Current News About Israel and Palestine
During this time of rapidly changing events in the Middle East, readers are urged to visit the following websites for breaking news:
http://www.haaretz.com/ http://imeu.net/
You are also urged to contact Jewish Voice for Peace (http://www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org) and the American Task Force on Palestine (atfp@atfp.net) to receive their regular news updates from the region.Top officials urge dialogue with Hamas
By Bryan Bender and Farah Stockman
Globe Staff / March 14, 2009
"WASHINGTON - Nine former senior US officials and one current adviser are urging the Obama administration to talk with leaders of Hamas to determine whether the militant group can be persuaded to disarm and join a peaceful Palestinian government, a major departure from current US policy.The bipartisan group, which includes economic recovery adviser Paul A. Volcker and former national security advisers Brent Scowcroft and Zbigniew Brzezinski, made the recommendation in a letter handed to Obama days before he took office, according to Scowcroft.
The group is preparing to meet this weekend to decide when to release
a report outlining a proposed US agenda for talks aimed at bringing
all Palestinian factions into the Mid east peace process...."http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2009/03/14/
top_officials_urge_dialogue_with_hamas/
Barak: We Could Have Stopped Rockets by Accepting Hamas Ceasefire
by Richard Silverstein
Mar 9th, 2009
Every so often in Israeli politics there are brief flashes of clarity when the clouds of obfuscation clear, allowing you to see what you knew all along was true. Sol Salbe brings word of a news report from Israel's Galey Tzahal (Army Radio) about a fractious Israel cabinet meeting at which Ehud Olmert and Ehud Barak went at each other hammer and tong about the current Palestinian rocket attacks. …
What Barak and Olmert appear to agree on (though coming at it from different vantage points and for opposite political purposes) is that Hamas presented terms for a ceasefire that could have averted Operation Cast Lead. Barak appears to have either proposed accepting the terms or at least limiting the Operation's duration once Israel decided to reject them…."http://www.richardsilverstein.com/tikun_olam/2009/03/09/barak-we-could-have-stopped-rockets-by-accepting-hamas-ceasefire/
Sheikh and Archbishop condemn East Jerusalem home evictions
Maan News
March 15, 2009
Jerusalem – Ma'an – There is an Israeli plan to evacuate and demolish at least 1,700 homes owned by Palestinians in Jerusalem in 2009, warned head of the Islamic movement in Israel Sheikh Raed Salah on Sunday.
Sheikh Salah revealed information at a media conference in Jerusalem on Sunday that demolition orders or re-zoning plans would make homeless more than 17,000 Palestinians in East Jerusalem. He described the situation as the most dangerous since Israel's annexation of the area in 1967.
Also at the conference was Archbishop Attalla Hanna, who assured that Muslims and Christians in Jerusalem are united in the face of Israeli threats trying to defend the city's heritage in the Arab nation..." http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=36463
Court temporarily halts demolition of East Jerusalem school
Maan News
March 14, 2009
"Jerusalem – Ma'an – A Jerusalem court issued an injunction on Friday to temporarily halt the demolition of the Al-Huda school in East Jerusalem, a senior Palestinian official said….
The Israeli-controlled Jerusalem Municipality issued a demolition order for the school on Thursday on the grounds that a wing had been added to the building 15 years ago without the proper permits. http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=36441"
Israelis 'firing live rounds' at West Bank protesters
Peter Beaumont
The Observer, Sunday 15 March 2009 00.01 GMT
"Israeli armed forces and border police used the cover of the war against Hamas in Gaza to reintroduce the firing of .22 rifle bullets - as well as the extensive use of a new model of tear-gas canister - against unarmed demonstrators in the Occupied West Bank protesting at the building of Israel's "separation wall".
The tactics were highlighted on Friday, when a US protester, Tristan Anderson, 38, was hit in the head by one of the new extended-range gas canisters in the village of Ni'ilin, suffering an open wound in his skull and substantial brain damage...."http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/mar/15/israel-hamas-gaza-weapons
American protester shot by Israeli soldiers still in critical condition after surgery
Maan News
March 14, 2009
"Bethlehem – Ma'an – An American demonstrator shot in the head by the Israeli military Friday remains in life-threatening condition after undergoing surgery overnight. "His skull is fractured. Fragments of bone went into his brain," ….
Palestinians and their international supporters hold demonstrations at noon every Friday in Ni'lin and other villages against the Israeli wall, which, if completed, will snake 723 kilometers through the interior of the West Bank. Israel says the barrier is for its security, but Palestinians see it as one of many means to confiscate their land and further fragment their territory. …"http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=36435
For third week, Qalqiliya's villagers confront Israeli bulldozers
Maan News
March 15, 2009
"Qalqiliya – Ma'an – Dozens of Palestinians and international peace activists confronted Israeli bulldozers working in the towns of Ras Teera and Wad Ar-Rasha, southeast of the West Bank city of Qalqiliya.
Local sources said that "the residents of those towns confronted the bulldozers that began to uproot the olive trees there…." http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=36464
British consul general in Jerusalem "concerned" over Israeli decision to demolish 88 homes
Maan News
March 15, 2009
"Jerusalem – Ma'an – British Consul General in Jerusalem Richard Makepeace expressed his concern over the Israeli decision to demolish 88 Palestinian-owned homes in Silwan, East Jerusalem in a statement released on Thursday.
Makepeace's statement was directed to the residents of Silwan, to whom he reiterated that the demolition of homes in an occupied area is in contradiction to the Fourth Geneva Convention as well as the Road Map, which Israel signed…." http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=36448
Rafah remains closed to human traffic; stranded Gazans appeal to PA
March 9, 2009 Time: 16:45
Gaza – Ma'an – Stranded on the borders between Egypt and Gaza, hundreds of Gazans are waiting to pass into Egypt for treatment, or back into Gaza to be with their families.
Those trapped have expressed strong resentment of the administrative chaos they have been trying to negotiate in the process of getting (or not getting) visas to cross the land border. They are calling on Egypt to open the crossing as soon as possible, and officials have responded saying only that it will be open soon.
The de facto Ministry of the Interior in Gaza responded to the calls by announcing they had registered more than 3,000 foreign residency holders and 600 patients waiting to cross into Egypt. They demanded that the Palestinian Authority (PA)'s ambassador to Egypt increase his efforts in having the crossing opened.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/tags/index.jhtml?tag=Gaza
Situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, officials say
March 9, 2009 Time: 16:19
Bethlehem – Ma'an – The situation in Gaza is "ready to blow out" if the Israeli siege on the area continues, local analysts said Sunday.
The siege crippled Gaza before the war, the war destroyed whatever was left of both human and material reserves, and a continued siege is putting Gaza on the edge of a precipice Member of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) from Gaza Faisal Abu Shahla said during a television interview at Ma'an.
"The situation is very dangerous" Abu Shaahla said angrily, adding "the goods are running out of the markets…and anything smuggled in is ten times its ordinary price."
http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=36340
Gaza crossings allow fraction of waiting aid, fuel into Strip
March 9, 2009 Time: 09:56
Gaza – Ma'an – Israeli authorities opened all three commercial crossing points of the Gaza Strip Monday, allowing only a fraction of the waiting food products, humanitarian aid and fuel purchased for Gaza residents into the area.
According to Raed Fattuh, chair of the Gazan committee for entry of goods, Israel partially opened the Kerem Shalom crossing to let in 110 truckloads 38 of which are humanitarian aid for UN and other agencies. Only 62 trucks are destined for the Gazan private sector, including frozen meats, flour, sugar, rice, beans, cooking oil, disposable diapers, toilet paper and blankets.
An unknown number of trucks carrying agricultural products including fruits and fertilized eggs, are also expected to transfer their goods into Gaza Monday.
http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=36327
France urges Israel to open Gaza Strip crossings
March 9, 2009 Time: 19:27
Bethlehem – Ma'an – France is demanding that Israel open its crossings with the Gaza Strip, according to a statement sent to Ma'an from the country's Foreign Affairs Ministry on Monday.
"Gaza's reconstruction and the poor humanitarian and economic situation will not improve but through opening the crossings permanently," the statement said.
The Foreign Ministry also warned that reconstruction "will not be carried out" without a significant change in Israel's handling of the issue of crossings at its borders with Gaza.
http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=36344
Poll: Hamas more popular after Gaza offensive
By Reuters
March 9, 2009
Hamas's popularity among Palestinians has risen sharply since Israel's three-week offensive against the Islamist group in Gaza last month, an opinion poll released on Monday showed.
If an election were held today, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh would beat Mahmoud Abbas, the Western-backed Palestinian president and leader of Fatah, who advocates a peace deal with Israel.
http://haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1069762.html
Israeli West Bank mines 'illegal'
BBC News
March 9, 2009
An Israeli human rights group has filed a petition at the High Court demanding an immediate halt to Israeli mining operations in the West Bank.
The group, Yesh Din, accuses Israel of breaking international law by exploiting the occupied territory's resources for its own gain.....
It says its High Court petition addresses "the illegal practice of brutal economic exploitation of a conquered territory to serve the exclusive economic needs of the occupying power".
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7933155.stm
UK aid convoy crosses into Gaza
BBC News
March 9, 2009
Part of a 99-vehicle convoy bringing medicine, food, clothing and toys from the UK has reached Gaza after a 24-day journey through Europe and Africa.
Organised by the Viva Palestina group and backed by UK MP George Galloway, the convoy entered Gaza from Egypt.
It was held for a day because the Egyptian authorities objected to its carrying some non-medical goods.
Gaza is under a tight blockade by the Israeli military, which Egypt helps to enforce at the Rafah border crossing. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7932764.stm
Gaza homes destruction 'wanton'
BBC News
March 9, 2009
Human rights investigators say Israeli forces engaged in "wanton destruction" of Palestinian homes during the recent conflict in Gaza.
Amnesty International has told the BBC News website the methods used raised concerns about war crimes……
Israeli troops had to leave their vehicles to plant the mines, indicating that they faced no danger and that there was no military or operational justification, she said.
Breaking the Silence, an Israeli group that gathers and circulates the testimonies of Israeli soldiers, has also told the BBC News website that its findings from the Gaza war suggested many demolitions had been carried out when there was no immediate threat. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7926413.stm
Olmert: No peace without Jerusalem as Palestinian capital
March 7, 2009 Time: 09:48
Bethlehem – Ma'an/Agencies – No peace is possible unless Israel allows Palestinians to establish their capital in Jerusalem, outgoing Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said on Friday.
"There will be no peace if a significant part of Jerusalem is not the capital of the Palestinian state," Olmert said during a public appearance in northern Israel.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/tags/index.jhtml?tag=Gaza
U.S. turns up heat on Israel over settlements
By Barak Ravid, Haaretz Correspondent
March 8, 2009
Israel is under increased pressure from the United States over settlement construction. In the past month, since Barack Obama was sworn in as U.S. president, Israel has received four official complaints from members of the new administration regarding various issues linked to West Bank settlements.
A senior government official in Jerusalem told Haaretz that the complaints represent a gradual increase in American pressure vis-a-vis settlement activity. "This is going to be one of the main issues that the Obama administration will be dealing with in the coming weeks and months," the official said. "It is not going to be easy to argue with them."
http://haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1069314.html
U.S. Army document describes Israel as 'a nuclear power'
By Amir Oren
March 8, 2009
In a rare breach of official American adherence to Israel's policy of nuclear ambiguity, the U.S. military is terming Israel "a nuclear power" on a par with Russia, China, India, Pakistan and North Korea, all of which have declared their nuclear weapon status, and ahead of "nuclear threshold powers" Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, and the "emerging" Iran.
The reference to Israel as a nuclear power is contained in a document published late last year by the U.S. Joint Forces Command (JFCOM), the Norfolk, Virginia-based headquarters in charge of preparing American forces for their military missions worldwide, including in Iraq and Afghanistan. JFCOM's chief, U.S. Marine Corps Four-Star General James Mattis, also heads NATO's Allied Command Transformation.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1069303.html
Abbas says determined to form power-sharing government with Hamas
By Akiva Eldar and Avi Issacharoff
Haaretz Correspondents, and The Associated Press
March 8, 2009
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Sunday that he is determined to form a power-sharing government with his Hamas rivals, despite their deep differences.
Abbas comments come a day after Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad submitted his resignation. The move is meant to ease the formation of a new caretaker government to oversee new elections.
http://haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1069468.html
General closure of West Bank to begin ahead of Purim
By JPOST.COM STAFF
Jerusalem Post
Mar 8, 2009 19:23
A general closure of the West Bank will begin as of midnight Sunday following an order given by Defense Minister Ehud Barak. The closure is expected to be lifted at the end of Purim at midnight, Wednesday.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1236269375343&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
Qalqiliya: Citizens block bulldozers constructing separation wall; Israeli soldiers fire tear gas
Maan News
March 8, 2009
Qalqiliya – Ma'an – Clashes erupted between Palestinian citizens and Israeli forces in the northern West Bank village of Wadi Ar-Rasha south of Qalqiliya on Sunday as the Palestinians attempted to stop bulldozers changing the route of the separation wall in the area, eyewitnesses said.
According to Rafiq Mara'ba from the Popular Committee Against the Wall, dozens of Palestinian citizens from villages of Ras Tira, Wadi Ar-Rasha and Dhab'a along with foreign and Israeli solidarity activists stood in the way of Israeli bulldozers. As a result, Israeli forces fired tear gas canisters at them. No casualties have been reported.
http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=36305
Israel orders more mass house demolitions, this time in Hebron
Maan News
March 6, 2003
Hebron – Ma'an – Israeli authorities notified the residents of the village of Al-Baqa'a that their homes were slated for demolition because they were built without permits.
The town is sandwiched between two swaths of Hebron's largest settlement Kiriya Arba, whose settlers were responsible for the death of a Hebron man during the riots following the Israeli evacuation of a settler-occupied home on 4 December. Kiriya Arba settlers are also responsible for the daily harassment and vandalism of Palestinian property.
The residents received warning of the demolition orders on Wednesday and appealed to human rights organizations to intervene on their behalf. The eight homes and four agricultural buildings slated for destruction will render more than 40 homeless.
http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=36266
Israel to demolish 55 homes in Jerusalem-area refugee camp
Date: 03 / 03 / 2009
Jerusalem – Ma'an – Israeli authorities plan to demolish 55 homes in a refugee camp near Jerusalem, according to a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC).
The Fatah-affiliated PLC member, Jihad Abu Zneid, told Ma'an on Tuesday that Israel informed 55 Palestinian families at the Jerusalem-area Shu'fat Refugee Camp that their homes were slated for demolition, citing that their homes were built without permits.
Abu Zneid issued the statement from her office in Jerusalem, warning of what she called an Israeli policy of "genocide" against Palestinians in and around the city, aimed at displacing the indigenous residents of Jerusalem.
http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=36196
Two Palestinians killed by Israeli forces in northern Gaza
Date: 04 / 03 / 2009 Time: 20:09
Gaza – Ma'an – "An Israeli airstrike killed two Palestinians and injured five others in Jabaliya Refugee Camp in the northern Gaza Strip on Wednesday evening....The Israeli military has confirmed the strike."
http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=36221
Clinton: Israel's demolition of East Jerusalem homes harms peace efforts
By Barak Ravid, Haaretz Correspondent and The Associated Press
March 4, 2009
"U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Wednesday blasted Israel's plans to demolish Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem as a violation of its international obligations and "unhelpful" to Middle East peace efforts.
"Clearly this kind of activity is unhelpful and not in keeping with the obligations entered into under the 'road map'," Clinton said, referring to the long-stalled peace plan...."
Israel "Plans Settlement Growth
BBC News
March 2, 2009
The Israeli government has plans to build at least 73,000 new homes for Jews in the occupied West Bank, the anti-settlement group Peace Now says. If the plans are implemented in full it would double the number of settlers in the West Bank outside east Jerusalem, according to the Peace Now website. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7919050.stm
Israel Plans to Double Size of Settlements in Palestinian Territory
By SANA ABDALLAH (Middle East Times, with agency dispatches)
March 2, 2009
AMMAN -- One day before Hillary Clinton begins her maiden visit to Israel and the West Bank as the U.S. secretary of state, an Israeli peace group announced more settlement expansion plans on Palestinian territories, posing an even tougher challenge to the new American administration's peace endeavors.
In a report released on Monday, Peace Now said the Israeli authorities have plans for 73,302 new housing units in Jewish settlements, which would double the number of settlers in the occupied territory and blow the chances for a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
Housing Min. slams 'baseless' report of 73,000 new settlement homes
By Haaretz Service
March 4, 2009
Housing Minister Ze'ev Boim on Wednesday called a report released earlier this week over a government plan to build more than 73,300 new housing units in the West Bank "delusional and baseless."
