The New York Times covers today’s protests in Israel and Palestine over the Gaza crisis: Hundreds of demonstrators gathered on both sides of the Israeli-Gazan border on Thursday to mark a year since Israel’s three-week war in Gaza, and to call for an end to the blockade of the area imposed by Israel and Egypt.…
Showing all posts tagged Hamas
How the liberation of Palestine will happen (and pain is part of the process)
The possibly impending release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit could lead to the easing of the border, says Egypt (maybe.) It’s hard to see though how the building of the wall on the Egyptian/Gaza border can help the chances of real peace. Richard Falk, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the…
Gaza Freedom March decides not to allow Egypt to divide and conquer
The latest on our Gaza Freedom March, via al-Jazeera, conveys the high drama currently taking place in Egypt and beyond. Solidarity with the people of Gaza should always be the central concern: Members of an international group gathered in Cairo to protest against the siege of Gaza have rejected an Egyptian offer to allow… 100 of…
Understand that last year’s Gaza assault was only the beginning
Gazans are remembering their dead after Israel’s attack. But according to the New York Times: In the year since Israel launched its devastating military offensive against Hamas in Gaza, the country’s political and military leaders have faced intense international condemnation and accusations of possible war crimes. But Israel seems to have few qualms. Officials and…
Gaza, one year on noticed by (a few) Israelis
The one-year anniversary of the Gaza onslaught is being noticed by some of Israel’s leading human rights groups. B’Tselem: One year after Operation Cast Lead, B’Tselem is today (27 December) launching a public campaign demanding that Israel lift its siege on the Gaza Strip. This is necessary in order to rehabilitate the Gaza Strip from…
Israel, this is your life
Israeli peace group Gush Shalom published the following statement in Haaretz on 25 December: A year after “Cast Lead”: Hamas in Gaza – Stronger than before. Gilad Shalit – Not yet home. Our standing in the world – Deteriorated catastrophically. The appalling Gaza blockade – Going on. No Qassams – No IDF incursions. And talk…
The occupation is a daily source of justified fury
Gideon Levy in Haaretz on the Jewish state’s uncanny ability to cause terrorism: It is not difficult to understand the agonizing decision facing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his cabinet ministers. It would be very hard to accept a negative decision on their part. Gilad Shalit must be freed at any cost, all the more…
Just what has the Gaza war and siege really achieved?
Happy anniversary, Gaza: Aid agencies have strongly criticised the international community for failing to help bring an end to Israel’s blockade of Gaza. The charities made the accusation in a report published just ahead of the anniversary of Israel’s offensive in the Gaza Strip. The aid agencies condemn not just Israel, but the world community.…
Cairo, who’s ya daddy?
Yitzhak Laor in Haaretz: The time has come to acknowledge that the most important undertaking of the State of Israel, within narrow or expanded borders, has always been to maintain the supremacy of the Jews. Meanwhile, Egypt is rightly accused of doing the bidding of its financial and political backers. A client state now building…
Both Hamas and the PA need to restrain their forces
The abuse of human rights in Palestine (either under Hamas or the US-backed Palestinian Authority) shows no sign of improving: The Committee to Protect Journalists urges the West Bank-based Palestinian Authorities to release a journalist detained since Monday and the Hamas-led government in Gaza to end harassment of journalists. Mohamed Eshtewi, Al-Aqsa television bureau chief…