Jewish history museum to be built over Muslim graveyard
Israel stops foreign journalists from entering Gaza
Thousands demonstrate against attack on Gaza
Aqsa
Not enough food in Gaza
Destruction est uct o on o Gaza Ga a
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REACTIONS TO THE GAZA CRISIS
Thousands demonstrate against attack on Gaza
Israel’s attack on Gaza has led to hundreds of thousands of people across the globe taking to the streets in protest. The History exposes the many international condemnation shameful genocides initiated by from the citizens of the world megalomaniac politicians. Gaza has been loud and resounding is more shocking because of the incredible disparity between the and protests have spanned aggressor and the victim, and the from New York, London and fact that the perpetrator claims the Paris, to Damascus, Tel Aviv role of victim. Some world leaders and Karachi. are almost cheering Israel on while Despite Israel’s attempts to they condemn the real victims. Israel convince the world that this is LV ÂżULQJ LOOHJDO FKHPLFDO ZHDSRQV a defensive war, the protests on civilians with impunity. UHĂ€HFW WKH IDFW WKDW SHRSOH Governments, including Arab around the world are no longer ones, should feel ashamed of their convinced by Israel’s ‘security’ open complicity in these attacks. Israel needs to be challenged on related arguments for attacking its claims including that there is no Palestinian towns and cities. On January 3rd 2009, the humanitarian crisis and that Gaza is no longer occupied. Israel controls streets of every major city in the sea, land and air space of Gaza, the world were taken up by so it is still occupying it. This crisis protestors. In London, despite has made me focus my prayers on the freezing temperatures, the people of Gaza once more, and between 60,000 and 80,000 I pray that we see a free Palestine in protestors marched from our lifetime. Embankment to Trafalgar Square, in an emotive show Arwa Aburawa, 22, of opposition to the war. Manchester Following the precedent set by Like everybody I know who heard Iraqi journalist Muntazer alDERXW WKH ÂżUVW GD\ RI FRQĂ€LFW Zaidi, many protestors brought and subsequent death toll, I was with them old shoes which VKRFNHG $IWHU \HDUV RI FRQĂ€LFW they threw across Whitehall illegal Israeli settlements, theft towards Downing Street.
Farah Iqbal, 29, Birmingham
of land, house demolitions, the separation wall and the brutal blockade on Gaza it had become GLIÂżFXOW WR GLVWLQJXLVK EHWZHHQ one day of violence and another day of oppression- in Palestine, it was always just more suffering. Yet Israel’s latest deadly attack against the Palestinians of Gaza cannot be ignored and will never be forgotten. “Operation Cast Leadâ€? which began a deadly and undiscriminating assault on a siege-crippled people has already been declared the bloodiest day in all sixty years of FRQĂ€LFW In four days Israel killed almost 400 hundred Palestinians and injured over 1,000 others. It is hard not to feel helpless watching WKH KRUULÂżF LPDJHV RI GHDWK RQ WKH news, hearing women cry for their children and listening to the world leaders spinning their lies. I just keep asking myself why isn’t the US and UK directly condemning ,VUDHO" :K\ DUHQÂśW 0XVOLP FRXQWULHV GRLQJ PRUH" +RZ FDQ WKH ZRUOG VWDQG E\ DQG OHW WKLV DOO KDSSHQ" What should we all be doing to KHOS" , GRQÂśW NQRZ WKH DQVZHUV WR these questions; all I know is that we will never give up on Gaza.
Be a part of Friends of Al-Aqsa. Join our mailing list, To receive updates and information about our events, log in your email at our website www.aqsa.org.uk
Demonstrators line the streets of London
Police reported that 1,000 old shoes littered the streets after the demonstration. The protest in London was supported by many politicians and celebrities, including Annie Lennox, Bianca Jagger, Alexi Sayle, Ken Livingston, George Galloway, Yvonne Ridley, Jeremy Corbyn MP, Clare Short MP and Sarah Teather MP. The main message emanating from the speakers at the demonstration was that Israel needed to be stopped DQG WKDW QHZ ZD\V RI FRQĂ€LFW resolution needed to be employed that did not include death, destruction and bombing of civilians. Annie Lenox described her feelings when she saw the bombings and said she was responding ‘as a mother and as a human being’ by opposing the bombing of Gaza. She encouraged both sides to come to the negotiating table so that peace could really be achieved between Israel and Palestinians, something everyone recognises isn’t going to be achieved by war. The protest continue to take place across the country.
Annie Lennox speaking to the Media about the humanitarian situation in Gaza
Bianca Jagger speaking at the rally
Ken Livingstone speaking to the crowd
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Israel stops foreign journalists from entering Gaza From the start of the Israeli bombing of Gaza, Israel impeded access by foreign journalists to the besieged strip. As the military onslaught continued, the Foreign Press Association (FPA) issued proceedings at the Israeli Supreme Court challenging Israeli restrictions on their right to travel in to Gaza. In a judgment delivered on 31 December 2008, the Court held in favour of the journalists ordering the Israeli government to allow international journ-
alists to enter Gaza and report on the effects of the attacks. The victory was very limited in scope however, as the court only required Israel to allow up to 12 journalists to enter Gaza each time the Erez crossing is opened. As Israel has sealed all border crossings, apart from allowing paltry supplies to enter, no journalist actually managed to cross the border. The FPA was scathing of Israel, and FPA’s lawyer, Gilead Sher stated that Israel’s prohibition on journalists
entering Gaza “violates two fundamental rights – the freedom of expression and the freedom of the press.” He went on to state that “[t]here are several countries in this world, such as North Korea, Zimbabwe and Burma, that EDQ SUHVV FRYHUDJH LQ FRQÀLFW zones. Israel is a democracy with a free liberal press and it should stay so, even in times of crisis and danger.” Israel’s ban on journalists in Gaza has been criticized by many as an attempt to limit the
media coverage which would give a realistic portrayal of the extent of the suffering on the ground. In the meantime, Israeli spokespersons are dominating the airwaves in an attempt to convince the world that the war is just. Following the ground incursions, Israel allowed limited numbers of foreign journalists to enter ‘deeply imbedded within its army.’ This was considered by some as another move to ensure Israel’s side of the story was told.
the Gaza strip being affected, with some people living in complete darkness. Power cuts and daily blackouts not only cause distress to the families, but also affect supplies into the area. Only 15% of the needs of the population were reaching them, leaving the majority without adequate food, fresh water, electricity and medicines. The 1.6 million civilians were and continue to be denied freedom of movement, and even severely ill patients were not permitted to travel
to neighbouring countries for treatment not available in Gaza. The United Nations organisation (UNRWA) distributing aid was also restricted in its duties leading to it predicting a dire humanitarian crisis even before the bombing occurred, if the siege was not lifted. Gaza’s economy collapsed entirely as Israel prevented any export from Gaza through the ¿YH ERUGHU FURVVLQJV LW GLUHFWO\ controls. To add to the misery, Israel continued incursions into Gaza causing death and injury to civilians even during the
Aisha Abbasi, 25, London It is saddening and maddening that Israeli Occupation Forces have killed and injured so many civilians in Gaza. It is little wonder that many people like myself are angered and are calling for world leaders to act. Israel is a bully and the world can see that. Killing women, children and the elderly has been something that the Israeli government has long been FRPPLWWLQJ 7KLV PRUDOO\ XQMXVWL¿HG attack on Gazan civilians is being watched and reported the worldover. Every day, pictures of bloodied people, old and young, white sheets covering human mounds and what once were large buildings now reduced to rubble, are displayed on our television screens and you can’t help but feel deeply saddened and infuriated. May the people of Gaza be liberated from their oppressors, may they be victorious and may the suffering end. To Allaah we belong and to Him we shall return. Victory to the Palestinians!
Fatima Patel, 35, Leicester
The Gaza Siege
Prior to the bombing of Gaza, the 18 month long siege which isolated it completely from the outside world had a crippling effect on the area. The siege of Gaza made the lives of the Palestinians living there a nightmare, and amounted to yet another cruel form of collective punishment imposed by Israel. With unemployment at 80%, much of Gaza is aiddependent. The main power plant in Gaza was forced to shut down due to a lack of fuel in December resulting in more than 75% of
REACTIONS TO THE GAZA CRISIS
period of truce. As a result of this misery imposed by Israel, VRPH URFNHWV ZHUH EHLQJ ¿UHG into Israel from the Gaza Strip. Israel has used this as grounds for launching its war on Gaza, citing Israel’s need for security. Palestinians argue that they have no semblance of normality in their lives at all due to Israel’s occupation, and security for Palestinians remains a distant dream. Many Palestinian mothers have asked why their children are considered less than Israeli children.
Israelis say that they are targeting Hamas and not civilians. But, you only have to look at the news reports to see that this is far from the truth. The majority of people killed in this bloody war against the Gazans are civilian men, women and innocent children. Israel ’s attack on the school in Gaza on Tuesday 6th of January is further proof of its persistent terror LQÀLFWHG RQ WKH 3DOHVWLQLDQV The injustice of the situation is astounding. We are constantly reminded of Israel ’s ‘vulnerability’ to the possible threat of Hamas. But when you put it into context, Hamas is just a small group within Palestine. What about the threat of terror from Israel to the Palestinians’ - being bombed on a daily basis, being driven out of their homeland, losing their families and having little or no basic supplies of medicine, food RU HYHQ ZDWHU $QG WKLV LV LQÀLFWHG on them not only by the Israelis but with the support from countries such as the U.S. , Britain and the puppet Arab countries. So whilst we the international community stand by and watch Israel ‘defend’ itself from the supposed threat of Hamas rockets, the death toll of innocent Palestinians in Gaza is rising rapidly. If Israel has the right to defend itself from minor rockets then surely the Palestinians have a right to defend themselves from the deadly bombs the Israelis DUH ¿ULQJ RQ D GDLO\ EDVLV" ,W GRHVQ¶W DIWHU DOO WDNH D JHQLXV WR ¿JXUH RXW that pebbles do less damage than bricks.
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IN BRIEF Muslim charity’s bank accounts to be closed Barclays Bank and Lloyds TSB have both issued warnings to Interpal and Ummah Welfare Trust that their accounts will be closed in the next few weeks, without giving any explanation RU MXVWL¿FDWLRQ IRU WKHLU GHFLVLRQV Despite heavy campaigning to reverse the decisions, many feel that this amounts to yet another attempt to restrict the continuation of essential humanitarian work in Palestine. Interpal has been an essential aid organization in Palestine for many years, providing aid for orphans, widows and assisting with other social projects. Ummah Welfare Trust conducts aid projects in countries around the world, including Palestine. It is thought that they have been WDUJHWHG VSHFL¿FDOO\ EHFDXVH RI their aid work in Palestine. The closure of these accounts will have detrimental effects on the charities’ ability to continue their work
86 )RUHLJQ 3ROLF\ RQ ,VUDHO XQOLNHO\ WR FKDQJH XQGHU 2EDPD As the U.S President-elect Barak Obama starts to form his DGPLQLVWUDWLRQ KLV ÂżUVW SLFN has been a very strategic one for the Middle East. Obama has chosen the Illinois Democrat Congressman, Rahm Emanuel, a former adviser to President Clinton, to be his Chief of Staff. Rahm, an Orthodox Jew, was born in Israel and has deep Zionist roots. He was a special Israeli Defence Forces operative during the 1991 Gulf War. Once in position, he will be responsible for much of the internal management of the new administration. The Independent described his role
as follows: “Mr Emanuel’s RIÂżFLDO WLWOH LV FKLHI RI VWDII %XW really he’s the Obama team’s pantomime villain: the toughguy‌.who twists arms and is responsible for actually getting things doneâ€?. His dealings with the Clinton administration has given him the reputation of a partisan Democrat. Rahm, nicknamed “Rahmboâ€?, served as a volunteer in the Israeli Defence Force with dual U.S and Israeli citizenship. His father, Benjamin M. Emanuel, was a member of the Zionist Irgun terrorist organisation, which was responsible for blowing
up the King David Hotel in Jerusalem in 1946 and was also involved in the Deir Yassin massacre in 1948. In an interview with the Israeli newspaper Ma’ariv, Emanuel is reported to have said regarding his son’s LQÀXHQFH LQ WKH :KLWH +RXVH ³2EYLRXVO\ KH ZLOO LQÀXHQFH the president to be pro-Israel, why wouldn’t he be? What is he, an Arab? He’s not going to FOHDQ WKH ÀRRUV RI WKH :KLWH House.� Rahm later apologised for these comments on behalf of his father to the AmericanArab Anti-Discrimination Committee.
7KLV ¿UVW DSSRLQWPHQW E\ Obama has led Palestinians to worry about the new American 3UHVLGHQWœV LQÀXHQFH LQ WKH Middle East crisis, although many around the world are ZLOOLQJ WR JLYH KLP WKH EHQH¿W of the doubt and are waiting eagerly in hope that the US will become more impartial under Obama’s watch. The departing precidency of George W. Bush has been the most disasterous for Palestinians. During his WHUP LQ RI¿FH 3UHVLGHQW %XVK allowed Israel impunity in its military actions against Palestinians leading to severely oppressive policies..
Palestinian prisoners at the Oufar detention facility located in Bitounia town southwest of Ramallah in the West Bank suffered a violent raid by Israeli prison guards on 20 December 2008. The facility has been used since April 2002, following “Operation Defensive Shield� under which a large scale Israeli military campaign in the West Bank took place. Many Palestinians were arrested during that operation and were
being detained at Oufar. There are currently 1,200 Palestinians still in detention living under harsh conditions. On 20 December, dozens of Israeli prison guards along with representatives of the detention centre conducted a violent, and what detainees called unprovoked, ‘search’ during which they physically assaulted many of the prisoners. The detainees were then tortured with hot water
hoses, sound bombs and tear gas canisters. Fires broke out in 8 tents and 9 detainees were injured in the violence. Reports suggest that the number of raids in such detention facilities has increased over the last year, and include increasingly alarming assaults on the prisoners. The XVH RI JDV LQ FRQÂżQHG VSDFHV is becoming more prevalent, causing suffocation and respiratory diseases in many detainees.
The Palestinian prisoners, their lawyers and their families remain helpless to do anything about the violence against them from Israeli prison guards. Campaigns have been launched within Israel and the Palestinian territories to raise awareness of the plight of over 11,000 prisoners held by Israel. Many of these prisoners are held for political reasons and numerous have not been charged with any offence.
Violent raid in detention centre injures detainees
Unilever withdraws from illegal Israeli settlement Unilever, a major manufacturer of food, home care, and personal products has made the decision to divest from a pretzel and snacks factory situated in an Israeli settlement in the West Bank. The factory is owned by the company Biegel & Biegel, which Unilever own a 51% share in. The decision came about through constructive dialogue between Unilever Netherlands and United Civilians for Peace (UCP) concerning the legal and ethical implications of investment in Biegel & Biegel. This represents an important and FRQVWUXFWLYH VWHS LQ WKH ÂżJKW DJDLQVW the occupation as the economic VLWXDWLRQ SOD\V DQ LQĂ€XHQWLDO UROH LQ maintaining the illegal settlements.
Anti-Islam Conference takes place in Jerusalem A one-day conference with an antiIslam theme took place in occupied Jerusalem last month with speakers from America and Holland as well as Israel. Daniel Pipes, an American Jewish Zionist with antiIslam views; Dutch legislator and politician Greet Wilders and farright Israeli lawmaker Aryeh Eldad were among the attendees of the conference. Ismael Shindi, a professor of Islamic Studies at Hebron University said “These people are not serious scholars. They are motivated by a pathological and blind hatred of Islam and Muslims, not by a real desire to know the truth. Their respective records and backgrounds underscore their academic, intellectual and moral bankruptcy.� .Join our mailing list, To receive updates and information about our events, log in your email at our website www.aqsa.org.uk
Jewish history museum to be built over Muslim graveyard A $250 million museum which will contain a theatre complex, library, conference centre, gallery and lecture halls, is to be built over the site of a Muslim cemetery in Jerusalem by the Los Angeles-based the Simon Wiesenthal Centre. It is estimated that around 70,000 Muslims are buried in the cemetery, including some of the Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) companions. The Wiesenthal Museum of Tolerance, claiming to promote unity and respect for all faiths, began preliminary excavations in February 2006 on the site of the Mamila Muslim cemetery, but was halted when it came to light that around 300 skeletons
were unearthed and taken away by the Israeli Antiquities Authorities. Two Palestinian groups lost the appeal in the Israeli High Court of Justice for the excav-
ations to be stopped, and permission was granted for the construction to continue, over the cemetery site. The Court held that the cemetery has been in public
use since the 1960s when a small parking lot was put in place over a section of the graveyard. The court also rejected the claim that the building of the museum would cause disruption of public order. The Mufti of Al-Quds, Sheikh Mohammed Hussein, said the verdict was a “grave decision which harms the Muslim holy sites.� In a press conference soon after the verdict was announced, Sheikh Raed Salah, the leader of the Islamic Movement in Israel said “Israel is declaring a global war on Muslims and Arabs�. Construction is expected to resume immediately.
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IN BRIEF 8. )RUHLJQ 2IÂżFH $GYLVHV %ULWRQV QRW WR SXUFKDVH SURSHUW\ LQ LOOHJDO ,VUDHOL 6HWWOHPHQWV
In December 2008, the 8. )RUHLJQ 2IÂżFH WRRN DQ unprecedented step when it advised Britons not to purchase property within Israeli settlements in the West Bank. These settlements were built by Israel illegally on land stolen from Palestinians, and over the past 30 years, more and more settlements have been established and existing ones expanded despite UN Resolutions condemning Israel and international pressure to give the land back to the rightful Palestinian owners. This advice from the government is seen as a proactive shift in British policy where Israel is concerned, and
warns potential purchasers that peace agreements between Israel and the Palestinians could have an impact on the property. Palestinians negotiating peace have demanded a return of the land upon which the settlements were built. These ODQGV ZHUH RIWHQ FRQÂżVFDWHG without compensation from Palestinian families who have lived on them for generations. Israel has refused to relinquish the settlements and in an effort to change facts on the ground, built its separation wall within the occupied West Bank so that it circles the major illegal settlements, cutting them off permanently from the remainder of the West Bank. The British government takes the position that these settlements are indeed illegal, in accordance with clear provisions of the Third Geneva Convention. Palestinian Ambassador to the UK, Manuel Hassassian, responded
8 6 PLOLWDU\ EDVH established in Jerusalem As President George W. %XVK SUHSDUHV WR OHDYH RIÂżFH following what some have dubbed the most disastrous Administration in US history, his parting gift to Israel is the Forward-Based X-band Transportable (FBX-T) radar system. This radar system is intended to strengthen Israeli defences against possible missile attacks from Iran, and
was put in place in Jerusalem. The radar system is manned by 120 U.S. personnel and is designed to detect short and medium-range missiles. It is located at an Israeli Air Force base at Nevatim in the Negev Desert, where it is linked to the U.S. Joint Tactical Ground Station (JTAGS) in Europe. This new system VLJQLÂżFDQWO\ VKRUWHQV WKH UHVS
Not enough food in Gaza
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza was occurring long before Israel’s bombings and bombardment. The people in Gaza were slowly being starved for months before the current assault. At the beginning of November, the entire Strip was sealed off from the outside world once more as Israel ref-
used to allow in food, medicine, fuel, parts for water and sanitation systems, fertiliser and even basic necessities such as phones and paper were in short supply. According to Oxfam, merely 137 trucks of food were allowed into Gaza in November. This is D SDOWU\ ÂżJXUH FRQVLGHULQJ WKH
by saying: “This is a dramatic change of policy by Great Britain. They have gone a long way in being critical of Israel’s policies. In the past they have talked about settlement being an obstacle to peace and so on. But this is a milestone. They are now being proactive and very serious.� In a letter addressed to Salam Fayed from Gordon Brown, dated December 9th and quoted by the Guardian, Mr Brown said: “We have long expressed our opposition to settlement activity. But that activity has continued and has accelerated since the Annapolis process was launched. I share your frustration at this. The UK is now looking at what effective action we can take to discourage settlement expansion. “Given our clear position on settlements it follows that we would not want any British national to purchase property
inside an illegal settlement.â€? Israel has responded negatively to the change in policy as expected. Israeli settlers pose many problems to Palestinians including their propensity for violence against Palestinians, as evidenced in a UHSRUW E\ WKH 81 2IÂżFH IRU WKH Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) which stated that Israeli ultranationalists have been encouraged by the state to take over Palestinian land and natural resources. The reports states that: “Settler violence is not random criminal activity; in most cases it is ideology-driven, organised violence, the goal of which is to assert settler dominance in the areaâ€? On another front, Britain has been taking a leading role in persuading the EU to properly label products made in settlements in the West Bank, some of which are marked as made in Israel.
onse time needed by Israel if it is attacked and provides more detailed information about the missile including its place of origin. Most importantly, this parting “gift� from America means that any missile attack on Israel is now likely to be seen as an attack on America as well, justifying U.S. involvement in any counter-attack. Although this has great implications for protecting Israel from air missiles, it also means Israel will be limited from launching any attack on
Iran. The radar system was put in place “as a signal of Washington’s opposition to an Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear programâ€?. It means that U.S. permission has to be sought before any Israeli strike on Iran. American personnel responsible for the radar, and all associated military would become a target in the event of a retaliation by Iran thus drawing WKH 86 LQWR DQ\ FRQĂ€LFW It remains to be seen how this strategy of the Bush administration will effect Obama.
actual needs of the 1.5 million residents of the Strip. This average of 4.6 trucks per day can be compared to the average in October 2008 of 123 trucks per day which was VWLOO LQVXIÂżFLHQW DQG WKH PRUH realistic number needed by the population of 564 trucks per day which went in during December 2005. The two main food providers in Gaza are the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and the World Food Programme (WFP). UNRWA alone feeds approximately 750,000 people in Gaza which amounts to half of the population. It requires WUXFNV RI IRRG GDLO\ WR IXOÂżO this requirement. Between 5 November and 30 November only 23 trucks arrived in total. This amounts to approximately
6 per cent of the total food needed. There were three days in November 2008 when UNRWA ran out of food and this left 20,000 people without sustenance. John Ging, the director of UNRWA in Gaza, states that most of the people who get food aid are entirely dependent on it. The WFP has encountered similar problems getting its food trucks into Gaza. Furthermore, for those trucks that Israel has not allowed into the Gaza Strip, the WFP is required to pay to store the food being carried by them. This cost $215,000 in November 2008 alone. The WFP will have to pay an extra $150,000 for storage in December, thus instead of using this money to support Palestinians, it will go to Israeli businesses.
Pressure to complete Apartheid Wall by 2010 The Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has said that the 790 kmlong separation wall must be completed by 2010 due to rising global condemnation. Despite the World Court declaring the building of the wall as illegal in 2004, Israel has continued to cut off the Palestinians with concrete wall sections and wired fencing, which is being constructed inside the West Bank; annexing huge chunks of Palestinian Land in to Israel.
Leader of Palestinian organisation sentenced Ahmed Saadat, the leader of the Palestinian Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) has been sentenced to thirty years in prison by an Israeli military court for heading a “terrorist organisationâ€?. Saadat was arrested in March 2006 during a raid on a Palestinian-run prison in Jericho. He was originally accused of planning the murder of Rehavam Zeevi, the then Israeli Minister of Tourism, but this was not mentioned at the time of sentencing. PFLP members believe the arrest was purely political. Ahmed Saadat, 54, is a father of four and was a staunch supporter of WKH ,QWLÂżGD
Extra-judicial killings prevalent among Israeli Occupation Forces The Israeli state has been involved in ‘targeted assassinations’ or extrajudicial killings since its inception. Some have accused Israel of ‘state terrorism’ due to this policy which basically boils down to execution without trial. The use of targeted killings is closely linked to the political situation at the time, and the number of killings escalated during the second Intifada, beginning in 2000. This crime against humanity is no secret as Israel is very open about this illegal practice. The Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) reported that during the period between 2000 and 2006, Israel killed 603 Palestinians during extra-judicial killing operations, PDNLQJ WKLV D VLJQLÂżFDQW FRQWULEXWRU to Palestinian deaths.
Interpal gets limited aid through to besieged Gaza Despite the bombing of Gaza and closure of borders, the charity Interpal was successful in getting some aid through to the besieged SRSXODWLRQ 7KH ÂżUVW FRQVLJQPHQW RI aid went through the Rafah crossing in collaboration with emergency response efforts organized by the Egyptian Medical Syndicate, Human Relief Committee. Israel is restricting the amount of humanitarian aid passing into Gaza and once it does pass, there is little infrastructure left on the other side for distribution, resulting in many Palestinians not receiving desperately needed supplies.
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BOOK REVIEW
A Doctor in Galilee: The life and struggle of a Palestinian in Israel
BY HATIM KANAANEH Pluto Press, ISBN 978 0 7453 2786 0, ÂŁ18.99
7KH GLI¿FXOWLHV IDFHG E\ Palestinians living within the State of Israel are often low on the priority list for Palestine solidarity activists. The quieter oppressions of discrimination and marginalisation are less attention-grabbing than the horrors of military occupation, and the fact that some Israeli citizens of Palestinian descent side with their new government and even serve in the Israeli army alienates some supporters of the Palestinian cause. Hatim Kanaaneh’s autobiography, however, is a highly readable, engaging and clear-sighted illustration of why anyone who wishes to see the Palestinian people and culture survive and thrive should be supporting those Palestinians resident within Israel. And despite the walls which now divide those in the Galilee from their cousins in J
enin or Tubas, the devastating pain of Kanaaneh’s response to the 2002 Jenin massacre, whose aftermath he witnessed, FRQ¿UPV KRZ VWURQJ WKH WLHV across the Separation Wall still are. Kanaaneh uses an autobiographical format to explore the history of those 3DOHVWLQLDQV ZKR GLG QRW ÀHH in 1948. He describes his own FKLOGKRRG ¿UVW XQGHU %ULWLVK Mandate and then Israeli rule, growing up in the Galilee village of Arrabeh, steeped in family history and resentment of the British atrocities of 1936, when the Mandate authorities put down a Palestinian uprising by destroying food and farming supplies in acts very reminiscent of later Israeli military offences. From 1948 to 1966, Palestinian villages like Arrabeh existed under military rule, and even after this, expressions of Palestinian identity or protests against discrimination and oppression were met with violence, including the killing of six unarmed demonstrators participating in a strike in 1976, an incident commemorated on March 30th as Land Day ever since. Kanaaneh is not, however, romantic about pre-1948 Palestinian life. The villages he remembers may have been part of a vibrant Palestinian history and culture, but they
were also poor and life was tough. Kanaaneh himself describes the realisation that his odd appearance as an adult was down to childhood rickets, and that two of his siblings who died in infancy were not victims of evil eye, but of malnutrition. He is also critical of the traditional patriarchy of his home and of its effects on the lives of women and girls, including the ongoing danger of ‘honour killings’ for women seen as having shamed their families. The modern Palestinian villages which Kanaaneh describes in the Galilee are also far from romantic. Under massively discriminatory Israeli planning and municipal funding policies, ‘Arab’ towns are systematically underresourced. They often lack decent roads, good-quality KRXVLQJ VXIÂżFLHQW FOLQLFV DQG other healthcare facilities, adequate water resources and safe sanitation. Kanaaneh’s personal experiences offer particular insight into the oppression meted out to Palestinian citizens of Israel through the health system. As a doctor he VSHQW GHFDGHV ÂżJKWLQJ IRU KLV patients to be provided with the same healthcare as Jewish Israelis – for them to be given the same priority in building new clinics and hospitals, to be properly targeted in immunisation campaigns and for reproductive choices to be given to all women as a right of
control over their own bodies, not to be manipulated as a weapon by Israeli politicians WHUUL¿HG RI EHLQJ ¾RXW EUHG E\ the Arabs.’ The many Machiavellian ways in which the Israeli state accomplishes these aims – and the deliberate nature of the discrimination – is thrown into sharp relief by Kanaaneh’s own stories. He describes the outrageous bureaucratic buck-passing which allowed Palestinian and Bedouin villages to endure open sewers running through the streets and women having to collect water from a single standpipe, while a Jewish town on the next hilltop might have glittering swimming pools and sprinklers scattering potable water onto ODZQV DQG ÀRZHUEHGV $QG he also describes incidents when racist assumptions by Jewish doctors, nurses or receptionists, or the absence of Arabic-speaking personnel in hospitals in areas with large Arab populations, caused sickness and death amongst Palestinian patients. Supposedly neutral medical administrators are revealed as sympathising with policy of deliberate removal of Arab citizens from Israel, and the interference of the Shin Bet security apparatus in the education system, vetting teachers and students, is exposed as ruining lives and careers. And racism amongst Israeli Jews – particularly discrimination against
Sephardis – illustrates the many divisions within the society of the State of Israel. Kanaaneh’s Palestinian colleagues are not let entirely off the hook either. The complacency of old-timers and the widespread networks of informers throughout Arab communities are held up for scrutiny. Palestinian contractors are condemned for their role in building Israeli settlements in the West Bank, and the Islamic religious elite amongst Israel’s Palestinian community excoriated for their willingness to have new appointments vetted by the Shin Bet. This is not a book to FRQ¿UP WKH LGOH UHDGHU LQ their assumptions. Kanaaneh’s willingness to criticise all sectors of society – including himself – means that there are no heroes in this book, and although there are villains aplenty they don’t always conform to the reader’s prejudgments. But between Jonathan Cook’s excellent introduction and Hatim Kanaaneh’s decades of experience and ability to convey it through his own life and the stories of the patients he sees, organisations he’s run and fellow villagers he’s given lifts to, this is a deeply informative account of the realities of life for Israel’s Palestinian citizens. Sarah Irving is a freelance writer www.sarahirving.net
Making Palestine a Real Issue By Yvonne Ridley Some of my more eclectic, fun-loving friends are becoming weary of my campaigns against injustices. I see their eyes glaze over whenever I mention Palestine and the fact that half a million Jewish settlers are living illegally on land stolen in GHÂżDQFH RI LQWHUQDWLRQDO ODZ They squirm uncomfortably on their chairs showing all the signs of activism fatigue. But I had a major breakthrough recently with Palestine and suddenly had their attention like never before. It was simple. I took Palestine out of the Middle East and began talking about the Mediterranean. I told them how myself and 40 plus other peace activists sailed to Gaza to break the draconian siege imposed by the State of Israel. Slowly, but surely their eyebrows arched as I said our two boats from the Free Gaza Movement weaved in and out of the Greek islands, on to Cyprus and then into Gaza never once leaving Mediterranean waters. My funloving, sun-loving gels were shocked. “It’s not a Mediterranean issue, surely not?â€? quizzed
one who is still a candidate for 18-30 holidays and crazy weekends in Ibiza. Another who is more Torremolinos (minus Monty Python’s spam and chips) Turkey and Tunis appeared to turn white under her fading summer Med tan, while the third told us how she had spent all of July and August sailing around the Greek islands. Suddenly I had my Fun Girl Three sitting, mouths wideopen in amazement, as I told them about the Palestinian ¿VKHUPHQ ZKR ZHUH QR GLIIHUHQW WR WKH UHVW RI WKH PHQ ZKR ¿VK around the Mediterranean rim ... it’s an industry which has been on the go since biblical times. Now these Palestinian ¿VKHUPDQ DUH EHFRPLQJ DQ endangered species, I warned - far more vulnerable than other endangered species in the Mediterranean including the emblematic sharks, turtles, whales and seals. And there it was, on their faces. Something which I had tried in vain to do previously - I had got their attention and they were shocked and it showed. We huddled around my lounge in a conspiratorial manner as we got out our iPods and Google Earthed the Mediterranean.
Sure enough, there on the east side of the Mediterranean was the tiny Gaza Strip. 7KH TXHVWLRQV FDPH À\LQJ thick and fast. Who is trying to VWRS WKHP IURP ¿VKLQJ" 6XUHO\ WKH\ KDYH D ULJKW WR ¿VK LQ their own waters? What is the European Union doing? It was one of those Eureka! moments and I realised where we - as in Palestinian campaigners, peace activists and supporters might be going wrong. We are boring the pants off the non-activists who really can’t get that excited about a bunch of exotic folk living in faraway distant lands. I’m not excusing this type of attitude, but let’s start dealing with the realities. Yes, I know it’s not right but let’s face it, this wall of apathy is even harder to tear down than the Apartheid wall which eats into Palestinian lands. So let’s turn Palestine into an issue that Europeans will really understand by bringing it closer to their homes. Let’s educate Western holidaymakers who head to the diverse Mediterranean coast for their breaks about the basic right of HYHU\ 3DOHVWLQLDQ ¿VKHUPDQ WR cast his nets in the same waters DQG FDWFK ¿VK Can you imagine how
Comment and Opinion Spanish, French, Italian or *UHHN ¿VKHUPHQ ZRXOG UHDFW if they were told by Israeli Naval personnel to go back to the shore? Can you imagine the international outcry if these VDPH ¿VKHUPHQ ZHUH VKRW DW RU shelled as they tried to haul in their catch? Can you imagine the consequences if powerful ZDWHU FDQRQV ZHUH ¿UHG DW WKH nets of these Mediterranean men causing damage to and destroying the nets? Or, as happened recently, 3DOHVWLQLDQ ¿VKLQJ ERDWV ZHUH boarded by Israeli frogmen who then set about with taser stun guns attacking those on board. We only found out about this latest episode because the fools couldn’t tell the difference between international activists from America, Scotland and Italy otherwise they would never have raided the boat. Of course there would be an international outcry, diplomats ZRXOG EH ÀXUU\LQJ EDFNZDUGV and forwards in the corridors of power if this sort of piracy or terrorism happened elsewhere in the Mediterranean. So why is it OK to do all of this and more to Palestinian ¿VKHUPHQ" 7KH\ WRR ¿VK LQ WKH same sea, which is why I think this is now a European Union issue rather than a Middle East
one. The leaders of the Arab world have shown they’re as much use as a gelded horse in a stud farm, so until they get some guts, gumption or backbone let’s turn this issue into a European problem. At the moment the Israeli Navy controls the Gazan territorial waters under its illegal occupation of the entire region and its siege of the Gaza Strip. Every day Palestinian ¿VKHUPHQ IDFH YHU\ UHDO WKUHDWV to their livelihood, their well being and their lives – a direct result of this decades long Israeli Occupation and this 2 year long siege. The Palestinian ¿VKHUPHQ KDYH WKH KXPDQ ULJKW to a livelihood - to go out and ¿VK HDUQ D OLYLQJ IHHG WKHLU families and live their lives just like their counterparts do elsewhere in the Med. I think the time has come to exert pressure on the European Union to do something and act swiftly to protect this endangered species in the Mediterranean waters. www.yvonneridley.org Catch Yvonne on her weekly show The Agenda, broadcast on Press TV every Thursday evening after the 8pm news on the Sky channel 515.
Fears for the Safety and Future of the Children in Gaza By Arwa Aburawa As the attack on the Gaza Strip continues, a Palestinian human rights organisation has warned of the immediate danger to children being targeted and killed by Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF). The Palestinian Centre for Human rights stated in its latest report that, “If the 7DKGL\D FDOPLQJ FHDVHÂżUH LV renounced by either side and the hostilities resume, then children living in the Gaza Strip will immediately be once more at risk of being targeted and killed by the IOF.â€? &RQĂ€LFW ÂżUVW HUXSWHG LQ WKH Gaza Strip on November 4, when Israeli forces killed six Palestinians in a raid. Ongoing retaliatory attacks between the two sides raised concerns that WKH FHDVHÂżUH DJUHHPHQW ZRXOG either disintegrate ahead of its expiry or a new agreement would not be reached. The heightened blockade on Gaza, put in place at the beg-
inning of the hostilities,attracted criticism from humanitarian organisation due to rapidly dwindling food, fuel and medical supplies. A report by the International Committee of the Red Cross revealed that the blockade had led to a steady rise in chronic malnutrition among the 1.5 million people living in the Gaza Strip. Whilst the threat of malnutrition was noted, the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) feared that the rise in hostilities would mark the UHWXUQ RI D VLJQLÂżFDQW PLOLWDU\ threat to Palestinian children. According to the latest PCHR report, Blood On Their Hands, Israel has “consistently failed in its legal obligation to offer protection towards the children of the Occupied Palestinian Territories.â€? Since the Second Intifada in 2000 Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) killed more than 860 children in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, mainly within the Gaza Strip. Rather than respecting International
Humanitarian Law and United Nation Convention on the Rights of Children which grants children protection during DUPHG FRQĂ€LFW DQG RFFXSDWLRQ the Israeli Occupation Force consistently use “excessive lethal force against Palestinian children.â€? From June 2007 to June 2008 alone, 68 children were killed in the Gaza Strip. These lethal attacks on innocent children- some only one years ROG DUH MXVWLÂżHG E\ WKH ,2) DV a response to militant groups ÂżULQJ PLVVLOHV +RZHYHU PCHR investigations into such allegations have consistently refuted this, stating that the “IOF war on children in the Gaza Strip has increasingly involved IOF use of advanced military technology to pinpoint, and kill the intended targets.â€? On 1 March 2008, twelve year old Safaa Abu-Saif who lived in Jabalia of northern Gaza bled to death after being hit by a single bullet. Her only crime was to take the outdoor stairs up to visit her aunties
during the large-scale military operation in the Gaza Strip which was launched on February of the same year. She was struck down by IOF and when an ambulance was called, the family were told that they would be unable to make it as Palestinian ambulances were being targeted by Israeli tanks. Trapped inside their home, the family struggled to tend to Safaa who died three hours later. This evidence suggests that IOF are using snipers to target children, further undermining their claims that they are targeting legitimate military targets. PCHR investigations into 110 civilian deaths between February/March 2008 also ³FRQ¿UPHG ZLGHVSUHDG XVH RI excessive lethal force against civilians in the Gaza Strip, and the deliberate targeting of civilians, including children.� Sadly, this is one of many widespread human rights violations against Palestinians living in the Occupied Territories which has resulted
7
in the deaths of 3,724 unarmed civilians since 2000. PCHR’s report remarked that; “civilians were undoubtedly deliberately targeted, as the IOF bombarded, shot and shelled in and around densely populated civilian areas, where it was clearly impossible to distinguish between military and civilian targets.â€? The recent attacks on Gaza DQG WKH QRZ FRQÂżUPHG FLYLOLDQ deaths is a clear indication that this pattern of targeting young children and civilians is set to continue. Furthermore DV WKH FRQĂ€LFW HVFDODWHV DQG with ground troops now inside the Gaza Strip, new evidence has emerged which indicates that Israel is openly targeting civilians. Such a blatant disregard for the lives of Palestinians and their young children cannot go unquestioned any longer and this attack on Gaza is giving rise to more criticism of Israel than seen since 1967. Arwa Aburawa is a freelace journalist
8
Message from Friends of Al-Aqsa 7KH FXUUHQW RIIHQVLYH DJDLQVW *D]D LV FUXHO DQG LQKXPDQH OHDYLQJ PDQ\ RI XV IHHOLQJ defeated and helpless. What makes the VLWXDWLRQ HYHQ ZRUVH LV WKDW RXU JRYHUQPHQW is failing to condemn Israel and take the steps necessary for Israel to be stopped in its YHQJHIXO ZDU 6XVSHQGLQJ WKH (8 ,VUDHO 7UDGH $JUHHPHQW ZRXOG EH RQH ZD\ RI PDNLQJ ,VUDHO WDNH QRWLFH EXW WKXV IDU QR PHQWLRQ has been made of this despite national and LQWHUQDWLRQDO SUHVVXUH IURP RUGLQDU\ SHRSOH RQ WKH JURXQG This war is not defensive despite what Israeli politicians claim in the media. Israel KDV SODQQHG LW RXW PHWLFXORXVO\ $QG ,VUDHO ORQJ KLVWRU\ RI ZDU KDV HQVXUHG WKDW LW KDV learnt how to win from all perspectives. :KLOH PLOLWDU\ VXFFHVV KDV DOZD\V EHHQ D necessity, the war machine is now sharpening LWV DVSLUDWLRQV WR HQVXUH D ZLQ RQ WKH EDWWOH ¿HOG LV PDWFKHG E\ VXFFHVV RYHU WKH KHDUWV DQG PLQGV RI WKH JOREDO FRPPXQLW\ 7KH FOLQLFDO H[HFXWLRQ RI WKH ZDU RQ *D]D KDV WKXV EHHQ H[WHQGHG ZHOO EH\RQG WKH IURQW OLQH to the blogosphere and media, with footage available of so called precision bombing operations. 7KH ,VUDHOL DUP\ )RUHLJQ 3UHVV %UDQFK KHDG 0DMRU $YLWDO /HLERYLFK VWDWHG ³7KH LQWHOOLJHQW DXGLHQFH ZDWFKLQJ WKH IRRWDJH ZLOO NQRZ WKDW SHRSOH NLOOHG GLG QRW KDYH SHDFHIXO LQWHQWLRQV WRZDUG ,VUDHO ´ ,Q DQ 2UZHOOLDQ PLQGVHW VKH IXUWKHU DGGHG ³, GRQ¶W EHOLHYH WKH\¶OO EH GLVWXUEHG ´ %XW ZH DUH GLVWXUEHG EHFDXVH WKH IRRWDJH VKRZV QRWKLQJ REYLRXV MXVW ¿JXUHV RI SHRSOH EODVWHG LQWR REOLYLRQ ,VUDHO LV HQVXULQJ LQGHSHQGHQW MRXUQDOLVP LV KHDYLO\ FXUWDLOHG LI QRW LPSHGHG DOWRJHWKHU in order to hamper impartial coverage. It has DFKLHYHG WKLV PRVW VXFFHVVIXOO\ E\ FORVLQJ RII WKH *D]D 6WULS IURP LQWHUQDWLRQDO MRXUQDOLVWV DQG WKXV OLPLWLQJ FRYHUDJH RI WKH KXPDQLWDULDQ FDWDVWURSKH EHLQJ SOD\HG RXW RQ WKH JURXQG ,QVWHDG WKH IRFXV KDV EHHQ VKLIWHG WRZDUGV WKH µSUHFLVLRQ ERPELQJV¶ ZKLFK LQ DFWXDO IDFW VKRZ QRWKLQJ RI VXEVWDQFH ,VUDHO¶V UHDO IHDU LV WKDW MRXUQDOLVWV PD\ UHSRUW IDFWV DERXW ,VUDHO¶V YLFWLPV WKDW LW KDV VRXJKW WR NHHS KLGGHQ VXFK DV WKH JURWHVTXH LQMXULHV WR FLYLOLDQV DQG WKH abysmal conditions in hospitals. :KLOH ,VUDHOL SROLWLFLDQV DUH DOO VSRXWLQJ the same rehearsed line to the media and governments all over the globe, however, the FLWL]HQV RI WKH ZRUOG DUH ULVLQJ XS DQG UHIXVLQJ WR EH IRROHG E\ ,VUDHO¶V IDOVH WDLOV 3URWHVW vigils and demonstrations have been held all over the world resonating international civil society’s condemnation of Israel, and a new PRYHPHQW KDV VWDUWHG ZKLFK ZLOO QRW JLYH XS XQWLO 3DOHVWLQLDQV DUH IUHH IURP ,VUDHO¶V EUXWDO RFFXSDWLRQ
Each of us can make a difference. Details off the Friends of Al-Aqsa campaign can be found on the back page of this edition of Aqsa News.
9 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT ISRAEL AND PALESTINE IIsrael’s l’ war on Gaza has been a two pronged approach: military and media. A new information directorate was established by the ,VUDHOL *RYHUQPHQW WR LQÀXHQFH the media. When the attack began, D WLGH RI GLSORPDWV OREE\ JURXSV EORJJHUV DQG RWKHU VXSSRUWHUV RI ,VUDHO ZHUH XQOHDVKHG WR KDPPHU KRPH D KDQGIXO RI FDUHIXOO\ crafted core messages intended to HQVXUH WKDW ,VUDHO ZDV VHHQ DV WKH victim and not the aggressor. It is important to disseminate the correct information to the SXEOLF ,VPDLO 3DWHO &KDLU RI Friends of Al Aqsa answers some IUHTXHQWO\ DVNHG TXHVWLRQV RQ WKH War on Gaza. 1. Who are Fatah and Hamas? They are both political parties ZLWKLQ 3DOHVWLQH )DWDK LV D SROLWLFDO SDUW\ ZKLFK ZDV IRXQGHG E\ WKH late Yasser Arafat. They were the leading political organisation ZLWKLQ WKH 3DOHVWLQLDQ DXWKRULW\ XQWLO +DPDV JDLQHG HOHFWLRQ YLFWRU\ LQ -DQXDU\ 0DKPRXG Abbas is the head of Fatah. +DPDV EHJDQ OLIH DV D UHVLVWDQFH PRYHPHQW GXULQJ WKH ¿UVW LQWLIDGD in 1987, and they have opposed Israeli violence and oppression. They became a political party and won a land slide election in DQG EHFDPH WKH GHPRFUDWLF FKRLFH RI WKH 3DOHVWLQLDQ SHRSOH Israel and its allies rejected a +DPDV OHG JRYHUQPHQW GHVSLWH LWV democratic election, and imposed sanctions which have crippled the 3DOHVWLQLDQ SHRSOH 2. Are the Palestinian people divided? As with all societies,
3DOHVWLQLDQV KDYH D GLYHUVLW\ RI RSLQLRQV DQG YLHZV +DPDV DUH D PRUH UHOLJLRXV OHG SDUW\ DQG )DWDK PRUH VHFXODU LQ RXWORRN 9LROHQFH KDV ÀDUHG EHWZHHQ ERWK VLGHV RYHU WKH ODVW \HDUV H[DFHUEDWHG by Israel and the US’ divide and UXOH SROLF\ ZKLFK ZDV H[SRVHG E\ DQ DUWLFOH LQ 9DQLW\ )DLU LQ $SULO ± µ7KH *D]D %RPEVKHOO¶ E\ 'DYLG 5RVH )DWDK LV VXSSRUWHG E\ $PHULFD DQG LV WKH IDYRXUHG SDUW\ of Israeli. 3. Who broke the 6 month cease ¿UH" 7KH PRQWK FHDVH ¿UH ZDV SURSRVHG E\ +DPDV DQG XSKHOG E\ WKH 3DOHVWLQLDQV LQ *D]D IRU the majority of that time. Israel FRQWLQXHG LWV EORFNDGH RI *D]D GXULQJ WKLV SHULRG DOORZLQJ YLUWXDOO\ QR PRYHPHQW RI SHRSOH and severely restricted movement RI JRRGV LQFOXGLQJ QHFHVVLWLHV OLNH PHGLFLQH DQG IXHO 0DQ\ medical patients in dire need of treatment not available in Gaza were also denied movement to RWKHU FRXQWULHV ZKHUH WKH\ FRXOG receive treatment. In November, Israel initiated D VHULHV RI LQFXUVLRQV LQWR *D]D over a three day period and left 3DOHVWLQLDQV GHDG DQG PDQ\ LQMXUHG ZKLOH DUUHVWLQJ RWKHUV LQFOXGLQJ IRXU ZRPHQ 6KDULKDQ DO +XPHLGL +DQDQ +DVVDQ 6DPDU $EX 6KDEDE
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Gaza Hashim %\ $EHHU $O 6DOLK *D]D +DVKLP LV WKH RULJLQDO name for Gaza, the second ODUJHVW FLW\ LQ 3DOHVWLQH ZKLFK is also one of the most ancient cities in the world. It is located LQ WKH VRXWK HDVW RI 3DOHVWLQH RQ WKH VKRUHV RI WKH 0HGLWHUUDQHDQ 6HD 3DOHVWLQLDQV KDYH OLYHG LQ *D]D VLQFH WKH WK &HQWXU\ %& +DVKLP ELQ $EG 0DQDI was the great grandfather RI WKH 3URSKHW 0XKDPPHG 3HDFH %H 8SRQ +LP DQG he died in Gaza while on a MRXUQH\ UHWXUQLQJ WR WKH $UDE 3HQLQVXOD DQG WKXV WKH FLW\ ZDV FDOOHG *D]D +DVKLP +LV JUDYH VWLOO H[LVWV LQ WKH 6D\\HG +DVKLP PRVTXH ,Q WKH \HDU + 0XVOLPV entered Gaza led by the great 0XVOLP OHDGHU 2PDU %LQ $ODV GXULQJ WKH &DOLSKDWH RI $EX %DNU $IWHU WKDW LW EHFDPH D JUHDW FLW\ GXH WR LWV VWUDWHJLF location between Asia and
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who is one of the great Fiqh VFKRODUV LQ ,VODP ,W ZDV EULHÀ\ ORVW WR WKH &UXVDGHUV EXW UHWXUQHG WR ,VODPLF UXOH DIWHU WKH +LWWHQ EDWWOH LQ *D]D +DVKLP ZDV XQGHU 2WWRPDQ UXOH LQ WKH WK FHQWXU\ DQG UHPDLQHG VR XQWLO ZKHQ LW ZDV RFFXSLHG E\ WKH %ULWLVK DUP\ GXULQJ :RUOG War I. After Israel was formed, in 1949, Egypt and Israel signed a treaty to keep Gaza XQGHU (J\SWLDQ UXOH 7KXV PDQ\ 3DOHVWLQLDQV ZKR ZHUH IRUFHG WR ÀHH WKHLU KRPHV GXH to atrocities being committed E\ =LRQLVW JDQJV HQGHG XS LQ UHIXJHH FDPSV LQ *D]D ,Q ,VUDHO EHJDQ LWV RFFXSDWLRQ RI *D]D DQG WKH :HVW %DQN 7KLV EURXJKW ZLWK LW PLVHU\ IRU 3DOHVWLQLDQV +DPDV ZRQ WKH 3DOHVWLQLDQ HOHFWLRQV LQ DQG LWV
ERUGHU FURVVLQJV IURP *D]D LQWR ,VUDHO DQG (J\SW ,VUDHO DOVR controls the air space and the sea, making Gaza in effect a large open air prison. Israel says it is QR ORQJHU RFFXS\LQJ *D]D EXW LQ DFWXDO IDFW WKH RFFXSDWLRQ QHYHU ended as Israel controls all access to the territory. Israel imposed a siege when it closed all the border crossings and severely restricted the movement RI SHRSOH DQG JRRGV LQ DQG RXW RI WKH WHUULWRU\ 6WXGHQWV ZHUH XQDEOH WR UHWXUQ WR WKHLU XQLYHUVLWLHV DEURDG %XVLQHVVHV FROODSVHG as they had no raw materials. 0HGLFDO SDWLHQWV GLHG DV WKH\ had no access to vital treatment. 3RZHU ZDV FXW GXH WR ODFN RI IXHO OHDGLQJ WR D EXLOG XS LQ VHZDJH and lack of clean water. Disease LV QRZ ZLGHVSUHDG 0DOQXWULWLRQ in children is the norm. Schools DQG XQLYHUVLWLHV FDQQRW IXQFWLRQ There is no semblance of normal life in Gaza and the 1.5 million SRSXODWLRQ VLPSO\ H[LVWV UDWKHU than lives. 5. Does Israel have a right to self defence? Every state has the right to self GHIHQFH XQGHU $UWLFOH RI WKH 81 &KDUWHU ZKLFK VWDWHV 1RWKLQJ LQ WKH &KDUWHU VKDOO LPSDLU WKH LQKHUHQW ULJKW RI LQGLYLGXDO RU collective self-defence if an armed DWWDFN RFFXUV DJDLQVW D 0HPEHU RI WKH 8QLWHG 1DWLRQV XQWLO WKH 6HFXULW\ &RXQFLO KDV WDNHQ PHDVXUHV QHFHVVDU\ WR PDLQWDLQ LQWHUQDWLRQDO SHDFH DQG VHFXULW\ Israel cites self defence and VHFXULW\ FRQFHUQV IRU SUH HPSWLYH VWULNHV IRU DOO RI LWV DWWDFNV RQ
3DOHVWLQLDQV 0DQ\ GLVSXWH WKDW Israel’s military actions are in VHOI GHIHQFH DV WKH 3DOHVWLQLDQV do not have a recognised state nor armed forces and therefore cannot µDWWDFN¶ ,VUDHO DV SURYLGHG XQGHU $UWLFOH ,Q WKH SUHVHQW FRQÀLFW WLPHV PRUH 3DOHVWLQLDQV KDYH been killed than Israelis. These IDFWV PDNH WKH DUJXPHQWV RI VHOI defence very poor, especially as ,VUDHO LV LQ EHOOLJHUHQW RFFXSDWLRQ RI 3DOHVWLQLDQ WHUULWRULHV 6. What does international law state? ,QWHUQDWLRQDO ODZ UHTXLUHV ,VUDHO WR DELGH E\ WKH )RXUWK *HQHYD &RQYHQWLRQ LQ LWV WUHDWPHQW RI 3DOHVWLQLDQ FLWL]HQV ,WV GXWLHV LQFOXGH UHIUDLQLQJ IURP FROOHFWLYH SXQLVKPHQW UHIUDLQLQJ IURP WUDQVIHUULQJ LWV SRSXODWLRQ LQWR WKH RFFXSLHG ODQG DQG QRW NLOOLQJ civilians, amongst others. 7KHUH DUH VXEVWDQWLYH DUWLFOHV RI WKH )RXUWK *HQHYD &RQYHQWLRQ WKDW SURWHFW WKH ULJKWV RI HYHU\ RQH RI WKHVH 3DOHVWLQLDQV OLYLQJ LQ RFFXSLHG 3DOHVWLQH 7KH ,VUDHOL *RYHUQPHQW LV FXUUHQWO\ YLRODWLQJ DQG KDV VLQFH EHHQ violating, almost each and every one of these sacred rights of the 3DOHVWLQLDQ 3HRSOH UHFRJQL]HG E\ WKH )RXUWK *HQHYD &RQYHQWLRQ violations of which are war crimes. 7. What does going to a protest achieve – is there any point? 0DQ\ SHRSOH DUH RXWUDJHG E\ what is happening in Gaza and the XQIDLU DQG XQMXVW DWWDFN E\ ,VUDHO 'HPRQVWUDWLRQV DOORZ XV WR GLUHFW RXU HQHUJLHV DQG IUXVWUDWLRQV LQ D ZD\ WKDW ZLOO HQVXUH RXU YRLFHV DUH
KHDUG DQG XQL¿HG JOREDO DFWLRQ proves that opposition to Israeli DFWLRQV H[LVWV ZRUOGZLGH 7KLV will create a movement at the civil society level to take forward the FDPSDLJQLQJ IRU 3DOHVWLQLDQ ULJKWV DQG IUHHGRP IURP RFFXSDWLRQ 9. What else will make a difference? /REE\ \RXU 03V WKH 3ULPH 0LQLVWHU DQG )RUHLJQ 0LQLVWHU :ULWH WR WKH 0HGLD DQG UHTXHVW EDODQFHG UHSRUWLQJ RI WKLV FRQÀLFW and a challenge to the Israeli government for not allowing IRUHLJQ MRXUQDOLVWV LQWR *D]D WR UHSRUW IWRP WKH JURXQG %R\FRWW ,VUDHOL JRRGV DQG FRQWDFW DOO VWRUHV DQG VXSHUPDUNHWV WKDW VWRFN ,VUDHOL JRRGV UHTXHVWLQJ that they remove them from their shelves in protest at Israeli DFWLRQV 3LFNHW VKRSV OLNH 0DUNV and Spencer who are long time VXSSRUWHUV RI ,VUDHO 3UD\ LQGLYLGXDOO\ DQG LQ congregation for relief for 3DOHVWLQLDQV 9. How can the Israel/Palestine FRQÀLFW EH UHVROYHG" %\ HQGLQJ WKH ,VUDHOL RFFXSDWLRQ RI WKH :HVW %DQN DQG *D]D DQG E\ ,VUDHO ZLWKGUDZLQJ WR WKH ERUGHUV 3DOHVWLQLDQV VKRXOG EH JLYHQ IXOO FRQWURO RI WKHLU ERUGHUV and the ability to grow and prosper in peace and dignity, with their KXPDQ ULJKWV SURWHFWHG WKHLU KRO\ VLWHV VDIHJXDUGHG DQG WKHLU OLYHV free of Israeli imposed violence DQG WXUPRLO For further information and to join the email list please visit www.aqsa.org.uk
presence was stronger in Gaza WKDW WKH :HVW %DQN ,Q¿JKWLQJ WRRN SODFH EHWZHHQ +DPDV and their political rivals Fatah for some months before +DPDV ¿QDOO\ WRRN RYHU WKH JRYHUQPHQWDO DQG VHFXULW\ LQVWLWXWLRQV LQ *D]D LQ -XQH 6LQFH WKHQ DQG VRPH VD\ DV D SXQLVKPHQW WR 3DOHVWLQLDQV IRU HOHFWLQJ +DPDV ,VUDHO has imposed a siege on Gaza SUHYHQWLQJ IXHO DQG PHGLFDO VXSSOLHV IURP UHDFKLQJ LWV inhabitants. The siege is still in force even as the war goes on. 3DOHVWLQLDQV DUH OLYLQJ WKURXJK a nightmare. A father left his KRPH WR EX\ EUHDG IRU KLV IDPLO\ DQG UHWXUQHG WR ¿QG KLV 4 children and pregnant wife GHDG XQGHU WKH UXEEOH DIWHU DQ Israeli rocket hit their small KRXVH $ IDPLO\ RI DOO GLHG at the same time: the father, mother, and 5 children, leaving WKH \RXQJHVW D PRQWK ROG ZLWK VHYHUH LQMXULHV $ PRWKHU JUDEEHG KHU \HDU ROG VRQ
DQG ZDV XQDEOH WR JHW WR KHU 5 month old baby girl when WKHLU KRXVH ZDV ERPEHG 7ZR girls, aged 5 and 9, died while travelling with their father and PRWKHU XVLQJ D FDUULDJH GULYHQ E\ D GRQNH\ ÀHHLQJ WKHLU KRPH to escape the bombing $ PRWKHU LV VXUURXQGHG E\ FKLOGUHQ FU\LQJ IURP KXQJHU DQG WKLUVW VR VKH FXWV JUDVV DQG gives it to the children to eat. A father is forced to brings his IDPLO\¶V ROG FORWKLQJ WR EXUQ IRU KHDW DV WKHUH LV QR IXHO RU electricity; and not even wood WR EXUQ 7HPSHUDWXUHV IDOO WR in some locations in Gaza in the winter. A mother died in the lap of her 9 year old son. I tried WR ZULWH PRUH RQ WKLV EXW P\ emotions overwhelmed me. Emergency vehicles are ERPEHG GRFWRUV DQG HYDFXDWRUV die attempting to help those who died before them. An old man in a wheelchair lives to tell the story of the bombing of his PRVTXH GXULQJ WKH 0DJKUHE
SUD\HU RI KLV QHLJKERXUV were killed, and many others ZHUH LQMXUHG 81 VFKRROV PRVTXHV KRVSLWDOV XQLYHUVLWLHV JRYHUQPHQWDO LQVWLWXWLRQV civilian homes, markets; all of WKHVH KDYH EHHQ EURXJKW GRZQ WR UXEEOH 7KH 81 DJUHHG ZLWK Israel to save its UN schools as WKH\ EHFDPH UHIXJHH FROOHFWLRQ SRLQWV <HW RYHU ZRPHQ DQG children were killed in attacks on these schools. All these scenes and many more are not stopped by the VR FDOOHG JXDUGLDQV RI SHDFH MXVWLFH DQG GHPRFUDF\ RI WKH VW FHQWXU\ (YHQ WKH 81 5HVROXWLRQ ZDV LJQRUHG No one is able to stop the PDVVDFUH $OO 3DOHVWLQLDQV FDQ do is defend their land and their people. They will gain victory. 7KH\ QHHG RXU VXSSRUW DQG RXU SUD\HUV 3DOHVWLQH ZLOO EH IUHH DJDLQ EXW ZH PXVW DOO VXSSRUW WKHLU ¿JKW IRU IUHHGRP
10
kiddies Corner There T her here ere re is a war re war happening wa happ pening p ening ing in Gaza, Gaza Gaz Ga aza a za za, a whi whic which h is a tiny strip rip p of land on the Mediterranean Sea. This area has 1.5 million Palestinians living on it and they are all crowded in. During the war, Israel has attacked a lot of Palestinian homes and public buildings including schools. It is important to think about the children in Gaza who have no safety and think about how you can help them. One good way would be to raise money for charity which can be sent to Palestine. The charity called Interpal helps Palestinians in Gaza. Other things you can do is raise awareness about what is happening in your school so that other children and students know what is happening. Maybe even write to the Prime Minister Godon Brown or your MP and tell them how you feel about the children in Gaza. This will help politicians in the UK be more fair in how they deal with Israel and the Palestinians.
Most of all, when you make prayers, pray for the people of Gaza.
COMPETITION Deadline for both competitions: 29th February 2009
Forr your chance to win a £20 Argos Voucher and a Friends of Al-Aqsa goody bag, enter our competition!
Send your answers with yourr name, age and address to: Friends of Al-Aqsa, PO Box 5127, Leicester, LE2 0WU. Or email us on info@aqsa.org
12 years old or under??? Find the words in this word-search for your chance to win! Gaza Bombing Aid Medicine Fuel Peace Food Supplies Electricity Families Charity School
Winners of the last editions
competition: Zaynab Lorgat, age 9 from Walsall and Unaisah Ounia, age 16 from Preston.
13 – 18 years old??? 5H DUUDQJH WKHVH OHWWHUV WR ÀQG WKH KLGGHQ ZRUGV IRU \RXU chance to win! The words all relate to the War in Gaza. ymra cotker iiinvlca nneevogrmt ytlcasua ssiimlezaag trsip nnatioocndem raw nnoientc
11
Missile Strike Kills Three Siblings As the Israeli war on Gaza continues, by land and air, the number of civilian deaths is escalating. Israel claims to be targeting Hamas and PLOLWDU\ ÂżJKWHUV EXW DUH WKH\ really to be found in peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s homes? Palestinians want to live ordinary lives not FDXJKW XS ZLWK WKH FRQĂ&#x20AC;LFW However, Israeli tanks are shooting and missiles are falling indiscriminately all over Gaza. One household, which like many others sought WR NHHS D ORZ SURÂżOH DQG protect its family members from the bombing, managed to take shelter in their singlestorey home in Zeitoun, south-east of Gaza city. But things turned for the worse when Israel stepped up its aggression and decided to roll in the tanks and artillery on the ground. Dozens of tanks and Israeli troops set up position close to the home of the Samouni family, as reported by the Independent. After seizing control of the area, neighbours were crammed in to the Samouni familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home as the bombing and shooting started. They were left with no food or water, all day and all night, just waiting in fear for it to all end. On the second day, a bomb fell on the house, killing Wael Samouniâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mother, two cousins and three of his children. He had no choice EXW WR Ă&#x20AC;HH WKH KRXVH ZLWK his son Mohammed and those still alive. They were taken to hospital. Samouniâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s brother and family were also in his house when the bomb fell, and his wife and daughter were killed. This story is just one of many tragic narrations of
innocent Palestinian families targeted in this war. Families are being killed and homes destroyed on a daily basis. In the Shamali district, north of Gaza city a missle struck
a three-story apartment block, killing Amer Abu Asha, his two wives and four children. One of his brothers commented â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unjust. They are targeting civilians
children, old womenâ&#x20AC;Śsome European and Arab countries are supporting Israel in this terrorism. They want to crack down on Hamas, but Hamas is not
Israeli Shelling Kills over 40 at UN School On January 6th, an Israeli missile targeted a UN school in the Jabaliya refugee camp killing 40 women and children and injuring a further 15 critically. Other children were injured to varying degrees and left shocked as the school buildings and grounds were being used by families escaping the
ÂżJKWLQJ ,W SURYHG WR EH D perilous refuge. After 2 hours of silence, Israeli spokespersons had the audacity to blame Hamas for the deaths, suggesting that Hamas were using the grounds to store weapons, then that the civilians were used as human shields and a whole barrage of other
excuses for this inexcusable War Crime. Finally, a week later, they admitted that the school bombing was a mistake. For every deliberate strike against a religious building, hospital, or educational establishment, Israel has claimed Hamas stores weapons there. In each
attack, dozens of civilians have been killed and Israel has shown no remorse for these deaths. Israel is fully aware that Gaza is a densely populated area and therefore any missile strike will kill innocent people, yet this fact has not stopped the missiles raining down.
in the houses. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s on the front line. Go there and kill them. Not us.â&#x20AC;?
These actions have been labelled as atrocities by many human rights campaigners and the UN has issued several statements severely criticising Israel, including a UN Resolution calling for an immediate end to the hostilities and full withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.
End the War on Gaza!
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Nowhere is safe in Gaza, and the lights are now out. TAKE ACTION! Politicians Write to the Prime Minister; Foreign Minister and your local MP demanding they call upon Israel to immediately withdraw from Gaza and stop the bombing.
Media Write to the Media and request balanced UHSRUWLQJ RI WKLV FRQĂ&#x20AC;LFW DQG D FKDOOHQJH WR WKH Israeli government for not allowing foreign journalists into Gaza to report on the humanitarian situation on the ground:
Protest Attend protest rallies in your localities and nationally to make your voice heard. Attend the next national demonstration in London (details available on our web-site www.aqsa.org.uk)
Rt Hon. Prime Minister Gordon Brown 10 Downing Street London SW1 2AA You can fax the Prime Minister on 020 7925 0918
BBC News â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 020 8743 8000 / 0870 0100 222 E: news24.comments@bbc.co.uk ITN â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Tel - 0207 833 3000 Sky News â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 020 7705 3000 / 08702 403000
Prayer It is time we prayed as individuals and in congregation for the people of Gaza. Request your mosque and religious institutions to hold collective prayers.
Right Hon David Miliband MP Foreign Secretary )RUHLJQ &RPPRQZHDOWK 2IÂżFH King Charles Street London SW1A 2AH Tel: 020 7008 1500 (switchboard) And contact your local MP
Boycott It is now more important than ever to boycott Israeli goods and contact all stores and supermarkets that stock Israeli goods requesting that they remove them from their shelves in protest at Israeli actions. Picket shops like Marks and Spencer who are long time supporters of Israel. A boycott list can be found at www.aqsa.org.uk XQGHU ÂľĂ&#x20AC;\HUVÂś
DONâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;T STOP UNTIL THE KILLING STOPS!!