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Israeli navy says it will illegally board flotilla boats again even as Turkey steps up warnings

Despite repeated warnings from Turkey , Israel is as belligerent as ever. The Israel Navy is prepared to intercept and take control of the ships participating in the new flotilla to the Gaza Strip, a senior Navy officer said Tuesday on the anniversary of the IDF operation to stop the Mavi Marmara that ended in the death of nine Turkish nationals. "We will order the ship to stop, but if they don't, we are prepared to intercept and board the ship," a senior officer told reporters. The flotilla of 15 ships, organized by the Turkish humanitarian organization, IHH - which is outlawed in Israel due to its ties with Hamas, as well as The Free Gaza Movement - is planning to sail to the Gaza Strip in late June. more

Tank incursion with live fire in central Gaza Strip this morning, no casualties reported

Gaza Strip, (Samar Mohaisen - Pal Telegraph )- Israeli military vehicles invaded Tuesday morning limited areas in the east of al-Buriage refugee camp in central Gaza Strip. No causalities were reported. According to SAFA News agency, eight Israeli bulldozers accompanied by three tanks stationed at the east of al-Buriage refugee camp and started razing operation to the agricultural lands, terrifying many citizens in fear of being hurt by Israeli fire. more

10 members of Islamic Jihad seized, but local leader escapes Jenin swoop

IMEMC - Israeli soldiers kidnapped on Tuesday at dawn ten members of the Islamic Jihad in the northern West bank city of Jenin, and nearby villages and towns, broke into offices that belong to the movement, the Palestinian People Party, and also shut down a charitable society. Local sources reported that soldiers kidnapped Islamic Jihad members Mohammad Mardawi, Mona Hussein Qa’dan, Sujai Al Sheebany, from Arraba town, Bilal Thiab and Majdi Al Sheikh Ibrahim from Kufur Ra’ey, Ibrahim Baddad and Waleed Malabsha from Jaba’, Taha Sharqawy from Az-Zababda, Jamal Abdul-Fattah Yousef from Aneen, and Fadi Zyoud from Sielet Al Harthiyya. The sources added that soldiers broke into dozens of homes in the Jenin district and installed a roadblock in the center of Kafreet town. Furthermore, troops broke into the “Al Bara’ Society for Muslim Girls” in Jenin City by smashing its front door before confiscating its computers and files, and shutting it down. The Islamic Jihad Movement issued a press r

Three killed in unexplained explosion at popular resistance committee training camp in Rafah

Reports a week ago today spoke of bobby trapped weapons being infiltrated into supply chain in Sinai by Israeli operatives. From Lebanon's The Daily Star RAFAH, Palestinian Territories: Three Gazans were killed on Tuesday in a mysterious blast at a training camp used by militants of the Popular Resistance Committees near the Egyptian border, medics told AFP. "Three martyrs were killed and four others were injured in a blast in a site belonging to the Popular Resistance in the Tel Sultan neighbourhood of Rafah," said Adham Abu Selmiya, spokesman for the Hamas-run medical services in Gaza. The cause of the blast was not immediately clear, but the Israeli military told AFP it had "nothing to do with the explosion." On October 20, 13 Palestinians civilians were injured by an explosion of undetermined origin in a Hamas security services building in Tel Sultan. more

Egyptian revolutionary blogger and TV presenter face military judges for criticising rights abuses

Hossam el-Hamalawy is being hauled before military Judges tomorrow (with other journalists, including TV presenter Reem Maged) for criticising human rights violations by the new Egyptian military government. He is very important for the Revolution. Please defend him and the others by sending the statement below to menasolidarity@gmail.com (website is here ) as soon as possible: We condemn the decision to refer journalists Hossam el-Hamalawy and Reem Maged for questioning by military judges on Tuesday 31 May in relation to their discussion of violations of human rights by the Egyptian military police and the ruling Supreme Military Council on Reem’s political talkshow which aired on ONTV on 26 May 2011. We likewise condemn the decision to refer journalist Nabil Sharaf al-Din for questioning by military judges in relation to comments he also made on ONTV. We will not stand by and see courageous journalists silenced, and we stand in solidarity with all Egyptians who are fighting to defe

European Gaza blockade busters blast Ban Ki-Moon for letter to states to 'discourage' flotilla 2

From the European Campaign to End the Siege of Gaza While the UN’s call for Israel to end the blockade of Gaza and avoid the use of violence is welcome, its simultaneous attempts to stop a flotilla of ships planning to set sail to break the siege has no basis in international law and violates the right of the Palestinian people to control their own ports, charges the European Campaign to End the Siege of Gaza (ECESG). UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has sent a letter to all governments bordering the Mediterranean Sea, asking them to “use their influence to discourage” transit of any ships attempting to reach Gaza. In a written statement, he said he was concerned that future flotillas “have the potential to escalate into violent conflict,” as occurred a year ago when the Israeli military attacked the six-ship Free Gaza Flotilla, killing nine of the passengers on the lead boat, the Mavi Marmara. A new, larger flotilla is expected to sail to Gaza from multiple ports in late June, bearin

Australians reaffirm their commitment to sail with peaceful non-violent Freedom Flotilla 2

From Antony Loewenstein's blog On the eve of first anniversary of the deadly Israeli attack on the 2010 international Flotilla to break the siege of Gaza, Australian participants reiterated their determination to join the second Flotilla, which will set sail for Gaza at the end of June. “We welcome Egyptian moves to partially lift the siege by opening the Raffah crossing,” said former Greens MLC Sylvia Hale, “but in itself this will not substantially alleviate the suffering of the people of Gaza. “Despite the easing of the siege, men under 40 are not permitted to cross, making it impossible for them to find jobs outside Gaza. The refusal to permit raw materials to enter Gaza or exports to leave it, means widespread unemployment will continue. “Gaza will not be free so long as the Israeli siege destroys the territory’s economy,” said Ms Hale. “The Australian delegation is determined to join the second international Flotilla to break the siege,” said Vivienne Por

Canadian Boat to Gaza rejects government pressure and press witch hunt, on course to break blockade

Something of a witch hunt has commenced in Canada aimed at Canadian Boat to Gaza , but activists are not deterred. Today (30 May) marks the anniversary of the attack on the Mavi Marmara and the killing of nine activists by Israel AFP OTTAWA — A group representing 200 Canadian organizations vowed on Monday to send a boat to the Gaza Strip as part of the second "Freedom Flotilla" despite Ottawa's warnings against "provocative" aid deliveries. "The Canadian Boat to Gaza (CBG) is dismissing Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird's misinformation about the upcoming flotilla, and is promising to sail with the Freedom Flotilla II next month," the group said in a statement. "CBG views Minister Baird's statement as an attempt to abdicate the Canadian government?s obligation to ensure the safety of the Canadians who will be on board the flotilla, including the Canadian boat Tahrir and to justify, in advance, any crimes Israel may commit against peace

Israelis invade Hebron overnight supported by 200 army vehicles, Palestinians excluded from own streets

The Israelis arrived at 1am and didn't leave until 5am, with occupation forces setting up checkpoints and roadblocks to hinder movement of Palestinian residents in their own city. There was no previous coordination with the Palestinian Authority. Around 50 settlers barricaded themselves into Joseph's Tomb, clashing with their own soldiers. NABLUS ( Ma’an ) -- Israeli soldiers escorted 1,600 Israelis into the northern West Bank city of Nablus overnight Sunday to visit Joseph's Tomb. An additional 200 Israeli settlers entered Palestinian neighborhoods without coordinating with Israeli authorities, an Israeli military spokesman said. more

30 British aid workers sign up for Freedom Flotilla 2 to break sea blockade of Gaza

PA - More than 30 British aid workers will join a flotilla heading towards Gaza in June, it has been announced. Just over a year after a similar aid flotilla was raided by Israeli forces, leaving nine people dead on a Turkish boat, aid workers from around Europe will attempt to get through Israel's sea blockade. Activists plan to congregate on Tuesday in London to remember the aid workers killed and to raise the profile of the new mission. One of the event organisers, Ismail Patel, chairman of Friends of Al Aqsa, was on board the Mavi Marmara ship on which all nine aid workers died. He said: "It is important that we do not forget the nine martyrs who were killed by Israeli commandos while trying to take aid to Gaza which has been under Israeli siege for six years. more

Video: Night raid with live fire on Bil'in village spreads panic to intimidate anti-wall protesters

http://www.bilin-village.org/english/ West Bank, ( Pal Telegraph - Samar Mohaisen) Israeli occupation forces invaded Sunday the village of Bil’in in the west of Ramallah amid massive gunfire . Rateb Abu Rahma, anti-wall committee coordinator, said that Israeli forces invaded the village causing a state of panic among civilians due to bombing loudly. He added that Israeli military forces withdrew from the village without detentions reported. Abu Rahma denounced the ongoing Israeli attacks against innocent people in order to prevent them from participating in the peaceful rallies which are organized to protest the construction of the Separation Wall. After Israeli authorities started the construction of the Wall in 2005, Palestinians formed the Popular Committee Against the Wall with the participation of Israeli activists, international supporters, and Palestinian youths to organize weekly demonstrations calling for an end to the illegal Israeli acts in the area. more

Palestinian family's 1,000-year-old olive trees set on fire by settlers near Hebron

(pic: Olive trees destroyed and uprooted by the army, Ni'ilin earlier this year - Active Stills) HEBRON ( Ma'an ) -- Israeli settlers set fire to an olive grove belonging to a Palestinian family near Hebron on Friday, an international monitoring group reported. The fire damaged 16 trees belonging to the Abu Haikel family in Tel Rumeida, Christian Peacemaker Teams said, adding that some of the trees affected were over 1,000 years old. Palestinian firefighters arrived to put out the blaze, but Israeli soldiers confiscated their hoses and gave them old equipment to use, CPT said. more

One person wounded as Israeli troops open fire east of Gaza City

Gaza Strip, ( Pal Telegraph )- A Palestinian citizens was injured Sunday as Israeli military forces opened fire at him in the east of al-Zeitoun neighborhood in Gaza city. Adham Abu Silmya, medical emergency spokesman, said that the man was hit in his right leg by Israeli gunfire near Malaka juncture in al-Zeitoun neighborhood . He added that medical teams evacuated the man to Al-Shifaa hospital in Gaza city to receive medication; his health condition was described as moderate. more

Flotilla activists to Ban Ki-moon: 'We will continue to sail to Gaza until Israel lifts its illegal blockade'

From the Free Gaza Movement May 28, 2011 The Free Gaza movement welcomes Ban Ki-Moon’s request that all nations, including Israel avoid violence when our flotilla sails to Gaza at the end of June. We also welcome his comments that, “Israel take "meaningful and far-reaching steps to end its closure of Gaza.” News organizations over the past two days have decided to emphasize Ban’s concern for our flotilla by reporting he is telling governments to stop us. He can’t tell them that. He knows we are not the illegal entity in the Mediterranean, but Israel’s blockade of 1.5 million Palestinians is illegal. And as head of the United Nations, he knows that the UN High Commission for Human Rights produced a report that identified the blockade of Gaza as collective punishment – a war crime. We would also remind the Secretary-General that while governments and international organizations are free to have a public opinion, the flotilla violates no international or laws of the sea and so an out

3 members of International Solidarity Movement arrested at protest over village land taken by settlement

(Iraq Burin, pic:ISM) From the International Solidarity Movement This afternoon three members of the International Solidarity Movement were arrested during a peaceful demonstration in Iraq Burin. The activists from the UK, Denmark and Iceland had joined the villagers in protesting the loss of their land to the illegal Israeli settlement of Bracha, however the demonstration had barely began when the army began firing tear gas at the protesters. After four hours of shooting tear gas the army entered the village and occupied houses. The three activists were taken from the street and detained in a house with other Palestinians for over an hour before being arrested. The activists were released after four hours without charge. Iraq Burin is a small village 8 km southwest of Nablus. The illegal settlement of Bracha is located approximately one mile southeast of the village, and is situated on around 100 dunams (25 acres) of village land, as well as more land from surrounding villages. In add

Abbas says no basis for peace talks - UN statehood vote only option, fears US sanctions

The Arab League has formally agreed to seek full UN membership for a Palestinian state . PA President Abbas says no basis for talks with Israel after Netanyahu rejects Palestinian rights and aspirations. The Palestinian president said on Saturday there were "no shared foundations" for peace talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and seeking UN recognition of Palestinian statehood was his only option. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, addressing an Arab League meeting in Doha, expressed concern that taking the diplomatic step opposed by the United States and Israel could result in financial sanctions and urged Arab states to fill any gap. more The US is against recognition of a Palestinian state and intends to use its veto at the security council, but this will not stop a vote by an emergency session of the general assembly using resolution 377 - the so-called 'uniting for peace' resolution - if the security council 'fails to maintain world peace and secu

Reports rocket fired into southern Israel overnight - no injuries or damage says Israeli Army

JERUSALEM (AFP) -- A rocket was fired from the Gaza Strip into southern Israel overnight without causing casualties, Israel's army said Saturday. "A rocket fired from Gaza landed last night in the Eshkol region and caused no injuries or damage," a military spokesman told AFP. It was the first rocket to have been fired in nearly a month and a half. more

Ban Ki-Moon plays Israel's game by urging member states to 'discourage' flotilla 2

UN secretary general gets it wrong again. Instead of trying to discourage flotilla participation in order to undermine the 'potential to escalate into violent conflict', he should be demanding that Israel stops its piracy and massacres on the high seas and urge member states to provide protection. The secretary general was said to be "following with concern media reports of potential flotillas to Gaza," said his spokesman Martin Nesirky. Some 1,500 activists are expected to take part in the convoy that will embark at the end of June, seeking to break the blockade of the Gaza Strip, a year after a deadly Israeli raid on a similar fleet. Ban "called on all governments concerned to use their influence to discourage such flotilla, which carry the potential to escalate into violent conflict." The UN chief also called on "all governments, including the government of Israel, to act responsibly and with caution to avoid any violent incident." more

Rafah crossing opening still leaves Israel with a stranglehold over 1.5 million people

From the Jerusalem fund For logistical, historical and infrastructural reasons, other crossing points into Gaza are ideal for the entry of commercial or humanitarian goods. Using data from the UN Office for the Coordinate of Humanitarian Affairs, which keeps track of what is allowed into Gaza, when and through which entry, we can see a stark contrast between the different crossings. Aggregate data from June 19, 2007 through May 19, 2011 presented in this pie chart exposes just how few goods come through the Rafah crossing. But this chart also doesn't tell the whole story. Today, most of these crossing have been closed, and in fact, thus far in 2011 95% of trucks that were permitted entry to Gaza came through the Kerem Shalom crossing. Israel has, over time, practically shutdown all other crossings. Check out the UNOCHA database here

Gaza fishermen injured after Israeli navy shells boat - appeal for international protection

GAZA CITY ( Ma’an ) -- Israel's navy fired on fishing boats late Thursday, injuring three Palestinians, medics said. The fishermen were transferred to Ash-Shifa hospital for treatment of moderate injuries, medical official Adham Abu Silmiya said... ...Fishermen in Gaza are calling for protection after four years of siege. more

Egypt finally opens Rafah crossing - but no men under 40 or commercial traffic allowed

AP report on Haaretz After four years, Egypt has permanently opened the Gaza Strip's main gateway to the outside world Saturday morning. The move to lift most travel restrictions on Gaza residents brings long-awaited relief to the territory's Palestinian population and a significant achievement for its Hamas rulers. But it raises Israeli fears it will be easier for militants to go in and out of Gaza. The first busload of passengers crossed into Egypt on Saturday morning at the Rafah terminal, where about 400 Gazans awaited. more

Sign petition to President Obama to demand US apply pressure to ensure safe passage of flotilla

Sign the petition and get updated news about the Freedom Flotilla II - Stay Human: http://bit.ly/stayhuman We are writing to ask for your support for the Gaza Freedom Flotilla scheduled to set sail in the second half of June to the besieged Gaza strip. At least ten ships with dignitaries, doctors, professors, artists, journalists, and activists, as well as construction supplies and humanitarian aid, will sail from ports in Europe to Gaza in an act of non-violent civil disobedience to persuade the international community to fulfill its obligations towards the Palestinian people and end Israel's four-year illegal blockade of Gaza. This is the second, large-scale citizen-to-citizen flotilla to be launched by international grassroots groups. Organized by 14 national groups and international coalitions, the flotilla will carry approximately 1,000 passengers. It includes a US boat named The Audacity of Hope, which will have aboard dozens of dedicated social justice activists (visit: http

PCHR Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the OPT (19– 25 May 2011)

(pic: PCHR - A number of Palestinian evacuate Ramadan al-Daghma who was wounded by Israeli force during a peaceful demonstration in the southern Gaza Strip town of Khan Yunis, 20 May 2011) Weekly report from the Palestinian Center for Human Rights Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Continue Systematic Attacks against Palestinian Civilians and Property in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) · A Palestinian civilian was killed by IOF near the border in the central Gaza Strip. -A Palestinian civilian was wounded in the east of Khan Yunis in the south of the Gaza Strip. · Two Palestinian boys sustained severe burns as a smoke bomb, left by IOF in Hebron, exploded. · IOF continued to target Palestinian farmers in border areas in the northern Gaza Strip. -IOF fired at Palestinian farmers in two separate incidents, but no casualties were reported. · IOF continued to use force against peaceful protests in the West Bank. - Two demonstrators, including an international human rights defender, w

Israeli-American activist Rae Abileah speaks out on why she heckled Netanyahu's AIPAC speech

Israeli-American pro-Palestine activist Rae Abileah who disrupted Netanyahu's AIPAC speech and was violently assaulted and then arrested in her hospital bed tells her story at Mondoweiss : Do you know that our Congress gave 29 standing ovations to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when he spoke in the Capital on Tuesday, May 24? I couldn't watch this hero's welcome for a man who supports the continued building of illegal settlements, won't lift the siege of Gaza, and refuses to negotiate with the new Palestinian unity government. During the talk, when Netanyahu was praising young people rising up for democracy in the Middle East, and I took my cue to stand up from my seat in the Capitol Gallery, unfurl a banner, and shout, "No More Occupation! Stop Israeli War Crimes! Equal Rights for Palestinians!" Immediately, I was tackled, gagged and violently shoved to the floor by other members of the audience, many of whom were still wearing their badges from th

Egyptian revolution deals potentially fatal blow to US-Israel Gaza siege

Time blog by Tony Karon Egypt Pulls the Plug on a Failed U.S.-Israeli Gaza Strategy Obama, in his Sunday speech at AIPAC, had warned Israel that the wave of democracy reshaping the Arab world meant that that "a just and lasting peace can no longer be forged with one or two Arab leaders... millions of Arab citizens have to see that peace is possible for that peace to be sustained." While the U.S. would stand by Israel unconditionally, Obama warned that "the march to isolate Israel internationally -- and the impulse of the Palestinians to abandon negotiations –- will continue to gain momentum in the absence of a credible peace process and alternative. And for us to have leverage with the Palestinians, to have leverage with the Arab States and with the international community, the basis for negotiations has to hold out the prospect of success." The "basis for negotiations" offered by Netanyahu on Tuesday won't reverse the growing Arab and European skept

Gaza fishermen call on the international commmunity to protect them from Israeli Navy

Gaza fishermen have asked the international community to intervene to lift the maritime siege imposed upon them by the Israeli government, reduce restrictions on their operations, and provide them with international protection. Tens of fishermen organized a sit-in in the port of Gaza and chanted for an end to piracy and shooting by the Israeli navy. more

Video: Veolia AGM Paris May 17 - no escaping the boycott, divestment and sanctions backlash

[ iGaza users : You can also watch the video in the Video section of the app by searching 'Veolia agm bds' and share from there.] On Tuesday 17th May 2011 10 BDS activists from the UK, from various groups including London BDS, Palestine Solidarity Camapign, the BDS National Committee, as well as Innovative Minds travelled to Paris to show solidarity and support for french BDS activists in their action outside the Veolia AGM. Three French BDS groups had come together for the action: Association France Palestine Solidarite (AFPS), Campagne BDS-France and CAPJPO EuroPalestine. Veolia has long been complicit in Israels illegal occupation of Palestinian land. Veolia is helping build and operate the Jerusalem Light Railway, a project which the UN Human Rights Council has declared is a "clear violation of international law". The tram line runs across stolen Palestinian land connecting illegal Israeli settlements to Israel thereby helping consolidate the occupation. Veolia al

Israel gets ready for internet war as flotilla looms and statehood vote comes in September

From The Marker (Haaretz) The closer the date of the unilateral declaration approaches, the more the denizens of Internet are coming to life, promoting their opinions with ever-accelerating urgency. Their battle zone is the social media. You can see it in the Facebook statuses - for and against, in Twitter messages and in protest video clips on YouTube. The nearer September approaches, and with it the UN debate, the more this online activity is likely to escalate. But don't think the State of Israel is leaving the battlefield to the amateurs. "We are intensively preparing ahead of September," says Chaim Shacham, head of the information and Internet department at the Foreign Ministry. Think of him as the Israeli government's tweeter. Foreign Ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor adds: "We all expect something to happen in September. We don't know what yet, but clearly there's going to be some sort of diplomatic development. We have our finger on the pulse in te

Egypt demanding Malaysian aid ship's sewage pipes transferred via Israel instead of Rafah

From Ahram Online Activists on a Malaysian aid ship that had been bound for Gaza refused to hand their cargo to Egypt on Thursday, saying they feared it would end up in Israel. They had tried to land in Gaza last week but changed course when the Israeli navy fired warning shots. Matthias Chang, who is heading the mission for the Perdana Global Peace Foundation, told AFP the group was not consulted when the Malaysian and Egyptian governments worked out a deal to end the impasse. Chang said Egypt had insisted the cargo be discharged and transported via Kaern Shalom, at the Israeli border in Gaza. "We are not assured that this cargo would in fact be delivered to Gaza, as in the past... most of the humanitarian aid was laid to waste in Israel," he added. Chang also questioned Cairo's refusal to allow the cargo, consisting of 7.5 kilometres (4.6 miles) of sewage pipes, to be transferred via the Rafah crossing -- Gaza's only crossing that bypasses Israel -- given that it wo

Establishment of $1 billion investment fund announced for Gaza reconstruction

GAZA CITY ( Ma’an ) -- Muhammad Mustafa, the Palestine Investment Fund president, announced Thursday the establishment of a $1 billion investment fund for the reconstruction of Gaza. The rumored top candidate for the role of prime minister in the new technocrat government arrived in Gaza on Wednesday, to coordinate reconstruction efforts and meet with prominent contractors and businesspeople. more

Israeli ministers inaugurate massive illegal settlement in East Jerusalem

More land grabbing and ethnic cleansing, Israeli style. Israeli government Ministers have inaugurated a new Jewish-only settlement in East Jerusalem. A ceremony including Jerusalem mayor Mayor Nir Barkat and Environmental Protection Minister Gilad Erdan officially opened the Ma'aleh Zeitim settlement, in East Jerusalem's Ras al-Amud neighbourhood... ...The settlement is funded by Jewish American millionaire Irwin Moskowitz. more

Three more European boats with passengers from five countries join Freedom Flotilla 2

London, UK – May 26, 2011 – Despite the Israeli government’s continuing use of violence to stop international support from reaching Gaza by sea, three more ships carrying passengers from France, Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Italy will join Freedom Flotilla 2 in late June. The European Campaign to End the Siege of Gaza (ECESG), one of the flotilla's sponsors, said the ships will carry country-level legislators and members of the European Parliament among their passengers, which will number in the hundreds. "I am sure the recent Israeli fire on the Malaysian ship, the Spirit of Rachel Corrie, was meant as warning for the flotilla, but we will not be deterred," said Anouar Gharbi, A member of the ECESG. "The ruling South African government also fought back against early attempts to end apartheid, but eventually it was forced to change by the power of the people. Veterans of that fight for human rights say that the Israeli apartheid in the Occu

UN demands Israel ceases eviction and displacement of Palestinians from their homes

UNITED NATIONS, May 25 ( APP ): The UN humanitarian chief has criticised Israel’s forceful displacement of Palestinians, emphasizing its adverse impact on Palestinian communities. Speaking to reporters at UN Headquarters in New York after a four-day visit to the region, Valerie Amos, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, said Israel must suspend the forced eviction and displacement of civilians from their homes in the occupied Palestinian territory. more

Swedish crime writer Henning Mankell to join Freedom Flotilla 2 bid to break Gaza siege

STOCKHOLM — Swedish crime writer Henning Mankell will take part in the next international flotilla that will attempt to bring aid to Gaza at the end of June, organisers said Wednesday. Mankell, the author of the popular Wallander series of detective novels, will be among a total of 20 Swedish participants in the "Freedom Flotilla 2," Ship to Gaza Sweden said in a statement. "Interest in participating in the Freedom Flotilla has been enormous and we have been forced to turn down many people who wanted to show their solidarity with practical actions," the organisers said, providing the names of eight of the Swedes scheduled to take part. more

Egypt to permanently reopen Rafah crossing from this Saturday despite Israeli objections

Egypt will open its crossing with the Gaza Strip this weekend, Cairo's interim military government has announced. The move will significantly ease a four-year blockade on the Hamas-ruled territory, but sets up a potential conflict with Israel. Egypt's official Middle East News Agency (Mena) said the Rafah border crossing would be opened from Saturday daily between 9am and 9pm, except on Fridays and holidays. This gives Gazans a way to freely enter and exit their territory for the first time since 2007, when the Islamist militant group Hamas seized control of the territory from its Palestinian rivals Fatah, and Israel and Egypt closed their crossings. Israel's crossings are more significant, since these handle most non-smuggled cargo. A year ago Israel eased its restrictions on cargo entering Gaza, but it still severely limits entry and exit of Gazans through its northern crossing into Israel. Mena said the decision to open the Rafah crossing was part of efforts "to end

Amnesty demands end to demolition of so-called 'unrecognised' villages by Israel

Amnesty International has called on Israel to cease the demolition of the Bedouin village of al-Araqib in the Negev desert in southern Israel. International human rights organisation Amnesty International has called on people to take action to prevent the demolition of the village of al-Araqib to make way for planned forestry. The village, the organisation claims, has been demolished by the Israeli state on over 20 occasions despite the 250 villagers effected having clear evidence of their legal ownership of the land from the Ottoman period. more

Video: stun grenades and 'demonstration of presence' by 'the most moral army in the world'

From Breaking the Silence Above: a member of the artillery corps on the 'creative' ways in which the Israeli occupation force goes about what it calls 'a demonstration of presence' - in this description that involves randomly throwing stun grenades around Palestinian villages, although on this occasion it went wrong - which is nice. Below: on the immorality of the 'most moral army in the world'. Morals and war don't go together testimony catalog number: 57738 rank: Lieutenant unit: Education Corps place: Gaza period: 2003 As an education officer, you said you had to analyze and evaluate some value or educational content of the events. Who addressed you, if at all, about this? What were they looking for? In general it was the commanders, I mean I worked mostly with them on this, all kinds of staff officers at the division HQ. In general we weren't that much. And my commander, the division education officer, would have to push all kinds of things to the

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