes with their Muslim neighbors. However, when it comes down to the distaste for Israeli gov.'t policies, Christians and Muslim Palestinians are almost indistinguishable. For its part, Israel mostly does not distinguish between Christian or Muslim Palestinians--the fear and racism is the same. Go to any checkpoint, and Christian Pal's will have some of the same frustrations as other Pal's.
Life is significantly quieter in my new apartment, but we do have a Muslim family living across the street, and one or two of the children are severely mentally disabled. These kids (age up to 20 something) can't speak any language, but they will scream bloody murder any time of the day. I'm often surprised they still have a voice after such screaming fits. I heard at least one of the children has epilepsy and that the parents have to administer medications to calm the children during the fits. Despite the outbursts, this neighborhood is still quieter than other places I've lived. We also have nice views of the surrounding mountains and a porch enclosed by vines and trees. The house has a weak internet signal, so I'm not sure if I'll be able to skype with people as often as I did before.
We spent quite a bit of time this last week cleaning the house and making it feel comfortable. It used to be a hair salon, so there were lots hairs all over the house. The upside is that the house now has lots of mirrors, good hot water (a rarer commodity in Pal.), and many windows.
This last week, I also was able to visit my friend's land and cave in between here and Jerusalem. It never ceases to amaze me how divisive and disabling the Israeli military action can be. On a small dirt road by my friend's land, a road that had connected Bethlehem and Jerusalem, the Israeli military bulldozed large boulders across the road so that vehicles can't drive through.
On the hill across from my friend's land, you can see and hear an Israeli zoo. Many people come to visit the animals there, and you can hear the monkeys and other animals chattering from my friend's cave. It is so interesting that people will come to see the cute little animals and not recognize how encaged people are on the next hill over. It is also ironic that for Israel, it is more acceptable to have an animal zoo on this land than to have people living and farming on it.
Now that I am settled in my new place, I am starting to research Israeli peace groups and look for work. Already, I have several serious job opportunities teaching English, both here and in Hebron. Several of my neighbors are teachers, so they are able to put in a good word for me. Other than hoping to help with Palestinian education, what I personally am looking to gain from teaching and working is to find a way to live here more long-term (i.e., make enough money to live here independently, and to receive longer visas to remain in the area). Some of my thoughts recently have turned to the "brain drain" that has happened in Palestine--where all the educated people find work outside of Palestine because the opportunities here are so limited. It is so important, I think, for educated Pal's to return here to give back to their communities.
I am continuing to study Arabic, but I'm starting to focus much less of memorizing vocab and more on speaking with people. I've recently discovered how important it is to speak Arabic every day: no matter how many words I memorize on flash cards, that should never take the place of learning through conversation. Specifically, I can memorize a word on a card, but that does not mean that I "know" the word--i.e., that I can use it in a conversation without even thinking about it. To really know a language, one needs to be able to draw on many words without thinking about it, so I am trying to make that transition now--from memorizing words to making them an automatic part of my thought and conversation process.
The "cease-fire" in Gaza continues to unravel, with Israel making incursions into Gaza and bombing it with F-16's, and militants from Gaza shooting back with make-shift, impossible-to-aim rockets. These rockets do nothing to help Palestinians. They are like the rocks that I saw thrown at protests. Just as the rockets from Gaza rarely hit the target and only serve to bring an over-reaction from the Israeli military, so the rocks thrown rarely have a tactical effect. Instead, the Israeli military uses them as an excuse to hurt the entire population--whether it is lambasting an entire protest with tear gas and rubber bullets because a few kids threw rocks, or whether it is imprisoning all of Gaza because of the militants' actions. But, we should not only oppose these actions because they are tactically ineffective; for me, they are also morally wrong because they seek to injure and kill other people.
News from this region you might have missed:
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1035692.html
To underscore the rampant racism in Israeli society, this author points out how big the Obama win is in the US. He tries to tell Israelis, It's like an Arab becoming Prime Minister of Israel. This is not something Israelis can even comprehend, even though Arab Israelis make up 20-30% of the population is Israel (that's over double the percentage of Blacks living in the US!).
http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=33258
Details on today's attacks in/from Gaza.
http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=33239
Yesterday marked 20 years since Palestinians declaration of independence. 20 years on, they still don't have independence.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1225910047157&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1037256.html
Two stories on the saga about Obama's chief of staff's (Rahm Emanuel) father making very racist comments about Emanuel not being an Arab--that he's not going to the White House to clean floors. Notice the J Post article (a conservative media outlet in Israel) records Mr. Emanuel's comments without any quip. However, the next link (above), shows Rahm Emanuel apologizing, as he should, for his father's comments and disavowing them. That's one step for Rahm in the right direction--away from racism.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1035414.html
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1037258.html
Two stories about how Hamas is willing to make peace with Israel if Israel retreats to its 1967 border. Despite all the demonizing of Hamas, these words sound very similar to the terms laid out in the Arab Peace Initiative (something Obama is considering backing--see today's articles in Haaretz.com and next article). Is Israel using its Hamas demonization as an excuse to beat up on Pal's?
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1036103.html
Arab reaction to the peace process, Obama's win, and the possibility of deploying Arab troops in Palestine, should Israel withdraw its forces.
http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=33112
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1035683.html
Two stories highlighting how the Israeli courts and military recently kicked out Pal's from their home in E. Jerusalem, giving it to Israeli settlers. This case was so blatantly unjust that even the US embassy in Tel Aviv (which usually doesn't get involved in such matters) filed a formal complaint with Israel before the Pal's were kicked out.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081111/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_israel_elections
Despite the win of the secular candidate for mayor of Jerusalem this week, settlements are bound to expand in Jerusalem.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1037270.html
The Israeli Defense Minister has recently approved hundreds of units more of settler housing in Palestine, despite his promise not to do so. This reminds me that Israel is also continuing to give settlement outposts (illegal under intl & Israeli law) water and electricity, despite threatening to cut off other gifts--whatever those may be. Giving them water and electricity is still supporting something illegal, and it is crazy to give the settlers these gifts when Pal's don't have those basic necessities. Let the settlers live in Israel.
http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=33263
Settlers today attacked intl's outside of Hebron and killed Pal's animals.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1037791.html
In a rare victory, the Israeli high court gave Israeli settlers in Hebron three days to vacate the Pal house they stole; otherwise, the settlers will be evicted.
http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article9940.shtml
A very interesting story on Israeli plans to build a Museum of "Tolerance" on top of a Muslim cemetery. The article also points out why it is that many Muslim holy places in Israel appear in disrepair.
http://wiredispatch.com/news/?id=447820
US company Lockheed plans to sell Israel newest US fighter jets.
http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=33144
74% of goods imported into Pal come from Israel, underscoring how dependent Pal's are on Israel. Also, Pal's imported last year over $3 billion and exported only $392 million worth of goods.
I made the transition to Beit Jala this week, and I am settling in with my new apartment and roommate nicely. Beit Jala is just outside of Bethlehem, and a 5 min. walk from Aida Camp. BJ is more Christian-Palestinian than some other areas of Bethlehem, so it is interesting to experience a different side of Palestinian life and culture. My landlord and his family are Christian, and while they definitely sympathize and agree with the Palestinian struggle for freedom, they also have some strong disagreements and even dislikes of their Muslim neighbors.
Some of the issues that Christians and Muslims spar over boil down to simple annoyances with another group; however, Christian Palestinians will also point out that there used to be many more Christians in this area, but over the last 100 years, they have slowly moved away. Especially since the recent rise (last 20 years?) of a more strict, fundamentalist Islam, Christians have had more clashes with their Muslim neighbors. However, when it comes down to the distaste for Israeli gov.'t policies, Christians and Muslim Palestinians are almost indistinguishable. For its part, Israel mostly does not distinguish between Christian or Muslim Palestinians--the fear and racism is the same. Go to any checkpoint, and Christian Pal's will have some of the same frustrations as other Pal's.
Life is significantly quieter in my new apartment, but we do have a Muslim family living across the street, and one or two of the children are severely mentally disabled. These kids (age up to 20 something) can't speak any language, but they will scream bloody murder any time of the day. I'm often surprised they still have a voice after such screaming fits. I heard at least one of the children has epilepsy and that the parents have to administer medications to calm the children during the fits. Despite the outbursts, this neighborhood is still quieter than other places I've lived. We also have nice views of the surrounding mountains and a porch enclosed by vines and trees. The house has a weak internet signal, so I'm not sure if I'll be able to skype with people as often as I did before.
We spent quite a bit of time this last week cleaning the house and making it feel comfortable. It used to be a hair salon, so there were lots hairs all over the house. The upside is that the house now has lots of mirrors, good hot water (a rarer commodity in Pal.), and many windows.
This last week, I also was able to visit my friend's land and cave in between here and Jerusalem. It never ceases to amaze me how divisive and disabling the Israeli military action can be. On a small dirt road by my friend's land, a road that had connected Bethlehem and Jerusalem, the Israeli military bulldozed large boulders across the road so that vehicles can't drive through.
On the hill across from my friend's land, you can see and hear an Israeli zoo. Many people come to visit the animals there, and you can hear the monkeys and other animals chattering from my friend's cave. It is so interesting that people will come to see the cute little animals and not recognize how encaged people are on the next hill over. It is also ironic that for Israel, it is more acceptable to have an animal zoo on this land than to have people living and farming on it.
Now that I am settled in my new place, I am starting to research Israeli peace groups and look for work. Already, I have several serious job opportunities teaching English, both here and in Hebron. Several of my neighbors are teachers, so they are able to put in a good word for me. Other than hoping to help with Palestinian education, what I personally am looking to gain from teaching and working is to find a way to live here more long-term (i.e., make enough money to live here independently, and to receive longer visas to remain in the area). Some of my thoughts recently have turned to the "brain drain" that has happened in Palestine--where all the educated people find work outside of Palestine because the opportunities here are so limited. It is so important, I think, for educated Pal's to return here to give back to their communities.
I am continuing to study Arabic, but I'm starting to focus much less of memorizing vocab and more on speaking with people. I've recently discovered how important it is to speak Arabic every day: no matter how many words I memorize on flash cards, that should never take the place of learning through conversation. Specifically, I can memorize a word on a card, but that does not mean that I "know" the word--i.e., that I can use it in a conversation without even thinking about it. To really know a language, one needs to be able to draw on many words without thinking about it, so I am trying to make that transition now--from memorizing words to making them an automatic part of my thought and conversation process.
The "cease-fire" in Gaza continues to unravel, with Israel making incursions into Gaza and bombing it with F-16's, and militants from Gaza shooting back with make-shift, impossible-to-aim rockets. These rockets do nothing to help Palestinians. They are like the rocks that I saw thrown at protests. Just as the rockets from Gaza rarely hit the target and only serve to bring an over-reaction from the Israeli military, so the rocks thrown rarely have a tactical effect. Instead, the Israeli military uses them as an excuse to hurt the entire population--whether it is lambasting an entire protest with tear gas and rubber bullets because a few kids threw rocks, or whether it is imprisoning all of Gaza because of the militants' actions. But, we should not only oppose these actions because they are tactically ineffective; for me, they are also morally wrong because they seek to injure and kill other people.
News from this region you might have missed:
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1035692.html
To underscore the rampant racism in Israeli society, this author points out how big the Obama win is in the US. He tries to tell Israelis, It's like an Arab becoming Prime Minister of Israel. This is not something Israelis can even comprehend, even though Arab Israelis make up 20-30% of the population is Israel (that's over double the percentage of Blacks living in the US!).
http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=33258
Details on today's attacks in/from Gaza.
http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=33239
Yesterday marked 20 years since Palestinians declaration of independence. 20 years on, they still don't have independence.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1225910047157&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1037256.html
Two stories on the saga about Obama's chief of staff's (Rahm Emanuel) father making very racist comments about Emanuel not being an Arab--that he's not going to the White House to clean floors. Notice the J Post article (a conservative media outlet in Israel) records Mr. Emanuel's comments without any quip. However, the next link (above), shows Rahm Emanuel apologizing, as he should, for his father's comments and disavowing them. That's one step for Rahm in the right direction--away from racism.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1035414.html
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1037258.html
Two stories about how Hamas is willing to make peace with Israel if Israel retreats to its 1967 border. Despite all the demonizing of Hamas, these words sound very similar to the terms laid out in the Arab Peace Initiative (something Obama is considering backing--see today's articles in Haaretz.com and next article). Is Israel using its Hamas demonization as an excuse to beat up on Pal's?
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1036103.html
Arab reaction to the peace process, Obama's win, and the possibility of deploying Arab troops in Palestine, should Israel withdraw its forces.
http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=33112
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1035683.html
Two stories highlighting how the Israeli courts and military recently kicked out Pal's from their home in E. Jerusalem, giving it to Israeli settlers. This case was so blatantly unjust that even the US embassy in Tel Aviv (which usually doesn't get involved in such matters) filed a formal complaint with Israel before the Pal's were kicked out.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081111/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_israel_elections
Despite the win of the secular candidate for mayor of Jerusalem this week, settlements are bound to expand in Jerusalem.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1037270.html
The Israeli Defense Minister has recently approved hundreds of units more of settler housing in Palestine, despite his promise not to do so. This reminds me that Israel is also continuing to give settlement outposts (illegal under intl & Israeli law) water and electricity, despite threatening to cut off other gifts--whatever those may be. Giving them water and electricity is still supporting something illegal, and it is crazy to give the settlers these gifts when Pal's don't have those basic necessities. Let the settlers live in Israel.
http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=33263
Settlers today attacked intl's outside of Hebron and killed Pal's animals.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1037791.html
In a rare victory, the Israeli high court gave Israeli settlers in Hebron three days to vacate the Pal house they stole; otherwise, the settlers will be evicted.
http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article9940.shtml
A very interesting story on Israeli plans to build a Museum of "Tolerance" on top of a Muslim cemetery. The article also points out why it is that many Muslim holy places in Israel appear in disrepair.
http://wiredispatch.com/news/?id=447820
US company Lockheed plans to sell Israel newest US fighter jets.
http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=33144
74% of goods imported into Pal come from Israel, underscoring how dependent Pal's are on Israel. Also, Pal's imported last year over $3 billion and exported only $392 million worth of goods.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Election reflection; visa; moving; Gazan, etc.
In this post: US election reflection; More on my visa; a man from Gaza needing clothes; Moving tomorrow; news from the region, etc.
The big news from this last week, of course, is the election of Obama in the US. Everyone here is infatuated with the win too, not just because Obama is the first Black man to be elected, but also because of what his election might mean for US rhetoric and policies in the Middle East.
I watched Obama and McCain's acceptance speeches online, and Obama's words gave me goose bumps and a few tears: themes likes resilience, overcoming the odds, perseverance, etc. resonated with me. And McCain's words, while gracious at points, also seemed to have racist undertones--i.e., he concentrated more on the history made by electing a Black man than the actual policies (Obama never made race a central tenet of his campaign). You can read the comments of a Palestinian about the race factor in this election here (note how Colin Powell was one of the few people who actually stood up and said, "Wait! What does it matter if Obama is Arab, Muslim, etc.?" God help us all if America only trades the racism toward Blacks for racism toward Arabs).
At the same time that I felt a tinge of hope about American politics, I also felt cautious about how far that hope would go. Just because the US elects a Black man does not mean racism is dead in America, toward Blacks or anyone else. Regarding Obama specifically, he always during his campaign defended American militarism in general and Israeli aggression in particular. Speaking lofty, emotionally moving words of hope is one thing; transforming those words into action is an entirely different matter. Today, we see Poland claiming Obama told them he would go through with the US missile plans in Europe, which Bush started (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7717669.stm). And, several days ago, Obama made his first staff pick by naming his chief of staff (seen as the 2nd most powerful position in politics, next to the President): Rahm Israel Emanuel, a long-time essentially blind supporter of Israel. Emanuel's father was actually in an Israeli terrorist unit before the founding of Israel, and Emanuel himself volunteered with the Israeli military. You can read Israeli reaction and analysis of Obama's pick here (and more info here). Furthermore, Obama's other appointments so far are other people old to Washington politics. I'm not giving up on some hope for change, but so far, that "change" does not appear to be the water-shed moment some of us had hope for.
While the election results were rolling in, I was waiting in lines all day, for two days, trying to obtain my six month visa to remain in Israel. I finally received the visa late this last week, but not without my fair share of frustrations and fears. At one point, I had people yelling at me that I would probably not get the visa, that they needed more documentation, etc. The next office moment, I had a calm person looking over my papers and stamping my passport. All of my experiences so far underscore what I've heard from others about Israeli border control: that it's completely random and whether or not you're granted entry, a visa, or whatever depends on the whim of the person you're dealing with. Needless to say, I was emotionally exhausted after all the hassle with the visas this week--both mine and my best friend's. However, now that I have a longer visa--which is difficult and somewhat unusual to get--I don't have to fear being kicked out of the country early anymore or mess with renewing my visa in Jordan or other places (this visa will now last me until I want to return to the States).
A few days ago, a man woke me up pounding on the door. He was from Gaza and wanted to look through some donated clothes that Ibrahim had collected for people in need--especially from Gaza. I wasn't supposed to let him take clothes without Ibrahim being present, but after calling Ibrahim and making some arrangements, the man was able to take some clothes (which weren't that great to begin with). After about 40 min's of collecting clothes and talking, I had a fairly good idea of the man's situation. He has one daughter (5 y.o.) and 7 sons. He has no work in Gaza and came here to have an operation in the hospital (see below for report on Gazan hospital visits). This man was extremely kind and gracious to me, and repeatedly asked me if I wanted him to leave so that I could sleep. There's no way that I would have sent this man away so that I could rest. People in need, whether in Gaza, Israel, the US, or wherever, need our help, irregardless of politics or laws.
Tomorrow, I move into an apartment in Bethlehem, and I'm hoping that I will have more stability and time to devote to peace work, language training, and looking for a paying job in the region.
Anyway, events in this region continue to develop, aside from US politics and my personal visa issues. Palestinian unity talks in Cairo have stalled after the PA (in control of the W Bank) arrested dozens of Hamas supporters. Also, a ray of hope as the 3rd boat of Intl peace activists broke the siege of Gaza and brought in much needed medical supplies, etc. And, Israel seems to be making an invasion into Gaza again (see below for info).
More news stories you might have missed:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081105/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_israel_palestinians
http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=33029
Only time will tell if the Israeli military strikes and invasions of Gaza and the missile strikes from Palestinians in Gaza will break the ceasefire.
http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=33026
Israeli forces invade Aida Camp in Bethlehem.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1034261.html
Human Rights Watch says that Georgia used Israeli cluster bombs in its indiscriminate bombing of South Ossetia.
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/features/avraham-burg-israels-new-prophet-979732.html
A fascinating interview with an Israeli politician turned political analyst and peace-seeker.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1035326.html
Syria and Hamas say they're ready to talk with an Obama administration if the US will agree to some basic principles.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1035088.html
Israeli forces film themselves humiliating and teasing a bound and blind-folded Palestinian.
http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=33086
While requests for visiting hospitals in the West Bank or Israel increased, Israel actually allowed 80% fewer people out of Gaza.
http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=33078
Pal Youth unemployment increases.
The big news from this last week, of course, is the election of Obama in the US. Everyone here is infatuated with the win too, not just because Obama is the first Black man to be elected, but also because of what his election might mean for US rhetoric and policies in the Middle East.
I watched Obama and McCain's acceptance speeches online, and Obama's words gave me goose bumps and a few tears: themes likes resilience, overcoming the odds, perseverance, etc. resonated with me. And McCain's words, while gracious at points, also seemed to have racist undertones--i.e., he concentrated more on the history made by electing a Black man than the actual policies (Obama never made race a central tenet of his campaign). You can read the comments of a Palestinian about the race factor in this election here (note how Colin Powell was one of the few people who actually stood up and said, "Wait! What does it matter if Obama is Arab, Muslim, etc.?" God help us all if America only trades the racism toward Blacks for racism toward Arabs).
At the same time that I felt a tinge of hope about American politics, I also felt cautious about how far that hope would go. Just because the US elects a Black man does not mean racism is dead in America, toward Blacks or anyone else. Regarding Obama specifically, he always during his campaign defended American militarism in general and Israeli aggression in particular. Speaking lofty, emotionally moving words of hope is one thing; transforming those words into action is an entirely different matter. Today, we see Poland claiming Obama told them he would go through with the US missile plans in Europe, which Bush started (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7717669.stm). And, several days ago, Obama made his first staff pick by naming his chief of staff (seen as the 2nd most powerful position in politics, next to the President): Rahm Israel Emanuel, a long-time essentially blind supporter of Israel. Emanuel's father was actually in an Israeli terrorist unit before the founding of Israel, and Emanuel himself volunteered with the Israeli military. You can read Israeli reaction and analysis of Obama's pick here (and more info here). Furthermore, Obama's other appointments so far are other people old to Washington politics. I'm not giving up on some hope for change, but so far, that "change" does not appear to be the water-shed moment some of us had hope for.
While the election results were rolling in, I was waiting in lines all day, for two days, trying to obtain my six month visa to remain in Israel. I finally received the visa late this last week, but not without my fair share of frustrations and fears. At one point, I had people yelling at me that I would probably not get the visa, that they needed more documentation, etc. The next office moment, I had a calm person looking over my papers and stamping my passport. All of my experiences so far underscore what I've heard from others about Israeli border control: that it's completely random and whether or not you're granted entry, a visa, or whatever depends on the whim of the person you're dealing with. Needless to say, I was emotionally exhausted after all the hassle with the visas this week--both mine and my best friend's. However, now that I have a longer visa--which is difficult and somewhat unusual to get--I don't have to fear being kicked out of the country early anymore or mess with renewing my visa in Jordan or other places (this visa will now last me until I want to return to the States).
A few days ago, a man woke me up pounding on the door. He was from Gaza and wanted to look through some donated clothes that Ibrahim had collected for people in need--especially from Gaza. I wasn't supposed to let him take clothes without Ibrahim being present, but after calling Ibrahim and making some arrangements, the man was able to take some clothes (which weren't that great to begin with). After about 40 min's of collecting clothes and talking, I had a fairly good idea of the man's situation. He has one daughter (5 y.o.) and 7 sons. He has no work in Gaza and came here to have an operation in the hospital (see below for report on Gazan hospital visits). This man was extremely kind and gracious to me, and repeatedly asked me if I wanted him to leave so that I could sleep. There's no way that I would have sent this man away so that I could rest. People in need, whether in Gaza, Israel, the US, or wherever, need our help, irregardless of politics or laws.
Tomorrow, I move into an apartment in Bethlehem, and I'm hoping that I will have more stability and time to devote to peace work, language training, and looking for a paying job in the region.
Anyway, events in this region continue to develop, aside from US politics and my personal visa issues. Palestinian unity talks in Cairo have stalled after the PA (in control of the W Bank) arrested dozens of Hamas supporters. Also, a ray of hope as the 3rd boat of Intl peace activists broke the siege of Gaza and brought in much needed medical supplies, etc. And, Israel seems to be making an invasion into Gaza again (see below for info).
More news stories you might have missed:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081105/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_israel_palestinians
http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=33029
Only time will tell if the Israeli military strikes and invasions of Gaza and the missile strikes from Palestinians in Gaza will break the ceasefire.
http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=33026
Israeli forces invade Aida Camp in Bethlehem.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1034261.html
Human Rights Watch says that Georgia used Israeli cluster bombs in its indiscriminate bombing of South Ossetia.
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/features/avraham-burg-israels-new-prophet-979732.html
A fascinating interview with an Israeli politician turned political analyst and peace-seeker.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1035326.html
Syria and Hamas say they're ready to talk with an Obama administration if the US will agree to some basic principles.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1035088.html
Israeli forces film themselves humiliating and teasing a bound and blind-folded Palestinian.
http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=33086
While requests for visiting hospitals in the West Bank or Israel increased, Israel actually allowed 80% fewer people out of Gaza.
http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=33078
Pal Youth unemployment increases.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Visa success; brief election comment
Just a quick note for now to let people know I was successful in obtaining a 6 month visa to stay in Israel! This is a big success for me remaining in the area and will go a long way to giving me some much-needed stability to continue working here.
I hope to move to Bethlehem this weekend and share an apartment with a friend.
I watched the election in the US with much interest, and I only hope that with a new administration, some of the disastrous US policies will be changed. It is probably not highly likely that the US's one-sidedness toward Israel will be changed, however,
I hope to move to Bethlehem this weekend and share an apartment with a friend.
I watched the election in the US with much interest, and I only hope that with a new administration, some of the disastrous US policies will be changed. It is probably not highly likely that the US's one-sidedness toward Israel will be changed, however,
Monday, November 3, 2008
U should Vote; Finding Stability; DR Congo, etc.
In this post: Why everyone should VOTE; extending visa, finding stability; violence in DR Congo; news from the region, etc.
One day before the election in the US, I want to encourage US citizens to VOTE! Voting is one of the simplest, most important ways we can change bad policies. If you see problems in the world, in the nation, with the economy, or whatever, you should take the time to vote. If you think you yourself or the world in general are worse off today than four or eight years ago, you should vote to change things; otherwise, we are only doomed to continue with broken policies and bad governance.
Don't be discouraged by long lines, the time it takes to vote, or the confusion about it. Voting is simple, when it comes down to it, and people who try to complicate it and confuse us are only trying to discourage us from voting. It is extremely important, however, that we take voting seriously, especially if we live in the US. US politics does more to affect people in other countries than most other outside political forces, so by voting, we're not only helping ourselves and our nation, but potentially helping others in different countries too. We need to take the time to research issues and familiarize ourselves with what we're voting for; otherwise, we're doomed to vote in more bad policies and failed leaders.
On more personal subjects, I'm feeling better after having a bad cold. I'm hoping to move to Bethlehem this week, and at the same time, I'm working hard to obtain a 6 month volunteer visa from the gov't of Israel. I have most of the paper work completed now, and it seems fairly certain that I will obtain the visa. Getting 6 more months to stay here, along with finding stable housing, will go a long way in calming my nerves and giving me the stability I need to work more efficiently. So far, I feel like I've spent a lot of time just surviving, whether it's making sure I'm in the country legally, finding housing, finding work, etc. I'm hoping to take care of some of these basic necessities so that I can focus more on the peace and language work I came here to do. However, fighting for these necessities has taught me a little about what Pal's must struggle with every day just to survive. Sometimes, surviving and refusing to leave, bearing testament to the facts on the ground, is one of the best ways we can resist injustice and the forces that tell us just to give up and leave.
Speaking of resisting violence and oppression, I was listening to a BBC report the other day, and I am completely appalled at the continued violence in the DR Congo. Over the last few years, 5 million people have died in this war, and now it is the longest running and most costly conflict since WWII. It is outrageous that this war continues with very little press coverage in developed countries and very little talk of intervention or action there to stop the blood shed. If these events were unfolding in the Middle East, developed countries would certainly act. I wish there was something that we as individuals could do, but I don't know exactly what that would be. The destruction that has been wreaked in this region of Africa makes many conflicts, including the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, pale in comparison. I don't know the exact numbers of how many Pal's are estimated to have died over the decades long conflict--there are probably no hard numbers, and the Pal conflict has raged much longer than most; however, I would wager that a similar, if not larger portion of Africans have died in a much shorter time span than what has happened in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. I suppose that what we as individuals can do right now is become familiar with the complex situation in the DR Congo and start writing to newspapers and politicians and ask them why they're not talking more about this situation.
News you might have missed from this region:
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1032815.html
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1033571.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7705180.stm
All three of these news links talk about the gov't of Israel taking action this week to cut off all gov.'t funding for Israeli outposts. Different from settlements, which are considered illegal by intl law but not by Israel, Israel actually considers the smaller outgrowths of some settlements (outposts) illegal. However, it astounds me that the Israeli gov.'t actually funds something that it considers illegal, according to its own law. The reason for the freeze in funding is that the settlement outposts have recently been attacking Israeli soldiers; it is terribly ironic that the state of Israel takes a little action after its well-equiped troops are attacked but that the gov.'t has refused to take action and close these and all settlements when these same settlers have attacked Palestinian civilians.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1033864.html
Israeli group says only 8% of Pal complaints against Israeli settlers result in indictment.
http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=32888
In 2 days, Israeli demolitions of Pal houses in the W Bank have left 130 people displaced.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1032608.html
I was shocked to see this story, that Israel ranks 82 in the world regarding women in public office--well behind countries like Pakistan and Rwanda (US ranked 62nd in 2005 with 15.2% of its politicians being women).
http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=32901
Israel closed its border again with Gaza, but the info saying a rocket had been fired from Gaza turned out to be false. Why didn't Israel validate its information before closing the border, which affects a million and a half civilians?
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081102/ap_on_bi_ge/ml_jordan_queen_unemployment
Middle East leaders are trying to figure out how to tackle rising unemployment among young people. The region already has the highest unemployment among youth figures in the world!
http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=32989
Jerusalem archaeologist uncovers an "Israeli plan" to blow up Al-Aqsa Mosque (3rd holiest sight in Islam) and build a Jewish temple on top of it.
One day before the election in the US, I want to encourage US citizens to VOTE! Voting is one of the simplest, most important ways we can change bad policies. If you see problems in the world, in the nation, with the economy, or whatever, you should take the time to vote. If you think you yourself or the world in general are worse off today than four or eight years ago, you should vote to change things; otherwise, we are only doomed to continue with broken policies and bad governance.
Don't be discouraged by long lines, the time it takes to vote, or the confusion about it. Voting is simple, when it comes down to it, and people who try to complicate it and confuse us are only trying to discourage us from voting. It is extremely important, however, that we take voting seriously, especially if we live in the US. US politics does more to affect people in other countries than most other outside political forces, so by voting, we're not only helping ourselves and our nation, but potentially helping others in different countries too. We need to take the time to research issues and familiarize ourselves with what we're voting for; otherwise, we're doomed to vote in more bad policies and failed leaders.
On more personal subjects, I'm feeling better after having a bad cold. I'm hoping to move to Bethlehem this week, and at the same time, I'm working hard to obtain a 6 month volunteer visa from the gov't of Israel. I have most of the paper work completed now, and it seems fairly certain that I will obtain the visa. Getting 6 more months to stay here, along with finding stable housing, will go a long way in calming my nerves and giving me the stability I need to work more efficiently. So far, I feel like I've spent a lot of time just surviving, whether it's making sure I'm in the country legally, finding housing, finding work, etc. I'm hoping to take care of some of these basic necessities so that I can focus more on the peace and language work I came here to do. However, fighting for these necessities has taught me a little about what Pal's must struggle with every day just to survive. Sometimes, surviving and refusing to leave, bearing testament to the facts on the ground, is one of the best ways we can resist injustice and the forces that tell us just to give up and leave.
Speaking of resisting violence and oppression, I was listening to a BBC report the other day, and I am completely appalled at the continued violence in the DR Congo. Over the last few years, 5 million people have died in this war, and now it is the longest running and most costly conflict since WWII. It is outrageous that this war continues with very little press coverage in developed countries and very little talk of intervention or action there to stop the blood shed. If these events were unfolding in the Middle East, developed countries would certainly act. I wish there was something that we as individuals could do, but I don't know exactly what that would be. The destruction that has been wreaked in this region of Africa makes many conflicts, including the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, pale in comparison. I don't know the exact numbers of how many Pal's are estimated to have died over the decades long conflict--there are probably no hard numbers, and the Pal conflict has raged much longer than most; however, I would wager that a similar, if not larger portion of Africans have died in a much shorter time span than what has happened in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. I suppose that what we as individuals can do right now is become familiar with the complex situation in the DR Congo and start writing to newspapers and politicians and ask them why they're not talking more about this situation.
News you might have missed from this region:
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1032815.html
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1033571.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7705180.stm
All three of these news links talk about the gov't of Israel taking action this week to cut off all gov.'t funding for Israeli outposts. Different from settlements, which are considered illegal by intl law but not by Israel, Israel actually considers the smaller outgrowths of some settlements (outposts) illegal. However, it astounds me that the Israeli gov.'t actually funds something that it considers illegal, according to its own law. The reason for the freeze in funding is that the settlement outposts have recently been attacking Israeli soldiers; it is terribly ironic that the state of Israel takes a little action after its well-equiped troops are attacked but that the gov.'t has refused to take action and close these and all settlements when these same settlers have attacked Palestinian civilians.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1033864.html
Israeli group says only 8% of Pal complaints against Israeli settlers result in indictment.
http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=32888
In 2 days, Israeli demolitions of Pal houses in the W Bank have left 130 people displaced.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1032608.html
I was shocked to see this story, that Israel ranks 82 in the world regarding women in public office--well behind countries like Pakistan and Rwanda (US ranked 62nd in 2005 with 15.2% of its politicians being women).
http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=32901
Israel closed its border again with Gaza, but the info saying a rocket had been fired from Gaza turned out to be false. Why didn't Israel validate its information before closing the border, which affects a million and a half civilians?
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081102/ap_on_bi_ge/ml_jordan_queen_unemployment
Middle East leaders are trying to figure out how to tackle rising unemployment among young people. The region already has the highest unemployment among youth figures in the world!
http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=32989
Jerusalem archaeologist uncovers an "Israeli plan" to blow up Al-Aqsa Mosque (3rd holiest sight in Islam) and build a Jewish temple on top of it.