Youssef: Afghans have little faith in the elections, the central government or the foreign forces
"Jesse Freeston speaks to Nancy Youssef, McClatchy Newspapers' Pentagon correspondent, who recently returned from Afghanistan about the elections tomorrow and the mood in that country. Youssef says most Afghanis are anticipating that the incumbent president, Hamid Karzai will win again. She says many are cynical about the elections, because they view they've seen the past eight years of foreign occupation as a time when their living standards have gone down, rather than improved."
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
The Latin American policies of Richard Milhous Obama
By Wayne Madsen
Online Journal Contributing Writer
"The Obama administration is not only maintaining the Bush administration’s policies, which seek to promote confrontation with the progressive bloc of Latin American nations, but is actually hearkening back to the past imperialistic policies of the administration of Richard Nixon....."
Online Journal Contributing Writer
"The Obama administration is not only maintaining the Bush administration’s policies, which seek to promote confrontation with the progressive bloc of Latin American nations, but is actually hearkening back to the past imperialistic policies of the administration of Richard Nixon....."
Israel declares the shooting of American activist, Tristan Anderson to be an “act of war”
International Solidarity Movement
For Immediate Release
"18 August 2009: Israel declares the shooting of American activist, Tristan Anderson to be an “act of war.”
Tristan Anderson, an American national, was critically injured on 13 March 2009 when he was shot with a high velocity tear-gas projectile during an unarmed demonstration against the Wall in the West Bank village of Ni’lin (report and video: http://palsolidarity.org/2009/03/5324).
The Israeli Ministry of Defense has notified the Anderson family’s lawyers that Israel perceives the incident on 13 March 2009 as an “act of war.” This classification was made despite the fact that Anderson’s shooting occurred during a civilian demonstration and there were no armed hostilities during the event or surrounding it.
The consequence of such classification is that according to Israeli law, the state of Israel is not liable for any damage its’ forces have caused......"
Maliki sees the light in Damascus
By Sami Moubayed
Asia Times
Note: Keep in mind that the author is close to the Syrian regime.
"Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, currently visiting Syria, has signed accords that will increase economic and cultural ties between the countries. Far more important is Maliki's realization that he needs the clout that Damascus has among all the players in Iraq if he is to resolve escalating problems relating to the oil-rich region of Kirkuk and the Sunni community...."
Asia Times
Note: Keep in mind that the author is close to the Syrian regime.
"Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, currently visiting Syria, has signed accords that will increase economic and cultural ties between the countries. Far more important is Maliki's realization that he needs the clout that Damascus has among all the players in Iraq if he is to resolve escalating problems relating to the oil-rich region of Kirkuk and the Sunni community...."
The Afghan pipe dream
By Pepe Escobar
Asia Times
"Washington says success in Afghanistan involves "diplomacy, development and good governance" - but all that the world sees is the 96,500 - and counting - coalition troops now on the ground to "fight the Taliban". As for the election, who cares who's the winner - President Hamid Karzai, Abdullah Abdullah or anyone else? Afghanistan will be ruled by Barack Hussein Obama......
Both Russia and Iran, accomplished chess masters, are honing their moves to make TAPI unworkable. Until then, the AfPak theater basically boils down to the US and NATO at war against nationalist Pashtuns. Washington hysteria will continue to rule - as in "the Taliban" about to take over Islamabad's nukes and convert the US into TalibanUStan. And last but not least, please save the last bowl of opium for that oh-so-savvy wild bunch - the warlords."
Asia Times
"Washington says success in Afghanistan involves "diplomacy, development and good governance" - but all that the world sees is the 96,500 - and counting - coalition troops now on the ground to "fight the Taliban". As for the election, who cares who's the winner - President Hamid Karzai, Abdullah Abdullah or anyone else? Afghanistan will be ruled by Barack Hussein Obama......
Both Russia and Iran, accomplished chess masters, are honing their moves to make TAPI unworkable. Until then, the AfPak theater basically boils down to the US and NATO at war against nationalist Pashtuns. Washington hysteria will continue to rule - as in "the Taliban" about to take over Islamabad's nukes and convert the US into TalibanUStan. And last but not least, please save the last bowl of opium for that oh-so-savvy wild bunch - the warlords."
Two years later, reconstruction to start in Nahr al-Bared
Report, Electronic Lebanon, 18 August 2009
"NAHR AL-BARED (IRIN) - Two years on from the devastating battle which destroyed their homes and livelihoods, Palestinian refugees from Nahr al-Bared are set to see reconstruction work begin inside the camp's official boundaries.
Despite a resilient recovery under way among Palestinians living in the new camp -- the area around the edge of the official Nahr al-Bared refugee camp -- legal hurdles, political wrangling and the recent discovery of archaeological ruins under the site of the old camp have delayed reconstruction work there.....
Restrictions
Eighteen-year-old Omar Baraka was a farmer from the old camp, until the battle destroyed his home and killed most of his cows. He now runs a bakery amid the cleared rubble and ruined buildings of the new camp and says business is fair, but that army restrictions on Lebanese entering the camp -- just 2,000 permits for Lebanese to enter have been issued -- mean little hope of a return to Nahr al-Bared's once flourishing marketplace.
"The checkpoints let through as much flour as we want, but there are no outsiders coming into the camp, so businesses can't expand," said Baraka. "Money is rotating between Palestinians only."......"
"NAHR AL-BARED (IRIN) - Two years on from the devastating battle which destroyed their homes and livelihoods, Palestinian refugees from Nahr al-Bared are set to see reconstruction work begin inside the camp's official boundaries.
Despite a resilient recovery under way among Palestinians living in the new camp -- the area around the edge of the official Nahr al-Bared refugee camp -- legal hurdles, political wrangling and the recent discovery of archaeological ruins under the site of the old camp have delayed reconstruction work there.....
Restrictions
Eighteen-year-old Omar Baraka was a farmer from the old camp, until the battle destroyed his home and killed most of his cows. He now runs a bakery amid the cleared rubble and ruined buildings of the new camp and says business is fair, but that army restrictions on Lebanese entering the camp -- just 2,000 permits for Lebanese to enter have been issued -- mean little hope of a return to Nahr al-Bared's once flourishing marketplace.
"The checkpoints let through as much flour as we want, but there are no outsiders coming into the camp, so businesses can't expand," said Baraka. "Money is rotating between Palestinians only."......"
Irish construction giant digs deeper in occupation
Adri Nieuwhof, The Electronic Intifada, 18 August 2009
"A recent acquisition by the Israeli subsidiary of brick and mortar giant Irish CRH has placed the European conglomerate under increased pressure from Palestine solidarity activists. Irish CRH, formerly known as Cement Roadstone Holding, owns 25 percent of the Mashav Group, an Israeli construction firm. Mashav recently announced that it will acquire Hanson Israel, a subsidiary of Germany's HeidelbergCement. With the acquisition of Hanson Israel, CRH is further entrenched in violations of international law in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT).
Last month, The Electronic Intifada reported that German HeidelbergCement, one of the world's largest construction companies, became the target of legal action in Israel because its subsidiary, Hanson Israel, was involved in illegal mining activities in the occupied West Bank......."
"A recent acquisition by the Israeli subsidiary of brick and mortar giant Irish CRH has placed the European conglomerate under increased pressure from Palestine solidarity activists. Irish CRH, formerly known as Cement Roadstone Holding, owns 25 percent of the Mashav Group, an Israeli construction firm. Mashav recently announced that it will acquire Hanson Israel, a subsidiary of Germany's HeidelbergCement. With the acquisition of Hanson Israel, CRH is further entrenched in violations of international law in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT).
Last month, The Electronic Intifada reported that German HeidelbergCement, one of the world's largest construction companies, became the target of legal action in Israel because its subsidiary, Hanson Israel, was involved in illegal mining activities in the occupied West Bank......."
Amnesty int'l withdraws from Israel concert fund following campaign
Press release, Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel and the New York Campaign for the Boycott of Israel, 19 August 2009
"....Amnesty International has announced today that it will abstain from any involvement in the Leonard Cohen concert in Tel Aviv and will not be party to any fund that benefits from the concert's proceeds. A number of media accounts had reported that Amnesty International was to manage or otherwise partner in a fund created from the proceeds of Cohen's concert in Israel that would be used to benefit Israeli and Palestinian groups. Amnesty International's announcement today followed an international outcry over the human rights organization's reported involvement in the Leonard Cohen concert fund, and an earlier international call for Cohen to boycott apartheid Israel.
Omar Barghouti from the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI) commented, "We welcome Amnesty International's withdrawal from this ill-conceived project which is clearly intended to whitewash Israel's violations of international law and human rights. By abandoning the Leonard Cohen project in Tel Aviv, Amnesty International has dealt Cohen and his public relations team a severe blow, denying them the cover of the organization's prestige and respectability."
A statement confirming Amnesty's withdrawal has now been posted on the Amnesty International website......"
"....Amnesty International has announced today that it will abstain from any involvement in the Leonard Cohen concert in Tel Aviv and will not be party to any fund that benefits from the concert's proceeds. A number of media accounts had reported that Amnesty International was to manage or otherwise partner in a fund created from the proceeds of Cohen's concert in Israel that would be used to benefit Israeli and Palestinian groups. Amnesty International's announcement today followed an international outcry over the human rights organization's reported involvement in the Leonard Cohen concert fund, and an earlier international call for Cohen to boycott apartheid Israel.
Omar Barghouti from the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI) commented, "We welcome Amnesty International's withdrawal from this ill-conceived project which is clearly intended to whitewash Israel's violations of international law and human rights. By abandoning the Leonard Cohen project in Tel Aviv, Amnesty International has dealt Cohen and his public relations team a severe blow, denying them the cover of the organization's prestige and respectability."
A statement confirming Amnesty's withdrawal has now been posted on the Amnesty International website......"
Derek Graham in Ireland to get support for the next Free Gaza voyage in October.
Free Gaza Movement
".....Derek & Jenny Graham from Mayo, are here to get Irish support to bring in desperately needed rebuilding materials into the port of Gaza along with supplies for our partners in the Universities and schools as part of “Right to Read” campaign.
Derek was thrown in jail along with 20 others including Mairead Maguire as they tried to deliver building supplies and aid to civillians in Gaza who's homes, schools, hospitals were destroyed by the Israel at start of the year. Seven months later and families are still living on the rubble of their homes with no materials to fix the damage and the winter is now approaching.
It is crucial that we continue sending boats to Gaza to challenge Israel’s criminal closure on the Strip,” said Huwaida Arraf, delegation leader.'“Gaza does not need our charity but needs us to stand up against the forces that continue to deliberately deny an entire people their human rights. "
Even though Israel hijacked our boat, the Spirit of Humanity in international waters, we are not backing down......."
".....Derek & Jenny Graham from Mayo, are here to get Irish support to bring in desperately needed rebuilding materials into the port of Gaza along with supplies for our partners in the Universities and schools as part of “Right to Read” campaign.
Derek was thrown in jail along with 20 others including Mairead Maguire as they tried to deliver building supplies and aid to civillians in Gaza who's homes, schools, hospitals were destroyed by the Israel at start of the year. Seven months later and families are still living on the rubble of their homes with no materials to fix the damage and the winter is now approaching.
It is crucial that we continue sending boats to Gaza to challenge Israel’s criminal closure on the Strip,” said Huwaida Arraf, delegation leader.'“Gaza does not need our charity but needs us to stand up against the forces that continue to deliberately deny an entire people their human rights. "
Even though Israel hijacked our boat, the Spirit of Humanity in international waters, we are not backing down......."
Embattled Hamas Shows its Moderate Face
Analysis by Mel Frykberg
"RAMALLAH, Aug 19 (IPS) - The Islamic resistance movement Hamas's rule of Gaza is facing protracted political and military opposition from within Gaza, other Palestinian territories and abroad.....
"This is not just a few disgruntled extremists but the tip of the iceberg, and a sign of growing extremism in Gaza which is only going to get worse," says Dr. Samir Awad from Birzeit University, near Ramallah.
"The Israelis have shot themselves in the foot with the crippling siege of Gaza," Awad tells IPS. "The suffering and hardship endured by Gazans has not moderated them politically. When people have lost everything and have no hope, they turn to revenge.
"In the future Israel will regret not negotiating with a more moderate Hamas government when these extremists strengthen their grip on power."
Israel helped nurture Hamas when the organisation was first established in 1987 as a bulwark against the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO).
When the PLO-affiliated PA came to power in 1994 following the Oslo Accords, Israel weakened it with military attacks and mass arrest campaigns. This in turn strengthened Hamas.......
Contributing to Hamas's fall in support has been the increasing abuse of human rights and the stifling of civil liberties.
Last month a prominent Hamas judge in Gaza said that from September all the territory's female lawyers would be required to cover their hair and wear long gowns under their billowing judicial gowns.
Hamas was also said to be formulating a moral code of conduct which would prevent gender mixing in large crowds in public places amongst other things.
"This was the opinion of one minister who had not consulted with the rest of the Hamas government. Most of us are against this and the matter is still being appraised," Dr Ahmed Yousef, political advisor to Haniyeh told IPS.
It would appear that Hamas's political survival is contingent on its ability to adapt to challenges on the ground and to be more flexible politically in regard to the international community and negotiations with the PA......."
"RAMALLAH, Aug 19 (IPS) - The Islamic resistance movement Hamas's rule of Gaza is facing protracted political and military opposition from within Gaza, other Palestinian territories and abroad.....
"This is not just a few disgruntled extremists but the tip of the iceberg, and a sign of growing extremism in Gaza which is only going to get worse," says Dr. Samir Awad from Birzeit University, near Ramallah.
"The Israelis have shot themselves in the foot with the crippling siege of Gaza," Awad tells IPS. "The suffering and hardship endured by Gazans has not moderated them politically. When people have lost everything and have no hope, they turn to revenge.
"In the future Israel will regret not negotiating with a more moderate Hamas government when these extremists strengthen their grip on power."
Israel helped nurture Hamas when the organisation was first established in 1987 as a bulwark against the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO).
When the PLO-affiliated PA came to power in 1994 following the Oslo Accords, Israel weakened it with military attacks and mass arrest campaigns. This in turn strengthened Hamas.......
Contributing to Hamas's fall in support has been the increasing abuse of human rights and the stifling of civil liberties.
Last month a prominent Hamas judge in Gaza said that from September all the territory's female lawyers would be required to cover their hair and wear long gowns under their billowing judicial gowns.
Hamas was also said to be formulating a moral code of conduct which would prevent gender mixing in large crowds in public places amongst other things.
"This was the opinion of one minister who had not consulted with the rest of the Hamas government. Most of us are against this and the matter is still being appraised," Dr Ahmed Yousef, political advisor to Haniyeh told IPS.
It would appear that Hamas's political survival is contingent on its ability to adapt to challenges on the ground and to be more flexible politically in regard to the international community and negotiations with the PA......."
Out Now!
At least, that's what the Iraqis are saying…
by Justin Raimondo, August 19, 2009
"........It is commonly asserted that the Iraq war merely succeeded in empowering the Iranians, because it unleashed the Shi’ite majority and enabled them to take power in Baghdad. While this is true in a general sense – the Iraqi and Iranian regimes enjoy good relations – it is usually overstated, with nationalistic tensions and cultural differences significantly underplayed. On the other hand, the really malevolent genie let out of its bottle by the Iraq war was and is a Kurdish one: nearly every one of Iraq’s neighbors harbors a considerable – and restive – Kurdish minority, and these groups are ready and (with assistance from their brothers over the border) able to rise up and declare their intention of creating "Greater Kurdistan" – a region that, if you look at their maps, extends from southern and central Turkey through Syria and the hinterlands of the Caucasus, to Iran in the east and all the way to Kuwait in the south. If and when the Kurds make their move for independence, this entire area could become a war zone in very short order.
So you thought the U.S. was going to be out of Iraq, free to concentrate all its resources on the conquest of Afghanistan and the pacification of the Pakistanis? You thought Iraq was over. Well, think again. There’s trouble ahead, and plenty of it."
by Justin Raimondo, August 19, 2009
"........It is commonly asserted that the Iraq war merely succeeded in empowering the Iranians, because it unleashed the Shi’ite majority and enabled them to take power in Baghdad. While this is true in a general sense – the Iraqi and Iranian regimes enjoy good relations – it is usually overstated, with nationalistic tensions and cultural differences significantly underplayed. On the other hand, the really malevolent genie let out of its bottle by the Iraq war was and is a Kurdish one: nearly every one of Iraq’s neighbors harbors a considerable – and restive – Kurdish minority, and these groups are ready and (with assistance from their brothers over the border) able to rise up and declare their intention of creating "Greater Kurdistan" – a region that, if you look at their maps, extends from southern and central Turkey through Syria and the hinterlands of the Caucasus, to Iran in the east and all the way to Kuwait in the south. If and when the Kurds make their move for independence, this entire area could become a war zone in very short order.
So you thought the U.S. was going to be out of Iraq, free to concentrate all its resources on the conquest of Afghanistan and the pacification of the Pakistanis? You thought Iraq was over. Well, think again. There’s trouble ahead, and plenty of it."
Republicans, religion and the triumph of unreason
How do they train themselves to be so impervious to reality?
By Johann Hari
The Independent
"Something strange has happened in America in the nine months since Barack Obama was elected. It has best been summarised by the comedian Bill Maher: "The Democrats have moved to the right, and the Republicans have moved to a mental hospital.".....
Up to now, Obama has not responded well to this onslaught of unreason. He has had a two-pronged strategy: conciliate the elite economic interests, and joke about the fanatical fringe they are stirring up. He has (shamefully) assured the pharmaceutical companies that an expanded healthcare system will not use the power of government as a purchaser to bargain down drug prices, while wryly saying in public that he "doesn't want to kill Grandma". Rather than challenging these hard interests and bizarre fantasies aggressively, he has tried to flatter and soothe them.
This kind of mania can't be co-opted: it can only be overruled. Sometimes in politics you will have enemies, and they must be democratically defeated. The political system cannot be gummed up by a need to reach out to the maddest people or the greediest constituencies. There is no way to expand healthcare without angering Big Pharma and the Republicaloons. So be it. As Arianna Huffington put it, "It is as though, at the height of the civil rights movement, you thought you had to bring together Martin Luther King and George Wallace and make them agree. It's not how change happens."......"
By Johann Hari
The Independent
"Something strange has happened in America in the nine months since Barack Obama was elected. It has best been summarised by the comedian Bill Maher: "The Democrats have moved to the right, and the Republicans have moved to a mental hospital.".....
Up to now, Obama has not responded well to this onslaught of unreason. He has had a two-pronged strategy: conciliate the elite economic interests, and joke about the fanatical fringe they are stirring up. He has (shamefully) assured the pharmaceutical companies that an expanded healthcare system will not use the power of government as a purchaser to bargain down drug prices, while wryly saying in public that he "doesn't want to kill Grandma". Rather than challenging these hard interests and bizarre fantasies aggressively, he has tried to flatter and soothe them.
This kind of mania can't be co-opted: it can only be overruled. Sometimes in politics you will have enemies, and they must be democratically defeated. The political system cannot be gummed up by a need to reach out to the maddest people or the greediest constituencies. There is no way to expand healthcare without angering Big Pharma and the Republicaloons. So be it. As Arianna Huffington put it, "It is as though, at the height of the civil rights movement, you thought you had to bring together Martin Luther King and George Wallace and make them agree. It's not how change happens."......"
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Assad: Yes We Can! Help the Puppet Maliki, That is. These Are American AND Iranian Orders, After All!
في ختام زيارة المالكي لسوريا
تعاون إستراتيجي بين بغداد ودمشق
"وقعت دمشق وبغداد اتفاقا للتعاون الإستراتيجي بينهما أعلن عنه في مؤتمر صحفي بين رئيس الوزراء السوري محمد ناجي العطري ونظيره العراقي نوري المالكي في العاصمة السورية الثلاثاء.
وانتهت زيارة المالكي إلى دمشق بالاتفاق بين سوريا والعراق على تأسيس مجلس تعاون إستراتيجي عالي المستوى يشمل المجالات الأمنية والعسكرية والاقتصادية والقضايا الإقليمية بين البلدين، تنفيذا لما جرى الاتفاق حوله أثناء زيارة رئيس الوزراء السوري إلى بغداد على رأس وفد وزاري رفيع في العام الحالي.
ونص الاتفاق على أن يرأس مجلس التعاون الإستراتيجي رفيع المستوى رئيس الوزراء في كل من سوريا والعراق، على أن يجتمع المجلس مرتين سنويا بالتناوب بين البلدين.
....."
تعاون إستراتيجي بين بغداد ودمشق
"وقعت دمشق وبغداد اتفاقا للتعاون الإستراتيجي بينهما أعلن عنه في مؤتمر صحفي بين رئيس الوزراء السوري محمد ناجي العطري ونظيره العراقي نوري المالكي في العاصمة السورية الثلاثاء.
وانتهت زيارة المالكي إلى دمشق بالاتفاق بين سوريا والعراق على تأسيس مجلس تعاون إستراتيجي عالي المستوى يشمل المجالات الأمنية والعسكرية والاقتصادية والقضايا الإقليمية بين البلدين، تنفيذا لما جرى الاتفاق حوله أثناء زيارة رئيس الوزراء السوري إلى بغداد على رأس وفد وزاري رفيع في العام الحالي.
ونص الاتفاق على أن يرأس مجلس التعاون الإستراتيجي رفيع المستوى رئيس الوزراء في كل من سوريا والعراق، على أن يجتمع المجلس مرتين سنويا بالتناوب بين البلدين.
....."
Bring in the Clown!
Colonel Qaddafi—A Life in Fashion
Vanity Fair
(14 additional fashionable photos in Vanity Fair)
Vanity Fair
Via Angry Arab
(14 additional fashionable photos in Vanity Fair)
British Politician Tony Benn Condemns Escalation of War in Afghanistan & Defends Britain’s Socialized Healthcare System
Democracy Now!
With Amy Goodman
"While President Obama defended his escalation of the war in Afghanistan on Monday, in Britain, America’s closest ally, antiwar sentiment is growing. This week, the number of British troops killed in Afghanistan since 2001 surpassed 200. Yesterday in central London, protesters read the names of the 200 British soldiers, as well as the names 200 Afghan citizens killed in the war. The demonstration in Whitehall was led by former British MP Tony Benn, who is currently the president of the Stop the War Coalition. He is a former cabinet minister and the longest-serving MP in the history of the British Labour Party........"
With Amy Goodman
"While President Obama defended his escalation of the war in Afghanistan on Monday, in Britain, America’s closest ally, antiwar sentiment is growing. This week, the number of British troops killed in Afghanistan since 2001 surpassed 200. Yesterday in central London, protesters read the names of the 200 British soldiers, as well as the names 200 Afghan citizens killed in the war. The demonstration in Whitehall was led by former British MP Tony Benn, who is currently the president of the Stop the War Coalition. He is a former cabinet minister and the longest-serving MP in the history of the British Labour Party........"
Eight Years After Orchestrating Massacre at Dasht-e-Leili, Afghan Warlord Abdul Rashid Dostum Returns to Afghanistan to Campaign for Karzai
Democracy Now!
With Amy Goodman
"One of Afghanistan’s most feared warlords has returned to Afghanistan just days before its presidential election. General Abdul Rashid Dostum is one of several warlords who have allied with Afghan President Hamid Karzai, who is seeking a new term. Karzai is hoping Dostum’s return will help attract ethnic Uzbek voters. Dostum’s return to prominence in Afghanistan comes despite his role overseeing a 2001 massacre at Dasht-e-Leili that left at least 2,000 Taliban POWs dead. He’s also had extensive ties with the US and was formerly on the CIA payroll........
Last month, New York Times reporter James Risen revealed the Bush administration blocked at least three federal investigations into the alleged war crimes committed by Dostum. Risen spoke about his findings on Democracy Now!......
For more on this story, we’re going to London now, where we’re joined by Andrew McEntee. He is an international human rights lawyer who traveled to Afghanistan in the fall of 2002 to investigate the massacre. Andrew is also the former chair of Amnesty International UK......."
With Amy Goodman
"One of Afghanistan’s most feared warlords has returned to Afghanistan just days before its presidential election. General Abdul Rashid Dostum is one of several warlords who have allied with Afghan President Hamid Karzai, who is seeking a new term. Karzai is hoping Dostum’s return will help attract ethnic Uzbek voters. Dostum’s return to prominence in Afghanistan comes despite his role overseeing a 2001 massacre at Dasht-e-Leili that left at least 2,000 Taliban POWs dead. He’s also had extensive ties with the US and was formerly on the CIA payroll........
Last month, New York Times reporter James Risen revealed the Bush administration blocked at least three federal investigations into the alleged war crimes committed by Dostum. Risen spoke about his findings on Democracy Now!......
For more on this story, we’re going to London now, where we’re joined by Andrew McEntee. He is an international human rights lawyer who traveled to Afghanistan in the fall of 2002 to investigate the massacre. Andrew is also the former chair of Amnesty International UK......."
The Real Obama SPREAD IT OUT, by Carlos Latuff
"The war in Afghanistan is "fundamental to the defense of our people," President Obama said Monday, addressing the Veterans of Foreign Wars conference in Phoenix, Ariz. — but the fight will not be easy. "The insurgency in Afghanistan didn't just happen overnight. And we won't defeat it overnight," the president said......"
Free Gaza Movement Invites Malaysian MPs To Join Mission
Via Free Gaza Movement
"KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 17 (Bernama) -- The Free Gaza Movement human rights group has invited Malaysian members of parliament to join its next mission in mid-October to ship aid to Gaza to break Israel's blockade on territory and its 1.5 million population.
The movement's chairperson Huwaida Arraf said they intend to embark on the coming mission from a port in Cyprus as it is closer to Gaza, and send books and publications, which are not allowed into Gaza by Israel.
"I hope and welcome as many (MPs) as possible. The public with their own boats can also join us," she told reporters after briefing a group of MPs at Parliament today.
The organisation had undertaken five such missions successfully between August and December last year, carrying goods such as foodstuff and medicines.
Another three attempts had to be aborted due to Israel's use of force to stop them.
Huwaida said if high profile people such as MPs joined their mission, it would be very hard for Israel to stop the ships or to use force because of the global political ramifications......."
"KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 17 (Bernama) -- The Free Gaza Movement human rights group has invited Malaysian members of parliament to join its next mission in mid-October to ship aid to Gaza to break Israel's blockade on territory and its 1.5 million population.
The movement's chairperson Huwaida Arraf said they intend to embark on the coming mission from a port in Cyprus as it is closer to Gaza, and send books and publications, which are not allowed into Gaza by Israel.
"I hope and welcome as many (MPs) as possible. The public with their own boats can also join us," she told reporters after briefing a group of MPs at Parliament today.
The organisation had undertaken five such missions successfully between August and December last year, carrying goods such as foodstuff and medicines.
Another three attempts had to be aborted due to Israel's use of force to stop them.
Huwaida said if high profile people such as MPs joined their mission, it would be very hard for Israel to stop the ships or to use force because of the global political ramifications......."
Egyptian Antiquity Arrives in Washington; Yes I am Talking About the Pharaoh.
NGOs Call Mubarak to Account for Abuses
By Eli Clifton
"WASHINGTON, Aug 17 (IPS) - Egyptian President Mohammad Hosni Mubarak is visiting Washington this week and will meet with U.S. President Barack Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Jewish American groups.
But Egyptian Americans are using Mubarak's visit as an occasion to call attention to Mubarak's human rights abuses and to pressure the Obama administration to keep its commitment to supporting human rights and democracy throughout the world.
On Monday, a coalition of Egyptian American groups, including the Coptic Assembly of America, Voices for Democratic Egypt, the Ibn Khaldun Center for Development Studies and the International Qur'anic Center, issued statements regarding the Egyptian president's abuses of power and failure to support democracy and human rights in Egypt.....
''Mubarak operates like a monarch with an ability to act on whims and change the constitution when he wants,'' Amnesty International's advocacy director for the Middle East Zahir Janmohamed told IPS. ''Historically the U.S. looks away when he commits these abuses.....
As one of Washington's most important strategic allies in the Middle East the Obama administration will face the tough choice of choosing between appeasing its strategic ally for political expediency or emphasising the principles which Obama outlined in his Cairo speech earlier this year."
"WASHINGTON, Aug 17 (IPS) - Egyptian President Mohammad Hosni Mubarak is visiting Washington this week and will meet with U.S. President Barack Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Jewish American groups.
But Egyptian Americans are using Mubarak's visit as an occasion to call attention to Mubarak's human rights abuses and to pressure the Obama administration to keep its commitment to supporting human rights and democracy throughout the world.
On Monday, a coalition of Egyptian American groups, including the Coptic Assembly of America, Voices for Democratic Egypt, the Ibn Khaldun Center for Development Studies and the International Qur'anic Center, issued statements regarding the Egyptian president's abuses of power and failure to support democracy and human rights in Egypt.....
''Mubarak operates like a monarch with an ability to act on whims and change the constitution when he wants,'' Amnesty International's advocacy director for the Middle East Zahir Janmohamed told IPS. ''Historically the U.S. looks away when he commits these abuses.....
As one of Washington's most important strategic allies in the Middle East the Obama administration will face the tough choice of choosing between appeasing its strategic ally for political expediency or emphasising the principles which Obama outlined in his Cairo speech earlier this year."
FAKE ELECTIONS WON’T BRING PEACE TO AFGHANISTAN
By Eric Margolis
"This week’s presidential election in Afghanistan will be an elaborate piece of political theater designed to show increasingly uneasy Western voters that progress is being made in the war-torn nation after seven years of US-led occupation.
Most Afghans already believe they know who will win the vote: the candidate chosen by the United States and its NATO allies.......
The US and NATO watch in horror as their casualties sharply mount and they have nothing to show voters for the latest Afghan imperial misadventure but body bags and tantalizing mirages of Central Asia’s fabled oil and gas."
"This week’s presidential election in Afghanistan will be an elaborate piece of political theater designed to show increasingly uneasy Western voters that progress is being made in the war-torn nation after seven years of US-led occupation.
Most Afghans already believe they know who will win the vote: the candidate chosen by the United States and its NATO allies.......
The US and NATO watch in horror as their casualties sharply mount and they have nothing to show voters for the latest Afghan imperial misadventure but body bags and tantalizing mirages of Central Asia’s fabled oil and gas."
Israel Threatens Lebanon and Obama
By Franklin Lamb - Along the Blue Line in South Lebanon
Palestine Chronicle
(Left: Rep. Steny Hoyer)
"Suddenly they were all over the place, arriving not as singles but in battalions. Many, like Maryland’s 5th District Rep. Steny Hoyer had been to Israel nearly a dozen times; career stalwarts once more showing fealty to Israel’s brutal occupation of Palestine while lamely telling their constituents that they were on a legitimate 'fact finding mission.' For many, their real purpose was to signal their President that there must be no change in the US policy of coddling Israel’s increasingly Apartheid regime.
Among the nearly four dozen members of Congress were some of the most Islamophobic and anti-Arab ever to be elected by American voters......"
Palestine Chronicle
(Left: Rep. Steny Hoyer)
"Suddenly they were all over the place, arriving not as singles but in battalions. Many, like Maryland’s 5th District Rep. Steny Hoyer had been to Israel nearly a dozen times; career stalwarts once more showing fealty to Israel’s brutal occupation of Palestine while lamely telling their constituents that they were on a legitimate 'fact finding mission.' For many, their real purpose was to signal their President that there must be no change in the US policy of coddling Israel’s increasingly Apartheid regime.
Among the nearly four dozen members of Congress were some of the most Islamophobic and anti-Arab ever to be elected by American voters......"
Why these deaths hit home as hard as the Somme
By Robert Fisk
"More than 200 soldiers dead in Afghanistan, and now Gordon Brown advises us that "the best way to honour their memory is to see the course through". I don't know which particular "course" Gordon has in mind – protecting democracy, training the Afghan army, defeating the Taliban, talking to the Taliban, or just fighting them so they don't turn up on British shores – but this is straight out of the George W Bush tear bucket......
Needless to say, few of those who gather at Brize Norton spare a lot of time remembering the Afghan and the Iraqi civilian dead. How many months would it take for their hundreds of thousands of bodies to be driven in solemn cortege through British towns? Their fate is, after all, no less "deeply tragic" – the Ministry of Defence's words for our latest casualties – as the loss of British soldiers.
I guess we've grown used to TV-war, the kind where we live and they – the other, alien people with brown eyes and a strange religion – die. And they must not be allowed to reach the shores of England. Which is why, occasionally and few in number, we die too. Or so Gordon would have us believe."
"More than 200 soldiers dead in Afghanistan, and now Gordon Brown advises us that "the best way to honour their memory is to see the course through". I don't know which particular "course" Gordon has in mind – protecting democracy, training the Afghan army, defeating the Taliban, talking to the Taliban, or just fighting them so they don't turn up on British shores – but this is straight out of the George W Bush tear bucket......
Needless to say, few of those who gather at Brize Norton spare a lot of time remembering the Afghan and the Iraqi civilian dead. How many months would it take for their hundreds of thousands of bodies to be driven in solemn cortege through British towns? Their fate is, after all, no less "deeply tragic" – the Ministry of Defence's words for our latest casualties – as the loss of British soldiers.
I guess we've grown used to TV-war, the kind where we live and they – the other, alien people with brown eyes and a strange religion – die. And they must not be allowed to reach the shores of England. Which is why, occasionally and few in number, we die too. Or so Gordon would have us believe."
Mubarak: Egypt Working to Release 'Our Prisoner' Shalit
Al-Manar
(Cartoon by Carlos Latuff)
"18/08/2009
"Gilad Shalit is our prisoner." Believe it or not, this phrase was not mentioned by any Israeli nor American leader. However, it was enthusiastically mentioned by the head of one of the biggest Arab countries, Egypt’s President Hosni Mubarak who has forgot or pretend to have forgotten that there are over 11,000 Palestinian detainees in the Israeli jails, including women and minors.
President Hosni Mubarak revealed in an interview to the "The Charlie Rose Show" on the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) network in the United States that his country had nearly freed captured Israeli occupation soldier Gilad Shalit.
"We were about to have Shalit released to us, but an intervention by external elements disrupted the process and led to delays," he said, noting that Egypt was involved in the matter together with Germany.
In an interview broadcast Monday night ahead of Mubarak's meeting with US President Barack Obama, he refused to commit to an imminent solution to the matter adopting Shalit’s issue by saying Shalit is “our prisoner”........"
Report: US Plan Could See Palestinians Cede Demand for Right of Return
Al-Manar
"18/08/2009 Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and US President Barack Obama will discuss on Tuesday a new initiative which would see Palestinians concede on their demand for the right of return in exchange for compensation, according to the London-based Al-Quds al-Arabi.
The initiative, which was reportedly raised by past U.S. officials Jimmy Carter, James Baker and Brent Scowcroft, would see a demilitarized Palestinian state set within amended 1967 borders and occupied Jerusalem as the joint capital of both states......"
"18/08/2009 Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and US President Barack Obama will discuss on Tuesday a new initiative which would see Palestinians concede on their demand for the right of return in exchange for compensation, according to the London-based Al-Quds al-Arabi.
The initiative, which was reportedly raised by past U.S. officials Jimmy Carter, James Baker and Brent Scowcroft, would see a demilitarized Palestinian state set within amended 1967 borders and occupied Jerusalem as the joint capital of both states......"
مبارك وأوباما يبحثان 'مبادرة حكماء' تسقط حق العودة
التقى زعماء اللوبي الصهيوني في واشنطن
"لندن ـ 'القدس العربي' ـ من خالد الشامي: قالت مصادر ان الرئيسين المصري حسني مبارك والامريكي باراك اوباما سيبحثان في لقائهما المرتقب اليوم بالبيت الابيض 'مبادرة حكماء' لتسوية النزاع العربي الاسرائيلي على أساس تعويض اللاجئين الفلسطينيين بدلاً من حق العودة، وكذلك تعديل حدود عام 1967، واقامة دولة فلسطينية منزوعة السلاح، على ان تكون القدس عاصمة مشتركة.
وأشرف على 'مبادرة الحكماء' الرئيس الامريكي الأسبق جيمي كارتر، ووزير الخارجية الاسبق جيمس بيكر، وبرنت سكوكروفت مستشار الأمن القومي السابق في ادارتي فورد، وبوش الأب.
وعشية الاجتماع الذي يعتبر الأول من نوعه منذ خمسة اعوام في واشنطن، التقى مبارك مع زعماء اللوبي اليهودي في الولايات المتحدة، ووزيرة الخارجية هيلاري كلينتون.
واعتبر مراقبون ان لقاء مبارك مع زعماء اللوبي الصهيوني يعكس حالة 'الدفء' التي تشهدها العلاقات بين النظام المصري مع حكومة نتنياهو، والتي تمثلت في شواهد عديدة بينها:
ـ السماح بمرور غواصات نووية اسرائيلية في قناة السويس لأول مرة رغم ما تعلنه الحكومة المصرية دائماً حول رفضها لسباق التسلح النووي، ومطالبتها بشرق اوسط خال من الأسلحة النووية.
ـ قيام شمعون بيريس وبنيامين نتنياهو بزيارة غير مسبوقة الى مقر السفارة المصرية في تل ابيب بمناسبة الذكرى السابعة والخمسين لثورة يوليو، والتشديد على اهمية الدور المصري.
ـ ادلاء كبار المسؤولين الاسرائيليين بتصريحات تشيد بنجاح السلطات المصرية في اغلاق العديد من الانفاق على حدود غزة، وكذلك اشادتهم بنجاح الأجهزة الأمنية في احباط محاولات عديدة 'لاغتيال السفير الاسرائيلي في القاهرة. وضبط 'خلية حزب الله' التي تتهمها السلطات المصرية بالتخطيط لمهاجمة سياح اسرائيليين في سيناء.
ـ توقيع صفقة جديدة لتصدير الغاز المصري الى اسرائيل بالرغم من المعارضة الشعبية والسياسية الواسعة والمعركة القضائية التي يخوضها نشطون سياسيون لابطالها.
ورأى المراقبون ان العلاقات المصرية ـ الاسرائيلية في افضل حالاتها منذ سنوات عديدة، بالرغم من الموقف المصري المعلن الذي يحمّل تل ابيب مسؤولية عرقلة صفقة مبادلة الاسير الاسرائيلي جلعاد شليط بألف اسير فلسطيني.
وكان المعارض المصري البارز الدكتور سعد الدين ابراهيم قال في حديث لقناة 'الحوار' ان اللوبي الصهيوني هو من يتصدى له عندما يوجه اي انتقادات للنظام المصري اثناء المؤتمرات التي يشارك فيها بالعاصمة الامريكية.
"
Monday, August 17, 2009
New Israeli rules curb travel from West Bank
An Important Piece
By Jonathan Cook
"JERUSALEM // In an echo of restrictions already firmly in place in Gaza, Israel has begun barring movement between Israel and the West Bank for anyone holding a foreign passport, including humanitarian aid workers and thousands of Palestinian residents.
The new policy is designed to force foreign citizens to choose between visiting Israel, including East Jerusalem, which Israel has annexed illegally, and the West Bank. In most cases, travel between the two areas will no longer be possible.
The new regulation is in breach of Israel’s commitments under the Oslo accords to western governments that their citizens would be given continued access to the occupied territories......
“This is a deepening and refinement of the policy of separation that began with Israel establishing checkpoints in the West Bank and building the wall,” said Sam Bahour, a Palestinian-American living in Ramallah who heads a Right to Enter campaign highlighting Israeli restrictions on Palestinian movement.
“Foreign governments like the US ought to be up in arms because this rule violates their own citizens’ rights under diplomatic agreements. So far they have remained silent.”
Mr Bahour, 44, said the immediate victims of the new policy would be thousands of Palestinians from abroad who, like himself, returned to the West Bank during the more optimistic Oslo period......
“This latest rule, like the earlier one, fits into Israel’s general goal of ethnic cleansing,” he said. “Israel makes life ever more difficult to encourage any Palestinians who can, such as those with foreign passports, to leave.”......
Human rights groups are also concerned by the wording of new restriction, confining foreign citizens to “Palestinian Authority territories”. The PA rules over only about 40 per cent of the West Bank. The groups fear that in the future Israel may seek to prevent foreigners from moving between the PA-controlled enclaves of the West Bank and the 60 per cent under Israel control......."
"JERUSALEM // In an echo of restrictions already firmly in place in Gaza, Israel has begun barring movement between Israel and the West Bank for anyone holding a foreign passport, including humanitarian aid workers and thousands of Palestinian residents.
The new policy is designed to force foreign citizens to choose between visiting Israel, including East Jerusalem, which Israel has annexed illegally, and the West Bank. In most cases, travel between the two areas will no longer be possible.
The new regulation is in breach of Israel’s commitments under the Oslo accords to western governments that their citizens would be given continued access to the occupied territories......
“This is a deepening and refinement of the policy of separation that began with Israel establishing checkpoints in the West Bank and building the wall,” said Sam Bahour, a Palestinian-American living in Ramallah who heads a Right to Enter campaign highlighting Israeli restrictions on Palestinian movement.
“Foreign governments like the US ought to be up in arms because this rule violates their own citizens’ rights under diplomatic agreements. So far they have remained silent.”
Mr Bahour, 44, said the immediate victims of the new policy would be thousands of Palestinians from abroad who, like himself, returned to the West Bank during the more optimistic Oslo period......
“This latest rule, like the earlier one, fits into Israel’s general goal of ethnic cleansing,” he said. “Israel makes life ever more difficult to encourage any Palestinians who can, such as those with foreign passports, to leave.”......
Human rights groups are also concerned by the wording of new restriction, confining foreign citizens to “Palestinian Authority territories”. The PA rules over only about 40 per cent of the West Bank. The groups fear that in the future Israel may seek to prevent foreigners from moving between the PA-controlled enclaves of the West Bank and the 60 per cent under Israel control......."
OCHA's new report, “Locked In”: The Humanitarian Impact of Two Years of Blockade on the Gaza Strip.
. The daily average truckload entering Gaza since the blockade (112) constitutes 1/5 of the comparable figure (583) in the period before the blockade (Jan-May 2007).
· Pre-blockade exports consisted of 1,090 truckloads per month (Jan.-May 2007). During two years of the blockade, all exports have been banned, except for 147 truckloads, consisting of cut flowers and strawberries.
. 120,000 private sector jobs have been lost.
. 80 million liters of raw or partially-treated sewage are discharged daily into the environment as a result of lack of maintenance and upgrading of the wastewater infrastructure.
· Pre-blockade exports consisted of 1,090 truckloads per month (Jan.-May 2007). During two years of the blockade, all exports have been banned, except for 147 truckloads, consisting of cut flowers and strawberries.
. 120,000 private sector jobs have been lost.
. 80 million liters of raw or partially-treated sewage are discharged daily into the environment as a result of lack of maintenance and upgrading of the wastewater infrastructure.
Fatah strangled at rebirth
Contrary to many reports, Fatah's conference was marred by claims of vote-rigging, rejection of criticism and even beatings
Ben White
guardian.co.uk, Monday 17 August 2009
".....There was certainly a change in personnel at the highest decision-making levels of the organisation; into the central committee came Mohammed Dahlan, Marwan Barghouti and Jibril Rajoub. But whether what one commentator in Dar al-Hayat called "the return of ex-security chiefs" somehow represented the kind of victory for transparency and political integrity that the Fatah rank and file were looking for is more dubious.
Ben White
guardian.co.uk, Monday 17 August 2009
".....There was certainly a change in personnel at the highest decision-making levels of the organisation; into the central committee came Mohammed Dahlan, Marwan Barghouti and Jibril Rajoub. But whether what one commentator in Dar al-Hayat called "the return of ex-security chiefs" somehow represented the kind of victory for transparency and political integrity that the Fatah rank and file were looking for is more dubious.
In fact, the reality of Fatah's conference was a good deal different to how it was portrayed in many typical western media reports. There was limited acknowledgement of the fact that many Palestinians and Arab commentators were pointing out, as Abdel-Beri Atwan did in Al-Quds al-Arabi on 4 August, that "this is the first time in history that a national liberation movement holds its general conference under the spear of the occupation and with the blessing of its government". Al-Sharq newspaper also noted that the conference was taking place "with Israel's sponsorship, and protection"......
With some Fatah members already preparing their protests, the future of Fatah is barely less gloomy than it was before the conference. With no acknowledgement of past mistakes and key leadership positions viewed as sources of personal power and privilege, the conference may not have been a rebirth so much as an exercise in prolonging the inevitable."
Human Rights Watch Calls on Israel to Investigate “White Flag” Shootings of Gaza Civilians
Democracy Now!
With Amy Goodman
"Human Rights Watch released a report last week detailing new evidence of possible Israeli war crimes committed during last winter’s Operation Cast Lead in Gaza that left over 1,400 Palestinians dead. The report says Israeli soldiers unlawfully shot and killed at least eleven Palestinian civilians, including five women and four children, who were in groups waving white flags to make clear that they were civilians and not combatants. We speak to HRW’s Fred Abrahams and air exclusive video from Gaza from Democracy Now!‘s Anjali Kamat and Big Noise Film’s Jacquie Soohen....."
Afghan Election 2009: Freedom, Fraud, and Fornication
Remember 'Democracy, whiskey, sexy!'? Stay tuned for Part II
by Justin Raimondo, August 17, 2009
" In those heady days of 2003, when the War Party was really feeling its oats and the neocons, the "warbloggers," and the television talking heads were triumphantly hailing the invasion of Iraq as an unqualified success, one Iraqi pretty much summed up the Arab response to the "liberation," as reported by the New York Times:
"In the giddy spirit of the day, nothing could quite top the wish list bellowed out by one man in the throng of people greeting American troops from the 101st Airborne Division who marched into town today.
"What, the man was asked, did he hope to see now that the Ba’ath Party had been driven from power in his town? What would the Americans bring?
“‘Democracy,’ the man said, his voice rising to lift each word to greater prominence. ‘Whiskey. And sexy!’"
According to this reporter, the crowd shouted its approval, and, here at home, the warbloggers took up this cry as their signature slogan, celebrating this anonymous Iraqis’ apparent joy at the imposition of modernity on Iraq at gunpoint as decisive proof that the policies of the Bush administration were right and the "transformation" of the entire region was on the agenda......"
by Justin Raimondo, August 17, 2009
" In those heady days of 2003, when the War Party was really feeling its oats and the neocons, the "warbloggers," and the television talking heads were triumphantly hailing the invasion of Iraq as an unqualified success, one Iraqi pretty much summed up the Arab response to the "liberation," as reported by the New York Times:
"In the giddy spirit of the day, nothing could quite top the wish list bellowed out by one man in the throng of people greeting American troops from the 101st Airborne Division who marched into town today.
"What, the man was asked, did he hope to see now that the Ba’ath Party had been driven from power in his town? What would the Americans bring?
“‘Democracy,’ the man said, his voice rising to lift each word to greater prominence. ‘Whiskey. And sexy!’"
According to this reporter, the crowd shouted its approval, and, here at home, the warbloggers took up this cry as their signature slogan, celebrating this anonymous Iraqis’ apparent joy at the imposition of modernity on Iraq at gunpoint as decisive proof that the policies of the Bush administration were right and the "transformation" of the entire region was on the agenda......"
Al-Jazeera Video: Inside Story - Islamist fighters challenge Hamas - 16 Aug 09
"Hamas says it has put an end to what has been seen as the greatest challenge to its control of Gaza since it took over the Strip.
The political and military group is being blamed for a rise in extremist activity in the territory over the past two years.
On Friday, a little-known pro-al-Qaeda group called Jund Ansar Allah, or Soldiers of the Supporters of God, proclaimed "the creation of an Islamic emirate in the Gaza Strip".
They reportedly claimed Hamas was too liberal and demanded the territory to be governed purely by sharia, Islamic law.
Within 24 hours, Abdel-Latif Moussa, their cleric leader, and a number of followers had been killed in clashes with Hamas security forces.
Is Hamas beginning to lose popularity with the people of Gaza? What is the significance of pro-al-Qaeda groups emerging in Gaza? And are 'extremist' groups a real threat to the Hamas rule in the Gaza Strip?"
Campaign against medal winners stoked by UN-Israel Lobby liaison
By Wayne Madsen
Online Journal Contributing Writer
"WMR has learned from UN sources that the campaign by the Israel Lobby in the United States to discredit former Irish President and UN Human Rights Commissioner Mary Robinson was aided and abetted by a long-time UN liaison “consultant” who has worked for both Secretary Generals Kofi Annan and Ban Ki-moon.
The consultant attempted to put the imprimatur of the UN on a number of news stories that were placed in the major media. On May 10, former U.S. ambassador to the UN John Bolton, who is now a senior fellow with the neocon citadel, the American Enterprise Institute, penned a screed against Robinson in the Wall Street Journal that accused Robinson of tolerating an anti-Semitic, anti-Israel, and anti-American platform at the World Conference Against Racism in Durban, South Africa in 2001.
Major Jewish organizations in the United States criticized President Obama for awarding Robinson the Presidential Medal of Freedom at a White House ceremony last week. Obama was also criticized by the minions of the Israel Lobby for awarding the same medal to retired South African Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu....."
Online Journal Contributing Writer
"WMR has learned from UN sources that the campaign by the Israel Lobby in the United States to discredit former Irish President and UN Human Rights Commissioner Mary Robinson was aided and abetted by a long-time UN liaison “consultant” who has worked for both Secretary Generals Kofi Annan and Ban Ki-moon.
The consultant attempted to put the imprimatur of the UN on a number of news stories that were placed in the major media. On May 10, former U.S. ambassador to the UN John Bolton, who is now a senior fellow with the neocon citadel, the American Enterprise Institute, penned a screed against Robinson in the Wall Street Journal that accused Robinson of tolerating an anti-Semitic, anti-Israel, and anti-American platform at the World Conference Against Racism in Durban, South Africa in 2001.
Major Jewish organizations in the United States criticized President Obama for awarding Robinson the Presidential Medal of Freedom at a White House ceremony last week. Obama was also criticized by the minions of the Israel Lobby for awarding the same medal to retired South African Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu....."
Palestinians Must say NO to al Qaeda
By Khalid Amayreh
"I honestly believe that Hamas has done the right thing by clamping down on the Al-Qaeda cell in Gaza.
True, the bloodshed is lamentable and heartrending; and each and every Palestinian is deeply saddened by the spilling of Palestinian blood by Palestinian hands.
However, it is imperative to realize that preventing the Gaza Strip from morphing into another Iraq, another Swat, or even another S'ada (Yemen) is a paramount task.......
According to reliable sources, the fanatics of Al-Qaeda in Gaza are widely believed to have been responsible for carrying out murderous attacks on coffee shops, internet cafés, and some other cultural centers, as well as some Christian targets in Gaza, resulting in the death of a number of innocent people.
That was a brazen violation of Islamic teachings which prohibit harming innocent people......."
"I honestly believe that Hamas has done the right thing by clamping down on the Al-Qaeda cell in Gaza.
True, the bloodshed is lamentable and heartrending; and each and every Palestinian is deeply saddened by the spilling of Palestinian blood by Palestinian hands.
However, it is imperative to realize that preventing the Gaza Strip from morphing into another Iraq, another Swat, or even another S'ada (Yemen) is a paramount task.......
According to reliable sources, the fanatics of Al-Qaeda in Gaza are widely believed to have been responsible for carrying out murderous attacks on coffee shops, internet cafés, and some other cultural centers, as well as some Christian targets in Gaza, resulting in the death of a number of innocent people.
That was a brazen violation of Islamic teachings which prohibit harming innocent people......."
Nonviolent direct action, solidarity and struggle
Ramzi Kysia, The Electronic Intifada, 17 August 2009
"A year ago, 44 ordinary people from 17 different countries sailed to Gaza in two small wooden boats. We did what our governments would not do -- we broke through the Israeli siege. During the last year the Free Gaza Movement has organized seven more voyages, successfully arriving to Gaza on five separate occasions.
Regardless of Israeli threats and intimidation, Free Gaza volunteers will continue sailing unarmed boats to Gaza. Ours remain the only international ships to reach the Gaza Strip in more than 42 years. By directly challenging the Israeli military with our small boats, we have concretely demonstrated that this siege has nothing whatsoever to do with security and is simply an illegal act of collective punishment......
The continuing failure of the international community to enforce its own laws and protect the Palestinian people demands that we as private citizens directly intervene to take action commensurate with the crisis. What is needed in our world today is not simply protest against the violence of occupation and oppression. What we need is a greater resolve -- a new militancy rooted in the profound respect for human life, and sustained by profound disrespect for any government or group that terrorizes our sisters and brothers around the world.
More than at any time in recent memory, ordinary people around the world seem to be answering this call. "
"A year ago, 44 ordinary people from 17 different countries sailed to Gaza in two small wooden boats. We did what our governments would not do -- we broke through the Israeli siege. During the last year the Free Gaza Movement has organized seven more voyages, successfully arriving to Gaza on five separate occasions.
Regardless of Israeli threats and intimidation, Free Gaza volunteers will continue sailing unarmed boats to Gaza. Ours remain the only international ships to reach the Gaza Strip in more than 42 years. By directly challenging the Israeli military with our small boats, we have concretely demonstrated that this siege has nothing whatsoever to do with security and is simply an illegal act of collective punishment......
The continuing failure of the international community to enforce its own laws and protect the Palestinian people demands that we as private citizens directly intervene to take action commensurate with the crisis. What is needed in our world today is not simply protest against the violence of occupation and oppression. What we need is a greater resolve -- a new militancy rooted in the profound respect for human life, and sustained by profound disrespect for any government or group that terrorizes our sisters and brothers around the world.
More than at any time in recent memory, ordinary people around the world seem to be answering this call. "
Children Have a Way With Miracles
By Mohammed Omer
"AMSTERDAM, Aug 16 (IPS) - Call it that choice between looking at the half-full or half-empty part of the results. And it is almost half; 55 percent of schoolchildren passed their exams in Gaza this year.
The results in the humanities section in the exams, the Tawjihis as they are called, were 4 percent better than last year, and in the sciences they were better by 2 percent. So much for the impact of the Israeli bombardment last December-January, on most of the children anyway.
Hanan Al-Manameh scored 99.4 percent in science, the sixth highest in the exams conducted both in Gaza and the West Bank. "The war and the siege on Gaza will not break us down," she tells IPS on phone from Gaza City. "The war didn't put an end to the school year, and it didn't kill the motivation inside me."........
And yet Gaza's results are comparable with those in Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon and Syria, says Dr. Ibrahim. "And imagine, in those countries they have all the budgets, the stability, the means to create a proper atmosphere for education."......."
The families of Gaza profit from bunny business
Cuddly, clean and nutritious, cottontails are solving the Palestinian food crisis.
Donald Macintyre
The Independent
".....For rabbits have become an unlikely siege-beating lifeline for some of the poorest families in Gaza. Relatively cheap to feed and famously reproductive, the fluffy creatures are helping families like the Motawes to survive the desperate shortage of income – and nutritious food – imposed by the economic collapse of a Gaza under blockade......."
Donald Macintyre
The Independent
".....For rabbits have become an unlikely siege-beating lifeline for some of the poorest families in Gaza. Relatively cheap to feed and famously reproductive, the fluffy creatures are helping families like the Motawes to survive the desperate shortage of income – and nutritious food – imposed by the economic collapse of a Gaza under blockade......."
Israel's state-sponsored injustice
Watching the criminal collusion of settlers and the army in Susiya, it's clear this is a microcosm of an indefensible situation
Seth Freedman
guardian.co.uk, Monday 17 August 2009
"......Watching a crime take place is never pleasant for onlookers, but the experience is made infinitely worse when there is no recourse whatsoever to ameliorate the situation. In more tolerant and equitable societies, witnesses can pick up the phone and call the authorities, in the hope and expectation that the police will intervene on behalf of the victim and right the wrong being committed. But when the very security forces meant to deal out justice are standing alongside the criminals and providing armed cover for their actions, the sense of disbelief and disaffection with the status quo is off the scale.....
For those who see such embitterment up close, the settlers' and soldiers' actions are indefensible. An army of apologists couldn't convince the neutral that such crimes are in any way conscionable – but still they try, and, despite all the political bluster and diplomatic posturing, nothing changes on ground level. For the farmers of Susiya, their struggle to fend off the forces amassed against them is as futile today as it ever was."
Seth Freedman
guardian.co.uk, Monday 17 August 2009
"......Watching a crime take place is never pleasant for onlookers, but the experience is made infinitely worse when there is no recourse whatsoever to ameliorate the situation. In more tolerant and equitable societies, witnesses can pick up the phone and call the authorities, in the hope and expectation that the police will intervene on behalf of the victim and right the wrong being committed. But when the very security forces meant to deal out justice are standing alongside the criminals and providing armed cover for their actions, the sense of disbelief and disaffection with the status quo is off the scale.....
For those who see such embitterment up close, the settlers' and soldiers' actions are indefensible. An army of apologists couldn't convince the neutral that such crimes are in any way conscionable – but still they try, and, despite all the political bluster and diplomatic posturing, nothing changes on ground level. For the farmers of Susiya, their struggle to fend off the forces amassed against them is as futile today as it ever was."
حماس ومأزق التطرف
حماس ومأزق التطرف
عبد الباري عطوان
"ربما تكون حركة 'حماس' نجحت في القضاء على تنظيم 'جند انصار الله'، وتصفية زعيمه عبد اللطيف موسى بعد اقتحام مسجده في جنوب مدينة رفح قرب الحدود مع مصر، ولكن هذا النجاح قد يكون مكلفا للغاية بالنسبة الى الحركة وصورتها في بعض الاوساط الاسلامية، داخل الاراضي المحتلة وخارجها.
فاقتحام مسجد، واطلاق النار على الذين تحصنوا فيه، لم يكونا خطوة حكيمة، لما للمساجد من حرمة في العقيدة الاسلامية، وكان من الاجدى اتباع اساليب اخرى، مثل حصاره، والتفاوض مع المحتمين فيه من اجل الوصول الى تسوية سلمية حقنا للدماء، وقطعا لدابر الفتنة، وترك مسألة الاقتحام هذه كخيار اخير، بعد نفاد كل الوساطات، ووصول المفاوضات الى طريق مسدود.
ندرك جيدا ان الغلو في التطرف ليس امرا محمودا، لما يمكن ان يترتب عليه من خلافات وربما صدامات بين ابناء العقيدة الواحدة، والخندق الواحد. كما ان اعلان قيام امارة اسلامية في منطقة صغيرة، في قطاع صغير محاصر، تحكمه حركة مقاومة اسلامية ينطوي على تسرع وقراءة غير دقيقة لمجريات الاوضاع على الارض، ولكن هذا لا يعني استخدام القوة، وبمثل هذه الشراسة، للتعاطي مع هذه المسألة، مما يؤدي الى مقتل 24 شخصا واصابة 150 آخرين بصورة اثارة حالة من الابتهاج في صفوف الشامتين بالاسلاميين، وحركة 'حماس' على وجه الخصوص، وما اكثرهم هذه الايام.
الشيخ عبد اللطيف موسى يصفه معارفه بأنه رجل تقي مؤمن، يتمتع بخلق حميد، وسخر حياته في خدمة الدعوة الاسلامية ومساعدة الفقراء من موقعه كطبيب للاسرة، وكان من ابرز المؤيدين لحركة 'حماس' والمعارضين للسلطة الفلسطينية ورموز فسادها اثناء سيطرتها على قطاع غزة، وكنا نتمنى لو ان الناطقين باسم حركة 'حماس' قد ابتعدوا عن محاولات تشويه صورته، بالقول بانه رأس حربة لسلطة رام الله، ويتلقى اموالا منها، وما يزيد من مرارة هذه الاتهامات انها صدرت بعد انتقال الرجل الى الرفيق الاعلى، مما يتناقض كليا مع تعاليم الاسلام السمحة في التعفف في القول، وذكر محاسن الموتى، والاتقياء المجاهدين منهم على وجه الخصوص.
***
حركة 'حماس' باستخدامها القوة لانهاء هذه الظاهرة الاسلامية المتشددة التي حاولت شق عصا الطاعة على سلطتها في قطاع غزة أرادت توجيه اكثر من رسالة، الاولى للجماعات الاسلامية المتطرفة الأخرى التي تربت في رحمها، وتحت كنفها، تحذرها من خطورة اي خروج على هيمنتها، او محاولة خرق 'الهدنة' المعلنة مع الاحتلال، والثانية للعالم الخارجي، والولايات المتحدة على وجه الخصوص، مفادها انها حركة وسطية معتدلة مستهدفة من قبل الحركات المتطرفة، وتنظيم 'القاعدة' وانصاره على وجه الخصوص، تماماً مثلها مثل العالم الغربي والأنظمة العربية المعتدلة.
فاللافت ان حركة 'حماس' تعطي هذه الأيام ثقلاً اكبر للحراك السياسي والدبلوماسي وتحاول ان تفتح حوارات مع عواصم غربية تقدم نفسها من خلالها كحركة سياسية براغماتية يمكن التوصل الى اتفاقات معها، وتوازي هذا الحراك مع تصريحات صحافية أكدت الاستعداد للقبول بدولة فلسطينية مستقلة في حدود الرابع من حزيران (يونيو) عام 1967 وفي اطار هدنة قد تمتد لعدة عقود.
العواصم الغربية ترحب بمثل هذه البراغماتية الحمساوية، وتشجع على الاستمرار فيها، تماماً مثلما شجعت منظمة التحرير الفلسطينية وقيادتها بالطريقة نفسها الى ان اوصلتها الى 'نبذ العنف' اي المقاومة باعتبارها 'ارهاباً' والاعتراف باسرائيل، والوقوع في مصيدة اوسلو، وبقية القصة معروفة.
فعندما تدخل حركة 'حماس' العملية السياسية وتخوض الانتخابات التشريعية والبلدية، وتتوج مسيرتها هذه بالسيطرة الكاملة على قطاع غزة، فانه عليها ان تتوقع قيام جماعات اسلامية متشددة تختار النهج الذي اختارته هي كرد على تخلي منظمة التحرير الفلسطينية عن الخيار العسكري لحساب الخيار التفاوضي.
نحن لا نقول ان حركة 'حماس' تخلت عن المقاومة نهائياً، وربما تكون هدنتها الحالية مؤقتة مثل هدنات سابقة، ولكن على قيادتها ان تدرك ان حبال صبر بعض الجماعات الاسلامية ليست طويلة، فهناك من يتعطش للجهاد حتى لو على ظهور الجياد.
نشرح أكثر ونقول ان حركة 'حماس' عبأت الآلاف من ابناء قطاع غزة والضفة الغربية بثقافة الشهادة، وفروضها وبنت جيشاً ضخماً من الاستشهاديين الذين يتسابقون للوقوف في الصف الأول لتفجير أحزمتهم الناسفة في أوساط الاسرائيليين طلبا للشهادة والذهاب الى الجنة عبر أقصر الطرق وأسرعها، ومن الطبيعي أن يشعر نسبة من هؤلاء بالاحباط من جراء الهدنة الحالية، والبحث عن منظمات جهادية أخرى تخرجهم من هذه الحالة وتحقق لهم آمالهم في الشهادة، ولهذا لم يكن غريبا أن يكون استشهاديون من عناصر كتائب القسام الجناح العسكري لحركة 'حماس' بين ضحايا جماعة 'أنصار جند الله'، وعلى رأس هؤلاء ابن شقيق الدكتور موسى ابو مرزوق نائب رئيس المكتب السياسي لحركة 'حماس'.
***
حركة 'حماس' مستهدفة، سواء بشكل مباشر من خلال الحصار الحالي المفروض عليها في قطاع غزة، والمؤامرات التي تستهدفها من رام الله او عواصم عربية وأجنبية عديدة، او غير مباشر من خلال القاء جزرة الاعتراف المشروط بها من قبل قوى عربية وأجنبية بهدف حرفها عن منطلقاتها العقائدية الاولى التي حققت لها الاغلبية في الانتخابات الاخيرة، وضرب الالتفاف الجماهيري الفلسطيني والعربي من حولها.
هذا الاستهداف يتطلب الحذر الشديد، وسد الذرائع والتصرف بحكمة متناهية، بعيدا عن القرارات والخطوات 'النزقة' 'المتعجلة'، التي قد تحل مشكلة، ولكنها قد تخلق عشر مشاكل جديدة، مثلما هو حال اقتحام مسجد انصار جند الله في رفح.
الخيارات الحمساوية صعبة، هذا أمر مفهوم، فاذا هي تطرفت في قراراتها تصطدم مع قطاع عريض من الخاضعين تحت حكمها من العلمانيين أو المستقلين، مثلما أقدمت أخيرا على منع عرض الملابس النسائية في واجهة المحلات، وأسست فرق الشرطة الدينية لضبط 'الأخلاق' واذا اعتدلت وغضت النظر قليلا تجد نفسها في مواجهة مع الجماعات الاسلامية المتشددة التي 'تزاود' عليها عقائديا وتطالب بتطبيق صارم للشريعة الاسلامية. ولكن لا بد من التذكير بأن 'حماس' هي التي وضعت نفسها في هذا 'المأزق' عندما اختارت أخذ زمام الأمور بيدها في القطاع، واخراج السلطة الفاسدة وقواتها الامنية منه، ووضع حد لحال الفلتان الامني، وتحويله أي القطاع الى قاعدة للمقاومة.
حركة 'حماس' تجد نفسها ملزمة بحسم هذه الحالة 'الضبابية' التي تعيشها حاليا، فاذا ارادت ان تكون سلطة حاكمة فقط، وتطيل أمد الهدنة، وتسعى لاعتراف دولي، فان عليها ان تتبع نموذج حزب العدالة والتنمية في تركيا وتستفيد من تجربته البراغماتية بجوانبها السياسية والاجتماعية والاقتصادية، وهذا النموذج لا يستقيم مع عنوانها الحالي كحركة مقاومة، او ان تعود الى منابعها الاولى وتتمسك بخيار المقاومة مثلما هو حال 'حزب الله' في لبنان حتى تحقق أهدافها بتحرير الأرض.
الوقوف في الوسط بين هذين الخيارين مثلما هو حاصل حاليا، يصلح لفترة مؤقتة، ولكنه خيار سيؤدي الى انفجار اعراض جانبية خطيرة، خصوصا اذا طال أمده، مثل بروز ظاهرة 'أنصار جند الله' الاخيرة، والصدام معها، وهو صدام قد يكون مقدمة لصدامات اخرى اخطر، مثل الصدام مع حركة 'الجهاد' تحديدا.
حركة 'حماس' تعيش وضعا صعبا، لا شك في ذلك، حيث تتكاثر السيوف المشهرة ضدها، في ظل حصار ظالم، وهذا الوضع يتطلب مراجعة شاملة مكثفة للحفاظ على صورتها ومكانتها، وتفويت الفرصة على الشامتين بها، والمتآمرين عليها من داخل فلسطين وخارجها.
كلمة أخيرة، وهي: ان حكم غابة من الاسود اسهل بكثير من حكم قطاع غزة، هذه القناعة توصل اليها رابين وشارون، واقتنع بها أولمرت، وجربها الرئيس محمود عباس وجنرالاته قادة الاجهزة الامنية، والمأمول ان يكون حظ 'حماس' أفضل من هؤلاء جميعا، وكان الله في عونها في جميع الأحوال.
"
Mashaal: Hamas Can Speak with Obama
Al-Manar
"17/08/2009 Hamas is interested in opening a dialogue with the Obama administration because its policies are much better than those of former US president George W. Bush, Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal said on Sunday.
He denied reports about progress in negotiations for the release of captured Israeli occupation soldier Gilad Shalit.
Mashaal also denied that Hamas was seeking to impose strict Islamic rule in the Gaza Strip, saying religion should not be enforced through coercion.
The Damascus-based leader's remarks came in an interview with the Qatari newspaper Al-Watan and were published a day after Hamas foiled an attempt by an al-Qaeda infiltrated radical group to establish an “Islamic emirate” in the Gaza Strip......."
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Current Al-Jazeera (Arabic) Online Poll
This poll asks:
Was Hamas justified in using decisive military force against Jund Ansar Allah?
With over 9,000 responding so far, the vote was split down the middle, with 49% saying yes and 51% saying no.
Was Hamas justified in using decisive military force against Jund Ansar Allah?
With over 9,000 responding so far, the vote was split down the middle, with 49% saying yes and 51% saying no.
Al-Jazeera Video: Israeli peace activist highlights Bedouin's plight - 16 Aug 09
"Ezra Nawi, a well-known Israeli peace activist, is expected to be sentenced to several months in jail for trying to stop the demolition of Palestinian homes in the occupied West Bank.
Now he is using media interest in him and his case to highlight the plight of the Bedouin - a marginalised group in Palestinian society.
Al Jazeera's Jacky Rowland reports from the south Hebron hills on the plumber and peace activist. "
Relativity
By Mazin Qumsiyeh, PhD
".....The Wall Street Journal had an article from the Israeli official explaining how removing checkpoints in the west bank made the economy booming (RELATIVE to Gaza!). We are told that behaving Palestinians are better off than those who cling to hopes and dreams that do not fit with colonial designs......
..... By the end of this year, the two-state scenario will be buried for good (the settlements Israel has been building in the past two years finish cutting off the West Bank and the population growth exceeding 500,000 colonial settlers ensures the impossibility of a sovereign Palestinian state). This fulfils the refined and updated Alon plan of 1968 which the strengthened and empowered Zionist state has pursued relentlessly. It is articulated well in the statement "When we have settled the land, all the Arabs will be able to do is run around like drugged roaches in a bottle."
Palestinians in leading positions will have to decide if they accept this characterization or if they will begin the very hard process of mobilizing the population for the needed struggle of liberation to roll back the colonial project. The words liberation and revolution should not be just a slogan. And if indeed our elected (and unelected) leadership supports popular struggles like in Bilin and Alma'sara (here in Bethlehem), then they are invited to join and bring all their entourage, relatives and friends......
. My recommendation is that Palestinians who support two states (I am not one of them) should insist on the borders of the partition resolution 181 as their opening negotiating positions not the 1967 artificial border that leaves the natives with 22% of their original lands. But negotiations can't be done with an imbalance of power. I believe Palestinians can build their power if/when: a) their factions work together (resolve the petty differences on nonexistent "authorities"), b) we mobilize and unleash the tremendous energy among our people (instead of frustrating the population with negative talk), and c) we mobilize the international community for boycotts, divestments, and sanctions and other acts of solidarity (including media work). The choice is liberation or oblivion (there are no guarantees that native people succeed in defeating colonial schemes). It is that stark a choice. Those elites who believe their positions ultimately protect them would do well to remember the fates of people from Saddam Hussain to officers of the South Lebanon Army. And the people on the street who think they are powerless would do well to remember that no liberation comes from above and that you "can't be neutral on a moving train"."
".....The Wall Street Journal had an article from the Israeli official explaining how removing checkpoints in the west bank made the economy booming (RELATIVE to Gaza!). We are told that behaving Palestinians are better off than those who cling to hopes and dreams that do not fit with colonial designs......
..... By the end of this year, the two-state scenario will be buried for good (the settlements Israel has been building in the past two years finish cutting off the West Bank and the population growth exceeding 500,000 colonial settlers ensures the impossibility of a sovereign Palestinian state). This fulfils the refined and updated Alon plan of 1968 which the strengthened and empowered Zionist state has pursued relentlessly. It is articulated well in the statement "When we have settled the land, all the Arabs will be able to do is run around like drugged roaches in a bottle."
Palestinians in leading positions will have to decide if they accept this characterization or if they will begin the very hard process of mobilizing the population for the needed struggle of liberation to roll back the colonial project. The words liberation and revolution should not be just a slogan. And if indeed our elected (and unelected) leadership supports popular struggles like in Bilin and Alma'sara (here in Bethlehem), then they are invited to join and bring all their entourage, relatives and friends......
. My recommendation is that Palestinians who support two states (I am not one of them) should insist on the borders of the partition resolution 181 as their opening negotiating positions not the 1967 artificial border that leaves the natives with 22% of their original lands. But negotiations can't be done with an imbalance of power. I believe Palestinians can build their power if/when: a) their factions work together (resolve the petty differences on nonexistent "authorities"), b) we mobilize and unleash the tremendous energy among our people (instead of frustrating the population with negative talk), and c) we mobilize the international community for boycotts, divestments, and sanctions and other acts of solidarity (including media work). The choice is liberation or oblivion (there are no guarantees that native people succeed in defeating colonial schemes). It is that stark a choice. Those elites who believe their positions ultimately protect them would do well to remember the fates of people from Saddam Hussain to officers of the South Lebanon Army. And the people on the street who think they are powerless would do well to remember that no liberation comes from above and that you "can't be neutral on a moving train"."
Thank you, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamed
The Free Gaza Movement
"The Free Gaza Movement is proud to announce strong support from the people of Malaysia for its efforts to break the siege on Gaza. On Wednesday, August 12, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamed, former Prime Minister of Malaysia and Chairman of the Perdana Global Peace Organisation announced the establishment of the Gaza Fund, which will raise money for the Free Gaza Movement’s efforts to challenge Israel’s illegal blockade and collective punishment of Palestinians in Gaza. He asked other Malaysians to join with him in raising the money for this endeavor.
Also present at the press conference was his wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali as well as chairperson of the Free Gaza Movement, Huwaida Arraf. Huwaida said the Free Gaza Movement’s next mission to Gaza will likely be in early October before the winter season...... "
"The Free Gaza Movement is proud to announce strong support from the people of Malaysia for its efforts to break the siege on Gaza. On Wednesday, August 12, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamed, former Prime Minister of Malaysia and Chairman of the Perdana Global Peace Organisation announced the establishment of the Gaza Fund, which will raise money for the Free Gaza Movement’s efforts to challenge Israel’s illegal blockade and collective punishment of Palestinians in Gaza. He asked other Malaysians to join with him in raising the money for this endeavor.
Also present at the press conference was his wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali as well as chairperson of the Free Gaza Movement, Huwaida Arraf. Huwaida said the Free Gaza Movement’s next mission to Gaza will likely be in early October before the winter season...... "
By their works shall ye know them
People of faith have rejected the benefits of an open mind and, perhaps through choice, are destined to repeat their bloody pasts
AC Grayling
guardian.co.uk, Sunday 16 August 2009
"......The cynics are of course right about the realities, but that does not mean one should shrug one's shoulders and capitulate. There is something one can do to fight back, by taking part in the battle that underlies it all: the battle (to put it in Voltaire's terms) between those who seek the truth and those who claim to have it.
On one side are those who inquire, examine, experiment, research, propose ideas and subject them to scrutiny, change their minds when shown to be wrong and live with uncertainty while placing reliance on the collective, self-critical, responsible and rigorous use of reason and observation to further the quest for knowledge.
On the other side are those who espouse a belief system or ideology which pre-packages all the answers, who have faith in it, who trust the authorities, priests and prophets, and who either think that the hows and whys of the universe are explained to satisfaction by their faith, or smugly embrace ignorance. Note that although the historical majority of these latter are the epigones of one or another religion, they also include the followers of such ideologies as Marxism and Stalinism – which are also all-embracing monolithic ownerships of the Great Truth to which everyone must sign up on pain of punishment, and on whose behalf their zealots are prepared to kill and die.......
To summarise: the battle for peace and freedom is a battle about mindsets. The battle lines are clear. It is fought on many fronts: against faith-based schooling, against the overweening privilege accorded religious lobbies in society, and in the agora of public opinion. It would be easy to take the next step of showing that the mindset which looks for and tests the facts rather than shores up ancient edifices of authority is likely to make the world a fairer one economically and in power relations too. But that discussion is for another time."
AC Grayling
guardian.co.uk, Sunday 16 August 2009
"......The cynics are of course right about the realities, but that does not mean one should shrug one's shoulders and capitulate. There is something one can do to fight back, by taking part in the battle that underlies it all: the battle (to put it in Voltaire's terms) between those who seek the truth and those who claim to have it.
On one side are those who inquire, examine, experiment, research, propose ideas and subject them to scrutiny, change their minds when shown to be wrong and live with uncertainty while placing reliance on the collective, self-critical, responsible and rigorous use of reason and observation to further the quest for knowledge.
On the other side are those who espouse a belief system or ideology which pre-packages all the answers, who have faith in it, who trust the authorities, priests and prophets, and who either think that the hows and whys of the universe are explained to satisfaction by their faith, or smugly embrace ignorance. Note that although the historical majority of these latter are the epigones of one or another religion, they also include the followers of such ideologies as Marxism and Stalinism – which are also all-embracing monolithic ownerships of the Great Truth to which everyone must sign up on pain of punishment, and on whose behalf their zealots are prepared to kill and die.......
To summarise: the battle for peace and freedom is a battle about mindsets. The battle lines are clear. It is fought on many fronts: against faith-based schooling, against the overweening privilege accorded religious lobbies in society, and in the agora of public opinion. It would be easy to take the next step of showing that the mindset which looks for and tests the facts rather than shores up ancient edifices of authority is likely to make the world a fairer one economically and in power relations too. But that discussion is for another time."
'Hamas Proved Link between al-Qaeda Loyalists, Dahlan'
Al-Manar
"16/08/2009 Palestinian sources reported Sunday that the Hamas government in Gaza revealed documents proving that al-Qaeda loyalists who clashed with the Islamic resistance group's security forces over the weekend were backed by a number of Arab countries and by elements associated with senior Fatah member Mohammed Dahlan.......
The Palestinian sources said Hamas revealed the documents some two months ago, long before the decision to attack the mosque in Rafah was reached. According to the documents, the sources said, the al-Qaeda loyalists' activity was financed a number of Arab states, as well as by Dahlan's associates......
The Palestinian sources added that Hamas' security forces intercepted communiqués sent between the loyalists in which they called for the launching of attacks on Hamas figures and institutions in order to destabilize its regime. The loyalists were behind a number of recent explosions that took place at weddings and Internet cafes in Gaza, they said.......
The minister said the al-Qaeda inspired group refused to fight alongside Hamas during Israel's offensive in Gaza in early 2009. "They said it is a war of heretics against heretics, and held suspicious ties with the security forces in Ramallah," Hamad said........
Taher a-Nunu, a spokesman for the Hamas government, said Jund Ansar Allah was responsible for a spate of bombings against coffee shops, hair salons, Internet outlets and restaurants throughout the Gaza Strip over the past few years.......
Journalists in the Gaza Strip said that Hamas's success in eliminating the radical group would consolidate the movement's authority and frighten its rivals. "Hamas has shown that it won't allow anyone to challenge its authority in the Gaza Strip," said one journalist. "This will certainly deter others from challenging Hamas."...."
"16/08/2009 Palestinian sources reported Sunday that the Hamas government in Gaza revealed documents proving that al-Qaeda loyalists who clashed with the Islamic resistance group's security forces over the weekend were backed by a number of Arab countries and by elements associated with senior Fatah member Mohammed Dahlan.......
The Palestinian sources said Hamas revealed the documents some two months ago, long before the decision to attack the mosque in Rafah was reached. According to the documents, the sources said, the al-Qaeda loyalists' activity was financed a number of Arab states, as well as by Dahlan's associates......
The Palestinian sources added that Hamas' security forces intercepted communiqués sent between the loyalists in which they called for the launching of attacks on Hamas figures and institutions in order to destabilize its regime. The loyalists were behind a number of recent explosions that took place at weddings and Internet cafes in Gaza, they said.......
The minister said the al-Qaeda inspired group refused to fight alongside Hamas during Israel's offensive in Gaza in early 2009. "They said it is a war of heretics against heretics, and held suspicious ties with the security forces in Ramallah," Hamad said........
Taher a-Nunu, a spokesman for the Hamas government, said Jund Ansar Allah was responsible for a spate of bombings against coffee shops, hair salons, Internet outlets and restaurants throughout the Gaza Strip over the past few years.......
Journalists in the Gaza Strip said that Hamas's success in eliminating the radical group would consolidate the movement's authority and frighten its rivals. "Hamas has shown that it won't allow anyone to challenge its authority in the Gaza Strip," said one journalist. "This will certainly deter others from challenging Hamas."...."
قراءة في المؤتمر السادس لفتح
".....
إن انعقاد المؤتمر تحت الاحتلال، وبالتفاهم مع حكومة نتنياهو، ثم انعقاده تحت إشراف قوات الأمن الفلسطينية التي بناها الجنرال كيث دايتون وراحت تطبِّق الاتفاق الأمني الأميركي الإسرائيلي الفلسطيني بأعلى درجات الحماسة والطاعة لدايتون لا يسمحان باعتباره شرعياً، أو عدم مطاردته بالشكوك من حيث الكثير من نتائجه الخاصة بأعضاء وصلوا إلى اللجنة المركزية والمجلس الثوري
......
أما أول ما يجب أن يسجّل من مخالفات تطعن في شرعية المؤتمر السادس في أثناء انعقاده في بيت لحم فتبدأ بإضافة 800 عضو أغلبيتهم الساحقة من عناصر الأجهزة الأمنية أو المحسوبين على أطراف متفاهمة مع محمود عباس، أو القريبة من خطه.
وهؤلاء لعبوا دوراً حاسماً في تغطية ما أُعلن من نتائج الانتخابات، أو في توجيه الشغب والتصفيق داخل جلسات المؤتمر بما في ذلك عند طرح اسم محمود عباس "قائداً عاماً" لفتح، أو "رئيساً لها، حيث فرضوا عملياً التصفيق والوقوف وعدم مناقشة القرار أو السماح بالاعتراض عليه. فبالتأكيد كان هنالك من يعترض عليه شكلاً ومضموناً.
......
ولهذا إن أخطر ما فعله المؤتمر العتيد، والخليط الهجين، والمسلوب الإرادة، هو انتخاب محمود عباس قائداً لفتح ليس من الزوايا الشكلية والقانونية فحسب وإنما أيضاً، وهذا الحاسم، من زاوية جرّ فتح لتبني خطه السياسي وإخضاعها لقيادة فريقه المؤلفة تشكيلتها من خارج فتح ومن داخلها، مثلاً سيصبح ياسر عبد ربه مؤثراً في قرارات فتح
......
والمضحك ما علّقت عليه بعض الصحف أو تناقلته تصريحات أعضاء اللجنة المركزية الجدد حين قيل "إن فتح عاقبت قيادتها على فسادها وفشلها في إدارة السلطة وعملية السلام ومواجهة حركة حماس"، كأنّ ثمة أحداً من قيادة فتح يمكن أن يعاقَب على ذلك غير محمود عباس الذي استفرد في قيادة السلطة والسياسة والإدارة في كل المجالات. ولندع موضوع الفساد جانباً
.....
فيا للمؤتمر الذي حيل بينه وبين الدخول في مناقشة دروس التجربة الماضية ومحاسبة المسؤول، أو المسؤولين عن الأخطاء والخطايا والفشل، ليس بحق فتح فحسب وإنما أيضاً بحق الشعب الفلسطيني ابتداء من مرحلة مقاطعة عرفات وعزله وهو في المقاطعة، ومروراً بتسليم الحكومة لسلام فياض وإقالة حكومة الوحدة الوطنية، والأخطر بالنسبة إلى فتح قرار إحالة سبعة آلاف ضابط من أبنائها إلى التقاعد وبعضهم في سن الخامسة والأربعين عاماً، ليُسلّم أمر تشكيل قوات أمن جديدة للجنرال كيث دايتون، وهو ما وجّه ضربة قاسية لفتح نفسها
......
"
إن انعقاد المؤتمر تحت الاحتلال، وبالتفاهم مع حكومة نتنياهو، ثم انعقاده تحت إشراف قوات الأمن الفلسطينية التي بناها الجنرال كيث دايتون وراحت تطبِّق الاتفاق الأمني الأميركي الإسرائيلي الفلسطيني بأعلى درجات الحماسة والطاعة لدايتون لا يسمحان باعتباره شرعياً، أو عدم مطاردته بالشكوك من حيث الكثير من نتائجه الخاصة بأعضاء وصلوا إلى اللجنة المركزية والمجلس الثوري
......
أما أول ما يجب أن يسجّل من مخالفات تطعن في شرعية المؤتمر السادس في أثناء انعقاده في بيت لحم فتبدأ بإضافة 800 عضو أغلبيتهم الساحقة من عناصر الأجهزة الأمنية أو المحسوبين على أطراف متفاهمة مع محمود عباس، أو القريبة من خطه.
وهؤلاء لعبوا دوراً حاسماً في تغطية ما أُعلن من نتائج الانتخابات، أو في توجيه الشغب والتصفيق داخل جلسات المؤتمر بما في ذلك عند طرح اسم محمود عباس "قائداً عاماً" لفتح، أو "رئيساً لها، حيث فرضوا عملياً التصفيق والوقوف وعدم مناقشة القرار أو السماح بالاعتراض عليه. فبالتأكيد كان هنالك من يعترض عليه شكلاً ومضموناً.
......
ولهذا إن أخطر ما فعله المؤتمر العتيد، والخليط الهجين، والمسلوب الإرادة، هو انتخاب محمود عباس قائداً لفتح ليس من الزوايا الشكلية والقانونية فحسب وإنما أيضاً، وهذا الحاسم، من زاوية جرّ فتح لتبني خطه السياسي وإخضاعها لقيادة فريقه المؤلفة تشكيلتها من خارج فتح ومن داخلها، مثلاً سيصبح ياسر عبد ربه مؤثراً في قرارات فتح
......
والمضحك ما علّقت عليه بعض الصحف أو تناقلته تصريحات أعضاء اللجنة المركزية الجدد حين قيل "إن فتح عاقبت قيادتها على فسادها وفشلها في إدارة السلطة وعملية السلام ومواجهة حركة حماس"، كأنّ ثمة أحداً من قيادة فتح يمكن أن يعاقَب على ذلك غير محمود عباس الذي استفرد في قيادة السلطة والسياسة والإدارة في كل المجالات. ولندع موضوع الفساد جانباً
.....
فيا للمؤتمر الذي حيل بينه وبين الدخول في مناقشة دروس التجربة الماضية ومحاسبة المسؤول، أو المسؤولين عن الأخطاء والخطايا والفشل، ليس بحق فتح فحسب وإنما أيضاً بحق الشعب الفلسطيني ابتداء من مرحلة مقاطعة عرفات وعزله وهو في المقاطعة، ومروراً بتسليم الحكومة لسلام فياض وإقالة حكومة الوحدة الوطنية، والأخطر بالنسبة إلى فتح قرار إحالة سبعة آلاف ضابط من أبنائها إلى التقاعد وبعضهم في سن الخامسة والأربعين عاماً، ليُسلّم أمر تشكيل قوات أمن جديدة للجنرال كيث دايتون، وهو ما وجّه ضربة قاسية لفتح نفسها
......
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