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The Palestinian tipping point

NGOs are switching over from health management to emergency tactics, as the Hamas administration's funding-starved services start to collapse. (Anna Coote, Guardian, 15 May 2006)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/Story/0,,1775343,00.html

(Added: Thu May 18 2006   Modified: Tue Jun 27 2006   Hits: 48)

In desperation, Palestinians seek prison in Israel

A growing number of desperate young Palestinian men are deliberately getting themselves arrested at Israeli checkpoints so that they will be sent to Israeli-run prisons, Israeli and Palestinian officials say. The youths, mostly teenage boys, are taking the dangerous measure in part because they say it is easier to study for exams in an Israeli prison than it is at home in the West Bank. Some also want to escape family hardship and deepening poverty. Since January, when the phenomenon was first identified, Israeli army officials say at least 80 young men have either turned up at checkpoints and asked to be arrested or else carried knives and other weapons to ensure they are detained.(Luke Baker, Reuters Alertnet, 11 May 2006)

http://www.israel-palestina.info/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=133

(Added: Fri May 12 2006   Modified: Fri Sep 08 2006   Hits: 105)

Assessment of the future humanitarian risks in occupied Palestinian territory

This paper examines the humanitarian risks in the West Bank and Gaza Strip in the coming months. The analysis has been organised according to three scenarios. Scenario 1 reflects the current situation. A more critical forecast is related to the withdrawal of funding to the Palestinian Authority. In Scenario 2 Israeli-enforced movement restrictions and security measures continue and the Palestinian Authority's (PA) budget and services are only partially funded. In Scenario 3 Continued movement restrictions and security measures and the PA budget and services a re not funded at all. The paper warns of an extremely bleak humanitarian situation for the Palestinian people. (United Nations, 11 April 2006)

http://www.choike.org/documentos/hum_asses.pdf

(Added: Thu May 04 2006   Hits: 250)

Israel & Palestine - old roads, new maps

Efraim Halevy presided over such controversial Israeli policies as targeted assassinations. The former Mossad chief talks to Jane Kinninmont about the challenges facing Israel and the prospect of engaging with Hamas. It's time to "think the unthinkable". (Open Democracy, April 2006)

http://www.opendemocracy.net/conflict-debate_97/halevy_3490.jsp

(Added: Wed May 03 2006   Hits: 56)

A nasty hint of anti-Semitism is entering our public discourse

In this article the columnist argues that anti-Semitic views are becoming widespread among otherwise liberal, sane people and such views, or their precursors, are seeping into public discourse at a rate that cannot be ignored. In particular he draws attention to calls for Jews to declare their ethnicity if they are to commentate on the Israel/ Palestine situation, complaints on the supposed "jewish influence" on the Blair and Bush administrations. If similar comments were made against black people, we would quite rightly be drowning in condemnatory columns. He argues that while condemning the behaviour of Israel in the occupied territories, we must also condemn racial discrimination when it filters into our public discourse. (Johann Hari, The Independent, 8 August 2003)

http://www.johannhari.com/archive/article.php?id=31

(Added: Mon May 01 2006   Hits: 49)

New Internationalist: The Judeophobia issue

Published in response to a rise in anti-semitism, this issue of New Internationalist looks at: the meaning and history of "Judeophobia"; Jewish stereotypes and bigotry; popular anti-Jewish conspiracy theories and their seductions; Arab antisemitism and Israel's use of antisemitism as moral cover for its policies; Judeophobia and its impacts on one peace activist's life and work; Jew hatred in art, music and writing; the scapegoating of Jews by various leaders; Holocaust denial. The magazine also has links to anti-racist resources and ways in which to take action. (New Internationalist, August 2004)

http://www.newint.org/issue372/contents.htm

(Added: Mon May 01 2006   Hits: 191)

Old Hates Fueled By Fear

This article comments on the new alignments being corporate-dictated globalization and the Israeli occupation of Palestine. The so called "antiglobalization," movement is all about self-determination: the right of people everywhere to decide how best to organize their societies and economies, whether that means introducing land reform in Brazil, or producing generic AIDS drugs in India, or, indeed, resisting an occupying force in Palestine. However, it is important that the movement be wary of being misused as a tool for promoting anti-Semitism. It is possible to criticize Israel while also forcefully condemning the rise of anti-Semitism. And it is equally possible to be pro-Palestinian independence without adopting a simplistic "pro-Palestinian/anti-Israel" dichotomy. Klein argues that while nothing is going to erase anti-Semitism, Jews outside and inside Israel might be a little safer if there was a campaign to distinguish between diverse Jewish positions and the actions of the Israeli state, which uses anti-Semitism as a political weapon. This is where an international movement can play a crucial role. (Naomi Klein, No Logo, 24 April 2002, Toronto Globe & Mail)

http://www.zmag.org/content/Activism/klein_oldhates.cfm

(Added: Mon May 01 2006   Hits: 221)

Spreading the Stain

While antisemitism is rife in the Arab World, the Israeli Government often uses it as moral justification for its policies. In this article, a Palestinian labour organiser argues the case against both. To her, the Palestinian cause, inherently just, is in danger of slipping into a bog of fascist and antisemitic tendencies. (Asma Agbarieh, New Internationalist, October 2004)

http://www.newint.org/issue372/stain.htm

(Added: Mon May 01 2006   Hits: 35)

Terms of abuse

This article comments on a growing sense of anti-semitism, especially on the left. The author argues that while it is difficult, in the current climate, to understand the Jewish community's concerns without reference to Israel, it is vital not to confuse the two. To do so opens the door for both anti-semites and apologists for Israeli aggression in the Middle East. Every example of anti-semitism devalues whatever opinions are given about Israel's role in the Middle East, with the motivation of the proponent inevitably tainting the pronouncement. The conflation of Judaism and Israel - as though they are interchangeable - prompts a spiral of mutual recrimination. Israeli hawks and Zionist hardliners brand any criticism of Israel anti- semitic, regardless of its merits. Their accusations become so frequent that the term becomes devalued. Then Israel's detractors dismiss every allegation of anti-semitism, regardless of its merits, as a cynical attempt to stifle legitimate dissent. And so it goes on, until what should be a complex debate descends into polarised positions - "Zionism is racism" on the one hand, "anti-Zionism is anti-semitism" on the other. (Gary Younge, The Guardian, 25 February 2002)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/Columnists/Column/0,,656527,00.html

(Added: Mon May 01 2006   Hits: 55)

Avoiding failure with Hamas

Can Hamas change? The Palestinian Authority's government has suggested respect for past agreements with the caveat that these must serve Palestinian interests; and officials hint that one day they would accept a two-state solution, only to contradict themselves the next. While there is genuine uncertainty over whether Hamas ultimately can come up with the right answer, this article argues that halting aid to the Palestinian Authority almost certainly will yield the wrong one. Starving the Palestinian Authority of such resources almost immediately after Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh has taken office and before his government's policies can be assessed would be tantamount to ensuring the experiment in Islamist political integration is stillborn. Should Hamas conclude that failure is its only option, it will eventually revert to its proven methods of violence - and three out of every four Palestinians would fall beneath the poverty line. The author recommends donors should rather respond by prioritising what Hamas does, not what it says and allow a trial period for aid. Adopting such an approach has nothing to do with endorsing Hamas's ideology or previous conduct, and everything to do with devising a realistic policy to deal with a real problem. (Robert Malley, International Herald Tribune, 10 April 2006)

http://www.crisisgroup.org/home/index.cfm?id=4066

(Added: Tue Apr 18 2006   Hits: 283)

Iran donates $50 million to Hamas-led government

Iran is giving $50 million to the cash-strapped Palestinian Authority to fill gaps left by Western aid cuts, Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said on Sunday. The donation will help make up the shortfall left by the aid cut-off by the United States and the European Union and Israel's freezing of the transfer of about $50 million a month in tax and customs receipts to the Hamas-controlled Palestinian government. (Reuters, 16 April 2006)

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200604/s1617090.htm

(Added: Tue Apr 18 2006   Modified: Fri Sep 08 2006   Hits: 156)

Stop the Wall

Palestinian grassroots Anti-Apartheid Wall Campaign.

http://stopthewall.org/news/thecampaign.shtml

(Added: Wed Dec 21 2005   Hits: 68)

The Grassroots Palestinian Anti-Apartheid Wall Campaign

A national grassroots movement against the Apartheid Wall in Palestine, this campaign is coordinated by the Palestinian Environmental Nongovernmental Organizations Network (PENGON). The website contains useful updates, contacts and resource materials.

http://www.stopthewall.org

(Added: Thu Sep 22 2005   Modified: Thu Apr 05 2007   Hits: 213)

Stagnation or revival : Israeli disengagement and Palestinian economic prospects, Vol. 1 of 1

The World Bank ' s June 23 report, " Disengagement, the Palestinian Economy and the Settlements, " warns of the potential disintegration of the Palestinian economy under the sustained pressures of conflict and Israeli closure policies--a situation which is potentially ruinous for both Palestinians and Israelis. Currently there is hope that the Israeli and Palestinian governments are once again ready to discuss their shared future. At this juncture, it is vital that policy-makers focus on stabilizing and reviving the economy as part of any new political process. While money, and in particular donor money, has an important role to play, the underlying causes of economic decline need to be addressed. For a recovery to take place, the Government of Israel needs to roll back the system of restrictions on the movement of people and goods imposed since the beginning of the intifada - it is these various closure measures that are the proximate cause of four years of Palestinian economic distress. The Government of Israel has given encouraging signs of a willingness to reform the management of border gateways, to enable a much faster and more reliable throughput of cargo and people. For its part, the Palestinian Authority faces two sets of challenges if it is to play its part in bringing about revival. First is the need to demonstrate strong commitment to security reform, politically risky though this may be. The PA also needs to reinvigorate its program of governance reforms in order to create an internal environment more attractive to private investors. Chapter Six lays out an agenda of actions that the Bank believes would lay the basis for economic regeneration. It is further proposed that the donor community track progress by the parties in tackling these key preconditions for economic revival. If significant progress is made against a set of agreed indicators, a major new donor effort would then be justified - and a donor pledging conference should be called.

http://www-wds.worldbank.org/servlet/WDS_IBank_Servlet?pcont=details&eid=000160016_20050719120558

(Added: Wed Sep 21 2005   Hits: 196)

Al Mezan Center for Human Rights

Al Mezan Center for Human Rights is a Palestinian non-governmental non-partisan organization based in the refugee camp of Jabalia in the Gaza Strip. Al Mezan's mandate is "to promote, protect and prevent violations of human rights in general and economic, social and cultural (ESC) rights in particular, to provide effective aid to those victims of such violations, and to enhance the quality of life of the community in marginalized sectors of the Gaza Strip.

http://www.mezan.org/site_en/index.php

(Added: Tue May 24 2005   Hits: 72)

BADIL Resource Center for Palestinian Residency & Refugee Rights

BADIL Resource Center for Palestinian Residency & Refugee Rights takes a rights-based approach to the Palestinian refugee issue through research, advocacy and support of community participation in the search for durable solutions.

http://www.badil.org

(Added: Tue May 24 2005   Modified: Mon Mar 19 2007   Hits: 188)

Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions (ICAHD)

Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions (ICAHD) is a non-violent, direct-action group established to oppose and resist Israeli demolition of Palestinian houses in the Occupied Territories and spread information about the illegal Occupation. As a direct-action group, ICAHD is comprised of members of many Israeli peace and human rights organizations, and their work in the Occupied Territories is closely coordinated with local Palestinian organizations.

http://www.icahd.org/eng/

(Added: Tue May 24 2005   Hits: 69)

Jews for Peace in Palestine and Israel

Jews for Peace in Palestine and Israel believe that a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace in Palestine and Israel is attainable through negotiations based on international law and the implementation of relevant UN resolutions.

http://www.jppi.org

(Added: Tue May 24 2005   Hits: 56)

Machsom Watch

Machsom Watch is a group of Israeli women that is opposed to the occupation who stand watch at checkpoints to monitor the behaviour of police and military, make sure that Palestinians' human rights are being protected, and report observations

http://www.machsomwatch.org

(Added: Tue May 24 2005   Hits: 51)

The Palestinian NGO Network

The Palestinian NGO Network is a civil and democratic gathering, which seeks to support, consolidate and strengthen the Palestinian civil society on the basis of the principles of democracy, social justice and sustainable development. It strives for the attainment of the legitimate national rights of the Palestinian people. It is a Palestinian NGO umbrella organization comprising 92 member organizations working in different developmental fields.

http://www.pngo.net/

(Added: Tue May 24 2005   Modified: Mon Sep 18 2006   Hits: 62)

Women In Black

Women In Black is an international peace network started in Israel in 1988 by women protesting (through silent vigil) against Israel's Occupation of the West Bank and Gaza.

http://www.womeninblack.net

(Added: Tue May 24 2005   Hits: 37)

Zochrot

Zochrot is an Israeli organisation that aims to recognise the moral debt for the wrong doings caused to the Palestinian people, by the Israeli state and its institutions, and promote the fulfilment of the Right of Return for Palestinians.

http://www.nakbainhebrew.org/index.php?lang=english

(Added: Tue May 24 2005   Hits: 50)

If Americans Knew

The mission of If Americans Knew is to inform and educate the American public on issues of major significance that are unreported, underreported, or misreported in the American media. It is our belief that when Americans know the facts on a subject, they will, in the final analysis, act in accordance with morality, justice, and the best interests of their nation, and of the world. With insufficient information, or distorted information, they may do the precise opposite. The information they present is of course useful to more than just people of the USA.

http://www.ifamericansknew.org

(Added: Fri May 20 2005   Modified: Wed May 25 2005   Hits: 61)

Israel-Palestine Center for Research and Information (IPCRI)

IPCRI, founded in Jerusalem in 1988, is the only joint Palestinian-Israeli public policy think-tank in the world. It is devoted to developing practical solutions for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. IPCRI deals with the cardinal issues in the Israeli-Arab conflict - issues where the two sides find themselves at loggerheads, and where cooperation is necessary.

http://www.ipcri.org/

(Added: Fri May 20 2005   Modified: Tue May 24 2005   Hits: 58)

Israel and the Occupied Territories Conflict, occupation and patriarchy: Women carry the burden

Amnesty International, 31 March 2005. The spiraling violence and killings in Israel and the Occupied Territories in the past four and a half years has brought untold suffering to the Palestinian and Israeli civilian populations. More then 3,200 Palestinians, including more than 600 children and more than 150 women have been killed by Israeli forces, and more than 1,000 Israelis, including more than 100 children and some 300 women were killed by Palestinian armed groups. Most of the victims were unarmed civilians who were not taking part in any armed confrontations. Thousands more have been injured, many of them maimed for life. Amnesty International has repeatedly condemned and campaigned against the killings of civilians by both sides.

http://web.amnesty.org/library/index/engmde150162005

(Added: Tue Apr 05 2005   Hits: 78)

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