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Egyptian blogger Diaeddin Gad detained for 'crime' of supporting Palestinians released

Pro-Palestinian blogger was released by the Egyptian security forces last Friday (27 March). We reported on the case at the time of his detention seven weeks ago - here Egyptian police have released a pro-Palestinian student and blogger who had been arrested outside his home early last month, a human rights group said on Saturday. Diaeddin Gad was released Friday morning after spending almost seven weeks in jail, said Gamal Eid, executive director for the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI). Eid accused police of beating Gad in detention. AFP

Pope to send aid to Gaza

From the Catholic News Service Pope Benedict XVI has decided the collection taken up at his Holy Thursday evening Mass will be used to help support the Catholic community in the Gaza Strip. The Pope is an ex-member of the Hitler Youth and recently let a holocaust denier back into the Catholic Church. A revolting man but he has done some good with this move. Hopefully it is not motivated by his none to latent anti-semitism.

Investigation to open into claims Israel murdered Yasser Arafat

From AFP A foundation devoted to the memory of veteran Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat said on Monday it will open a new investigation into his mysterious death in 2004. "The committee will include Arab doctors responsible for Arafat's health before he was moved to Paris and a number of political officials," Nasser al-Qidwa, Arafat's nephew who heads the foundation, told reporters. The Nobel Peace Prize winner who led the struggle for Palestinian statehood for nearly four decades died in a French military hospital on November 11 after being airlifted there from his headquarters in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. At the time of Arafat's death at the age of 75, Palestinian officials alleged he had been poisoned by long-time foe Israel , but an inconclusive Palestinian investigation in 2005 ruled out cancer, AIDS and poisoning. Israel certainly contributed to Arafat's untimely death after keeping him under siege for two years in his compound. Go to the Yasser Ar

IDF kills resistance fighters, more details on Sudan attack

The Israelis have killed two Palestinian resistance fighter and wounded three others near the border fence in central Gaza, according to chinaview.cn Time magazine reports that the Israeli air strike on Sudan was not carried out by a lone drone but by 'dozens of Israeli jets and drones'. Apparently the US warned Sudan of the imminent attack. See Gaza Solidarity's earlier report here

Israel shoots farmer and steals more land

Israeli occupation forces on Monday fired at a group of Palestinian farmers who were tending to their farms near the northern Gaza Strip city of Beit Hanun wounding one of them. Security and medical sources said that Abdullah Al-Za'nin, 19, was moderately wounded in the shooting. The sources pointed out that the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) soldiers intermittently fire at farmers and citizens who try to reach their lands near the security fence separating the Gaza Strip from Palestine occupied in 1948. Meanwhile, IOF bulldozers on Sunday started paving the way for the construction of a bypass road for the settlers of the Sahve Shamron settlement near Deir Sharaf village west of Nablus city. The IOF troops had confiscated 78 dunums of Palestinian citizens' land near the village to construct the 12-meter wide road. 250 settlers live in the settlement, which also accommodates an IOF base. Thanks to the Palestine Information Center

As Judge refuses injunction on George's Canada visit, follow Gerry Hawke's example!

From George Galloway's campaign team In Canada, a federal judge has refused an injunction to force the Canadian government to allow George Galloway to speak at a series of meetings. We're asking everyone to follow the example of Gerry Hawke. He donated $20 to Viva Palestina, which is accused by the Canadian government of supporting terrorism because it sent aid to Gaza, and has turned himself in to the police, challenging them to prosecute him! Please click this link https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=4159493 to donate to the special fund to fight Kenney's political ban and to support Viva Palestina's political campaigning work to lift the siege of Gaza. If you're sick of illiberal, pro-war policies – help fund opposition to them. Follow Gerry's example of donating and then letting the authorities know what you've done. Gerry also wrote to his local newspaper letting them know - all of which helps not only to sh

Canadian Federal court upholds undemocratic ban on anti-war Galloway

So much for Canadian democracy! What a joke - George Galloway is a 'terrorist' for standing up for oppressed people in Palestine and delivering humanitarian aid. It's this kind of undemocratic and hypocritical behaviour that creates the 'extremism' and 'radicalisation' western governments claim they are trying to stop. Shame on Canada. The federal court on Monday refused to overturn the Canadian border agency's decision to deny firebrand British lawmaker George Galloway entry for a speaking tour, on security grounds. AFP

Police force residents near G20 Excel centre to carry ID

Police seem to be making up the law as they please. They've now ordered people who live near the conference centre to carry ID or they won't be able to get past the roadblocks, in addition to shutting three nearby rail stations.

Police refuse to apologise for arresting innocent Gaza convoy drivers

Lancashire police have refused to apologise for their politically motivated arrest of nine activists taking two vehicles packed with aid for the people of Gaza as part of the Viva Palestina convoy. At a packed community meeting last night in Blackburn Chief Superintendent Andy Rhodes, of Lancashire Constabulary claimed they had 'acted in the best interests of the community', according to Lancashire Telegraph reporter Ben Briggs. The arrests took place on the M65 the day before the convoy was due to depart. Three of the nine were held for a week, only to be released with no charge. The police released no information about the 'intelligence' they were acting upon, fueling suspicions that the arrests were designed to associate the Palestinian movement with terrorism, thereby undermining the aid efforts. Fortunately the convoy was a great success despite the police and the BBC refusing to show the DEC humanitarian appeal for Gaza.

Israeli investigation finds civilian killing claims 'not supported by the facts'

Another case of hear no evil, see no evil, as the Israeli investigation into deliberate killing of civilians finds no evidence for the claims. What a surprise. Israel's military Advocate General has closed a probe into reports that soldiers taking part in Israel's recent offensive in the Gaza Strip intentionally killed civilians, after he found the claims 'were based on hearsay and not supported by specific personal knowledge.' 'It was found that once the claims were checked, they were not supported by the facts as determined by the investigation,' an Israel Defence Force(IDF) statement released Monday afternoon said. The investigation was launched after soldiers who participated in the Israeli operation told a symposium last month of lax rules of engagement that allowed civilians to be killed. more

G20 'explosives plot' helps police clampdown on protests

The Guardian is reporting the arrest of five people, initially thought to be Greek, but in fact British. Police say the five are not connected to any terrorist organisation. Assuming this isn't a police fit up it will certainly provide the state with more excuses for clamping down on legitimate and lawful protests. The Guardian source said: "I think it was more designed to disrupt than injur or kill." But the Telegraph reports that the police actually only seized imitation firearms, a flare gun and some 'extremist' literature. It's also emerged that the entire CCTV network in central London may have to be turned off because of a legal ruling, although I suspect the government will find a way around this. More importantly, all decisions on financial spending commitments are to be deferred to a later meeting. Or to put it another way - this G20 meeting is a total waste of time and money.

International Solidarity Movement benefit in Digbeth

Pirating for Palestine! A benefit gig for International Solidarity Movement will take place next Saturday 4th April 2009 from 9pm at the Wagon and Horses, Adderley Street, Digbeth. Live funk, ska, dubstep, reggae, jungle, and breaks across two dancefloors, and films about the occupation of Palestine.

Police terror posters at G20 demo try to turn us all into McCarthyite witch hunters

On the way back from the G20 demo on Saturday I came across this poster on the London Underground. It reads: "A bomb won't go off here because weeks before a shopper reported someone studying the CCTV cameras. Don't rely on others. If you suspect it, report it." No coincidence that this campaign has started in the week of the G20 jamboree for world leaders. (The government is the biggest spender on advertising in the UK). The levels of state-directed McCarthyite paranoia the government is trying to create is horrendous. There is another version of this poster urging us to search our neighbour's bins! What the fuck is going on in this country? If they want to stop terrorism, stop terrorising the people of Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine (by selling arms to the IDF war criminals)... and stop criminalising Muslims and protesters who dare to criticise UK foreign policy or this mad economic system that seems to benefit no-one except the rich and powerful. The police shoul

G20 week Gaza events update

Up coming events for Gaza in 'G20 week' Milton Keynes: Public Meeting- What next in Gaza?: 30 March London:Launch Meeting of IUPFP : 31 March East London: Launch Party for 'Tears to Laughter' with Lowkey: March 31 Medway: Benefit Gig for Gaza: April 3 Hackney: Army Recruitment Centre Protest: 4 April Northwood: May 27: Civil Disobedience

Judge to rule on undemocratic Galloway ban today

A Federal Court judge will rule today on an injunction asking that British MP George Galloway be allowed entry into Canada for a series of anti-war speeches. Lawyers representing groups trying to bring Galloway to Canada argued Sunday in Federal Court in Toronto that an injunction should be granted allowing Galloway to enter Canada for four days pending a judicial review. More at the Canadian Press Read George Galloway in his own words on the ban

Israel's blockade a military failure but humanitarian disaster

Israel claims this morning that 70 tons of weaponry has been smuggled into Gaza since the end of the war. The claims come at a time of rising clamour for the lifting of the siege and Israeli leaders no doubt hope that there claims in some way justify the maintenance of the siege. Alternatively it shows that the siege has not prevented the resistance from accessing weapons to fight back with but has succeeded in starving the poorest Palestinians. For the increasingly belligerent and racist general population in Israel it shows the slaughter should have continued beyond the 22 days of terror inflicted by the IDF. Palestinian militants have smuggled nearly 70 tons of explosives and bomb-making materials and other weapons into Gaza since Israel ended an offensive meant to choke off the arms flow, a senior Israeli defense official said Sunday. The assessment by the chief of Israel's internal security service, Yuval Diskin, reinforced a growing feeling among Israelis that the government

Hamas and Hezbollah leaders speak out in London tonight

Solidarity with the struggle for Peace and Justice in the Middle East Come and hear elected representatives from the resistance in Palestine and Lebanon Speakers: HUSSEIN EL-HAJJ HASSAN MP Lebanon’s Loyalty to the Resistance Parliamentary Bloc HASAN KHREISHI Vice President of the Palestinian Legislative Council JEREMY CORBYN MP Stop the War Coalition JOHN REES Vice President (Europe) Cairo Conference DYAB ABOU JAHJAH International Co-Ordinator of the International Union of Parliamentarians For Palestine SUKANT CHANDAN English Chair of IUPFP Time: 7pm Date: Monday 30th March Place: Friends Meeting House, Euston Road, London (nearest tube, Euston or Euston Square) Entrance £2

Al Qassam Brigades threatens to take more IDF soldiers

The Palestinian resistance in Gaza has made it known that the Al Qassam Brigades will seize more Israeli soldiers if Israel refuses to free Palestinian prisoners. In a statement yesterday Hamas's Ra'ed al-Attar told reporters that "if Israel does not accept the demands to free 1,450 prisoners for captive Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, al-Qassam would imprison more soldiers." Shalit was taken prisoner by Hamas militants from the Gaza Strip in 2006. Hamas said it will free the Israeli soldier when Israel releases 1,450 Palestinian prisoners from its custody. "Hamas movement is not intending to make any concessions concerning its demands to finalise the prisoner-exchange deal, and if this soldier (Shalit) is not enough, we would take more," al-Attar said. Meanwhile Israel has denied that it has re-opened negotiation on the prisoner exchange.

George Galloway on Canada ban and US tour

By George Galloway - Pic Fred Chartrand THE CANADIAN immigration minister Jason Kenney gazetted in the Sun on March 20 that I was to be excluded from his country because of my views on Afghanistan. That's the way the right-wing, last-ditch dead-enders of Bushism in Ottawa conduct their business. Kenney is quite a card. A quick trawl establishes he's a gay-baiter, gung-ho armchair warrior, with an odd habit of exceeding his immigration brief. Three years ago, he attacked the pro-western Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora for being ungrateful to Canada for its support of Israeli bombardment of his country. Most curiously of all, in 2006 he addressed a rally of the so-called People's Mujahideen of Iran, a Waco-style cult, banned in the European Union as a terrorist organization. On one level, being banned by such a man is like being told to sit up straight by the hunchback of Notre Dame or being lectured on due diligence by Conrad Black. On another, for a Scotsman to be excl

Israeli drones behind air strike on Sudan

The Sunday Times is confirming from western diplomatic sources this morning that Israel did launch an air strike inside Sudan in January on what it claimed was a suspected weapons convoy headed for Gaza via Egypt. Our report earlier in the week, spoke only of an airstrike, quoting Sudanese rebel forces, but the Sunday Times now reveals that it was in fact an Israeli drone that launched the attack. The Sunday Times says the 'Iranian' convoy was carrying Fajr3 missiles with a range of at least 40 miles would bring Tel Aviv and Israel's nuclear facilities at Damona. It is likely that the resistance has been trying to get longer range missiles and will persist in attempting to do so - a further sign of the strategic weakness at the heart of Israeli military planning: Israel used unmanned drones to attack secret Iranian convoys in Sudan that were trying to smuggle rockets into Gaza. The missiles have the range to strike Tel Aviv and Israel’s nuclear reactor at Dimona, defence s

Palestine poster on display in Hyde Park at People First G20 demonstration

French trade unionists on the G20 march

It is now illegal to take pics of police in the UK - so we took some on the G20 demo today

...if the police think it is "likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism"

Stop the War and Palestine solidarity marchers on the Put People First G20 demonstration

50,000 strong G20 demo still rolling 3hrs after start

Second half of demo arriving 15:00GMT

Converging for the rally at G20 People First demo

Second bigger wave of march coming into Hyde Park

G20 demo marching down Park Lane

G20 demo arriving at Hyde Park

G20 People First marchers raising their voices against capitalism

G20 demo gathering at Embankment Temple

Spoof edition of the FT on the G20 People First march

Belgian Christian Trade UnionFederation joins the G20 protests in London

Leon Kuhn art on the G20 People First demo

Raising banner for Gaza on G20 demo

G20 Put People First demo assembled at Embankment 10:42am GMT

Israeli plan to kill Turkish prime minister Erdogan

Turkish media revealed on Friday that an email was found on the personal computer of one of the members of the secret Ergenekon organization revealing an Israeli Mossad plan to kill Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. According to the charges tabled by the Turkish prosecution against the organization, an Israeli journalist sent an email to a number of the organization's operatives accused in the (thwarted) coup attempt against the Erdogan government, informing them that the Israeli Mosaad was prepared to assassinate Erdogan. Thanks to the Palestine Information Center Turkish press sources said that the journalist informed the Ergenekon members that they were supporting Mr. Dugo against the "Islamist terrorist" Erdogan, and that he informed them of the Mossad chief Meir Dagan's coordination with Mr. Dugo in this regard. He also said that a Mossad team was awaiting the green light from Mr. Dugo to carry out the mission. The Turkish sources added that Mr. Dugo,

US Jewish Community Center to show Caryl Churchill Gaza play

Ari Roth is not surprised that his decision to stage a reading of "Seven Jewish Children: A Play for Gaza" has infuriated some in the Washington Jewish community. "People have a right to be offended, and I respect those who have read the play and are offended," said Roth, the artistic director of Theater J at the Washington DC Jewish Community Center where the 10-minute play was performed this week. It also will be staged Saturday night and Sunday afternoon in Washington at the Forum Theater. Roth himself was upset by the script. However, he has added two pro-Israel plays to the evening as well as a panel discussion as part of an effort to give a broader context to the play. more This play is not anti-semitic, it is anti-Israel. Read our reviews/comment below: http://gazasolidarity.blogspot.com/2009/02/why-gaza-plays-take-stand-for-justice.html http://gazasolidarity.blogspot.com/2009/02/play-about-gaza-is-anti-war-and.html

Galloway challenges Canada ban on Canadian TV

See below a statement from George Galloway on the attempt by Canadian neo-cons to shutdown debate on the disastrous war in Afghanistan. It has in fact boosted the anti-war movement in that country. ‘A political attack from both sides of the Atlantic' In an extraordinary move, the Charity Commission in Britain has issued a hostile briefing about the Gaza solidarity campaign inspired by Respect MP George Galloway, just before he arrived in North America for a speaking tour. The Viva Palestina campaign, which organised a convoy of over 100 vehicles bringing aid to the besieged population of Gaza, has been in contact with the Charity Commission over the last week and sent it a substantial letter today in response to letters only received this morning. Before receiving that letter, however, some officials at the Commission have issued a statement to the media to say they are launching a “statutory investigation”, even though the Viva Palestina campaign has sought to co-operate with all

Resistance hits IDF with anti-tank weapons

From ynetnews Palestinians fired an antitank missile at an IDF force moving along the border fence south of Karni crossing in the northern Gaza Strip on Friday. There were no reports of damage or injury, and the force did not respond to the source of the fire. Good news to see that the resistance still has lots of anti-tank weapons in stock and is ready to use them on the IDF killers probing the border.

IDF pretends it cares about Palestinian lives

From the BBC An Israeli soldier was removed from the combat area after he shot a Gazan woman in the leg "by mistake" during the recent offensive, military sources say. Does anyone actually believe this garbage from the IDF? Or is this just a not so clever piece of propaganda by the IDF after all the bad press the poor things have been getting recently.

G20 BBC Global Questions being recorded tonight

Gaza Solidarity's G20 fun kicks off at the BBC Global Questions event tonight. Here are the details of when the broadcast goes out: Sunday 29th March Global Questions In front of an invited global audience, BBC World News is hosting 'Global Questions' at the London Stock Exchange to discuss the G20 summit of global leaders. A panel of high-profile international figures from the world of finance, industry, politics and civil society will answer questions from the audience on what steps they want the G20 to take, if the joint threats of global banking collapse, rapid deflation, poverty and climate change are to be overcome... Sunday at 0710, 1510 and 1910 GMT We 'Ordinary Joes' get to ask some questions of the erstwhile masters of the universe. Panel members will include: "a Minister from the UK Treasury; a Representative from the US Government; Christophe de Margerie, Head of Total Oil; Victor Chu, Hong Kong Businessman and Investment Banker; Alexander Lebedev

Prof Chris Knight suspended for speaking out on bankers

An academic at the University of East London, Chris Knight, professor of anthropology, has been suspended from his post for speaking out on bankers and for implying that if the police use violence against demonstrators they will be repaid in kind. Pretty senseless bravado on his part but it is hardly cause for being suspended from your post. Such are the limits to democracy in Britain in the age of the war on terror. A good story for the media to wind up their 'violence' agenda to scare people off going to the protests and to provide the police with a ready-made excuse for aggressive and violent policing. Don't support Knight's suspension but his grasp of strategy and tactics vis a vis the state is very poor.

Israel takes Gaza war to Sudan

The Sudanese government has accused the US of launching an air strike on the country in January. It is claimed that the strike was on a weapons convoy on its way to Egypt en route to resistance fighters in Gaza. However, the US has denied involvement and implicated the Israelis instead. According to CBS News national security correspondent David Martin an official at the Pentagon told him, “Israeli aircraft carried out the attack”. “Israeli intelligence is said to have discovered that weapons were being trucked through Sudan, heading north toward Egypt, whereupon they would cross the Sinai Desert and be smuggled into Hamas-held territory in Gaza”. The first admission that Sudanese sovereignty had been violated came on Monday when state minister for highways, Mabrouk Mubarak Saleem, said: "A major power bombed small trucks carrying arms – burning all of them. It killed Sudanese, Eritreans, and Ethiopians and injured others." The Sudan Tribune reports today that the Sudanese

Prisoner swap talks resumed in Egypt

Despite Israel's claims to have shutdown prisoner exchange talks they have in fact been on-going this week, after the realised detaining Hamas MPs and imposing an even harsher regime for Hamas prisoners was not going to have the desired effect of getting Palestinians to bow to their demands. Ali Baraka, the deputy representative of Hamas in Syria, stated Wednesday that the Egyptian-brokered talks with the Israeli occupation authority about the prisoner swap deal had resumed. He pointed out that Israel finally came to realize that its pressures on Hamas would not deter it from its demands. more The Israeli press has been remarkably quiet on these developments, coinciding as they do with the taking of power by the new right-wing government with its extreme right foreign minister.

More villagers kidnapped in round up by Israeli occcupiers

Israeli occupation forces on Thursday rounded up 11 Palestinians from Nablus refugee camps and the Tobas district, locals reported. Witnesses said that seven young men in Balata and Asker refugee camps east of Nablus were snatched at dawn Thursday after the soldiers ransacked their family homes. In Akaba, Tobas district, soldiers imposed a curfew on the village and kidnapped four people. Local sources said the soldiers burst into the village in a pre-dawn raid firing live bullets and flare bombs as they went. Three large explosions were heard. Residents said soldiers used dogs in to search village homes, showing no respect for Muslim sensibilities. The soldiers also imposed a curfew on Hares village north of Salfit and broke into many homes. Eyewitnesses said that the soldiers took 150 boys, 13 to 15 years old, to the village's school and interrogated them after covering their heads with paper bags. The occupation forces closed the only entrance to the Madma village, south of Nablu

This cartoon is not anti-semitic, its anti-Israel

Cartoonist Pat Oliphant is coming under attack from the pro-Israel Anti-Defamation League in the US for this cartoon, describing it as hideously anti-semitic. The cartoon is clearly highlighting the appalling irony that the slaughter perpetrated in Gaza was being carried out by a state that claims it was founded as a haven for people that suffered the indisputable and historically unprecedented industrial genocide of the Nazis. What the cartoon does point to, however, is the way in which the actions of Israel are becoming corrosive on the sympathy rightly due for the six million murdered by the Nazis, an observation senior Jewish Labour MP Gerald Kaufman made in the UK parliament during the war on Gaza. Which is why increasing numbers of Jewish people are saying, ever more loudly, Israel does not speak in our name. More at The Raw Story

Alternative G20 Summit to consider Gaza carnage

What is the Alternative London Summit ? [update - one of the academics at the University of East London, Chris Knight, professor of anthropology, has been suspended from his post for speaking out on bankers and for implying that if the police use violence against demonstrators they will be repaid in kind. Pretty senseless bravado on his part but it is hardly cause for being suspended from your post. Such are the limits to democracy in Britain in the age of the war on terror.] On April 2nd 2009, Barack Obama and the G20 ministers including World Bank and IMF governors will be arriving at a conference centre some 500 yards from the Docklands Campus of the University of East London. Lecturing staff and students at UEL have responded by hosting the ‘G20 Alternative Summit’. The G20 Alternative Summit will be a popular assembly or ‘teach-in’ in a densely populated, working class area of London. It is being hosted at the national level by Britain’s University and College Lecturers’ Union (UC

UK torture inquiry will be useless in hands of the police

The very same Metropolitan Police that killed Charles De Menezes, and whose officers walked away from the killing free men, is to investigate whether MI5 was complicit in the torture of Binyam Mohamed. To say we don't have much faith in this investigation getting to the truth, or having any interest in doing so, would be an understatement. The Metropolitan police commissioner has been asked to investigate whether MI5 agents were complicit in the torture of the former Guantánamo Bay detainee Binyam Mohamed, the attorney general, Lady Scotland, said in a written statement (pdf) today. In an unprecedented announcement, Scotland said she had given the allegations of possible criminal wrongdoing "very serious consideration" and had consulted the director of public prosecutions. But she stopped short of conceding a full judicial inquiry, which many critics have demanded. more

IAF colonel claims killing medics 'not intentional'

We reproduce below a post by Leon Wells in a reply to Colonel Uri Dromi writing for the Guardian's Comment is Free section on Tuesday under the headline: Don't judge Israel's 'war crimes' . In the article Dromi (of the Israeli Air Force reserve - he doesn't mention his military rank and neither does the Guardian) pleads for the world not to rush to judgment on Israel; that he finds it 'hard to believe' that IDF soldiers would 'intentionally' target medics; and that he has a sense of deja vu over the war crimes accusations. And so he should becuase of course has done it before - committed war crimes and then whitewashed them away. I take it Dromi filed his copy from Israel as if he left he would no doubt risk arrest for war crimes, if shown to have been involved in the Gaza War. You sir, are a bared-faced apologist of your country's catalogue of war crimes against the predominant innocent population of Gaza. The worl

Israel's whitewash of white phosphorus shelling

Following the release yesterday of Human Rights Watch's findings that showed widespread use by Israel of white phosphorus shells on the civilian population, the IDF tells the world today that it has almost finished its 'investigation'. And surprise, surprise, 'based on the findings at this stage' the use of white phosphorus shells 'was in accordance with international law'. An IDF spokesman said in a written statement that the use of white phosphorus during the Gaza conflict is being investigated, along with several other aspects of the operation. "The investigation is close to conclusion, and based on the findings at this stage, it is already possible to conclude that the IDF's use of smoke shells was in accordance with international law ," the IDF said. "These shells were used for specific operational needs only and in accord with international humanitarian law. The claim that smoke shells were used indiscriminately, or to threaten the

Sheffield University occupation ends, puts Gaza on agenda

Occupiers left the two occupied buildings on Wednesday. The university Pro Vice Chancellor met with student union societies to consider students' concerns, the first time the university has considered the question of policy on Palestine, despite requests in the past before the occupation. The direct action has put Gaza on the agenda at Sheffield University but now the ball is in management's court. If its 'consideration' of the demands raised by the occupiers are dismissed out of hand then more, and larger scale, action will be needed. The student union already has pro-Palestinian policy and the galvanising effect of the occupation means means the solidarity movement is now in a far better position to take up calls for action at general meetings of the SU.

George Galloway right to attack Charity Commission over Viva Palestina aid

As we reported Tuesday George Galloway is having to defend his Viva Palestina aid convoy from the attacks of the Charity Commission. What is it with the Charity Commission? Who is authorising this vendetta against George Galloway that date's back over a decade? Whoever they are it shows a peculiar take on the meaning of the word charity. Although it should be said it is consistent with the attitude of the rest of the establishment, given the banning of the Gaza humanitarian appeal by the BBC - charity is great providing it doesn't go to Palestinians. Maybe bankers are more deserving in their minds given the amount of taxpayers' money being showered on that industry. Galloway was greeted as a hero by Palestinians in Gaza for breaking the siege, albeit temporarily, and delivering £1 million in aid. Certainly there were hiccups along the way in terms of the balancing act that was played out between the regimes of north Africa and their impulse to control the convoy for their

Four fishermen kidnapped by Israeli navy

Israeli occupation forces on Wednesday kidnapped four Palestinian fishermen from one family off the coast of Rafah in south Gaza Strip, security sources reported. They told a PIC reporter that the Israeli gunboats intercepted a Palestinian fishing boat and searched it before taking into custody all four fishermen on board from the Al-Najjar family. Meanwhile, in the West Bank a Palestinian youth was seriously injured when occupation soldiers opened fire at the Hawara checkpoint south of Nablus. The soldiers claimed the young man was running towards them with an iron bar and refused their orders to stop. Press reports said that 13 Palestinians were rounded up in various West Bank areas on Wednesday at the hands of the Israeli Occupation Forces.

Lowkey's 'Tears To Laughter' launch party

Download the track on iTunes or on Juno Political pro-Palestinian hip-hop MC Lowkey is launching his single 'Tears To Laughter' at the Vibe Bar, Brick Lane. The night will feature live performances from Lowkey, Peoples Army, Faith SFX, Shadia Mansour & Reveal plus DJ's The Last Skeptik & Steaz. Plus the exclusive premier of the Tears To Laughter (Long Live Palestine) Video. Tickets are only £5 and all proceeds go to the Stop the War Coalition. This event is expected to be a sell out so get there early! Tuesday, March 31, 2009 8:00pm - 11:00pm Vibe Bar 91 Brick Lane, E1 6QL London Phone: 02068012768

Human Rights Watch slams Israel's white phosphorus crimes

US-based Human Rights Watch is calling for the US to investigate the IDF's use of white phosphorus shells, all of which are supplied by the US. The group says Israel's widespread use of the shells in built-up areas was in 'violation of the laws of war'. From Haaretz The Israeli army unlawfully fired white phosphorus shells over densely populated areas of the Gaza Strip during its recent military offensive, needlessly killing and injuring civilians, U.S.-based rights group Human Rights Watch said Wednesday. Citing Israel's use of white phosphorus as evidence of war crimes, the group said the army knew the munitions threatened the civilian population but "deliberately or recklessly" continued to use them until the final days of the Dec. 27 - Jan. 18 operation "in violation of the laws of war." It called on senior Israeli military commanders to be held to account, and urged the United States, which supplied the shells, to conduct its own investigati

Israel expansion plan behind election deal

Netanyahu and Lieberman in secret deal to cut off East Jerusalem from Ramallah, according to Israel Army Radio: Construction in the area is particularly sensitive because it would create contiguity between the settlement and the capital, which in turn would prevent Palestinian construction between East Jerusalem and Ramallah. This would also make it difficult to reach agreement between Israel and the Palestinians on the question of permanent borders. From Haaretz

Israel claims Iran can make nuclear weapons

Haaretz reports today that Israel is working on the assumption that the only thing holding back the Iran from achieving military nuclear capacity is the making of the political decision to proceed. Presumably this is what they told the Americans last week when the chiefs of staff of he two countries' armed forces met in Washington. The US chief of staff said in early March he thought Iran had enough fissile material to make a bomb, but it would not be with 'weapon-grade' uranium. Military Intelligence head Amos Yadlin warned on Wednesday that Iran had "crossed the technological threshold" for making a nuclear weapon. He also said that the Islamic Republic had finished developing surface-to-surface missiles that can carry nuclear warheads. Maj. Gen. Yadlin made the comments during a briefing to the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. Yadlin said achieving a military nuclear capacity "was mainly dependent on a political decision by Iran.

The crimes behind those sick Israeli T-shirts

Lawrence of Cyberia goes through those hideous Israeli army T-shirts and matches them to the war crime behind them: Lawrence of Cyberia: “The Smaller They Are - The Harder It Is!” [3]: It’s Not Just A Slogan On A T-Shirt Lawrence of Cyberia: “The Smaller They Are - The Harder It Is!” [4]: It’s Not Just A Slogan On A T-Shirt Lawrence of Cyberia: “If You Believe It Can Be Fixed, Then Believe It Can Be Destroyed!”: It’s Not Just A Slogan On A T-Shirt Lawrence of Cyberia: “You’ve Got To Run Fast, Run Fast, Run Fast, Before It’s All Over!”: It’s Not Just A Slogan On A T-Shirt Lawrence of Cyberia: “One Shot - Two Kills”: It’s Not Just A Slogan On A T-Shirt Lawrence of Cyberia: “Better Use Durex”: It’s Not Just A Slogan On A T-Shirt Lawrence of Cyberia: “We Won’t Chill Till We Confirm The Kill” [2]: It’s Not Just A Slogan On A T-Shirt

Sheffield Uni management call police to occupation

Last night the police were called to the occupation but left again soon after when they found that no crime was being, or had been, committed. Seems like the uni management is in no mood to negotiate and didn't take kindly to the occupation of their pride and joy - the Jessops West Exhibition Centre, which the occupiers have been quick to point out has no teaching rooms or wider academic function. Students at Sheffield University are rallying for Gaza this afternoon at 3pm. Negotitations with the university are still stalled and the student union leadership seems to be sitting on the fence. The rally starts at the Union concourse at 3pm and students and suppoerters will march to the occupied Jessops Centre to hear speakers.

Israel breaks international conventions and worsens women prisoners' conditions

The Ahrar center for prisoner rights said that a letter it received from representative of Hamas-affiliated women prisoners Ahlam Al-Tamimi, serving 16 life sentences since 2001, asserted that the prison administration has decided to deprive them of family visits, reduce the visits of their lawyer to one visit a month and bar them from watching Al-Jazeera satellite channel, in addition to other punitive steps that would be implemented in the coming days. The move follows a statement from a special cabinet committee indicating that Israel intended to worsen the regime for Hamas prisoners in response to breakdown of prisoner exchange talks. The Israeli move is against international law.

Lewisham, Skokie, Um al-Fahm and the fight against Israel's racists

Following the racist march through the Arab town of Umm al-Fahm yesterday we reproduce this article by Khalid Amayreh pointing to the similarities between an intimidatory march through Skokie in the US by avowed Nazis in 1977 and the march by the National Union party in Israel. And 1977 is the same year that witnessed great anti-Nazis victory which saw the police lines broken and the Nazis National Front driven back into their sewers. To further emphasise Khalid's point about the support the racist marchers receive from across the political spectrum, as well as officially from the state in the way of police protection, the Labour Party in Israel has joined the Netanyahu government , including as it does Israel's largest racist party, Yisrael Beiteinu. Thanks to the Palestine Information Center. Note to readers: To my dear readers: Greeting to each and every one of you: I am re-posting this article, which I wrote seven months ago, on the occasion of the provocative Judeo-Nazi

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