Sugar Cubes

News of the blogosphere…

Laila from Raising Yousuf reports that the big day of elections is less than two weeks away. She has been recruited by the Guardians Unlimited to write about the elections in a series of posts.

From Ramallah Online, in Palestinian village of Al-Walaja people still live under the same conditions caused by Al-Nakba nearly 54 years ago. The Isreali military forces attackd the village and bulldozed Palestinians properties declaring the area to be a closed military zone.

From KABOBfest, the Palestine Solidarity Movement will hold its fifth annual conference at Georgetown University, Washington, DC from the 17th - 19th of Febreuary, 2006. The spokesperson of PSM, Nadeem Muaddi said the divestment from Israel has become a national concern.

Norwegians activists are under attack from Israel’s supporters in the US and Condoleeza Rice threatens with serious political consequences.

What we talk about…

On Ariel Sharon’s health condition:

SteamedPenguin at the beginning, was afraid Sharon would die quickly, then he was afraid Sharon would live.

KABOBfest’s blogger Will’s post number 400 was also about Sharon, Will says he was surprised not to see any news about Sharon’s health on Yahoo frontpage sidebar.

Laila of Raising Yousuf wonders what will Sharon say when he meets all his peaces on his final day, what will he say to his Maker?

Sugar Cubes compared the poor media coverage of Arafat’s sickness and death to the excessive focus of MSM on Sharon’s health and hospitalization. From Arafat to Sharon and recently Abramoff, who decides what’s a top story?

Photo Credit: Raising Yousuf

From peacepalestine, in a letter from Al Jazeera camerman who is improsined in Guantanamo, Sami Al-Hajj, he asks a question which he can not get out of his mind, why are they punishing him?. Sami was tied to a wire out in the cold, standing all day on his feet just because he asked to go to the bathroom, feeling desperate he eventually soiled his trousers “to the enjoynment of the soldiers and whores watching“.

SteamedPenguin, thinks that Taliban = USA : “So I figure a dark hegemonical backwards empire beating up against misogynist, homophobic, anti-education, anti-progress goat-fucking clowns equals itself out.”

Sugar Cubes tried to shed some light on blogging in Arabic.

Read nasrawi talking about his date with Kamanche.

The little things that matter…

Haitham Sabbah has started a campaign to ask blog services to recognize and list Palestine in their countries category. If a blog service does not recognize Palestine intentionally the pledge states that its supporters will not use it.

From Sugar Cubes, Arab-American author and radio show host Samar Jarrah appeared on a Fox News‘ segment called “Your Turn” as a special guest on “Dialogue Between Arabs and Americans” to talk about her book “Arab Voices Speak to American Hearts”, you can read a review of her book here. Samar did a fabulous job tackling different controversial topics of interest to the average American when it comes to Islam and the Arab World. She explained the difference between Islam and culture and talked about women in Islam. About Palestine, Samar says that Arabs still have the question of Palestine in their hearts even after september 11, the Afghanistan and war on Iraq, and they are still looking for a peacefull solution for the Palestine-Isreal conflict. Read the written interview here

From Sabbah’s Blog, a member of the US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation are trying to educate the U.S. public by airing Public Service Announcements (PSA’s) on several TV stations. The campaign aims at educating the American public on the human rights conditions in the holy land of Palestine and the daily misfortune Palestinians are going through. Imagine Life, as a Palestinian Campain has also made a complimentary film called Peace, Propaganda and the Promised Land.

Happy new prosperous year from KABOBfest and Haitham Sabbah. The Palestinian Blogosphere wish that 2006 would bring with it pleasant surprises and help us get over last year’s misfortunes. And even though, some dark clouds are hovering over our heads, some of us have typed down some new year’s resolutions. May this year and every year nothing occupies us but peace.

Photo Credit: International Solidarity Movement

News of the Blogosphere…

According to Beith-Sahour, three non-violent protests took place on the 31 of December in Haifa, Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, against checkpoints and the Israeli occupation. Participants weren’t only Palestinians but also Israelis and International peace activists. The Israeli movement against occupation protested the expansion of Israeli lands beyoung the Green Line.

15 of Fateh candidates will withdraw from the parliamentary elections scheduled on the 25th of January if Israel did not allow residents of east Jerusalem to vote.

From Beit-Sahour also, shelling of Gaza Strip continues to the very last day of the year. Laila of Raising Yousuf, says Gaza is under seige and the sonic attacks will continue for at least few days according to Israeli newspaper. I don’t know what is it with wiping countries and cities off the map these days, but it seems that Isael has some new resolutions for the new year concerning Palestinian cities, one of them is to wipe Beit Hanun off the map. Back in September, plan was slightly different, they wanted to blast it off the map.

Photo Credit: Raising Yousuf

On the three people missing in Gaza, Haitham Sabbah analyzes the kidnapping phenomena and compares between kidnapping in Palestine and Iraq. He says that Palestinians have to watch out for enemies from the outside and the inside too. Sugar Cubes writes about the demonstration held by Gazzans demanding the freedom of Kate Burton, the human rights worker who was showing her parents around when the three of them were kidnapped. Rafah Pundits reports that the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) blames the Palestinian Authority for the incident.

Last but not least, the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the military wing of Fateh, and Al Quds Brigades, military wing of the Islamic Jihad, has declared on the 31st of December, after midnight, the end of the truce which was declared last March in Qairo.

What we talk about…

The Palestinian death toll in 2005 reached 255 according to The Black Iris of Jordan while the Israeli has reached its lowest number since the beginning of Intifada in 2000.

2005 highlights by Mazin Qumsiyeh is a must read, from tragedies to meetings and best books of the year with an emphasis on the Palestine-Israel conflict’s cases and updates.

There is a big talk going on Palestinian and pro-Palestinian blogs concerning Spielberg’s new film “Munich”. KABOBfest and umkahlil quote As’ad Abu Khalil who thinks that the movie serves Israeli propaganda. alt.muslim suggests that Speilberg makes 10 more movies just to balance things up. Check out the list of top 10 movies Hollywood has yet to make if ever considered being fair to Arabs. For more on the movie, The Black Iris of Jordan has reviewed and rated “Munich” 4/5.

While the world was watching Gaza, exapnsionism was taking place all the time in Jerusalem.

Sabbah sums up the challenges facing the Palestinian Authority and Palestinians in general to take charge of things, have a state and enjoy the peace they’ve always dreamt of. 11 interesting points are definitely worth reading!

The little things that matter…

Every Saturday thecutter goes to a nearby supermarket which sells thousands of people on Saturdays normally since almost all other shops are closed on Sundays. She pulls a sign out of her purse and rests it on a “Jaffa” brand fruit stand. The sign says: “Don’t buy Jaffa fruit, or any products from Israel. This produce makes its profits by having exploited native people, throwing them off their land.”

From this much i can say is true, Drew describes his experience with weddings in Rafah. His post is guaranteed to at least make you smile.

That was the title of an interesting post by Free Agent, he wrote:

It’s been a busy month, but my personal schedule can never rival the stirrings and happenings in the blogosphere.

In my free time (limited and far in between, alas), I’ve been surfing and coming across several blogs of interest, some of them which I’ve been reading for some time. A few have been around for a while, others are relatively new; all are well-written.

First up, former American TV-reporter-turned-blogger Rebecca McKinnon’s RConversations. One of her recent posts struck a chord with me, and I believe will do the same for many of you bloggers-cum-journalists out there: “Thoughts on the Future of Journalism“.

Lisa Goldman, a regular contributor to Global Voices, writes about life in Israel in On The Face. This Canadian-Israeli’s stories and musings are informative, witty and humorous, and yet does not hesitate to shed light on serious issues when necessary.

On the “other” side of the equation, I’ve selected two bloggers: the Palestinian blogger of Sugar Cubes, who usually writes about politics, current affairs affecting Palestine, and Israeli-Palestinian/Jewish-Muslim relations (SC is also Global Voices’ Palestinian blogosphere author); also of interest is Imaan’s Living in Gaza City. She writes about living in Palestine and part of her blog’s attraction are the photos that she takes of her family and day-to-day activities. She’s a Swedish Muslim woman living in Gaza, but apparently is planning to return to Sweden soon (for her reasons, read this post). I’m hoping that she continues to blog when she’s back there.

Still in the Middle East, I recently discovered Michael J. Totten and his Middle East Journal, who writes extensively on current affairs and Mideast politics. Totten is based in Beirut, Lebanon and a columnist for TCS Daily, the online publication of Tech Central Station.

And speaking of Lebanon, it is a country surprisingly close to my heart. Perhaps one day I will write about how this country in the Levant captured much of my affection. But right now there are more important things at hand - Lebanese blogs. A selection of these blogs:

The Lebanese Bloggers - sharp, impassioned political commentary by a group of contributors.
Lebanese Political Journal - in-depth and no-less-impassioned political analyses by a (smaller) group of contributors.
Remembering Lebanon (Memoire du Luban) - A compilation blog of news, article and essays on Lebanon. Some of it is in English and others in French.
Across the Bay - Blog by a PhD. student of Ancient Near Eastern Studies.

For more Lebanese blogs, check out Global Voices Online’s Lebanon page.

Last but not least, a highly-readable, well-written, humorous and insightful blog: Waiter Rant. Trust me - this guy is friggin’ good. Especially “Just Call me Cyrano“ and “Seduction“. He’ll make you laugh. He’ll make you cry. He’ll entertain you. Go read him.

The past week witnessed Palestinian calls for the release of the four CPT and ISM hostages who were abducted on the 29th of Novemeber in Iraq. Demonstrations were held in Nablus, Hebron and Ramallah. Press conferences were held and statements were made by the different Palestinian political parties demanding the immediate release of the International volunteers who stood by Palestinians in the face of the occupation and preached nothing but peace. All Palestinians united in their call, please don’t let their voices pass unheard

News of the Blogsphere:

Global Voices 2005 Annual Summit took place in London on the 10th of this month, December. Our lovely AquaCool and Haitham Sabbah were among the attendees. Haitham was given only two minutes to speak, ranking third while a fellow geek broke the record taking only 30 seconds to finish his speech. How did I know? well, I have my reliable sources . Haitham took some pictures for your entertainment too.

The prison’s gate had closed on The Bethlehem Ghetto declaring it a ghetto for real. Bethlehem Bloggers appeal to the World, on behalf of every Palestinian, to stand with the people of this city. The Holy city of Bethlehem needs friends now more than ever, please visit and help spreading the truth.

Photo credit: Bethlehem Bloggers

Khaled Mishaal, top Hamas official in lebanon appealed to Palestinians and the PA to stop the bloodshed between two big Gazan families who reside in Beit Hanoon, north of Gaza. Earlier, Mishaal announced that the ceasefire truce between Hamas and Israel will not be renewed. Rafah Pundits as well, Israeli navy opened fire on a group of Palestinian fishermen killing two and leaving three more critically injured.

Isreal military forces carried out arrests in the last four days in the West Bank. In a single day, that is 24 hours, 35 were arrested in Al-Khalil (Hebron). In Baqa’a Refugee Camp also, B’Tselem demands that Shaul Mofaz interfers to stop the demolishing of Palestinian houses. While at it, after three months have passed since the evacuation of Gaza City (although the air raids and assassinations never stopped), Israeli authorities still hadn’t cleaned the rubble of demolished Isreali settlements, hindering with any progressive projects planned.

Non-violent resistance in Palestine continues by Palestinians and International activists despite of everything. Mean while, more demonstrations were held in Ramallah calling for the release of the four CPT hostages in Iraq.

If there is such thing as cute news, this must be it, Imaan of Living in Gaza City says her little cute daughters pray…before they do some dancing

What we talk about:

peacepalestine posts another letter from Vanunu asking for your support as his trial, scheduled on the 6th of January 2006, is approaching.

From peacepalestine too, a new national group called the American Council on Middle East Policy (ACME) announces its formation, and talks about its very first project: a petition against Senator Hillary Clinton’s support of the Apartheid Wall.

Mazin Qumsiyeh lists 10 critical changes in Palestine-Israel, pointing them out for activists urging them to do more than hoping for the best.

The little things that matter…

umkahlil posts about Gannit Ankari, an Israeli art history professor, who apparently gets it. Gannit had an interview with Al-Jazeera. Gannit admirably devotes an English-language book to the Palestinian art which was ignored by the west.Israel had done the needful to spread a myth that art did not exist in Palestine prior to the establishment of Israel in 1948.

International Solidarity Movement organizes a conference against The Wall in Bilin, Al-Khalil (Hebron) from 20-21 February, 2006. Please stand by peace and non-violent resistance in the face of oppression and injustice. Read an abstract of the conference here

Zaytoun partnered with War on Want to give farmers a thoughtful gift, help them out.

Via Zaytoun again, a fundraising event is held for Bethlehem Children with Disability and the Palestine Solidarity Campaign in the Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church 235, Shaftesbury Avenue Central London . London Fenzi Consort will be performing Christmas choral music from 15th Century to the present day, they will also lead the audience in traditional carols. There is going to be poetry reading by Andy De La Tour and Susan Wooldridge too. Rmember the “forgotten faithful” by buying a ticket and help treating the phsycially and psychologically ill young people, help sponsoring day cares for children and a lot more.

Nablus came to its twin city Dundee to know for the first time what does it mean to be in an unoccupied country. You can return the visit any time between the 12th to 19th of March, 2006. Contact Olive Cooperative for more info or dial 01382-550210 and speak to Andree.

Hossein Derakhshan, an Iranian Blogger and author of Global Voices Online was denied entry to the United States after they stopped him at the borders and googled his name right there infront of him:

Goodbye to America

I’ve literally become homeless. My new home is now hoder.com and I’m not joking.

You might have seen a small change in my little biography on the right hand side. I had said that I was in New York. But I’m now out of the States and can’t go back at least for six months.

It was actually my blog that got me into trouble after a month of staying in my friend’s flat in lower-Manhattan, NYC. It’s a sad but real story.

The last time I decided to go back to Toronto for a night, I took a bus. A huge mistake, now I know. When I wanted to come back to NYC, I was obviously stopped and interviewed by US Customs and Border Security people at the Buffalo border (Peace Bridge), like everyone else on the bus.

But when they realized I was going to the States to speak at a blog-related conference (ConvergeSouth) they started to google my name right in front of me. Two officers, actually.

They carefully scanned the results and found this English blog. One of them, a very sharp guy in fact, started to read every single post on my blog. And it didn’t take long until he shocked me: “So you live in New York, right? That’s what you’ve written in your on blog.”

I had no idea googling people at the border had become a routine. So instead of defending me with some simple legal arguments about my rights as a Canadian citizen and what I meant by that sentence, I kind of felt desperate and said I did that because I was there for some back-to-back events and conferences and I thought saying you are in New York is sexier than Toronto — which actually is, don’t you think?

He was ecstatic. My blog made his day, or in this case, his night. He kept reading my posts and asking questions about a lot of them: Why did I go to Iran, what are my feelings about Bush administration, why I separated from my wife, what did I think about Iranian politics, etc.

The guy wanted to get me into deep trouble so ultimately I would never go back to his lovely country, apparently. So he started to look for evidence that I’d also worked in the States and were paid by American. Until he found, in my archive, a post I’d written before leaving for Iran, to ask for the blogging community’s attention and support, especially if something happened to me in Iran and about how they could help in that case.

Sarcastically, I’d reminded everyone not to be surprised if, while in detention in Iran, I confessed about some absurd wrongdoings form the Islamic regime’s point of view, such as: getting money from the CIA, trafficking illegal drugs, dating Natalie Portman and Kiera Knightly, etc.

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I was told that a UAE Blog was blocked recently because the owner talked about the ETC Telecom. Company criticizing its policies.

The 29th of November was the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. A candle vigil was held in East Jerusalem. Wish that by next year occupation will be history, that we celebrate the 29th as the day that brought us all together to protest the partition of the Palestinian land into two separate states in 1947 and affirm our rights of the land.

News of the Blogsphere:

Following up the Palestinian parliamentary elections, Barghouti wins internal Fatah elections, Barghuti is seen as a successor to president Abbas. It is worthy of mention, that Fatah elections did not go smoothly, at all. Hamas’s list of candidates is ready, and Ariel Sharon threatens to arrest Hamas candidates immediately if they go through Israeli military roadblocks.

Four activists from CPT were kidnapped in Iraq. A CPT’s press release says the four men were on their way to meet with members of the Islamic Scholars Association. Palestinian political parties condemned the crime and demanded the release of the four CPT while Palestinians in West Bank and Gaza demonstrated and called for their immediate release, describing them as friends and appealing to the Iraqi people through signs in Arabic and English. Please sign the petition. One of the four activists is Tom Fox, a fellow blogger who is waiting in the light.

Sabbah reports that a reporter from Al Jazeera was arrested in the West Bank by the Israeli occupational forces. Awad Rajoub, Palestinian reporter was arrested at his home in Al-Khalil (Hebron). Rajoub reports for Al-Jazeera Arabic Website. He also writes for Islam Online and Al Sharq Qatari newspaper.

Rafah Pundits writes about the shortcomings of Rafah Crossing, the crossing is opened only four hours everyday while thousands line up waiting for their turn. More importantly, Palestinian analyst says the situation is not much different, Israeli occupational forces still decide on who is permitted to enter and who is not remotely with the aid of their surveillance cameras. Other problems addressed are the restrictions on the Egyptian side, problems leaving Gaza Strip and more. Rafah Pundits reported earlier that Shaul Mofaz, the Israeli Defence Minister, threteaned to shut down Rafah Crossing.

umkahlil confesses: I’m in love!

What we talk about:

If you are not with us then you are against us! seems like Haitham Sabbah was inspired by Bush, or wait, I think that Bush was inspired by zionists and Haitham was only venting out his frustration. Thankfully, some still believe in that “Religion belongs to God, but the homeland belongs to all”, and be it a Muslim, Christian or Jewish (randomly ordered), those who inhibited the land of Palestine centuries ago before they were kicked, twice in 1948 and 1967, have the right to return.

peacepalestine posted a very interesting interview with Mahmoud Musa, the academic director of the Canadian Center for Comparative Cultural research and president of the Association for One Democratic State in Palestine/Israel. Mahmoud Musa believes that the Palestinian Authority should dissolve itself and form a human rights party that will struggle for political and social democracy for the people of Palestine.

Violations of human rights were (and being) committed by Israeli occupational forces, some of them were recognized and reported and many were not :

they have shelled a house, setting it on fire while its residents still inside, they are carrying out an ethnic cleansing policy in order to save some space for new settlements, fired rubber-coated bullets, sprayed tear-gas as they broke into an Israeli detention facility of Palestinian prisoners leaving behind more than 20 detainees injured, and implementing a new policy of torture and impisonment of children.

The little things that matter…

Gilad Atzmon, dedicated a ballad to the people murdered by the Israeli occupational forces in Palestine. Now what was more delightful to hear, Gilad’s delightful music or him calling Bush, Blair and Sharon“the three biggest killers of mankind”?

Freedom Clothing Project now offers you the first “Made in the West Bank and Gaza” clothing label in the UK. Dress for a better world!

nasrawi made a trip to Jerusalem, he says the annexation reflected on the residents, tension is in the air . He also took some lovely pictures of the old city.

The sounds of Palestinians waiting, with the patience of cactus, on checkpoints is recorded as unforgettable tunes and acoustics by several artists from around the globe. Checkpoint 303 is the electronic expirement of recording the daily nightmare of Palestinians living under occupation.

Dude, Are you a zinoist? (yes or no). The questionnaire was made by two of peacepalestine’s commenters.

Global Voices is looking to hire a full-time Managing Editor:

THE JOB: This person will be responsible for coordinating day-to-day content flow on the Global Voices blog, run regular online editorial meetings, manage the work of our rapidly expanding international team of Regional Editors and volunteer contributors, and coordinate daily with editors from our news media collaborators and partners. He or she will also help steer the future of Global Voices into non-text media, other languages, and help to innovate and implement new technologies and tools. As Global Voices is a virtual organization, the Managing Editor would not be expected to relocate. However, he or she needs regular access to high-speed internet connectivity and will be expected to travel. Salary and other compensation will depend on the candidate’s experience. Start date: as soon as possible in 2006.

THE REQUIREMENTS: Our ideal candidate has solid experience in blogging and online citizens’ media and at least some experience with professional news media. He or she has the ability to work independently and responsibly with only remote supervision. Solid English-language writing and editing skills are a must. Programming/HTML knowledge not required but strong familiarity with the use of online social media tools (blogging platforms, aggregators, use of RSS feeds, and tagging) is important. He or she must be a diplomatic team player, capable of communicating effectively with bloggers as well as news reporters and editors, who enjoys pioneering uncharted territory. Ideally he/she will have the ability to read and write well in at least one language other than English and working knowledge of other languages. Preference given to candidates from outside the United States and Western Europe.

Interested candidates please send CV and Letter of Interest explaining why you’d be a good candidate for the job to: GVJobs AT gmail DOT com.

Rafah border was opened on the 25th of Nov, congratulations to all Palestinians!

On Rafah crossing, Rafah Pundits say the agreement reached between Palestinian and Israeli authorities state that Israel has no physical presence in the Rafah crossing except for reserving some sort of remote control, and the right to stop, search, arrest, detain or deny entry of anyone deemed by Israel as a “Palestinian suspect”.

As the January parliamentary elections approaches, a public opinion poll conducted by Al-Najah University showed that 75.5% of Palestinians will take part in the voting and only 66.8% believe that the elections will be held on its scheduled date. Moreover, 39.5% of the voters will vote for Fateh while 19.9% said will vote for Hamas. 53 % of participants said that they believe the elections will be fair and free.

Following up on some one-week-old news, peacepalestine has made an excellent attempt at Deconstructing Condi, offering us a good read. Check out the interesting feedback on the document. Condoleeza Rice visited Israel on the 13th of Nov to revive a peace process that had never been alive. Hillary, who had the same thoughts as Condoleeza’s about the Wall, was sent a letter from Human Rights Watch, explaining to her what does the Wall really mean. By the way, neither did Hillary nor Condoleeza visit the occupied Palestinian territories.

On the same matter, umkahlil makes a wild guess at what Sinator Hillary Clinton will think of the criminal act of this lady.

Talking about Main Stream Media manipulation, Sabbah’s Blog writes that BBC sanctions a journalist for insensitively feeling puzzled and shedding some tears upon watching a helicopter carry Arafat from his headquarters to a hospital in France.

Back to peacepalestine, a very interesting lesson in Hebrew teaches us how shalom is not peace (even though Judaism might disagree). Shalom means the freedom of conflict while achieving the maximum level of security. Peace is so much more than that, but then again nobody can blame Sharon for the mistranslation.

Inexplicable hatred of Israelis combined with shameless hatred of some Arabs and topped with the brutal practices of the Israeli occupation will definitely ruin even the bestest of mornings. davereed reports that the Israeli government is planning to demolish more houses in Anata, Beit Hanina and Silwan. Imagine one cold and rainy late night, in which you have to wake up and start removing all your belongings, not knowing where you should spend the night (chances are you’ll spend it on the street). Either that or your house will be brought down by rockets while still inhibited, and oh, they might as well use one of your family as a shield.

From Sugar Cubes, a secret British document accuses Israel of taking measurements such as building illegal settlements and the Apartheid wall which jeopardize the peace process and prevent Jerusalem from becoming the capital of the Palestinian State, violating human rights all the way. I wonder what took them so long? and are they sick and fed up as we all are?

FromOccupiedPalestine, Bush has a vision for the future Palestinian State that resembles Dubai! what matters according to Bush, is not whether or not the occupation ends but rather the possibility of Gaza becoming a Dubai on the Mediterranean.

Israel violates human rights -again- by installing electronic gates and x-ray screeing systems in Hebron (Al-Khalil). Students, who were protesting non-violently last Thursday were attacked by gas canisters and percussion grenades used by the Israeli occupational forces. Needless to say, the inhumane practices of Israel occupational forces have their negative health effects on Palestinians. Teachers held classes outside at the checkpoints in protest to all the trouble their students have to go through everyday in order to reach school.See pictures on BBC.

From Baqa’a Refugee Camp, Israli occupational forces opened fire at anti-Wall rally in which Internationals, Israeli activists and Palestinians participated resulting with four persons wounded. At the rally, participants protested the Wall, the bullodizing of vast areas of olive trees, and turning villages into big jails.

Being familiar with oppression, dozens of Palestinian journalists demanded an International investigation regarding the recent news of Bush wanting to bomb Al-Jazeera office in Qatar. Al-Jazeera staffers started a blog to condemn the plan and ask for support.

Mordechai Vanunu, the Israeli Nuclear Whistle Blower has a letter for you. He talks about his latest arrest and the harassments by the Israeli authorities. Vanunu has offered his email, please do show your support and do not let Israel get away with this!

The little things that matter…

As a Palestinian I’ve heared a lot about the Nabulsi soap from my parents. Sadly the art and industry of making soap are dying slowly under the occupation, as it continues to suffer due to the stranglehod of the Palestinian economy and the regulations on International free trade.

On the 26th of this month, Nov, a conference will be held in Ireland to launch a divestment campaign that aims at getting Irish pension funds to divest from CRH, an Irish company which owns 25% of the only Israeli cement-manufacturing company until/unless it provides an absolute guarantee that it is no longer involved in the supply of materials used in illegal Israeli construction projects in the West Bank.

Lulu of CafeLulu describes what was it like to attend one of Ibdaa’s performances, Ibdaa’ created something out of nothing.

Imaan had a wonderful day out with her son in Gaza city, check out the pictures. Imaan, like everyone who roamed the street of the city, came face to face with poverty.

Yesterday the 20th of November was the Universal Children’s Day. Happy anniversary children of the World, may you celebrate this year and every year with joy, health and peace…

Palestine Blogs took the opportunity to remember Palestine’s dear children who has been suffering under the Israeli occupation since as early as 1967 and wish them a happier anniversary next time.

By pharaoh.berger

On other issues, Palestine Blogs write about the withdrawal plan of UNRWA that is taking place after the Gaza Disengagement Plan. Refugees protested, claiming that aids are still needed as the city continues to live under occupation represented by the continuous air raids of the Israeli forces and the all-night-long terrorizing sound of Supersonic Booms.

“Creativity is a bless”, says I. Quoting Naseem Trawaneh, Palestinian refugees can be found now in Gumball Machanies.

Great news for Palestinians, you can now cross the borders to Egypt or move freely between Gaza and the West Bank. And on Novemebr 25 Gaza seaport construction would begin.

peacepalestine posted a very interesting story-like article by Zaki Boulos reflecting on the Palestinian elections. Zaki thinks maybe elections isn’t the answer.

Imaan from Living in Gaza City blogged Sheikhs who shake it!, thanks for the laugh Imaan. Also check photos of beautiful Gaza she took from her friend’s livingroom window.

Four days ago, the 17th of this month marked the day when Berlin Wall has fallen. It is now celebrated for two happy anniversaries, the falling of a wall and the day when Palestinian villagers united with Israeli and international activists to protest against the Apartheid Wall.

Hillary Clinton and Condoleeza Rice, two minds that think alike? well, at least when it comes to the Wall maybe. umkahlil says it is time the US taxpayers see the two ladies for what they are: “self-serving politicians with little regard for the human and civil rights of their fellow men and women.” As for Hillary, I’m not surprised a bit, not even if she suggested Palestinians eat cake. Besides, Hillary is fully aware of what she’s talking about, after all it is only to protect us all from terrorism, get it through your thick heads Palestinians, Israel occupational forces took only 5330 dunums of your land affecting more than 30% of your families, took full control of all your water supplies just to let terrorists (not you, terrorists!) die from thirst. They might also let you suffocate with gas everynow and then to calm you down. I’m sure the US can learn a lot about how to fight terrorism without torture from Israel. God help us…
Back to Hillary’s statement,Mike Odetalla, wrote a very profound letter to Hillary condemnig what she said.

On checkpoints, a must-see documentary filmed by Israelis is now available on DVD. Some parts of the reviews were really touching, I wonder what it’s like to watch it, or what it’s like to live it:

In a not particularly optimistic but entirely poignant conclusion, a group of young Palestinian men sit in the dark at a checkpoint, in the pouring rain and thunder. One of the men protests that he has been sitting there for ten hours…
By “The Electronic Intifada

The waiting is a central theme in this film. The Palestinians are waiting to go home, to go to work, to go to classes, to go anywhere, but they wait: anger and frustration fueling their discontent. Women and children turned away at the door and you hear a Palestinian man wondering out loud if these children are also terrorists. “Terrorists don’t come through the checkpoints. Isn’t that right?” he says.
By The Black Iris of Jordan

For another real story about checkpoints, read what the Bethlehem Blogger wrote about his visit to a zoo in Jerusalem.

Olympia sister of Rafah is building connections between the two cities right from Rafah. On November 29, the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, a video conference will be held with ORSCP delegates in Rafah. In Rafah Pundits also, Rachel Rebuilding Project in Gaza rebuilds hope in Gazans houses, one house at a time.

Some fresh news from the International Solidarity Movement says residents of Tubas area will hold an anti-checkpoint demonstration on tuesday.

Sheikh Ikrima Sabri, the Mufti of Jerusalem said that the walls surrounding Al-Haram Al-Sharif around Al-Aqsa mosque and the old city has been weakened by Israeli excavations. Rafah Pundits reported what Sheikh Sabri has said to Al-Jazeera.

On a follow up on Iman Al-Hams‘ case, her murderer was acquitted on the 16th of this month. The Israeli soldier shot Iman (13 year old) on her way to school putting 17 bullets into her body although was warned according to a tape that Iman was just a child who was scared to death. The soldier said he would have done the same even if she had been three years old, nevetheless, he was acquitted on all charges.

Related tags: Palestine, human rights, IOF, IDF, checkpoint, movie, Global Voices