‘Dutch Jimmy Carter’ accuses Israel of terrorism in new book

The emotion in Andreas Van Agt’s voice as he lambastes Israel’s behavior seems puzzling for a man of his status. It is especially intriguing when one is reminded that this blue-eyed professed idealist is an astute statesman who presided as the Dutch prime minister for five years, until 1982.
“My involvement in the Middle East [...]

Is Colonialism in Israel Untouchable?

Since the pages have turned in commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Nakba, do new headlines and reports covering stories other than Palestine suggest that its business as usual in Israel?
Indeed it would be an injustice to confine solidarity activism to calendar events such as “birthdays” for this will overlook other dimensions underpinning the [...]

Gaza students to leave for US

Students from Gaza who were awarded scholarships to study in the US but prevented from travelling by Israeli authorities, have now been allowed to leave Gaza to begin their study programme.
The US consulate in Jerusalem said on Monday that the scholarships - earlier “redirected” by the Fulbright student programme - will be reinstated.
Fulbright said it [...]

Water and Resistance

The view from the Palestinian village of Nahhalin, in the west Bethlehem area, is sobering. This small village—along with the villages of Husan, Battir, Wadi Fuqin, and Al Walaja—are becoming more and more isolated from Bethlehem.
As Israeli colonization in the Etzion bloc grows and as the Wall continues to cut deeply into the West Bank [...]

Legal Consequences of the Construction of a Wall

Advisory Opinion
The Court finds that the construction by Israel of a wall in the Occupied Palestinian
Territory and its associated régime are contrary to international law; it states
the legal consequences arising from that illegality
THE HAGUE, 9 July 2004. The International Court of Justice (ICJ), principal judicial organ of the United [...]

It’s the roadblocks, stupid

..Israelis and Palestinians involved in the talks on borders, an issue considered to be relatively “easy,” say there is a big gap between the reports on the talks’ progress and the reality around the negotiating table. It seems Olmert’s representatives expect Mahmoud Abbas to allocate to Israel larger pieces of territory than those Ehud Barak [...]

We fought APARTHEID: We see no reasons to celebrate it in Israel now!!!

End The Occupation South Africa sends a message out to supporters of the Palestinian liberation movement. Our advertisement as it appears on page 41 of the Citizen (15 May 200 is reproduced below:

Breaking the silence - Israeli soldiers talk about the occupied territories

Breaking the Silence is an organization of veteran Israeli soldiers that collects testimonies of soldiers who served in the Occupied Territories during the Second Intifadah. Soldiers who serve in the Territories are witness to, and participate in military actions which change them immensely. Cases of abuse towards Palestinians, looting, and destruction of property have been [...]

Israel and international law

Israel is in daily breach of its obligations under international law. Some of these breaches probably amount to war crimes.
The Fourth Geneva Convention 1949
(Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War)
A: Background
1. The purpose of the Fourth Geneva Convention
The Fourth Geneva Convention was specifically designed to protect civilians in time of [...]

Plan to put synagogue in heart of East Jerusalem likely to be approved

The Jerusalem municipality has begun the process of approving a plan for a new housing complex, including a synagogue, in the heart of the Arab neighborhood of Silwan south of the Old City.
The plan, submitted by the right-wing Elad association, includes 10 apartments, kindergarten classrooms, a library and underground parking for 100 cars. Documents [...]