Issue No: 35
Palestinian Cultural Organization Malaysia (PCOM)
19th Mar, 2013
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19th Mar, 2013
Issue No: 35 Read in this report:
As Ayman Sharawna arrives in Gaza Strip, Issawi enters a stage of extreme danger (P.4)
Israel killed 2 Palestinians and wounded 132 others within a week (P.5)
Thousands participate in funeral of the Khansa of Palestine (P.6)
Haneyya: Gaza will remain a shield for Egyptian security (P.7)
Israeli coalition to impose definition as "nation state of Jewish people" (P.8)
Malaysia to play Palestine in charity match (P.9)
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Issue No: 35
CONTENTS
NEWS OF PALESTINE Issawi enters a stage of extreme danger ..................................................................................... 4 25 Palestinian refugees killed in Syria in a week ...................................................................... 4 Israel killed 2 Palestinians and wounded 132 others within a week .......................................... 5 Israeli restrictions on the entry of worshipers into al-Aqsa ....................................................... 5 Thousands participate in funeral of the Khansa of Palestine ..................................................... 6 Hamas will fight any change to definition of Palestinian refugee ............................................. 7 Haneyya: Gaza will remain a shield for Egyptian security........................................................ 7
ISRAEL INSIDER Israeli coalition to impose definition as "nation state of Jewish people"................................... 8
MALAYSIA & PALESTINIAN CAUSE Malaysia to play Palestine in charity match .............................................................................. 9
ARTICLES & ANALYSiS Samer Issawi: A warrior hungry for justice ............................................................................. 10
Palestinian Cultural Organization Malaysia (PCOM)
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Issue No: 35
NEWS OF PALESTINE
As Ayman Sharawna arrives in Gaza Strip
Issawi enters stage of extreme danger
18/03/2013 The Israeli prison authorities have removed the shackles from the feet of the Jerusalemite hunger striking prisoner Samer al-Issawi, who has entered a stage of extreme danger after he stopped drinking water and liquids. Lawyer Jawad Boulos said in a press statement that the occupation authorities have taken this position after the doctors at the hospital explained that Samer is in extreme danger, especially after showing signs of heart failure. The doctors stated that at this stage Samer is facing death or entering into a coma.
Meanwhile, Ayman Sharawna arrived in the Gaza Strip on Sunday evening (17/3) after signing a deportation deal to end an 8-month long hunger strike in Israeli jail. A massive crowd of citizens received him after his arrival in the Gaza Strip through Beit Hanoun crossing. Sharawne said from his bed at Al-shifa’ Hospital that he would return to the West Bank with the dawn of victory and that the Israeli occupation authority (IOA) will pay for its crimes against the Palestinian people.
Source: Agencies _______________________________________________________________
25 Palestinian refugees killed in Syria in a week 17/03/2013 The action group for the Palestinians in Syria said that over 25 Palestinian were killed in different refugee camps in Syria over the past week. Six Palestinians were killed on Sunday (10/3) in Syria as a result of the continued shelling and attacks on their refugee camps; Nairab, Husseiniyah and Yarmouk. While two other
Palestinian Cultural Organization Malaysia (PCOM)
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19th Mar, 2013
Issue No: 35 Palestinians were killed in Yarmouk camp on the following day. On Wednesday (13/3), seven Palestinians were killed in Khan Al-Sheekh, Yarmouk and Aydoon camps, two of the martyrs were children.
Besides, 10 Palestinian refugees were killed on Saturday (16/3) in projectile attacks launched by the Syrian regime forces on populated areas in several refugee camps in Damascus countryside. Source: Agencies
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Israel killed 2 Palestinians and wounded 132 others within a week The report issued by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) on Saturday revealed that the total number of Palestinians killed by the Israeli occupation forces in the West Bank had risen to six victims since the beginning of 2013.
16/03/2013 A UN report showed that two Palestinians were killed after being shot by the Israeli occupation soldiers, while 132 others were reported injured, during the past week.
According to OCHA's report, "the largest demonstrations this week took place in Al Aqsa Mosque compound and in other areas in the old city of Jerusalem following the Friday prayers, at Qalandiya (Jerusalem) and Beituniya (Ramallah) checkpoints, in the old city of Hebron, and in ‘Anata and Shu’fat refugee camp in East Jerusalem".
Source: PIC _______________________________________________________________
Israeli restrictions on the entry of worshipers into al-Aqsa blue identity cards (Jerusalem residents), are allowed to enter the Aqsa Mosque, Israeli police spokeswoman said in a statement. On the other hand, Al-Aqsa mosque guards have foiled the Israeli MK Moshe Feiglin’s attempt to storm the mosque, accompanied by Israeli forces.
15/03/2013 Israeli police have imposed restrictions on the entry of Palestinians under 50 years of age, without specifying a certain age for women, into al-Aqsa Mosque to perform Friday prayers. Only men over the age of 50, with
Al-Aqsa Foundation for Endowment and Heritage confirmed in a statement on Friday that the member of Knesset “Feiglin” tried to storm al-Aqsa, but the mosque guards confronted him and thwarted his scheme. This attempt is considered a dangerous precedent that aims to create and impose a
Palestinian Cultural Organization Malaysia (PCOM)
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Issue No: 35 new reality to divide al-Aqsa gradually, the statement added.
Mosque
Bab al-Amud, in which the occupation forces arrested three young Jerusalemites.
In a related context, limited clashes erupted between Israeli forces and Jerusalemites in
Source: Agencies
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Thousands participate in funeral of the Khansa of Palestine
17/03/2013 Thousands of Palestinians participated on Sunday afternoon in the funeral of "Khansa of Palestine" MP Mariam Farhat, who passed away at dawn Sunday at age of 64 after long struggle with illness. The Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh and the First Deputy head of the Legislative Council Ahmed Bahar participated in Farhat's funeral procession, in addition to other Palestinian ministers, MPs, factions' leaders and thousands of citizens. Premier Ismail Haniyeh mourned the Khansa of Palestine in a speech he delivered at the Omari mosque in Gaza City center, and
promised to follow her example in the way of struggle and resistance until the liberation of Palestine from the Israeli occupation. Haniyeh reminded of Farhat's sacrifices and legendary steadfastness and endurance. He said she was "a gift from heaven to the people of the earth" and described her as "an exceptional woman". Farhat became known as the "Khansa of Palestine", named after a 7th century female Arab poet, to honor her steadfastness after she lost three of her sons in resistance activities against the Israeli occupation. Source: PIC
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Issue No: 35
Hamas will fight any change to definition of Palestinian refugee 13/03/2013 The Department of Refugees' Affairs in the Islamic Resistance Movement “Hamas� has said that it will fight to block any manipulation to change the definition of a "Palestinian refugee" in international agreements. The department warned that Israel would pay a price for such manipulation, as would anyone who stands with Israel in this matter. Israel is trying to go through the UN to change the legal nature of Palestinian refugees and deny "refugee" status from the Palestinians who were forced to leave their homeland in 1948. Hamas pointed out that this issue has already been introduced by Israel through a US Congressman who wants to end the automatic transmission of "refugee" status to the descendants of the original Palestinian refugees from 1948. "The inheritance of labels from of one generation to another is normal," said the Hamas statement, "and Israel itself claims that
it inherited the right to 'return' to Palestine from its 'ancestors' two thousand years ago." Is it logical, asked Hamas, for the world to accepts Israel's use of the "return" right for Jews whose ancestors may or may not have left Palestine two thousand years ago but not to accept the return of Palestinian refugees whose fathers were expelled sixty-five years ago? "It is inconceivable that Israel, the country which expelled the [Palestinian] refugees in 1948, should be the one which defines who a Palestinian refugee is." Source: MEMO
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Haneyya: Gaza will remain a shield for Egyptian security
16/03/2013 Palestinian premier in Gaza Strip Ismail Haneyya said that Gaza would continue to serve as a shield for the security and stability of Egypt. Haneyya, in a telephone conversation with AlSayyed Al-Badawi the leader of the Egyptian
Wafd party, said that the Palestinian people appreciate the Egyptian army sacrifices in defense of Palestine. Badawi, who reached Haneyya over the phone, apologized to Haneyya over the Egyptian media campaign against Hamas, which is trying to involve Hamas in Egyptian internal affairs. He said that Hamas is a symbol of steadfastness and resistance and it is in the heart of all Egyptians. Badawi hoped that the campaign would not affect the solid relationship between the Palestinian and Egyptian peoples and relations with Hamas in particular.
Palestinian Cultural Organization Malaysia (PCOM)
Source: PIC
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Issue No: 35
ISRAEL INSIDER
Israeli coalition to impose definition as "nation state of Jewish people" 18/03/2013 Media sources in Israel have revealed that members of the new coalition cobbled together by Benjamin Netanyahu are ready to insist on defining the country as the "national state for Jewish people". According to Haaretz newspaper the two parties pushing this definition are Likud-Yisrael Beiteinu and "Jewish Home". They have agreed to amend a law referring to Israel as a "Jewish and democratic state". The report claims that the new law would see the government committed to investing in resources for Jews inside Israel but no such commitment is given to provide for the nonJewish citizens. So-called Israeli-Arabs make up 20 per cent of the total population in Israel.
Former minister Avi Dichter introduced a similar proposal a few years ago, when he said that Arabic should be dropped as an official language in a move that would have had a serious negative impact on Israel's Palestinian citizens. They describe these proposals as "racist", as they did a requirement for those with Israeli citizenship to declare their loyalty to the "Jewish state".
Palestinian Cultural Organization Malaysia (PCOM)
Source: MEMO
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Issue No: 35
MALAYSIA & PALESTINIAN CAUSE
Malaysia to play Palestine in charity match 13/03/2013 The National football team will play an international charity match against Palestine at the Darul Makmur Stadium in Kuantan, Pahang on March 26, to collect funds for 'Tabung Rakyat Palestine and Tabung Wira Negara who perished in Lahad Datu. Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek said the proceeds from the match would be divided into two and given to both. He urged fans to come in droves to support the noble cause as well as show their patriotism to the country's heroes who were killed in Lahad Datu. The presence of fans would also show their support for the people of Palestine who have been suppressed by Israel's aggression. "This is the first time the Ministry of Youth and Sports is organising a charity match," said Shabery Cheek after launching a logo for "Voices of Malaysia, Match For Hope" at the ministry, Wednesday. The match, to be held at 8.45pm is being organised by the ministry and the National Sports Council and sanctioned by the Football Association of Malaysia while tickets will be sold at RM150 for grandstand, RM20 for terraces and RM10 for children. For the record, the last time Malaysia (currently ranked 159) played Palestine (ranked 153) was during the World Cup Qualifiers in 2011. Palestine had beaten Malaysia 4-3. Source: BERNAMA
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Issue No: 35
ARTICLES & ANALYSIS
Samer Issawi: A warrior hungry for justice
attacks against it while keeping its counterintelligence sources and tactics secret. Issawi either wants to be formally charged and given a fair trial, or released, and will continue his hunger strike until one of these things happens. Because of the length of his hunger strike, Issawi experiences dizziness and sometimes loses consciousness. His vision is impaired and he has lost control over his limbs and suffers severe pain all over his body, especially in his abdomen and kidneys, his sister has said. Arrest
With over 222 days of fasting behind him, Palestinian has emerged as the human face of Israel’s brutal policy of indefinite ‘administrative detention’. “My health has deteriorated greatly, but I will continue my hunger strike until victory or martyrdom. This is my last remaining stone to throw at the tyrants and jailers in the face of the racist occupation that humiliates our people,” wrote Samer Issawi in the Guardian on March 3 (republished in Gulf News on March 5)
Born on December 16, 1979, in Issawiyeh (to the north-east of occupied Jerusalem), Issawi, who was affiliated with the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, was arrested in April 2002 and sentenced to 26 years in prison for membership of an illegal organisation, attempted murder and possession of explosives. During the second intifada he was convicted of manufacturing and distributing pipe bombs, and in several incidents opened fire indiscriminately on Israeli civilian vehicles.
Today marks Issawi’s 222nd day on a hunger strike, but the warrior struggles on. He has emerged as the human face of Israel’s brutal policy of indefinite ‘administrative detention’.
After almost 10 years in prison, he was released in the Egypt-sponsored deal between Israel and Hamas to release the Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. However, on July 7, 2012, he was arrested again near Hizma, an area within the municipality of occupied Jerusalem, on charges of violating the terms of his release — that he should not leave occupied Jerusalem.
Israel holds some Palestinians in this way based on evidence presented in a closed military court. It says the practice pre-empts
The prisoners’ campaign for better conditions and against detention without trial touched off violent protests over the past several weeks
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Issue No: 35 outside an Israeli military prison and in West Bank towns.
Union — have expressed concern at the hunger strike.
Hundreds of Palestinian protesters met Israeli soldiers in clashes across the West Bank last week.
Western support
Protests Demonstrations were organised in support of Issawi and other hunger strikers at flashpoints including Ofer prison, Qalandiya checkpoint and Bili’in, a village whose struggle against encroaching Israeli colonies was captured in the Oscar-nominated documentary 5 Broken Cameras. Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said he had been in contact with Israel and urged it to release the men. He said Egypt, which helped mediate the Shalit prisoner swap and also negotiated an end to a Palestinian mass hunger strike in Israeli jails last year, was trying to end the new protest. Israel has defused previous long-term hunger strikes among the nearly 5,000 Palestinians in its jails by agreeing to release individuals or deporting them to Gaza. The Quartet of Middle East negotiators — the US, Russia, the United Nations and European
But Issawi believes that Israel would not dare continue with the occupation had it not been for western backing. He has argued that Britain, in particular, should take responsibility for its role in the genesis of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the subsequent suffering of Palestinians. Pointing to the UK’s “historic responsibility for the tragedy of my people”, he said the British government should impose sanctions on Israel “until it ends the occupation, recognises Palestinian rights and frees all Palestinian political prisoners”. Perhaps all right thinking people concerned about Issawi’s wellbeing should find solace in his words: “Do not worry if my heart stops. I am still alive now and even after death, because occupied Jerusalem runs through my veins. If I die, it is a victory; if we are liberated, it is a victory, because either way I have refused to surrender to the Israeli occupation, its tyranny and arrogance.”
Palestinian Cultural Organization Malaysia (PCOM)
Source: Gulf news
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Palestinian Cultural Organization Malaysia (PCOM)
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