Israel's plans to extend the illegally annexed area of Har Homa in East Jerusalem by another 307 homes to connect it to Gilo, another illegal Jewish suburb of Bethlehem, make the Annapolis meeting seem like a bad joke. Israel sets its own agenda as it has always done, with invariable use of the US veto at the UN and disregard for international law, as exemplified by the comment made by Ehud Olmert's spokesman Mark Regev: "Israel will abide by all its obligations under the road map. Its obligations apply to the West Bank, Jerusalem is different. Jerusalem is our capital. It is Israeli sovereign territory."
In fact, under the original UN general assembly resolution 181, which partitioned Palestine, the Greater Jerusalem area, including Bethlehem, was to come under international control as a corpus seperatum. Since 1967 metropolitan Jerusalem consists of unilaterally annexed areas, which have not been recognised as legal, by any country, including the US. Most foreign embassies are in Tel Aviv, the de facto capital of Israel. The surrounding suburbs of East Jerusalem are not only annexed, but are on mainly Palestinian owned and sequestrated land, which constitutes land theft. But international law, the Geneva conventions and UN resolutions 242, 446, 452 and 465 to name a few, all emphasise the "inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by war", for Israel to cease the establishment, construction and planning of settlements in the Arab territories occupied since 1967, including Jerusalem, and call on Israel to dismantle these settlements.
cont
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Palestine: Moving beyond collective denial
In the past few days, a lot has been said about the Annapolis gathering of diplomats. Too often I heard the terms "terror" and "terrorism" in the remarks made by the US President W. George Bush when referring to Palestinians and too infrequently I heard the terms "occupation" and "oppression" in reference to Israel. What diplomats have to deal with is how to induce Israelis and Palestinians to peacefully coexist after years of conflict. If there is one thing that has been missing during the past decades of negotiations and "the peace process" is the establishment of truth. Why is this crucial aspect of peacebuilding not included in any remark, speech or joint understanding? While the establishment of truth has been a significant part of the peace proces of virtually every international or communal conflict that has come to an end since the early 1990s, reckoning with the past so Israelis and Palestinians may look to a peaceful shared future has been completely absent.
cont
cont
Headlines for December 04, 2007
U.S. Intelligence Says Iran Has Ended Nuke Program
A new consensus assessment from all sixteen U.S. intelligence agencies has concluded Iran shut down its nuclear weapons program more than four years ago. The National Intelligence Estimate starkly contradicts the Bush administration’s claims Iran is actively pursuing a nuclear bomb. National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley announced the findings in Washington.
National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley: “The IC (Intelligence community) has high confidence, high confidence, that Iran had a covert nuclear weapons program that it has never acknowledged and continues to deny. The intelligence community has high confidence that Iran halted its covert nuclear weapons program in the fall of 2003 and they have moderate confidence that it had not restarted that program as of mid-2007."
The assessment goes on to conclude spy agencies do not know whether Iran intends to develop nuclear weapons. It effectively rejects a National Intelligence Estimate two years ago that claimed Iran was pursuing a nuclear bomb through a secret program. The estimate also stands in stark contrast to recent language from President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney. In October, Bush warned of a “World War III” if Iran continued with alleged nuclear activities. According to the Washington Post, the Bush administration has maintained its threatening rhetoric despite hearing of the intelligence community’s skepticism as early as July. Despite the findings, Hadley and other administration officials say they remain concerned Iran will attempt to develop a bomb.
Ahmadinejad Calls for Gulf Pact
Hours before the new intelligence report was released, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad spoke at a summit of Gulf Arab states where he proposed a regional security pact.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad: “We propose the establishment of economic and security pacts and institutions among the seven states here. The pacts should serve the people of our region more than ever before.’’
WFP: Iraqi Refugees in Syria Facing Food ShortageThe World Food Program is warning hundreds of thousands of Iraqi refugees are at risk of going hungry this winter in Syria. A recent survey found one-third of respondents skip a meal a day to feed their children. Syria is currently host to around 1.5 million Iraqi refugees. A new estimate from the Iraqi Red Crescent says just 25,000 thousand have returned. The Iraqi government recently claimed the number coming back was double that amount. Meanwhile, Iraq’s internally displaced population continues to grow. On Monday, Iraqi Red Crescent workers began resettling more than 100 families displaced following U.S. raids on the southeast town of Adwaniya.
Iraqi Resident: “The Americans have arrested them. They have been arrested as the Americans get information about them from our close neighbours and relatives. They have arrested 32 men from one neighbourhood. What did those children do? My daughter asked me about her friends from our neighbourhood. I’m sick and my children are sick too but we cannot go to the doctor. I do not know what to say!"
There are an estimated 2.4 million internally displaced people inside Iraq.
1 Dead in U.S. Shooting of Iraqi Civilians
Meanwhile, reports continue to emerge of U.S. attacks on Iraqi civilians. Earlier today the Pentagon said U.S. soldiers mistakenly shot five civilians traveling in a car in the town of Tarmiya north of Baghdad. One passenger died while being taken to the hospital. Five Iraqi civilians, including a child, were killed in similar U.S. shootings last week.
Poll: Afghan Support for U.S. Declines
In Afghanistan, a poll shows Afghan approval of U.S. forces has reached a new low. According to ABC News, forty-two percent of Afghans rate U.S. forces positively—down from fifty-seven percent last year and sixty-eight percent in 2005. A record number of civilian casualties from NATO attacks was cited as the primary reason for the declining support.
Israel Releases Nearly 500 Palestinian Prisoners
In Israel and the Occupied Territories, nearly five hundred Palestinians were released Monday from Israeli jails. The imprisoned Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti called the move “a joke.” Barghouti says most of the prisoners were already nearing the end of their sentences in the coming months. Between eight to ten thousand Palestinians remain imprisoned by Israel.
A new consensus assessment from all sixteen U.S. intelligence agencies has concluded Iran shut down its nuclear weapons program more than four years ago. The National Intelligence Estimate starkly contradicts the Bush administration’s claims Iran is actively pursuing a nuclear bomb. National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley announced the findings in Washington.
National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley: “The IC (Intelligence community) has high confidence, high confidence, that Iran had a covert nuclear weapons program that it has never acknowledged and continues to deny. The intelligence community has high confidence that Iran halted its covert nuclear weapons program in the fall of 2003 and they have moderate confidence that it had not restarted that program as of mid-2007."
The assessment goes on to conclude spy agencies do not know whether Iran intends to develop nuclear weapons. It effectively rejects a National Intelligence Estimate two years ago that claimed Iran was pursuing a nuclear bomb through a secret program. The estimate also stands in stark contrast to recent language from President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney. In October, Bush warned of a “World War III” if Iran continued with alleged nuclear activities. According to the Washington Post, the Bush administration has maintained its threatening rhetoric despite hearing of the intelligence community’s skepticism as early as July. Despite the findings, Hadley and other administration officials say they remain concerned Iran will attempt to develop a bomb.
Ahmadinejad Calls for Gulf Pact
Hours before the new intelligence report was released, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad spoke at a summit of Gulf Arab states where he proposed a regional security pact.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad: “We propose the establishment of economic and security pacts and institutions among the seven states here. The pacts should serve the people of our region more than ever before.’’
WFP: Iraqi Refugees in Syria Facing Food ShortageThe World Food Program is warning hundreds of thousands of Iraqi refugees are at risk of going hungry this winter in Syria. A recent survey found one-third of respondents skip a meal a day to feed their children. Syria is currently host to around 1.5 million Iraqi refugees. A new estimate from the Iraqi Red Crescent says just 25,000 thousand have returned. The Iraqi government recently claimed the number coming back was double that amount. Meanwhile, Iraq’s internally displaced population continues to grow. On Monday, Iraqi Red Crescent workers began resettling more than 100 families displaced following U.S. raids on the southeast town of Adwaniya.
Iraqi Resident: “The Americans have arrested them. They have been arrested as the Americans get information about them from our close neighbours and relatives. They have arrested 32 men from one neighbourhood. What did those children do? My daughter asked me about her friends from our neighbourhood. I’m sick and my children are sick too but we cannot go to the doctor. I do not know what to say!"
There are an estimated 2.4 million internally displaced people inside Iraq.
1 Dead in U.S. Shooting of Iraqi Civilians
Meanwhile, reports continue to emerge of U.S. attacks on Iraqi civilians. Earlier today the Pentagon said U.S. soldiers mistakenly shot five civilians traveling in a car in the town of Tarmiya north of Baghdad. One passenger died while being taken to the hospital. Five Iraqi civilians, including a child, were killed in similar U.S. shootings last week.
Poll: Afghan Support for U.S. Declines
In Afghanistan, a poll shows Afghan approval of U.S. forces has reached a new low. According to ABC News, forty-two percent of Afghans rate U.S. forces positively—down from fifty-seven percent last year and sixty-eight percent in 2005. A record number of civilian casualties from NATO attacks was cited as the primary reason for the declining support.
Israel Releases Nearly 500 Palestinian Prisoners
In Israel and the Occupied Territories, nearly five hundred Palestinians were released Monday from Israeli jails. The imprisoned Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti called the move “a joke.” Barghouti says most of the prisoners were already nearing the end of their sentences in the coming months. Between eight to ten thousand Palestinians remain imprisoned by Israel.
Gaza's child labour on the rise
Israel 'lax on demolition orders'
Israel has carried out only 3% of its own demolition orders in Jewish settlements in the West Bank, Israeli anti-settlement campaigners say.
In the past 10 years, nearly 3,500 demolition orders were issued but just over 100 were observed, the Peace Now group says, citing government figures.
cont
In the past 10 years, nearly 3,500 demolition orders were issued but just over 100 were observed, the Peace Now group says, citing government figures.
cont
How Much Credit Goes to the Surge?
In recent months, US casualties and Iraqi deaths have dropped markedly. Americans and Iraqis welcome the news but are perplexed by it as well. This is especially so in the US Congress, where confusion and indecision have deepened, and opposition to the war is even more tepid and incoherent than a year ago. The administration and the military have cautiously claimed progress; sympathetic figures in Congress and the media have incautiously trumpeted it. They advance a readily understood explanation with an intuitive plausibility that a war-weary public is willing to accept. But momentous shifts rarely have simple causes. cont
Prostitution ordeal of Iraqi girls
With their bright neon signs and glitzy decor, dozens of nightclubs line the streets of the Maraba district in the Syrian capital Damascus.
It's here that men come from far and wide - car number plates are not just from Syria but Iraq and Saudi Arabia - to watch young women dancing.
Most of the dancers are teenagers and many of them are Iraqi refugees.
They dance for the cash which gets tossed onto the stage.
The dancers are surrounded by bodyguards, to stop them being touched by the men. But the guards also arrange for their charges to be paid for sex with members of the audience.
cont
It's here that men come from far and wide - car number plates are not just from Syria but Iraq and Saudi Arabia - to watch young women dancing.
Most of the dancers are teenagers and many of them are Iraqi refugees.
They dance for the cash which gets tossed onto the stage.
The dancers are surrounded by bodyguards, to stop them being touched by the men. But the guards also arrange for their charges to be paid for sex with members of the audience.
cont
United Nations Office for the Protection of Civilians Weekly Report, 21-27 November 2007
Of note this week
Gaza Strip:
· The IDF killed eight Palestinians and injured 20 others in the Gaza Strip. Of those injured, 12 were in the North Gaza governorate.
· A mother of seven children from Nuseirat refugee camp died on 24 November due to deterioration in her health condition after she was denied access through Erez to receive medical treatment in an Israeli hospital.
· 31 Qassams and 61 mortars were fired toward Israel. In addition, 11 mortars were fired at IDF soldiers inside the Gaza Strip.
· During the reporting period, the IDF carried out levelling and excavation operations near Erez crossing and the former Erez Inudstrial Zone. As of 27 November, the IDF military operation is ongoing and roads near Erez crossing remain inaccessible.
· Although the GoI announced that Sufa crossing will be re-opened on 25 November, the crossing continues to be closed. This week, however, shipments of lamb were exceptionally allowed entry through Sufa into Gaza on 22 November.
· Nine demonstrations were organised this week: four of which were to protest against the closure of the Gaza crossings; one to protest against the non-issuance of Palestinian ID cards by the Israeli authorities; one to demand that the right of return of Palestinian refugees be respected by negotiators at the Annapolis conference; and three to express opposition for the Annapolis conference.
West Bank:
· The IDF killed one Palestinian (Tulkarm) and injured 25 others in the West Bank. The IDF also physically assaulted and injured two internationals in ‘Azzun village when they tried to intervene to protect some children who were chased by the IDF in a search and arrest operation. The children had thrown stones at the IDF (Qalqiliya).
· Three Palestinians were injured by Israeli settlers who attacked their vehicle on Road 60 in the Nablus governorate. In addition, two Israeli female settlers were injured in Al Funduq village during confrontations with Palestinians after settlers attacked Palestinian houses and vehicles and vandalised Palestinian property.
· The IDF issued demolition orders against four water cisterns, 14 houses, and one mosque (Bethlehem and Hebron).
· 92 flying checkpoints, 104 search and arrest operations, and 90 arrests were reported.
For more information please contact Khulood Badawi 054 44 84 632 badawi@un.org
United Nations Office for the
Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
Mac House
P.O.Box 38712
Jerusalem
Tel:++ 972-2-5829962/5853
Fax:++972-2-5825841
email:ochaopt@un.org
Gaza Strip:
· The IDF killed eight Palestinians and injured 20 others in the Gaza Strip. Of those injured, 12 were in the North Gaza governorate.
· A mother of seven children from Nuseirat refugee camp died on 24 November due to deterioration in her health condition after she was denied access through Erez to receive medical treatment in an Israeli hospital.
· 31 Qassams and 61 mortars were fired toward Israel. In addition, 11 mortars were fired at IDF soldiers inside the Gaza Strip.
· During the reporting period, the IDF carried out levelling and excavation operations near Erez crossing and the former Erez Inudstrial Zone. As of 27 November, the IDF military operation is ongoing and roads near Erez crossing remain inaccessible.
· Although the GoI announced that Sufa crossing will be re-opened on 25 November, the crossing continues to be closed. This week, however, shipments of lamb were exceptionally allowed entry through Sufa into Gaza on 22 November.
· Nine demonstrations were organised this week: four of which were to protest against the closure of the Gaza crossings; one to protest against the non-issuance of Palestinian ID cards by the Israeli authorities; one to demand that the right of return of Palestinian refugees be respected by negotiators at the Annapolis conference; and three to express opposition for the Annapolis conference.
West Bank:
· The IDF killed one Palestinian (Tulkarm) and injured 25 others in the West Bank. The IDF also physically assaulted and injured two internationals in ‘Azzun village when they tried to intervene to protect some children who were chased by the IDF in a search and arrest operation. The children had thrown stones at the IDF (Qalqiliya).
· Three Palestinians were injured by Israeli settlers who attacked their vehicle on Road 60 in the Nablus governorate. In addition, two Israeli female settlers were injured in Al Funduq village during confrontations with Palestinians after settlers attacked Palestinian houses and vehicles and vandalised Palestinian property.
· The IDF issued demolition orders against four water cisterns, 14 houses, and one mosque (Bethlehem and Hebron).
· 92 flying checkpoints, 104 search and arrest operations, and 90 arrests were reported.
For more information please contact Khulood Badawi 054 44 84 632 badawi@un.org
United Nations Office for the
Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
Mac House
P.O.Box 38712
Jerusalem
Tel:++ 972-2-5829962/5853
Fax:++972-2-5825841
email:ochaopt@un.org
Red Cross training Gaza fighters in international humanitarian law
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Gaza has recently begun training Palestinian resistance fighters to respect international humanitarian law.
For the past several years various Palestinian resistance factions in Gaza have fired crude homemade rockets at nearby Israeli towns, killing about a dozen Israeli civilians and recently injuring 69 soldiers in one such attack. The rockets usually land in open spaces but cause panic amongst Israeli civilians.
cont
For the past several years various Palestinian resistance factions in Gaza have fired crude homemade rockets at nearby Israeli towns, killing about a dozen Israeli civilians and recently injuring 69 soldiers in one such attack. The rockets usually land in open spaces but cause panic amongst Israeli civilians.
cont
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