Al-Quds Brigades denies Egyptian claims

Al-Quds Brigades denies Egyptian claims 0:57 | 20\06\1392 The brigades categorically denied the claims about the impounding of weapons belonging to it in the Sinai

Al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of Islamic Jihad, categorically denied the claims made by some Egyptian websites about the impounding of weapons belonging to it in the Sinai, stressing that Palestine is the only arena for its activities. "Our only and main activity arena is the whole Palestinian land an our resistance is directed against the Zionist enemy, the central enemy of the nation, so it is not in our interest at all to interfere in the affairs of the Arab countries, especially Egypt," a senior official from the Brigades stated. The official affirmed that the things that were claimed to be found out with the Al-Quds Brigades emblem on them are fabricated and the Brigades have nothing to do with them. "It has never happened that we were a party to any internal conflict of any country in the region and our position in this regard is known, declared, and irrevocable," he underlined. This came in response to what had been published earlier by Sada Al-Balad website affiliated with the Egyptian army about the confiscation of Palestinian weapons. The website claimed that weapons and military equipment belonging to Palestinian resistance movements, including Al-Quds Brigades, were found by the Egyptian army during a recent operation in the Sinai.

Renowned authors back Palestinian villagers

Renowned authors back Palestinian villagers 1:15 | 20\06\1392 44 internationally-acclaimed writers have signed a petition supporting the campaign of Palestinian villagers

Daily Telegraph: Ian McEwan, John le Carré and Julian Barnes are among British authors backing impoverished Palestinian villagers against Israeli army attempts to evict them to make way for a shooting range. They are among a coalition of 44 internationally-acclaimed writers to have signed a petition supporting the campaign of around 1,300 inhabitants of eight West Bank hamlets to remain in their homes. The villagers - many of whom live in caves – were to confront Israel's armed forces in the Israeli supreme court in 'Jerusalem' (occupied al-Quds) on Monday. They are seeking to defeat the plan to demolish the primitive villages in the South 'Hebron' (al-Khalil) Hills, where their families have lived since the 19th century. The 44 writers - who also include five Nobel Prize winners, among them the Turkish novelist, Orhan Pamuk, as well as Philip Roth, Yann Martell and Roddy Doyle - condemn the army's plan as "a shameful policy that must end". Linda Grant, Nicholas Blincoe and Neil Gaiman are the other British writers to have signed the petition. The authors' declaration voices supports for an earlier petition signed by 25 leading Israeli writers that demanded an end to the villagers' "unceasing harassment" by the army and Jewish settlers.

افشای اسناد سیا از زرادخانه سلاحهای شیمیایی اسرائیل

افشای اسناد سیا از زرادخانه سلاحهای شیمیایی اسرائیل 10:00 | 20\06\1392 مجله آمریکایی فارین پالیسی اسناد جمع آوری شده از سوی سازمان اطلاعات مرکزی آمریکا (سیا) درباره زرادخانه سلاحهای شیمایی و بیولوژیکی اسراییل را فاش کرد

بگزارش خبرگزاری قدس (قدسنا) نشریه آمریکایی " فارین پالسی" روز دوشنبه گذشته اسناد جمع آوری شده سازمان سیا را فاش کرد که براساس آن آمریکا شواهد و مدارکی دراختیار دارد که نشان می دهد رژیم صهیونیستی در دهه 1980 زرادخانه هسته ای در اختایر داشته و مرکز تولید گاز اعصاب و انباری برای ذخیره این گازها دارد. افشای این اسناد در زمانی صورت گرفته است که در حال حاضر دولت بشار اسد متهم به استفاده از سلاحهای شیمیایی است و این در حالی است که دولت سوریه این اتهامات را رد می کند و هیچ شواهد و مدارکی علیه این دولت برای استفاده از سلاحهای شیمایی وجود ندارد. دولت آمریکا به بهانه این ادعا در تدارک جنگ به کشور سوریه است. بر اساس اسناد سیا که مربوط به سال 1983 است، رژیم صهیونیستی علاوه بر اینکه 300 سلاح هسته ای در دهه 60 و 70 میلادی ساخته است، همچنین مخفیانه اقدام به توسعه و گسترش زرادخانه سلاحهای شیمایی و بیولوژیکی نمود. طبق گزارش این نشریه، مراکز تولید تسلیحات شیمیایی و بیولوژیکی پیشرفته رژیم صهیونیستی که توسط ماهواره های جاسوسی آمریکا تصویربرداری شده بودند، در منطقه دیمونا در استان جنوبی و در صحرای نقب واقع در سرزمینهای اشغالی قرار دارد. براساس گزارش فارین پالیسی، "آونر کوهن" مورخ اسراییلی در کتاب سال 1988 خود با عنوان "اسراییل و بمب" نوشته که دیوید بن گورین نخست وزیر رژیم صهیونیستی بطور محرمانه در زمان جنگ سال 1956 بین مصر و اسراییل دستور ساخت زرادخانه سلاحهای هسته ای را داده بود. سازمان سیا نیز معتقد است که اسراییل کار ساخت سلاحهای شیمایی را تا اواخر دهه 1960 یا اوایل 1970 شروع نکرده بود. فعالیتهای هسته ای رژیم صهیونیستی برغم تولید صدها کلاهک هسته‌ای هرگز مورد بازرسی آژانس بین‌المللی انرژی اتمی قرار نگرفته است. افشای اسناد سیا درحالی است که به گفته "فرانسیس پرین"، رئیس آژانس اتمی فرانسه در دهه 1950 و 1960، فرانسه به اسرائیل در توسعه سلاح های هسته ای آنهم برخلاف خواسته های ایالت متحده كمك مي كرد. پروژه ساخت بمب اسرائیل در واقع "با هدف استفاده از آن علیه آمریکایی ها(منافع آنها)" صورت مي پذيرفت نه به اين معني که اسرائیل می خواست از آن برای حمله به ایالت متحده(در آن زمان) استفاده كند، بلکه با هدف دارا بودن تنها زرادخانه هسته ای در خاور میانه–به قدرتي دست يابد كه ایالت متحده آمریکا ديگر در برابر اسرائيل نياستد حتي اگر سياست هاي اسرائيل برخلاف منافع آمريكا باشد به همین دلیل،اسرائیل مصمم به جلوگیری از شكل گيري هر گونه رقیب، در دستیابی به تسلیحات هسته ای در منطقه است تا بدين طريق انحصار آن را در اختيار داشته و بتواند در منطقه به زورگويي سياسي خود و جلب همراهي اجباري آمريكا ادامه دهد.

Israel lone enemy of Jordan

Israel lone enemy of Jordan 12:22 | 18\06\1392 A Jordanian delegation in Tehran for a public diplomacy visit says Jordan’s lone enemy is Israel.

A Jordanian delegation in Tehran for a public diplomacy visit says Jordan’s lone enemy is Israel. The delegation made the remarks in a statement issued on Monday. The delegation is visiting Tehran upon the official invitation of Iran-based Society in Defense of the Palestinian Nation (SDPN). The statement touched on the Syrian crisis and said it would soon spread to other regional countries, Jordan in particular. “Any Jordanian national who has followed the political positions of his government has realized that Jordan’s diplomacy has degraded to joining the war camp against Syria,” the statement said, adding that any war on Syria would be an immediate threat for Jordan. The statement said Jordan has no enmity with the Arab or Islamic community, adding that Jordan only considers Israel as enemy. The statement lambasted certain Jordanian officials for openly holding meetings with Israeli authorities while Israel still threatens security of Jordan. The delegation said it has visited Iran to open a public diplomacy channel for securing the real interests of Jordan and helping foil the Israeli conspiracies against Jordan and Palestine. The delegation has already visited Lebanon. The statement has been signed by Jordan’s retired brigadier general, Sami al-Majali. The delegation is made up of several retired Jordanian officers, parliamentary members, intellectuals and representatives of popular unions.

UN calls for opening Rafah crossing

UN calls for opening Rafah crossing

19:07 | 16\06\1392

 

UN called on Saturday for opening all crossings before people and goods' movement to and from the Gaza Strip.

The United Nations (UN) has called in a statement issued on Saturday  for opening all crossings before people and goods' movement  to and from the Gaza Strip. U.N. Secretary-General's deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq stated that the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) expressed deep concern over the recent restrictions and security measures imposed on Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the besieged Gaza Strip. Due to the recent restrictions, thousands of Palestinians including patients and students have been stranded on both sides of the border, the statement said, pointing to shortages in fuel, medicines, and building materials.

Israel has demolished over 400 Palestinian homes

Israel has demolished over 400 Palestinian homes 14:08 | 13\06\1392 At least 800 Palestinians have been displaced since the beginning of the year due to the demolishing campaign

Israel has demolished more than 400 Palestinian homes in the occupied al-Quds ('Jerusalem') and the Jordan Valley since the beginning of the new year, al-Realeh Net reported. The Israeli demolishing campaign has displaced at least 800 Palestinians during the period, it added.

'Peace' talks so far futile: PA

'Peace' talks so far futile: PA 5:42 | 14\06\1392 Israeli talks with Palestinian Authority have so far proved futile, a senior PA official said on Wednesday

Israeli talks with Palestinian Authority have so far proved futile, a senior PA official said on Wednesday, calling for greater US participation in talks. "Until now there has been no progress," the Palestine Liberation Organisation's Yasser Abed Rabbo told Voice of Palestine radio, after several weeks of meetings between Israeli and PA negotiators. "Despite our decision to take part in talks, we're now seeing what we expected -- that there is little hope for their progress, in fact that hope is non-existent and negotiations are futile," he said. Abed Rabbo's comments echoed those of another senior official who said on Monday that after several rounds of US-brokered talks there had been "no breakthrough." "Saving this political process not only (requires) promises of more US meetings with the sides, but also a clear US stance and pressure on Israel," Abed Rabbo warned. PA officials have complained about the lack of direct American involvement in the talks, which began last month. But ahead of the first bilateral meetings on August 14, Israel announced plans to build more than 2,000 Jewish settler homes on Palestinian territory, in a move that angered PA negotiators. The last direct negotiations broke down in September 2010 weeks after they had started over the settlements issue. "Israel hasn't committed to halting settlement building. We've seen the continuation of settlement building, which is destroying any chance for this political process," Abed Rabbo said. "Either this occupation and all settlement building ceases, or the process is doomed to failure and collapse." "The number and dates of talks are not important. I'm not following exactly when the meetings have taken place, and this is not what we're interested in," Abed Rabbo said. "The fundamental issue is that until now there are no indications these talks have achieved any progress whatsoever."

Dutch engineering giant cancels Israel project

Dutch engineering giant cancels Israel project

15:16 | 16\06\1392

Royal HaskoningDHV announced it has decided to withdraw from a project it planned with occupied al-Quds

Dutch infrastructure giant Royal HaskoningDHV announced Friday that it has decided to withdraw from a project it planned with the 'Jerusalem' (occupied al-Quds) municipality because it will be built over occupied Palestinian lands. Two weeks ago, the Israeli daily Haaretz reported that the Dutch government has asked the company, Holland's largest engineering company to rethink its participation the sewage treatment plant because the project was based on the PA-controlled side of the 1967 border, and that this would violate international law. In a statement issued Friday, the Dutch company said that it had "advised the client it has decided to terminate the contract for the Kidron wastewater treatment plant project." "The project is in the early stages of the preliminary design phase. Royal HaskoningDHV carries out its work with the highest regard for integrity and in compliance with international laws and regulations," it stated. "In the course of the project, and after due consultation with various stakeholders, the company came to understand that future involvement in the project could be in violation of international law. This has led to the decision of Royal HaskoningDHV to terminate its involvement in the project." The Dutch government warned Royal HaskoningDHV about the possible consequences of carrying out projects for Israeli companies in the area. Dutch Foreign Ministry officials told Royal HaskoningDHV that such a project would violate international law, leading the company to consider pulling out of the project to avoid financial, legal and image problems. In the project, a sewage treatment plant would be built to battle the pollution in the Kidron stream, which runs from the Mount of Olives and the village of Silwan in the occupied al-Quds toward the Jewish settlement of Ma’aleh Adumim and the Dead Sea.

Groups urge Norway to reinstate ban on Israeli Co

Groups urge Norway to reinstate ban on Israeli Co 15:23 | 16\06\1392 Three Palestinian and one US-based organizations have urged Norway to reinstate investment prohibition Government Pension Fund Global

Three Palestinian and one US-based civil society organization have urged Norway’s Ministry of Finance to reinstate a prohibition on investment by Norway’s Government Pension Fund Global in two Israeli companies – Africa Israel and its subsidiary Danya Cebus – due to their ongoing construction of illegal units in Jewish settlements, a press statement by the groups said Thursday. The call was made in a letter signed by representatives from the Palestinian Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions National Committee (BNC), Adalah-NY: The New York Campaign for the Boycott of Israel, The Civic Coalition for Palestinian Rights in Jerusalem, and The Palestinian Anti-Apartheid Wall Campaign, and emailed to Norway’s Council on Ethics on Wednesday. The organizations believe that Norway’s August 2013 decision to lift the ban was based on misleading information provided by Africa Israel, denying current settlement construction. “We are writing to express our concern that Norway’s Ministry of Finance has lifted its 2010 ban on investing funds from Norway’s Global Pension Fund in the Israeli company Africa Israel and its construction subsidiary Danya Cebus,” said the letter. “The lifting of the ban was based on April 2013 statements by Lev Leviev’s company Africa Israel falsely suggesting that the company was not involved in the construction of illegal Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territory. However, as the Israeli civil society Coalition of Women for Peace’s Who Profits project yet again documented with photos, video and a pamphlet immediately after learning of Norway’s decision, Africa Israel and Danya Cebus are currently building homes in the illegal Israeli settlement of Gilo. They have been doing so for more than two years,” it added. Additionally, another Leviev-owned company, Leader Management and Development, continues to develop the Israeli settlement of Zufim on the land of the Palestinian village of Jayyous in the West Bank, and Leviev has donated to settlement organizations. The groups called on Norway’s Ministry of Finance “to swiftly re-impose the prohibition on investment in Africa Israel and Danya Cebus". They said the Norwegian Council on Ethics has failed to consult with Palestinian civil society organizations before making its decision

All the continents joining GMJ All the continents joining GMJ

I MISS YOU video clip

Official promotion of GMJ

World Civilian Coalition Gathers for Global March to Jerusalem

World Civilian Coalition Gathers for Global March to Jerusalem

Published on January 11th, 2012 by gm2j.admin in Global March Updates

Beirut- The International Executive Committee (IEC) of the Global March to Jerusalem (GMJ) announces the completion of the preparations for the second International Conference where the representatives of the International committees involved in the organization of the Global March to Jerusalem will meet. The conference will be held in Beirut, the capital of Lebanon on Tuesday and Wednesday 17th-18th January 2012.

Global March to Jerusalem supported by Association of free cyber activists Friday 21 October 2011 0:08

The Global March to Jerusalem (GMJ) planed for March next year got boost today when newly formed “International Association of free cyber activists” declared full support for the march. The group vowed to mobilize its members and their networks to make the march a successful one.

The association was formed at the end of a summit held on the side of International Digital Media Fair, Tehran 9^th to 15^th Oct 2011. More than 50 cyber activists from Italy, France, Australia, Chili, Cuba, India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Norway, Turkey, Palestine, Lebanon, UAE, Bosnia and UK participated in the work of the summit. The summit, which was organized by international union of unified ummah, was concluded with a decision to form the association to coordinate activities of free cyber activists around the world in resisting oppression, marginalization and socio-economic injustices.

“The association members declared their full support for the Global

March to Jerusalem (GMJ)” Said Jamal Daoud, the interim Secretary of the association. “The founding members expressed their deep concerns about the situation in the holy city and the Israeli authorities actions’ to change its demography”.

The association members discussed in the last day of the summit ways to raise awareness about the situation in the occupied Palestine and ways to support the Palestinians in their struggle for freedom and independence. They also discussed ways to actively participate in the GMJ.

“The members discussed the best practical ways to actively participate in the march. These could include mobilizing cyber networks, produce films and clips about the issue and post them on internet and organizing forums and exhibitions to encourage people to participate”.

The march is already attracting the support of many organizations and activists’ groups. While expecting many obstacles in achieving the goals, the groups are highly enthusiastic to expose the brutal nature of Israeli occupation of Palestine and the international community’s hypocrisy on this issue.

The group members noted that the Israeli occupation and brutality were going on for more than 63 years without any meaningful measures to end them.The members believe that it is the time that international activists and freedom-loving people unite to condemn Israeli atrocities and demand these atrocities end.

The founding committee is due to meet in two months time to finalize detailed documents and steps to achieve declared objectives.

Thank you, Hamas

For many decades, Israel instilled in our minds the idea that Palestinian freedom fighters are "hopeless cases" that would only leave jail on their way to their graves!!

This deal is proving that for Palestinian political and resistance prisoners, spending one's life and dying in an Israeli jail is not and doesn't have to be an ineluctable fate.

Mishaal: The deal stipulates release of 1027 Palestinian captives

Mishaal: The deal stipulates release of 1027 Palestinian captives

[ 11/10/2011 - 09:36 PM ]

DAMASCUS, (PIC)-- Head of the Hamas political bureau, Khaled Mishaal, revealed that the prisoner exchange deal reached between Hamas and the Israeli occupation through German and Egyptian mediation, stipulates the release of 1027 Palestinian captives in exchange for Israeli captive Gilad Shalit. In a televised speech on Tuesday evening Mishaal said: "The exchange deal will be in two stages; the first stage will see 450 captives released within a week, the second stage will see the release of 550 after two months of the first stage." He also said that all 27 female captives will be released and the first stage will include 315 captives serving life sentences. He added that his movement was keen on including captives who entered prison at various stages of the Palestinian struggle from various factions as well as captives from various areas; Jerusalem, 1948-occupied Palestine, the Golan and the diaspora, pointing out this was an expression of the unity of the Palestinian people everywhere. Mishaal described the deal as a “national achievement,” adding “To my brothers in the PA and Palestinian factions inside and outside Palestine I say this achievement belongs to all of us. We are proud of it and prepare for further achievements. Let us join hands and plan for more achievements for our national project until we liberate out Palestine and establish our state." He promised that his movement will spare no efforts to get the rest of the Palestinian captives released. He praised the Qassam Brigades and other Palestinian factions who participated in capturing the occupation soldier Gilad Shalit to exchange him for Palestinian captives

PRESS RELEASE: “THE GLOBAL MARCH TO JERUSALEM”

PRESS RELEASE: “THE GLOBAL MARCH TO JERUSALEM”

PRESS RELEASE:
“THE GLOBAL MARCH TO JERUSALEM”
پنج‌شنبه 3 شهریور 1390 ساعت 14:39

WE EXTEND OUR SOLIDARITY & SUPPORT TO THE "OLIVE REVOLUTION" -

THE MASS MOVEMENT THAT IS NOW "KNOCKING AT THE DOORS OF JERUSALEM"

We the members of the Arab & Interntional solidarity movements on behalf of the International Committee for the Global March to Jerusalem, extend our solidarity to the "Olive Revolution", that is now "Kocking at the Doors of Jerusalem". The world watches on in bated breath as tomorrow, the last Friday of Ramadan, on the occassion of the Al Quds day, hundreds of Palestinians will be marching towards Jersualem from across the country.

We entirely endorse your position - "We state that Jerusalem will remain the jewel of the Arabs and capital of our future country. Jerusalem is the symbol of our pride and our national dignity that’s why we are going to knock on its doors by popular demonstrations and non-violent activities which start with the Friday prayers on the 26th of August 2011", which is "unarmed, popular, patriotic, and human revolution against Israeli occupation."

We are witnessing the increasing & unabated Zionisation of Jerusalem, with Settlements being constructed on a daily basis, under the political protection of the Obama administration & the US veto at the UN. Palestinian are being compelled to leave by exerting economic pressures, legal strictures or by pure military & violent means. This is true for all of the West Bank as well.

Jerusalem has been referred to as the “Eternal capital of Eretz Israel” by Netanyahu & other major Israeli leaders & they have clearly stated that Jerusalem is not up for negotiations. This is in utter contravention of all relevant UN Resolutions on Jerusalem & tenets of International Law. The Israeli agenda is very clear. The dominant position within the political-military & religious leadership is that Israel has a right to occupy all of historic Palestine. The “Final Solution” as envisaged by the Zionists is the total ethnic cleansing of all of the Palestinian population from all of historic Palestine & the transfer of the entire population into Jordan.

Jerusalem is our common universal heritage & is the centre of spirituality & of great religious significance for Judaism, Christianity & Islam & this remarkable historic city of great antiquity is venerated across the world for enhancing the rich spiritual heritage of all of humanity.

Thus Jerusalem needs to be liberated, redeemed & reclaimed by the People of the world. The city of Jerusalem has been a beacon of emancipation & hope to the downtrodden. It has symbolized the unity & equality of all of God’s creation & the message of love, mercy & compassion & it is with that universal message that we must persist & forge resolutely ahead.

The world to recognises the threat & thus now an international initiative is underway & we are all preparing to march to Jerusalem!!

The world recognizes the threat to the sovereignty, sacredness & sanctity of Jerusalem. The destruction of the very sacredness of Jerusalem is, one of the objectives of Zionism & the irreligious global elite. Their nefarious plans & designs is, the destruction of the Masjid-i-Aqsa & the Qubattus Sakhra & the rebuilding of the Third Temple at that very site. Even the Christian holy sites amongst which of most importance is, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre & the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem are endangered. We also respect the veneration of the Wailing Wall by our Jewish brethren, as have all the adherents of the three faiths, who have peacefully lived & cohabited for centuries.

Thus we now need to draw the international focus onto Jerusalem, which is the core issue & lies at the centre of the conflict & the occupation.

Therefore we have decided to organize a Global March to Jerusalem. The objective of the "GMJ" is to raise the Global consciousness & awareness on the mortal threat to Jerusalem. On the 30th of March 2012, we intend to converge from across the three continents & will amass on the borders of Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon & Syria, with delegations that will join us from every nation of the world & then peacefully march over into Palestine.

As we march across the continents, we will be raising all the core issues of the “Right of Return”, the growth of Settlements, the control over Water, the Apartheid Wall, the Check-Points, the Siege of Gaza, the 11,000 prisoners languishing in Israeli prisons – infact all the various core issues & dimensions of the Zionist Occupation will be raised during the course of our land convoys to Jerusalem.

We thus want all our courageous Palestinian brothers & sisters to know, that now the entire world is united in your struggle to save Jerusalem. The people of the world will be marching towards Jerusalem.

INTERNATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR THE GMJ

Maan Bashour (Lebanon), Dr. Ribhi Halloum (Jordan), Prof Paul Larudee (USA), George Galloway (UK), Khaled Soufiyani (Morocco), M K Sawalha (UK)

Saud Abu Mahfouz (Jordan), Prof. Mohsen Saleh (Lebanon), Mazin Qumsiyeh (Palestine), Dr. Ghada Karmi (UK), Sheikhul Islam (Iran), Huseiyn Oruc (Turkey), Huwaida Arraf (Palestine-USA), Abdul Ghaffar Aziz (Pakistan), Sandeep Pandey (India),

INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE FOR THE GMJ

Feroze Mithiborwala (India), Nabil Hallak (Lebanon), Bashir Zmaili (Jordan), Izzet Sahin (Turkey), Zaher Birawi, Kevin Ovenden (UK), Ali Mallah (Canada), George Rishmawi (Palestine), 9) Salim Ghafouri (Iran), Shaheen Kattiparambil (India), Ramy Zurayk (Lebanon), Mustapa Mansour (Malaysia), Roohulla Rezvi (Iran), Gauhar Iqbal (India), Irman Abdurahman (Indonesia)

Palestinians launch UN campaign

Palestinians launch UN campaign

2011/09/09

Palestinians on Thursday began a campaign in support of their UN membership bid, as their senior leaders met to fine-tune the plan to become the UN's 194th member state. The launch of the campaign, dubbed "National Campaign for Palestine: state 194," is part of the build-up to Sept. 22, when Acting Palestinian Authority chief Mahmoud Abbas is expected to submit the formal membership request. Abbas on Thursday was meeting senior Palestinian representatives including the central committee of his Fatah party, the PLO's executive committee and leaders of various Palestinian political parties. The gathering to discuss details of the bid is likely to be one of the last that the Palestinian leadership will hold before the formal membership request is submitted to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. In Ramallah on Thursday, the solidarity campaign got under way with a march to UN headquarters in the West Bank city, where organizers presented a letter requesting that Ban support the membership bid. "Today we began our campaign on the ground and we chose the UN building because it represents the United Nations and we expect them to respond to our demands," Ahmed Assaf, the campaign's coordinator, told AFP. "We are no less important than the other 193 states in the United Nations, and our message will ask for our state to be 194."

Sweden Accepts a 'Palestinian' Ambassador

Sweden Accepts a 'Palestinian' Ambassador

2011/09/09

Sweden formally announced on Thursday that it has decided to accept an ambassador of the ‘State of Palestine’. Israeli Channel 2 News reported that it is despite the fact that such as state has not yet been established. According to the report, the Swedish Foreign Minister said, “This step will assist in building the Palestinian state and will promote the move for its independence.”

Israeli army detains 20 Palestinians in West Bank

Israeli army detains 20 Palestinians in West Bank

2011/09/07

Israeli forces detained 20 Palestinians across the West Bank overnight. Hassan Shbeta, local head of detainee affairs in Azzun, east of Qalqiliya, told Ma'an that Israeli forces detained Hussam Younis Salama, 18, Fadi Anwar Mishal, 21, Loay Anwar Misha, 19 and Yousef Ghassan Salim, 18, early Tuesday morning. Meanwhile, Israeli forces entered Kafr Qaddum, further east of Qalqiliya, and detained Moawiya Muhammad Amer, 19, Qais Muhammad Qaddoumi, 21, and Khader Fathi Juma, 23, local official Murad Shtewey said. Shtewey said soldiers set up video cameras at the entrances to the town and ransacked the home of Kamal Dawoud Aqel. He added that a large number of settlers surrounded the town during the raid.

Labanon to press UN on Israel breaches

Labanon to press UN on Israel breaches

2011/09/07

The Lebanese government has vowed to continue demanding the United Nations to put an end to Israel's constant violations of the Lebanese sovereignty, Press TV reports. Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati made the remark during a Tuesday meeting with the commander of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), Major General Alberto Asarta Cuevas. Mikati also emphasized on the constant cooperation between the Lebanese army and the UN's peacekeeping mission. He, however, insisted that the Lebanese Armed Forces need to be properly supplied with necessary equipment in order to be able to implement their duties, especially UN Security Council resolution 1701. UNIFIL commander Major General Cuevas described the UN Security Council's move to unanimously vote for the extension of the UNIFIL's mandate as a testament to the right course in cooperation and coordination between the force and Lebanon's army. Israel violates Lebanon's airspace on an almost daily basis, claiming that the overflights serve surveillance purposes. Lebanon's government, the Hezbollah resistance movement, and the UN peacekeepers have repeatedly cited Israel's air surveillance flights over Lebanon as clear violations of UN Resolution 1701 and the country's sovereignty. UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which brokered a ceasefire in the war Israel launched against Lebanon in 2006, calls on Tel Aviv to respect Beirut's sovereignty and territorial integrity. In 2009, Lebanon filed a complaint with the United Nations, presenting over 7,000 documents pertaining to Israeli violations of the Lebanese airspace and territory.

Israeli jets kill one, injure 3 in Gaza

Israeli jets kill one, injure 3 in Gaza

2011/09/07

Israeli warplanes have attacked a civilian locality of Khan Yunis in the Gaza Strip, killing one person and injuring three members of a family. Israel launched the airstrike on the impoverished coastal enclave on Tuesday evening despite a ceasefire in place between Hamas and Israel, AFP reported. The airstrike, in the eastern part of Khan Younis, killed a Palestinian young man. Gaza emergency services spokesman Adham Abu Selmiya said three civilians, a father and his two sons, were also wounded in the attack. According to eyewitnesses, Israeli troops on Tuesday afternoon trespassed 100 to 200 meters into the east of Khan Younis, located in southern Gaza. Palestinians say that the Israeli airstrike in Khan Younis indicates Tel Aviv's evasion of the ceasefire agreement, which Hamas and Israel restored on August 22 after a spate of violence. Hamas has often criticized Tel Aviv for violating the January 2009 ceasefire agreement, which ended the 22-day Israeli war on the people of Gaza. Since the end of the war in 2009, a large number of Palestinians have been killed and injured because of numerous Israeli air attacks on the Gaza Strip. The airstrikes have also destroyed many schools, hospitals, mosques, and the infrastructure of Gaza.

Turkey freezes trade, military ties with Israel

Turkey freezes trade, military ties with Israel

2011/09/07

Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday that Turkey was freezing defense industry trade with Israel and stepping up Turkish naval patrols in the Eastern Mediterranean. "The Eastern Mediterranean is not a strange place to us. Aksaz and Iskenderun, these places have the power and opportunity to provide escorts," Erdogan told reporters referring to two Turkish naval bases. "Of course our ships will be seen much more frequently in those waters." On Friday, Turkey announced it was expelling Israel's ambassador and other senior diplomats, downgrading relations after the release of a UN report on the killing of nine Turks during an Israeli commando raid on an aid flotilla bound for the Israeli-blockaded Palestinian enclave of Gaza last year. Israel's refusal to apologize for the deaths has angered Turkey, a NATO member with the alliance's second biggest military, and Erdogan's government argues that Israel's blockade of Gaza lacks legitimacy. Erdogan also said Turkey was preparing more sanctions against Israel, and specifically said defense industry ties would be frozen. "Trade ties, military ties, regarding defense industry ties, we are completely suspending them. This process will be followed by different measures," Erdogan told reporters in Ankara.

Homeland

I Come From There,
Mahmoud Darwish
I come from there and I have memories
Born as mortals are, I have a mother
And a house with many windows,
I have brothers, friends,
And a prison cell with a cold window.
Mine is the wave, snatched by sea-gulls,
I have my own view,
And an extra blade of grass.
Mine is the moon at the far edge of the words,
And the bounty of birds,
And the immortal olive tree.
I walked this land before the swords
Turned its living body into a laden table.

I come from there. I render the sky unto her mother,
When the sky weeps for her mother.
And I weep to make myself known
To a returning cloud.
I learnt all the words worthy of the court of blood,
So that I could break the rule.
I learnt all the words and broke them up,
To make a single word: Homeland….

mahmouddarwish. com

Palestinian captives begin three-day hunger strike

Palestinian captives begin three-day hunger strike

2011/07/03

The Minister of Captives Affairs Issa Qaraqe said Friday that Palestinian captives in Asqalan ('Ashkelon') prison will begin a hunger strike on Sunday which will last for three days. The hunger strike is in protest against violent raids by Israeli forces which took place in the prison on Thursday June 30. "The prisoners in all Israeli prisons will begin a hunger strike on Sunday July 3 in protest against the new Israeli policy that humiliates them" a statement released by the prisoners said. The statement also called on the Palestinian people and government institutions to support prisoners and to announce an uprising against Israeli policies.

Palestinian captives begin three-day hunger strike

Palestinian captives begin three-day hunger strike

2011/07/03

The Minister of Captives Affairs Issa Qaraqe said Friday that Palestinian captives in Asqalan ('Ashkelon') prison will begin a hunger strike on Sunday which will last for three days. The hunger strike is in protest against violent raids by Israeli forces which took place in the prison on Thursday June 30. "The prisoners in all Israeli prisons will begin a hunger strike on Sunday July 3 in protest against the new Israeli policy that humiliates them" a statement released by the prisoners said. The statement also called on the Palestinian people and government institutions to support prisoners and to announce an uprising against Israeli policies.

No Israel ties in Tunisia reform pact

No Israel ties in Tunisia reform pact

2011/07/03

Tunisia's High Commission for Political Reforms and Democratic Transition says it has adopted a 'pact of reform' which prohibits normalization of relations with Zionist regime. Ayadh Ben Achour, the president of the commission announced the adoption of the agreement without giving further details on its contents, AFP reported on Friday. The pact will provide the basis for a new constitution in the North African country. The document also states that Tunisia is a democratic country, its language is Arabic and its religion is Islam. It further says that Tunisia supports the Palestinian cause on top of refusing ties with Zionist regime. Tunisians are expected to elect an assembly in October to draft a new constitution. At least 147 people were killed and 510 left injured during the Tunisian 'Jasmine Revolution' that unseated Ben Ali in January after a 23-year-long authoritarian rule, according to the United Nations. On January 14, Ben Ali fled the North African country to the Saudi port city of Jeddah. There are unconfirmed claims that the deposed Tunisian dictator has gone into a coma in Saudi Arabia after suffering a stroke. Riots and protests broke out in Tunisia following the self-immolation of a 26-year-old fruit vendor, identified as Muhammad Bouazizi, who set himself on fire after police confiscated his merchandise.

British authorities block lawyers’ visits to Sheikh Salah

British authorities block lawyers’ visits to Sheikh Salah

2011/07/04

British authorities on Friday banned lawyers’ visits to Sheikh Raed Salah, the leader of the Islamic Movement in 1948 occupied Palestine, until 11th July, said the law firm handling Salah’s case. A press release issued by the Irvine Thanvi Natas solicitors (ITN) on Saturday said: On Friday 1st July Mr. Raed Salah was transferred from an Immigration Detention Centre to a formal prison. No good reason for this transfer has been given. The transfer to prison will significantly interfere with the preparation of Mr Salah's appeal against the Deportation Order. The deadline for Mr Salah to Appeal is the 6th July 2011. The prison have informed Mr. Salah's lawyer that his legal team will not be able to visit him until the 11th July, 5 days after the deadline is due to pass. Mr Salah's solicitor, Tayab Ali of ITN Solicitors, said 'Mr Salah remains resolute and determined to challenge the Deportation Order. Despite the difficulties his transfer to prison poses for us, a formal Notice of Appeal against the Deportation Order was lodged on Friday. We are confident that the Order will be overturned. The Home Secretary has grossly misjudged my client. In stark contrast to the false picture that has been painted, he is a man of peace, a widely respected leader who campaigns tirelessly for his people. By attempting to silence him in the United Kingdom, the Government is turning its back on the Palestinian people. The merits of the Home Secretary's Order are now a matter for the Courts'. Meanwhile, Zahi Nujaidat, lawyer and spokesman of the Islamic movement who flew to London on after the arrest of Sheikh Salah, said that he tried to visit Sheikh Salah on Saturday but was not allowed.