Scandinavia has a long tradition of supporting the Palestinian people. Norway probably witnessed the largest demonstrations of any country in the world, measured as a proportion of the population, against the Israeli massacres in Gaza. Now the Swedes are preparing to protest against the visit of the Israeli Davis Cup tennis team due to play in Sweden next Saturday. Viva Malmo! STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Around 1,000 police officers will be on duty at the Baltic Hall in Malmo when Sweden host Israel in next week's Davis Cup first round tie, Swedish police said on Thursday. The March 6-8 tie is being held behind closed doors due to security concerns . Police said between 8,000 to 12,000 people are expected to hold a demonstration next Saturday against Israel's participation in the men's team competition... ...Last week Shahar Peer was denied entry into the UAE, which has no diplomatic ties with Israel, for a women's tournament in Dubai. After worldwide condemnation, the Gulf s...

From vivapalestina.org 5 days of hospitality in Libya According to the newspaper Libya Elyoum, the program for the Gaza convoy is as follows: Saturday 29-02-09 Welcome and reception at border point of Ras Ajdir Head for the Scout' training centre in Joddaim. Sunday 01-03-09 Leave for public rally in centre of Tripoli Here a local convoy will be joining ours. Press conference Short stop at Khoms Rally at Masrata and the inauguration of GAZA STREET. Monday 02-03-09 Leave Masrata in the morning Pass through Surt and Guardabia Stop at Ras Lanouf for the night Tuesday 03-03-09 Leave then stop at Akila Rest at Barika for lunch Public rally at Ajdabia next to Sport City Arrival at Bengazi-Accomodation at the Touristic Village Wednesday 04-03-09 Press conference Local convoy joins ours Rally and rest at the city of Marj Rally at Al Bayda city and stop for the night Thursday 05-03-09 Head for the town of Derna via Shahat Soussa Pulic rally at Derna Leave for the city of Tobruk Public rally ...

[UPDATE - 12.05 GMT - A welcoming reception for the convoy at the Libyan border. On the road to Tripoli - the desert awaits!about 1 hour ago from web - twitter.com/georgegalloway] On Friday the Viva Palestina convoy was reported to be on the Libyan border following a rapturous reception from the people of Tunisia. But the police don't seem to have over come their paranoia. This from Farid Arada posted at vivapalestina.org : The police are having a job on their hands trying to contain the jubilation and excitement of the crowds and are even thinking of moving the convoy to the border crossing point of Ras Ajdir about 30km away (18 miles). And that is indeed what they did with the convoy volunteers having to spend the night in their vehicles before crossing the border. It seems, not surprisingly, that the convoy leaders have had to tread a delicate path in their journey through north Africa - something of a balancing act between securing safe passage and rousing the local populations...

Andrew Haydon has written an amazingly foolish piece at the Guardian Theatre blog on the recent crop of Gaza plays showing in the UK. The 10-minute Seven Jewish Children by Caryl Churchill and now Go to Gaza, Drink the Sea by Justin Butcher and Ahmed Masoud (described as a multimedia verbatim testimony) both make no bones about highlighting the injustices - and death - being heaped on the people of Gaza by the Israelis. But Haydon thinks it is 'worrying' that Churchill's play portrays 'the Jews (at least in part) as victim-turned-persecutor' and castigates Go to Gaza for presenting a 'parade of blameless innocents'. He concludes that both plays risk 'demonising a whole country - if not every single Jew on the planet'. The problem with people like Haydon, who is quick to criticise the lack of social context in the plays, is there ignorance and reluctance to face the truth and the social context. So he finds the description of Hamas as the resistance...

In the wake of the wave of occupations for Gaza, Byam Shaw Art College occupiers win their demands. More soon at the Byam Shaw People's University blog The Charter 1. Workshops The University will make every effort to find staff to enable a return to 5 day access; the Digital Workshop will be opened 5 days a week from 10am till 5pm and cover will be found to enable access to the Printmaking workshop on Mondays in addition to its current opening. This is to be implemented by 20th April 2009. 2. 2 Elthorne Road Studio opening times will be reviewed to provide appropriate equitable access. In practice this means 9am - 8pm on Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs and 9am - 6pm Friday. On occasions when ‘Byam Bar’ takes place on a Thursday in 2 Elthorne Road, and all BA Fine Art students attend, Elthorne Studios will close by 6pm. This is to be implemented by 20th April 2009. 3. Communication between CSM and Students at Byam Shaw Better communication at College and local level will be provided. Th...

It appears the Tunisian police were caught off guard by the local support the convoy received and being in the habit of making journalists and human rights workers 'disappear' thought they might they try the same trick with the convoy. The powers higher up in Tunisia had the good sense to realise that they risked creating not only a massive diplomatic incident but of enraging their own population. According to the Viva Palestina website the government was organising a support rally and further assistance to the convoy as it moves on to cross the Libyan border. But Greg Cullen, a convoy driver told Wales Online that the rally was cancelled and the convoy is being prevented from interacting with the population. Visit Greg's blog From Wales Online A TRUCK driver taking aid to Gaza has been subjected to a frightening arrest ordeal as his convoy passed through Tunisia. Greg Cullen, 54, of Cardiff, said he was stopped and ordered to remain in the cab of his vehicle for 10 hou...

Confusion still surrounds the reported detention of seven convoy members in Tunisia. According to the Viva Palestina website all is now well. Two vehicles had become 'detached' from the convoy and 'the two women and the men who were also in the two vehicles are now in Libya'. Muslim News concurs, reporting on Thursday that the convoy volunteers are now safe and in Libya. Muslim News also points out that the convoy organisers have not lodged a protest with the Tunisian authorities which fits with the statement on the Viva Palestina website: 'we hope that this incident has now been resolved...that the convoy would like to stay out of any local politics and just highlight the plight of the Palestinian people'. On Thursday the British Foreign Office told Muslim News they did not know about the incident but later confirmed with Gaza Solidarity that seven British citizens were being detained and consular assistance was being provided. The Tunisian Embassy today deni...

From UAL occupation blog 1. 'Condemnation of bombings of educational institutions in GAZA'. The Rector will release the following statement through communication channels of the University. "The University of Arts London deplores violence wherever it occurs and considers access to education, freedom of expression and the role of international law for the people of GAZA and Israel to be of fundamental importance". 2. 'Links to educational institutions in GAZA' The University will consider a request from an educational institution in GAZA. This will be subject to the normal processes of scrutiny undertaken by the University with regards to all partnerships and collaboration. 3. 'Scholarships' The University will explore establishing an 'international humanitarian' scholarship. 4. 'Events and Exhibition' The University will support activities, including the use of appropriate space and promotion, for fundraising and exhibitions to aid huma...

From the Cardiff uni occupation blog Cardiff Students Against War is ENDING OUR OCCUPATION of the Large Shandon lecture theatre, Cardiff University Main Building! We're about to leave, march around campus to declare our victory, and make our continued presence known to the university community. Banners and megaphones, BOOKS not BOMBS! Following the open letter to Vice Chancellor David Grant, the BOOKS not BOMBS demonstration outside the Student Union and the subsequent occupation of the Large Shandon, Cardiff University has divested all shares from BAe Systems and the aerospace arm of General Electric! They have instructed their external fund managers to avoid future investments in the arms trade, and have promised to raise the issue of an ethical investment policy at the next Council Meeting on May 18th. They are also willing to discuss the provision of surplus computers and resources to institutions in Gaza.

From PIC PARIS, (PIC)-- A group of French anti-racism activists have started a campaign to collect signatures demanding the European Union to immediately recognize Hamas Movement as a legitimate Movement, and to remove it from the EU list of terrorist organizations. According to the activists, Hamas was duly and democratically elected by the Palestinian people in transparent and honest elections in 2006, and thus, they added, the international community must respect the democratic choice of the Palestinian people. The campaign, the organizers explained, was targeting candidates of the next EU parliament who would contest the elections in June this year. High-profile International and European personalities, including Franswa Hotarat, professor emeritus from the Catholic Lovan University, and the Irish Noble Prize Laureate Mairead Maguire among other famous figures across Europe have put their signature to the campaign that also bore hundreds of signatures from different European countr...

From the Guardian The government admitted today that British troops in Iraq handed over terror suspects to the US, which then secretly rendered them to a prison in Afghanistan.

Gaza Solidarity has heard from the Foreign Office. Seven British citizens are being detained by the Tunisian authorities. As yet they have not been charged. The FO has not protested to the Tunisian government but is 'seeking immediate access' to the detained. Normal consular assistance is being provided but the FO is not releasing the names of the detained. The seven are being held at Sfax and the rest of the convoy has continued on to Gabes. The Foreign Office spokewoman did not appear to be very well briefed on the situation in Tunisia. Firstly she spoke of 'several' persons being detained and only after further questioning did she reveal the number to be seven. When asked where the seven were being detained she replied: "good question" and after a few moments was able to provide the location. Unfortunately there is no information on the Viva Palestina website about the arrests and George Galloway has not communicated through his Twitter feed. Still haven...

From the International Middle East Media Center Palestinian medical sources in the Gaza Strip reported that a Palestinian patient died on Thursday at a Gaza hospital after the Israeli occupation barred him from leaving the Gaza Strip for medical treatment abroad. The patient was identified as Husam Mohammad Hallas, 30, from Al Shujaeyya neighborhood east of Gaza City. He suffered from a heart disease while the Israeli siege left Gaza hospitals unable to treat the patients as most of their equipment are out of service and their medicine stores ran out of basic supplies. Hallas had all needed papers and transfer documents but Israel still bared his transfer. more

What the hell is the Tunisian state up to? Protest to the Tunisian Embassy: 29 Prince’s Gate, London, SW7 1QG. Tel: 020 7584 8117 And why has there been no protest from the British government over the roadside arrest of 300 British citizens? UPDATE: Gaza Solidarity has spoken to both the Tunisian Embassy and the Foreign Office concerning the reported arrests. Mohamed at the Tunisian Embassy in London said: "I have no information and will check" while the spokesman at the Foreign Office knows about the convoy but "is not aware of the details" we imparted to him concerning the roadside arrests and the disturbing disappearance of the two women. Both the embassy and the Foreign Office are trying to get more information and promise to get back to us. More as soon as we get it. From Press TV The Gaza-bound aid convoy 'Viva Palestina', which was stopped by the police in Tunisia, is granted permission to continue its journey. The aid convoy was stopped upon arrival...

From Press TV Tunisian police have stopped 'Viva Palestina', a Gaza-bound humanitarian aid convoy, arresting two human rights activists without charges. The incident came upon the aid convoy's arrival in Tunisia from Algeria on late Wednesday, said Press TV's Yvonne Ridley who is accompanying 'Viva Palestina' on its journey to Gaza.

East Dulwich Stop the War Group presents An Evening for Palestine 7 March The Ivy House, 40 Stuart Road, Nunhead SE15 3BE 7.30pm Featuring * John Hegley wondrous word-wild music man * The Boycott Coca-Cola Experience haltingly beautiful agit-prop blues * The SOAS Middle Eastern Music Ensemble Arab, Persian and Turkish sounds * Something in the Water spiked serenaders with a sting in their tales * Martin Soan ‘Tommy Copper on acid’ plus The Palestine Film Makers' Collective all proceeds to Medical Aid for Palestinians UK PLUS * stalls * cakes * Palestinian produce £6/£4 in advance from Health Matters, 47 Lordship Lane , SE22 £7/£5 on the door Contact East Dulwich Stop the War Group at edstwg@hotmail.co.uk Access: all on one floor, ramp at rear of building. No wheelchair accessible toilet, sorry Artists John Hegley John is one of the UK 's best known and most innovative comic poets. He is a regular sell-out at the Edinburgh Festival. He has performed at the ...

From the Palestine Information Center ANKARA, (PIC)-- An opinion poll aired Monday on a Turkish TV show attended by Dr. Sami Abu Zuhri, a Hamas spokesman, revealed that 68 percent of the Turkish people support the Hamas Movement opposed to 32 percent for the Israeli occupation. During the show, Dr. Abu Zuhri briefed the Turkish viewers on the reality of the Israeli war on Gaza and the crimes committed against children, women and civilians. He also talked about the steadfastness and fortitude demonstrated by the Gaza people during the war. Turkish media sources told the PIC reporter that there is a growing awareness among the Turkish people of the dimensions of the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip and an understanding of the fact that Hamas is a resistance faction defending the Palestinian people and its democratically-elected government is the legitimate representative of the Palestinians. The sources pointed out that the Turkish support for Hamas increasingly grows despite the wid...

Palestine: Students under Occupation feat interview with Mordechai Vanunu 2003 Made by Stewart and Patrick. Two students members of Stop the War Coalition visit occupied Palestine to interview and build links with students resisting the occupation. Featuring interviews with Mordechai Vanunu (lifted the lid on Israel's Nukes stockpile in the 70s and kidnapped and imprisoned as a result) and Arun Gandhi. Thanks to Leninism 2.0

From the Coventry Telegraph Radford restaurant raises £30k for Gaza victims A COVENTRY restaurant owner enjoyed tea with the Lord Mayor as a thank-you for his efforts in organising a charity auction for Gaza victims. Ahbab Hussain, aged 28, of Radford, helped raise £30,000 after inviting local business people to donate an auction item. Items under the hammer at Zeenat Restaurant, in Stoney Stanton Road, included paintings and fitted double glazing. The owner of Aqua Food and Mood, in Far Gosford Street, was delighted to meet the Lord Mayor. He had tea and biscuits before being given a tour of the council house. The cash has been sent to Interpal, a charity which provides basic amenities including food and shelter to Palestinians in need.

George G is not doing much twittering at the moment but here is the latest From vivapalestina Also see Gaza Convoy Convoy Update 22 .00 (GMT) Wednesday 25th February 2009 SAFELY INTO TUNISIA Early this evening the convoy crossed into Tunisia to the tears and cheers of the massive Algerian crowds who waived them off at the border crossing. The Algerian consul as well as some officials wished them all the best for the remainder of their long journey. by Farid Arada video of convoy in Algeria

Viva Worcester! Viva Palestina From the Berrows & Worcester Journal CITY councillors have backed a motion which could lead to Worcester being twinned with Gaza City in the Middle East. A notice of motion put forward by Alan Amos, Warndon city councillor, was passed after a carefully worded amendment tabled by David Tibbutt, councillor for Battenhall, was accepted. The amended motion read: "The city of Worcester invite the Twinning Association to consider twinning Worcester with Gaza City."

University of Ottawa and University of Carleton bans anti-Israel poster in 'Israel Apartheid Week'. Also, the main campus trade union (CUPE) in Canada recently passed a resolution to boycott Israel. See the brilliant video for the Israel Apartheid Week below. From Israeli National News (Arutz Sheva) Anti-Israeli groups are publicizing Israel’s war on terror as evidence to gain an audience for the fifth annual “Israel Apartheid Week" to be held next week. The promotional material has thrust two Canadian colleges into a controversy after administration official banned a poster that depicts Israeli planes attacking an Arab boy in Gaza. Pro-Arab activists are outraged for interference in what they call freedom of expression. However, the University of Ottawa allowed a milder poster to be displayed after stating that the offending picture was “capable of inciting confrontation.” The Carleton University in Ontario also prohibited displaying the poster because it might violate...

Thanks a lot Israel for not letting the Palestinians starve to death too quickly - just string it along instead. From chinanews.cn GAZA, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Israel on Wednesday opened commercial crossings with Gaza Strip to allow aid trucks and fuel into the territory. Ra'ed Fatouh, head of private sector coordination committee, said that 110 trucks will make their way through Kerem Shalom crossing in southeast Gaza Strip. Most of these truckloads will go to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), the largest aid organization operating in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.

From chinanews.cn GAZA, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Israeli F-16 war jets carried out two separate airstrikes on the borderline between southern Gaza Strip and Egypt, no injuries were reported, Palestinian witnesses said. The witnesses said that Israeli warplanes carried out two separate airstrikes on the borderline area between southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah and Egypt, adding that two successive explosions wrecked the Rafah area.

picture is of the third and latest aid consignment setting off for Gaza picture is of the first air assignment Thanks to Sam Dawson of the International Transport Workers Union for supplying the pics. Contact him if you need hi res images for printing From the International Transport Workers' Federation A third aid shipment from global union federation the ITF will leave Jordan tomorrow morning bound for Gaza. Unlike the previous two ITF cargoes, which were airlifted in specially chartered planes, this one will go by road, as part of a Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization aid convoy. The ITF (International Transport Workers’ Federation) load will include tents, blankets and hospital cots for newborn babies. Bilal Malkawi, ITF Representative for the Arab World, commented: “All the supplies are those that medics in Gaza say they need most, and we aim to get everything they have requested in one lorryload, which will leave Amman tomorrow and cross into Gaza at Karam Abu Salem.” mor...

Hans Nyberg sent Gaza Solidarity a link to his panoramic photographic work at the village of Juhr el-Dik which was totally destroyed by the criminal IDF. The Israelis told everyone to leave the village situated on high ground near Gaza City and then destroyed every single building and surrounding olive groves that will take 30 years to bear fruit again. The war crimes are just unbelievable... Hans said: "I have posted a 360 degree panorama from Juhr el-Dik the farming village in Gaza destroyed by the IDF." http://www.panoramas.dk/2009/gaza-war.html Flash required "Why did Israel destroy a Gaza Farming Village including Olive Trees which were the living of these innocent farmers?" Quote from New York Times : JUHR EL DIK, Gaza — When the Assi brothers returned to their village, most of it was missing. Their house was flattened, and their olive groves crushed. The only thing left standing was a single almond tree. Of all the areas hit in Israel’s military campaign, ...

From the Guardian Buoyed by their recent action on Gaza, thousands of students are set to march through central London today demanding the abolition of tuition fees for university and college education... ..."The NUS has abdicated its responsibility to members by giving up on mass campaigning." ...Wes Streeting, the president of the NUS, has faced criticism from campaigners over his refusal to back the campaign and his condemnation of the recent Gaza protests. watch video at solomonsmindfield

We almost missed this one - Wales has joined the movement with Cardiff uni going into occupation for Gaza yesterday. see their first-day statement and demands below: occupiedcardiff.blogspot.com email messages of support: cardiffstudentsagainstwar@gmail.com cc in David Grant, Vice-Chancellor of Cardiff Uni via PA: FarnhamS@Cardiff.ac.uk (please be polite :). Day two highlights At 2pm we have a live link-up with students from Gaza, everyone’s welcome along so please get yourselves down to the Shandon Lecture Theatre, main building. Lots of messages of support came in overnight – including from several other student occupations – Sheffield Hallam, St Andrew Sussex and Queen Mary’s. Media coverage has spread as far afield as Russia and Croatia, but the local media has also given us attention with students being interviewed live on local radio last night. OCCUPATION NEWS - day one Dear all, First, a massive thank you to everyone who has been involved in Disarm Cardiff University up to thi...

UPDATE ON LEGAL CASE Elija Smith has been moved to Horfield prison in Bristol, he would appreciate visitors, please contact Di on 0117 9426904 who will co-ordinate prison visits. This makes it easier to maximise the allocated times. Robert remains on remand in Lewes prison. Please write to them using the following: Robert Alford VP 7552 HMP Lewes , 1 Brighton Rd, Lewes, Sussex, BN7 1EA Elija Smith VP 7551 HMP Bristol, 19 Cambridge Rd, Horfield, BS7 8PS On the day: We all crowded into the public gallery (loads of folk from Brighton) and viewed on video link to the prison at Lewes the review of bail conditions for Elija and Robert Alford AKA Tin-Tin. The folks from Brighton had put a lot of effort into arranging an address and surety for Tin-Tin but to no avail as the magistrates rejected the efforts to get him released on medical grounds. This was very disappointing to all in attendance. The afternoon was taken up by hanging around in the dock awaiting the magistrates and t...

Miliband, Hutton & Mandelson to face historic Gaza legal challenge for breaking international law brought to court by Palestinian NGOs As many of you will be aware, the Gaza Legal Aid Fund, to be administered by the Human Rights Legal Aid Trust, was launched at the City Circle on 23 January. Its function is to provide financial support to Palestinian civilians seeking legal redress from alleged human rights violations by the Israeli government and alleged British government complicity. Al-Haq, an independent Palestinian non-governmental organisation on Tuesday 24 February 2009, began historical legal proceedings against the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs David Miliband, Defence Secretary John Hutton, and Trade & Industry Secretary (now the Secretary of State for Business Enterprise, and Regulatory Reform) Peter Mandelson. Al Haq are making an application for judicial review of a policy decision, made by the three Secretaries of State, stating that th...

In commemoration of the breaching of the Rafah border between Gaza and Egypt one year ago on January 23rd, 2008 the Egyptian Popular Committee in Solidarity with The Palestinian People is calling for a MARCH TO GAZA . On December 27th, 2008 Israel launched a horrific bloodbath in Gaza eventually killing over 1300 Palestinians - including over 400 children - and injuring thousands. The ensuing military onslaught destroyed homes, schools, places of worship, and essential infrastructure, leading to a humanitarian catastrophe. The destruction wreaked by these attacks is exacerbated by Israel’s ongoing siege, which has left the Palestinians in Gaza prisoners within Israeli-created borders and dependent on the meagre trickle of supplies their occupier allows in. The Call: End the Siege on Gaza. The Vision: We hope for the call to spread organically and to look different in different places around the world. Whether a defined or indefinite distance is walked, by a specific group or individual...

We reported on the 'Brotherhood' aid ship from Lebanon here . Members of the mission were beaten up by Israeli soldiers before being detained. From the Scotsman Gunpoint arrest ordeal won't stop my return to Gaza AN aid worker today vowed to return to Gaza after being stopped at gunpoint from delivering medical supplies and food. Theresa McDermott, 42, is back at home in Pilrig after being released from 12 days in prison in Israel following her arrest off the Gaza coast. She was one of nine passengers – along with an archbishop, an 80-year-old professor and four journalists – aboard a cargo ship which was trying to deliver 60 tonnes of aid. Israel is blocking supplies being delivered to Gaza following mortar attacks on its territories.

pictured:Sid Ryan, president of CUPE Ontario Canada's largest campus trade union has passed a resolution to boycott of Israel - well done, although they are getting a lot of flak from Canada's right-wing media. The Canadian Union of Public Employees conference of university locals voted in favour of a boycott of Israeli universities. From CTV OTTAWA — The Harper government is accusing one of Ontario's biggest unions of taking an "intolerant" stance against Israel. Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney says a CUPE Ontario resolution urging a boycott of Israeli universities is intolerant and contributes to a bad atmosphere on Canadian campuses. He acknowledges there's nothing illegal about the resolution, but claims it's part of a growing wave "singling out and targeting the Jewish democratic state of Israel for opprobrium." A meeting of the public-sector union in Windsor on the weekend approved the resolution as a response to the recent Israeli ...

ITHACA, N.Y. -- Dozens of students gathered on campus at Cornell University Monday. The demonstration comes after two weeks of discord between pro-Isreali and pro-Palestinian student groups. "We had very good dialogue in the past. Unfortunately, they erected an exhibit on one of the quads on the campus without letting us know before they put it up. And we felt that wasn't quite the proper way to go about it," said rally organizer Shai Akabas. The exhibit organized by the Islamic Alliance for Justice featured 1,300 black flags representing the lives lost on both sides, as well as posters detailing the conflict. The display was vandalized shortly after it was put in place, with signs torn down and the flags rearranged into a Star of David. "Instead of opening up a discussion, I think it really shows a lot that instead of discussing it, it spoke to the need to just squash it and silence it and destroy it," said Brooke Reynolds, a pro-Palestine activist.

From the BBC - If you live in the UK you can watch the report online on BBC iPlayer Few people know that thousands of Commonwealth war graves lie in the battlegrounds of the Gaza strip. BBC reporter Mark Urban's great uncle is buried there and he has made a personal pilgramage. During the recent campaign, the main Gaza War Cemetery suffered extensive damage as Israeli troops and Hamas militants fought nearby. Now the Commonwealth War Graves Commission is seeking compensation from Israel , the BBC has learned. The organisation estimates the cost of repairing or replacing the 363 headstones damaged by recent Israeli shelling at £95,000.

From the International Middle East Media Center Human Rights Watch issued a report on Sunday calling for an end to Israel's ban of international human rights groups in Gaza. The group stated that such a ban raises concerns that Israel has something to hide in regards to its military operations in Gaza. Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director of Human Rights Watch, said in a statement to the media “Israel's refusal to allow human rights groups access to Gaza raises a strong suspicion that there are things it doesn't want us to see or the world to know about its military operation there. If Israel has nothing to hide, why is it refusing to allow us in?”

From the Palestine Information Center Hamas slams amnesty for equating criminal with victim GAZA, (PIC)-- The Hamas Movement strongly denounced Amnesty International for demanding the UN to impose a ban on sending weapons to the Palestinian resistance factions, saying that this demand is unbalanced and unfair because it equates the criminal with the victim. In a press statement, Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum underlined that there not a single country exporting arms to the Movement, while weapons are being exported to Israel in abundance from powerful countries and arms deals are publicly concluded with Israel by these countries . Barhoum added that Israel uses its deadly weapons of mass destruction against the Palestinian people who in turn use simple weapons only to defend themselves as a legitimate right guaranteed by all international laws The spokesman expressed his Movement's concern that the statement of AI could mislead the public opinion and be used as a pretext by Israel ...

Olive tree pic from the Palestinian Farmers Union From the International Solidarity Movement 9am, 24th February 2009, Khoza’a, Khan Younis , Gaza Strip: Palestinian farmers , accompanied by international Human Rights Workers (HRWs), were fired upon by Israeli forces in the village of Khoza’a, near Khan Younis, this morning. The farmers and HRWs were attempting to work on land around 300m from the ‘Green Line’. "We were accompanying farmers to gather peas from their lands. The farmers, for the most part, were elderly men and women with their sons. There were many farmers spread out over a large area. We were only in the fields for about five minutes before the IDF began firing. I believe the firing was coming from four army jeeps and a hummer. The shots were coming very close, and were sniper-type of shots. One old woman was so paralyzed by fear that she couldn’t move off of the ground before we were finally able to accompany her out of the fields. While the majority of the farmer...

more pics here Plus from Press TV - Yvonne Ridley reports more at the Viva Palestina website

University of the Arts London went into occupation yesterday (Mon Feb 23) early evening after a Stop the War meeting. UAL Palestine Solidarity Campaign Occupation blog On Monday 23rd February at 5:00pm students and staff from across the University of the Arts London (UAL) attended a rally with speakers; Tony Benn, Chris Nineham (STWC), Mark Howell (Alumni) and Frank McGuiness (LSE student activist). This was met by an overwhelmingly positive response from the majority of those present. At the end of the meeting a vote was cast regarding both support for demands and further action. Approximately 90-95% of those in attendance were in support of the demands and a great deal expressed an active interest to participate in further action. Subsequently, a number of members have decided to go into immediate occupation of one of the UAL's lecture theaters. The occupied space is based at the LCC campus. Our occupation stems from our sympathy towards the victims of the conflict and in particu...

So the BBC was right not to give into 'external pressure' says Sir Micheal. But it's alright to ingratiate, and fatten, yourself with a bunch of businessmen in Cardiff is it? Someone should remind this knight of the realm that those 40,000 people who brought external pressure to bear by complaining are the people that pay his salary. Sir Michael, I'm sure a university somewhere in the country would be only too happy to invite you to come and have lunch and explain your decision to a more representative gathering of citizens. From the Telegraph Sir Michael Lyons told businessmen and women that the BBC faced "undue external pressure" over its refusal to show the Disasters Emergency Committee appeal. Speaking to the Cardiff Business Club, he said he had supported director-general Mark Thompson's decision despite "intense controversy".

A small group of students start a sit-in at Plymouth Uni yesterday at 5.00pm. They are targeting BAe and have done their research: "Both BAE Systems Land Systems and BAE Systems Airbus are listed as clients of the University of Plymouth - as well as Rolls Royce plc, QinetiQ and Siemens." Mail messages of support to plymouthunioccupation@gmail.com From Plymouth Uni blog We are a group of students concerned about the university's continuing support for Israel's actions in Gaza and the West Bank, indicated by the university's investments with BAE Systems who have sold 236 F-16 fighter planes to the Israeli state , and its silence over the recent atrocities and human rights abuses perpetrated by Israel in the Gaza Strip. As a result we have occupied room 202 in the Smeaton Building in solidarity with the people of Palestine and to directly protest against the university's complicity in Israeli war crimes. We are issuing the following demands to the university and ...