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Chronicling the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Novermber 29, 2006 Jerrold Cohen, Ph.D., Editor E-mail jerrmar2@verizon.net Receiving This Newsletter Purpose of this Newsletter [Maps and graphics not included in this web re-publication of the newsletter] Novermber 29, 2006 Reports Incursions, invasions, arrests, demolitions, etc. Gaza Strip: Shelling violates cease-fire: Israeli tanks fired several shells that hit open areas of Beit Lahia. There were no injuries or damage reported, but the shelling created panic among the residents, and it violates the cease-fire declared three days ago. (14) West Bank: Qalqilya arrest: Israeli special forces arrested a wanted man in Qalqilya, whom they claim to being a Hamas operative. He was transferred to security forces for investigation. (35) Birzeit crossing arrest: Israeli forces arrested a Palestinian woman who tried to stab a border guard policeman at the Birzeit crossing north of Ramallah. She was restrained by soldiers and transferred to security forces for questioning. The policeman was not injured in the attack. (34) As the Palestinians reported it, this was a claim made by the Israeli troops. They claimed she tried to stab a soldier manning the road barrier with a "sharp tool". The Palestinian account refers to her as a girl. (12) Hebron area attacks: Al Samu'a village: "Eyewitnesses said that Israeli troops stopped and assaulted several villagers at the checkpoint by the village entrance. Soldiers also attacked school boys and fired rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas at the students, who retaliated by throwing stones at the soldiers. Later soldiers attacked the girl's school in the village, and fired tear gas bombs at the classrooms and playground, causing several cases of choking as a result of gas inhalation, medical sources reported." (14) They also threw sound bombs at the girls. The result of the tear gas and sound bombs: "...causing a state of suffocation and a loss of consciousness among some girls." (23) Soldiers take over villager's house: "Eyewitnesses reported that troops attacked the house of Hatem Abu Al Kabash, near the northern entrance of Al Samu'a village and forced him and his family into one room taking over the house and turning it to a makeshift military post." (14) West Bank arrests: Israeli special forces disguised in Arab uniforms stormed Qalqiliya and abducted Jihad Zeid, 25. "Israeli soldiers, backed by 14 military jeeps, moved into Deir Ghasana, north-west Ramallah and arrested four citizens, including a high school teacher." Soldiers at the al-Container checkpoint on the road to al-Sawahra village (as Sawahira village, due north of Dar Salah?) arrested Youssef al-Aref, 38, of Dar Salah village (which is at the eastern tip of Bethlehem.) Soldiers also stormed Beit Jala on the western border of Bethlehem and besieged the house of Munzer al-A'raj, 44, and arrested him. Green line Israel: Freedom of speech versus freedom to offend: "Police arrested three Yeshiva students ages 14 to 16 in Jerusalem. The three were caught "red handed" as they were spraying slurs, including swastikas." (40) Demolitions and Land confiscation Palestinian homes demolished. Reasons given: lack of permits: "In the City of Hebron, the Israeli army demolished two houses on Wednesday; one in the morning and one in the afternoon, the army clamed that they were built without permits." (14) Here is the story of one of the home demolitions in greater detail. "Army bulldozers and vehicles stormed Wadi Al Suman neighborhood in the city, closed all the streets leading to it and demolished the house of Ishak Al Madani, the army claimed that the house was built without permit....Al Madani told the Palestinian News Agency WAFA that Israeli army handed him a military order to demolish his house three months ago. However, he appealed to the Israeli supreme court and he won a preventive court ruling to cease the demolition. However, regardless of the court ruling, the army unlawfully demolished the house....This is the second time that the army levels a house in Wadi Al Suman neighborhood despite a court ruling demanding a freeze of the demolition." (15) Israeli government Israelis say that they can continue their military activities in the West Bank: "Israeli officials said the ceasefire deal excludes the West Bank and that the Israeli army will continue its military activities in the West Bank areas." (14) Livni Justice Minister appointment, apparently temporary: "Israeli online daily Haaretz reported that Israel's Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, decided on Wednesday to appoint Israel's Foreign Minister, Tzipi Livni, as justice minister; Livni will continue her position as Foreign Minister. The decision comes as the former justice minister, Haim Ramon, is facing sexual assault charges....Livni stated that she agreed to hand the portfolio back to Ramon if he is acquitted from the charges against him, yet it is not clear whether she will remain in this position if Ramon was found guilty." (19) "The Knesset approved the prime minister's appointment of Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni as justice minister on Wednesday evening by 35 votes to 14....Livni will serve as justice minister alongside her present role as foreign minister....Interior Minster Roni Bar-On said that the appointment of Livni 'sent a message from Olmert' that he was waiting for former justice minister Haim Ramon to be exonerated of sexual harassment charges and returned to his post." (27) "Israeli government votes yes to discrimination against Palestinians within its boundaries": ''Sheikh Abbas Zcor addressed the Knesset, both the Arabs and Jews, proposing to withhold confidence from the government due to the discriminatory policy against the center of the Arab social, educational and economic spheres. For instance, Palestinians living inside Israeli boundaries with Israeli citizenship and identification are short 5,000 classrooms. They have Israeli passports, but their official status is "non-Jew," and funding for their schools is inadequate." (40 Israeli lawlessness Serial rapist has been on the loose: Benny Sela, a serial rapist who escaped from prison, may be hiding out in Safed, as evidenced by several suspected sightings and a suitcase forced open surrounded by scattered clothing. (28) Palestinian government Haniyeh in Cairo: Having left the Gaza Strip, (38) and having been barred from going to Jordan -- Jordanian officials would not meet with him, (1) Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh began talks with Egyptian officials on formation of the Palestinian coalition government and the proposed prisoner swap with Israel. (36) He had a meeting with Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa on an Arab decision to break the economic boycott of the Palestinian Authority. (38) Palestinian lawlessness Gunmen smash up internet cafes: "Unidentified gunmen on Wednesday attacked several Internet cafes in the Gaza Strip with hand-propelled grenades and explosive devices. The attacks occurred simultaneously and caused heavy damages to the cafes. No one was hurt.....Although no group claimed responsibility for the attacks, some of the owners accused Muslim fundamentalists who have been waging a campaign against Internet cafes and surfers....In Rafah, arsonists set fire to a shop selling cassettes and CDs. The owner, Farid Awad, said the masked gunmen had warned him in the past against marketing modern music and songs." (26) Palestinian prisoners One of many Palestinian officials detained without charges is released: Palestinian Public Works and Housing Minister Abdel Rahman Zidan was released by the military court at Kishon military prison, on bail of 50,000 NIS (about $11,600), after almost a month in jail. His attorney said that there was no evidence found against him. Palestinian resistance Stone throwers in the Qalandia Refugee Camp: "Palestinians hurled stones towards Israeli security forces operating in the Kalandiya refugee camp south of Ramallah Wednesday evening. No one was wounded and no damage was incurred....Forces detained three of the Palestinian offenders." (41) Resistance fighters expect cease-fire to include the West Bank: "Palestinian resistance groups warned that the ceasefire deal will not last if it does not include the West Bank." (14) Stones thrown at car: 1915 hours: While driving near Qalqilya, an Israeli woman and her baby son were lightly wounded when Palestinians threw stones at her car. They were treated by a medical team at the scene. (31) Fatah shows rockets (in Nablus?): The Fatah Al Aqsa Brigades displayed new missiles at a press conference for foreign wire services Tuesday. The rocket's name: Jundalla, meaning Allah's soldiers. The Fatah resistance fighters, located in Nablus: said they were prepared to begin firing rockets at Israeli towns. 20 members of the Al Aqsa group showed at least four of the new rockets. They are 5 feet long and have a range of more than 2 miles, and carry at least 6.6 pounds of explosives. "'Our goal is to cover all Israeli regions and to bring them inside the distance of our rockets,' Shechem (Nablus) resident Abu Oudai said." (32) Restrictions in Movement Rafah border crossing closes before agreed time: The Rafah border crossing was closed Wednesday morning although Israel had agreed to keep it open from Tuesday afternoon to Wednesday afternoon. It has been closed except for sporadic short openings since June. (14) "Non-political" restrictions lead to great difficulties in living: "The government has no plans to change the status of nine Palestinian villages located within the municipal boundaries of Jerusalem but outside of the separation fence, despite the fact that it does not provide these communities with vital services and that residents of the towns must cross through roadblocks daily." This from Yaakov Edri of the Kadima party. Regarding a fence built in the middle of the city, he said, "The fence as a means of security, to prevent the entrance of attackers into Israel -- it has no political significance....Haaretz revealed last week that an absence of police officers in these neighborhoods has led to an increase in crime and drug-dealing. Also, thousands of schoolchildren who live beyond the fence are forced to pass through roadblocks every morning to get to school, according to a report by several members of the Jerusalem association of community councils and centers, who are founding a community council for the area neighborhoods." (33) Miscellany Desmond Tutu to visit Beit Hanoun: "Nobel laureate Desmond Tutu has been named to head a United Nations fact-finding mission to the Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanun, where at least 18 civilians were killed earlier this month, UN officials said Wednesday." (30) Israeli citizen wanders into Palestinian territory: An Israeli citizen who entered Ramallah was removed by Israeli soldiers and handed over to the police. There is a ban on Israelis entering zones designated as A areas or B areas in the West Bank. (39) Campaign for right of re-entry into the occupied territories: Israel apparently currently denies access to Palestinians who are foreign nationals to the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Hundreds of foreign nationals met in al-Bireh in the West Bank to consider taking legal action against Israel for denying them access. "As for those Palestinians who have previously applied for family unification which allows for permanent residency, he said Israel has closed this door and created a reality where the Palestinian population is being forced from their homes." Human rights activist Attorney Mohammad Dahleh said, "The final result of Israel's practice could be the emptying of over 500,000 Palestinians from the occupied cities of Ramallah, Bethlehem, Nablus and others in a very short time as Palestinian residents leave to keep their families together." (21) The proposed amendment to the Citizenship and Entry Law would obligate people without a valid residency permit to leave the country for one to five years. Most nonresidents seeking legal status around the country illegally. "If passed, the amendment could revolutionize the enforcement of immigration policy, further shut the gates of entry to non-Jews and greatly damage the right of Israelis to choose their life partners." (34) Cultural events: Beit Jala hosts book fair: The Latin Patriarchate School in Beit Jala is hosting a book exhibition offering books at low prices for parents and children to add to or begin at-home libraries to encourage reading at home or anywhere in general. (2) IAAP ready to launch: The International Academy of Art Palestine will launch on Thursday, December 7, offering a BA in contemporary visual arts. "But as important is maintaining the collective Palestinian memory, history and identity by offering the local population and the international community new images of Palestine and Palestinians." (3) Palestinians keep artistic and social culture alive in the midst of an occupation: "The Arab American University in Tubas City in the Jenin District hosted Palestinian director Najwa Najjar as part of its second women's film festival....The cultural and artistic aspects of Palestinian society were on display, in addition to the political. The Arab League had previously honored five out of five Palestinian films screened at the festival that hopes to communicate to massive audiences, as well as honor the artistic vision of the directors." (5) ----------------------------- Samples of this newsletter may be found at http://aberdeenpublishing.com/ocreport.eml . That "eml" extension means that people with Internet Explorer and Outlook Express can see it. Others may not unless their programs recognize the "eml" extension. Links for buying my book, Awakened, may be found at http://aberdeenpublishing.com. -- Jerrold Cohen, Ph.D ----------------------------- Sources: Palestine News Network, Palestinian Information Center, International Middle East Media Center, WAFA Palestine News Agency, Jerusalem Post, Israel National News, Ha’aretz, Yedioth Ahronoth, Palestinian Centre for Human Rights http://english.pnn.ps/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1104 (1) Archives | Art | Articles | Background | Books | Boycott | Cartoons | Chemical War | Children | Contact Donate | Elections | E-mail Us Events | Film | Home | Letters | Links | Maps | Mission | Music | Videos | News | News Links | Performance | Photos | Poetry | Polls | Prisoners | Products | Search | Take Action | The US Role | The Wall | Together | Old Home Page
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