Thursday, April 29, 2010

Anna Baltzer on BDS - Divestment for Peace

Anna Baltzer on UCSD Divestment for Peace

UCSDDivestforPeace April 27, 2010Anna Baltzer discusses her views on UCSD Divestment for Peace. Visit UCSDDivestforPeace.org for more information!



Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

A day old but worth watching - Invincible (at Hampshire College) shouts out to UC Schools BDS!

Invincible (at Hampshire College) shouts out to UC Schools BDS!

HampshireSJP April 28, 2010URGENT TODAY

UC Berkeley is going to vote once more on April 28th to overturn the student president's veto of the divestment bill. Updates...

http://www.caldivestfromapartheid.com/

Also - UC San Diego students have introduced a divestment bill, coming up for a vote also on 4/28.

http://www.ucsddivestforpeace.org/

Please sign a petition here in support of the new UC San Diego bill:

http://www.PetitionOnline.com/sddives...

Please send your letters of support to UCSD's student senators, contact info here:

http://as.ucsd.edu/council/roster.php...




Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Settlers [colonists] shooting at Palestinian and Israeli Activists during demonstration

Settlers shooting during demonstration

Asira al-Qibliya - Protest by Palestinian and Israeli Activists 26.02.10
Settler Fires at Activists in front of "security forces" (Israeli Occupation Forces)



Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

Israel Murders Palestinian Protester in Gaza

Maan News Agency: Gaza protester injured by Israeli fire dies in hospital

Gaza – Ma'an – A 21-year-old man protesting Israel's no-go zone in Gaza was killed on Wednesday, after Israeli forces opened fire on the march and hit the young man in the leg. Medics said he died in hospital.

The man, identified by activists as Ahmad Salem Deeb, was the fourth to be injured in three days as protests against the enforcement of the no-go zone continue.

Reports from members of the International Solidarity Movement in Gaza said Deeb was shot 30 meters away from the Gaza-Israel border. A statement from the activist group said protesters were waving flags and chanting slogans demanding the cessation of Israeli control over the no-go area when shots were fired.

Palestinian shot dead at Gaza border protest
Agence France-Presse
Apr. 28, 2010. 11:37 AM EST

A 20-year-old Palestinian was killed in the Gaza Strip by Israeli fire on Wednesday during a protest near the heavily guarded border fence, local medics said. Ahmed Salim, 20, was taken to Gaza's Al-Shifa hospital after being shot in the thigh and died shortly after arrival, according to Muawiya Hassanein, the head of Gaza emergency services.Duration: 00:42



Update
Shooting on demonstrators, Gaza border
28 April 2010: Youth shot this morning by Israeli security forces on Gaza border dies

A Palestinian youth, Ahmad Sliman Salem dib, aged 19, died in the last hour at Shifaa Hospital, Gaza City. Earlier this morning, Dib was injured by Israeli fire, while attending a demonstration near the border fence with Israel, east of Gaza City, to protest the imposition of “no-go” zones by Israeli armed forces.

In the attached video, filmed by Muhammad Sabah, B’Tselem’s Gaza field researched, a group of Palestinians and Internationals is seen walking from the al-Shaj'iya neighborhood, east of Gaza, towards the Israeli border fence. The youths reach a distance of a few dozen meters from the border, facing an Israeli military post. A soldier is seen near the post, observing events. None of the protesters are armed.

The video shows a group of youths, some of them are throwing stones at the military post. There is a sound of one shot. The injured youth is seen evacuated to receive medical treatment. He died later of his wounds. A previous shot, which was fired approximately ten minutes earlier, was not captured on tape.



Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

Two Checkpoints from Life - Family struggles in seam zone limbo

Family struggles in seam zone limbo

unrwa April 28, 2010"I want to study to be a doctor," 10-year-old Sally Mas'ud says, beaming. But Sally's family live in the West Bank seam zone, between the Green Line and the Barrier, and access restrictions place increasing strains on her education. She and her eight siblings must all cross at least one checkpoint, twice a day, to reach school.



Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

CODEPINK Settlements at Kyl and Graham's Offices.wmv

CODEPINK Builds Settlements Inside Senator Kyl's Office

codepinkaction March 23, 2010http://codepinkalert.org

CODEPINK activists carry out an occupation of Senator Kyl's office for his support for Israel.



CODEPINK Settlements at Kyl and Graham's Offices.wmv

codepinkaction April 27, 2010http://codepink.org



Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

Activists Managed to Stop the Bulldozers in Al-Walaja 25042010

Demonstrators halt construction of the Wall in alWalaja

Source: International Solidarity Movement (ISM Palestine)

Popular Struggle Coordination Committee

28th April 2010

Demonstrators managed to disrupt the construction of the Wall in alWalaja for the second time in a week . A 15 year old demonstrator was beaten, pepper-sprayed and arrested.

Palestinian, Israeli and international demonstrators managed to stop the construction of the Wall in the village of alWalaja, south of Jerusalem for the second time this week. If completed, the path of the Wall in the area will surround the village completely, isolating it from all its lands, the cities of Bethlehem and Jerusalem and essentially the rest of the world.
Demonstrators managed to block the bulldozers in the early morning, and even climb and take over one of the machines. A Border Police force at the scene arrested on of the demonstrators – 15 year old Nabil Hajajla – who was beaten and pepper-sprayed. Following Hajajla’s arrest, Border Police officers managed to drag the demonstrators away from the bulldosers and construction was resumed.
Al-Walaja is an agrarian village of about 2,000 people, located south of Jerusalem and West of Bethlehem. Following the 1967 Occupation of the West Bank and the redrawing of the Jerusalem municipal boundaries, roughly half the village was annexed by Israel and included in the Jerusalem municipal area. The village’s residents, however did not receive Israeli residency or citizenship, and are considered illegal in their own homes.
Once completed, the path of the Wall is designed to encircle the village’s built-up area entirely, separating the residents from both Bethlehem, Jerusalem, and almost all their lands – roughly 5,000 dunams. Previously, Israeli authorities have already confiscated approximately half of the village’s lands for the building of the Har Gilo and Gilo settlements, and closed off areas to the south and west of it. The town’s inhabitants have also experienced the cutting down of fruit orchards and house demolition due to the absence of building permits in Area C.
According to a military confiscation order handed to the villagers, the path of the Wall will stretch over 4890 meters between Beit Jala and alWallaja, affecting 35 families, whose homes may be slated for demolition.
Beit Jala is a predominantly Christian town located 10 km south of Jerusalem, on the western side of the Hebron road, opposite Bethlehem. Once completed, he Wall will Isolate 3,200 Dunams of the town’s lands, including almost 3,000 Dunams of olive groves and the only recreational forest in the area, the Cremisan monastery and the Cremisan Cellars winery.


Walage 27-4-10 - Activists try to stop the work

yisraelpnm April 27, 2010



al walaja 25042010.mp4

ActiveStills April 26, 2010 — Around 50 Palestinians and internationals had managed to stop the work of the bulldozers for several hours in the village of Al Walaja, on 25.04.2010. The Israeli soldiers tried to remove people from the area, but demonstrators managed to stay until they were violently dragged one by one. The Israeli soldiers also used stun grenades and tear gas canisters directly at people, as well as pepper spray. One Palestinian got arrested and several were injured. Once completed the Wall will totally surround the village.



Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

Palestinian village inspires popular movement

Khalida Jarrar from the PFLP tells the Ramallah PA to stop speaking from both sides of their mouth, pretending to approve the popular struggle while arresting and intimidating activists at the same time.

YouTube - Palestinian village inspires popular movement

TheRealNews April 27, 2010Political leaders from all major Palestinian parties endorse grassroots struggle at Bil'in conference.



Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

Protesting Elliott Abrams in Baltimore

Protesting Elliott Abrams in Baltimore

liamh2 April 25, 2010On Sunday, April 25, 2010, Human Rights activists, in Baltimore, MD, protested Elliott Abrams. He was a speaker at a Zionist-sponsored symposium on the Middle East, held at the plush Suburban Country Club. Abrams was involved, as an official with the Ronald Reagan Administration, in the Iran-Contra scandal. He was convicted of "withholding information" from the Congress. While Abrams was also working for Reagan, a Far Right regime was in charge in El Salvador. When a "massacre" occurred in and around the village of "El Mozote," in El Salvador, in Dec., 1981, Abrams insisted the claims of a massacre were "propaganda." Later, events established that "more than 500" people were slaughtered by an army battalion. Mr. Abrams has consistently denied any wrongdoing on his part during his public career. Many others sharply disagree with that view. For some background, check out: http://www.markdanner.com/articles/sh... and http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/Zer... and
http://www.commondreams.org/views05/0...




Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

The "Brave" Israeli forces shoot unarmed girls in Gazan buffer zone

Related News: "Ma'an News Agency" said another young man was injured today in Gaza. Identfied as Ahmad Salem Deeb, 21, who joined hundreds of others in today's peaceful protest against Israel's denial of access to farmers and civilians in Gaza's agricultural belt. (read this news item at Ma'an News site)
The "Brave" Israeli forces shoot unarmed girls in Gazan buffer zone

freepalestineee April 27, 2010ISM Gaza ISM Gaza: http://palsolidarity.org

Video editing by Vittorio Arrigoni
http://guerrillaradio.iobloggo.com/

24 April 2010

UPDATE: Video has been added to this post. Please see below

El Maghazi, Deir Al Balah, Gaza, Occupied Palestinian Territories, 24th April 2010, 12PM At a peaceful nonviolent demonstration against the forceful cessation of farming within what Israel defines as a buffer zone, which was attended by 150 people, two Palestinians demonstrators and one International activist were shot. Israeli soldiers opened fire on the demonstrators from the border fence. Nidal Al Naji (18) was shot in the right thigh. Hind Al Akra (22) was shot in the stomach and is undergoing emergency surgery. Bianca Zammit (28) from Malta was filming the demonstration when she was shot in her left thigh. The wounded are currently being treated in Al Aqsa Hospital. hortly after 11 a.m., women and men, including 6 ISM activists, marched from Al Maghazi towards the Israeli fence closing off the Gaza strip. After being met with live ammunition upon cresting a ridge, some demonstrators continued walking forward. This group included six women, two ISM activists and 20 men. The 20 male demonstrators reached the border fence. Zammit was shot while filming the demonstration between the ridge and the fence, at a distance of roughly 80-100 meters. Hind Al Akra, also standing between the ridge and the fence, was shot in the stomach, and Niadal al Naji was shot in the leg near the fence. Demonstrators carried the wounded back across rough terrain to taxis for transport to Al-Aqsa Hospital.

The demonstrations are held in protest against the arbitrary decision by Israel to instate a 300 metre buffer zone as no-go area for Palestinians where shoot to kill policy is implemented. People have been shot regularly as far as 2 kilometres away from the border. Popular Campaign for the Security in the Buffer Zone, an umbrella organization that includes organizations representing farmers and Gaza residents living near the border, and also a number of political parties are present at many of these demonstrations.

Those venturing to the border regions to gather rubble and steel do so as a result of the siege on Gaza which, along with Israels 23 day winter war on Gaza, has decimated Gazas economy, including 95 percent of Gazas factories and businesses, according to the United Nations. Additionally, these recycled construction materials are vital in Gaza where the Israeli-led siege bans all but under 40 items from entering.

The siege prevents vitally needed construction materials from entering Gaza, where over 6,400 houses were destroyed or severely damaged in the Israeli war on Gaza, and nearly 53,000 sustained lesser damages. Hospitals and medical centres, schools, kindergartens and mosques are among the other buildings destroyed and damaged during the Israeli war on Gaza.
Updated on April 25, 2010



Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Israel Prevents Ittijah Director from Leaving the Country

Israeli Minister of Interior Prevents Ittijah Director from Leaving the Country

aicvideo April 27, 2010 — On April 22, 2010 the Israeli Border Police prevented Mr. Ameer Makhoul, the Director of Ittijah Union of Arab Community-Based Associations inside Israel, from leaving the country. Makhoul, who also serves as the head of the Popular Committee for the Defense of Political Freedoms, received a prohibition order from leaving the country upon his arrival to the Jordan River Crossing. The order, which was issued by the Israeli Minister of the Interior, Eli Yishai, prohibits Makhoul from leaving the country for a period of two months. for more information see http://alternativenews.org/index.php?...



also read:
Travel ban imposed on Palestinian leader in Israel
Source: Electronic Intifada

This morning, the Israeli Border Police prevented Mr. Ameer Makhoul, the Director of Ittijah - Union of Arab Community-Based Associations inside Israel, from leaving the country. Makhoul, who also serves as the head of the Popular Committee for the Defense of Political Freedoms, received a prohibition order from leaving the country upon his arrival to the Jordan River Crossing.

Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

Gaza music school reopens after being burned by Israel

"Like other buildings in the neighborhood, the Gaza Music School was shattered; window frames and doors were blown out, and holes were punched in the walls. The force of the blast imploded the four ouds, just like it had the compound.

By some miracle, the children had not yet arrived for their lessons and so were spared the fate of those in other schools in the path of Israeli bombs." :Nadia Hijab on Israel's bombing of the school in 2009

Gaza music school reopens after being burned by Israel.wmv

Palgaz April 27, 2010



Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

Hebron: Israel Steals Tel Rumeida Land and Property Via Military Orders

Hebron : Israel Steals Tel Rumeida Land and Property Via Military Orders.wmv

planxtysumoud April 27, 2010Biesieged, sliced and diced with Israeli "settler" only roads and no-go zones, infested with violent, extreme right wing colonists and heavily controlled with Israeli Occupation Forces checkpoints and watchtowers atop Palestinian homes, the Tel Rumeida area of Hebron is a veritable hell on earth. If this weren't enough, along comes a fresh obscenity; military orders confiscating three pieces of land and two houses - one belonging to the brother, Hami Azzeh, of noted Tel Rumeida activist and resident; Hashem Azzeh.



Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

Palestinian Children Court Orders the Release of Thousands of Palestinian Prisoners in Israeli Jails

Palestinian political prisoners

ChoiceJJ — April 27, 2010 — Al-Aqsa TV 100418
[LinkTV/Mosaic]
- Gazans demonstrate for the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails.



Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

Petty Apartheid: Green light for Jerusalem settlers

Green light for Jerusalem settlers

AlJazeeraEnglish April 27, 2010The road map for peace in the Middle East has been jammed for years, with Jewish settlers given the "green light" to build settlements on occupied Palestinian land.

Now it seems the inequalities between Israelis and Palestinians are being reflected also on the roads in East Jerusalem.

As Al Jazeera's Jacky Rowland experiences, the traffic lights seem to favour some more than others.




Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

Palestinian Children of at-Tuwani speak of their encounters with Israeli colonists

Think of Them and Be Scared

MentalRev April 26, 2010Palestinian Children in the rural village of at-Tuwani speak of their encounters with violent Israeli Settlers in the South Hebron Hills of Occupied Palestine.



Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

Beit Jala : Protest Against the Apartheid Wall, Theft of Land, and Ghettoization of the Village

Beit Jala : Protest Against the Ghettoization of .wmv

Jamal Jum'a Coordinator of Stop the Wall Campaign Explains the reasons behind the protest

planxtysumoud April 26, 2010



Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

Monday, April 26, 2010

South African delegation arrives in Gaza to support Palestinian rights

Gaza's Legislative Council receives South African inter-parliamentary delegation

Dr Ahmed Bahr, the First Deputy to the Chairman of the Legislative Council, has met with a parliamentary delegation from South Africa lead by Mathul Mutshikaga, at the council's headquarters in Gaza City. The meeting was attended by all deputies of the council including Dr Mahmoud Al-Zahar, Justice Minister Muhammad Faraj Al-Ghoul, Dr Ahmad Abu Halabiyya, Ismail Al-Ashqar, Dr Atif Udwan and Huda Naeem.

Dr Bahr expressed his thanks to the visiting delegation for the attention and concern it has shown for the plight of the people of the Gaza Strip and the Palestinian Cause in general and re-affirmed that the crimes perpetrated by the occupation were continuous and had not ceased in any part of the Occupied Territories.

Bahr sent a letter to the head of the South African Parliament through the leader of the parliamentary delegation, Mushikaga, in which he invited him to visit the Gaza Strip. Bahr also handed Mutshikaga a second letter in which he explained the suffering of families inside Israeli prisons.

The deputies reviewed a number of issues related to the Palestinian cause focussing on the issue of Palestinian families inside Israeli prisons and the continuous suffering they face, as well as the repressive measures the occupation uses against them. It was pointed out that the occupation has perpetrated every offence set forth in the Rome Charter relating to the crime of genocide and war crimes.

The South African Ambassador, Ted Beekani, spoke of the difficulties faced by the delegation in gaining entry into Gaza to witness at first hand the bitter realities faced in the territory. Mutshikaga in turn reflected on the experiences of suffering South Africans underwent at the hands of the apartheid regime which divided the country into numerous cantons.

SA delegation arrives in Gaza to support Palestinian rights.wmv

Palgaz — April 26, 2010



Palgaz May 01, 2010



Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

Norman Finkelstein: Israel's Extreme Gaza Destruction

Norman Finkelstein: Israel's Extreme Gaza Destruction

joefriendly April 25, 2010Norman Finkelstein makes a strong case that Israel's invasion and destruction of Gaza was deliberate hooliganism, excessive, inappropriate force, intended by their leaders, like Livni, to terroize Arabs. He points, in particular, to the UN Goldstone Report and testimonies of Israeli soldiers in Breaking the Silence, many of whom describe the level of Israeli firepower as "insane." Norman spoke April 22, 2010, at the invitation of the Arab Students Club at Brooklyn College, that boasts famous graduates Meir Kahane and Alan Dershowitz, and where he had his first teaching job after his Princeton PhD, until he was fired from their Political Science department because of his anti-Zionist views. Camera: Joe Friendly



Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

Peacefully Resisting the Construction of the Apartheid Wall in Al-Walaja 25-4-10

A FOCUS ON AL-WALAJA
Source: Palestine Monitor

Al-Walaja is an agrarian village of about 2,000 people, located south of Jerusalem and West of Bethlehem. Following the 1967 Occupation of the West Bank and the redrawing of the Jerusalem municipal boundaries, roughly half the village was annexed by Israel and included in the Jerusalem municipal area. The village's residents, however did not receive Israeli residency or citizenship, and are considered illegal in their own homes.

Once completed, the path of the Wall is designed to encircle the village's built-up area entirely, separating the residents from both Bethlehem, Jerusalem, and almost all their lands - roughly 5,000 dunams. Previously, Israeli authorities have already confiscated approximately half of the village's lands for the building of the Har Gilo and Gilo settlements, and closed off areas to the south and west of it. The town's inhabitants have also experienced the cutting down of fruit orchards and house demolition due to the absence of building permits in Area C.

According to a military confiscation order handed to the villagers, the path of the Wall will stretch over 4890 meters between Beit Jala and alWallaja, affecting 35 families, whose homes may be slated for demolition.

Beit Jala is a predominantly Christian town located 10 km south of Jerusalem, on the western side of the Hebron road, opposite Bethlehem. Once completed, the Wall will Isolate 3,200 Dunams of the town's lands, including almost 3,000 Dunams of olive groves and the only recreational forest in the area, the Cremisan monastery and the Cremisan Cellars winery.

(This factsheet was circulated by the Popular Struggle Coordination Commitee)

Walage 25-4-10 - People try to stop the bulldozer

yisraelpnm April 27, 2010



Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

Israeli Soldiers Attack Beit Ommar Peaceful Demo 24-4-10

1 Arrested at Demonstration in Beit Ommar
Source: Palestine Solidarity Project (PSP)

A peaceful demonstration at Karmei Tsur this afternoon calling for the release of Ahmed Abu Hashem, detained in a night raid on Thursday in Beit Ommar, was broken up by Israeli soldiers throwing stun grenades and shooting tear gas and rubber coated bullets at the protesters and children present. A member of PSP and the National Committee of Beit Ommar, Eyad Jamil Al Alami, was arrested by soldiers for carrying a placard calling for the release of Ahmed Abu Hashem and taken away to a military jeep. Mousa Abu Maria was struck in the ribs by a stun grenade which exploded on contact causing bruising. Dozens of protesters, including Israeli and international activists, suffered tear gas inhalation as they tried to escape the violent reaction of the soldiers and settler security.

The Israeli soldiers then attacked Mohammed Abu Ahmed and attempted to wrestle the Btselem video camera from him to stop recording their aggression towards the non-violent protest. Several soldiers chased the retreating protestors back into the village continuing to fire tear gas and rubber coated bullets. A press cameraman was threatened and his camera forcibly taken from him by soldiers.

Reinforcements from the Border Police arrived and drove jeeps at speed into the village firing tear gas indiscriminately and throwing stun grenades at press and photographers.

Eyad was released later Saturday with no charges. Ahmed Abu Hashem, along with Hattam Sabarneh who was also arrested Thursday, were both released Sunday night. 3 others remain in jail.

Beit Umar 24-4-10
yisraelpnm April 25, 2010



Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

Chronicle of an Israeli Invasion - 22nd April 2010: Israeli invasion into Gaza Strip

22nd April 2010: Israeli invasion into Gaza Strip (PART 1)

freepalestineee April 25, 2010Chronicle of an invasion
22nd April 2010
Israeli invasion into Gaza Strip
Al Faraheen village, east Khna Younis, Gaza Strip
Israeli tanks and bulldozers invaded the strip, destroying acres of fields cultivated by Palestinian farmers
giving further evidence of Israeli state terrorism.

Video Footage & Editing by Vittorio Utopia Arrigoni
http://guerrillaradio.iobloggo.com/

ISM Gaza:
http://palsolidarity.org/





22nd April 2010: Israeli invasion into Gaza Strip (PART 2)




Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

Colonists Want More Native Palestinians Kicked Out of Their Homes

Israeli right wing demo in Jerusalem

nocommenttv April 26, 2010A group of Israeli right wing activists gathered in east Jerusalem on Sunday to protest against what they call illegal Palestinian construction in the eastern sector of the contested Holy City....
No Comment | euronews: watch the international news without commentary | www.euronews.net/nocomment/




Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

Protesting the Colonization of Hebron April 2010 24 April 2010

Protest in Hebron April 2010 24 April 2010

avrahamibnezra April 26, 2010 — At around 15:45 a group of approximately 50 Palestinian, Israeli, and International activists gathered in Hebron next to the checkpoint gate separating Shuhada Street from the Casbah. The protest, which hopes to become a weekly action, was intended to disrupt the army-accompanied settler tour that goes through the Casbah (Old City) every Saturday. The protestors stood in front of the gate where the tour usually enters, holding signs and chanting slogans in Arabic, English, and Hebrew; this continued for some time without any disturbance. Soldiers and Israeli police looked onto and videotaped the protest from pillboxes and rooftops nearby. Eventually the protest was declared over, but was then suddenly reignited with news that the settlers had managed to enter the Casbah through another entrance. The protestors then began to advance through the marketplace alleyways to where the tour was said to be but they were met by a line of soldiers who blocked their path. Protestors continued chanting and tried to push past the soldiers claiming that it should not be a crime to walk through their own city. Protestors tried several times to run around to different entrances into the market to prevent the tour from progressing, but each time they were met by a chain of soldiers and the face-off /pushing began again. Amidst the chaos of running back and forth, one Israeli activist was arrested for no apparent reason. When the protesters re-grouped at the original location alongside the checkpoint gate, they formed a human wall in front of the soldiers by linking arms. The soldiers stood in front of the protestors, blocking them, in order to create a clear path for the settlers to exit the Casbah and pass through the gate back to Shuhada Street. The police then arrived and arrested two more Israeli activists as well as a Palestinian activist and resident of Tel Rumeida, Hebron. One of the arrests was particularly violent as the protestor was pushed to the ground and then dragged/carried away.



planxtysumoud April 26, 2010


Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

Cementing Our Support with Gaza

Cementing Our Support with Gaza

gazafriends April 26, 2010As the flotilla gets ready to sail to Gaza, the Free Gaza Movement asks for donations to buy cement to fill the hold of their cargo ship in Ireland. It is easy to do. Just go to our front page, click on the bag of cement and how many bags you want to buy. Then sign up for our Facebook, TWITTER and YouTube accounts to watch the flotilla.



Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

Labor for Palestine Canada/US - Report from Labor Notes Conference

Labor for Palestine Canada Report from Labor Notes Conference

peaceedcenter April 24, 2010 — A report from Canada on Labor Unions' efforts to support Palestine and efforts to end the occupation. Recorded at the Labor Notes Conference 2010 on April 23, 2010. The speaker, Katherine Nastovski of CUPE-Ontario, was 1 of 3 speakers during the meeting.




Labor's Efforts to Support Ending the Occupation of Palestine
peaceedcenter April 24, 2010 — Michael Letwin of Labor for Palestine/US and the International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network-Labor gives a report on labor's efforts to support Palestine and efforts to end the occupation. Recorded at the Labor Notes Conference 2010 on April 23, 2010. Letwin was 1 of 3 speakers during the meeting.



Palestine Office-Michigan Addresses the Labor for Palestine Efforts

peaceedcenter April 24, 2010 — Hasan Newash of the Palestine Office-Michigan addresses the Labor for Palestine meeting in preparing for a planned conference call from a trade unionist in Gaza. Recorded at the Labor Notes Conference 2010 on April 23, 2010. Newash was 1 of 3 speakers during the meeting. Because of technical difficulties the conference call was not completed.



Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

Bethlehem Ghetto

Bethlehem Ghetto

justicewheels April 25, 2010The Ghetto of Bethlehem is shrinking, the people are resisting but feel abandoned by the self-appointed leadership. Many people complain that the Prime Minister who was not elected or confirmed by the parliament comes to give his blessings to projects or to plant a tree for the cameras. In fact he symbolically planted a tree in Mitris front yard after the army bulldozed his trees. Internationals and locals replaced the childrens swings and slide only to see them pulled out again a few days later. We now have the video of the dragging of nonviolent protesters from the garden of Mitri and tape of the destruction of his childrens playground http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1iWdi...

Saturday night we had an educational protest to hundreds of Italian tourists who were brought by the catholic church on pilgrimage. We were distressed to find that they had coordinated their visit with the Palestinian ministry of tourism AND with the Israeli ministry of tourism. We objected to the way it was presented and dealt with. The wall is not after all a border between states to march to for peace and play games on the other side. The wall is an illegal apartheid structure built on occupied territories separating Palestinians in the shrinking Bethlehem Ghetto from their land and from other Palestinians and from their holy sites in Jerusalem. As the Italians were crossing the apartheid wall, the Israeli army was extending the wall around Al-Walaja village of Bethlehem and destroying more of Mitris land. But Al-Walaja people were heroic on Sunday. They delayed the uprooting of their trees at a cost to themselves: over 30 were injured and several detained. Internationals and Israelis were there. I will try to get you the link to a video of the actual action. It is hard for us to be at many places of destruction at one time and we lack resources to get video cameras in the hands of qualified people to document the atrocities so this initial video (photographed by another person) has little of the more rough and tumble action.




Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

Sunday, April 25, 2010

New Footage of Gaza Protesters Shot by Israel

You can see yesterday's post on the shooting of these protesters in the Gaza "buffer zone" here

For more on this story visit ISM site Israeli forces shoot unarmed demonstrators in Gazan ‘buffer zone’


Footage



Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

Lowkey and Jody McIntyre uphold Palestinian rights

Lowkey and Jody McGwire uphold Palestinian rights

joefriendly — April 24, 2010 — Popular London rap artist, Lowkey and journalist on wheels Jody McGwire [Jody McIntyre] provide some warmup to Norman Finkelstein's talk to the Arab Students Club at Brooklyn College. Jody reports of his 9 months in Palestine and Lowkey receipts poetry condeming western mindset against Arabs.



Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Gaza's only Zoo is up for sale

Gaza's only Zoo is up for sale

AlJazeeraEnglish — April 24, 2010 — Marah Land Gaza's impoverished zoo is in danger of closing down.

During Israel's 3 week war on Gaza in 2009, almost 90 per cent of the animals here were killed.

Since then, securing food, medicine and care for the few that survived has been a daily struggle for the zoo keepers.

So, along with its fatigued and war-stricken array of animals, it is now up for sale.

Al jazeera's Ayman Mohyeldin reports from Gaza.



Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

Protesters Injured at the Ni'lin Weekly Protest Against the Apartheid Wall - 23.4.2010

Seven Injured in The Weekly Nil’in Anti-Wall Protest
Friday April 23, 2010 15:57
by Ghassan Bannoura - IMEMC News

Seven local youth were injured at the village of Nil’in, central West Bank during the weekly anti wall protest on Friday.

Villagers along with international and Israeli supporters held the midday prayers at lands near the Israeli wall which army announced a closed military zone.

Later protesters marched to the gate of the Wall separating farmers from their lands. Troops fired tear gas and sound bombs at the protesters.

The nonviolent weekly action ended on Friday with clashes between the military and local youth. Seven were slightly injured during the ensued clashes.

Ni'ilin 23.4.2010

davidreeb April 24, 2010Ni'ilin 23 April 2010 video of demonstration against the separation barrier on their land



Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

ISM video - An Israeli bulldozer destroys a children's playground near Bethlehem

An Israeli bulldozer destroys a children's playground near Bethlehem

ISMPalestine April 24, 2010Guarded by Israeli soldiers, a bulldozer demolishes a garden and children's playground to make way for the continued construction of Israel's illegal apartheid wall. International Solidarity Movement activists joined local Palestinians and two Israeli activists to attempt to block the bulldozer. All were violently removed by the soldiers - one Palestinian was hospitalised after his stomach was repeatedly stamped upon - and had to stand by and watch the destruction unfold.

Go to http://palsolidarity.org/2010/04/12098 for a full report of the day's events.




Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

Israel Shoots and Injures Palestinian Protestors in Gaza

Protester critically injured by live Israeli fire at Gaza rally
Source: Ma'an News Agency
Date: 24/04/2010 19:21

Gaza – Ma'an – Six people were injured, one seriously, by live fire from Israeli forces as Gaza residents and international solidarity activists gathered in the central Strip on Saturday to protest the enforcement of the no go zone.

Eyewitnesses confirmed early security source reports, saying first three, then six were injured, one seriously as protesters marched with Palestinian flags towards the buffer zone area enforced by Israel around the Gaza border.

"The non-violent rally approached the border area to protest the creation of a buffer zone along the borders between Israel and the Gaza Strip," rally coordinator Mahmoud Az-Ziq said.

Coordinator of medical services in the Gaza Strip Adham Abu Silmiyya said three of the six injured were evacuated to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in central Gaza, with one man in serious condition.

Coordinator of Beit Hanoun popular committee Saber Az-Za'aneen identified the injured foreign activist as 28-year-old Bianca Zimmit from Malta. He said she was hit by live fire in the foot, and confirmed that she was one of the three evacuated to hospital.

A statement from the International Solidarity Movement said Zimmit was shot while filming the demonstration, at a distance of approximately 80-100 meters.

The statement identified the other two hospitalized victims as Nidal Al Naji, 18, who the group said was shot in the right thigh, and Hind Al-Akra, 22, who was shot in the stomach and has undergone emergency surgery.

An Israeli military spokesman confirmed shots were fired in the area, but said they were "warning shots meant to drive away" the group of protesters. He noted they were "very close" the the border fence, and area he described as a "combat zone."

The no-go area means 20 percent of the arable lands in Gaza are inaccessible to local farmers, who are fired on by Israeli forces patrolling the area if they approach the buffer.

The zone extends 150-300 meters into the Strip from the Green Line, or the 1967 border, from which Israel claimed to have pulled out in 2005.

The military spokesman said troops could "not allow anyone to be present" in the no-go zone, because it was an area "used by terrorists," and cited several cases of Palestinian militant groups planting explosive devices in the zone.

Militant groups say attacks on Israeli patrols in Gaza are defensive, and an effort to protect what by law is sovereign Palestinian territory, but in reality is under Israeli military occupation.

An Earlier Statement by the ISM:
Israeli forces shoot unarmed demonstrators in Gazan ‘buffer zone’
Source: International Solidarity Movement (ISM Palestine)
ISM Gaza

24 April 2010

El Maghazi, Deir Al Balah, Gaza, Occupied Palestinian Territories, 24th April 2010, 12PM – At a peaceful nonviolent demonstration against the forceful cessation of farming within what Israel defines as a “buffer zone,” which was attended by 150 people, two Palestinians demonstrators and one International activist were shot. Israeli soldiers opened fire on the demonstrators from the border fence. Nidal Al Naji (18) was shot in the right thigh. Hind Al Akra (22) was shot in the stomach and is undergoing emergency surgery. Bianca Zimmit (28) from Malta was filming the demonstration when she was shot in her left thigh. The wounded are currently being treated in Al Aqsa Hospital.

Shortly after 11 a.m., women and men, including 6 ISM activists, marched from Al Maghazi towards the Israeli fence closing off the Gaza strip. After being met with live ammunition upon cresting a ridge, some demonstrators continued walking forward. This group included six women, two ISM activists and 20 men. The 20 male demonstrators reached the border fence. Zimmit was shot while filming the demonstration between the ridge and the fence, at a distance of roughly 80-100 meters. Hind Al Akra, also standing between the ridge and the fence, was shot in the stomach, and Niadal al Naji was shot in the leg near the fence. Demonstrators carried the wounded back across rough terrain to taxis for transport to Al-Aqsa Hospital.

The demonstrations are held in protest against the arbitrary decision by Israel to instate a 300 metre buffer zone as no-go area for Palestinians where “shoot to kill” policy is implemented. People have been shot regularly as far as 2 kilometres away from the border. Popular Campaign for the Security in the Buffer Zone, an umbrella organization that includes organizations representing farmers and Gaza residents living near the border, and also a number of political parties are present at many of these demonstrations.

Those venturing to the border regions to gather rubble and steel do so as a result of the siege on Gaza which, along with Israel’s 23 day winter war on Gaza, has decimated Gaza’s economy, including 95 percent of Gaza’s factories and businesses, according to the United Nations. Additionally, these recycled construction materials are vital in Gaza where the Israeli-led siege bans all but under 40 items from entering.

The siege prevents vitally needed construction materials from entering Gaza, where over 6,400 houses were destroyed or severely damaged in the Israeli war on Gaza, and nearly 53,000 sustained lesser damages. Hospitals and medical centres, schools, kindergartens and mosques are among the other buildings destroyed and damaged during the Israeli war on Gaza.


Video
REUTERS - Israeli gunfire wounds protesters
Apr. 24 - A Maltese woman and two Palestinians are wounded by Israeli gunfire as they protest in Gaza alongside the border with Israel. (01:47)



Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

American University D.C. Students Protest Michael Oren's Speech

Students at the American University in D.C. protested Israel's genocidal policies and the RSVP only event at the Katzen Arts Center, where Israeli Ambassador to U.S. and apologist for Israel's war crimes and human rights violations, Michael Oren, spewed his venom.

American University Israeli-Palestine Protests

blinkieme — April 22, 2010 — There were Pro-Israeli and Pro-Palestinian protests in front of the American University Katzen Arts Center while Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Micheal Oren spoke in Katzen. This is a documentation of said protest.



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Israeli Occupation Army Bulldozes the Family Olive Tress and Children Playground

Bilin to Beit Jala

justicewheels April 23, 2010The past two days witnessed further Israeli war crimes from shooting at unarmed protesters in Gaza, to destruction of land and property, and to raids in the middle of the night. But we also had a good first day of the International conference in Bilin. It was so good to meet with dear friends (e.g. Neta Golan, Huwaida Arraf, Lubna Masarwa, Iyad Burnat, Mohammed Al-Khatib, etc) and make many new ones. Hundreds of people attended on the first day from many countries. Speeches from dignitaries (e.g. Archbishop Atallah Hanna) to politicians (e.g. Salam Fayyad). There were representatives of all political factions. But the most interesting of all was the video-uplink with Gaza. Facilitated by Lubna Masarwa on this end and our dear friend Dr. Haidar Eid in Gaza. The site of the video uplink was a destroyed three story residential building whose residents still remain homeless. We also heard from a daughter of one of the abductees (many activists were abducted by the occupation soldiers and are still held in the gulags of the fascist occupation army). We also heard from relatives of the martyrs (murdered mercilessly by the occupation authorities). Everybody especially remembered the wonderful positive spirit of Bassem Abu-Rahma murdered one year ago at peaceful demonstration against the apartheid wall.

My excitement about the achievements in Bilin was needed to balance the pain as we watched the Israeli bulldozers destroy a familys front yard (the family of Mitri Ghneim in Beit Jala). The olive trees did not stand for two long. Nor did the childrens playground. The carefully tended garden lasted even less. Feelings of anger, sadness, pain, misery and more fluctuated but the emotions settled always on a sense of betrayal. Why is the world letting this happen. Israeli soldiers behaving like sadists dragging internationals out of the way and preventing all activists from getting close to victims family as they ravaged the yard. Six activists managed to get through and were beaten. They included two Palestinians. One international was taken and the others released on site later. My eyes welled up with tears as I watched two of the familys children return from school and look in horror at what is happening to their gardens.

In Al-Walaja village, the fascist Israeli army uprooted over 50 trees as it bulldozed areas around the illegal colony of Har Gilo. Much of the Land of Al-Walaja (near Beit Jala). THe demonstration there on Friday was inspiring as villagers also blocked the road for the vehicles of destruction.




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Olive Planting in Palestine 2010

Olive Planting in Palestine 2010 (First Part)

PunaluaMedia — April 23, 2010 — In February 2010, the Joint Advocacy Initiative (JAI) and the Alternative Tourism Group (ATG) will organise the 3rd annual olive tree planting program.
Besides planting olive trees, the program features introductory presentations about the current situation in Palestine and the effects of the Apartheid Wall. You will also be taken on various tours in the old cities of Jerusalem, Hebron, and Bethlehem, and have the opportunity to attend cultural events and enjoy social gatherings. It is our pleasure that people join our mission to keep hope alive together and to learn more about daily Palestinian life under a ruthless military occupation.
more info:
http://www.patg.org
info@atg.ps



Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

Aiming to Starve Gaza, Israel Turns Gaza Farms into Waste Land

Nothing can destroy a Farm faster than removing its top soil, and Israel is incessantly doing so everywhere it can reach in the tiny strip of land called Gaza.
april 22 invasion faraheen.wmv

gazanews2009 April 22, 2010 — On April 22, 4 Israeli tanks and 4 large Israeli military bulldozers invaded Al Faraheen, destroying Palestinian farmland in the what the Israeli authorities have unilaterally declared as the "buffer zone", a 300 metre stretch of land along Gaza's border to Israel in which Palestinians have been forbidden to enter, doing so at risk of being shot by Israeli soldiers. Tens of Palestinian civilians have been killed and injured by Israeli soldiers' shooting and shelling attacks in and outside of the "buffer zone'', even as far away as 2 km from the border.

The April 22nd invasion saw Israeli bulldozers churn up plots of wheat and lentils, tanks and bulldozers coming within approximately 50 metres of Jaber Abu Rjila's home.

Abu Rjila's home and chicken farm was heavily attacked in a May 2008 Israeli invasion: the chicken barn was destoyred, killing nearly all of the 3000 birds, and the surrounding farm land was razed, killing various fruit and olive trees, crops, and destoying farm equipment, tractors, water pumps and a cistern.

The Abu Rjila house, like many along the border region, is constantly subject to indiscriminate Israeli soldier fire from Israeli military jeeps and towers along the border. As a result, the family has moved out of their home and now pays to rent a home in a safer area. Their livelihood and ability to be self-sufficient has been destroyed by these Israeli aggressions.



armored bulldozers invade Gaza strip

maxajl April 22, 2010 — military bulldozers attack a strip of land in the buffer zone razing the plants



IDF bulldozers destroy land in the buffer zone

maxajl April 22, 2010 — IDF bulldozers attack the buffer zone



Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

Forensic Report: Tortured to Death - 53 Sleepless Gaza Jerusalem

PPS: “Detainee Who Died Last Week, Was Hit On His Spine, Neck”
Thursday April 22, 2010 11:47
by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC

The Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS) reported that detainee Raed Abu Hammad, who died on April 16, was hit by Israeli interrogators on the center spine and the back on his neck, and died of his wounds in his cell.

Forensic examination revealed that Abu Hammad was healthy and did not suffer from any health condition. He was also an athlete and in a strong body shape.

The examination also revealed that Abu Hammad was tortured during interrogation and was struck on the center of his spine causing damage to the spinal canal in addition to being violently hit on the back of his neck. He was found dead in his cell at the Be’er Sheva Israeli prison.

The Palestinian Prisoners Society held Israel responsible for the death of Abu Hammad, demanded an immediate and independent investigation into his death, and called for prosecuting the interrogators who tortured him.

The PPS stated that this crime is one of hundreds of crimes committed by the Israeli army against the detainees, and added that the forensic examination proves without any doubt that Israeli jailors and interrogators are behind Hammad’s death.

It stated that Palestinian and Arab detainees imprisoned by Israel are subject to constant violations, illegal torture and interrogation techniques.

Nearly 200 Palestinian detainees died of torture and abuse, more than 50 died of medical negligence. Hundreds of detainees died after their release due to illnesses and effects of torture and gunshot wounds suffered prior or during the course of their arrest.

On April 17, the Palestinian Prisoners Day, the PPS reported that Israel arrested more than 70.000 Palestinians since 2000, 800 of them were women and 8000 were children.

Qaddoura Fares, head of the PPS stated that the current number of detainees imprisoned by Israel is 7000, held in 25 prisons, interrogation centers and detention camps.

Israel is holding captive 16 legislators and ministers, 36 female detainees including 4 mothers, and 340 children. 5700 detainees are from the West Bank, 780 are from the Gaza Strip, 450 from Jerusalem and 47 detainees from the Arab world.

See the First Video Report on the murder of Raed Abu Hammad here

53 Sleepless Gaza Jerusalem.divx

SleeplessinGaza April 22, 2010Day 53: You saw it on 49a the forensic doctor told Ashira that it wasnt a suicide like the Israeli authorities claimed, nor was it a natural death! We called the film Murder in an Israeli Prison! The exclusive footage of the film was used by Al Arabiya, CNN and Reuters just transmitted it to 600 television stations worldwide. Since then the Sleepless in Gaza and Jerusalem girls have been wondering what is taking officialdom so long to declare the reason of death. Ashira goes today to the Press conference that makes it official. Raed was killed with a blow to his spine causing damage to his spinal cord and internal bleeding. Asma wrote a book about Gazan woman in war and Nagham wanted to bring life to one of the stories, so Asma takes her to see Nawal and her family; victims of Israels attacks on the civilians of Gaza in January 2009. Israel called it Operation Cast Lead; most of the world called it a Heinous Crime. How did Nawal have her baby in the middle of the attacks?



Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

Friday, April 23, 2010

UNRWA - John Ging: a Drop in the Bucket for Gaza

UNRWA working toward educating children in Gaza

unitednations April 22, 2010United Nations, New York, 22 April 2010 - John Ging, Director of UNRWA Operations in Gaza briefs reporters on work being done in Gaza.



Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

Arrests and Injuries at the Bil'in Weekly Protest Against the Apartheid Wall

bilin weeklly demo 23-4-2010 By Haitham Al Katib

haithmkatib April 23, 2010 — Friday April 23, 2010

At least a dozen Palestinian and international civilians were injured during the weekly nonviolent protest at the central West Bank village of Bilin.

This Friday protest marked the end of the Fifth Bilin International Conference for Palestinian Popular Resistance, which began on Wednesday, April 21 with a full line-up of speakers including politicians, leaders of Popular Committees, Israeli activists, and international solidarity activists.

The conference continued through Thursday and Friday. After the final conference session on Friday morning, in which workshop groups reported on their conclusions in preparation for the conference statement, the conference participants gathered with scores of other Israeli, international, and Palestinians waiting at the mosque for the weekly demonstration.

Todays demonstration was larger than normal in size, and lasted an especially long period of time. Serious injuries were sustained during the demonstration, and several were arrested. Present at the demonstration were local political figures, including Mustafa Barghouti, and international solidarity leaders such as Luisa Morgantini.

As is the case very Friday for the past six years people gathered at the local mousque and headed towards the wall built of villagers lands. Protesters immediately were met by soldiers who fired sound grenades, and smoke bombs.
Demonstrators reported that soldiers showed no discrimination with their firing, shooting directly at the faces of the protestors, and no discrimination in their arrests, trying to arrest even journalists.

Several serious injuries were sustained. Imad Rizka, 37 years old , from Yaffa, was shot in the forehead with a tear gas canister. He was taken away immediately to Ramallah Hospital by ambulance. Rizka is well-known in Bilin, as he comes to the village every Friday to demonstrate.

Soldiers fired a great deal of tear gas from both sides of the fence. Demonstrators were forced to retreat, but among those who remained, several were arrested. Soldiers crossed the fence and advanced well into village and detained five people among them one local journalist.

Additional injuries are as follows:

One demonstrator from Italy, struck in the back by a tear gas canister; an Italian demonstrator who was shot in the arm with a new type of weapon; an Israeli activist; Um Samarra, 45, from Bilin, who was hit in the leg by a tear gas canister; Haitham al-Khatib, cameraman, who was slightly injured; a Palestinian woman from Bethlehem who sustained a leg injury; and a Palestinian journalist named Abbas al-Momni.



Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Al Nakba day 20-4-10

Al Nakba day 20-4-10

yisraelpnm April 20, 2010Like in every year, the upper followup committee of the Arab public in Israel organized mass march to one of the uprooted villages in memory of Al nakba 1948. This year is selected the village of miske close to Tira (in the triple).
On the background is the fascistic new law, "Alnakba law".




Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

Commemorating Al Nakba [Palestinian 1948 Catastrophe] - 51 Sleepless in Gaza and Jerusalem

51 Sleepless Gaza Jerusalem.divx

SleeplessinGaza April 20, 2010April 20, 2010: Day 51: Ashira joins her friend Bakrieyh on a tour to the Palestinian villages that were displaced in order to drive the Palestinians out of their homes and make way for Jewish immigrants in 1948. Today marks Israels "Independent Day" which is known to Palestinians as the Catastrophe; when the Palestine lost their country and Israel came to being. Why did Fidaa leave Spain and come back home? Why doesnt she believe in dialogue anymore? Listen to Sari on how neighbor turned on neighbor. What is the story of Abed who was born in Miska. Listen to what Sheikh Raed Salah has to say on the right of return. What happed at the village of Miska? Where are its people now?
In Gaza, Eman pays a visit to her friend Umm Walid who lives in Beit Lahia. Meet the Palestinian farmers women who harvest the land along with their husbands. The farms cant afford to hire workers so man and woman put hand in hand to make ends meet. Join Eman to help Hend pick her Zucchinis and listen to the farmers tell you about their experience being so close to the borders with Israel.




Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

Bet Ummar Prisoner's Day

Bet Ummar Prisoner's Day

aicvideo April 21, 2010Prisoners' Day pays tribute to the Palestinian prison population, which has a significant weight in Palestinian society, and events are held in their honour in cities, towns and villages throughout the Occupied Palestinian Territories. One of these towns is Beit Ummar, located near Bethlehem. People here known first-hand about detention by the Israeli authorities. The Israel military attempted to cancel the Beit Ummar Prisoners' Day Festival, which was initiated and fully organized by a local youth committee, but the Festival was held this past Friday, 16 April. There was music, theater, and speeches from a variety of elected and grassroots activists, all stressing the importance of this annual celebration.



Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog

Chicago Hearing: Does U.S. policy on Israel and Palestine uphold our values?

Source: Chicago Hearing WebSite (make sure you visit the site and explore their resources.)
"The Chicago Hearing is modeled after a Congressional hearing and will be webcast live from a link on the home page.The Chicago Hearing will bring together witnesses to tell seldom-heard stories from Israel-Palestine that raise critical questions about the effects of U.S. policies in the region. Does Israel's explanation of security legitimize its violations of international law? Does the U.S. government condone Israeli policies and practices that would not be tolerated if replicated in America by the U.S. government?

The Hearing highlights voices of those on the other end of the pipeline of U.S. aid to Israel. Israeli, Palestinian and American witnesses will testify to lives lost, freedoms denied and property destroyed by Israeli policies buttressed by U.S. aid and support. The witnesses will testify to the collateral effects of U.S. policies toward Israel: military and financial aid that totaled over $3 billion in 2009 as well as unconditional diplomatic support for Israel in the United Nations.

A Listener Panel of public officials, academics and religious leaders will ask questions and make comments following the testimony. The Hearing, modeled after a Congressional fact-finding hearing, will center on three topics: Property Rights; Freedom of Movement, Association and Speech; and Military Aid and Armaments. A speaker will provide the context for each topic and will introduce one or more witnesses.

Moderator
Helena Cobban, Just World News

Witnesses:
Jeff Halper - Coordinator Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions (ICAHD)
Jad Isaac - Director General Applied Research Institute-Jerusalem,
Cindy Corrie - Rachel Corrie Foundation for Peace and Justice
Amer Shurrab - a Palestinian peace activist from Khan Younis in Gaza

Listener Panel
* Yali Amit, Arab-Jewish Partnership for Peace and Justice in the Midde East
* Cantor Michael Davis, Ta'anit Tzedek (Jewish Fast for Gaza)
* Father R. Cotton Fite, Associate Priest at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Evanston
* John J. Mearsheimer, University of Chicago
* Barbara Ransby, University of Illinois at Chicago
* Dr. Zaher Sahloul, Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago
* Ghada Talhami, D.K. Pearsons, Professor of Politics, emerita

Chicago Hearing Part 1

AFSCVideos April 20, 2010 — Does U.S. policy on Israel and Palestine uphold our values? The Chicago Hearing, an initiative of the American Friends Service Committee, Chicago, addresses this question. The Hearing is modeled after a Congressional fact-finding meeting. Witnesses and a listener panel have a moderated discussion on the topics of property rights, freedom of movement, speech and association and military aid. This webcast took place Sunday, April 18 from 1:30 PM to 5:30 PM CDT. Details at www.chicagohearing.org.


Part 1
Welcome and Introductions [Jennifer Bing-Canar and Helena Cobban]



Part 2
Property Rights: [Mezna Qato Introduction and Jeff Halper Testimony]



Part 3
Property Rights Moderated Discussion with the Listener Panel



Part 4
Freedom of Movement [Lisa Kosowski Introduction and Jad Isaac Testimony]
Jad Isaac - Director General Applied Research Institute-Jerusalem



Part 5
Jad Isaac - Director General Applied Research Institute-Jerusalem
Moderated Discussion with the Listener Panel



Part 6
Military Aid [Josh Ruebner Introduction and Amer Shurrab Testimony]



Part 7
Military Aid [Cindy Corrie Testimony] (19:10)



Part 8
Moderated Discussion with the Listener Panel



Part 9
Closing by Moderator Helena Cobban


Palestine Video - A Palestine Vlog