Palestine

  Murdering Khader Adnan

by Stephen Lendman

Adnan's a political prisoner hunger striker against gross Israeli repression and injustice. Two previous articles discussed his case and grave health condition after 55 days without food.

  Gaza: Isolated Under Siege

by Stephen Lendman

Under repressive occupation, Military Orders govern virtually all aspects of life. Freedom is entirely restricted. Police state authority runs Palestine.

Although Oslo called Palestine one territorial unit, Israel maintains total control of people and goods movement in and out of Gaza.

  Israeli Political Prisoner Khader Adnan Near Death 

by Stephen Lendman

Thousands of Palestinian political prisoners languish in Israeli prisons. Virtually daily, more arrests are made. Those incarcerated face torture, appalling prison conditions, and other forms of abuse.

  Walid Hanatsheh: Palestinian Prisoner of Conscience

by Stephen Lendman

The Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association calls Hanatsheh "a human rights defender who is currently in administrative detention."

In Air America: Under the Imperial Eye, Chris Floyd reports on the recent revelation that Iraq's supposedly "sovereign airspace" is constantly under surveillance by a network of drones operated by the State Department. Apparently the only reason this news came to light is because of a publicly available government appeal for private bids on the project. Neither we nor Iraqis were meant to know:

"Iraqis were outraged this week to find they are being spied upon by a fleet of American drones hovering constantly in their supposedly sovereign skies, long after the supposed withdrawal of American forces."

By John Grant

The State Department has threatened to withdraw the $1.3 billion it sends every year to Egypt because the Egyptians are holding US citizens connected with pro-democracy groups the Egyptians claim have instigated the Tahrir Square movement.

Specifically, the Egyptian military government prevented a half dozen Americans -- including Sam LaHood, director of the US International Republican Institute in Cairo -- from leaving the country. LaHood is the son of US Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood. The State Department’s goal in supporting groups like Mr LaHood’s is to encourage democracy friendly to the US.

  Israel Plans Major Gaza War - by Stephen Lendman

Israel already threatens war on Iran. It's also involved with Washington, Turkey, Jordan, and other rogue Arab states behind Syria's externally generated insurgency.

  Abusing East Jerusalem Children - by Stephen Lendman

Last July, B'Tselem published a report titled, "No Minor Matter: Violation of the Rights of Palestinian Minors by Israel on Suspicion of Stone-Throwing." It discussed their abusive treatment.

  Palestinian Liberation Requires Unity - by Stephen Lendman

PLO Executive Committee member Hanan Ashrawi wants EU help to end Israel's occupation. She said America's preoccupied with elections and grossly biased for Israel.

Calling the current situation "dangerous" she said Israel's "dragging the region into the abyss." As a result, urgent EU help is needed "to end the occupation."

  Marwan Barghouti: Prisoner of Conscience - by Stephen Lendman

From March 29 - May 3, 2002, during the second Intifada, Israel conducted Operation Defensive Shield. Before Cast Lead, it was its largest military operation since June 1967 when Israel occupied Palestine.

  Systematic West Bank Settler Violence - by Stephen Lendman

B'Tselem's been on the story for years. Settler violence is longstanding, troubling, and largely without accountability.

Since September 2000 alone (the beginning of the second Intifada), the toll includes 50 Palestinians killed. Since December 1987 (the first Intifada's onset), it's 115, besides many more injured, including children.

  Palestinian Children Detained Oppressively in Isolation - by Stephen Lendman

DCI/Palestine "is a national section of the international non-government child rights organisation and movement (dedicated) to promoting and protecting the rights of Palestinian children," according to international law principles.

By Dave Lindorff

The officer rested his arm holding the stock of the assault rifle on the top of a log pile, and aimed directly between the target’s eyes. She was looking directly at him, unblinking, from 30 feet away, and exhibited no fear. “I hate doing this,” he muttered, before finally pulling the trigger.

A sharp “bang!” rang out, her head jerked up and then her whole body sagged to the ground, followed by some muscle jerks, and it was over.

The officer went over and checked the body, decided no second shot was needed to finish the job, and then walked back to his squad car, took out his phone, and called in the serial number of his rifle, reporting his firing of one round, as required by regulations.

  Israel v. Palestine in 2012 - by Stephen Lendman

Palestinians have endured decades of ruthless occupation. World leaders decline support. They're left largely on their own despite growing millions globally supporting them.

Life in occupied Palestine is harsh and repressive. On December 26, Jerusalem's mayor, Nir Barakat, delivered another blow. The Municipality will classify 70,000 Israeli Arab citizens non-residents and involuntarily transfer them to West Bank locations.

  Gaza: Remembering Cast Lead - by Stephen Lendman

December 27 marks the third anniversary of Israel's lawless war on Gaza. Without provocation, three weeks of terror bombing and invasion devastated the Strip. 

Missiles, bombs, shells, and illegal weapons were used against defenseless people. Mass slaughter and destruction followed.

  Israel's Repressive Permit System - by Stephen Lendman

Under South African apartheid, pass laws segregated blacks from whites, restricted their movements, required pass books be carried at all times, and be produced on demand or face arrest and prosecution. 

Evolving from the 18th and 19th century until their 1986 repeal, they restricted entry to cities, forcibly relocated blacks, denied them most public amenities, many forms of employment, and became apartheid's most hated symbol.

  Kristallnacht in Palestine - by Stephen Lendman

Virtually daily, Israeli security forces attack, kill, or injure Palestinian civilians with impunity. They also destroy their property by bombing, shelling, bulldozing and uprooting it.

At the same time, Israeli authorities wink and nod, occasionally decry, yet do nothing to deter extremist settler crimes against Palestinian civilians.

By Dave Lindorff

  Lawless Israeli Oppression in Palestine - by Stephen Lendman

On December 9, al-Nabi Saleh village residents protested peacefully against settlers stealing their land. At point blank range, an Israeli soldier fired a tear-gas canister directly at Mustafa Tamimi's head, killing him.

By David Lindorff Sr.

  Critical Health Issues in Gaza - by Stephen Lendman

Since locked down and isolated by Israel, Gaza's experienced systemic crisis. Its health system especially was gravely harmed. 

Many services and life-saving treatments aren't available. Accessing it elsewhere is uncertain and tenuous. Treating chronic illnesses is jeopardized by inadequate medicines and proper equipment.

U.S. Protects Free Speech for U.S. Citizens on Flotilla to challenge human rights violations in Cuba, but wants to prosecute those on Gaza Flotilla to challenge Israeli human rights violations

By Ann Wright

I guess considering the U.S. policy toward Cuba over the past 50 years, it should come as no surprise that the US Coast Guard would protect the right of “free speech” of US citizens participating in a flotilla of boats challenging Cuban human rights violations.

Organized by a group called Democracy Movement, On December 10, 2011, 50 protesters in six boats, including an 85-foot vessel and a small security craft with about a dozen members of the media, sailed from Key West to explode fireworks off Cuba to mark International Human Rights day.

  Treating Palestinians Lawlessly - by Stephen Lendman

December 11 marks the 63rd anniversary of UN Resolution 194, mandating that:

  Critical Health Issues in Gaza - by Stephen Lendman

Since locked down and isolated by Israel, Gaza's experienced systemic crisis. Its health system especially was gravely harmed. 

Many services and life-saving treatments aren't available. Accessing it elsewhere is uncertain and tenuous. Treating chronic illnesses is jeopardized by inadequate medicines and proper equipment.

Rho City Council (Milan) approves resolution condemning Pizzarotti
The Italian company condemned for involvement in the Israeli high-speed railway that crosses the occupied Palestinian territories

  Denying Palestinians Fair Access to Water - by Stephen Lendman

Water is essential to life. Denying it is criminal.

Water and sanitation are recognized as indispensable human rights. In July 2010, the General Assembly's Resolution 64/292 affirmed it. It called on member states and international organizations to:

  Israeli-Style Justice - by Stephen Lendman

Accused Israelis face charges in civil courts. Military tribunals try Palestinians. Virtually everyone is guilty by accusation. A new study says so. More on that below.

  International Solidarity Day with Palestine - by Stephen Lendman

Established by the UN in 1977, International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People is observed on or around November 29.

The date commemorates November 29, 1947, the date UN Resolution 181 was adopted, despite Palestinian opposition. 

  Palestinian Unity: A Threat, Says Israel - by Stephen Lendman

Palestine is sovereign territory. In 1987, Law Professor Francis Boyle drafted its Declaration of Independence. On November 15, 1988, the Palestine National Council (PNC) adopted it, affirming Palestinian statehood.

By Ann Wright

70 delegates from 20 countries, including Parliamentarians from 11 countries, this week have seen the disastrous effects of the 22 day Israeli attack on Gaza two years ago and the five year naval and land blockade on Gaza.  The trip was organized by the Council for European Palestinian Relations (www.cepr.org).

Two members from the European Parliament (one each from Ireland and Portugal), four national Parliamentarians from Chile,  three from Malaysia, two from Ireland and one  Parliamentarian from Scotland, Pakistan, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay,  Ecuador, Brazil and Morocco, traveled to Gaza. The delegation was led by former British government minister Claire Short.  A retired Ambassador from the Netherlands and a former U.S. diplomat were also on the delegation.

Due to the extreme influence of the pro-Israeli lobby in the United States, no US Congresspersons were on the delegation.