The Popular Committee Against the Siege demanded Pope Benedict XVI to visit the Gaza strip during his tour in the region in order to observe the destruction and devastation inflicted during the Israeli offensive, and to observe the suffering of the residents.
Legislator Jamal El Khodary, head of the Committee, stated that it is essential that the Pope, Christian and Muslim figures, visit Gaza in order to observe the suffering of the residents as the Israeli siege is still ongoing in addition to the repeated Israeli attacks.
He added that the Pope should have a clear stance against the siege, and should practice pressure on the occupation to end the siege and ease the suffering of the residents.
El Khodary also said that ending the siege requires full opening of all border terminals and allowing the entry of all needed supplies, goods and medications.
The legislator added that the residents, fishermen, farmers and every person in Gaza should be able to work and sustain decent livelihood, and that the patients should be allowed access to proper medical treatment especially since the siege emptied Gaza hospitals of the basic equipment and supplies.
On Sunday, May 3 2009, a Palestinian patient, identified as Wael Obeilan, died at a Gaza hospital after Israeli barred him from receiving medical treatment outside the coastal region.
He died just a number of days after a 5-year old child, identified as Mohammad Al Qabbani, died at a local hospital in Gaza. Source
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The Middle East.
4.5.09
Hamas Officials Supportive of Syrian-Israeli Talks
04/05/2009
By Kifah Zaboun
Ramallah, Asharq Al-Awsat – Two high-level ranking Hamas leaders have vehemently emphasized that the Hamas organization does not operate in any Arab or non-Arab territory and that it has no military activity except in Palestine. In statements to Asharq Al-Awsat, Yahya Musa and Atif Adwan stressed that Hamas is satisfied with the Syrian role in supporting the Palestinian issue, and noted that Syria's stance is different from the stances adopted by several Arab countries. They said that Hamas respects the Syrian option to hold dialogue with Israel, that these negotiations are legitimate, and that there is no reason for concern about the outcome of these negotiations.
Both Hamas leaders were commenting on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's interview in Asharq Al-Awsat where he stated that Hamas and Hezbollah would not attack Israel from Syria. He pointed out that in the direct negotiations with Israel through Turkish mediation efforts, he reached a stage closer to an agreement than that reached in the era of his father's negotiations with the then Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and former US President Bill Clinton in 2000.
Yahya Musa, member of the Palestinian Legislative Council and deputy leader of the Hamas bloc in the council, said that Hamas does not interfere in the affairs or options of other Arab country, but respects these options. He added: "We know that the Arab regimes have their own needs, but we do not interfere in the political dealings that have to do with the circumstances, balances, and situations facing these countries."
Musa said that the Muslim community of nation should focus its efforts on backing the Palestinian issue because it is an Arab and Islamic cause. He added: "We are against the divisions that prompted the nation to shirk its responsibility toward contributing to the Palestinian efforts and resistance to the occupation. However, this does not mean that we should dictate to this or that country advice." He added: "These are big and independent states that have their own conditions, circumstances, and complicated situations." He stressed that "we accept whatever all Arab countries any effort they make and whatever they offer. We consider that a state like Syria has borne a great deal in the interest of the Palestinian question. We are satisfied with the Syrian position that embraces the resistance in Lebanon and Palestine and defends it in various forums." He said: "We did not oppose the other Arab countries that took a position against Hamas, nor did we attack them or make an issue with them. We accepted their efforts and dealt with them according to what Arab relations and sensitivities dictate."
As to why Hamas rejects Palestinian-Israeli negotiations whereas it agrees to Arab-Israeli negotiations, Musa said: "The Palestinian affair concerns us. We are responsible for our people, and have our free option entrusted with us by our people."More
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By Kifah Zaboun
Ramallah, Asharq Al-Awsat – Two high-level ranking Hamas leaders have vehemently emphasized that the Hamas organization does not operate in any Arab or non-Arab territory and that it has no military activity except in Palestine. In statements to Asharq Al-Awsat, Yahya Musa and Atif Adwan stressed that Hamas is satisfied with the Syrian role in supporting the Palestinian issue, and noted that Syria's stance is different from the stances adopted by several Arab countries. They said that Hamas respects the Syrian option to hold dialogue with Israel, that these negotiations are legitimate, and that there is no reason for concern about the outcome of these negotiations.
Both Hamas leaders were commenting on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's interview in Asharq Al-Awsat where he stated that Hamas and Hezbollah would not attack Israel from Syria. He pointed out that in the direct negotiations with Israel through Turkish mediation efforts, he reached a stage closer to an agreement than that reached in the era of his father's negotiations with the then Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and former US President Bill Clinton in 2000.
Yahya Musa, member of the Palestinian Legislative Council and deputy leader of the Hamas bloc in the council, said that Hamas does not interfere in the affairs or options of other Arab country, but respects these options. He added: "We know that the Arab regimes have their own needs, but we do not interfere in the political dealings that have to do with the circumstances, balances, and situations facing these countries."
Musa said that the Muslim community of nation should focus its efforts on backing the Palestinian issue because it is an Arab and Islamic cause. He added: "We are against the divisions that prompted the nation to shirk its responsibility toward contributing to the Palestinian efforts and resistance to the occupation. However, this does not mean that we should dictate to this or that country advice." He added: "These are big and independent states that have their own conditions, circumstances, and complicated situations." He stressed that "we accept whatever all Arab countries any effort they make and whatever they offer. We consider that a state like Syria has borne a great deal in the interest of the Palestinian question. We are satisfied with the Syrian position that embraces the resistance in Lebanon and Palestine and defends it in various forums." He said: "We did not oppose the other Arab countries that took a position against Hamas, nor did we attack them or make an issue with them. We accepted their efforts and dealt with them according to what Arab relations and sensitivities dictate."
As to why Hamas rejects Palestinian-Israeli negotiations whereas it agrees to Arab-Israeli negotiations, Musa said: "The Palestinian affair concerns us. We are responsible for our people, and have our free option entrusted with us by our people."More
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3.5.09
weekly report Of Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory
Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law escalated in the OPT during the reporting period (23 – 28 April 2009):
Shooting: During the reporting period, 20 Palestinian civilians, including 6 children, were wounded by IOF and Israeli settlers in the West Bank.
On 24 April 2009, 12 Palestinian civilians, including two children, were wounded when Israeli settlers and IOF troops attacked 'Ourif village, south of Nablus. This joint attack was the second of its kind in the West Bank this April; IOF and Israeli settlers launched a similar attack on Safa village, north of Hebron, on 08 April, in which 9 Palestinian civilians were wounded.
On 26 April 2009, an Israeli settler fired at a Palestinian child in Madama village, south of Nablus. The child was seriously wounded by a gunshot that entered the back and exited the chest.
On the same day, a Palestinian civilian was wounded when IOF moved into Rantis village, northwest of Ramallah, and opened fire indiscriminately.
Also on the same day, IOF troops positioned at Tarqoumia crossing, southwest of Hebron, fired at an old Palestinian man, wounding him.
During the reporting period, 5 Palestinian civilians, including two children, were wounded when IOF used force against peaceful demonstrations organized to protest the construction of the Annexation Wall.
Incursions: During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 28 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. IOF arrested 32 Palestinian civilians, including 6 children.
During the reporting period, IOF stormed the public yard opposite 'Aaida refugee camp, north of Bethlehem. The yard was being readied in advance of the Pope's intended visit. IOF forced workers to stop technical and construction preparations.
On 24 April 2009, IOF conducted a joint operation with Israeli settlers against 'Ourif village, south of Nablus. Both forces fired at Palestinian civilians, wounding 12 of them.
Restrictions on Movement: IOF have continued to impose a tightened siege on the OPT and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem. Source
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Shooting: During the reporting period, 20 Palestinian civilians, including 6 children, were wounded by IOF and Israeli settlers in the West Bank.
On 24 April 2009, 12 Palestinian civilians, including two children, were wounded when Israeli settlers and IOF troops attacked 'Ourif village, south of Nablus. This joint attack was the second of its kind in the West Bank this April; IOF and Israeli settlers launched a similar attack on Safa village, north of Hebron, on 08 April, in which 9 Palestinian civilians were wounded.
On 26 April 2009, an Israeli settler fired at a Palestinian child in Madama village, south of Nablus. The child was seriously wounded by a gunshot that entered the back and exited the chest.
On the same day, a Palestinian civilian was wounded when IOF moved into Rantis village, northwest of Ramallah, and opened fire indiscriminately.
Also on the same day, IOF troops positioned at Tarqoumia crossing, southwest of Hebron, fired at an old Palestinian man, wounding him.
During the reporting period, 5 Palestinian civilians, including two children, were wounded when IOF used force against peaceful demonstrations organized to protest the construction of the Annexation Wall.
Incursions: During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 28 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. IOF arrested 32 Palestinian civilians, including 6 children.
During the reporting period, IOF stormed the public yard opposite 'Aaida refugee camp, north of Bethlehem. The yard was being readied in advance of the Pope's intended visit. IOF forced workers to stop technical and construction preparations.
On 24 April 2009, IOF conducted a joint operation with Israeli settlers against 'Ourif village, south of Nablus. Both forces fired at Palestinian civilians, wounding 12 of them.
Restrictions on Movement: IOF have continued to impose a tightened siege on the OPT and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem. Source
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2.5.09
Israel shoots an Irish Nobel Peace Prize winner
Irish Nobel Peace Prize winner Mairead Maguire has been shot with a rubber[-coated metal] bullet by the Israeli military while taking part in a nonviolent civil rights protest organised by Palestinians and Israelis.
The incident took place on Friday 20 April, and Ms Maguire, famed for her work for reconcilition in Northern Ireland, has now returned home.
She won her Nobel Laureate for galvanizing popular demands for a just peace and opposition to both military and paramilitary acivities during 'the troubles'.
She said yesterday: “I was invited with my friend to attend a nonviolent conference in Bilin, a village outside Ramallah [in the West Bank], and to give a talk there, which I did. At the end of the conference, we were invited to participate in a nonviolent demonstration with some of the Palestinian members of parliament and Israeli peace activists and local villagers and international visitors.
“We walked along to try to walk up toward the separation wall, and it was a totally nonviolent protest. And we were viciously attacked by the Israeli military. They threw gas canisters into the peace walkers, and they also fired rubber-covered steel bullets."
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The incident took place on Friday 20 April, and Ms Maguire, famed for her work for reconcilition in Northern Ireland, has now returned home.
She won her Nobel Laureate for galvanizing popular demands for a just peace and opposition to both military and paramilitary acivities during 'the troubles'.
She said yesterday: “I was invited with my friend to attend a nonviolent conference in Bilin, a village outside Ramallah [in the West Bank], and to give a talk there, which I did. At the end of the conference, we were invited to participate in a nonviolent demonstration with some of the Palestinian members of parliament and Israeli peace activists and local villagers and international visitors.
“We walked along to try to walk up toward the separation wall, and it was a totally nonviolent protest. And we were viciously attacked by the Israeli military. They threw gas canisters into the peace walkers, and they also fired rubber-covered steel bullets."
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